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2024-10-29 19:42:56The Alpha was sat in the living room, a crystal glass of Amber liquid in hand. A single lamp was turned on, as though the room had gotten dark without him noticing. He simply sat, staring into the nothingness of the room, bringing his glass to his lips to draw in a swallow of his drink every so often. He cringed at the taste onm his lips and I knew it was Scotch, the scent filled my nostrils as I walked in the room.
He waited a moment before flicking his eyes over to me. He looked so tired, so small. Dark circles etched themselved around his hooded eyes, shadows carving out on his chiseled face. His stubble had grown out, he hadn't shaved for the two days we were on the road and he had some growth before we'd left. His shoulder length hair was slick and unruly from his worrisome hands raking through it all day as he hashed out his plans. I doubted he'd eaten, I knew he hadn't shaved or paused for so much as a breather since I'd fixed his breakfast nearly a full dayRelated chapters
Ablaze Fire
My paws connected harshly with the earth as I bolted from the packhouse, dirt flying up behind me as I pummeled towards home. My heart was in my throat, fear and guilt and worry swarming my insides like angry bees. The early light of dawn painted the landscape in periwinkle hues, and had I not been all consumed with the taste of ash on my tongue I would have marveled at what a beautiful morning it was.Thick, black billows of smoke engulfed the sky the closer we got to my cabin, the angry twisting flames scorching the trees on the horizon. They were steadfast approaching, and I ran a full perimeter around the untouched ground surrounding my forever home. If someone had attempted to clock my speed, they'd have broken the radar as I darted along the burnt treeline. My home remained untouched, but not for long. Volunteers were already out in droves, no doubt having been summoned by the warriors when the Alpha was alerted. They aimed bails of water at the approaching flames
Ablaze Settle
Getting used to life at the packhouse was easy, seamless. Alpha Rhodes had set me up in one of the guest suites, a bedroom and bathroom all to myself. Jonas had volunteered to bring my stuff over from Mains and the warriors had even delved through the wreckage of my home to salvage anything that the fire hadn't touched. For a while I worried Mom would feel I abandoned her, that I was condemning her to live through another loss and suffer alone, but that wasn't the case. My mother had understood. She knew that my heart had splintered differently than hers, that memories haunting every corner of my life wouldn't help to mend it. She was healing living amongst the memory of Mains, amongst old charred phototgraphs from the fire and the hallowed walls of the cottage passed down generations. I, however, needed a fresh outlook, a change of scenery, in order to step back and appreciate what I'd once had and what it had given me. Besides all of that, I think part of her felt better knowing I
Ablaze Tactile
The pack was alive and ferocious, with training sessions happening at all hours of the day and all across the town. The usual grounds were still reserved for the recruits, who were training at double time to make sure they were ready for battle. Clarice had taken the reigns from Beta Gideon, seamlessly transitioning to head trainer. The Beta, meanwhile, had begun training the warriors in being ruthless."The Blood pack will not fight fair, so you won't either. When it's life or death, I know what I'll pick," he said, pacing back and forth in front of the group of us.We'd divided into two teams, half of us holding the border and the other half learning to fight dirty. We'd almost hoped for another rogue attack so we wouldn't have to risk practicing on one another, but the injuries would act as lessons on how to improve. Our research showed we would have enough time to heal, and Dr Kip was on standby to offer medical assistance should anything get out of han
Ablaze Clean
My first thought once I reached the pack house should have been washing and disinfecting my wound, but I couldn't deny the rumbling of hunger in my stomach. I kicked off my muddy shoes by the door, leaving them in a heap. Rhodes always hated when I did that, preferring a clean entranceway for when he greeted guests - which made it all the more fun to do it. I would pick them up later, and before he entertained anyone in his study. But for now? A muddy heap by the door, just long enough to see his jaw tick in irritation. What fun was life if you couldn't tease the Alpha every now and then?I made my way to the kitchen, my heart set on a quick bowl of cereal to curb the hunger long enough to shower and see to the bite mark Leon had left behind. What I hadn't expected when I rounded the corner into the kitchen was the hulking frame of Alpha Rhodes, poised over the coffee pot with a bewildered look on his face. His eyes met mine, flush with shock, before roaming down to my still
Ablaze Booked
"I meant to ask you," I said to Rhodes, a mouthful of pizza garbling the words, "Beta wants me to get my mom to come up with some sort of evacuation plan? What's that about?"We were dining alone this evening, a rare occurence. Every so often everyone would be busy, leaving the Alpha and I to our own devices- which usually meant frozen pizza. We'd forgone formality and were sprawled out in the den across the couches, sweatpants on, the epitome of comfort."Right, yeah," Rhodes replied, swallowing the bite mid-chew, "So we have a few spots picked out but we need to work on a plan for when to start the evac, and a plan to get everyone there safely. I thought since your mom and Alex are already working in the library and have access to records and stuff they could take the lead putting the evac into action?""I'm sure she'll be happy to. Since we figured out the treaty business they've been kind of bored. I'll go see her tomorrow."We finished our dinner, re
