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61. Cherish
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
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The Beta's Prize 62. Ivan
The atmosphere of the room hung on a knife edge. Even little Freya sensed the change in tension moving back to her papa, our silly game at an end. Cherish’s wolf is new to her, both still adjusting to each other’s temperaments, I need her to not unravel here. “Apologies, but Luna Helena, please can you clarify, you knew Ivan was in the Shadowlands all this time?” “I did,” she said calmly, “I had…some dreams that repeated. They’re normally visions of the future.” I tried squeezing her hand, but she was too agitated to notice. Though her tone was sweet and friendly enough her questions were laced with implications. “I just want to check, you know exactly what Ivan has had to do to survive for the past two years?” Her blue eyes gleamed as she spoke, sat as tall and stately as the others in the bright yellow, ridiculous chairs. Helena looked straight at me, her face paling, whilst Alexander stroked his daughters’ dark curls, his lips clamped tightly together. “Cherish, how we got he
The Beta's Prize 63. Cherish
Spending the afternoon curled up in Ivan’s huge arms listening to his ridiculous stories was blissful. I adored his scent, unable to stop myself nuzzling in closer to his body, toying with the strings that lace up his shirt. Waves of adoration meant I practically floated back into the huge castle courtyard before remembering Luna Helena might want my head on a stick. In fact, the opposite occurred when we got back to our suite. A vast selection of fine dresses was laid out for me to wear alongside new, finer quality white shirts and pants for Ivan. I chose a rich purple off-the shoulder gown. Gently puffed sleeves rested on my upper arms, a semi-corset elevating my chest. I wore my hair up, a few loose curls trailing down, a Luna for a night I scoffed at Halo. Ivan’s gaze hit me as he left the bathroom, flattening his copper tufts down. He moved to stand behind me in the mirror, hands softly on my hips and placed some kisses along my bare neck and shoulders. “You look beautiful.” “
The Beta's Prize 64. Ivan
Making it through that dinner was tough. Repetitive stories about the golden days of old does not make me nostalgic for this place. I just want to get back to the stunning vision in purple whose eyes I keep catching. Kohl was the same, nagging away to ditch this crowd and have her back in our arms. When her expression became concerned and fretful, it took every bit of self-possession to not walk away from my Alpha. But then she is always stronger than I give her credit for. Her eyes may have glittered with emotion but she was controlled. Of course she is. I don’t know if I will ever be able to not worry about her even though the Cage and its villains are gone. Back in our room, I want to be halfway through ripping her dress off but instead I have to tell her the results of my talk with Alpha Alexander. No lies, no secrets. That's the mate she deserves. The mate I’m going to give everything I can in order to be.. Even if Azalea’s original mark is still etched onto my collarbone
The Beta's Prize 65. Cherish
Castle life is like being on a whole other planet. The sumptuous suite, servants, unlimited food and drink, even the weather seems better in Silver City. Ivan has been busy every day putting volunteers through their paces. Half of his battle is picking recruits that are the right personality for this job. Anyone who could be corrupted or too violent once the job was done has no place in his Battalion. It was a clean-up job, not conquering. Surprisingly the competition is fierce, with peace for so many years under Alpha Alexander. All the candidates want to experience shifting and fight as a wolf rather than walk through tactics. It meant I had a lot of free time during the day, so my letter to my father was swiftly despatched. I spent a lot of time with Helena and little Freya. I could see why Ivan cared for Helena, despite her royal demeanour there was a sweet vulnerability behind those hazel eyes. She had a good sense of humour and the afternoons passed pleasantly enough. It wa
The Beta's Prize 66. Ivan
As soon as I heard that howl I knew what game she was playing. Silly me thinking she was just down at the bleachers because she fancied diverting my attention. Of course it had been fun trying to keep the issue light this past week, dashing her into the bedroom everytime the awkward topic of the Battalion came up but it had to end soon. I had thought she might have given me a warning though. Instead, all I can do is shout at the collection of sweating, red-faced Beta’s before me, “Well then? Do we know that wolf?” They looked around, all trying to mind link until they shook their heads. Beta Jackson, a humongous figure with his white shirt on, frankly terrifying with it off, bellowed from his huge barrel-chest “well then get fucking after it then! First one to catch the interloper makes the Battalion!” I couldn’t protest, or reveal I hadn’t planned this this, not that they would have heard over the sound of ripping trousers and howling. Jaws snapping, froth flying from between th
The Beta's Prize 67. Cherish
That was unbelievable, The adrenalin surged through me as Halo reached speeds I didn’t even think possible. Weaving, leaping and dodging she explained that the less time on the ground, the less placement of her scent. We are so small and light we even ended up using the trees, pouncing from branch to branch, further distancing ourselves. Without any mind-link there were some hairy moments but I wasn’t going to give Ivan concerns straight away. He looked sick to his stomach at the top of the bleachers, it almost stopped me celebrating. The way his face changed when he saw me, the smile and colour that flooded his features was adorable. I love the fact I can see his affection so plainly. Helena might love the brooding and dark Alexander but I would rather not have to interpret. I know Ivan loves me because every bit of him tells me so. From the way he grabs me to him, the golden glint in his eyes and the half-grin that creeps up his face whenever I say something he cannot help but b
