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Chapter 106
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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A Time for Strength CHAPTER 107
“Anything else, Carly?” Bronx clicks his pen and sets it down to end the final meeting before the Council arrives.“Yes, I met Randall’s assistant at the administrative professional’s conference I just got back from.” She clears her throat and looks around as if she’s tentative about sharing the info.“You did?” Ashley tilts her head. “She was allowed to go?”“Um, I think she had to pay for it herself, but yes, she was allowed to go.” Carly presses her lips together. “I wasn’t able to get a ton of detail, but um, she… she said he’s been on six short international trips in the past month. He also had what she called ‘female guests’ in his home during that time. They didn’t stay in the packhouse, they stayed in a guest room in his house.”“She just gave you that information?” Bronx puts his pen down. “After you just met her? Did she know who the women were? How about where they came from or went?”“Oh, I-I didn’t think to ask her all that. It was more of a, uh, just a friendly, casual…
A Time for Strength Chapter 108
“I don’t know.” I stir the spoon in my coffee and sit back. “She seemed more nervous than usual.”“Yeah.” Ashley sits next to me in the seating area of my office and sips her coffee. “Maybe Milo’s right? Maybe she found a guy to have a one-night stand with and she was embarrassed.”“You gonna ask her about it?” I hold my cup with two hands letting it comfort me.“Mmm… maybe during training.” Ashley shrugs. “You know how she is. I don’t want her to feel more self conscious.”“Agreed.” I lean my head on her shoulder. “The last time she had a boyfriend was in high school, right?”“Yeah. Benji Platt. He works in Procurement at MasonCo now.” Ashley muses. “I think it would be really sweet if Carly found another admin to date. Even if it would be a long distance relationship. I’m sure we could convince your brother to give her time off to keep that flame lit.”“Mmm.” I finally take a sip of the coffee. Even one sip feels like it has energized me. “Hey Ashley?”“Yeah, Leni?” She leans her he
A Time for Strength Chapter 109
– Flashback –“I want to be a mommy when I grow up.” Ashley picks a flower and smells it. “I want lots of pups like Marco’s mommy.”“Boy pups?” Carly scrunches her nose. “Gross.”“Don’t be stupid, Carly. You don’t get to pick.” Ashley rolls her eyes. “You just have to hope she sends you all girls. How many pups do you want?”“I don’t know.” Carly shrugs. “I never thought about it. I guess one or two, but I don’t want boy pups. What about you, Leni? How many pups do you want when you grow up?”“Nah.” I sit up and look at Mace and Dahlia snuggling at the other end of the meadow. They’re my daddy and mommy wolf spirits. Mommy and Dahlia “I don’t think I want pups. I wouldn’t be as good at it like my mommy and Dahlia. They’re the best.”“You don’t have to be the best at it, Leni.” Ashley rolls over so her head is on my lap. “You just have to use your whole entire heart and love them. That’s all that’s important.”“I don’t know if I could ever love anyone as much as I love my parents.” I l
A Time for Strength Chapter 110
“Bro, she’s gonna be home in no time. You gotta try to snap out of it.” Milo hands the tailor a black suit jacket with green pinstripes. “This will look good on him, right? Goes with his eye?”“Mmm yeah. The patch should be solid green to match, please.” I nod to the tailor, then cross my legs and bob my foot. “Bronx! Come on! You’re taking forever in there!”“That’s cause I don’t want to be here.” He comes out of the fitting room.“Yeah, well, we don’t want you turning your apartment into an ashtray while Kas is gone.” I stand up and adjust the shoulders of the shirt. “Button the top. Is it too tight?”The tailor comes beside me and waits patiently. He works at Raymond’s department store, but he is a pack member. It makes it easier for our larger warriors and guards to get fitted for suits and uniforms without being questioned.Bronx raises his head and buttons the top button of the dress shirt. “No. It fits perfectly. Tariq always gets it right the first time. I just don’t fucking w
