I awoke a few times during the night, with nightmares of being chased, or dragged, unable to move, to find myself with a strong set of arms around me, soothing me, and the triplets' scents surrounding me. I felt them stirring during the night too, reaching for me several times, as though making sure I was still really there. It was oddly comforting, knowing that they needed me, even though I hated that they'd had to worry so much. I couldn't truly understand the depths of what they'd felt when they realised I was gone, and for the two days following, but I could easily see how much it had affected them, and all I wanted to do was be close to them, reassure them, and help wash all of those feelings away. We didn't get much time to ourselves once the following day started though. We all caught each other up on what had happened when others hadn't been there, and then Thane needed to do the same with the Elders, who were naturally very interested in knowing the details of any threats to
But as I looked at him, I realised I did want to. He'd never given me any reason not to trust him, and he'd seemed truly torn up about me being taken from under his watch. I stood, moving over to beside Thane, facing Luca, and nodded slowly. I opened my mouth to speak, but hesitated, glancing at Thane first, who gave a small, encouraging nod. "I'm.. a Royal," I said softly, meeting Luca's gaze, and holding my breath as I waited for his response. His expression turned to one of complete shock, and he looked to Thane, as though seeking confirmation. He gave a short nod, and Luca stared at both of us, "How?" he gasped, still stunned, "Did you know, before..?" Thane shook his head then, "None of us knew, including her, until she was forced to turn while fleeing them." Luca sighed deeply, sitting back down and burying his face in his hands for a long moment. Then he looked up at me, meeting my eyes, "I have.. so many questions," he said quietly, "But I want you to know that it doesn't ch
"Oh.. I.. uhm, hey Luca.." Jess said awkwardly, looking surprised to see him here, and he smiled kindly at her. "Hey, Jess," he said gently, and she frowned, seeming uncertain, "I came to see Thane, is he busy?" she asked, and Luca turned to look over his shoulder at him. He sighed softly, turning to Dad and Sam, "Cole and Finn will help you get settled in, Laila and I will see you for dinner," he said. They both nodded silently, coming over to give me tight, warm hugs before they followed them out, squeezing past Jess and Luca. "Come in," Thane said to Jess, and gave Luca a subtle gesture to stay also, and he frowned, coming to sit back down. "I.. I just wanted to apologise again," said Jess, remaining standing, "Especially to you, Laila, I should have noticed something long before it got as far as it did." I gave her a warm smile and started to stand, but Thane motioned for me to remain sitting, and I did. "It's okay, Jess," I said softly, "You didn't do this." She gave me an appr
Thane suddenly placed a hand in the centre of my chest, pushing me backwards, then bent down to lift my legs. Cole and Finn both began undressing, and Finn moved behind the desk, grabbing my wrists and holding them as Cole went over to the door, and I heard the click of it being locked. Thane groaned softly as he began moving his hips back and forth, his huge, rock hard cock rubbing over my sensitive clit, making me close my eyes and gasp softly. The tip was suddenly pressed again my entrance then, and I gasped louder, sitting up slightly, but Finn pushed my shoulders back down as Thane held my hips, his cock penetrating me slowly, until it filled me completely. My muscles tensed around it, and I moved my hips gently, making us both moan with the incredible tightness. He pushed me further back on the desk then, until my head was off the other side, before he started thrusting, slow and rhythmic, at just the right angle. I tried to lift my head to meet his eyes, but Finn tangled both
It was the most peaceful sleep I'd had in days, even if it was short, waking up a couple of hours later with Thane spooning me from behind, his strong arms wrapped around me. I sighed contently, and I felt him stir just a little, "Hey, little wolf," he said, still sounding a little bit asleep. "Hey, handsome Lycan," I responded, my voice playful, and he pulled me closer into him, starting to place soft kisses on my bare skin. I couldn't help but smile, waking up with him like this, and leaned back, turning my head towards him until he lifted his and he my lips tenderly. He lingered there for a long moment, enjoying it, then sighed deeply. "We should get up," he said, as though he wished he didn't have to, "We still need to meet Elyanna before dinner." I gave him a confused look, "I thought you were inviting her here for dinner?" I asked, and he shook his head gently. "I thought about it, but it's not ideal, and we said we'd have dinner with your Dad and your brother, too," he said,
Cole grabbed me before I got even got close, wrapping his arms tightly around me and holding me against him as I struggled, desperate to protect my brother. He was far stronger though, and I could only watch as Jake rushed towards him, grabbing fistfuls of his shirt and picking him up, turning to shove him against the wall. "Stop!" I cried out, seeing Sammy's wide eyes as Jake loomed over him, but I froze, falling silent a moment later, as I watched Jake lower his head to bury his face in the curve of Sam's neck. He breathed him in deeply, then pressed himself closer as he lifted his head to look my brother in the eyes, uttering a single word, "Mate." Sam stared back at him, looking bewildered as he squirmed in Jake's grip, "H.. hi?" he said weakly, and Jake smiled at him, a hungry look in his eyes as he lowered his mouth to Sam's, kissing him with fierce passion. Sam hesitated, then embraced it, returning it with a passion of his own, as Jake reached one arm out towards the door, sl
Our dinner continued for several hours, as we enjoyed each other's company, until Maggie and the Omegas helping her tonight came up to clear our dessert plates. We thanked them for our dinner, which was as exceptional as Maggie's cooking always was, and stood. Dad and Sam both gave me tight, warm hugs and words of encouragement, before saying goodnight, and as we walked past their rooms I noticed both Jess and Luca nearby, keeping an eye on them.The triplets led me down the rear stairway again, and we headed outside, where the full moon was shining brightly in the clear winter sky above us. We took the narrow path down towards Elyanna's, but veered off before her cottage, heading much deeper into the forest, well out of sight, before they stopped and began undressing. I felt Lisbet stirring in the back of my mind as I did the same, shivering slightly as I felt the crisp winter air on my bare skin. Finn stepped closer, pulling me against him as he kissed my forehead softly, looking i
The rest of the walk back to the packhouse was mostly in solemn silence, but it was quick, given our eagerness to be back where it was warm. The triplets led me straight up to the top floor, and Elyanna stepped out of my bedroom just as we reached the hallway. She looked tired and troubled, and I sighed softly, heading over to greet her. "Elyanna," I said softly, and she turned to give me a weary smile."Are you feeling alright? Did you find something?" I asked, and her smile widened briefly, "Ah, you always know," she said warmly, and nodded her head. "A few things, but not enough. I need more pieces to understand it," she said, and Thane frowned at her. "Is it safe for her to sleep in there?" he asked, sounding frustrated, but she shrugged gently, "Safe for you to go in, use your things, your clothes," she said, with some degree of hesitance as she looked over me, still wearing their ill-fitting clothes. "But to sleep?" she continued, "Much safer with one of you. It is clear they wi
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