"Shall we go then?" Allen asked as he blocked out the images of Lexi's belly swollen with their pups as she waddled around the kitchen stuffing her face with cakes that Orvar insisted on sharing with him. He tried his best to school his face into an expression that resembled something like eagerness in the hopes that they would just assume that he was eager to get on with the schedule for today. The same delirious look of happiness that was plastered all over the omega's faces, shone from Allen's own expression, and Lexi couldn't help but laugh, completely oblivious as to the real reason for his almost inane grin. "This pack mentality is really something." She said shaking her head as Allen frowned at her in confusion. "What do you mean?" He asked carefully, hesitant to ruin the connection that he had thought they made last night with any clumsily spoken words today. "Nothing. Forget it." Lexi sighed waving her hand dismissively at him, "I hope I'm not gonna be expected to
Bartholomew waited patiently at the front steps for the car to arrive that contained the latest visitors to the Enclave, with two omega's waiting patiently behind him with their heads lowered respectfully and their hands clasped together in front of them. The cool air wrapped itself around his robes he inhaled deeply and savored the fresh, chill air that flooded his lungs. As much as he loved the Enclave, he had to admit that he missed being outside as much as he used to. His duties at the Enclave kept him busy enough and forays into the outside world were few and far between. The most that he could manage nowadays tended to be a walk around the gated gardens or one of the many secret courtyards and private arboretums that were hidden away in the maze of tunnels and corridors. Quite frankly Ann's ascension to the throne had changed a lot of things within the Enclave and Bartholomew was one of the few that welcomed it with open arms, having always had a propensity for adventure
"I would ask how the horny couple are, but I don't think I want to know the details really." Lexi grimaced as she linked her arm through Bartholomew's and they made their way inside. Bartholomew chuckled and patted her hand. "They're holed up in the Royal Quarters so I doubt you'll see too much of them over the next few days. Whilst Ann is in heat, the doors to their wing are sealed and their guards are posted outside the entrance to the wing rather than their bedroom, for reasons that I'm sure you'll understand." Lexi smirked as she snorted. "Well, I suppose listening to a free sex show to get the juices flowing isn't everyone's idea of a good time…" "Lexi!" the sound of two voices shouting out at the same time echoed in the corridor around them. She laughed at both the low warning in her father's tone, and the slightly panicked disapproval from Allen as they both looked at her in admonishment. "What?" She shrugged nonchalantly, "I'm not wrong. You're both acting as if
By the time Lexi, Allen, and Lord Brarthroroz arrived at Bartholomew's office, Adam was already there. "Alpha." Allen greeted him seriously with a nod of his head as they filed in, Lexi and her father taking seats at Bartholomew's sweeping gesture, indicating for them to take their pick of any of the chairs that sat before him. "Thanks for coming so quickly," Adam said gratefully as he and Allen clasped their forearms and took their respective seats opposite one another. "Well, seeing as how you seem intent on getting my bestie knocked up so quickly, someone has to help you handle things," Lexi smirked as she lazily examined her nails. Adam smiled wearily in her direction as he laughed lightly. "It's not like I have a choice in it. You try ignoring the primal urges of the souls inside of us and let me know how well you do." Lexi snorted loudly and fixed him with a no-nonsense stare. "I'm telling you now, mister furry, there's no way I'd be rolling over and spreading my
Moments after the door closed behind Adam, Bartholomew shared a look with Lord Brarthroroz and they both stood and made their way to the door. "You can stay here as long as you need to," Bartholomew said pointedly as he glanced at Allen, although Allen never lifted his eyes. "I'll escort Lord Brarthroroz to the holding cells downstairs and get him acquainted with the specimen we have down there… although I'm not sure how much will be left of it. It does seem to be decaying at rather an alarming speed." He continued with a troubled expression. "That happens when the magick dissipates from the necrotic flesh," Lord Brarthroroz shrugged casually, "Nothing to hold it all together anymore. That sort of magick can only imitate life for so long…" "Indeed." Bartholomew grimaced before tearing his gaze from the emotionless face of ALlen and smiling softly at Lexi, "If you need anything at all…" "Don't worry Barty boy, I pretty much know where most things are here now. It doesn't take
The lounge Lexi had taken Allen to was pretty much deserted at this time of day. There weren't too many people who enjoyed a liquid brunch at the enclave clearly, but that served Lexi's goals just fine. "So, are you going to tell me or not?" Lexi asked impatiently as soon as the omega that was acting as waitress deposited their order and disappeared off into the recess behind the bar. Allen sighed and picked at the edge of the table absent-mindedly as he debated how best to answer her. She was right of course, and Orvar agreed with everything that she said. Not that it surprised him. When it came to Lexi, Orvar was clearly biased. 'It's not biased, it's being intelligent enough to realize when you're wrong, and let's face it Allen, you've been wrong a lot so far.' 'I didn't ask for your commentary on my choices that I clearly regret, Orvar." Allen snapped as his mind went into overdrive. 'No, but you'll get them anyway…' Orvar replied with a smirk and was about to continue