The Beta's Prize 68. Ivan
Hearing her laugh at my silly jokes sends Kohl whirling with delight. I know it is wrong to compare but Azalea used to grin and roll her eyes. She thought of me as some kind of lovable idiot, which I didn’t mind at the time. I was happy to be the joker of the group back then. So whilst making Cherish laugh and fooling around in the dining hall was good fun there was a sense of storm clouds on the horizon. Just like our last few nights in the Cage, the feeling that everything was heading towards change. We were only a few days away from naming the Battalion, we wanted around half a dozen men. Supplies were being readied, everything was in motion. They need a leader. They require someone to follow, to inspire and learn from for this to succeed, not the class clown. “You want to go for a walk?” I suggested to Cherish, her long white gown looking pristine against the glowing, healthy tan she had acquired over the past couple of weeks. Her eyes constantly shone a beautiful ocean blue. I
The Beta's Prize 69. Ivan
It is time to name the squad. Cherish, Helena and Alexander are waiting on the side of the bleachers in the blazing sun. Jackson and I spent the morning debating, but we have an agreement. We are wearing our full white shirt, black trousers and black cloaks this morning, trying to stamp the appearance of authority upon the sweaty men before us. The recruits all stared at me as I took centre stage in the dusty earth bowl that used to be a sports field. The grass had been shredded away from all the fighting, running, and drills I had enforced on these shattered shifters. “I know you probably think I have been too harsh, too demanding. After all we are chasing down common criminals and thugs? What you don’t realise is that the people we are seeking do not play fair. They will have weapons. Silver-edged knives, possibly even landmines peppered with silver and booby-traps.” Though I had told them this several times already, some of the men’s eyes still looked to the ground at the though
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The Beta's Prize Epilogue 6: White Forest Ball (Cillian)
Without thinking I shouted “Stop!” causing the cloaked person to sprint. “GUARDS!” I screeched, unable to mind-link members outside of my pack. Why was the entire fucking castle asleep! Sprinting after the cloaked figure I saw nobody else, no guards, not even a servant to help me catch the stranger. Arriving at the huge foyer of the castle, surrounded by flickering torches, hanging tapestries and miserable grey stone walls I had nothing to follow. They had vanished into thin air. All I knew from the build around the cloak was that they were a man, a man wearing long black trousers. Giving up the chase, I headed back to my room, flights of stairs, leading me to nothing but duplicating corridors of arched doorways, presumably student accommodation. The door to my parents’ suite remained open. “Papa?” I knocked softly to no answer. /Cillian, I am so sorry/ Vez said, realising before I did that my world had been knocked from its axis, shattered like porcelain. On the double bed, wrappe
The Beta's Prize Epilogue 5: White Forest Ball (Cillian)
I understood immediately why Papa never took us to many of these charades. Standing there in a pompous white shirt, on display like a prize pig at a fair I was happy to escape with Genevieve into the masses. I wasn’t so happy about Nikolai. We had only met briefly during a few childhood meetings but as a man he oozed anger and resentment. What for, I have no idea, but my sister and her wide eyes clearly thought it was the hottest thing she had ever seen. Silently, from my chosen distance, I watched his charisma overwhelm her, my own heckles rising. /She asked you to let her be an adult, to make her own choices/ Vez urged. Ever since first shifting and Vez came into my world it has been like having two fathers, both eager for me to prosper as Alpha. Our wolf fur was as red and fiery as my hair. I cringed, remembering how Jackson had laughingly called me the Infant Inferno, leaving me furious. Vez however, despite our fiery colour was sage, calming and fair. My papa tried to downpl
The Beta's Prize Epilogue 4: White Forest Ball (Genevieve)
Having to walk in behind my parents I felt like a child amongst women. Despite the stunning dress, the styled hair and jewels I’d been given, the ballroom had a strange feel about it. I felt watched ,studied, but not in the usual way, like at home in Cragstone when crowds gathered. One person’s gaze had me flustered. The smell of burning spice made my eyes widen in fear, urgently seeking out the owner. As though we were in danger of attack, then I saw Nikolai Romanov. He headed up towards our little royal enclosure furtively, as though he was breaking in. He was just as entitled to be there as the rest of us and yet his fearsomely dark eyes were stuck on me. He offered no greetings to anyone else, not even his parents. My heart flipped, what do you do when someone looks so blatantly at you? He wasn’t undressing me with his eyes or anything crude like the silly Kharkov boys. Instead, he was seriously, steadily looking at me as a person. Almost the same age as me, already nineteen and
The Beta's Prize Epilogue 3: White Forest Ball (Ivan)