Ablaze Jonas
With a date to work towards the whole town was abuzz with preparations. Alex and my mom worked diligently to create an evacuation plan that worked both safely and efficiently. Clarice was funnelling new warriors our way at record speed, any young wolf who was willing and able was being trained to defend themselves, and those that showed exceptional prowess were passed on to Beta Gideon and Jonas to join the defending ranks.Jonas had taken the lead when it came to training, his skills and expertise as a former member of our opposing pack were an asset when it came to training. He encouraged us to use the land to our advantage- we, after all, knew it better than our foe. Daily runs were scheduled for all warriors to familiarize ourselves with the terrain in order to maximize our chances in battle. Meanwhile Rhodes had begun reaching out to his a
Ablaze Preparations
Stay's Landing was in full swing preparing for The Reckoning. Mom and Alex had a pretty good idea on what the evacuation plan would be, and with that came preparations for if we were caught too early. Leona had gone door to door asking for volunteers to build safe homes, barricaded from the elements and our foe's blade. She'd chosen the strongest homes, all made of stone and millwork. Ones that would not burn easy, that would withstand the war beyond in the event we could not evacuate those unable to fight quickly enough.We planned on building barricades like it was the French Revolution. Old furniture and planks stacking high above our heads surrounding the town, acting as a last ditch line of defense in the event the fighting made it that far. Of course we hoped that it would not. We hoped to squash the threat on the border and amongst the trees, but it was best to over prepare, to prepare for anything- even the worst.I was first on the list to voluntee
Ablaze Leave
My mind was reeling as I made my way home, my conversations with Torrance flooding my thoughts. While part of me felt closure having my feelings out in the open, the other part was more confused than before. I could no longer deny the pull I felt towards Alpha Rhodes, a connection had formed between us. More than a connection if I was being honest with myself, our relationship was growing into a living, breathing being. It exhiliarated and scared me, it was sso much a part of who we were, and I was terrified by the thought. What would it mean when I lost him?I walked through the door blankly, my eyes glossed over, my being floating somewhere else. I was no longer present in my own body, I was on autopilot. I heard Rhodes call out to me, but his words never connected. I made my way to my room, stripping out of my sweaty, dirt covered jeans and heading into the sanctuary of my shower to rinse the feelings off of my back.If only it were that easy. My usual therapeutic c
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Ablaze Idea
The rest of the day milled on, dry and aching as I felt out in the space for my mate. I wanted nothing more than to be with him, surrounded by him and the electric heat that closed the space between us. I so longed for him, but the turmoil of my body and mind were not in harmony. Inwardly my thoughts were muddled, painful. Normally I would turn to my mom in times like these. I would spill my fears over her perfectly cooked eggs at the counter in our little cottage, the hot coffee and morning sunbeams washing away my dread. I thought now to the charred walls and burnt memories, our cottage another ruin in the wasteland my land has become. Even my beloved dock, steadfast and strong as it was, had become much to dangerous for me to sit alone and work through my maze of thoughts. I felt so alone under the weight of my life. What a way to spend your birthday. I thought of my friends, how I so desperately wanted to let them in and to celebrate. I had found my mate! He loved me too! I
Ablaze Confronted
As the strategy meeting came to a close and we all retreated to our preparation points I felt the calloused hand of Jonas meet my elbow, his low whisper in my ear."Alpha's chambers, now."His voice was gruff and bone chilling, the fear lingered on the back of my neck as I swallowed it down. Funny how I was not afraid of the battle ahead, but the scolding tone of my own packmate sent my senses into a fight or flight frenzy.As we walked through the wooden corridor towards the office I could pick up the residual hints of my mate's scent wafting in the air. Somehow that reminder of him, that hint of his once-before closeness worked magic in calming my nerves. Seeing his towering, chiseled frame as we broke the threshhold of his office even more so. His back was turned, he'd clearly been pacing, but the crease of his furrowed brow softened as our eyes met.This miniscule act of intimacy was enough to send Jonas back into a rage. His low, ne
Ablaze Caught
The Pack House's Great Hall was a room rarely used. It was reserved for tactical meetings and the occasional party, but I couldn't remember the last time the wide oak doors were swung open, the room aired out and the curtains drawn. With all of our warriors and the visiting help we found ourselves with way too many ranks for any other room, so here we stood.I timed my entrance, not wanting to walk in with Rhodes, knowing I couldn't stop myself from standing too close, his scent intoxicating and the invisible strings tied around our souls straining to pull us back together. I was only a few feet away from him and yet I missed him. I yearned to be next to him, buried safe in his arms and drunk with love and comfort. But being with him had to wait. As blurred as our minds both were with the confirmation of our hunch, there were more important tasks at hand.I stepped over the threshhold, my eyes taking in the rows and rows of brave men and women we had gather
