HildaThe weight of Veilbreaker on my finger is unbearable now, the bone ring keeps pulsing continuously as it nullifies the magic surrounding us, leeching the essence from my body in order to do what it was made for.I can barely keep standing. Every breath is an effort, every heartbeat a struggle. But I do not waver. I refuse to. Beside me, Cerelia is still, but I can feel her tension, the sharpness of her resolve. I hope she knows how proud I am of her and how grateful I am for her friendship.I barely listen to Maelor’s smug musings. I just need to keep him talking long enough for the others to arrive. Arlo knew the moment I sensed Maelor and I know they’ll be running flat-out to reach us.This time the warriors had to be far enough away so they wouldn’t be detected if searched for. Maelor is over-confident, but not entirely stupid, he’d send a scout or 2 ahead to die in his stead if there’s a trap.He’s droning on about how he has us trapped and only my avid anticipation of the e
ArloI watch as Cerelia and Hilda work together to take Maelor down. I can feel my beloved’s agony and pride surges in me at her incredible strength. She was right and I should never have doubted her. She is strong enough to do this.Maelor’s horrified expression when he realizes who will be responsible for his death tastes like ambrosia. The moment is sheer perfection until I feel the mating bond I share with Hilda disappear.One moment it’s there, a golden light suffusing my soul, the next there’s only darkness. “Hilda!” I hear Cerelia scream and I’m at my mate’s side in 2 bounds. Her eyes are closed and her body’s ice cold. She seems to have lost half her bodyweight in a single night. Her always slight frame is skeletal and her skin is pale as death.“Fix her!” I demand from Cerelia, losing all interest in the battle surrounding us. Most of the mages have fallen and my warriors are more than capable of dealing with them now that they have no way to defend themselves. Now that Hilda
Cerelia“Soren!” His name tears from my throat like a roll of razor wire, cutting me to ribbons. Why did he jump? My magic would have been faster than Arista once he warned me of her approach.If only I’d gone to find someone who could teach me about the healing side of my magic I’d be worth something right now. Hilda saved us, there wasn’t even any need for my defensive magic. Now she’s hovering on the other side of the veil and Soren’s life force is seeping into the earth and there’s nothing I can do for either of them.“Stop,” Soren whispers, his eyes fixed on my face. I’m pushing as much of my own vitality into his body as I can, but it’s not enough. The sword pierced his lungs and without a way to heal the internal damage, I’m only delaying the inevitable.“No. You won’t leave me Soren, not now.” I can feel my power weakening with each beat of my heart, but I refuse to give up. Surely my magic has to be good for more than undoing spells? I know I have some healing ability, even i
Arlo“King Arlo, you have to get some rest,” Percy tells me when he stops by the cabin and finds me still holding Hilda.“I’ll rest when my mate’s back. She’s cold and alone, I need her to know that I’m here,” I tell him shortly, tightening my arms around her body, as if I’m afraid she’ll be snatched from me.Who can blame me when for all intents and purposes that’s already happened? I’ve tried to find even a glimmer of our link, but it’s gone.Hilda is completely still, something she almost never was in life, unless we were basking in the afterglow of our lovemaking, or she was sleeping. It’s unsettling feeling no heartbeat and seeing no air entering her lungs. Her body temperature has increased, but it only lasts for as long as I’m holding her. The moment she’s on her own, it drops again.Cerelia has been by twice to assure me that there’s still no decomposition taking place and rigor mortis hasn’t set in, but I can’t find Hilda and I’ve never felt more lonely in my life.“I underst
SorenI’m still weaker than a newborn after 2 weeks. Barely able to get out of bed by myself. Cerelia managed to patch me up, but there’s no telling whether I’ll ever fully recover. The damage to my lung was quite extensive and it’s healed with scar tissue. In all likelihood I’ll lose some lung function and never be the warrior I once was.In the bigger scheme of things, it’s not even a sacrifice. I get to live. Most importantly, I get to share that life with Cerelia. My soulmate. The woman who was willing to offer her life to save mine. The last time that happened, it didn’t turn out so well.Heaviness settles on my chest when I think about Hilda. Twice now she’s selflessly decided to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the people she loves.She’s still dead for all intents and purposes, although according to Tara and Cerelia the fetus she carries is still growing. It’s impossible to understand where it’s taking nutrients from.Cerelia helped me to hobble over to King Arlo’s cabin an
HildaIt takes me a long time to force my eyes to open. My body feels foreign and I’m freezing. I try to roll over so I can snuggle into Arlo’s always warm arms, but I seem to be stuck in position like a beached whale.Pain rips through my abdomen as though a giant, serrated knife is cutting me open and Arlo’s suddenly by my side, staring down at me in wonder. “You’re awake,” he breathes, looking stunned.The pain abated for a second, but now it’s back with a vengeance and I screech helplessly. Arlo grabs my hand, peppering my face with kisses. “Hilda, you’ve been in a coma for nearly 9 months. You’re in labor, our baby’s being born.”“I’m going to help you through this, just try to breathe. I know it must be confusing. I was so worried you’d never come back to me.” I’m giving birth? Panic grips my heart. Tara said I wouldn’t be able to do that.Screw Tara, she won’t dictate my future. Veilbreaker didn’t kill me and Arlo’s been waiting for me. I never gave up before and I’m not starti
