After that, everything else began to happen all at once. A blurry, chaotic, storm of events, as attacks began, from their side, and then ours, as our patrols began to hit their more isolated groups, using the terrain they knew so well to take them by surprise. We weakened them quickly there, while our sentries weakened those who dared attack our home, the few who broke through meeting Tyson and his teams, and finding themselves overwhelmingly outmatched. As the sun went down, they only grew more desperate and disorganised, the attacking groups growing smaller, weaker, and far less confident. Within a few hours, Marcus had his original patrols hunting down the remnants of Yannick's pack. Yannick himself was captured as he tried to flee, and his Beta, Sean, was killed as he led a dismal final attempt to attack our home. It was almost dawn again when Yannick was brought before us, greatly wounded in both pride and body. Cole, Finn, and I stared down at him with disdain, while we awaite
I rested my hands on my knees, sweaty and panting for air. Training was brutal today, even moreso than most, and they're never easy sessions. Our leaders push us hard, and walking away with a few cuts and bruises wasn't uncommon, especially for us lower ranks. I'm just one of many Omegas in the Grey Marsh pack, a small pack, but with a enough of a reputation for pure viciousness that no one really messes with us. Which is also why no one is exempt from these daily training sessions, every single pack member is expected to be able to hold their own, and then some.Thankfully, real fights are rare, as there isn't much competition for our territory. Our namesake, the Grey Marsh, is a dark, thickly-treed, perpetually misty marsh that lays in the valley between the greener, fertile inland plains, and the jagged, black peaks of the mountain range that rims the western edge of the continent. No one ever dares to wander into that mountain territory, and aside fr
Growling again, they licked my neck, right on the spot where a mark would be placed. My blood turned to ice, there was absolutely no mistaking that gesture. And just to make it crystal clear, they nipped that same spot, their canines only just piercing the skin, but drawing four tiny drops of blood. Licking me there again, the Lycan growled once more, a long, low sound of pleasure. I trembled as I stepped back, holding my neck, my eyes wide. They remained on the rock, their long, sharp gangs glistening in the fading light as they grinned, watching me, but not following into our pack's territory. I turned and ran, stumbling carelessly down the rocks in my sheer panic. I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe, I could only flee, as fast as my legs could carry me. As my feet finally - and somewhat miraculously - found more even ground away from the river, I careened through the brush that I normally would run around, feeling but ignoring the sting of the branches and th
It was a fitful night of sleep, plagued with dreams of being watched by glowing golden eyes, stalked by huge black shadows, and marked by long, glistening Lycan fangs. Nightmares, really. I awoke amidst one of being surrounded by long, thick fur, black as night, and kicked and struggled at the blanket, crying out. It brought both Mike and the nurse rushing in, then shaking their heads at me."Well, good morning," Doctor Mike said dryly, "Sleep well?" He didn't really sound like he wanted an answer, so I didn't bother with one. Checking over my more superficial wounds, he seemed satisfied, though didn't spare much of a glance at my neck, with the nurse in the room. "The radiologist should be in soon," he said, unwrapping my ankle and bending it carefully in different directions, "If she gives you the all clear, you'll be fine to go. No training for a few days though," he looked at me sternly then, "or long runs." His meaning was very clear. Hear
It only took half an hour before I got bored of the TV, and hobbled upstairs. Deciding on a nice hot bath, I turned the water on, adding some scented oils and bubbles, enjoying the smell of sweet cinnamon and vanilla as I stripped off my clothes and unwound my ankle bandage, dumping the lot into the clothes hamper. I stepping carefully into the hot water, sinking down and relaxing back as it rose around me. Turning it off when the tub was almost full, I closed my eyes, breathing in the slowly rising steam, and enjoying the heat as it penetrated deeply. It might not be as good as the natural hot springs, but it certainly wasn't bad. I felt a pang of loss, as I thought of the springs. It wouldn't be safe to go back there again, and not just for me. The Nightfall Lycan pack would almost certainly dislike werewolves so close to their border, even if it was technically our land, and it would be unwise to gain their attention. Given their brutally savage reputation, it
As we finally pulled into the carpark of Greenvale's larger shopping mall, Sam reached over and ruffled my hair, that was already looking a little windblown. After I got out of the car, I tried to straighten it a little in the car window's reflection, and suddenly there were two extra reflections either side of mine, almost identical to each other. "It looks just fine to me, sweetheart," one deep, smooth, masculine voice said from my right, "Mmmmm, smells just fine too," the other said, stepping closer and burying his face in my neck, nuzzling right near my marking spot. "Get off me," I said impatiently, tring to turn and step away, but they blocked me from each side, the first putting his face near my neck now, from behind. "She tastes good too," he said, making me frown, "And when the hell did you.." I started to say, but as the other grinned down at me, I froze, and my breath caught in my chest as I realised exactly where we'd met before. Sam's voice came from behind the car then
