P.o.V. Troi
It took ages to get cleaned up after the battle with the rogues. Between being careful over wounds and simply getting the blood and dirt and everything out of our hair, the process seemed never-ending. We didn’t realize exactly how bad we looked until Luna Martha met us in the hall and nearly fainted. Though most of it was dry by the time we made our way into the packhouse, there were still patches that got on her and Alpha Gerald when we made contact, and that alone was enough to warn us of the mess we were going to find when we got to the mirror.
Since coming to High Valley, we know we have come to care for Luna Martha and Alpha Gerald and they have grown fond of us. We didn’t realize the extent until tonight where they were faced with the real prospect of losing us and responded with more concern and affection than our mother
NarratorTroi was excited to complete the pack bond with Tyko and begin exploring what possible feats they would be able to accomplish as a pair. As the bonding was completed and they began to feel the link, the difference between that and others was clear. Where others were like a phone line that was present but needed to be dialed, Tyko felt like a wide open tunnel. It took less than a thought to establish Tyko's state of wellbeing and proximity. Linking her was almost as easy as Moira and Trajan talking.They were exploring the link further to see if they could figure out how power would be transferred through it when an alert went up from outside that a nearby village was being hit but they were sending some warriors. Bo didn't seem to sense it and Tyko and the Coven Mistress wouldn't have been able to, but Troi could hear the warriors instructions. This wa
P.o.V. PatrickThe air outside was crisp and cold, but heaters around the back patio allowed for a comfortable seat outside. With what was probably the last sunny day of the year I decided to spend my time studying in the sunshine before winter really set in. I had brought out a few books and my computer and was reviewing information on the different species we had treaties or trade agreements with. It was rather tedious but I didn’t want to slip up in an important meeting and cause a disagreement. Meticulousness was always better than embarrassment.“Packs, Covens, Clans, Courts, Tribes, and Populations. Werewolves, Magic Users, Vampires, Fae, Giants, and Humans,” I kept reciting to myself. “Alpha, Coven Mistress, Sire, Queen, Chief, and Mayor. Wait, that's not right. Governor or president…” I had to go back to loo
P.o.V. TroiWith only a few weeks before the Maben Ball and the week of finals that ends the semester, we couldn't miss any school. Having to return before we were fully healed was difficult since our leg and back were still not a hundred percent. We weren't limping but strenuous activity was a challenge and we still had trouble even laying carefully on our back, much less sitting back on hard plastic seats. Everything else was healed well though and the only scar was the cut along our neck. Although many others treated it like a cool new tattoo to be marveled at.The extra attention would have really bothered us if we hadn't returned home before getting back to school. Those from our pack were so rarely touched by battles that they still seemed to think of them as glorious. It didn't help that rumors traveled faster than we did and everyone was telling huge wh
P.o.V. NarratorThe winter break passed quickly for most, though the Leary twins found it dull and time without the welcome distraction of friends or school seemed to slow to a crawl. Their friends were either at the Maben Ball or spending time with their own mates. Those few who remained and were unattached were enjoying the last break they might have before becoming young adults and having to begin caring for their mate or taking their place within the pack. While they would still attend training, or in Jessica's case volunteer time at the clinic, they wanted nothing to do with extra pack duties or studying during their free time.Patrick spent the entire vacation locked in the library working on advancing his knowledge of contracts and treaties and politics. He studied law and a bit of languages to be able to greet guests and perform b
P.o.V. TroiSitting at their desk in Grey Peak, Troi was feeling restless by the end of the first week back to school. It seemed like everything was on hold and the entire world was holding its breath for their birthday. They couldn’t focus and their mind kept drifting and they found themself staring out of the window while tapping rhythmically on the desk or bouncing their legs. No matter how hard they tried to keep their attention on the work, they kept being drawn back to the snowy, moonlit lawn. Finally frustrated trying to force it, they shut their books and decided to go for a run.As they grabbed the bag they’d use to store their clothes, they mindlinked the patrol captain for the evening to let him know they would be roaming. While the warriors all knew their scent, the wrong wind direction had caused them to charge directly in fron
