"The pack would love it here." Jackson sighs wistfully, dipping his toes in the gorgeous rushing lake."They would." I agree softly, joining him on the rocks."I didn't think it would be like this." Jackson admits quietly after a few minutes of silence."Like what?" I ask, turning my head towards him."Lonely, I miss the pack." He admits.I nod my head, understanding completely. Being so far from them is strange, but I think it's worse now because we're not calling them. I don't want to distract Hardin from his training, so I haven't called yet, I plan on messaging him tonight when I know he'll be getting in the shower ready to go to bed."It's easier if you enjoy yourself and keep busy." I tell him with a comforting smile, pushing myself to my feet."Come on." I call, already heading off up the trail.We're currently at Newlands forest, it's a scenic woodland preserve with trails. It truly is just beautiful, for people who just love being surrounding by nature this place is for you,
"Kalli, get up they're bathing the elephants." Jackson's voice echoes through my head, but I groan and turn away."Kalli." Jackson sighs.Suddenly my legs are being grabbed, and I immediately lunge up and grip him by his throat, baring my canines as my eyes glow searing red."K-Kalli!" Jackson gasps in shock, trying to get me off of him.Immediately realising what I'm doing, I let go of Jackson's throat and stare down at him with wide eyes. The silence is heavy, and I know what he's going to say. For the past week I've been feeling strange, my emotions have been off, and I feel tired, and agitated by everything and everyone. I'm starving too, like constantly starving. Jackson doesn't know about that, he's just seen the mood swings and temper."Something is wrong with you." Jackson says softly, right on cue."I'll go to the doctor." I whisper, knowing I don't have a choice. I can't risk hurting him like that."Do you want me to come?" Jackson offers, sitting on the bed next to me.I sh
The entire flight home I couldn't sit still, I didn't mutter a single word. The moment that we land, I exit the plane faster than you can blink. My priority isn't Jackson as horrible as it sounds, I just need to get home. When we finally get out of the airport, we take a taxi home. Given that a war went down, I don't take the human anywhere near pack land."Go, I've got this." Jackson tells me.Nodding, I leave my bag and suitcase and I take off into the woods faster than I'd of thought possible. It's taken a whole day and night to get back home, while that has given me time to calm a little, I'm still scared.The further I run, the stronger I smell the stench of blood. It grows, and I run faster, my heart racing a million miles a minute. The borders to pack land are drenched in red, it's barely morning and I can see the dark crimson colour seeping into the plants and soil. I didn't care to investigate, I run, I sprint, I fucking gallop my way to the mansion.Beck waits for me outsid
"Kalli, it's Hardin's dad...can I come in?"For a moment I don't react, it takes a minute for what he said to sink in. Hardin's dad? I thought, the pain fading for a moment as confusion fills me.Not trusting my voice to work, I reluctantly move away from Hardin and slowly slide off the bed. I can't remember the last time I stood up, or showered, or even brushed my teeth. Somehow, I couldn't bring myself to care.Opening the door a crack, I glance over the Alpha male as if to check if he's telling the truth. I've never seen a photo of Hardin's parents, but somehow he resembles him. The same silver eyes blink down at me, offering me a small smile.Nodding slightly, I leave the door open and move back to the bed, sitting on the bottom and tucking my legs up. I eyeball the man as he enters the room, watching as his eyes glance over the machines and tubes, and needles attached to Hardin."The last time we spoke was almost seven years ago, I never would have imagined that this would be the
"Lori is going to stay with you to help with the birth, I should be back in a week or two." Xander tells me. Nodding, I give him a hug."Thank you for everything." I murmur, knowing if it wasn't for him, I would never have left Hardin's side."You're welcome." He sighs, pulling away.Leaving him to say goodbye to Lori, I head into the kitchen to put my homemade pizza in the oven before heading upstairs to check on Hardin."Do you need any help?" I offer hesitantly, approaching the two nurses that currently finish cleaning Hardin.He's in a coma, so he's completely incontinent with bowel and bladder movements. The two nurses are here around the clock to make sure he's still stable. They feed him liquid food through a tube, and keep him hydrated with a drip. At the moment they're limiting movement due to his injuries, but once his wounds begin to heal they'll be able to start moving him properly."We're all done actually, but I think he could do with some conversation." The nurse says
"Are you still eating?" Zed scoffs as he comes waltzing into the kitchen like he owns the place. "Are you still breathing?" I retort."Zed, leave her be for gods sake." Kage sighs, following behind him."I'm sick of seeing her stuff her face, no one eats that much!" He snaps, his tone irritated."Are you saying I'm fat?" I ask icily, placing the dish of chicken pasta down."Obviously!" Zed glares.My eyes brim with tears instantly as I glance down at my thighs, completely self-conscious. I have been eating a lot, I didn't think I was gaining that much weight."Fix this, now." Kage seethes through his teeth.Wiping away my tears, I slide off the chair and simply walk out of the kitchen. Why am I so upset by his comment?"That's right, waddle away." I hear Zed mumble.In a flash I shove Kage aside and grip the male by his balls, literally squeezing so hard that his entire body convulses as he cries out in agony."Say it again." I growl murderously, my eyes glowing red pits of rage."Le
