The main course came out, roast chicken, roasted root vegetables, stuffing, gravy; everything you could want on your plate. They piled all of the plates high and dug into the mountains they had each created, eating until they felt they could explode. It tasted so good, they ate more! They all sat back hands on stomachs, groaning. “That was great, thanks everyone.” Alissa looked around the table. “It was our pleasure,” Luca responded.“Pudding?” Blake said excitedly. Everyone moaned. “Alright Blake, I know you made it specially.” Michael clapped Blake on the back as he got up to go retrieve it.“Aunty Dotty helped me a little.” Blake set the apple pie down and placed his hand on her shoulder, Dotty was everyone's Aunt but related to no-one; her pup had died much too young and she could never bring herself to have another. “But he did most of it himself, I'm very proud.” Dotty smiled up at Blake. He started serving portions of the pie, handing it around the table. “Looks good,” K
Alissa woke up, her mouth dry. She didn't remember getting to bed the previous night. Movement next to her made her start. “Morning sunshine!” Blake exclaimed. Alissa pulled the duvet up to her chin letting out a squeal of surprise. “Uh, not so loud!” she complained, his voice split through her head. “What are you doing here?” He laughed, “Brought you this, I heard you last night.” He produced water and pain killers. Alissa grasped at the water gulping it down. “Have fun did we?” Blake handed her the two tablets. “Shut up, and get out of my bed.”“Not what you were saying last night.” He winked. The colour drained from her face, “We didn't...” panic rising in her. He laughed again. “Just messing. I actually came to give you those and tell you training’s in half an hour, better get yourself ready.” He grinned getting up. “No,” she groaned and settled back into her nice comfy bed. The covers were snatched from her hand; Blake had pulled them. “If we don't see you in twenty minutes
Alissa and Luca quietly left the house as the sun rose, making their way behind Tom's house for more privacy as he wasn't home. Like the main house, Tom's house was made of stone, with the roof sprawled in moss and the walls, covered in ivy. Alissa had never been inside but it was a similar size to her parents house, so she could only guess it would have a similar interior. Alissa stretched while Luca jogged around the garden area, dandelion seeds puffed into the air under his feet. Alissa watched him as she stretched her shoulders before she jogged to join him for his last lap.Luca stood in the middle of the garden, “Today, we are going to focus on blocking, I want a few blocks to be muscle memory.” He tapped her temple gently. Alissa nodded, “Guard up!” he demanded. Alissa jumped, then raised her arms. “If I go to strike here-” He brought his hand as if to strike her side, stopping an inch from her. Alissa tried to think, she didn't know so she used her hands to push his arm out th
She skipped back to the house, she felt like she could burst from excitement. She would be able to introduce her wolf to the pack properly. It was something all wolves dream about when they’re young… Alissa dreamt of it fondly right up to her parents murder.Alissa was in her own little world when she felt a tap on her shoulder. “Kristen!” she started. “When did you get back?” she asked, her excitement filtering into her voice and not just because her friend was back. Kristen pulled her in for a big hug, “I literally walked in behind you. What's put you in your own fairy land?” she asked.Alissa bounced in the balls of her feet,“Oh, Kristen! I'm getting my initiation, Luca just told me.” She smiled broadly, her excitement bursting from her. “Alissa! I'm so happy for you!” They embraced again and bounced up and down in excitement. “When?” Kristen asked.“Luca's going to talk to the elders,” Alissa squealed, unable to hold in any of her excitement. This was the time all wolves wait fo
Alissa stood at the front door of her former home. She hadn't been in the house since she had moved to the main house. She felt it wrong to be there without her parents, but she was curious. The painted wooden door swung open, the smell of must hit her as she looked into the hallway. The sun streamed in from behind her, it was how she remembered it apart from a layer of dust on the oak floor. Her mum would shudder at the cobwebs and dirt that now enveloped the house.She peered into the sitting room, she smiled at the memories she had with her parents in that room, playing games, learning about their history. Eating sweets their mother had bought them from the human town in the pink and white striped paper bags. A memory played out in her mind. Alissa sat on the circular rug in the middle of the room, her hand dipped into the paper sweet bag, trying to find a white chocolate mouse. Her parents were talking above her, sat on the cream fabric sofa. Her parent's voices floated above her
