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72 - Barefoot
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 73 - Council
Kylar vanishes for a moment and I stand, watching the children from the adjoining room. He returns after checking the lock on the entrance door and comes through their room, seeing the door out to the suite corridor is also closed. All that’s left is the adjoining door between the bedroom. I’ve turned off the main light, leaving the soft glow from the lamps either side of the bed. I feel better, so much more alive now that I’ve had a bath and washed my hair. I’m grateful for the simple pajamas but after the heat from my shower is wearing off, I start to shiver again. I back up as Kylar steps into the room, dropping down to sit on the bed. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me, not since he started walking back in my direction. I feel my heart racing once more and I know that my body can’t take this stress. The emotional rollercoaster that we’ve been on over the last few days, it’s too much. He stops walking, resting his hands on his hips as he looks me over. ‘Did you find everything
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 74 - Goodnight
His question seems to hang in the air between us. I shift backwards in the bed, making sure that there is space for him to rest. But he doesn’t move, he lingers and I touch my tongue to my lips. They’re dry, and I know that I’m still dehydrated. I swallow, trying to line my throat with anything as I attempt to speak.‘Please,’ it's a husky murmur that scraps my vocal chords. There’s another moment of hesitation before Kylar climbs onto the bed beside me. His weight dipping the mattress. He props himself up against the pillows, pulling the blanket up, over his waist to his chest and lays back watching the ceiling. One hand resting on his middle, the other behind his head. He wanted to join me in bed, yet I get the feeling that he’s doing everything he can to separate himself from me. As though he’s my friend and has never been my lover. But that can’t be true, if we had never been lovers we wouldn’t have the twins. We wouldn’t have been through the ordeal of the last few days. I t
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 75 - Home
It’s another strange night where I don’t think I’m going to sleep. I lay on the bed, hands tucked underneath the pillow. Painfully aware of the man lying beside me. My gaze is fixed, determined on the adjoining room and the twin beds. I can just make them out in the dim light cast from one of the lamps.I close my eyes, they’re aching. I can hear the sound of the twins breathing. It mingles with Kylars own steady breath. I dozed off during the journey in the truck and waiting for Kylar. But now it’s time to sleep, and make the most of the last few hours of darkness, it feels impossible to return to rest. My heart and mind are heavy. Going over all my mistakes from the last few months. I haven't been acting like myself. Or is it just more recently? I let out a soft sigh and hope that sleep will come and claim me. I know I haven't been myself since we arrived in Silver Stream. I kept Kylar at a distance before we went, but that was the turning point. I should have been thinking what da
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 76 - The Pack Council
Kylar There’s something deep seated and primal in the satisfaction I feel, knowing that Ava and the twins are back home and safe in Midnight Forest. They’re in my reach, and under my protection now. I feel confident that within this village, now that the threat from the Rogue’s has been contained, that they’re safe. Unless there’s someone else who intends to betray their pack, and everything that we work for together. I look back as we walk away from the house, Luca and my Father going over the fine details of the mission in the woods. They fall quiet and I realise they’re waiting for me to speak. ‘I think that we need to respect Ava’s wishes regarding Marie,’ I sigh and my Father, the Alpha, frowns. We both look back at the little house at the edge of the village, where everything we love is contained, for the moment.‘Let’s talk about it, back at mine,’ he shrugs and leads the way. As we go, three more Elder’s fall into step around us. My Uncle, Alexander, the current pack B
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 77 - Almost
KylarThe door clicks behind me and I look across at Kate as she takes up the door lintel on the other side, copying my stance with her arms folded across her chest. Head tilted back to stare up at the stars. The sky is a beautiful dusky purple. The forest is filled with normal sounds from the village, the soft murmur of voices. The pad of a pair of young wolves running through the perimeter of our territory. Even if I couldn’t hear them, I could sense each and every member of the Pack in my thoughts. Except Ava, because she isn’t part of us. It feels like a velvet night, one that’s going to be soft and temperate. The whole world is holding its breath in a hush. But why? I didn’t think that I believed in Fate and prophecy, but maybe I’ve been such an asshole, that I deserve to find my Mate in the one woman who is beyond my reach.‘They want you to go back in,’ Kate breaks the silence and I look away from my sister. ‘I’m not going back in,’ I reply, certain. There’s a pause and I ca
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 78 - Party
AvaI cooked pizza for us all, using a dough that had been frozen before. The boys love adding their own toppings to their mini pizzas as I try to smooth out the cheese and passata without moving their creative masterpieces.. Lou’s pizza is a mess, piled high with toppings but she winks at me. I smile back, feeling, in many ways, that my life has settled so quickly back to something normal. As though I can almost forget the last few days. But Lou is pale and her movements are slow. Pretty soon I’ll suggest she goes back to Anton’s to get some rest. I don’t want her to exhaust herself, but I know how much she needed to see the boys. I feel that, deep in my bones. That need to really know that they’re alright. There’s a knock at the door and I wipe my hands down on a kitchen towel. There’s flour on my shirt and I don’t care. I’m too eager to get the door.It’s Kylar. It has to be Kylar, he’s come back and finally, I’ll have the chance to speak to him. To tell him that I’m sorry. I’v
