The ground was uneven and treacherous, with roots and rocks jutting up from the forest floor. Arric leaped over fallen logs and dodged low-hanging branches, his feet barely touching the ground as he sprinted through the woods, navigating the dangerous terrain. Nigel followed close behind, and Arric was impressed by his tenacity. But he was still irritated at the little shit. He could tell he wanted more than friendship with Eirika and if they weren't Lycans, Arric would have thought it possible for the two to have a chance, considering the complication between him and Eirika. But they were Lycans and Lycans mate for life. Even knowing Eirika would never be with any other man than him, he still felt jealous. In reflex, he held Eirika tightly and possessively against his chest, shielding her from the branches and debris that threatened to strike her as they ran. At that moment, she was not the woman who had killed his family, but simply his mate. As they raced through the forest, t
“He just left, alpha… I heard he was going after the witch!” “The witch, huh?” Arric repeated. “Where is Boyd?” he asked. Boyd was his father’s third in command. “He is around… i-in the pack, alpha,” another guard answered. “Shall I radio him?” the second guard asked. “No. I will find him myself,” Arric said, “If you dare alert him, I am going to gut you all!” Arric growled. The werewolves swallowed hard. “Y-yes boss,” they chorused. Arric walked back to where Bishop parked with the other car. York and Jarom had already gotten down with Nigel. Caineghis got down as well and the four followed Arric. Arric went to stand by the passenger’s window and lowered his face to peer inside, resting his elbow on the doorpost He settled his gaze on Eirika's unconscious form, noting a peculiar tranquility inside him that had been absent for months. ‘She is weak. You need to hold her. Help her heal,’ Steelclaw said in his head. The thought of holding Eirika again made his heart skip a
As they ran, Arric's mind was consumed with thoughts of revenge. The traitors had not only caused the death of his junior brother they had intended for his mate to pay for it. Arric vowed that they would pay dearly for their crimes. The chase began in a small, cramped alleyway as the four traitors raced ahead on foot. Arric and his men quickly followed, chasing them, weaving in and out of the narrow streets, dodging crates and barrels that lay scattered along the way. The moon was high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the pack's gated city; the ominous air was palpable. As they approached a tall fence, the traitors veered off avoiding jumping over but Arric leaped up and cleared it with ease, York and Craineghis following close behind, using it to their advantage, and gaining ground on the traitors with every passing moment. For about twenty minutes the chase continued through the maze-like city, with Arric and his team running atop buildings and leaping over gaps with ease.
Eirika's eyelids slowly fluttered open, she felt groggy and disoriented. Blinking a few times, she tried to get her bearings and remember where she was. As her vision cleared, she saw that she was lying in a bed in a dimly lit room, surrounded by unfamiliar walls and equipment. As she tried to move, she felt a sharp pain in her shoulder, and memories of the black wolves' guards accosting her and Nigel in the woods came flooding back to the point when Arric held Nigel by the neck, threatening to kill him. And then the knife that had come out of nowhere at her, causing her to faint. "Nigel!" she called in a renewed panic. Her breathing felt labored, her chest was tight and congested she was certain she had caught pneumonia in that bloody cold cell. "Eirika," she heard his voice and looked in that direction only to feel something sharp piercing her upper arm. She jerked away in reflex, knocking off a syringe from the thin, tall man on her left side. She almost fell down from the bed
Eirika shut her eyes tightly, pressing her lips together to prevent them from trembling. Her heart clenched painfully at his cold tone. The memory of him caring for her at his pack flashed in her head and it was almost her doing. This was not the Arric she left behind at the Steelclaw pack. This was a cold stranger helping her to live so she could face his wrath. Aria whimpered at his detachment. After Arric finished helping her to clean and redress her wound, he found one of his shirts for her to wear. It was a soft, worn cotton, and it hung loosely on her slender frame. He helped her into it and tucked her into the warm covers. He then left, making his way to the kitchen to prepare a meal for her. He rummaged through the cabinets, searching hurriedly for something that would be both nourishing and appetizing. And doing his best not to think of her. Finally, he settled on some fresh cuts of steak, which he seasoned with herbs and grilled to perfection. He paired the steaks with a
Eirika shut her eyes tightly, pressing her lips together to prevent them from trembling. Her heart clenched painfully at his cold tone. The memory of him caring for her at his pack flashed in her head and it was almost her doing. This was not the Arric she left behind at the Steelclaw pack. This was a cold stranger helping her to live so she could face his wrath. Aria whimpered at his detachment. After Arric finished helping her to clean and redress her wound, he found one of his shirts for her to wear. It was a soft, worn cotton, and it hung loosely on her slender frame. He helped her into it and tucked her into the warm covers. He then left, making his way to the kitchen to prepare a meal for her. He rummaged through the cabinets, searching hurriedly for something that would be both nourishing and appetizing. And doing his best not to think of her. Finally, he settled on some fresh cuts of steak, which he seasoned with herbs and grilled to perfection. He paired the steaks with a
Arric shut his eyes to take a deep breath and heard it, her steady breathing – albeit labored and knew she was somewhere in the room. He went to check the bathroom and the closet, a deep frown furrowed his eyebrows before he walked gingerly to the other side of the bed and found her curled up on the lush area rug on the floor. His heart shook hard in his chest at the sight of her. The image of the cold, damp cell she had spent the past days playing in his head, and a low growl vibrated deep in his throat. With jaw clenched, he took off his clothes, almost tearing them off of his body as he allowed Steelclaw to connect with her beast causing him to feel the pain in her body and heart. Left in his boxers, he went to scoop her up, startling her awake, she flinched delicately and the thought that she may have been abused hit him like a wrecking ball. But he knew if she had, Ghost would have told him, and he was certain the guard wouldn’t have lived to see the next day. Eirika had no
Arric picked his boxers from the floor and slipped them on, ignoring his pulsating need. He couldn't even remember when he pulled them off. That was how intense loving her felt and he already wanted her again. He used to love and reveled in the insatiable desire they shared but now he just hated himself for his weaknesses. He shouldn't have given in and made love to her. He shouldn't even allow himself to be this close to her and he hadn't planned to. Seeing her like that on the floor had gotten to him. He imagined the hell she must have been through in the past months and he just reacted, wanting to comfort her. He could lie to himself and say it was the mate bond. But it wasn't. What they both shared was way past a mere bond. And how dare she mess that up by throwing unnecessary hurdles in their path. As if it wasn't bad enough that their enemies were abundant. He went back down the stairs to seek the comfort of another kind. He was surprised but glad that his cabin was still