Ablaze Mate
Rhodes drew in a sharp breath, almost a gasp. We stared at each other, in disbelief, drinking the moment. I felt myself being drawn to him, as if a thread was holding us together, pulling us nearer. The only thing I could see were his amber eyes, boring into mine, I swear I could hear the thump of our hearts beating in time, could feel the blood pulsating through my veins. It’s as if the whole world fell away and there was only him.“Come with me.” Rhodes said gruffly, “Now.” His eyes darkened and his voice was rough, he wrapped his calloused hand around my wrist, sparks emanating from his palm as he gently pulled me through the pack house corridors and towards his bedroom.Once we were alone he turned to me,“Is it? Are you…&rd
Ablaze Nightmare
Sleep came easy, but rest was unrelenting. As soon as my eyes closed I was tormented by images of shadows draping themselves sickeningly across the swells of Stay's landing. Their menacing black grip grasped at our buildings, dragging them from the light and into the clutches of a ravenous night. Truth be told, I had expected the nightmares to come. I had expected the feeling of ice in my veins, of panic and cold sweats and fear as I lie between sleep and waking. In a way this prepared me for the mania that would come, the fear that would undoubtedly paralyse me where I stood. The shadows slunk along the stone pathways of my home, hissing as they slithered like indiscernible snakes around the structures of town. They singed the ground beneath them, the air around them growing thick and warm as the world burned. I felt myself gasping for air as the embers in the shadow's wake begain to flutter as the flames caught. Smoke was billowing all aro
Ablaze Torrance
Torrance’s bedroom was already emptier than I had expected. She’d gone ahead and wrestled all of her summer clothes, every tank top and sparkly sandal shoved into trunks and boxes. Her round, bubbly handwriting decorated the sides, little hearts dotting the i’s and swirling underlines cementing in that she was really leaving.“Don’t look so sad, Red. I’ll be back to visit!” She said, sticking out her bottom lip as she hugged me into her.“I can’t help it,” I said, trying to make my tone sound light even though it was weighed down with merciless grief, “you’re my best friend and you’re leaving me.”“I’m going with my mate!”“Why couldn’t you have mated with an orphan with no responsibilities that loves mountains? Maybe a geologist. A geologist would be happy here.”Torrance only rolled her eyes at my antics, her sparkling grin both
Ablaze Alex
The next two weeks were here and gone in a blur, between training and studying and battening down the hatches I began to know myself in a whole new level of exhaustion. Muscles I didn't even know existed ached, I loaded up on more carbs than I even thought possible, I pushed myself past the limit and past the next one too. Even Sage, deep within me, panted for a rest.The promised week of rest could not come faster, I yearned for the days of easy patrol runs and light agility training. I hadn't run for leisure in weeks, and the feeling was sorely missed. I felt a lot of myself slipping. I hadn't been back to my pier since the day my mother left. I hadn't run for myself, I hadn't read a piece of broken poetry or breathed in the calming sense of nature. It felt like an eternity since I paused and felt the earth under my feet, since I felt the swimming thoughts in my mind clear. I felt like I was but a blur.Rhodes had pulled away, too, the pressure of the imp
Ablaze Winter’s Morning
I was no stranger to the falsified sense of peace that had graced our dinner table the evening before. Everything and everyone I loved shared in the final meal, my mother to my right and Alpha Rhodes seated at the head of the table to my left. Torrance and her newfound mate were cuddled up, sharing in hushed whispers as they got to know one another. Her parents looked on adoringly, and laughter and warmth radiated across the room. I was all but haunted by my conversation with Clarice, the promise of a new and unfamiliar future on the horizon. When morning came, everything would change.As the dawning light crept in the Alpha and I sighed. Neither of us had slept a wink, but we hadn’t shared a word either. It was as if we were both in denial of what was to come. As the frost settled and the cold winter air whipped around the pack house, the haunting whistles made soundtrack to our somber morning. We worked in tandem, handing each other
Ablaze Jack
"Mate."Torrance replied, stepping out from behind me, her breathing heavy. They drifted towards each other weightlessly, almost as if on autopilot, They glided into one another's arms, holding each other at the elbows. Their conversation was hushed, in whispers, as the familiarity of their souls called out to their mate.Leona sighed, and I looked back at her beaming smile, her eyes brimming with tears and pride as she watched her daughter meeting her other half. I beamed, squeezing the Alpha's hand in excitement as I watched my best friend accept her new role. The daughter of a Beta now the mate of another. A Goddess perfect pairing.Moments passed, no one dare interrupt the fate's meeting. The duo seemed to hold the same regard for public forum, however, and they pulled apart to let the official meeting commence. Torrance stood nervously close to her new mate, their arms touching as she let the Alpha speak."Well! Even more now than b
