“No more, daddy, no more, please,” she whimpered desperately trying to keep the tears from her voice.
“Weak, pathetic, pup. No one is ever going to want you.”
*
“WHAT!” both Wade and Marc cried in unison
“But… father… he whipped her…. He beat her,” Marc tried to reason with his father, he had never expected him to suggest sending an abused female back to the abuser. “She is not under our protection, we protect our Kingdom son.” Marc’s lips twitched in irritation
“She’s my mate,” Marc growled lowly
“You will find another mate.” Marc’s mouth dropped open
“Oh! So you accept him-” Marc jerked his head towards Wade “But when it comes to my mate. I have to sacrifice?” his voice raising to a shout
“You wanted my opinion. You’ve got it.”
“I said I wanted your help. I’m not turning my mate over. She belongs here.”
“Xander… Not to speak out of turn-” Wade started
“But you will,” the former King interrupted
“Yes, Xander… you can’t expect Marc to give up his mate… how would you have felt if Elsbeth came from an outsider pack… would you have given her up?” Xander blinked his golden eyes. His stony face appearing deep in thought. After two painful minutes of silence Xander spoke “Very well.” He let out a long breath. “I don’t trust her.” And he turned on his heel.
Marc rubbed his face “You can’t fake her trauma…” he said more to himself
“If she is twenty… she’s been starved for years.” Wade confirmed
“I better speak to this guy, did you tell him anything?”
“No, just got who it was then contacted you,” Wade replied, Marc nodded before opening the door.
“Alpha Silversmith?” Marc said picking up the phone
“Alpha Hunterson.”
“King,” Marc sneered “If you want my help you will remember my title.” Marc heard a small exhale
“Fine, King Hunterson. My daughter has been kidnaped, she’s in your Kingdom.”
“How do you know she was kidnaped?”
“Because she was unwell, weak. Somebody snatched her from her room.” Marc gritted his teeth in an attempt to not snap “Very well… how old is your daughter?”
“She just turned Twenty.”
“Description?” A pause followed Marc's quite simple request, Marc swore he heard him licking his lips “Long brown hair… blue eyes. Small, sickly.”
“Name?” he asked shortly, he needed to at least pretend to have no idea
“Klara Silversmith, look can I just come onto your land?” his tone airy as if he always came into their Kingdom “No, I will notify all packs in our Kingdom. If she is in my Kingdom I will find her.”
“She is,” he’d pushed it through his teeth.
“I want to look for her, you must understand, as a father. I heard you looked for your own daughter?” Marc chuckled, then smirked, he had no idea he wasn’t his father. “I’m sure my mate will bring me a lovely daughter. Yes my father and I did look for my sister. You prevented us from searching your lands, four months you blocked us, why should I help you now?” Marc shot
“I was concerned, allowing your Kingdom access could easily bring war, I helped when it was necessary.”
“She had to have crossed through your land, I distinctly remember… you did nothing.”
“There is a neutral road, I have no control who uses it,” Marc could hear the tension on the older male's voice “This… neutral road… the same my father had to ask permission from you to use?” he asked interestedly, although he already knew the answer. “Which I granted.”
“Why would you have to grant permission… if it is a neutral road?” Marc asked, wondering how he was going to get out of this line of questioning “My wolves will be on your land.” That answered Marc’s question, he was just going to avoid. “Then they will die, my packs will treat them as rogues.”
“Someone has my daughter!” Marc heard the distinctive sound of a fist slamming on a desk
“And I have generously told you that I will personally ring every pack and find out if they have seen your daughter, the packs talk… if someone has kidnapped her… someone will be aware.” He kept his tone pleasant, he wanted to growl at the man that had tortured his mate, he wanted to drive to their land and kill the lot of them, he could easily not help them in the slightest, after all the Silversmiths didn’t help them. “I will ring within a week,” Marc stated and disconnected the call.
