She glared at Luca, how could he be so reckless? Luca pulled a bundle of leather straps from the side of the boot. He showed them to Alissa, “This is a lead and collar, humans use them for their dogs. You are going to be 'walking your dog'.” He handed them over before laying the back seats down in the car and jumping into the boot. Alissa looked at the two straps of leather, one the shorter of the two, had a buckle to attach it to itself. The longer strap had a hook. Luca shut the boot of the car behind him before he stripped off his clothes. Alissa peered in just as he finished his transformation. She opened the boot for him, “I don't like this,” she said as he jumped down. “Tough,” his voice came through to her head “Put the collar and the lead on me, then we can get going,” he said peering his amber eyes up to her. She complied and held the other end of the lead. “Have you got his scent?” Alissa mumbled. “Oh! In the car, there's another t-shirt.” Alissa reached in and put the c
Alissa tried to think of questions or anything to say that wouldn't raise suspicion. “Does she know?” Kimberly turned to Michael, he nodded. “Oh good, least he told you we are expecting.” She smiled and rubbed her belly. “Yes, a congratulations to you. I was surprised when he told me.” Alissa gave a false smile, giving a subtle glare to her brother. Kimberly laughed, “Yeah was a surprise for us too, but we're happy aren't we, honey?” she said. Michael started, “Oh, yeah, yeah really happy.” Alissa detected the falseness in his voice. But Kimberly didn't, she beamed at him. They finished their tea as a knock sounded on the door. “That'll be Luca!” Alissa jumped up. “Do you mind?” Kimberly shook her head so Alissa went to the door and led Luca into the sitting room. “Hello, Kimberly is it?” Luca held out his hand for her, she shook it. A flush creeping over her neck. “Oh, lovely to meet you,” her voice was higher than normal, Alissa suspected that she found him attractive. Michae
Alissa picked up her jeans from the floor. She heard a crinkle of paper so fished in the pocket and pulled out the folded paper that had made the noise. “What's that?” Luca's voice came from her bed. “Not sure,” she responded as she crawled back into bed. She unfolded the paper; The pack is in danger, these packs are safe McBaynFarkasa VilkamanStay safe, Alissa.Alissa looked at the paper a few times, Luca had closed his eyes, “What's it say?” he mumbled as Alissa rested her head on his chest. “Oh, nothing, was just a note from Malachi, he thinks the Wuffaman pack is too high and mighty. Said I should go see other packs.” Alissa threw the note from her, watching it float down to the ground next to the bed. Luca let out a little laugh, “They know nothing of this pack.” He pulled Alissa closer to him and Alissa could help a sigh of contentment, he was warm… safe. “I don't think I can keep this a secret for much longer,” Luca muttered into Alissa's hair. He tightened his arms ar
They turned off a country road onto a much narrower road that continuously twisted and turned. They passed one house that looked similar to Alissa's parents house. They turned off the narrow road onto a single track gravel road, it was barely wide enough for their 4X4. They went through a line of bushes then over a wooden bridge. In front of the car was indeed, a castle. Turrets with pointed roofs caused Alissa to crane her neck, hundreds of narrow arched windows dotted the brickwork. Alissa let out a gasp, “It's beautiful!” she muttered. A warm, relaxed smile appeared on his face. “It is a rather impressive home.” A woman was standing looking over a wrought iron balcony, she appeared to watch the car pull up and park next to their cars. Malachi crunched along the gravel to meet Alissa and Luca. The men clasped hands, “I'm so sorry, how's he doing?”“Too early to tell, he's struggling to heal. His wounds are as bad as yesterday.” Malachi’s eyes were ringed, his hair and beard looki
The trio walked around the castle, the sprawling, slightly overgrown grass reaching out to bushes that surrounded the land. She was about to settle down on the grass to watch the two fight but Luca lead her further until there was a bench. As soon as she was sat, he gave her a peck on the lips, moving off to a safe distance away. She crossed her legs. Getting comfy while Luca bounced on the balls of his feet, swinging his arms and throwing a few air punches. Malachi had tied his hair back into a low ponytail and stood, an amused grin on his face as he shook his arms. Neither of them put their arms up in guard. “You're going down, Wuffaman,” Malachi laughed as they both began bouncing from foot to foot. “Pfft, in your dreams, McBayn.” Luca jabbed with his left making Malachi dodge and smack his hand away easily. Malachi used the momentum from his block to swing his right leg round to strike with the top of his foot. Luca ducked effortlessly and used his different level to sweep Malac
Luca needed to go see Marcus, which left Alissa to explore the castle. She started on the ground floor. She found a library that was off the entrance hall, three bathrooms, a sitting room with mismatched sofas, armchairs and floor cushions. In the sitting room was a large cabinet, intrigued she opened it up. On the top two shelves were bottles of scotch, she counted ten different brands of scotch. She was sure Luca could tell her one tasted of cherries while another vanilla; they'd all be the same to her. On the next shelf were fancy bell shaped glasses. She moved further down the corridor, a thinner corridor snaked to her right while the main corridor continued straight ahead, she decided to go right. A door came up off the corridor, she opened it finding stairs leading into darkness, it gave her the creeps so she carried on. Another door came up which she pushed open, an infirmary very similar to theirs stood before her. Luca and Bridget stood around a bed. In the bed was obviousl
Alissa had settled herself between Luca's legs, lying on her back with a book in hand after one of their runs. The pair had finally managed to get their primal wolves under control while at McBayn castle. Letting their wolves run three times a day appeared to be tiring them out enough for their rational minds to be dominant again. Meaning they had time for other activities which Alissa was grateful for as she turned the page of the Anthropology book.Alissa shifted and placed her hand on Luca's thigh, feeling content as he absent mindedly reached down to fiddle with her hair. “WHAT IS THIS!” a bellow from behind them made them both flinch and leap from the sofa. Cain and Emily, their backs straight, stood shoulder to shoulder in the doorway of the sitting room. “Father, I was not expecting you,” Luca's eloquent voice was back, but a quiver had entered the measured words. Cain walked towards Luca and Alissa, leaving Emily at the door. “You should be working!” Cain growled, a slap echo
“I'll make some tea,” Alissa announced, heading to the kitchen. Jack followed, putting water on to boil. Alissa leaned her hands against the kitchen side, stretching her arms which shook slightly. “Why didn't they go straight to the council? That was their plan, holiday, council.” Alissa took a shuddering breath. “I think they wanted to check up on Luca. Cain's unhappy how much he's changed so quickly, but there's nothing he can do about it. Thankfully.” Jack rested his hand between Alissa's shoulder blades. “They'll leave soon,” he reassured before starting to gather mugs, milk and sugar. “It makes me feel like nothings changed, I know it has but...” she trailed off. Jack turned her around and enveloped her in his strong protective arms. She let him, she hadn't hugged her brother in weeks, she had been too caught up with Luca. She enjoyed the difference, a familial connection that the siblings shared. “Can you take the tea in? I just need another minute.” Alissa broke their embrac
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