"No! No, no come on...please!" My hysterical screams echo as agony grips my chest. Hands fumbling to help them, to fix their broken, twisted body's. Unmoving, completely still in time. It shatters something within me that I didn't know could be broken, such grief, such loss, that I could barely breath.The third faint heartbeat, the sound of it stopping all together is enough to have my entire soul freeze over. Every emotion jumbling together into one giant ball of suffering, and anger. Deep down my anger is towards only myself, because I'd made the mistake of choosing this birth, because I thought they'd be strong enough.I was so sure they'd survive."Kalli..." She didn't say anything more, she had no words to possibly comfort me right now.Still, the urge to protect my babies hits me, as if they're still alive and healthy. I cradle my pups into my arms, barely holding my sobs in, trembling like a leaf as I exit the den for the first time.Everyone waits, expecting to see the arriv
~ KAGE'S POV ~ "Has anyone seen Kalli? I need to talk to her." I ask, frowning at the group of wolves sat in the living area."Have you checked the office?" Zed raises his eyebrows, never particularly interested in anything Kalli does."Multiple times." I sigh."When was the last time anyone checked in on her?" I ask, slightly irritated that none of them know where she is."I saw her yesterday morning, she was in the woods." Again, Zed responds. In the woods? I thought, utterly confused as Kalli hasn't the left the house since she buried her pups.Beck and Lori share a fearful glance, one that doesn't go over my head."What is it?" I growl lowly. What are they hiding?"The Elders found Kades Gamma, mutilated." Lori says, exhaling shakily as she begins to pace."So?" I scrunch my face up, not caring for some wolf in my fathers pack."They found two more, but they haven't been identified yet. If they're from Kage's pack...the Elders think that Kalli is involved, she has every motive to
~ 3RD PERSON POV ~ Xander arrives on his sons land, the atmosphere lingering with death. The pack felt somewhat out of place, uncomfortable as Xander takes their Alphas place, temporarily.Beck and Zed greet Xander outside the house, welcoming him in front of the pack."Sorry I couldn't get here sooner." Xander tells the two men, shaking their hands as a token of respect. Even if they are below him, he can't deny how well they've managed the pack in the week it's been abandoned without an Alpha."You're here now." Zed's response is blunt, unable to put on a smile even for a man he's known years."Are they any closer to finding her?" Xander questions with hope, heading into the large, yet somewhat empty mansion.What is usually bursting with life, is now silent, and dull. The pack didn't just lose their future Alphas, but their Alpha female, and possibly their Alpha too.They felt that Hardin would surely return home, but the entire pack knew he would be returning alone.Kali was warn
~ Hardin's POV ~ "We expected to see Kali here, she was the one that convinced me into this and now she can't even show her face?" Maddox is the furthest thing from happy.Considering how many times I've dealt with him in the past, I know first hand how hard-headed he is. It makes me truly wonder how Kali convinced him into this alliance. Perhaps Maddox has a soft spot for my mate? I couldn't help but wonder."Kali is occupied with more pressing matters. If she could be here, she would, you know how much this means to her." I retort firmly.Maddox leans forwards, exhaling. He doesn't approve of Kali not being here, and I get the sense that he doesn't buy the excuse. However, the more Alphas that know about this pregnancy, the more painful it will be once it's over.Kali doesn't deserve to suffer, or be reminded about the loss every time someone calls, or visits."Fine. How many am I expected to take on?" Maddox grunts."For now anywhere between ten and thirty, see how it goes for a c
"You were in and out of consciousness for two days, there's no way you're not hungry." Jackson points his finger at me with a look of intensity."Can you even cook?" I ask with a furrowed look. Recalling the birthday cake he made me a while ago, It was a really nice gesture but...the guy can't cook.Jackson just scoffs, like he's utterly appalled by the accusation. "That's not the issue here, Kali."I couldn't help but smile a little, happy that he isn't walking on eggshells around me like everyone else. I hate being treated like I'm made of glass, Jackson has absolutely no filter and right now I'm beyond grateful for it."If the chef is cooking, I'll have a burger." I tell him, merely satisfying his need to feed me."Coming right up!" He beams, rushing from the bedroom to get me the burger.I shake my head a little and sigh, sitting up a little more on the bed.The depleted energy warning wasn't a joke. Despite feeling much better, I can barely walk due to having no energy. It's been