Marc turned to Wade who was waiting patiently in a chair “Call the border packs, he’s threatened to just send wolves without permission.” Marc knew Wade probably heard most of the conversation “Also tell those packs his daughter is ‘missing’.” He quoted the final word with his fingers. Wade nodded, plucking a leather bound book from the shelf. He started flicking through looking for the right pack’s phone numbers, three were closest to Silversmith.
“So we’ve decided to play oblivious?” Wade asked
“Yes, for now. At least until Klara can explain everything that’s happened. Which reminds me I need to document her injuries.” Marc worked silently as Wade rang around packs, warning them of the potential trespassing. “Right-” Wade said as he put the phone down for the third time “All three have agreed to kill on sight, and they’re increasing patrols as of now.”
“Thank you.” Marc finished up his report of Klara’s injuries soon after. He was glad he was King, he could have access to memories, as well as the mind link, he was still getting used to the ability, it was strange… more strange when Adelaide showed him his own mate in the shower, making his trousers instantly tighten.
“Personal question,” Marc trained his golden eyes to Wade
“Shoot,” Wade responded flippantly
“How the fuck did you keep you’re hands off?” his voice coming out a little strained as he was referring to his own sister “Ha!” Wade smiled broadly “Cold showers mate… get used to them.” Marc let out a strangled groan “Think I like you a bit more now.”
“What? Now you feel the sheer wish to fuck her sensless and think you know what I went through?” Marc grumbled “Feel the pain, then come back to me and grumble in four months.”
“You weren’t in the same vicinity as her for three… don’t be dramatic or have you spent too much time with my sister?”
“She’s not that dramatic” Wade reasoned
“She hid up a tree for five hours when you ‘forgot’ her birthday,” Marc shot back
“I didn’t forget I was setting up a surprise…” Wade’s voice trailed off with the lie he told himself again and again “Yes which you hurriedly put together to make her feel guilty for pouting.”
“Shut up,” Wade rumbled. Marc merely smirked.
She heard the door close with the grind of the key.She curled up on the floor trying to pull the scraps of t-shirt from her wounds.She whimpered, that was her worst beating so far.She was confused… he’d watched.*Klara stretched, birdsong reaching her ears as the sun streamed into the bedroom through the curtains she didn’t close. She was surprised her back only felt tight, it didn’t feel painful. She wasn’t used to being able to have a shower whenever she wanted - if ever. So she wanted to take advantage of it.Just as she stepped into the bedroom with a towel wr
“Hey sweetie, how you feeling?” she looked down from his kind blue eyes“It hurts, Derrek,”“I’ve got something that’ll help.” He sloshed a bottle at the fourteen year old.*She looked at the TV, it was blank. She hadn’t watched how he made it work, and she couldn’t remember. She looked around the sides of the TV and found some buttons, she pressed each one… nothing happened. She stuck her bottom lip out on a pout. She sighed and turned to the books, she looked at the spines, unsure what she would like. There were so many books her head was spinning with the choice.“Klara?
“That’s it sweetie,” he pushed the glass to tip into her mouth.“I don’t feel good,” she slurred.“But it won’t hurt the more you have,” he said, removing his shirt.*Over the next few days, Klara was trying to trust Marc wouldn’t hurt her, there was a niggle in the back of her mind but she was battling to ignore it. She still wouldn’t let him touch her apart from holding her hand, and even that was slightly hesitantly. She enjoyed his forehead kisses the most, he gave her one every morning after asking. She was beginning to want to ask for them but didn’t dare just in case he stopped.
