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Chapter 116
Huling Na-update:
2023-11-11 23:21:56
Kaugnay na kabanata
A Time for Strength Chapter 117
On the way into the coven, we landed a helicopter in the field near a giant gate. The witches created performed a spell that opened the gate to let us through in the Hummer Henri had waiting for us. It was a twenty-minute ride to their Coven house. Longest twenty minutes of my life… until I found out Lenora was sick about three hours ago. On the way out, they created portals and took us one or two at a time. Lady Camille was right. The quick trip left me disoriented and nauseous. On the way to the village near the airport, Delilah explained a portal was not just a tear in space and time. It’s a connection between one place and another. Portals are possible because of a place mortals can’t access called “The Beyond”. The Beyond is where the connection between the two places is cut short. The longer the distance between the entrance and exit, the further the Beyond has to stretch to pull the two points together. That extra effort requires extra energy from the traveler. That’s what cau
Huling Na-update : 2023-11-12A Time for Strength Chapter 118
Delilah opens her bag and pulls out a fishing tackle box and a glass vial. The vial is already half full with a light pink liquid in it. “What’s that?” I tip my chin toward her.“Juice of cranberry and spring water from my coven’s realm. I’m going to add several herbs to it. None of them will harm Beta Lenora or her baby.” She explains as she pops open sections of the tackle box and pulls out pinches of dried leaves, adding them to the vial. “The combination of the ingredients and the will of my spirit… well, the will of my spirit and the blessings of the Goddess Hecate are what give the potion its power.”“Fascinating.” Doctor Nolan cocks his head. “Is this something we can discuss another time, Miss Delilah?”“Oui, Doctor.” She smiles, then murmurs under her breath as she swirls the vial around. There is a shift of the ambient energy in the room. Everything feels lighter and more crisp. It’s the literal opposite of what I have felt when dark witches would fire spells at us in the
Huling Na-update : 2023-11-19A Time for Strength Chapter 119
I look back to see Kas looking around at us. I need to protect my Luna, but I need to protect my mate too. Kas’s face is deep red where Bronx hit her. She looks embarrassed about the situation. Why would she feel that way? He’s the one who should be ashamed.“Let’s get her into the apartment.” Lenora struggles out of my arms and picks up Kas’s keys to unlock the door. She switches to a mindlink. “Milo, I’m going to deal with Bronx. Wait for us out here.”Before I can reply, she shuts down the mindlink and leads Kas into the apartment. Shit. “I think that’s what they call a no-win situation, Beta.” Tyree frowns, looking at the door.“Yeah.” Reggie puts his hands on his hips and stands next to me. “I think you did the right thing, though. There were enough of us here to help her. I think we were all just too much in shock to act as quick as Lenora.” “Beta, Gamma, they said there’s a problem with Kas.” Delilah rushes up, holding her old doctor bag with James and Ashley in tow.“Yeah.”