Alissa fell into a dream filled sleep, her dream started as a memory of her at the beginning of her sixteenth year. She was so excited because she knew that year she would have her first transformation. She would have her initiation day. The dream melted as dreams do into another scene, Alissa stood before a mirror, her reflection showed her in a gorgeous white gown, her mum stood behind her. She was fiddling with a bow on Alissa's hip, her dad came in. He beamed, so proud of his youngest child. Her dad's voice floated around her head, “You look so grown up my child, I love you so much.” He took her hand and walked her to her initiation. He gave his permission for the pack to take his daughter from his charge, tears glinting in his eyes. Alissa bolted upright, the dream fading as she fumbled for her lamp. She rubbed her face finding her cheeks damp with tears. She tried to remember the dream, but every image that nearly got to her mind's eye vanished before she could see it, she fumb
Alissa stepped off the last step, she could smell bacon and could hear noise coming from the kitchen. The door was unusually shut so she pushed it open. Sausage, bacon, hash browns, eggs and black pudding filled the middle of the table. A pile of parcels wrapped in colourful paper sat at one end of the table, excitement bubbled within Alissa again.“Happy Lykos day!” everyone in the kitchen shouted. Alissa made a noise of excitement, “Thanks everyone!” She went to sit at the table, helping herself to the food on offer. After she had had her fill, the pile of gifts were slid over to her by Jack. She moved her apple juice out the way and picked up a parcel wrapped in green. “That is from Elder Tobias,” Kristen stated. She opened the lumpy package delicately. Unveiling a beautifully crafted wooden wolf statue with the Wuffaman shield carved into the base, the detail was phenomenal.She continued to open the gifts before her. She received a necklace with a blue sapphire pendant from her
Alissa cleared her throat, Richard liked direct, so she took some time to ask her first question; “Richard, I noticed there are small holes next to some names on the pack members' plaques,” Alissa started, “We wanted to know, what do the holes mean?” Richard looked surprised but managed to cover it up with a knowing smile. “Well a hole can mean any number of things, the plaques after all are full of holes.” Alissa sighed, she hated asking Richard questions when she actually wanted an answer, he relished in giving vague responses. “OK, there are small holes like full stops after some names, do the holes have a significance?” Jack tried this time. “Ah, a better question, it’s a possibility, do you think it was me?” Jack and Alissa looked at each other. “Well, maybe. At least the ones in your lifetime,” Alissa said carefully. Richard twitched before looking around the trees, “Vampires listen, lower your voice.” Alissa sighed. There was a reason Richard lived away from everyone.“R
Alissa nursed her baby, she cooed down to him, his perfect tiny fingers gripped at her finger while he suckled. “Aunty, where's daddy?” Peta entered the room and sat at Alissa's feet.“He's keeping you safe little one, he loves you so much, come here.” She shifted her baby so Peta could climb on her lap.He peered up to her questioning, “I want daddy.” Tears welled in his emerald eyes.Alissa curled his chin length hair around her fingers. “I know, darling, he has to do his job though, but he has to keep us safe doesn't he? Or he wouldn't be a good wolf.” A large tear fell from Peta's eye. The little one had been very clingy recently.Maybe it was the birth of her and Luca’s little bundle of jo
Alissa couldn’t help flicking her glance to Luca every now and then, it may have been a few days but she still felt he was going to disappear within a moments notice. He caught her eye and opened his arms, dragging her into his body as soon as she was in arms reach. “It’s all going to be alright,” he whispered.She sunk into him, everything felt so right, his arms, his heat, the pressure of him against her body. It was what she needed.“Be better when we’re back home too,” he reassured.Alissa nodded against him, nuzzling slightly. “I miss home,” she whispered.He rocked her gently, squeezing her against him. “Me too, I wish the investigation hadn’t taken so long but at least it’s a
Luca grasped Alissa’s hand tightly as Rufus lead them through the council building to the sitting room beside the meeting room where the Alphas were filing into. “I’ll be right with you,” Rufus directed to the Alphas before following Luca and Alissa in.“Do you have any idea what’s going on?” Luca asked.“I don’t, in truth. I wish to listen to them all regarding their concerns but… please, tell me what happened. I’ve heard Alissa’s perspective, I need yours.”Luca nodded, sitting the the cream sofa, tugging Alissa with him, not wanting to let her go. “From the beginning?” he asked to clarify.Rufus nodded, “Please.”