The four of us spent the rest of the morning shopping. Cole and Finn were actually pretty great company, and seemed to get along well with Sam too. He kept giving me these small, approving glances, and I couldn't help but smile. Cole and Finn would often take turns to disappear, heading off to different shops and then rejoining us later, which always made the other happy, having me to himself for a bit. They seemed a little competitive, in an endearing kind of way, and I liked getting to know each one better too. As we stopped to eat, we all exchanged numbers, and they promised they'd have their other brother meet me sometime soon, when all of us could get away again for a while. I hoped it would be soon, but between my steadily increasing training schedule, and a no doubt even busier Alpha's schedule, it might not be for a while, and the thought made my heart sink. Cole cupped by cheek suddenly, smiling, "Chin up, beautiful," he said softly, "Even if Thane can't get away anytime s
The sun was almost wholly obscured by the mountains as Sam parked his car, and got out, grabbing the bags. He grinned at me, a mischievous glint in his eye, "How much do you want to bet that there's at least two sets of sexy lingerie that found their way into your bags?" he teased as we made our way inside. I rolled my eyes at him as we walked into the kitchen, but his face quickly turned serious, and I looked around to see our Dad staring wide eyed at us, seated at the table with Doctor Mike. I swore internally, wondering what the doc had told him, and Sam suddenly grabbed the bags from me, "I'll just take these," he said carrying the lot upstairs all at once. The air was thick with tension, and this didn't seem good at all. Doctor Mike was the first to speak, "Laila, how's that rest going?" he asked dryly, and I cringed. He likely wouldn't approve of how long I'd spent on my feet today, even if it was just walking. "Oh, uh.. great, it feels really good again, Doc, thank you," I sa
After that, everything else began to happen all at once. A blurry, chaotic, storm of events, as attacks began, from their side, and then ours, as our patrols began to hit their more isolated groups, using the terrain they knew so well to take them by surprise. We weakened them quickly there, while our sentries weakened those who dared attack our home, the few who broke through meeting Tyson and his teams, and finding themselves overwhelmingly outmatched. As the sun went down, they only grew more desperate and disorganised, the attacking groups growing smaller, weaker, and far less confident. Within a few hours, Marcus had his original patrols hunting down the remnants of Yannick's pack. Yannick himself was captured as he tried to flee, and his Beta, Sean, was killed as he led a dismal final attempt to attack our home. It was almost dawn again when Yannick was brought before us, greatly wounded in both pride and body. Cole, Finn, and I stared down at him with disdain, while we awaite
Dorian reached up to wipe my tears with his thumbs, a look of sorrow-filled sympathy on his face, "I promise you, we'll help him as best we can," he said softly, "but your pack still needs you, you need to help them." I stared at him wide eyed, not feeling like I could help anyone right now, but he cupped my cheeks gently, giving me an encouraging nod. "I.. but.." I stammered, looking around and seeing so many uncertain faces looking right back at me, and I knew that it was me who needed to give them certainty again. He stepped back, organising for Thane to be taken to the hospital, and I shook my head sadly, taking several long deep breaths and closing my eyes for a moment, before speaking again. "I need reports," I said more firmly, "I need to know what's happening with the incursions, and.." I paused for a moment again, trying to clear my head enough to focus. "The sentries, they need to report to Finn now," I said, looking up at him. His face was pale, so very pale, and shocked,
Samantha seemed to find some determination from somewhere though, straightening her posture even as her companion fell forward, his face hitting the ground with a soft thud. She suddenly dropped her hand, allowing the metal piece to move towards her, before suddenly raising both, trying to thrust it towards me with everything she had. I screamed wordlessly, letting that rage rush through me again, wildly, as I raised both hands, thrusting them towards her. I could see the fear in her eyes as the object raced towards her, and unable to stop it, she ducked, and it shot right past her, barely missing her companions, and out of sight. She turned to me as she straightened again, but her eyes were drawn to the same thing that had caught my own attention. From Thane's slowly stirring body, a dark figure had formed, leaving his body and hovering above it. "What are you doing?!" Samantha screamed at it, sounding hysterical, "She's right there! Take her!" She pointed at me, but nothing rushed