HildaI stare at Not Arlo and he looks so much like my soulmate that it shreds my heart. I want this to be real. The bit where I’m awake and I’ve just given birth to our son. Not the part where Arlo’s turned into an asshole.“You’re not him,” I say sadly, handing the baby back to him. “And this isn’t my child.” Chilling laughter fills my head.“Maelor was right, you would have been the perfect host. Zesty, smart and strong. You even have good taste in men. I would have enjoyed fucking this bucking bronco, but you couldn’t let me have that, could you?”I know immediately that the woman wrapping herself around Not Arlo is Morgana. He’s not my Arlo, I don’t give a damn what she does with this soulless carbon copy.Her hair is a cascade of dark curls, coiled like living tendrils around her shoulders, framing her impossibly lovely face. High cheekbones cast sharp hollows in the flickering light, her full lips curled in a knowing smirk as she eyes me. Her eyes, deep green, laced with gold,
DamonThe news reaches me before dawn, whispered in the ears of those who know better than to keep secrets from me. Soren is weak. Not just exhausted or wounded, but broken. The kind of weakness that lingers, that seeps into the bones and never truly leaves.I sit in my office, fingers drumming against the arm of my chair, the firelight flickering against the walls. The messenger, a thin, twitchy bastard from one of my outer patrols, whose name I can’t be bothered to recall, stands before me, shifting his weight from foot to foot. He reeks of nerves, and for good reason.“Say that again,” I order, my voice deceptively calm. He swallows hard. “Soren was badly injured during the King’s fight with the mages. He took a sword in the lung while trying to save Cerelia. He should have died. Cerelia kept him breathing with magic.”His lips press into a thin line, as though the words taste foul in his mouth. “But he’s not what he was. Won’t be for a long time. Maybe never from what I’ve heard.”
CereliaBefore Soren can say anything more, a slow, mocking clap echoes through the space. I tense before I even turn to look.Damon stands at the edge of the gathered pack, his expression one of pure amusement. “Well, well,” he drawls, a smirk playing at his lips. “Quite the speech, brother. It’s almost convincing.”Soren doesn’t move, doesn’t react beyond narrowing his eyes. The air around us seems to grow colder.Damon steps forward, hands spread wide as if in greeting. “I have to admit, I’m impressed. I thought you’d be too weak to even stand.” His gaze flicks toward me, his smirk deepening. “And yet, here you are. How… inspiring.”My stomach twists, but I don’t let it show. This is what he does. He slithers in with words, chipping away at confidence until doubt is all that’s left. But Soren isn’t about to allow him to dictate the tone of this gathering.He stands tall, his voice calm and unwavering. “Say what you came to say, Damon. Then get out.” Damon chuckles, shaking his head
CereliaThe journey back to Soren’s pack lands is a quiet one at first. The rhythmic pounding of paws against the dirt, the rustling of leaves in the wind, the occasional crack of a branch underfoot, it all fills the silence we’re too lost in thought to break.Soren moves beside me, his pace steady but slower than it once was. He’s healing, but he’s not healed. I know the weight of returning to a pack who may no longer view him as an ideal leader is heavy on his shoulders.Damon’s betrayal, because that’s what it is, no matter how much I would like to deny it, lingers between us.Soren won’t voice his anger, not in front of me, for fear of burning me with the heat of his fury. But I can see it in the tight set of his jaw, the way his hands occasionally clench into fists before he forces them to relax.I decide to be the one to break the silence. “You don’t have to hold back because of me, you know.” He glances at me, brow furrowing. “I’m not.”I scoff lightly. “Soren.” My voice is fla
ArloPart of me is disappointed that Hilda thought of a non-violent approach to Soren’s Damon problem. I would love an excuse to put him down.Everything about Damon makes my skin crawl. It always has. Werewolves have quick tempers and we tend to choose violence more often than is necessary, but most of us don’t enjoy killing.A good fight is great. It clears the air, allows us to practice our skills and sends a strong message to both our packs and any potential enemies. Taking a life is different. It’s something heavy you have to carry with you.To wolves family is everything and knowing you’ve taken someone’s loved one away from them is a heavy burden to carry. To most of us. That part of Damon’s always been missing though.Lots of important bits of his psyche seems to be lost or broken. His strange obsession with his sister. His blood-lust. His sick plans for Hilda. I’m still not sure allowing him to live is the right thing to do.If his people hadn’t decided to act without his say