“I second that query, High Council.”Alissa frowned. A voice she knew so well permeating into her mind. She knew she was hearing wrong, knew that voice wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real… but it sounded so real.Gasps erupted around them, from everyone, not just the council. A ripple of surprise spread from everyone.Michael grabbed her hand and she almost had the confidence to look up but didn’t. She couldn’t look, she didn’t want to confirm or deny it was his voice. She didn’t want to know.“My land is not up for discussion, let alone on a day like this. But it is my land, High Council.”“Alpha Wuffaman,” High Council Vilkaman bre
The sun was warmer than it had been for months, the beginnings of spring poking through barren trees, dandelions budding within the dewy, luscious grass that looked inviting despite what the day was. Alphas, families, betas, and probably some others were sat, some on chairs, some on the grass, some had rolled up sleeping bags beneath them. It looked like any congregation when their packs came together but this felt very different. It felt wrong. It felt unjust.Alissa stood beside Michael on a slightly raised stage to the side, the white council house to their backs, the sun almost blinding them as it rose high above the trees. The council was assembled… All six of them were assembled (including Raoul much to her displeasure) at the front of the congregation. A congregation to mourn for her mate. Her pack, her nephew, her brother, her friends.
After getting changed, Alissa popped the wet, stained shirt on the arm of the sofa, unsure where to put it before sitting nervously. Her mind wasn’t really working properly, that was what it felt like. She felt she’d been given more information than she could process and arrange in her tired, dishevelled mind.There was a knock on the door and she was up off the sofa, taking long strides towards the door, “Yes, come in,” she called before she got to the door, wanting the door open.Michael stepped in, his hair as disheveled as his clothes. There were rings under his eyes and he looked just as bad as before he’d gone away… maybe worse. Alissa didn’t even give him time to look before she lunged at him, wrapping herself around him, clinging to his neck.&ldqu
Luca was vibrating, desperate to not let his anger out but he was finding it hard. Not knowing… Not having a clue what was going on. Angry Malachi had downed him, and he had no idea why.Alissa. Where was Alissa?“I’m going into the pack. I’m not sitting here like some prisoner,” Luca stated, a tiny rumbling growl through his words.“The pack member, Steve told us to stay here for safety,” Henry announced calmy.“He didn’t tell me.” Luca stood, he wasn’t some pup to be told to stay put. Fuck that.“I’ll be back soon,” he told the room, heading for the door.&ldq
He watched a car move away, just knowing Alissa was within. A feeling a safety moved over him… at least knowing Alissa was safe. He wasn’t safe though. A wolf body slammed him, sprawling him to the floor but he didn’t reach the floor, he kept falling… and falling.He was running through the woods, Aunty Dotty clinging to his arm as he kept moving, he was getting her to safety… he just knew that.Aunty Dotty slipped from his arm… she was safe with humans, a human ally, his vision shifted and changed, a new landscape before him, scents flooded his nose, he needed to keep going, keep moving. There was a scent he had to find. He panted, pushing himself to follow the scent. He hadn’t stopped, hadn’t slept. It was a vagrant’s scent he was hunting… although whether it wa
His hand fastened tighter over her mouth, preventing any breath to escape. She wriggled and struggled in his hold only for a panic to blind her as his other hand came up, his fingers pinching her nose.He was going to smother her.She stamped her feet down, struggled and fought with all her strength. She shook her head, desperate to get his hand dislodged enough for her to suck in a breath.She would not die today.Black crept into the edges of her vision so she struggled harder only for her head to spin from exertion with no oxygen. She stamped her foot down, landing squarely on his but it didn’t release his hold. He was infallible, regardless what she did nothing was working. She was running out of time. In a last ditch attempt, she threw her bo