After Gabriel had done an ultrasound scan for Eirika to confirm to her that her pup was fine, Arric came inside the makeshift clinic to carry her to the rent that had been prepared for them. He helped to clean up and tucked her into bed. "Do you think you can stay out of trouble for a minute for me to see to the humans," Arric teased, pressing a kiss to her lips. Eirika giggled and then growled. "Stop!" she groaned. Arric chuckled, drawing back to hold her gaze. Eirika's laughter died in the face of the emotion swirling in his eyes. "I will do my best to make our home safe for you and our pups. I promise," he rasped. And to Eirika that's more or less him confessing his love for her. She cupped his jaw and crushed her lips to his. Much later when Arric exited the tent, it was as if Gabriel had been waiting for him, the older-looking werewolf hurried to his side and said, "The human we treated with Luna Eirika is going to need a particular kind of blood transfusion, and it's kin
Gwenna looked from Arric to Aricel and started whimpering. "He killed him, didn't he? He killed him! He killed him after all I did and went through. He still killed him. I had to live a lie!" "Which part?" Aricel said, interrupting her almost hysterical tirade. "What?" she asked, puzzled. "Which part was a lie, Gwenna?"Aricel asked in a firm tone. The human went quiet for about a minute with her lips trembling and her eyes welling with tears."I love you. Do you know that? I know I am just a random chick on your bed and you could care less if I live or die, but I hate myself every day for not being able to tell you the truth. But it doesn't matter now. It was all for nothing. My brother is d - dead…” she said, paused and groaning as if in physical pain, “Oh, god, Kevin!” She cried brokenly, covering her mouth to muffle her sobs, and then took shaky breaths to contain her emotions. “I suppose I can't say that I lost you too 'cause I never had you to begin with, Aricel. And if you w
The aircraft soared over the Eastern region, and Arric looked down at the black guards' barrack from the window. It was a formidable structure, with high walls and tight security. From the air, Arric could see the well-organized layout of the barrack, with training grounds, weapons caches, and living quarters for the black guards. The barracks were built to resemble a fortress, a testament to the strength and skill of the black guards. Arric turned to his team, including York, Bishop, Caineghis, Jimothy, Nigel, and his trusted pilots, Danny and Jeff. They were all former members of the black guards' Brotherhood. "Alright, team," Arric said with determination, raising his voice above the roar of the aircraft. "We're going in. Danny, get us low enough at the barrack tower." Danny, skillfully maneuvered the craft to a lower altitude, allowing Arric to leap off. He soared through the air, his Lycan abilities allowing him to land safely on the ground without any injuries. Arric waste
"Hey," Gwenna called, hurrying to join Zenesha and Eirika on their walk. The two had decided to go outdoors after a rather tense dinner with Alpha Aricel, and Marnet Darnald. Gwenna had chosen to eat in her room, sending one of the pack omegas to let Aricel know. Eirika wasn't completely sure of what was happening but she knew the redhead must be in the middle of it. Eirika exchanged glances with Zenesha, before reverting her gaze. Zenesha. who hadn't gotten over the human's betrayal, openly glared at her. Gwenna wore a long hooded cloak and her hair was packed up in a bun atop her head. A bandage covered her forehead and temple, wrapping around her head. There were ugly scratches around her neck and her throat was covered with a thin band-aid that was about four inches long. The thin strap matched her skin color, blending with her olive skin tone. One side of her face had turned blue-black, her left eye had a purple ring around it and she had a swollen and cracked lip. Eirik
"Zenesha…" Eirika tried to intervene, seeing the she-wolf was scaring Gwenna. "She needs to know, Luna. She needs to know the kind of life she would have. The kind of life she would be subjecting her pups to. If you ask me, I think it is irresponsible to get involved and have a family that would outlive you," Zenesha said, the pain and anguish in her voice were palpable. "Zenasha stop it!" Eirika snapped. The she-wolf startled backward as if just realizing she had said too much. "I - I'm sorry, Luna, Gwenna… I… " she said and started to stride away. "Stop!" Gwenna cried. Zenesha halted her strides with her fists clenched by her sides. Gwenna hurried to stand in front of the she-wolf, searching her gaze, and added, "Your mother was human?" "Yes, she was human," Zenesha replied with gritted teeth. "What happened? What happened to you?" the human asked in a soft, empathetic tone. The grounds grew quiet and Eirika thought the she-wolf wouldn't answer but then she said in almos
"Get him out of here and take him to Councilwoman Charlotte Chapman!" Arric growled, not bothering to look at York. He had seen the blood and it kept streaming. He need not be told it was bad. He could feel it. "Boss," Bishop started to protest, torn between leaving him behind and trying at least to save York even if it was possible. "That's an order!" He yelled. His men exchanged glances and Bishop gestured to Dan to lower the craft. The five of them carried York's lifeless body into the aircraft. Arric caught Dan, looking at him through the side window. He turned away and faced the black guards. "Six… six fucking fighters was all it took to take down twenty fucking blackguards! None of you are leaving this ground until morning!" He yelled, compelling them to face off with him. As the aircraft lifted in the air, he blocked out the sound, allowing the sight of York's blood to fuel him as about ten black guards circled and rushed at him. *** Arric strode towards his old den,
"Tell me please…" he added in a fervent plea. "He is not out of the woods yet, but he's fighting, everyone is keeping vigil, praying…" she whispered against his chest. Arric let out a low growl. "I can't lose one more brother…" "I love you so much, Arric," she whispered. "I can't lose him too. The doctor said he could hear us, so I forbade him to leave us. I could almost hear him laughing, and teasing me," she said and then burst out crying. Arric tightened his hold around her, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Shh… it's okay, baby," he cooed, crying quietly too. Arric hadn't expected Bishop to be so daring to let her come to the blackguards' pack. He couldn’t believe that he would so blatantly disregard his orders but then having her there with him, holding her – his sweet, beautiful mate, and knowing she felt as strongly about his men as he did, made him feel happy. The storm that had been raging in him for the past hours calmed. He was almost in shock at her effect on him. "Why
Bishop filled Arric in about the extent of York's injury. The stab wounds had caused severe damage to his kidney and thus had to undergo major surgery. Arric listened as Danny transported them to the East, his face lowered and his elbows resting on his knees. "Did they say how long it would take for him to get back on his feet?" Arric asked. "The doctors said a few weeks but then he is a werewolf," Eirika replied. Arric nodded. "He is going to be fine, Alpha," Bishop added. "He must, Bishop," Arric replied almost to himself. Everyone on the craft studied him with a compassionate gaze. "How did you two meet?" Eirika asked. "I met him not too long now… like four months? And it feels like I have known him my whole life…" Arric chuckled despite himself. "I met him when he was three years old," Arric replied. Eirika gasped. He nodded, giving her a side glance. "Now you know I'm an old man in a young man's body," he added. Aricel laughed. "That is something…" Eirika said with