P.o.V. TroiThey finally managed a response as their mother daintily sipped her tea, “A hundred people for our birthday party? That seems like a lot, but why only five of our friends? What families are going to be there if they aren’t from our pack?”“Think of this logistically dear,” Luna Fallon sighed, setting her cup down with a slight clink. “I had to invite enough female and male children of prominent werewolf families to have the best chance of finding both Patrick and you a mate. Some of the available wolves are traveling with just guards, but most are bringing at least one parent as well who are expecting to attend as well. It will be like a Maben Ball just for ranking families. There are also several who have given up on their children finding mates who are looking to arrange marriages for the betterment of
Alpha DarrenIt was a surprisingly quiet evening, so I should have known something was going to go wrong. Since Bo's mating ceremony was interrupted by the attack and the rogue band was decimated, everything had become increasingly calm. Tybris was growing restless and I was considering a run once our paperwork was done before settling in for the evening when a spark of anger flowed through the mate bond. Tybris was growing irritated and anxious as the anger simmered until it was a full boil. The feeling was very familiar, and I knew Fallon and Troi were at odds about something. Normally when they were just interacting I'd get small blips of annoyance, but this was extreme.I was almost to the door to go and find out what was wrong when Fallon slammed it open looking like she was charging into battle. She slapped the clipboard into my chest and said "Y
TroiOur nerves were humming as we tried to control ourselves and make small talk with the elders we knew. The first to show were some of the warrior elders we first worked with as trainees. Many of them would still spend their spare time near the training fields or with the leaders. It was hard, after living your life surrounded by all the bustle and activity and excitement, to step back and sit quietly on your porch and watch the world churn around you. They often complained to Troi about the lack of activity when the trainees were done, so Troi suggested they keep their hand in with practices and sparring matches with the leaders and each other. A few had taken this to heart and Elder Maeve was especially pleased that any warrior who was seen as lacking focus was sent to her to “get them disciplined.”She, Elder Maddox, and Elder Loc cam
RichBy the time we had finished handing everything over to Patrick, Trisha, and their group, Troi was long gone from the pack house. Even their scent was growing faint as Claud tracked them through the forest and up towards some of the overhangs. It was well past dark when he finally found more than a wisp of them and was able to hone in on their location.As he got closer I realized where they were. It was the overhang where we found the phoenix feathers as kids. Sure enough, they were sitting on that ledge looking out into the distance. They were so focused, they didn’t even acknowledge Claud’s approach. I shifted back and put on the clothes he’d carried before climbing up beside them.They still didn’t act as if they noticed anyone else here. I tried to wait, but eventually grew
Alpha DarrenWith the discovery of survivors, the path forward seemed much more navigable than when we were dealing with a pack that had been entirely destroyed. As Teddy and his uncle spoke it was like watching fog clear from everyone in the room. When he mentioned Trisha finding her mate the relief from the other end of the line seemed to turn to excitement. That was the moment I realized what that actually meant.While Fallon had planned for numerous outcomes from the party she threw the kids to help find their mates, I don’t think she actually considered the possibility that Patrick may be mated to the sole heir of an Alpha. For any pack with no one in line to inherit, having their child mated to the offspring of an Alpha was a clear path forward and made the succession very easy. From what Fallon has said, Trisha was not raised to lead her p
XXXThe group making their way through Flowing Waters was taking ages. I understand their caution, but we have already been out here for a day waiting for their arrival. I had to hope they would investigate the house enough to find the message we left behind for them to discover. If they did not take the time, we would need to attract their attention enough to be discovered but still not be seen as a threat. That would be far more challenging and may even backfire if everyone doesn’t play their parts right.Luckily they were as thorough as I expected and one of the ones investigating the pack house did uncover the message we left. I had the scout who was watching them cut contact at that point and made sure everyone in the cavernous hideout was ready to put on a show. These warriors would be easy. They were already going to be sympathetic, as lon
