Eli only spared his mother a glance before waving goodbye and running into the small elementary school. Aurora laughed. She was happy that Eli was so excited to go to his new school. There were already a few kids that Eli had played with that were also in his class. “He is very independent,” one of the teachers commented. Aurora nodded in agreement. Aurora thanked the teacher and turned around and walked back to where Arden stood on the sidewalk. “He did not even look back at me,” Aurora playfully acted wounded. Arden wrapped his arms around her and kissed her temple. “He is a boy,” Arden said as if that was answer enough. Aurora laughed once more before getting into the passenger seat of Arden’s car. Arden had offered to drop her off at Ava’s home. Arden turned the corner and Aurora noticed that the houses all looked like the one that her mother now lived in. Arden answered her question before she could ask. “All of these homes were built at the same time. My father had to expand
"What did she say to you exactly?" Arden asked after they returned to the pack house. Arden had found clothes and Aurora had changed into something more comfortable. Aurora told Arden again the conversation that Aurora had with the witch in the forest. "This woman is talking in cryptic phrases," Arden said out of annoyance. "Same as when I saw her," he added. Aurora stopped her pacing and looked at Arden. "When did you see her?" Aurora asked. "You idiot," Thor said inside his mind. Arden had not told Aurora about seeing the witch when they first arrived back in the pack. "I had to go for a run to let off steam after my father had told me about the tests. The witch was in the clearing. She gave cryptic answers then as well. Never quite an answer but very vague. It it always around Lila," Arden said. He hoped Aurora would not be angry at him for not telling her. "Next time if something like that happens, please tell me," Aurora said, frustrated that this witch kept making an app
Two days later, Aurora and Arden sat at a large round wooden table. Alpha Evander and his Beta Arlo sat on one side, while Aurora, Arden and Rich sat on the other. Rich said that he had not been the most welcomed when he had arrived at the territory line to the Crescent Moon Pack. However, after Evander heard Arden’s name. He allowed Rich in and to explain why it was, he was there in the first place. Now as they all sat across from one another, Evander wondered what they could possibly want. "Well Alpha Arden. You called this meeting. What is it that you are after?" Alpha Evander asked. "When my mate and I were last here, you asked questions about the spell that was on my father. You also said that you made it a point to keep tabs on the neighboring covens,” Arden said as he watched Evander’s reaction. Alpha Evander sat in his chair and regarded the other Alpha. He was not about to say how close he was with one witch in particular. Alpha Arden seemed to have a vendetta against
“Momma, your home,” Eli ran to his mother as she pushed his bedroom door open. Eli’s arms wrapped around her waist as he held her tightly. Aurora kissed the top of his head and looked up at her mother. Aurora was surprised to also find Doctor Collins sitting cross legged on the floor in front of Eli’s racetrack. “Hello everyone,” Aurora smiled at her mother, whose cheeks turned a light shade of pink. “Thank you for watching E for e,” Aurora said. Eli took a step back and began to ramble all the things off that they had done after school that day. Aurora listened and nodded. She was glad to see that Eli and the doctor were getting along. If she knew anything about the mate bond, he was as good as family now. Eli continued to talk as Faith and Doctor Collins stood up from the floor. “We are going to head out now that you are home,” Faith said to her daughter. Aurora nodded and leaned in to give her mother a hug. Doctor Collins extended his hand and Aurora shook it. “Goodnight you t
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Veronica asked as she lounged across Alpha Evander's settee. Usually, she was the one who reached out. Although it was out of character she was not opposed to a redo to their last encounter. "Alpha Arden and his Luna stopped by for a visit and chat the other day," Alpha Evander did not want to waste time around words. The quicker she could get information from her, the quicker he could get her underneath him. He had some make-up to do. Veronica stilled and stared at Evander. "What did they want?" she asked. "So, you know them?" Alpha Evander asked. He walked over to the mini bar that sat on the opposite side of the room. "I know of them, yes," Veronica said slowly. Why on Earth would those two come here? "How do you know them?" Veronica asked her own question this time. "I had the pleasure of meeting them while they were traveling back to their own pack," Alpha Evander said. His back was to Veronica. She thought for a moment. They would have no id
A few weeks passed since Arden and Aurora had met with Alpha Evander. He had contacted Arden and let him know that he was still looking into things on his end but so far he was not able to come up with anything. Arden and Thor both had a feeling that he was not being as forthcoming, but see as they had no proof, Arden did not push the Alpha further. Arden and Rich along with Roger were working to find out anything more about the curse. Arden decided to write to the wolf council and see if they would be willing to share any information with him. Arden just had to be careful not to point suspicion his way. He had no plans to resurrect the pack but just to find out anything that might help Eli. He would reassure the council if needed. Aurora worked to get better acquainted with the pack and its members. She was working closely with the elementary school as well as the hospital to see where improvements could be made. Aurora had decided that she would pause her career for now. She was
Aurora helped Eli with his dinner plate. Tonight, Melody and the kitchen prepared a stew along with homemade rolls. Eli had wanted a large bowl and separate plate for his rolls. Aurora chuckled as he walked to the table, but always kept an eye on his full bowl that looked as though the stew was going to slosh over the rim at moment. "Are you sure you are going to be able to eat all of it?" Aurora asked when they finally reached the table. Rich and Roger chuckled as well when they saw how much the boy had. Eli nodded his head enthusiastically as he pulled out his chair and sat down to his feast. "He is a growing boy. Of course he can finish it," Arden said as he walked up behind Aurora and kissed her on the cheek. He winked at Eli and sat down on the other side of the child. "Sir, there is someone at the front gate. He is claiming to be from the wolf council," Arden received the mind link from one of the warriors that was posted at the territory front gate. He stilled at the menti
Aurora stood frozen in the middle of the office. She did not want to move. She did not want the world to move. Being frozen meant that the worst was not to come. Eli gripped her hand. She blinked and looked down at her son. His eyes were round and innocently looking up at her. Aurora could feel the moisture gathering in the back of her eyes. She blinked quickly and looked up at Arden. She did not want her son to see her cry. She did not want him to worry. He was still too young to understand what it was that was in store for him. Aurora squared her shoulders and looked at Charles. "Eli will not have the same fate as the man who fathered him," with that Aurora walked out of the office with Eli still gripping her hand. Charles looked back at Arden. His shoulders physically slumped. It was not easy to tell a mother that her son would soon be overtaken by a blind rage when he received his wolf. Arden was quiet. He had watched his mate leave. She was angry. He could feel it through thei
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