Aurora said nothing as Arden pulled her along into the trees. After a few more minutes he finally stopped in a smile clearing. The sun poked through the top of the trees and brightened the grass under their feet. “Aurora, what are you thinking?” Arden finally asked. Aurora seemed deep in thought and Arden hoped that he could help. “Tomorrow, I must defend myself. I am going to assume that she is going to pick the hardest warrior that you guys have,” Aurora said. Arden nodded his head slowly. “Yes, I believe so. However, none of the warriors are going to hurt their future Luna. They will not agree with this either. The idea that you need to pass tests is absurd.” “Nonetheless, I need to practice before tomorrow. It has been some time since I have taken a class, but after Eli was born, I made sure that I knew how to protect myself. I got pretty good at it I believe,” Aurora said. Arden was surprised to hear that she could fight. He was curious how honed her skill was. “Would you li
**DISCLAIMER: CHAPTER MENTIONS ABORTION. IF THIS IS A TRIGGER FOR ANYONE PLEASE SKIP.** Aurora and Arden walked back to the pack house, hand I hand. Lila watched other office window as the two made their way out of the clearing and headed to the back door. Lila scoffed in reaction. She turned around and sat heavily back at her desk. Tomorrow Aurora would need to prove that she could defend herself. It should be an easy enough task for her to fail at. She is going against a werewolf for crying out loud. Lila thought about their meeting earlier that morning. Lila for sure thought she could trip her up or at least et her to answer one of the questions as a selfish human, that Lila knew her to be. Humans and no place in the mythical world. They were fragile and too concerned over the most mundane of things. Lila let her head rest of the back of the chair as she stared up at the ceiling. She had originally thought to place the most skilled warrior against Aurora. However, she wondered if
The next morning, Aurora found herself standing on a grass covered field. Quite a few spectators were lined up around the sparring field. Word must have gone around that their future Luna was going to go against one of their own. Aurora hoped that one day they would think of her as such. Aurora looked over at Arden. He smiled and nodded at her. He hoped that it helped to reassure her. “This is ridiculous,” Thor said in the back of Arden’s mind. “I agree, but we need to show everyone that Aurora is the right choice to take over the pack,” Arden said. Thor only grumbled in response. Mason and Lila walked down to the sparring field hand in hand. The sight always caused a bit of bile to rise in the back of Arden’s throat. He father looked like a lovesick puppy and ready to throw away whatever on the woman next to him who looked at though she had a stick shoved some where most uncomfortable. Lila and Mason stopped in front of Arden and Aurora. “Good morning. I hope that you got your re
**DISCLAIMER: CHAPTER MENTIONS ABORTION. PLEASE SKIP IF THIS IS A TRIGGER FOR ANYONE** Aurora did not give time for Ava to regroup. Instead, she swept her legs and Ava landed on her back underneath the new Luna. Aurora noticed the moisture beginning to build in the back of Ava’s eyes. “I am so sorry, Luna. I did not want to fight you. It is the only way to get Luna Lila to agree to my procedure,” Ava said barely above a whisper so that Aurora was the only one who could hear her. So that was what Lila had over her head. “Make your defeat believable and I will do what I can to make sure that you get what was promised you,” Aurora said into Ava’s ear. Ava nodded once and then pushed Aurora off. Aurora rolled easily enough and righted herself back on her feet. Ava was quick as well. They circled each other a few more times. The result was the same. The sparring match ended with Ava on her back three more times before Arden finally spoke up. “Father, is this not proof enough that Aurora
“I am not telling you that you must keep this child, but I just ask that you think about it just a little more," Aurora smiled at Ava. She hoped that her words helped the girl see that her only path did not have to be ridding herself of the child. Ava nodded and thanked Aurora one more time before Arden and Aurora stood to leave. Before they were too far Ava turned around in the metal chair. "Thank you, Luna. Please be careful when it comes to Luna Lila," It was all that she said but Aurora caught her warning easy enough. Aurora nodded and then turned on her heel and headed back for Arden's car. Once inside she looked over at Arden, "What is the final test?" She asked. "To make sure that you are healthy enough and can bear me children," Arden said. His tone held a note that said he did not like the idea as much as she did not. "And we can do this just by going to the doctor?" Aurora asked. At Arden's nod, Aurora grabbed her seat belt and clicked it into place. "Great lets get t
Arden paced in the hallway as Aurora had her exam in the hospital room. Thor was chomping at the bit that Aurora was alone with another male wolf. Arden had to remind Thor that they trusted their mate. It was not as though she was in there by her own choice. Thor grumbled something before remaining quiet until the latch of the door finally opened. Doctor Collins walked out into the hallway and closed the door behind him. He must have sensed Arden's demeanor. She chuckled and put his hand up. "She will be out in a moment. Why dont we go back to my office to discuss?" Doctor Collins suggested. Arden only nodded and walked back to the end of the hall. By the time he reachedc the doorway he heard the door of the exam room. He turned around and saw as Aurora walked to him. She stopped in the doorway and kissed him. The action surprised Arden only for a moment before he pulled her close and kissed her once more. Her scent enveopled him and helped to calm both him and Thor. "Thank you," h
