Arric cupped her face and said, "As I said, Bishop will watch him. Okay?" he said. She hesitated, searching his gaze, and then nodded. He kissed her forehead and then ushered her inside the room. Eirika drew in a deep breath and released it slowly as she took in the familiar room. Scenes of the last time she was there, replayed in her head. It made her heart constrict, remembering her pain and fears, and wanting to hold on to Arric at the same time. She was amazed she made it back here. She hadn't thought you would ever return. Arric watched the play of emotions on her face, taking off his clothes. He went to stand behind her to wrap his arms around her shoulders and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you to help me… I was scared… terrified, " she whispered. "I could say I was sorry for keeping my identity secret. But I am not sorry," he said. Eirika turned in the circle of his arms to hold his gaze. "I wanted you to get to know me. To trust me…" "
She felt a hot flush all over her face and neck. Clearing her throat, she got off the bed and went to get one of his shirts to wear. He reached out his hand to her and she hurried forward to take it. He drew her close to his side and led her to a short hallway carved into a corner of the room. He pushed the door open and they walked into a sleek and modern kitchenette that featured state-of-the-art appliances, including a stainless steel refrigerator, a glass cooktop, and a convection oven. The cabinetry was made of rich, dark wood that complemented the natural stone countertops. Adjacent to the kitchenette was a stylish dining table for two, with comfortable, plush chairs. The table was made of gleaming, polished wood, and was set with sparkling crystal glasses and elegant silverware. In the sitting area, a luxurious two-seater leather couch was the centerpiece of the space and was positioned to take full advantage of the stunning views from the side windows, which look out over th
Eirika woke up early, excitement and nerves coursing through her veins as she realized a knock had woken her. Arric was gone as expected yet she still felt a pang of disappointment. "Luna?" Bishop called. "A minute," she called back and quickly got up, running into the bathroom to take her bath and get dressed. Five minutes later she pulled the door open fully dressed and breathing heavily. Bishop gave her a warm smile and with a slight bow said, "I have come to take you to the pack house." "Do I need to pack anything?" "No. Everything you need is already there, Luna," he replied. "Arric?" "He is um… making himself scarce, Luna," he said. She nodded. "Okay, I'm ready," she said in resignation. He smiled and gestured for her to follow him. When Eirika stepped outside she saw that Zenesha was one of her aides. "Hey, good morning," Eirika greeted with a smile. "Good morning, Luna," she replied. "Good morning, Luna," the other three standing with her greeted as well.
As the day went on, Eirika's longing for Arric grew even stronger. She couldn't wait to see him again, to feel his arms around her and have his scent enveloping her. It grew so bad that despite how tired she felt, she woke up in the middle of the night feeling restless. She got out of bed and started pacing around her room. The third day of preparations was the most hectic of all. She woke up early, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness for the day ahead. She spent the morning getting ready for the ceremony, having her hair and makeup done. Everyone was rushing around, putting the finishing touches on everything and making sure that everything was perfect. The dressmakers were putting the final touches on Eirika's dress and cape, and Bishop was making sure that everything was set up for the ceremony. Eirika spent most of the day getting ready, with the help of the dressmakers. She put on her wedding dress and the royal cape, and she looked stunning. The cape was made of a
Eirika's eyes darted in their sockets as Arric returned her scrutiny. He cupped her face, gently stroking her cheeks. "Hold me," she said in a low pleading tone. He drew her immediately into his arms and buried his nose in her hair to draw in her scent. "You are so beautiful, " he whispered. Eirika smiled, tightening her hold around him. When he drew back slightly from her to peer down into her eyes and added, "And I think that separation thing was a terrible idea." Eirika giggled, adoring him with her eyes. "You didn't send Bishop to get me though…" "I heard you were doing great. I didn't want to be the weak link." He grinned. Eirika laughed. "Trust me if I was hundred percent certain you were missing me as much, I would have come to you," she said. Arric’s smile brightened. And that made her realize what she had confessed. Her cheeks burned and she lowered her gaze. Arric placed a finger under her chin to make her look back up into his eyes. "I couldn't sleep so I joined
"I'm so sorry, I've ruined the night," Eirika whispered against his chest as he put her down when they got inside his room. "You didn't ruin anything. This is my favorite part of the night… being finally left alone with you," he rasped and smiled tenderly at her. Eirika's eyes welled with tears. Arric cupped her chin. "Can you fathom what it means to serve as Roffe Barther's commander for decades?" he asked rhetorically but Eirika shook her head in negation anyway, causing more tears to spill. "I have been involved in his invasions since I was eight. I started leading the black guards at eighteen. Do you know how long ago that was, Eirika?" She shook her head again."I have seen decades of war, little one, Mauro is a werewolf. I have outlived four of my father's beta. So trust me, when I say I can protect you. And with what we just did… making our union public. By morning, the entire world would know not to mess with you…" "I know, " she whispered, remembering how many times his
Eirika walked into the kitchen, drawn to the delicious aromas that filled the room. She'd picked one of Arric’s shirts to wear. It carried his scent and she'd wanted to be enveloped in it. Arric stood over the stove, a large wooden spoon in one hand and a pot of bubbling liquid in the other. The kitchen was filled with the savory smell of spices and the sound of sizzling oil. The countertops were littered with bowls of chopped vegetables, cans of tomatoes, and various spices. Arric's attention was on the task at hand but Eirika couldn't ignore his toned forearms and body that were on total display. "Hey, there," he said with a smile as he stirred the pot. "I'm just finishing up here. Would you like to help?" Eirika eagerly accepted the invitation, excited to see what Arric had cooked up. She peered into the pot and saw a rich, reddish-brown sauce simmering away. She couldn't quite place all of the ingredients, but the aroma suggested garlic, onion, and oregano. She also noticed a
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
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