SorenThe boy shifts on his feet, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he catches his breath. He’s young, maybe fifteen, but the worry in his eyes makes him seem older.“What do you mean Damon is ‘sniffing around’?” I ask, keeping my voice steady despite the unease coiling in my gut.“He’s been talking to some of our warriors,” the boy says, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Telling them you’re weak. That you left us. That we need a strong leader to protect us.” His expression darkens. “My dad told him to get lost, but… not everyone feels the same.”Cerelia curses under her breath, her hand gripping my forearm in support. “I’m so sorry, Soren. I can’t believe my own brother is doing this, after the peace deal you reached. Maybe I can talk to him and make him see sense.”“This isn’t your fault,” I tell her, shaking my head. “Damon’s always been looking for an opportunity like this. He would have made his move eventually.”The words sound strong, but inside, doubt gnaws at me.Damon i
Hilda Days of endless bliss follow.My healing is speeding up and I’m well enough to go out and show everyone that I’m really alive and well. There’s no war threatening and Arlo delegates a lot of his duties to Percy, so he can spend more time with me. My stamina is quickly returning to what it was and I don’t waste one precious moment of alone time with my mate.We’ve fallen into a routine. Mornings are spent in bed, making love slowly before having brunch. Arlo goes to training and to take care of business until late afternoon. Generally we’re panting for each other by that time and nights are spent in frantic fuck fests that leave me exhausted and deliriously happy.I’m under strict orders to do no exercise other than walking until I’m back to my normal weight, so I alternate who I drag away from their everyday lives to take forced walks with me between Cerelia, Percy, Kestrel and Nixie. I’ve decided frantic sex with Arlo is integral to my overall well-being and thus does not coun
HildaMy stamina isn’t what it used to be. As much as I want to keep making love to Arlo until the sun starts peeking over the horizon, I’m so sated and sleepy after my third orgasm, I can barely summon the energy to roll on to my back.“I’m sorry, baby,” I murmur, breathing heavily and attempting to push my hair off my sweaty brow. He rolls to his side and leans over me immediately, tenderly taking over the task of moving my hair.“Don’t you dare. I would have sold my soul for a single kiss while you were gone. Just having you back brings me enough joy to last me a lifetime and on top of that I got to make love to you for over an hour. There’s no part of me that isn’t fully celebrating right now.”I smile at him sleepily, contentment washing through me, tranquility sinking into my bones. “Me too,” I admit, happily kissing him back when his lips brush over mine.“I never want to spend a moment separated from you again,” Arlo murmurs against my ear, his forehead resting against mine. “
Damon The tension in the air is palpable the moment I step onto Soren’s land.His wolves eye me warily, shoulders squared, jaws tight, their instincts screaming at them to bare their throats in submission. But they don’t. Not fully. There’s deference, sure, but not the kind I need. Complete, unquestionable loyalty to an Alpha. That belongs to Soren, even in his absence.Damn fool. He isn’t even here, yet his pack still clings to him like he’s their salvation.I keep my stance loose, my expression unreadable. It won’t help my cause to show irritation. Instead, I let a slow smirk curl my lips as I address the wolves gathered before me.“I have to say, I’m disappointed,” I begin, scanning their faces, letting my gaze linger just long enough to make each one uncomfortable. “Soren’s abandoned you. He’s off playing house in Arlo’s territory, licking his wounds, and you’re all here… waiting for what, exactly?”A ripple of unease moves through them. I see the flicker of doubt in their eyes,
ArloHolding myself back from making love to Hilda for an entire week has been hell. And she’s been no help whatsoever, ‘accidentally’ rubbing her ass against my cock at night and constantly telling me how much she wants me.She’s regained some color and she no longer looks like the lightest touch will snap her in half. “If anything I do hurts, you have to tell me to stop,” I beg her, running my hand up and down her side lightly.“I thought we’ve established I like it when it hurts a little,” she teases, sucking my lower lip into her mouth and setting fire to my skin in the process. “Hilda, I’m serious,” I warn her, pulling away slightly.“Nooo, come back,” she complains, her fingers digging into my shoulders and forcing me down again with surprising strength. “If I feel any discomfort, I promise to tell you,” she agrees. “But you have to promise not to treat me like I’m made of glass.”“I can’t do that. You’re so small and fragile and…pregnant.” I breathe the last word, wonder fillin
HildaI must admit, I’d been hoping that coming back to life would involve a lot more naked sexy time. It’s been almost a week and Arlo still refuses to make love to me.At least I know from his frequent and inopportune erections that I’m not the only one suffering. He wants me to regain my strength before engaging in any strenuous activity. My offer to lie there without moving didn’t amuse him.Cerelia’s doing her best with herbal remedies, but Arlo’s presence is the biggest help. I’m increasing the amount I’m able to eat every day and I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to jump Arlo’s bones very soon.“You look so much better already,” he tells me when we wake up on the 7th day after my return. “Thanks baby, that’s just what every woman wants to hear from her lover,” I say snippily.I’m growing irritable from being cooped up and I’m really, really horny. Arlo’s offered to help out with masturbation and cunnilingus, but I want the full experience. He refuses to let me relieve his pressure