TroiWe weren’t taking any chances with our guests until we had people reporting back from Flowing Waters everything they found. Our warriors reported that Trisha and Teddy stayed away from the rest of the pack and basically in a few rooms of the packhouse over the next few days. The only time the three weren't with him was when he went for his runs with dad. Then they'd stay together wherever he left them until he returned. When he did, the boys would bail while he and Trisha spent time together.The warriors who followed the boys reported that Teddy sometimes made brief phone calls. Usually that evening or the day after he would report something to the leaders. Dad wouldn't let us work with Tyko to listen in on his conversation. He still doesn't fully believe us that there is something suspicious about the wolves from Flowing Waters worth being
EnvyEverything clicked into place as Patrick spoke. His sister’s deeper voice when we were in the room upstairs definitely struck a nerve and I realized now she was the one taunting us after the failed High Valley assault. It also explained the way she was included at a critical level in the discussions of possible attacks on packs, though with twins it was possible they would both have a role in running the pack. Even knowing his sister’s ferocity and backing, I couldn’t help but be a little excited. We had found our way in to get through the pack defenses at Grey Peak and probably High Valley.I laid the groundwork for getting him away from the pack with the lure of power of his own. I could feel Strigga’s discomfort at our manipulation of our mate, but I made her understand he would be joining us in the end. If we told him t
PatrickIt was hard to know how to help Envy with everything going on. I was slightly glad we had not completed the marking process. I only occasionally got pangs of stress from her instead of the full blown grief she was clearly under. Moira’s suggestion that Envy stay in my room was completely shocking, but I later realized she must have said that just to get us out of her hair and annoy Mother all at once. Mother was entirely opposed to us staying there together alone, but didn’t want to push the issue openly where others would wonder why. Then she may have to admit she was worried about Colm or pretend she was against us completing the mate-bond for some reason. Either of which would also have benefitted Moira so it was really a win-win for her to make the suggestion.It worked for us. While we didn’t mark each other, we were able
TeddyCaleb’s quick thinking following Patrick’s sister and her friends seems to have paid off. I was able to call and warn our Boss and work out a plan quickly. The rogues torched the pack buildings and burned the bodies after the attack, so all evidence would be untraceable. By the time anyone went to investigate, everyone’s scents would have been wiped clean. He got off the phone with me and I deleted the log of the call. I continued the path I walked and turned towards the training fields. Exactly five minutes later he had one of the guys who joined up with me from Flowing Waters call me. In the brief call, he filled me in on happenings at the base while I acted as if I found out the world ended.I looked up dramatically before running toward the training field to find any leader really. It lucked out that the Beta was there and I
RichAs if the whole issue with Patrick finding his mate wasn’t enough, now Troi was having to deal with what looked like a war against packs and a potential spy or assassin inside ours. They’ve pushed themselves hard since we all were presented to the pack. Basically doing double duty here and High Valley as well as school activities and warrior training. They started to seem more on edge once people in our friend group started finding mates. It got even worse when their dad named them heir and Patrick got sick and they had even more to deal with. I was waiting for them to snap and I could see the moment it was about to happen.When they began to bulk up and I could see Trajan pushing forward, I knew they had reached a breaking point. I couldn’t tell if it was the news of all the attacks or something with Patrick’s mate or thei
TroiWhen Trisha pulled away she shot an embarrassed and scared glance at the everyone present that caused Mother to burst into tears and pull her into a bone crushing hug. Even Dad went over to mutter words of support and how we’d do everything we could to help and that he had the best warriors already on it and had rallied allies. Patrick kept in physical contact with his mate the whole time and pulled her back into his chest as soon as Mother released her. Trisha’s eyes were red, but we noticed that there were no signs of tears on her face, Patrick’s shirt, or Mother’s shoulder.Something about this whole situation felt wrong. Teddy said he got a call from a friend at his pack who said that something had happened. But that was only a couple of hours ago at this point and the coven’s scrying showed that the attack was fa