HildaI’ve never had a close female friend before. I was one of the boys until one day Soren looked at me in a way that set a whole flock of starlings into motion in my stomach. I still fought and trained the way I had before, but suddenly I wanted to look good while doing it.There are other female warriors I’m friendly with, but Cerelia is the first woman I’ve opened up to emotionally. The irony isn’t lost on me. “Look at us, moving past our issues and bonding,” I joke.Cerelia eyes me knowingly. “We did that a while ago, even if we haven’t stated it quite so unequivocally before. What are you avoiding?” she asks astutely. Maybe this is why I hung out with the boys. When it comes to emotions they’re as observant as a tree.“If you apply this kind of perceptiveness to your surroundings nobody will ever get the drop on you,” I inform her. Cerelia crosses her arms and continues to stare at me inquisitively.“I need a potion to keep me from conceiving,” I finally whisper, unable to bear
HildaTalking to Cerelia helps solidify what I want, but Arlo gets to have a say in this too and I’ll discuss it with him when the time is right. For now, I’m taking the potion. If he agrees, and we decide to take the risk, it will be the last time though. Which means I’m more motivated than ever to eradicate the mages.“I have an idea, but the final say has to rest with Cerelia,” I tell the war council that evening. The inner circle consists of Arlo, me, Cerelia, Soren, Percy and Nixie. Soren glances at me heavily, already unhappy with whatever I’m planning to propose.“I’ve seen a glimpse of what Cerelia is capable of now and that brought me the idea.” Turning to face her I say, “If this is going to place you in danger of burning out, or it seems like more than you can handle yet, you say no.”“I won’t know until you tell me what it is,” she responds when I keep staring at her. “I’m serious Cerelia,” I say emphatically. “If you’re not sure, we wait until you’re ready.” She nods, but
Cerelia“You’re sure about this?” I murmur, glancing at Hilda where she stands near the edge of the ley line, her arms crossed over her chest. She’s radiating confidence, but I know her well enough by now to see the tension in her clenched jaw and the way her fingers subtly flex.Hilda glances at me, her lips quirking in a faint smile. “I have to be, don’t I? Besides, we’ve got a solid plan and I trust you, Cerelia.”“Let’s hope your faith isn’t misplaced,” I say, exhaling to calm my racing heart. Soren steps closer, placing a comforting hand on my back. I can feel the warmth seeping into me, grounding my emotions. “She’s right. You’ve practiced for this. You’re ready,” he tells me with unflappable certainty.Before I can respond, King Arlo’s voice cuts through the quiet. “We won’t have much time before they get here. Everyone, to your positions.” His tone is sharp, but I catch the way his eyes linger on Hilda.We scatter to our designated spots. Percy and Nixie flank me, their stance
CereliaAfter a day of rest, I’m back to normal. As quickly as my power drains, at least it regenerates just as fast. Yesterday had gone well, but there’d been a moment where it was touch and go and my blood runs cold every time I think about what could have happened if I lost control and the mages got their powers back.“What’s wrong?” Soren finally asks with a small frown. I’ve been pacing like a caged tiger and he’s been very patiently trying to ignore me while attempting to read. Hilda found the book in the huge library Arlo’s pack has tucked away in an underground fortress and tasked him with checking whether it contains anything useful.Apparently we’re not the first werewolves to have a run-in with mages. The book is titled: Illusions and How to Dispel them. So far it hasn’t offered up anything of practical value.“I’m sick of having such inconsistent control over my abilities,” I tell him. “Yesterday very nearly went badly wrong. What if I got all of you killed?” Soren puts th
Hilda I’ve been uncomfortable in Tara’s presence since the day we met and she blew a hole in my near-perfect life, but I’m glad Cerelia came to me to accompany her to the small cottage we’d allocated to Tara.“I just need a second pair of eyes to help me make sure she’s not lying,” Cerelia explains. Clutching the piece of obsidian in her hand like it’s tethering her to the world.“Very wise and I’m happy to lend you my deception detection capabilities,” I tell her grandiloquently. She’s apologized twice for bothering me and since nothing else seems to convince her, I’ll tease her instead. Cerelia grins at me, “Okay, fine, I get it,” she retorts.Tara looks surprised to see us and I have to suppress the urge to ask whether she didn’t see us coming. Despite my best efforts, I can’t quite keep myself from resenting her. I do my damnedest to hide it though.After a few quick pleasantries to make sure she’s settling in well, I turn the conversation over to Cerelia.Tara’s eyes grow wide w
HildaI go to find Cerelia first. I’m pretty sure there’s no lingering resentment or jealousy about my and Soren’s past, but just in case it upsets her to know I still have stuff in Soren’s attic, I’d like to give her advance warning to deal with it.“Hilda, that’s incredible! We have to go and look through your stuff immediately,” she says excitedly, nearly vibrating with elation. “Combined with what I’ve just learned, I think we’ll have an edge Maelor will never see coming!”I’m cautiously optimistic that the artifact will help, but there are no guarantees we’ll even find it. I also don’t want to deflate Cerelia’s optimism with my doubts.“So you have more control now?” I ask with a smile. Perhaps her power alone will be enough to beat back Maelor now that her latent powers are being unleashed. Cerelia smacks her forehead, “I haven’t told you!” she practically crows with delight.“Told me what?” I’m becoming a little concerned that there may be too much magic flowing through her vei
Hilda“I get where you’re coming from, but waiting here will waste time. I don’t know where the glade is, but my family belonged to the same pack for many generations. In all likelihood it’ll be on those lands.” I tell Arlo softly.“Hilda, you were pierced with several arrows and just about dead when I found you. Not to mention that you were skin and bones. Clearly too weak to be running or fighting. That asshole used you for sport.”“I know, but he drove me straight to you, so there’s a silver lining,” I say with a smile, trying to dispel his brooding expression. “I would have found you even if you were on the opposite side of the world,” he growls. “I definitely didn’t need him to try and kill you so I could find you.”“Baby, I love that you’re protective and furious about what he did. If our roles were reversed, I’d feel exactly the same way, but this is more important than that. I’m still alive and happier than anybody has any right to be. We’ll ask Soren to make sure he stays hid
CereliaThe closer we get to our pack house, the more out of control my nerves get. Damon is unpredictable at the best of times and I don’t know what his reaction will be to seeing Hilda and King Arlo.He accepted Soren as my mate only because he knew the mating bond had snapped into place and he didn’t want to hurt me by denying me close proximity to my mate. Our pack members believed he was also tired of the constant losses caused by the war with Soren’s pack, but Damon likes war.I love my brother. He looked out for me all our lives and protected me like I’m some fragile treasure. My father wasn’t around much after my mother died, as though being at home with his children was some kind of terrible burden. Damon stepped into the void left by my parents, loving and caring for me all through my childhood.I adored him growing up and it was only at around 16 or so that I became aware that our relationship wasn’t completely normal. He didn’t like other boys looking at me and the way he
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