Eirika woke up to a soft pattering of water. She opened her eyes and found she was alone in bed. She had no idea when she drifted off to sleep. The last she remembered was being plundered by Arric. A smile stretched her lips as she listened. She found the noise coming from the bathroom and went to investigate. Standing on the threshold, she watched Arric standing under the shower with his hands pressed to the sidewall as the water drizzled over his bowed head. She walked inside, wondering what time it was and if he had left the room while she was sleeping. He raised his head when he sensed her and smiled. "I'm sorry. Didn't mean to wake you," he said tiredly. "Did you go out?" "Yeah, routine check," he replied. "You couldn't leave that even for one night?" she teased. "I don't do it for security, I do it to check on the guards. I always want them to know, I have their back. " "Aww…" she said making Arric chuckle as she walked inside the shower stall with him and ducked und
Eirika woke to Arric pacing at the foot of the bed. Sitting up, she asked, "What's wrong?" "I'm thinking…. This place is a fortress but I need some of my fighters… if the pack gets attacked we have a stronghold in place to keep them occupied long enough for me to get here but leaving you behind even with all the assurance that you are safe would plague me insistently. And I don't know how long I will be gone. Taking you with me would mean you would constantly be in danger… but then I would be there. And we can also use that opportunity to visit the major packs to propose allegiance. I need all this sorted before you start to show… which means we have a few weeks…." Eirika got up and rushed into the bathroom to get ready while Arric was still thinking aloud. She rushed out a few minutes later with her hair wet and a towel wrapped around her. "What do I wear?" she asked a tad breathless. Arric stopped pacing to hold her gaze. "I'm going to need knives, a bow, and arrows," she added.
"Good morning, Luna, hope you are better now?" she asked, sounding concerned and giving her a searching look. Eirika was surprised to see a show of any form of emotion from the other she-wolf. "Yes, I am. Thank you," she replied, giving her a warm smile. Eirika couldn't be certain but she could swear she could perceive Nigel’s scent on Zenesha. Her heart leaped with fear, not understanding what it meant. "Where is Nigel?" she asked. Zenesha's cheeks grew pinkish and she averted her gaze. "With Bishop. I think something has happened. Alpha hasn't briefed us yet…" "Yeah, I got that impression too…" Eirika said with a frown, looking down the hallway, and hearing Arric give orders about how the team is to move out of the region. "Luna…" Zenesha called to get her attention. "Yes?" "Nigel told me what happened to you… I want you to know that if you need a friend… I am here," she said. Eirika searched her gaze and saw how much of an effort approaching her was. "Thank you," Eirik
Arric, Nigel, York, Caineghis, Jimothy, and Bishop went on foot for miles, scouting the grounds for more invaders, before Arric asked Danny to land and pick them up. When they got back inside the craft they were all wearing custom-made baggy cargo shorts with black raglan-sleeve shirts. Arric came to sit next to Eirika and she reached out to lean against his chest. He wrapped his strong arms around her, pressing a kiss on her head. From the corner of Eirika’s eyes, she watched Nigel sit beside Zenesha and slowly shift closer until their arms were touching. The she-wolf tensed up but she didn't move away. Nigel carefully and slowly interlaced his fingers with hers and slowly started to stroke the back of her hand with his thumb. He then leaned back and shut his eyes. Eirika was happy to see Nigel was beginning to crack down on the she-wolf's wall of thorns. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the woods in a dusky hue before they got to the location where Arric’s people w
Arric smiled at the show of fondness in her eyes. He let out a sigh and drew her into his arms, making her rest her cheek against his pectorals and shut his eyes. Eirika shut her eyes too, listening to the rhythmic beat of his heart. Eirika was surprised at herself, she went back to sleep too and didn't move from his arms until he woke her with feathery kisses, skimming his lips against hers. A smile stretched her lips. "I can't believe I slept again…" "You needed the rest," he replied in his deep baritone that always made her feel warm inside. She stretched, languorously, against his naked skin and felt the hard length of his shaft pressed to her thighs. She parted her lips for him, drawing in his upper lip with her teeth as she used the tip of her tongue to trace the outlined hem. At the same time, she raised one leg to rest on his hip, feeling his shaft slip between her legs. She felt herself start to throb at the thought of the position they were in. Arric thrust his hip fo
"Danny, Jeff, stay alert we are heading in," Arric said aloud. "Yes, Boss," they replied. Eirika gave him a searching gaze and he said, "We are going into the pack territory to warn Hartwell… want to come?" "Yes, please," she said eagerly. He nodded. "That's what I thought," he mumbled and got up to push the door open, jumping down. He held out his hand to her. She took it and he carried her down. Eirika wasn't surprised to see Arric’s men, appearing from nowhere to tail him. Zenesha hurried to stand to her side and Nigel flanked her. Bishop, York, Jarom, Caineghis, Jimothy, and about ten more guards formed a shield around them as they moved. Eirika couldn't help remembering the last time she walked these woods. On impulse, she reached out to put her hand in Arric’s, recalling how she had longed for him and thought she would never be with him again. 'Are you alright?' Arric asked via their mind link, giving her a side glance. 'I remembered the last time I was here… afte