I know exactly why she is nervous. It’s not ideal and we’ve put it off for so long that it’s brought the formal gold bordered letter from Alexander to force our attendance. They are so young, the twins are barely even adults. If they find their mates tonight there it is more complicated than they realise. For Kharkov’s girls, or Lyon’s boys, when they make their match it will be a simple case of falling in love and finding a place to live and be happy together. Our children, should it be from a rival pack, will see alliances drawn up, decisions taken out of their hands as their parents become a tangle of wants and wishes. Should my beautiful, delicate little Genevieve be drawn in with that dark-haired lout Nikolai, what then? He is the future Alpha of White Forest, as Freya is to live in Rising Star. I would lose my darling girl. I know it is just the mindset of a scared father. I am a proud, happy man, terrified of nothing the world can throw at me. Except for damaging my family'
The Beta's Prize Epilogue 2: White Forest Ball (Cherish)
I gasped at the sight of our intruder. Cillian, my beautiful boy, had somehow transformed into a powerful, charismatic man, his white shirt open at the top showing the sculpted chest he inherited from his father. His coppery red hair had an even fierier tone than Ivan’s, almost sheer red, whilst his eyes had eventually turned blue like my own, despite starting green. He had a strong, masculine jaw and his figure had developed over the past year. He had trained like a beast with Kharkov and Jackson, as if preparing for his mate by getting into perfect shape. “Are we ready to do this parade then?” he grumbled, fiddling with his cufflink, the rasping depth of his manly voice still making me wistful even after years of it breaking. “How has a white shirt made you look this grown up,” I said softly, adjusting the collar of his shirt whilst he towered over me and his father. The squidgy faced little boy who hid behind my skirts clutching stacks of buns he had stolen from Martha was no m
The Beta's Prize Epilogue 1: White Forest Ball (Cherish)
** TWENTY YEARS LATER ** “I cannot believe it has truly been so long since we were last at White Forest,” I murmured, standing in the same suite we had used so many years ago. Back when I shouted at Helena and suggested she had failed Ivan. The four-poster bed and stained glass windows were unchanged. As if we had simply stepped back in time. The sight of the balcony, where I had once stood in only a black cloak for Ivan to devour under the pale blue moonlight made me smile and Halo purr in remembrance. “You are as amazing now as you were then,” Ivan murmured, approaching me with a grin. In his late forties he was getting somehow even more handsome with age. His hair remained the stunning copper beacon I looked for first in every room whilst his frame remained strong, tall and muscular. Although my heart had two other beacons to contend with in Genevieve and Cillian, Ivan’s strength was the tree which my roots had grown around. They had turned eighteen last winter, Ivan insiste
The Beta's Prize 106. Cherish
Although Ivan’s silly trick with the balcony made me laugh, we were soon back in the same glum mood we had left the dinner party with last night. The stone walls around us swirled with confusion, the footsteps of unknown servants constantly pattering by made me feel watched, edgy. At home, in Cragstone we knew exactly who roamed our smaller world. “We should just ask Helena outright,” I snapped in frustration, “they’re discussing us and our babies so why shouldn’t we know.” Ultimately we had the matter taken out of our hands. A small, elderly male servant summoned us for breakfast with Alpha Brandon and Luna Hollie down in the dining hall. Kissing the babies and leaving them with Kharkov and Penelope we made our way for attempt Day Two of the so-called Conference. As expected the four of them were already there. Brandon raised his hand as soon as he saw us enter and saw Ivan assessing the situation. Alpha Alexander for once looked distressed. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes wer
The Beta's Prize 105. Ivan
My worst fears were confirmed. This wasn’t a proper conference, there was no respect for our attendance as the leaders of the Shadowlands pack, it was some ridiculous notion by Helena to try and fix her own ego. Kissing Cherish softly as she tended to the babies with Penelope I informed Kharkov I was heading for a stroll, he could stay with the women and enjoy some breakfast. His face lit up at the prospect, whether it was breakfast or the company of the women I could not tell which thrilled him more. I loved the fact he had such a bond with Cherish. Having someone in your corner like that, it’s how I used to see myself and Helena. Different but the same. /If everything had stayed the same, we would have been dead in a ditch long ago. Some things have to change/ Kohl murmured sagely. I agreed with him, but I still regretted my lost friendship. Heading out of the huge double doored stone archway I found myself looking down upon a splendid view of the surrounding forest. It was so
The Beta's Prize 104. Cherish
When the servant brought us into the dining hall it was just as grand as I expected. Huge golden candelabras and chandeliers lit up a picture perfect room. The usual tapestries and war scenes I had grown used to seeing at White Forest were not present here. Rising Star was a gallery of landscapes. The valleys, lakes and forests depicted everywhere gave the castle a softer feeling than I had expected this pile of stones to provide. Even the soft rugs were welcomely eyed by Halo, my feet still not fully healed made me want to jump to the nearest chair. I preferred this castle to White Forest, though as Halo warned me, that may just be because I had lingering reservations about Luna Helena and her knowledge of Fate. Ivan, bless him, knew my feet were not fully healed yet and made sure to have me seated comfortably before anything else. Alpha Brandon and Luna Hollie were kind and gracious hosts. They clearly adored Helena and Alexander, a cosy coupling that we were on the outside of.