Huling Na-update : 2023-11-22A Time for Strength Chapter 120
“Go ahead, Sister Marguerite.” Leni pulls out a pad of paper and a pen. I can’t tell if she thinks this woman has something legitimate to say, but when my mate turns on her ‘business mode’, no one is dumb enough to stand in her way. “Alpha Regent Bronx Andreas Mason is going to travel with Gamma Regent Reginald Adam Slater. Iokaste remains behind. Beta Regent Milo Emory Stone and Luna Regent Lenora Jane Mason-Stone are absent. I see… there’s a baby girl. She’s very special… Oh! Her spirit is ancient. A very stable thread. I-I think Iokaste will heal her? Or… Iokaste will heal Luna Regent Lenora Jane Mason-Stone’s spirit? Hmm… this thread is unique. The threads of mother and child are woven tightly to the goddess’s.”“Sister Marguerite, you can use our informal titles. Please.” Leni smiles at the bubble, then frowns in concentration. “Kas healed me before I was pregnant. Before we knew she was a goddess. Is that what you see… err… feel? Can you provide more information about this heal
Huling Na-update : 2023-12-04A Time for Strength Chapter 121
Lenora’s POVI stand up and lean over the table as my temper flares. “Delilah, you told me-”“Beta, can I see you in the hall for a moment?” Milo pinches me by the armpit and drags me into the hall, slamming the door closed behind him. “What do you think you’re doing, Leni?!”“Milo, Delilah gave Kas some goopy neon green shit to drink, then like… sucked out part of her fucking brain! I watched her!” I hiss at him. “It turned her into a hag! She knew exactly what she was doing, too!”“What the fuck are you talking about, Leni?” He looks at me like I’m crazy. “Delilah is a white witch. She can’t be a hag.”“The other night after Kas’s vision. She wanted to remove Kas’s fear. She called it gray magic. I didn’t know what that was. I told her to go for it.” I throw my arms out to the sides in frustration. “How was I supposed to know it was dangerous?!”“Is that why Delilah got sick?”“She stole one of Kas’s emotions, Milo!” I snap at him. “Why can’t you focus on what’s important here?”“We
Huling Na-update : 2023-12-12A Time for Strength Chapter 122
“Milo, I thought we weren’t going to exchange gifts.” I hold the box in my hand and tilt my head to the side. “I haven’t had time to go shopping for you.”“Well, technically, it’s not for you. It’s for you to hold on to. It’s for Codi for when she gets older.” He squeezes my knee and gives me that lopsided smile that makes me melt. There’s a mischief in his eyes I haven’t seen in a long time.“Okay?” I pull the ribbon off the box and open it. The contents make me gasp. It’s a pair of diamond studs and a matching solitaire necklace. It looks suspiciously similar to my engagement ring. “Oh my Goddess, Milo! This is too much.”“No.” He kisses my cheek. “It’s not. I’ve been holding onto them for years. I’ve been keeping them in the safe with my gun because I know you would never look in there, but you never really seemed that interested in jewelry. I figured whenever we started a family, we could leave them with your engagement ring as part of an inheritance or something. Besides, do you
Huling Na-update : 2023-12-14A Time for Strength Chapter 123
“Elder Randall, sorry for the delay. Alpha Mike and Luna Sandy are here for the holiday. We were having a private luncheon when you arrived.” Milo holds my elbow and stands half a step in front of me to put space between me and Randall. “Oh! Who is this?”A petite girl stands behind Randall, making herself as small as possible. She looks uncomfortable, tugging on her raspberry colored skirt suit as if she’s not used to wearing something so formal. She pulled her hair into a modest French braid. When she looks up, I can see pure fear in her wide set blue eyes. Her movements remind me of a bird.Carly was right. If she’s of age, she sure doesn’t look like it. I would call you a liar if you told me she was older than fifteen. There’s a sickly smell to her, as if her scent is too concentrated, like overripe bananas. My heart constricts. She has to be a girl he’s selling.“Answer the Beta Regent, my dear.” Randall turns and dotes over the girl. “Remember what you’ve been practicing with ma
Huling Na-update : 2023-12-18A Time for Strength Chapter 124
Shifting to wolf form reminds me of when I first learned how. It's something you can only do for the first couple of months of pregnancy. Justice keeps up with Ghost to lead the run, but it’s a strain for her, which is a change from her usual effortless pace she kept before we were pregnant.I shift back to human form and snuggle with Ghost near the edge of the woods so he can sniff my belly and connect with Codi. He wraps himself around me while I stroke his head and let his thick coat comfort me. Ghost lays his snout against my belly and huffs. His gray eyes look up at me with surprise and love when Codi reacts to him. There is sadness there, too. I’m not sure why. Outside the enclosure he has created with his body, nothing matters.“She knows you, my brave wolf.” I kiss his nose. “You’re her daddy just as much as Milo. I bet her wolf is going to be gray like you.”Ghost licks my face and before unraveling himself from around me. I curl up into a little ball to stave off the chill