“Derrek. What do do’ng?” she slurred almost incoherently“Keep your eyes on me.” He slapped her as her eyes shut.The room was spinning as she became numb all over.*Marc strode quickly from the palace down the hill, he could hear the disruption and chaos already despite still being a mile from the town. He went past the first two story houses, his feet moving from cobble stones to paving slabs. He quickened his pace, Wade was on his way too but Marc hoped he was going to be the first just to be able to see for his own eyes the wolves who were responsible for such a din. The sun was setting already and he was just about to leave his office for the day when a mind link had come throu
She woke up, feeling sick as she watched him pull on his jeans.“Derrek?” she whimperedHer mouth dry, a pain throbbing below the bloody sheets.“Hey sweetie, same again next week?” A sickly sweet smile on his lips before leaving.*Klara stretched cocooned in the scent of freshly cut grass and honey; Marc’s smell. She opened her eyes, a frown finding her face as she looked around, but Marc wasn’t there. Her fingers were gripped onto something, she looked to see a shirt. She smelt it; that was where his scent was coming from. She sighed, she felt so relaxed and well rested. She cuddled Marc’s shirt closer to her, br
She huddled in the corner of her room, desperate to be left alone for one day. Just one day. She didn’t want anyone else to come into her room. She wanted to be alone. She wanted to feel… safe.*“I’m going to stand up,” he whispered when she was quiet. She gave a little hiccup as he stood with her in his arms, she didn’t let go of his waist. He stood in the middle of the corridor, arms wrapped securely around her small figure as her breathing gradually evened again.“Put your arms around my neck, I’ll take you home.” She let go of him and backed away, her eyes going back to fearful. “Don’tsendmebackthere” she rushed out, quivers racki
“I’ll never get rid of you, dirty disgusting whore.”The wall hit her back as she backed away. “D-Daddy I don’t want the men in my room.”“Don’t walk away from me!” The sole of his boot smashed into her face “Whore,” he spat.*Marc got to work as soon as he was changed. He organised all the alcohol to be removed from the private wing and placed in one of the meeting rooms. Only then did he head to his office, trying to control the anger burning within him.“Wanted to see me?” Wade walked through the door to Marc’s office.“When was
“Please, daddy. I don’t want them in-” Her words were cut off with another kick. She curled into a ball, wishing she’d said nothing at all.*A single staircase led upstairs while there were three doors coming from the hallway. The walls were a lovely grey, which contrasted the rest of the palace’s cream or stone walls. Adelaide opened the door to the left, “Living room,” she said as she walked in, “Opposite is dining.” She gestured to the door by the stairs, “Then kitchen,” Adelaide pointed towards an archway. Klara took in the living room, a matching fabric three piece suite, TV, paintings of rivers and trees. It was comfortable and homely. Klara liked it. “Wade’s not home.” Adelaide announced as she gestured to Klara to sit.
Marc swept through the palace, all had been quiet for seven years. Well… almost quiet.Giggling reached his ears before he heard his brother growling, “Right you two ratbags, are you behaving?” Marc had to shake his head as he made his way through the Gamma suite. More giggling and shouting ricocheting around. He ran his hand through his hair, a tiny flicker of grey at his temples that he couldn’t deny his pups were giving him. He watched for a moment as Chris threw his four year old to Trey.“My children are not footballs,” he allowed his deep powerful rumble to fill the room.“No, I was going for a rugby ball,” Chris replied, shrugging.“Daddy!” Alice leapt
A knock could be heard on the bedroom door so the two women went back into the bedroom, “Yes?” Klara called.“Only me.” The Former King’s head popped through the door.“Hi, Daddy.”“Your Highness.” Klara bowed slightly.Xander walked through the door, stopping a few feet from Klara before bowing. “It is I who must call you that.” He bowed with his fist on his heart. “Your Highness, you look truly perfect.” He stood for his golden eyes to be shining in fatherly pride. He took the few steps towards her, gripping her hand before placing a gentle kiss to it. “I’d hug you, but I wouldn’t want to ruin that truly spectacular dress, Elsbeth does have good tas
Peace fell back over the Kingdom, the cave system that Klara had discovered led to unclaimed human land. After scouring text from when they first settled in the area, studying any documents… they found nothing. The council put it down to an oversight, either the Silversmith’s were the first to discover the weakness in the lands border… or it had never been written down.They sealed the entrance at the human end, and caved it in at different points. It would never be used to their enemies advantage again. It was hard for the council to admit that the Silversmith’s had outsmarted them, it was a well oiled plan that they luckily brought to a halt. Strategy was noted and documented for use if ever needed. When you almost fail, you must learn and improve, it had been a good learning opportunity for Marc as King.