A Time for Strength Chapter 111
“When is he supposed to wake up? He’s scheduled to go to France to see his mate tomorrow.” I hold Bronx’s hand and watch him sleeping. Does he know I’m here? Does he know how worried I am? “What if what happened to Kas at the mall happened to him somehow? He was glowing like she did. What if he had some sort of premonition we need to know about? Should we call the Coven and let Kas know there’s a problem?”“Beta Lenora, we’ve done every test and scan possible. The EEG shows normal brain function for a werewolf, which means Saint is most likely experiencing the same thing Alpha Bronx is. The only explanation I have is that he has been under more stress than usual with the Luna being away. This incident could be related to PTSD.” Doctor Nolan explains, standing beside me.I press my lips together tightly. It feels like he’s avoiding all of my questions. “Doctor Nolan, when will he wake up?”“It’s normal for a patient to be exhausted after a grand mal seizure. We need to give Saint a cha
A Time for Strength Chapter 112
“Hey Aaaaashhhhley?” I call through a mindlink.“Hey Lennnniiiiiii?”“Um, are you and Carly busy?” I twist my fingers nervously.“Never too busy for our favorite nerd.” She coos. “Where you at?”“My bathroom.”“Your bathroom? Like, in your apartment… bathroom?” She sounds suspicious.“Yes. And I need you… And Carly.”“Lenora, if you have another toy stuck in your-”“I don’t.” I cut her off. “I just need you guys. Like, right now, right now. Please.”“Alright, alright. We’ll be right there.”I pace in the bathroom looking at the unopened box on the counter.“I don’t remember seeing you in a memory.” Justice insists again. “If you think you’re pregnant, just pee on the magic little stick.”“It’s not magic. It’s science, and you were the one who told me it was a memory, not a dream, Justice.” I snap. “And if it comes up negative, I’m going to have a mental breakdown and if it’s positive, I’m going to have a mental breakdown.”“Oh, for Goddess’s sake. If you’re going to have a breakdown e
A Time for Strength Chapter 113
“You’re just going to forgive him?” Justice seethes. “He could have killed us!”“Alright, Justice, look.” I sit on the bench outside Bronx’s apartment. “Yes, he got drunk and pulled us into the pool, but it wasn’t intentional. Besides, there was zero chance we were going to drown.”“You’re being too laid-back about this, Lenora.”“Why are you so mad?” I fold my arms over myself and cross my legs.“What do you mean, why am I so mad?” She snaps at me.“You’ve been in a mood even before I found out I was pregnant. What’s going on with you?”Justice pauses. “It’s just a reminder time passing too quickly. A reminder that nothing lasts forever.”“Okay, but that’s not always a bad thing.” I reassure her. “Try to think of this as a blessing. I’m happy. Milo’s over the moon. You saw how Bronx reacted. He’s ecstatic.”“I’ll do my best to hold my temper.” Justice says as a compromise.“I’ll take it. And if you want to talk more about it, please just tell me. Okay?”“Mmm. Fine.” She snips, ending
A Time for Strength Chapter 114
“Henri, Bronx’s flight is missing.” Milo says into the speakerphone while he types blazing fast on his laptop. "I need your help to track him down."“Missing?!” Henri gasps. I hear noise in the background. It sounds like people scrambling. “Tell me what you need, my friend. You have all my resources. Is Kas still at the coven? She’s safe?”“Yeah. Safe, but freaked the fuck out. I’m sending you all the info for the MasonCo jet now so you can check local airports. He was supposed to fly into Agen La Garenne six hours ago, but his flight never landed there. Check all the airports within four hours. The jet would need to refuel any further than that.” Milo says into the speakerphone. “I’m getting on a commercial flight in an hour and a half. Lenora, Reggie, and Ashley are going to be here. As soon as I have a secure connection, I’ll be in touch. Until then, Reggie’s your contact.”“Of course, Milo.” Henri confirms. Milo pauses and looks up at Reggie. I’ve never seen him look so serious.