Aurora quickly walked to the door of Arden's room and knocked. Rich pulled the door open and smiled at Aurora. She returned the smile and stepped through. "Momma!" Eli exclaimed and jumped off the bed. Faith chuckled and greeted her daughter as Eli wrapped his arms around her waist. "He is going a bit stir crazy,' Faith informed her. Aurora nodded in understanding. "Well, there is a BBQ out back. I am sure that everyone wants to meet you," Eli pulled away excitedly. "Really?" He asked. Aurora nodded and turned towards the door. "Let's go Grandma!" Eli yelled over his shoulder as he headed down the hallway. As Aurora passed Rich, she said," Thank you for keeping an eye on them while we get these tests completed." "Of course, Luna. In my opinion they are completely unnecessary," Rich's irritation showed ever so slightly. Aurora smiled. She was grateful to have some people already warming to her and the idea of her becoming Luna of their pack. "Yes, well if it gives peace o
"I am unsure what the actual issue is here, my dear," Mason said. His voice and demeanor sounded helpless to Lila, which only infuriated her more. "How are we to know that the tests were not cheated?" She asked. "They went to the hospital and talked to Doctor Collins, who knows what was said, and had the exam without either you or me present," Lila threw up her arms. She paced their bedroom. It was where she had found Mason after her run in with Aurora on the stairs. "Doctor Collins would never put something down on paper if it was not true. He is the one man I can count on to follow everything by the book," Mason said. His voice changed. He was defending the Doctor. Lila had to tread lightly. "I understand that. But the tests are to be done with us present," Lila was not sure how she was going to get Mason to agree to another exam. She slowly came to a stop on the side of the room that Mason was in. She walked over to him and gently slid her arms around his neck. "I just want t
Eli's wolf, Hermes, ran through the forest at top speed. Eli had just received his wolf. The full moon sat high in the sky. Arden had asked if Eli wanted him to run with him, but Eli had kindly rejected the offer. Eli wanted to get to know his wolf on his own. He was currently sixteen years old and was doing well in school. Eli trained everyday with Arden in order to make sure that he was in the best shape before getting his wolf. Hermes’ voice had run through Eli's mind as soon as the clock had struck twelve. Aurora smiled as her son waved to his mother and father before running into the woods to shift for the first time. His father had been right. It hurt like a son of bitch, but it ended quickly, and Eli’s wolf stood tall and howled deeply. Alerting Arden that everything was alright. "Have a good run son," Arden mind linked with Eli. Eli laughed and let his wolf run free. As Hermes rounded the bend in the trees, he suddenly caught a scent. It was the tastiest scent ever. Almost
Charles Brown stood at the front door of the pack house once again. He knocked lightly and when the door opened her was met by Eli. A broad smile appeared on his face. "Charlie Brown!" he exclaimed as he hugged Charles around the waist. Charles had been surprised at the child's actions but patted his back none the less. "Hello, Elijah. It is nice to see you again. Where are your parents?" Charles asked the boy. Eli stepped back and pointed upstairs. Charles's brows knitted together as he walked through the foyer of the pack house. "Hello, Charles. I will see you to the Alpha office while we wait for the Alpha and Luna," Rich, Arden's Beta said as he extended his hand in the direction of the Alpha office. Charles nodded and followed the Beta. As soon as Charles sat down in the large chair on the other side of the desk, the door opened, and Arden and Aurora walked through the doorway. "Apologies for the delay, Charles," Arden said. He glanced back at Aurora quickly and then back at
Aurora walked back into the pack house. She never imagined that she would be able to have another child again after what Lila had done to her. Aurora walked through the pack house in a daze until she got to Eli's room where Arden and Eli were currently playing with Eli's action figures. Arden noticed Aurora's demeanor and stood up. "Are you alright?" Arden asked concerned. Aurora finally looked up at him. A smile spread across her face and tears began to cascade down her face. Arden was unsure how to proceed. Was she okay, was she in denial, what had happened out there with the witches? "Sweetheart, are you okay?" Arden asked again. "I am better than okay. I am wonderful. The witches, they helped us. They said that it was a show of good faith between their coven and our pack and to show how grateful they were for letting them into our territory and taking care of Veronica," Aurora said. "What was?" Arden asked. "They gave me back the ability to have children," Aurora said qui
Aurora woke the next morning. Eli was cuddled to her side. They had fallen asleep to the movie that Eli had put on after they had eaten their dinner. Aurora's hand fell behind her, but Arden was not in bed with them. He must have already woken for the day. Aurora assumed that he had several things to do after yesterday. Aurora's mind went to Lila once more. What a turn of events? Aurora looked down at Eli. His breathing was still even. She slowly and gently pulled her arm out from under his head. She quietly tiptoed towards the bathroom to do her morning rituals. When she opened the door to the bedroom was more, she smiled when she saw that Eli was still sound asleep. She grabbed her long robe and went to the door. She was sure that he would be up soon enough. She would let him stay home from school today, she would be lying if she said it was just so he could rest. She wanted him around as well. Aurora made her way down to the kitchen. It looked as though breakfast had just ended.
