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Chapter 91
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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A Time for Strength Chapter 92
The girl’s bone thin hand trembles as she reaches up and slides the hat off. She clutches it in front of herself with both hands but doesn’t look up at me. Her greasy hair is in a bun on top of her head, but not tied off with an elastic. She bows her head, causing her long, greasy locks to cascade over her back and shoulders.“Shut the door!” Justice howls in a panic.This can’t be real. I blink hard and look again. This girl’s hair is sparkling silver. It’s not gray or salt and pepper like an elderly person. It’s silver. That’s impossible. Isn’t it? I reach behind me and grab the handle of my blade from my waistband, but don’t unsheathe it just yet. She is so frail I can’t see how she could be a threat. Unless…“Oh, I see.” I keep my voice calm and authoritative. “Now, don’t be disrespectful. Always look me in the eye when I speak to you.”When she looks at me, my heart stops. It doesn’t skip a beat. It actually stops until my mind comprehends what I’m seeing. Her hair isn’t the sta
A Time for Strength Chapter 93
After coming up with a plan of action for the morning, Ashley and I decide to take a walk around the packhouse to check things out under the guise of finding some hot tea.“This place is just… kinda creepy… no?” Ashley stays close to me.“It’s a little quiet for a pack of five hundred werewolves.” I look at my watch. It’s only ten-thirty p.m.Back home, pack members are just saying good night to each other and making plans for the weekend. There would still be plenty of people milling around and wolves howling outside, enjoying the warm August night. This place is like a ghost town. The few pack members we see don’t even look in our direction.“Let’s take the long way around toward the dining room. There is a door to the kitchen in there. There must be another entrance close by.” Ashley hooks her arm around my elbow as we wander through the halls. “Do you think that Kas girl will be there? Maybe we could ask if she needs help.”“No, Bronx is right. If we interrupt her work, it could s
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“Looks like it’s time for lunch.” Alpha Graham looks at his watch.“That’s probably a good idea.” Milo leans back and folds his arms over himself. “Alpha Bronx should be here in about half an hour. That will give us an opportunity to get him up to speed.”His assistant rushes out of the room and comes back a few minutes later. “We will serve lunch in a moment. Also, Alpha Bronx just arrived. He said he needs to… um…”“And what, Lori?” Alpha Graham growls at her. “His words were ‘Have a smoke and uh, t-take a piss’…” She wrings her hands.I roll my eyes and sigh. “Yeah, that tracks. Give him about fifteen minutes.”“Yes, ma’am.” The assistant bows and leaves the room again.The Silver Moon wolves move to the other side of the room to discuss the morning meeting while we sit patiently. Kas comes in with two giant trays of sandwiches and side dishes. The stale scent of blood accompanies her. She’s still wearing the same tattered oversize shirt and gym shorts she had on during breakfast.
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“Saint, you have to let her go for the doctor to examine her.” I hover my hand over his arm, afraid to actually touch him. “I can’t, Lenora. I-I can’t.” He snarls and holds her closer to his chest. Her limp body is tiny in his powerful arms. Losing blood has exacerbated her pale complexion. “Saint, I understand how difficult it is. Trust me, bro.” Milo stands next to me, trying to convince his Alpha wolf to put the girl on the examining bed. “We’re going to stand right outside the room and wait, but the longer it takes for you to put her down, the lower the chance of her surviving. Can’t you hear how weak her heartbeat is?”“Saint, Marco and Arnie are in the next room giving blood just for her. Milo is going to go give blood when they’re done. You and I can too if you can step away for half an hour. I know it’s hard, but she’s going to die if you don’t.” I drop my shoulders. “We’re doing everything we can. We just need you to put her down. Please. Don’t let your mate die!”“Alpha, w
A Time for Strength Chapter 96
I sit on a milk crate near the head of Kas’s bed and watch her sleep. She’s covered up to her neck with a clean sheet Diane brought. The exposed lightbulb in the ceiling is too bright. It creates morbid shadows on her exposed skin where the deep lacerations mar her skin. The stinging scent of wolfsbane lingers in the air. I think about the Council upstairs deciding the fates of the Silver Moon pack members. They made Bronx and me leave the room because Randall was there. Milo is our representative until they decide about what to do with the Silver Moon pack.I’m grateful that Bronx’s former lieutenant, Henri Fortier, was elected to the Council three months ago. I heard rumors that if I had not denounced my participation in murdering Sin, they would have nominated me. I would have been the first female on the Council. Honestly, I would much rather be sitting in a dungeon, praying for the life of one wolf than deciding the fate of hundreds. It’s not my place. I’m not a god after all.I
A Time for Strength Chapter 97
“Kas? Can you hear me?” I take her hands and squeeze them. “It’s Beta Lenora.”She peeks out from the green and gray quilt, but her purple eyes aren’t vibrant like they were before the Silver Moon doctor sedated her. There is a dullness there. It reminds me of Milo when he first came home from the war. She hasn’t spoken a word yet. Her eyes dart around the room at all unfamiliar faces. I can hear her heartbeat growing faster.“She may be in shock, Lu…uh, Beta.” Doctor Nolan stands behind me. “Let’s ease into this with a few basic questions about her medical history.”“Kas, this is Doctor Nolan. He’s our pack doctor.” I sit on a chair in front of her. “He just wants to ask you some questions. Is that okay?”A drawer shutting practically makes her jump out of her skin. The lights in the room flicker the way they did in the dungeon, but they don’t break. The nurses gasp and duck at the unnerving phenomenon.“You’re certain she isn’t a hybrid?” Doctor Nolan watches the lights overhead.“
A Time for Strength Chapter 98
“Here.” I hand Bronx the green and gray quilt.“What is this?” He takes it with a confused look.“The quilt we brought Kas home in. I had housekeeping wash it.” I’m not sure what to do with my hands, so I put them in my pockets. Why do I feel so self conscious? “Now that it’s clean, I figured we could let her sleep with it. You know? I… I mean, everything is so different here for her. Maybe when she’s awake, she’ll say she doesn’t want it, but she literally has nothing else. She brought nothing with her. Imagine not having anything, Bronx. No good memories to look back on. Nothing to go back to. That blanket is all she has left.”Bronx holds the blanket to his chest and gives me a complicated look.“Um, sorry. Maybe it’s a bad idea. I’ll just have facilities put it in storage. If… If she asks for it, I’ll have them get it.”“I think it’s a great idea. It just reminded me-”His voice trails off. I wait to see if he’ll pick up again, but he looks lost for words.“Reminds you of what?”
A Time for Strength Chapter 99
“Kas? Are you okay?” I lay flat on the floor and look under the bed.Her fear washes over me. It’s potent. I hadn’t been so used to controlling my own emotions for so long it could overtake me. I take a controlled breath and let Justice use her wolf vision to look under the bed. Kas’s eyes are glowing purple so brightly in the small space that the glow practically encompasses her body. I still don’t understand how she isn’t a hybrid, but it doesn’t matter now.“I won’t let him kill me.” Her little growl would be menacing if it wasn’t so damn adorable.“No one is trying to kill you, Kas. Look, I have a couple of guys here who are friends of mine. They are pack warriors and I asked them to help me. They’re going to lift the bed up so we can get you out from under there.” I speak in a calm, controlled tone. “When you’re out, I’ll kick them out of here. There’s a nurse here too. She’s going to make sure you’re not hurt and then we’ll get you back in bed… instead of under it. I’ll stay wit
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“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
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“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
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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