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A Time for Strength Chapter 151
“Good Morning, Beta.” Sondi Eklund pokes her head into my office. “Would you be able to review these retirement package updates I’m proposing to the Alpha?”I look up from my spreadsheet and try to smile at her. “Of course, Sondi. Please come in.”“I already highlighted the sections in question.” Sondi comes in with her staccato, bird-like movements. “Oh, Beta Lenora, are you ill? Forgive me if I’m overstepping, but you look exhausted.”“I’m alright, Sondi. Being a new mom is exhausting.” I’m careful not to go into too much detail. Sondi and Scott still haven’t found their daughter. I don’t want to be insensitive. I quickly change the subject. “That and I feel like I’m running in circles trying to decipher some of the information on this spreadsheet. They’re supposed to be client names, but I can’t figure out how they’re coded.”“Would you like a fresh set of eyes?” She looks eternally hopeful. “I’m happy to help.”“Um, sure.” I turn the laptop to her. “I’ll look at these updates whil
A Time for Strength Chapter 150
“Kaaas?! Are you sure you and Codi will be okay?” I yell into the living room. “I can call the daycare and see if they have someone who can come up.”“No, we’re fine.” Kas’s voice sounds strangled.Milo peeks his head into the living room and pulls back quickly. He doubles over in a silent laugh, pointing to the living room. I look out to see Codi had a handful of Kas’s hair in a death grip. Kas’s mouth is open in a restrained cry of pain, trying to untangle the chubby fingers from her sparkly locks of hair. I nudge Milo who’s on the floor in tears with his hand over his mouth. “Knock it off, Milo. She’s trying her best.” I pull him off the floor. “Kas, give her the rattle that’s on the coffee table. The one that looks like a tiger's face. She’ll let go in a heartbeat.”After a pause, Kas calls back. “Oh my Goddess, it worked! Thank you!”“Okay. We won’t be gone long. Mindlink if you need ANYTHING.” I walk to the living room and kiss Codi on her chubby cheek, then kiss Kas on her for
A Time for Strength Chapter 149
“And this is the Alpha’s private archival library.” I hold up a slip of paper for Musu to read. “Memorize this number. It’s your personal access code and don’t share it. Understand?”“Yes, Beta.” She stares at the paper. “I got it.”“Good.” I punch in my code and let the door slide open. I step inside, motioning for Musu to follow. She steps in and looks around in awe.“The Goddess has truly blessed our Alpha.” She takes a few more steps trying to take in the library's beauty. “I’ve never seen a private collection this large.”“Well, he’s been collecting them since he was a child, and it has proved useful.” I clasp my hands behind my back and look around, then point to a book on a pedestal covered with a glass case. The page is open to the painting of The Moon Goddess with the Menae. “This is how we found out Kas is a goddess.”Musu looks down on the image and chuckles. “Is it inappropriate to say The Moon Goddess and Endymion were more like rabbits than wolves?”Justice lets out a wh
A Time for Strength Chapter 148
Lenora’s POV“Delilah, if anyone asks, your family is from France. You went to culinary school there. That’s how you met James. Bronx gifted Kas private lessons. James was a security guard for Kas while she attended the school. You’re twenty-three-”“But, no, Carly Ann Miller, I am one hundred and-”“You. Are. Twenty-THREE. Delilah.” Ashley interrupts. “No arguing.”“You expect me to just LIE?!” Delilah holds her hands to her chest and looks mortified at the thought.“Yes.” Ashley, Carly, and I all say in unison.Delilah falls back in her seat, distraught.“It’s not that we want you to be dishonest, Delilah.” Ashley softens her tone. “It’s a matter of self preservation. For all of us. You included. Whatever technique you’ve used in the past to deflect attention won’t cut it anymore. You and Kas are going to be approached by paparazzi all the time now. They need to believe you’re human. We’ve given both of you believable, respectable human profiles. The fewer people trying to dig into
A Time for Strength Chapter 147