Huling Na-update : 2023-12-20
Pinakabagong kabanata
A Time for Strength Chapter 162
Lenora’s POV“You see?” Musu puts her hands on her knees and pants. “A few hard workouts every week are all you need. No?”I lower myself to the floor with a groan and roll onto my back. “I don’t know about that, but I’m definitely too tired to worry anymore. I guess now that my back doesn’t hurt, I have to make up for lost time.”It’s been over a month since I tried to explain to Milo why Randall criticizing me was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Between Justice trying to stop me and Ghost… Well, I don’t know if Ghost was trying to protect our secret from Milo or if he truly doesn’t understand the gravity of the continuation of my life, but I failed miserably at trying to explain. Justice has even resorted to ignoring me unless she absolutely has to engage with me.When I got back from checking on Musu, Milo began to treat me differently. It’s like he was actually noticing me for the first time in a long time. He has been extra sweet and thoughtful. More than usual, I mean. He
A Time for Strength Chapter 161
Milo’s POV“I expect better from you, Bronx.” I let Ghost snarl at him. “Fuck off.” He murmurs with glazed eyes from the gurney.I don’t care that we had to drag him down to the hospital wing to be sedated. He’s gonna get an earful from me. He hasn’t been taking care of himself. He’s gotten angry with MasonCo employees for no reason and handing down unnecessary write ups to directors for various departments in the pack. The past few weeks, he has been more and more irritable. I know for a fact he’s been making excuses and dodging his therapy appointments. I bet he hasn’t been taking his medications either.He even left Codi’s birthday party early when his mom mentioned she was looking forward to Bronx and Kas giving Codi cousins to be best friends with. Kas laughed it off about it not being the right time for them to start a family because Bronx is so busy he couldn’t even stay for the entire party, but you could see how much it upset her that he walked out. I’ve also seen him brush
A Time for Strength Chapter 160
“As you know, the Goddess Project is funded with Council historical research funds and a MasonCo private client project. From a business aspect, what we have found so far, we consider a success. From a personal aspect, I cannot begin to express my disappointment in what we have found.” Bronx lowers his chin and looks around the room.“Disappointment?” Elder Karthik picks up his folder. “What do you mean?”“When you see the footage, you’ll understand.” I make eye contact with as many Elders that will look at me. I make a mental note that the ones who won’t make eye contact also happen to be on one of Randall’s ledgers.“We’ve included dossiers on the women we have confirmed in your folders. The details that we cannot confirm are from new individuals or the women we have found already are on a separate punch list. We are working on either matching them up to one of our suspects or identifying a new one.” Bronx looks around the room at the Council and motions to Elder Henri. “My Betas an
A Time for Strength Chapter 159
Lenora’s POV“Milo, get the camera!” I gasp. “Hurry! Come on, Codi. You can do it, my big girl!”“Mamamama mmmama!” She squeals and lets go of the side of the sofa.I want to reach out and grab her before she falls, but her pediatrician says to let her try to do things on her own.Doctor Berra told me she understands why it’s so hard to let our children become independent, but I don’t think she understands at all. She says bumps and bruises are a part of our pups growing up. I thought I wouldn’t be around to kiss every one of them.Ghost, Justice, and I are the only ones who know that I shouldn’t even be here to watch my baby girl wobbling next to the coffee table. He doesn’t seem to understand the significance of my presence after her birth, though. He’s just grateful that I didn’t die. I’m not supposed to be alive to watch her gripping onto the tiger rattle and flailing her arms with a huge smile while her daddy cheers her on as she takes her first step… and her next… and her next…
A Time for Strength Chapter 158