They fell and instinctively Klara let go, which allowed Marc to grab her to his chest, flipping onto his back just before they crashed to the stone floor below. He groaned, his head blossomed in pain. “Marc!” Wade’s panicked voice came from above, but he obviously didn’t dare get closer.“Fine!” he called up. “Klara?”“Yeah, you’re not too soft to land on though.” She rolled off him gently, getting to her feet before tugging on his arm to pull him up. The light from the now much bigger opening above them shone light on his injuries, “You’re hurt,” she exclaimed, touching above the cut just above his belt. She dropped to her knees and kissed along the wound. ‘Lick it like the mark,’
Klara’s days soon consisted of lessons in etiquette, literature, history, the kingdom’s packs and parenting. Late afternoon Adelaide would take her into the town and around the palace grounds. The kingdom consisted of community pockets, all surrounded by the barrier woods which were guarded and patrolled twenty-four-seven. Every night Klara crawled into bed next to Marc with her head filled with information she was desperately trying to store.“How do you remember this stuff?” she mumbled into the pillow after two weeks of continuous lessons.“You are having quite an intense experience.” He rubbed up and down her back soothingly. “I’m sorry.”“I’m just struggling to take it all in,” she admitted, “There’s so
Marc shifted around in bed, groaning with the ‘My King,” mind link thudding through his head. He wasn’t quite awake enough to comprehend that that’s what was waking him up but as he rolled to put an arm around Klara, he found the bed empty. His eyes shot open. ‘Yes?’ he replied to the link he heard.‘I’m sure you’re aware, but the future Queen has just arrived for the cells, I just wanted to ensure everything is well.’Marc was out of bed before the link could finish, throwing on clothes as he jogged from the wing.He made it to the cell building in no
Marc set Klara down on his desk before her lips were captured. She felt more at peace but there was a niggle. A niggle of fear knowing her father was so close, knowing he still breathed. “Relax, little one. I’m sorting everything,” Marc murmured, trailing his hands down her sides before fisting the hem of her skirt. His teeth grazed the sensitive flesh of her neck. She shivered, lowering to lay over the polished surface.He tugged her skirt up to rest around her waist, “You’re so beautiful.” He leant over her, reconnecting his lips to her neck, nudging her blouse away to admire his mark on her shoulder. She could feel his pride and shivered when his finger grazed over the almost completely silvery bite. “Marc,” she whined, his bulge rubbing against her most sensitive area between her thighs.
She glared at him, hoping her need was flowing to him. She had to do this.“OK,” he breathed. “If you need to leave just tell me. The cells are laced with silver so you may feel uncomfortable.” He held out his hand for her to take which she gladly did, following him through the palace.She looked over to see the training ground full, clearly tired wolves pushing themselves, “What’s going on?” she asked, gesturing to the field, she thought it was late for them to be training.“It’s their punishment for letting us down.”“What are they having to do?”“They have to train for twenty-four hours. Hone their body
Marc sighed to himself. It had been a long week. He had more reports than he wanted to get through, Wade was pissing him off… nothing specific just him. He rubbed his temples feeling a headache coming on. It was late, but the guards were going through their punishment, he needed to go check on them but he knew Klara would be finishing her lessons for the day any minute.‘Klara, have you finished?’‘Just coming back to the wing.”‘Come to my office, please.’A few minutes later, the soft knock indicated her arrival. She pushed open the door without his invitation. A small smile graced his lips as she entered. Her back was str