“Alright, Big Guy.” I toss the plastic gun on the arcade game. “You win. I’ll never beat you at Duck Hunt. I’m out of cash to feed the machine anyway.”“I mean, you tried. I’ll give you some props, man.” Marco blows into the barrel of the plastic gun and looks at his watch. “It’s been two hours. That’s gotta be a good sign. Right? Musu woulda called me if Lenora chased her out.”“Yeah.” I pout my lip. “No mindlinks either. Down your beer. Let’s check on them.”Marco raises his pint glass and chugs the remaining beer. “Rita! Thanks, darlin’!” I hold up more than enough cash for our tab and toss it on the table. She gives me a thumbs up from across the restaurant. “Don’t be strangers!”“Ah man, that fresh air.” Marco takes a deep breath when we step outside. “Nothing beats summer in Montana except maybe spring in the Coven’s realm.”“Did you hear that?” Ghost gasps, suddenly at attention.“Huh? Hear what?” I shorten my stride and look around.“A warbler.”“Okay… and?”“They leave afte
A Time for Strength Chapter 146
There’s a quiet knock on my office door. Instinctively, I look down at Codi. She’s still fast asleep. I set down the report explaining there were absolutely zero useful bits of information on Randall’s tape recorder other than rambling about a trip to Portland to see a warehouse or something.We still haven’t been able to determine the identities of the girls in the photos other than Evie. There was no rhyme or reason to the codes associated with each one. The unusual names don’t exist anywhere either. The team is still looking into it, but I’m not very hopeful. Randall sneaks under the radar on everything.“Come in.” I say in a hoarse whisper.Milo peeks his head in with a huge smile on his face. I put a finger to my lips and point to the travel bassinet next to my desk. He tiptoes in and silently closes the door behind him.“Hey Sugar.” Milo whispers. “Is this a bad time? Are you busy?”“I always have a minute for you, Milo.” I blush when he hands me a bouquet of wildflowers. “They’
A Time for Strength Chapter 145
“Tyree, have you finished the sweep of Randall’s suite?” Milo paces behind his desk.“Just about Beta.” Tyree’s voice comes through the speakerphone. “He took most of his stuff, but there were a few things left on the kitchenette counter. A folder with some paperwork, an envelope, like one of those ones you mail photos in. Ya know? Feels like there’s something inside. And a voice recorder.”“A voice recorder?” Milo asks, confused.“Yeah. I don’t want to open anything or push play in case it’s booby trapped.” Tyree replies. “Fool me once.”“Good call. Bring everything to my office.” Milo pushes his finger into the desk. “I’ll get a forensics team to take it off our hands.”“Yes, Beta.”“Don’t let anyone in that room until they get a deeper sweep.”“Yes, Beta. Marco will stand guard. I’ll be up in ten minutes.” Tyree confirms and hangs up.“Milo, what do you think he was up to?” I bounce Codi gently in my arms. It’s not because she needs it. I have too much nervous energy to hold still.
A Time for Strength Chapter 144
“An apartment in Paris? Who would have ever pegged your brother as a hopeless romantic?” Mom swipes through images of the apartment Bronx bought for Kas as a wedding present. “It’s absolutely gorgeous!”“Yep. She needs to sign some paperwork, but I don’t think she understands enough about real est-” I bite my lip and point at Dad who’s making wolf faces at Codi on the other end of the sofa. Mace tests out a growl to see if it will startle her. She makes a sound that could be a growl back at him.“So sweet.” Mom places a hand on her heart. “Meeting codi is all he’s talked about since we got the news that you were pregnant. So what's next? Have you thought about a little brother for Codi, maybe?”My heart squeezes. “Justice, what do I say?”“As much of the truth as you can.” She sounds unsettled. “We don’t really know anymore. Do we?”“You know how hard it was for me to get pregnant, Mom. Let alone survive Codi’s pregnancy. We haven’t really talked about having more yet. If the Goddess
A Time for Strength Chapter 143
It’s been two days. Kas has isolated herself in her apartment, still convinced that she needs to hide herself away. I brought Codi up so she could snuggle with her niece in hopes it would lift her spirits. I let her take Codi to the bedroom while I go talk to Marco.“Hey, Beta. Everything okay?” He salutes me.“She’s not handling it well. Maybe I should invite her to go to the meadow?”“I wasn’t talkin’ about the Luna.” He lowers his chin. “You been avoiding me?”I immediately feel my face flush. “Wh-what? I-”“Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like that. I know you’re busy with your pup.” His tone softens. “I need to stay in my lane.”“I mean, I-I guess I kinda thought, um, your mate wouldn’t want me talking to you.” I confess. “So… yeah. I guess I have been avoiding you?”“Ah, Leni, come on. I’m fuckin with you… kinda.” He looks sheepish. “Me and Musu was talking about our ranked members. I didn’t tell her about US, but I told her you and me grew up together and that we still close frie
