"Are you sure about this?" Jackson wearily eyes the female across the room."It'll be fine." I assure him cheerfully."You don't put a gun in the hands of a trigger happy serial killer." Jackson mutters.Always so over dramatic. I thought to myself, so badly wanting to roll my eyes at his concern."I'm teaching her defence, just to buy her a little time to get away from anyone that comes after her." I tell him.Heading over to Winter, I smile."This is Jackson, he's a close friend of mine so don't worry about anything. The most important thing is to pay attention to your opponent, be prepared for anything and they can't surprise you." I say, figuring she doesn't need the full rundown given she's been in the field her whole life."Can't I train with you?" She asks in a quiet voice, glancing hesitantly at Jackson over my shoulder."Jackson is new to defence training, it's easier for me to guide you both and correct you as it's happening than it is to actually be the one training with yo
"He should be here by now." I voice aloud, so on edge that I couldn't stop my leg bouncing impatiently.What if they've hurt him?"Stay here, and I mean it this time." I tell her firmly, giving her a firm look.Winter nods silently, so I take a leap of faith in trusting her and I rush from the temple in search for my mate.As I round the corner, arms wrap around my waist and quickly guide me back into the temple. Knowing his touch, I make sure he stays with me as we jog back inside."What took so long? Are they still here?" I worry, turning to face him only once we're inside and I know the Elders won't spill blood.The sight of Hardin's face makes my stomach churn. At the time same I felt the unmistaken rush of adrenaline surge through my veins, and my heart begins to pound. The familiar sensation of hunger rumbling through my wolf as she urges me to go hunting."I'm fine, better me than you." Hardin grabs my face, trying to get my attention, to keep me focused."Don't touch me, pleas
"Hardin isn't available right now, can I take a message?" I ask politely, grabbing the notepad and pen."Can I ask who I'm speaking with?" The man asks cautiously."Oh, I'm Hardin's wife. Is there a problem I should know about?" I ask with a frown, not entirely certain why the stranger would be so cautious to give information out."No, no problem. The items Mr. Stone asked for are available, can you let him know that I'll reserve it until he's back next week?" The man responds."Uh, sure, yeah. Is that all?" I ask, scribbling down the phone number and items being available to pick up."It is, thank you.""Ok, bye." I end the call and place the phone back on the stand.Personally I don't like to pry into Hardin's business because he tells me pretty much everything now, although I can't deny I'm a little bit curious. Maybe he's just ordered something completely ordinary like training gear for the pack?"Kali?...uh, sorry to interrupt but I found this little girl asking for you.." Winter
"Ok, listen up!" I shout over the chatter echoing. Clapping my hands to get everyone's attention on me."Eighteen to twenty one, on this side!" I order, pointing to the far left, to Jackson and Triss."Anyone seventeen or below, over there!" I point towards the edge of the tree line where Beck waits."All those above will be with Zed, all pups aged three and below must stay over there!" I state firmly, gesturing to the large area we've sealed off.It has a paddling pool, a ball pit, a small slide, beanbags, and a ton of toys for all ages. We managed to get five of the pups fathers to watch the area, instead of the mothers because let's face it, the mommas can use a break."Have fun!" I beam, jumping off the chair and joining Beck with the younger teens.Zed, Jackson, Beck, Phoebe, Triss and myself will be watching over everyone, taking turns on different sections so we get around to everyone."What are those?" One of the wolves wearily eye the tub of needles that Beck carries.Picking
"You asked me here to talk business, and yet all you have offered so far is nonsense about some rogue." The Alpha is far from pleased, rather overstepping his own authority towards me.If I was a male, he wouldn't be speaking to me with such disrespect."Winter was born a rogue, yes, but she's never hurt anyone. I refused to believe it myself, so I understand your reaction but I learnt the hard way that not all rogues want to cause trouble for us-""Just last week I lost three men, three good, loyal wolves. You ask me to extend my land for the things that kill my men? Where is the justice in that?" He glares with fire in his cold brown eyes."This is not about Justice, Markus. With rogues in alliance with packs, it will deter attacks from the ones that do wish to cause harm-""Alliances only work if both sides have a leader willing to take the consequences of their people's actions." Markus snaps at me, completely undermining me in front of not only his men, but two other Alphas.I fe
"How many have signed?" He questions. "Eleven." I admit dejectedly. "But that doesn't mean anything, I know we can get the signatures-""This is a death sentence for us all, do you realise that?" Maddox snaps, not the least bit happy with this alliance."Some of them are-""Don't!" Maddox snarls, rising to his feet with crimson eyes. I'll admit, his sudden rage makes me flinch back, a flicker of sheer numb fright filling me briefly."Do not make me lose any respect I have for you." He grits out, eyes burning blood red."If you don't sign this alliance, I won't have any other choice but to challenge you." I glare, slapping it to him hard without care."It's not wise to threaten me, Kali." Maddox says, malevolently.Unblinking, I stand my ground. "Sign this alliance and you won't have to worry about any threats."Maddox simply scoffs, turning away in sheer temper. While the man isn't arrogant, he is hardheaded and foul tempered when angered, I suppose like all Alphas."There is a girl
The second I open my eyes, I see nothing but red. The flashes of memory are vague, but the terror I felt before the shift is what makes me feel so shook. Seeing so much blood on my hands, covering me from head to toe, I felt my eyes well up with tears. I'd put so much effort into changing, and look at me. Sitting in a puddle of mangled body parts drenched in the remains of five Alphas."Kali?.."I scramble away from the whisper, fear hitting me as I tremble."Don't come near me!" I breathe, half terrified as I slip in the huge mass of blood, not wanting to hurt her."It's ok-""GET AWAY!" A snarl rips through me, the fear so loud that I felt my blood rushing again, and I could fell it happening again.No, no, Kali, you need to control it! I tell myself, but it's not use. The fear is feeding it, and I can't stop the fear.Arms wrap around me, pinning my arms to my chest and cradling me from behind. I instantly fight against the grip, panicked and terrified."Get off!" I rage like a bu
I wake to the sound of the shower running. Yawning tiredly, I rub my eyes to clear any sleep out as I sit up in the bed. Naturally the first thing I do is check the time.10:38 AM.It's almost eleven!? With wide eyes I rush from the bed, jumping in the shower with Hardin so fast that he jumps in surprise."What's wrong?" He frowns at me as I grab the soap and start lathering up, so fast I almost drop it."I have so much to do today, and I'm so late!" I complain, scrubbing myself with the sponge quickly before rinsing and jumping out.As I stand in my towel drying off, I brush my teeth, bouncing slightly on my toes in some attempt to speed it all up."Relax, no one has arrived yet." Hardin murmurs, grabbing my hairbrush and gently brushing my hair for me."There's two Alphas coming, and Winter and Jackson need training, and I also promised to watch a couple of the pups. Oh, and I need to speak with Maeve, I totally forgot to do it yesterday." I list off, the weight on my shoulders sudd
~ 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