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 79 - Pancakes
It’s strange, but also weirdly comforting to have all four of the boys in the house. They’re excitable, swapping pyjama’s and showing off their favourite soft toys as they go to bed. I pulled two camping mattresses from the garage and Josh pumped them up. They’re in between my own son’s and they’re giggling as we leave the door ajar. Josh and I ended up taking turns sitting on the top step in the corridor, reminding the children to keep it down. Whenever it’s Josh’s turn, I’m stood at the front door. Looking out at the village path as it leads away. There’s no sign of Kylar. I go back, setting out blankets and pillows on the couch. Making up a bed for Josh. Josh makes a slow way downstairs, careful where they creak. Down in the living space he gives me a thumbs up. ‘They’re asleep,’ he smiles and I smile back. But it’s getting late, and I’m worried that Kylar hasn’t made an appearance.‘You alright?’ He asks and I nod.‘I was just hoping to speak to Kylar,’ I admit and Josh le
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 80 - Fear
In the end, I follow my instincts. I run, pale blue sneakers throwing up the dry dirt from beneath the woodland path. I follow the route we once walked together. Heart pumping far harder than the jog should make it. I’m excited, but after our encounter this morning, more terrified than ever. I weave through the trees, away from the village. Feeling guilt with every step, that I’m out of sight of my children, again. There’s nothing I want more right now, than to be with my family. Kylar is part of that. I need him. I want him around. I can hear the flight of birds taking off as I startle them, and the distant sound of water lapping against the shore. A ripple that gets louder as I approach the beach against the lake. He’s standing there, like a shadow on the sand as he looks out over still water. It’s another hot day, the air is still and almost lifeless. It’s an oppressive heat and I can feel it over my body. A heat I can’t escape.Kylar glances back at me, still glaring.‘I said th
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Reclaiming His Banished Mate 91 - Ever After
It was a rare moon that tied with the Winter Equinox and the Human celebration of Christmas. A tradition that I have always embraced for my children. Afterall, they spent their first years immersed in human culture. Yet Christmas Eve, with snow falling thick and fast through leafless trees, was when Kylar and I married. My residency was completed and felt as though it was part of a life I’d nearly forgotten. Between our children and the medical practice, I’ve been busy enough and can’t imagine fitting in any additional responsibilities. The sky was white with snow clouds but the trees were covered in fairy lights that twinkled in a gentle golden glow. I’m excited, butterflies filling my insides, as though I didn’t see him yesterday.I’m stood at the back of the pack house, in a beautiful satin dress that clings to all of my slender curves. I’ve styled my hair down in loose curls, just how he likes it. I should be nervous, but I’m not. The dress has a mermaid train that kicks out
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 90 - Faith
The second morning of the trial turned out to be the last. Much to the relief of everyone within Midnight Forest, and I imagine Silver Stream as well. The sky was clear, but cloudy. A storm brewing on the horizon, black clouds swirling around the distant forest. A storm we sat within the centre of. The air heated and uneasy as we waited in a calm filled with fraught anticipation.I sat beside Kylar, trying not to pay too much attention to just how incredible he looked in a slate grey tailored suit and black shirt. I still can’t believe that he is mine, that he is my Mate. But despite how awful events have been, I am so incredibly happy to be beside him. With Kylar, I feel at home. With my children, I feel complete.We waited, sitting back among the rows of hundreds of Wolves. Kylar was sitting upright, scanning the tree line for any more trouble. Every now and then I would catch a glimpse or a sense of a Midnight Forest patrol. I knew that there were a lot of Pack members, because I
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 89 - Protection
AvaI’m grateful, and very relieved when about an hour after he passes out, Kylar stirs. He sits up, blinking at me. Frowning, the top of his chest dotted with beads of sweat as his body fought off the nasty infection from the fangs of a werewolf. He stretches out and I sink onto the sofa beside him passing him a glass of fresh water to sip.‘How are you doing?’ I look him over, but it’s clear that the effect of the silver in his bloodstream has worn off. It really does affect us badly. I can understand why he tried so desperately to free Elsbeth from the magically imbued cage, but it wasn’t worth the toll on his body. But that’s my Mate, as wonderful and intelligent as he is. He often thinks with his heart instead of his head. I smooth his hair back as he drinks as though he’s dying of thirst. Technically he is, his body will be working on overdrive to restore the blood that was lost.‘Thirsty,’ he replies, voice gruff. ‘The Queen was here?’ He peers at me, heavy brows drawn toge
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 88 - Visitors