Musu’s POV“If you have photos or videos-” I tap my fingers on the keyboard.His muffled voice sounds like he’s speaking to someone else.“Ilya, I will hang up and remove you from my call list if you don’t take this seriously.”“My apologies, Miss Goba.” His gruff voice is thick with phlegm. The sound of it makes my stomach churn. “I just got another tip for you.”I roll my eyes in frustration. I hate this part of my job. Greedy, underhanded, low life creatures. That’s who I have to work with to get what I need. I suppose it could be because he’s part warthog, but I believe it is more because he’s a chauvinist pig. If Marco ever found out the things Ilya had proposed to me, he would find himself squealing, not me. That much I am certain of.“This man is a fraud, Musu.” My wolf Mercy is ready to hang up. “Move on.”“I need to know you are good for the money.” Ilya snorts.“I’m done with these games, Ilya. You already know my employer has deep pockets for useful information.” I let my a
A Time for Strength Chapter 157
Kas turns on the nightstand lights in my bedroom and turns off the overhead light while I wait impatiently for her to be ready. Her movements remind me of a bird who can’t decide which branch to sit on. When the lighting is just right, she looks around the room and breathes a sigh of relief.“Okay, Lenora. I’m just going to place one hand by your tailbone and the other on the middle of your back. All you need to do is close your eyes and clear your mind.” She smiles at me with shining violet eyes as she mimics the placement of her hands in the air. “It won’t take long. Fifteen minutes tops.”I take a deep breath and shake my hands out. “Okay. So, just sit cross-legged on the floor?”“If that’s the most comfortable position for you. I just need to put my hands on your back.” Kas gently pulls me down. “This won’t be like when I helped you and Codi. It should feel… relaxing. Some people say they feel a warmth spread out from my hands, so that’s not unusual, but if you feel any pain say s
A Time for Strength Chapter 156
“Oh! That must be my mom. She’s bringing snacks.” Carly hops up to open the door.I roll my eyes, but deep down I appreciate the effort she’s put into making me feel comfortable while Milo is out of town. I groan as I stand up, feeling the strain on my lower back. Justice slipped when we were conducting perimeter inspections earlier in the day. Even with as fast as she can heal me, aggravating the old injury takes longer for the pain to subside.“Sorry, child.” Justice frowns. “I should have been more careful.”“It’s alright, Justice. Neither of us could have known how easily that bit of river bank would give way.” I secure Codi in her bouncy chair and let her kick her legs happily so I can greet people.“Hello Beta!” Mrs. Miller comes in with one of her employees, carrying several giant platters covered with lids. “I put a little of everything for you ladies. Hot wings, salami, cheese, crackers, fruit and dip, chips, salsa, guacamole… Oh, popcorn. Extra butter, salt, and garlic. Just
A Time for Strength Chapter 155
“I think I cracked it, Sugar!” Milo bursts into my office with his arms raised in victory.Musu turns to look at him and tilts her head. “Good morning, Beta.”“Oh. Sorry.” He drops his arms. “I didn’t realize you ladies were meeting right now.”“It’s alright, Milo. We were just talking about Paars. Musu is going to look through Bronx’s library and see if she can find anything helpful.”“Look for Paars in the history books?” He stops short and tilts his head. “You think she has something to do with the Menae?”“I think a female wolf who makes people sick just by being around them is something to consider. Oh, Alpha Lowe left me a voicemail. She skipped town like she said she would. Gone with the wind.” I sit back in my seat and fold my arms over myself. Having to keep everything Justice has told me a secret is so frustrating. “Musu, I think we’re done for the day. If you come up with anything, please let me know.”“Of course, Beta.” She stands and bows. “Beta Milo, it was good to see y
A Time for Strength Chapter 154
“Hi Alpha Lowe!” I wave to him from under the beach umbrella.“Beta Lenora!” He waves and makes his way across the pebble beach.“Please sit with us.” I motion to the spot next to me in the shade.He lowers himself to the ground with a groan and props his arms on his knees. “Beta Milo is at my sister-in-law’s house looking around Brianna’s room now. It was making me too nervous. I had to show myself out.”“Yeah. A lot of our clients feel that way. It’s a necessary intrusion, unfortunately.” I frown. “We’re going to do everything we can to find her. I can’t think of better trackers than Milo and our Gamma Reggie. We’ll find her. We’ll bring her home to you.”“Thank you.” He looks out into the calm ocean. “She has the most beautiful blue eyes. They’re so full of hope and innocence and her smile lights up the room. It’s been so hard on everyone to not know what happened to her.”I nod silently and look out into the distance with him. “Alpha, are you aware of my past with Elder Randall?”