"Where?" asked Finn, and I frowned at him, "Right there, in the middle, Thane's walking over to her.." I stopped as he exchanged a look with Jess, both of them looking puzzled. "The young blonde kid?" Jess asked, and I stared at her in bewilderment, "What young blonde kid? I mean the black haired woman, standing in the middle of the group waiting for Thane." Finn stopped walking, grabbing my arm and turning me towards him, "You see a black haired woman standing there?" he asked, as he and Jess both frowned at me in confusion. "Yes.. don't you?" I asked, suddenly feeling uncertain, and they both shook their heads looking concerned. "No.." Jess began, looking thoughtful, "Do you think.. could she be masking herself somehow?" she asked, looking up at Finn. "I don't know.." he said, as he rubbed his chin, seeming to consider the idea, then lifted a brow, looking over behind us, "but I know someone who would," he added, and I turned, seeing Elyanna over at the edge of the green, closer t
As we reached the green, we noticed the tension in the air. Nerves were frayed, and some were frightened, knowing something was happening, but having no clear message of what. A few people stopped, staring at us, seeming to be waiting for something, and I sighed, looking up at Finn. "They need to know," I said gently, and he frowned, shaking his head, "Thane.." he began, and I gently put a hand on his arm. "Check with him," I said gently, "but he's not down here, he doesn't see their nervousness. They'd feel better if they knew, and knew it was being handled." He sighed, but nodded, his eyes going blank for a moment, before they came into focus again, "He still doesn't want to share much," he said, looking mildly disappointed, "but we can let them know a little." I nodded, giving him an encouraging smile, and he turned, making eye contact with those watching and waiting nervously, beckoning them over. When a small crowd had gathered around us, he lifted his head, raising his voice,
Josefine turned to him with an arched eyebrow and a stern look, before looking back to me, "Which one of you does the Fearmonger seek?" she asked. "They said it was me," I answered quietly. "Have you confirmed it?" she asked, and I frowned, asking her, "How would I do that?" She gave a brief nod, then turned to the others, who already seemed to be gathering some things up. "Leave it with us," Josefine said, as they all began heading for the door, and Elyanna ushered for us to follow, "We will do what we can," she said encouragingly, "For now, take care of your pack, defend them if need be. We'll find you when it's time," she continued, as we followed the others outside. "When it's time for what?" I asked, as she pulled her door closed behind us, locking it with a key on a ring full of others. My mind caught on that detail for some reason, it seeming odd, given her tiny cottage, for there to be so many. She smiled and reached over to touch my cheek gently, drawing my attention back t
"Just like Margrethe herself," Mathilde breathed softly, half to herself, and Anne stood, coming closer and peering over her friend's shoulder. "Truly!" she gasped, seeming just as surprised and impressed as Mathilde was. I frowned at them both, as Lisbet began to withdraw again, "Margrethe?" I asked, and they stared at me in mild disbelief."Queen Margrethe, of course!" Josefine said, sounding a little offended, and Anne turned to face her. "She is so young, you cannot expect her to remember a Queen long before her time," Anne said gently. Josefine tilted her chin up slightly, "She was also a werewolf, do they not teach the history of their own Royals?" she asked, and Elyanna sighed. "Whether they do or not, Laila had no control over what she herself was taught as a child," she said sternly, "Do not place the blame that belongs to the generations past on her shoulders."Anne nodded agreement, along with Sofie, and Josefine scowled. "It may be the fault of generations past, but will sh
Elyanna opened the door a moment later, with a small frown in her face. Seeing us, she stepped outside, rather than inviting us in, pulling the door closed behind her. "Finn, Laila," she said with a warm smile, though her forehead still held a small crease, "What's happened?" she asked. Finn and I exchanged a glance, and he gave her an apologetic smile, "This.. probably won't be a quick conversation," he said hesitantly, "Would you prefer to have it inside?" Her lips pursed together as she shifted uncomfortably, "Ah, at the moment, I have.. company," she said awkwardly, "That you may not wish to overhear?" she continued, her tone suggestive. He sighed, and nodded, "We hoped it might have been the kind of company that might have offered further insight," he said gently, "We've just had some ourselves." She raised an eyebrow, "You have learned something?" she asked, seeming surprised, and Finn shook his head, giving a short laugh. "No, I don't think so," he said, "It was Yannick, from
Marian looked stunned, the colour draining from her face, and she closed her eyes, rubbing her forehead, seeming to process what he'd just told her. "Okay," she said shakily, ".. okay, okay.." she took a couple of deep breaths, her eyes still closed as she calmed herself, before looking back at Finn and I. "Are we still trying to keep the South Wing clear?" she asked, sounding much more composed. Finn nodded, "Yes, if we can manage without it," she nodded again, seeming to have fully recovered from her shock as she took charge, and I had to admire her ability to react well under pressure. "We only have five patients at the moment, in wards One through Three," she said, seemingly half to herself. "Camille!" she called out, and the other nurse stuck her head out of one of the nearby wards, "Prepare ward Twelve for emergency triage, we might have a lot of incomings. Eleven too, just in case."Camille stared at her in disbelief for a moment, and Marian raised an eyebrow, "Now! Laila and