I wake up to the sound of shuffling around, instantly I search for Hardin with my hand, wanting him to make the noise go away. Except he's not in the bed.With a low pitiful groan, I drag my eyes open and sit up, only to freeze when I see a bright red Santa hat sitting on top of Hardin's head.Is he having like a early mid-life crisis? I immediately presume, either that or he really does enjoy Christmas."What are you doing?" I ask him, my voice full of sleep, I wipe my eyes and frown at him."Merry Christmas!" He beams at me like a crazy person, that hat jingling every time he moves. What the hell have I signed myself up for?"Merry Christmas." I grumble, falling back against the pillows."Looks like we've got ourselves a grinch." Hardin comments, and I feel the covers slowly being pulled off of me. I couldn't be bothered to fight it, so I let him take the covers.The bed dips around my legs. Opening my eyes again, I glance down, seeing him up over my body. What is he doing?"If you
Slipping my hand away from my moo, I instead grab Hardin's wrist and gently push his back back down. That menacing growl that vibrates through him from my action, tells me that he's happy, if his raging hardness wasn't enough.Pressing myself more against him, I feel myself give in to his sinful hands, one between my legs and the other gliding up my waist. He grabs my boob with warm rough fingers, pinching my nipple just enough to draw a whimper from my lips.Subconsciously, I grip his wrist slightly and guide his fingers to my opening, while pressing my ass against his cock. Hardin doesn't need to be told twice, slowly slipping a single finger into me, his thumb drawing circles on my clit stimulating my desire for him.On second thought, the pack can wait a little longer.***"Thought you'd be awake bright and early." Jackson frowns, seemingly not pleased that we're almost a whole hour late to breakfast."Hardin got me like a thousand presents." I defend, releasing Hardin's hand as
"Your mommy is going to be here any minute, let's get your shoes on." I tell the little girl, placing her bag aside.Grabbing the Doc Martins from the bottom of the steps, I help Lottie into her shoes despite her whole 'independence' thing she has going on.Phoebe arrives exactly thirty seconds later, thanking us in a rush as she hurries back to her mate. The issue with rogues on the borders is never ending, last night her mate was ambushed and he's in pretty bad shape, hence why Lottie stayed with us."Do you think he's going to make it?" I ask Hardin softly, knowing how severe the damage to Phoebes mates chest is."I have to, for that little girls sake." Are the words Hardin responds with, solemnly."I should have been out there." I sigh."There were too many, you kept the pups safe and that's more important that anything else during war." Hardin says, gently grabbing my hand.Knowing how I feel about this, I suppose he's trying to comfort me. But I just look up at him, not comforte
We take our previous stance, and I make sure his posture is correct before running through the single move again. Jackson is a little fast to step, leading to a falter in movement."We're just going slow, don't worry about me hitting you." I muse, returning to my previous position.Jackson nods, and we repeat the move again, over and over until he perfects the step and block. Then we move on to the next part, repeating the first step before teaching him the second."Block up, and block down." I teach."Then we're both going to rock back for power, and hit together-" We move slowly as I talk, our staffs clashing lightly mid air as we step forwards again."Bam, right in the middle, right here. That's good placement." I praise, noticing his hands are facing down in staff grip."Now, I'm the aggressor, you're the defender. So once we hit, I'm going to lean back and thrust, you're going to step all the way back in cat stance and block inside." I tell him."Right leg forward, right hand low
"You're quite the spit fire aren't you?" Maddox chuckles, wiping the blood from his nose."Can't handle the heat?" I taunt, trying not to laugh at his glare."Can't handle the...I'm taking it easy on you." He argues, circling with me."You sure? You seem a little out of breath, do you need to take like a fifteen minute break?" I mockingly ask him.Despite being strangers, he reminds me a lot of Dom. Big and tough on the outside, but under the surface is a whole other person. Then again, I don't know him."I'm not out of breath!" He splutters in rage, absolutely appalled.I couldn't help but grin at the look on his face.Maddox swings for me, an attack that I swiftly dodge, dropping into a crouch and sharply kicking my leg out. He jumps over my leg, assuming he's bettered me when I twist my body to the right, bringing up my left leg and hooking my foot behind his knee. One yank, and I drag the Alpha down onto one knee."Not bad." He comments, brown eyes amused.With a hard kick, I let
"It's working, right?" I worry, edging forwards on the chair as my palms sweat a little.The doctor immediately nods, assuring me it is. The relief I feel is instant, like a breath of fresh air after being buried alive."I assumed otherwise, but yes. The Elders are planning to distribute this rod for wolves that wish to stay pup-free." The doctor tells me, which doesn't come as a surprise.I smile a little. "That's good, so everything is fine?" I double check, naturally feeling like there's something wrong every time I see a doctor."All good, don't worry." He assures me, patting my hand slightly in some attempt to provide comfort.Exhaling slowly, I smile in thanks and exit his clinic. Heading out to the car waiting for me, I jump in the passenger side."Is everything alright? Is it working?" Hardin asks, concerned that the rod is going to infect me or something.He never liked the idea of me having this unproven technology in my arm, but I knew the risks could be fixed with time, an
"She's gone." Hardin assures me, closing the office door behind him. I immediately feel the tension fading away. Beck and Hardin had followed the car Lorelei got into, ensuring that she did in fact leave pack ground. Completely for my benefit, and I'm very grateful."Good." I don't hide my relief."This deal between you and Maddox, are you certain he will hold up his end?" Hardin asks, leaning over the desk to read the form I'm filling out."The man doesn't favour war, and I made it perfectly clear that if he betrayed us, we would show no mercy." I assure Hardin, knowing he isn't completely comfortable with me making deals with other Alphas.I know it's not because of me, or my gender, it's because he hates the idea of someone talking down to me. Which happens a lot when Alphas are making alliances and deals, it's an ego thing."How long will he be training you for?" He asks."We agreed on six weeks, split over a period of three months. After that we'll receive ten wolves every secon
"You do NOT want to go there right now!" Hardin bares his canines, eyes ablaze with the fury I haven't seen in a while. Kind of hot."No, I don't! But if you refuse to just trust me on this, then I don't have another choice." I argue in a calmer tone than his."Don't talk to me about choices...you just brought a rogue onto our land, INTO OUR HOME. There are families! Mothers, children, newborn pups!" Hardin breathes heavily, his entire body trembling as he fights off the urge to shift and maul the girl.I felt the change, the bloodlust inside of me coming forth. Hardin is a reasonable man, just not when it comes to rogues. I felt hurt that he doesn't trust me to know what I'm doing."You knew I was going to help her-""I made it clear that it was staying in the cells!" He snarls bitterlyMy ears ring, and the entire mansion quakes with the sheer power of his beast. I immediately felt threatened, mate or not, my wolf wouldn't allow him to speak to me in such a way. Not after the way w
~ 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