Without any more time to think, I’m thrown clear of the Star Bitten Brother. I skid over the dirt and I’m on my paws again. I let Sabre take control. The Brother might be huge and even a decent fighter, but he hasn’t made it his career to be a hunter and a killer.I’m on him again, aware that the second has been brought down by a pair of black wolves with silver streaks. I can hear the human, shrieking voice of Elsbeth, an irritation in the back of my mind as I snap at my foe. He twists, sinking his teeth into my leg but I’m on him. He’s hurt me more than anyone has managed in years, but I won’t make the same mistake twice. I lunge, catching hold of his neck again and snap. He drops, soundless beneath me. Dead to the ground and I land on top of him. I kick away at his body, putting distance between us before I morph back.Luca’ is wrestling with Elsbeth at the edge of the nearest Prison block set with silver. She’s in human form again and he’s changed back, trying to catch her ha
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 87 - Disruption
The King opens proceedings with a short speech before he and his wife take their seats on one side of the platform. My Father remains in the middle, waiting for hush to fall again before he asks for the first of the Rogue’s to be brought forward. There are nine elected elders from different Packs, representing different areas of the North America’s what will conduct the interviews of the Rogues, for everyone gathered to witness. Part of me hopes that this will be over in a day, but I know it’s more likely to take at least a week.Werewolf justice is often swift and brutal, but calling together a full conclave with royalty in attendance, always slows proceedings down. In reality, I find it hard to concentrate. I can see Ava watching my Father intently, and then as the gathered Elders take up their own seats on either side of our rulers. What she is either trying to ignore, or hasn’t noticed. Is that the Queen and the Goddess's representative among us, has not looked away from her,
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 86 - Royalty
Kylar There are more Wolves and Alpha’s in the Midnight Forest than I ever thought was possible. Our Village has always served as the main hub for the region and it has a decent number of guest houses in case of an event. Yet they’re all full, and so are the guest accommodations in each of the subsidiary villages. I haven’t had as much time as I, or Sabre would like to spend with our Mate over the past few days, or the twins. I feel like I’ve spent all my days driving or running through the territory to meet the Sub’s that head up the different villages. They’re Wolves that might be considered Beta’s. I know most of them as friends, something I’m grateful for.If something ever happened to Luca, I’d still have backup. Even better, is the organisation of our military strength. It’s why I always have such a good pick of skills to fill out my missions. I try to bring along someone from each Sub once a year. To make sure we’re all staying in contact.What it means, is that our command
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 85 - Revelations
I knew that the Village was going to get busy with the imminent trials of the Rogue’s. So, although I had a month of shifts to fit in at the Western Hospital, I rearranged my shifts to drag them out. It’s going to take me the better part of Autumn to finish my residency, but it’s worth it.This way, I’m also never away from my boys for more than one night at a time, something I’ve struggled with. Even knowing that Kylar is staying in our little house. I’m still caught with a thread of fear whenever I step out the door and leave them behind, with their Father. I introduced them to Kylar, properly as my boyfriend. They were over dramatic, playful, grossed out and found the idea that I had a special friend hilarious. Then Rowan wrapped his arms around me, possessive and wouldn’t let go. Until his brother started picking up his toys and he didn't want to share his latest tyrannosaurus rex.Yet once I had explained that Kylar really was their Father, the boys stared at him. I shared a
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 84 - Replete
I feel complete in a way I find hard to explain. I stretch out on the bed, marvelling at the man before me. As though I could luxuriate in the view of him all night. I smile to myself, rueful. That really isn’t an option. Not with the twins due home after their movie night. I bit my bottom lip as he moves over me.I reach up, wrapping my arms around his neck. I can hear his thoughts in my mind. They’re down right dirty enough to make me blush again. I’m giggling, because I’m happy. Strangely, deliriously happy to have been claimed by Kylar.You don’t think we have time to make love again? He teases me with his thoughts as he bends to kiss me again. Grazing his lips over mine in a gentle caress. Maybe my body temperature is still spiking from the hot water, but he makes me feel so effortlessly dizzy. I reach out with my own thoughts, closing my eyes. Enjoying the touch of his kiss against the side of my neck. Hyper aware of the sensitive patch of skin on my neck, where his mark will c
Reclaiming His Banished Mate 83 - I Am
Kylar’s movements are deft and confident as he unfastens the buckle of his belt, letting it fall away. His pants are down the strong muscles in his legs, pooling on the floor as he steps out of them. Someday, I have to tell him how much I love seeing him barefoot. I didn’t think I had a weird obsession with it, but I love how he’s already lost his socks. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me and my heart gives rapid little pumps of excitement. I stand beneath the waterfall, body hot, adrenaline still coursing through my veins. My mouth is dry, but my hair is slicked back from my face. I can see myself in the mirror behind his shoulder and I gulp.My eyes are darker than I’ve ever seen him as he advances, his erection jutting out from his body. He’s hard and ready as he steps behind the shower screen. He hasn’t said a word and I look up at him, breathless, tongue tied. He advances and I backway, pushed by the force of his Alpha presence. Like the weight of a waterfall bearing down on me
