Arric, accompanied by Eirika, Bishop, York, Jimothy, Craineghis, Nigel, Zenasha, and Alpha Aricel, arrived at Ironpaw Prowlers Pack about thirty minutes drive from the Darkridge Stalkers Pack. They were met by two other alphas from the same territory: Alpha Rudolphus of the Grimtooth Growlers Pack and Alpha Fenrisulfur of the Swiftfang Walkers Pack. Each Alphas has about twenty guards with them and Aricel has twenty-five. Darkridge Stalkers Pack was grand, with high walls made of stone and iron gates guarded by fierce-looking lycanthropes. The territory was vast, with dense forests surrounding the compound, giving it a sense of security and seclusion. As Arric and the rest approached the imposing gates, they were met with wary looks from the guards stationed there. Once inside, they were met by Alpha Jarvald Rukheim’s beta; Marc, who welcomed them with a nod. The compound was well-guarded, with high walls made of logs and thick branches intertwined, and sentries patrolling the perim
More than an hour before, Eirika and Zenesha were led into a living room where they were supposed to wait for the alphas to finish their meeting. A maid came in to ask what they would like to eat and drink and because of Arric's warning, Eirika declined. Zenesha, giving her keen scrutiny, followed her lead and refused. The maid left but shortly after Gwenna came in all smiles. Eirika was taken aback by the human presence, Gwenna hadn't followed them from the house and she didn't know the human had any association with Alpha Jarvald Rukheim. "What are you doing here?" Eirika asked. "Oh, Alpha Aricel called me to keep you company since I am familiar with this environment." "Oh, okay," Eirika said with a slight frown. Zenesha threw her a side glance. "How about we explore the grounds instead of just staying cooped up in here while the men bicker about politics," she said in jest. Eirika smiled but her eyes were cool as she quietly assessed the human. The human was scared. She co
"I'm sorry," Gwenna whispered, causing Arric to lower his eyes to hold hers. "I am so sorry," she added. "What did you do?!" Arric roared and took a step forward, fury, kindling, inside him. "She helped to lure them into my trap, of course. So innocent looking, my lovely Gwenna," Alpha Jarvald Rukheim taunted. Arric growled and stalked forward. At this point, he didn't care about the human, he knew he mustn't let Jarvald Rukheim escape. "Stay back!" he yelled in agitation. 'Let me at this fucker!' Steelclaw raged. Arric didn’t think twice before he shifted, letting Steelclaw take control. In a flash, Arric was vaguely aware of Gwenna being swatted out of the way as he lunged for Jarvald Rukheim. "Where is my mate?!" he snarled, baring his teeth. Alpha Jarvald Rukheim attempted to shift but Steelclaw held him against the side wall in a crushing grip, pressing him in the chest with his bared teeth close to his half-shifted face. "Where?!" he roared. Jarvald Rukheim choked.
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