Lexi's stomach sank at his words and she could practically feel the pain radiating from him as he spoke. "I didn't even know you had a sister.." She murmured quietly as Felix's head shot up and he glared at her with an anger that quite frankly chilled her to the bone. "I don't Lexi, not anymore." He growled furiously before downing what was left of his whisky and slamming the glass down on the table in anger. Lexi's heart sank as her heart broke for him. She had always regarded Ann as a sister and a lump began to form in her throat as she pictured the possibility of losing her. "Allen… I'm sorry… I didn't know..." Lexi stammered quietly, suddenly at a loss for words. "Yeah... well… there's nothing to be sorry about. It won't change anything. It is what it is." He snapped gruffly as he raised an arm to signal the omega for a refill. Lexi fully understood now why he hadn't wanted to discuss this with her. It was painful for him obviously, and it was obvious the Dubois famil
Ann had been confined to her room for four days before her heat finally broke and she awoke feeling more normal than she had done for days. She sat up in bed and winced as her sore muscles protested against the small movements she made as she turned to gaze down at her beloved husband, sleeping peacefully beside her. She couldn't help the mild pang of irritation that rippled through her at the sight of him so unbothered and unaffected by her condition after her body had demanded attention relentlessly at the expense of her sanity. Impregnation or excruciating pain that made you wish you could tear your flesh from your bones if your mate wasn't skewering you with his over-eager cock? It was hardly a fair deal in her opinion. The male got to enjoy himself immensely whilst the female mewled and begged like a pathetic little whore to be filled with his seed, all because of the natural mechanisms designed to ensure the survival of the species. Bastard Moon Goddess, Ann grum
As their convoy of cars and moving vans rolled up the driveway, Ann's stomach twisted uncomfortably as her anxiety set in. Regardless of what her babies were doing to her insides, the effects that her heightened emotions were having on her far eclipsed any discomfort that her pups were causing. She took a deep breath as she tried to calm the anxiety that knotted her insides and made her heart ache painfully. As far as she knew, her father was still living within the palace and she still wasn't sure that she could forgive him for everything that she had been put through because of his choices. In the worst-case scenario, she could always extend the palace to encompass two main living areas so that she wouldn't have to deal with tolerating his presence. She didn't even want to think about how she would explain to her children that they couldn't ever meet the incredible woman that her mother was because her father had an affair, broke the mating bond, and allowed his mistress and
"Right, I think that's the last of them," Adam grinned as he jogged through the huge doors of the Enclave's entrance hall to where Ann was pacing restlessly and Bartholomew was watching with mild amusement. "Finally," Ann sighed as she rubbed her belly with a grimace, "At this point, all I want to do is get my home back to what it used to be." Adam leaned forward and planted a kiss on Ann's forehead. "Are they making things difficult for you?" He asked gently, rubbing her back. Ann reached for his hand with a scowl and placed it palm down on top of her belly and grimaced as another flurry of movement rippled under her skin and Adam blinked in surprise. "Are they fighting in there?!" He asked in shock. "With two stubborn Alpha's for parents, I wouldn't put it past them." Bartholomew chuckled as he made his way over to them, smiling kindly. Ann lifted her gaze and her face softened as she looked at the kindly face of the old man that had been there for them through so muc
When Coral had returned with the Omega that worked as a nanny to the nobles, the baby boy was handed over to her and she waddled off happily, cooing at the baby in her arms as it gurgled happily back up at her. Coral began to work through updating the schedule for Ann as she dictated, adding additional notes that she shared with Allen's device. He would see to their schedule tomorrow as he had several days worth of reports to hear from Adam as to what had happened within the businesses and the Dark Moon Pack while he was away. Lexi made her way back to her room with both Allen and Greyson following behind her. She paused outside her door and turned to them both with a smile. "Sorry to disappoint boys, but I don't feel like getting frisky right now. Quite honestly, I just want to soak all of this crap off me." They nodded at her as she looked at them thoughtfully. "We really should sit down and have a discussion about how this is going to work between us all, you know." she
"Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that." Ann said a little breathlessly as she looked between Lexi, Allen and Greyson. Adam shared the same concerned expression as she did at the revelations that Eromaug would clearly stop at nothing to get his hands on Lexi. "You're absolutely sure that your father is willing to ally himself with us?" Ann asked as the baby in her arms began to stir and protest at the noise and unfamiliar surroundings it had found itself in. Lexi snorted loudly. "Of course he is. How could he not when his daughter is your right hand woman?" She winked. "We should put it to the council first." Adam said somberly as Lexi groaned loudly. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled at the opportunity," She muttered sarcastically as Ann laughed. "I think we should get hold of Bartholomew so that he can help us find a way to ‘tell' the council of our alliance, rather than ask for their permission." Ann mused thoughtfully, "He's pretty knowledgeable about who supports us,
Ann and Adam stood on the front steps of the Enclave, eagerly waiting for the return of both of their Beta's. Adam chuckled as Ann fidgeted with her hands and struggled to stand still, her gaze fixed on the curve of the driveway. "They'll be here soon, don't worry." He soothed, wrapping his arm around her as she nibbled on her bottom lip. "What if something happened though?" She worried as she rubbed her little bump in an act of self soothing. Adam's eyes glazed over slightly as he linked with Allen and then grinned down at his anxious wife. "Allen said stop worrying, it's not good for the baby. They'll be here in seconds." "But…" As promised, the front end of the transport pulled around the corner of the driveway and Ann let out a sigh of relief. "See, my Queen? Nothing to worry about." Adam chuckled as he watched them pull to a stop in front of them. As soon as the door opened and Lexi's head emerged, Ann broke away from Adam and bolted down the steps towards her.
Lexi knew that she was still conscious, but the pressure that engulfed her head, and the rigidity of her body teamed with the almost distant voices of protest from Allen and Greyson let her know that she had no control over what was happening right now. The initial black curtain that had descended was suddenly filled with hundreds upon hundreds of memories from her childhood, all played out in glorious technicolor and accompanied by sounds and smells that made her heart ache with familiarity and her breath catch in her chest. There was no way that she could catch each and every memory at once, but she could see it clearly. The bond that both she and Eromaug had shared at an early stage was filled with love and an intensity that she had known only with Allen and Greyson. By the time the images had begun to fade in her mind's eye and her vision returned, she was overwhelmed with emotions. As she sat there trembling, clasping her hands together tightly so that she wouldn't cry wit
Lord Brarthroroz guided Lexi over to one of the chairs around the table and gestured towards the flap of the tent. "Make sure no one enters for the time being, Steve." He said with an air of resignation to his voice as he took a seat next to his daughter. Steve nodded expressionlessly as he moved to the open flap, released the material to close it and ducked through to stand outside. "You two should sit as well," Lord Brathroroz advised as he gestured to the seats across from Lexi, "This isn't easy for me to talk about." He continued with a grunt. Greyson and Allen moved to comply and took their seats next to each other, both of them focused on Lexi. Lord Brarthroroz sighed as he turned back to his daughter and cupped her face fondly. "Before I start, I want you to understand that before your mother and I had you, neither of us realized just how deeply we could love and the desire to protect you from harm eclipsed everything else in our lives completely." He said gently a
It hadn't taken their force long to clear the halls and clean up the bodies that were left behind. The losses had been minimal on their part and considering the forces that they had thought they would be up against, their plans had meant that they had been far better equipped than the coven itself. The Coven had left very few prisoners alive, and the ones that were still breathing were in pretty bad shape. Lexi and the other healers and medics had done what they could but there was no growing back limbs…no matter how proficient of a shifter you were. Lord Brarthroroz had stationed huge numbers of his daemons within the winding passageways and caverns that the coven had previously inhabited and returned to the surface with his portalmancer Steve at his side. He strode angrily across the makeshift camp to the command tent and paused at the entrance, glancing across at the medical tent where Lexi had been working. Currently, she was cleaning her hands off as her mates watched
She stood and with one last look at the lifeless body below her, turned her attention to the chaos at the other side of the room. Narcissa had no problems keeping the attacks of the wolves at bay and Lexi could feel the emotions of the past few minutes bubbling wildly inside of her as she stormed towards her, her eyes blazing furiously. Her father was still making little headway against Eromaug, but she wasn't concerned about his survival, he was more than capable of taking care of himself against his bastard of a brother. Narcissa on the other hand…she had a lot to fucking answer for. Lexi strode through the fighters battling the twisted Daemons that had emerged from the shadows, throwing her magick lazily towards the monstrosities as she passed, a sneer curling at her lips as the shifters watched her in terrified awe. It wasn't long until Narcissa noticed her approach and her face split into a sneer that matched Lexi's as she swept her arm in front of her, knocking the ma