Lila woke to a lovely aroma coming from Mason's kitchen. She sat up and let the blanket fall to her waist. She remembered that Mason had offered to let her sleep on the couch. After teleporting so much her body was screaming for rest and Mason must have noticed. She sniffed the air again and followed the smell into the kitchen where she saw Mason standing at the stove cooking dinner. Mason had heard her moving around in the living room. He knew that she would not stay asleep much longer without eating. "Rested?" Mason asked without turning around to look at her. "Yes, thank you," Lila said. She felt unsure what to do with herself. Mason did not exactly make her feel welcomed, but he was not kicking her out either. "Dinner is almost ready if you would like to take a seat," Mason said as if reading her conflicted mind. Lila walked over to the small table and noticed that it as set. "Since when did you cook?" Lila asked Mason to make conversation. "There is actually quite a bit you
Lila had seen Arden take Aurora upstairs. She wasted no time teleporting back to Mason's cabin. She did not want to be around Rich and Roger more than was necessary. As Lila appeared in the center of the room, Mason had a question look on his face, but he also remembered his grandson sitting on the couch next to him. Mason refrained from asking. Lila bent down and looked at Eli. What she saw surprised her. His eyes shone brightly like a wolf. Lila looked up at Mason who did not seem to notice it. Lila looked back and just as clearly, she could see hiseyes, they were back to their usual color. Lila thought maybe she had imagined it. She thought about the curse that had been lifted from him with the death of Veronica. Perhaps that is what she had just witnessed. Suddenly a large man barged through the cabin door. Jack gave Mason an apologetic look, "Sorry but the Alpha would like me to get Eli home," he tried to explain. Mason shook his head and stood up from the couch. "Understoo
Lila teleported Arden and Aurora back to the pack house. She landed them in the center of the foyer. Rich and Roger both looked at each other when they saw the trio. It was time to move. Rich called out to the warriors that he knew he could trust. Seven men all walked forward and stood at attention. "I hope this is enough," Lila said under her breath. She looked out at the seven men including Arden, Rich and Roger. Lila looked at Aurora then. "Would it be safer if you stayed here as well?" Lila asked. Aurora was surprised that it was not dripping with mockery. Aurora noticed that Lila actually looked genuine in her question. "I only ask because it will cause Arden ti be distracted when dealing with the witch," Lila explained. Again, Aurora was shocked by her actions and how she was talking with Aurora. "I go where my mate goes," Aurora said. Lila did not argue with her but instead looked back at the group of men. "We are ready," Rich said to Arden. Arden nodded his head and turne
Lila was in the living room and standing at a pitcher of lemonade. She had asked the maid if she was able to leave the guest room that she was currently occupying. The maid had smiled and said of course. However, as they left the room, Lila noticed that the maid was never more than three steps behind her. Lila scoffed quietly to herself. Lila walked around the house until finally coming to the living room area. Veronica had already been away for a couple of hours. Lila wondered when she would return. Lila turned towards the maid. "I am sorry to ask but would it be too much trouble to get a pitcher of lemonade? Pregnancy cravings," Lila shrugged her shoulders in apology. The maid smiled and shook her head. "No trouble at all. I will see what the kitchen can come up with. Be right back," with that the maid took off down a hall. Lila sat down heavily on the couch and looked around the gothic room. It was dark with not a lot of sunlight coming through. Lila noticed the large firepla
Aurora was sitting on the back patio and looking up at the stars. She had just put Eli to bed but sleep was evading her. Especially after finding out the shadow was still visiting Eli during the night. It made it hard for her to sleep when all she wanted to do was sit outside of his door and wait for the thing to show up so she could take action. Arden and Rich had been in the office most of the evening. They were going over their plans to take out Veronica was they arrived at her home and any issues they might run into. Aurora had grown tired of listening and had made her way outside. From behind her the leaves of the trees moved. The noise caused Aurora to look over her shoulder. As she did so, a movement caught her eye. Auror stood up quickly. She thought she had seen a girl. Not just any girl, but the one who had given her the vile for Veronica. Aurora looked back at the pack house. She knew that she should call someone. Arden and Rich were busy, and Aurora did not know wher