“You should know that I offered to reject him; he refused,” Zenesha said. “‘Nesha…” Nigel called her with an endearing version of her name. His voice was deep and ladened with emotions. “He is a Lycan…” Nigel’s father said meaningfully. His eyes darkened with arrays of emotions that were quite confusing. Eirika couldn’t tell whether he approved or not but she swore she could perceive his pity and concern. “I already told her werewolves' rejection ritual doesn’t work for me,” Nigel snapped. “That’s not what your father meant, Nigel, let’s go inside. Bishop, you guys should give us a minute and stay alert,” Arric said. “Yes, boss,” Bishop replied. Without waiting for Nigel and Shadowclaw to act on his suggestion, Arric pulled Eirika and gestured to Zenesha to move ahead of him with a stern gaze. She worked her jaw and obeyed. Once inside, Zenesha stood by the door, and Nigel stood about two meters away watching her. His father went to take a seat and gestured to Arric and Eir
Arric caught a whiff of Eirika's scent in the basement and knew she must have spent quite some time there alone with Nigel. The place was packed full of training gear and his suspicion was confirmed when Eirika let off a wistful sigh. "This was your training room?" he asked. She threw him a cautious gaze and nodded. Discussing her past training, done to kill off his family, was not a conversation she wanted to have with him just then. "Did you live here?" Arric asked. And even though he knew Nigel has a mate now, that didn't stop the sudden knots in his gut. He hated how it was another Lycan that was there for her and protected her when it was his responsibility. "No, I had my own place…" Eirika replied, holding his gaze. He nodded. "Did she tell you how she fought, disarmed, and killed a hefty brute of a werewolf with intent to kill her?" Nigel’s father asked. "She mentioned she was attacked…" Arric said with a smirk, silently noting the note of pride in the older Lycan's voic
Arric watched as the doctor continued to examine Eirika and then she breathed a sigh of relief. "See here … this hole indicates the bullet went through and did not dislodge in her stomach," she said, showing Arric a hole in Eirika's back. "This is good. You are very lucky, Luna, the bullet missed your baby, we just need to be sure it missed vital organs too." Dr. Michelle Riverclaw worked quickly to patch up Eirika's wound and stop the bleeding. Eirika was in agony, but she stayed still, knowing that the doctor was doing all she could to save her. As soon as Eirika was stabilized, Dr. Michelle Riverclaw said, "We need to get them to the clinic." Her voice was urgent. "And make sure they get the proper care." Arric nodded, his eyes never leaving Eirika and their newborn child. "I'll take care of them," he said with determination in his voice. Arric called out to Danny who was waiting by the door with the others. "How are they? Luna and the pup?" Bishop asked eagerly. "They are
"So… another defenseless victim, huh? That's a surprise," she said and continued to laugh almost hysterically now. Mauro came to stand beside her and pulled her painfully by the hair to force her to lift and tilt her face upward and stopped laughing and also to get her close enough to stab her stomach. But Eirika could not be deterred. "Seriously, Mauro, tell me… I'm going to die anyway right? There must be human blood in you somehow," Eirika taunted still. "You fucking bitch!" He snarled. "Soo that's a yes… I thought so too," she said and before he could react, she plunged the knife she had pulled from the rack earlier under his armpit, pushing it deep enough to puncture his heart. His eyes widened in shock. When he tried to stab her still, she gripped his wrist and with a loud growl continued to push the knife through his body with every strength she could muster, shaking from the effort. "You must be dense to think I would be that easy to kill," Eirika snarled, "I killed your
The night was cold and crisp at Narrow Creek Manor - the perfect weather for the Lycanthropes to come out to play. At the back of the imposing building, a bonfire was roaring, casting flickering shadows across the clearing where the makeshift dining table was set up. The table was long and sturdy, crafted from a thick slab of oak. It was surrounded by rough-hewn log benches and cushioned chairs, where the guests sat. The aroma of grilled meat and roasted vegetables wafted through the air, making everyone's mouths water. Arric sat at the head of the table with Eirika. Beside them were their guests: Aricel and his human girlfriend, Gwenna, Shadowclaw and his son Nigel, Zenesha and Arric's regular crowd: Bishop, Craineghis, Jimothy, Danny, Jeff, Jarom, and York, who was still recovering from his injuries with his mate; Dr. Michelle Riverclaw. There were also other alphas from smaller packs and black guards who were now the founding members of the enforcers. Arric raised his glass of w
The summit venue was decorated with colorful banners and flags representing each region and all packs. In the center was a circular stage, elevated to provide a better view to all attendees. The seating arrangement was divided by region, with each pack occupying a designated area. The Northern Packs were situated to the left, with Arric and his entourage taking up the front row. The Black Wolves, who controlled the transition zone between the North and East, were seated to the right. Alpha Aricel, who had taken over the Grimtooth Growlers Pack, and The Swiftfang Walkers Pack, occupied the second row, representing the West. Alpha Shadowclaw, who represented the Silvertooth Nightstalkers Pack and the South, was seated in the third row. The other smaller packs who wished to serve as witnesses were seated behind them. The expansive space was equipped with all the necessary amenities. There were comfortable chairs for the attendees, refreshment stands that served a variety of drinks
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
"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
"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,
"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
"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