I wake again, except this time my eyelids feel somewhat lighter. Allowing me to ease them open gently without too much strain, despite still feeling bruised.I felt disorientated, confused as to what happened, and what's wrong with me. I remember pain, so much of it while half freezing to death and shivering. The headache as I open my eyes is more or less instant, even if the room is shaded.As I turn my head side to side, looking around the bedroom with the utter confusion, I notice the tube leading towards me. Despite the weight of my own head right now, I manage to lift it just enough to see the thin tube is inserted into the back of my hand."Stay calm." Hardin's voice is a gentle whisper, his hands gently taking one of mine. The relief in his voice and eyes is so loud, it worries me."What are you doing?" My voice is raspy, my throat feeling like sandpaper. I couldn't help but notice where the other end of the blood pipe leads, straight int the back of Hardin's hand.I couldn't g
"Yeah, Zed, can you show Elder Luther the map of the extension? Hardin put it somewhere and I can't find it-...are you kidding me?" I whine, turning around to see Zed holding up the map which has been staring at me for the last ten minutes."Maybe Doc should check your eyes." Zed muses."If my head wasn't screwed on I'd lose that too." I scoff, taking the map and storming out the office and back outside."Sorry for the wait, it's been a little hectic here." I admit to the Elder standing in front of me."Understandable. Has the rogue recovered?" Luther asks me, attempting to be somewhat caring."She's doing great. Winter just started training with Beck and Zed actually, she's going back to school next week so she's begun training for graduation." I say with a proud smile."Isn't she only fifteen?" Luther arches his eyebrow.I nod my head. "Winter is training to be a protector, she did want to try for warrior but given this law against rogues, protector is the closest thing to it." I ex
A couple of days passed, and my fever got worse before it got better. Doc said it would last a matter of days, and he was right. Four days drag by before it finally clears up, with the help of some homemade herbal soup that Hardin's mom cooked up. It was the first thing I'd kept down during the four days of the fever. Hardin had me on complete bed rest, practically escorting me to the toilet and bath. It's safe to say I was up and gone the day Doc gave me the all clear. Hardin didn't like it, he wants to see the results from the blood, but it's not yet back from the Elders."I feel better than I have all week, Hardin. Please, stop worrying, I'll let you know the results the second they come back." I say with a low groan, trying to push the big oaf out of the door and into his car."I hate leaving you, especially right now." Hardin growls in frustration, not budging in the slightest."I'll take good care of her Hardin, I promise." Lori promises.Hardin is hesitant, glancing between us
"How did it go?" Hardin greets me the second I exit the car, wrapping me in his arms like I've been gone days.Truth be told, hugging him is all I need right now. The whole drive back I barely spoke five words to Jackson, I felt a little numb, and confused, irritated, a little angry."He signed." Jackson announces as he rounds the car towards us."He did? That's great." Hardin is a tad surprised, but happy none the less."Yeah." I force a slight smile.Pulling away from him I brush past Hardin and Jackson, heading into the house as I pull out my phone. Dialling a number that I've literally waited an entire month to call.It rings three times, before he answers."I knew I should have said two weeks." Elder Luthers voice comes through the speaker, his tone disgruntled."I have worked my ass off to get everyone on board, don't even think about backing out now because I am in no mood-""We're not backing out of anything, we made a deal. Email me copies of the contracts and I'll start maki
"Anymore dizzy spells?" Hardin worries like a mother hen, hovering over me as I stand up. "Not in the ten minutes since your last check in." I muse, separating the delivery boxes by names."I'm worried about you, Kal. Maybe we should call the Elders?" Hardin exhales, helping me organise the large heavy boxes."So they can tell me I'm stressed, exhausted and need rest? I'll sleep and rest when this is all over." I state firmly with a small grunt as I lift a box that is far heavier than the others."I've got it." Hardin murmurs, gently budging me aside and moving the box for me."I really do feel fine, Hardin. I promise that if it gets worse I'll see Doc, alright?" I offer a small smile, wrapping my arms around him, placing my hands on his chest and my chin on his back.Hardin places his hands over mine, squeezing gently as he exhales."You realise we only need one more signature for the alliance, right?" Hardin tells me after a minute of peaceful silence."Mhm." I hum, not pleased in
"Hi! Oh, sweetie it's so good to see you again!" Lori gushes as she pulls me into a warm hug, half squeezing me to death.I just smile and awkwardly pat her back. "You too, I'm sorry about the mess...we've been a little run off our feet lately.""Oh no, hunny don't even worry about it." Lori scoffs, waving off my words as she sits next to me on the couch.The pups run riot around me, and today I just didn't have the energy to get up and play games."You look exhausted, why don't you get some sleep? I'll watch the little wolves." Lori smiles warmly, concern in her eyes as she takes me in."No, no I'm fine. Besides, you just got here." I say, sitting up a little so I look more awake."What you're doing for this girl, it's truly amazing. Is it just me or is there a lot more she-wolves here?" Lori asks with a slight frown, uncertain if she's just going crazy."Thank you, and yeah, there's a lot more actually but I don't feel like going into details." I say softly, glancing at the pups as