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Chapter 60
Last Updated:
2023-08-19 23:14:24
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A Time for Strength Chapter 61
“Milo, it took two weeks to get this info?” I drop my forehead into my hands and look at the sheets of paper. “So you’re saying Paars and Minnie are what? Aliases?” “Hard to say.” Milo looks over my shoulder with his hands on the arms of my chair. “There’s no record of a Paars de Wees in Council archives for over a hundred fifty years. Before that, records are shoddy. There is a Wilhemina Visser, but she was born in the Netherlands over a hundred years ago in a pack called Vrede Berg. It doesn’t exist anymore. Merged with a larger pack eighty years ago. There is a record of her having a daughter, but I couldn’t find a name.” “Why would there be no registered names?” I sit back in my seat and brush my fingers on the underside of his chin, making him smile. Things have been different for us since the night in the meadow. Justice says it’s because I’ve stopped hiding and opened myself up to Milo. I mean, I’ve definitely been open to new things with him. Most of them require my legs to
Last Updated : 2023-08-20A Time for Strength Chapter 62
“Alright Luna, you have two calls this morning. One with a vendor for a new cafeteria food service and one with an existing client who would like to add additional services, but first there is an in person meeting with a potential client… a guy named Yee Walker. We have him in the small conference room on the third floor.” Carly hands me pages of information. “I blocked this afternoon out for uninterrupted work time.” “Uninterrupted work time?” I furrow my brow. “You’re falling behind on getting paperwork signed, but I’ll help you get organized. The digital signature system works well for pack business, so we are working with IT to integrate it for MasonCo.” “Um, shit. Okay.” I frown and look up at her. “Sorry.” “We can do a little more to help with administrative work, Luna.” Hana smiles at me sympathetically. “Thanks, Hana.” I tuck the papers into my folder. “I’m going to drop my stuff off in my office then go to the conference room.” “I’ll escort you.” James volunteers as we
Last Updated : 2023-08-21A Time for Strength Chapter 63
“Yeah. That’s the skin walker from the underground fight.” Reggie looks at the photos from the security video. “The audio in the file is corrupt.” James growls. “I guess if this guy is that powerful, we’re lucky to have video evidence.” “He said his name is Yee Naaldlooshii.” I pace behind the guys as the screen goes fuzzy. It clears up and Sin appears from behind the creature. “That’s not really a name. It’s the Navajo word for skin walker.” Bronx folds his arms over himself. “I guess if he’s old enough, he may not remember what his name was when he was human.” “Well, I don’t know if he’s still on Sin’s side after I called him out, but let’s assume he is.” I swallow hard. “And if that’s the case, we need to assume he is acting as Sin’s personal guard.” “If he is, then no one should try to attack Sin alone.” Hana speaks up. “A skin walker can curse the entire pack with a spell on one pack member.” “Sin told you he ain’t waiting to attack us?” Marco says, also watching the screen
Last Updated : 2023-08-22A Time for Strength Chapter 64
“Elder Randall! I'm so glad to see you!” I greet him with a warm handshake. “Fully recovered, I take it?”“Indeed, Luna Lenora.” He gives me a curt smile. “I apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused you.”“Well, the good news is, Elder Oscar and I had a conference call. Based on the reports I’ve been sending, the Council says this will be your last required visit.” I lead him to the conference room. “After that, you’ll only need to come if the Council has business with Blood River.”“Good news for both of us.” He muses. “I noticed more uniformed guard activity outside pack territory on my way here.”“Ah, yes. There’s been an uptick in rogue activity. There’s also been a rumor of a skin walker. We’re taking a proactive approach to guarding our pack members and war munitions.” I hold my hands at the small of my aching back. “We can’t be too careful, right?”“Glad to know you’re doing your best to protect the Council’s inventory.” Randall looks fidgety at the news. “Are you alri
Last Updated : 2023-08-24A Time for Strength Chapter 65
Milo’s POV“Milo?” Bronx says in a mindlink. “I have Reggie and a guard with me. Where you at?”“Living room. Ghost did a quick sweep, but have them check again.” I reply, looking at the coffee table. “You should see this shit, bro.”“It smells like an animal died in- what the fuck?” Bronx looks at the table. “What is that?”“That’s where the incense smell is coming from. I think it’s trying to mask the dead animal scent. I thought it was a rogue, but even rogues don’t smell this bad.” I don’t look away from the small pile of fragrant dried flowers and leaves smoldering on top of a pile of mud on my coffee table. Bronx kneels down to inspect it closer. “These flowers don’t look like the ones in the meadow. Do you recognize them?”I lean forward with my hands on my knees. “Uhh… desert willow and those are New Mexico Locust flowers. Those little piney things look like juniper. That bit there looks like pieces of cactus.”“None of that is native to Montana, right?”“No, it doesn’t get w
Last Updated : 2023-09-03A Time for Strength Chapter 66
Lenora’s POVI hold my hand up so the nurse doesn’t follow me into the office. “I’ll be just a few minutes. I promise. This is a private matter.”“Yes, Luna.” She looks concerned as I close the door on her face.“Oh, Goddess, I’m fucking exhausted.” I hobble my way to the desk and fall into the chair. “Justice, where were you? Why couldn’t I see you or feel you?”“I don’t know.” She thinks back. “I remember going into the apartment to find our mate, then everything was dark, then we woke up in Bronx’s arms.”“I don’t think it was a possession like Doctor Nolan said. Yee Naaldlooshii took me somewhere. I think he separated our spirits. I don’t know how he did it, but he took me to a place between dimensions.” I pull the dagger on my thigh out of its sheath. “And he gave me something.”“Gave you something? Why in Zeus’s name would a skin walker give you anything?”“As a fucked up thank you.” I take a deep breath and hold the tip of the dagger to my palm. “Brace yourself.”“Whoa, wait! W
Last Updated : 2023-09-04A Time for Strength Chapter 67
“Elder Randall, I apologize for deviating from our scheduled meetings, but we received a tip from a credible source last night. We’re going to need to take action immediately. I’ve come up with a plan and want to get you up to speed.” I wait for him to sit across from me at my desk. “Unfortunately, because of the urgency of the circumstances, we can’t let you go home. The safest place for you is here at Blood River.”“A tip? Urgency?” He looks at me suspiciously. “Lenora, you’re being cryptic. You know that irks me. Why wouldn’t I be able to go home? What are you talking about?”“Well, I won’t expose my informant, but as I said, they are a credible source. They advised that Sin’s army of rogues and dark creatures is prime to attack within the next forty-eight hours. That was last night, so now we’re down to… mmm… about thirty-six hours. I can’t guarantee we even have that long.” I look at my watch. “It’s not safe for shifters in alliance with the Council to travel right now. I’ve alre
Last Updated : 2023-09-05A Time for Strength Chapter 68
The cool morning grass under Justice’s paws is refreshing. Her long strides and the fresh air filling her lungs remind me of the freedom she craves, especially when I’m busy with business and pack matters. She and Ghost romp and play, nipping at each other between guard stations and look out teams. Pack members bow to them and happily accept her yips and tail wags. I can feel their moods lighten when she stamps her paws and bows to them in return, grateful for their loyalty and dedication. She sits back and lets Ghost accept ear scratches from his friends in human form before they make their way back down the mountain.“Tomorrow, we will prove ourselves, child.” Justice stands guard while Ghost shifts back to human form.“You’re not nervous?” “Of course I am.” Her tone is more soothing than usual. “This is war. We either live, or we die. I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to die. I love you and I’m not ready for our paths to deviate from each other yet.”“I-I love you too, Jus
Last Updated : 2023-09-06
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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
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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
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“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?”
