I awoke dazed and lifted my left arm to look at my watch. 3:45 AM. Great job Astrid, I thought to myself. I know that nothing I did was wrong, but I am sure Alexander didn’t think I would be running right off to sleep in the other room at the first chance I got. I grabbed one of my oversized shirts and threw it over my head. I kissed Kilian on the head before tip toeing and gently closing the door.
I was trying to be quiet, and discrete walking through the house towards the garage. I was about to open the door to the garage when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I froze and slowly turned around now sure who to expect at this point.
“Well well, what do we have here? Looks like someone is sneaking out of one man’s room to sneak into another man’s room…” The teasing tone dominate in the voice.
“Well if you try to call me a slut again, I may just need to double your training for this week.&rdq
At 6:15 PM I received a text message. We were all back home eating the pizza we picked up on our way from Sylvi’s. Those young guys came in handy. The took the toolbox and just started putting everything together. The girls and I moved the furniture around the nursery setting it up. I don’t know if we could have done it without them. I opened my message from Sylvi, and it was a picture of her holding Mason in the nursery. Another picture came in, this one of Luke holding him in their living room where I had set the pack and pay covered in Tonka trucks with a huge smile on Luke’s face.“Well I think they loved their surprise.” I said showing the pictures around the table to everyone that put in the hard work. “Do not forget girls, training tomorrow at 6:00 AM.” They groaned, Kilian joined them, and it caused me to giggle. “Come on you guys, Lex wants to go with 5:00, maybe I should just let him have his way…” I trail
I pulled into the parking spot that was available right out front. I loved the fall, there were leaves of all colors blowing in the streets. The breeze today was chilly, there is a cold front that is moving through towards the end of the week. I made a mental note to speak with Kilian and Lex about the wolves at the camp, they shouldn’t need to suffer any more than necessary.Kristen was smiling wide when I walked in. “Good Morning Astrid!” She hugged me tight. “Your… relative…. Arrived a few minuets ago, he is at opposite corner by the window this morning.” Took a step back and started to head in his direction. “Sylvi asked me to help out this week with the new baby! I am so excited I could burst. I wonder if she will let me babysit! I swear if I didn’t want to travel and see the world I would already be settled down on another baby.” She laughed at the end.“Well I for one am glad you are taking your
I swear my house has become a revolving door lately.I thought to myself as I finished whipping off the counter. Kilian still was not home yet, and I was beginning to worry. The girls managed to talk Lex into a new training schedule, he gave them one day a week off somehow. They were working him pretty well, but he remained firm. I thought he told me he was not going to have them train on the weekends, but they decided to only fight for Sundays.I set up a cot in my office temporarily for Flo. Being around her put any worries I had to rest. She was going to fit in great around here. She was more than happy to discuss teenage girl topics with Freya and Helga. Ingrid was quiet through the night but that isn’t odd. Sylvi and Luke had picked up Mason and dropped off dinner for everyone. Kilian was stuck and was not going to make it back in time to cook dinner. Freya was upset but said he could make it up the next day. Flo took the opportunity to offer a movie
Some of them mumbled sorry as they stepped in from the door. I was glad to see that Tristian and Shane had left once they realized everyone was okay. Flo, Kilian, and Randolph remained. Randolph had a smirk on his face like we were the nightly reality show. Kilian hadn’t moved yet. Flo pulled a chair out at the table, she didn’t seem to be interested in the explanation, more there for support.“I am not sure what you want me to say. I didn’t know I could shake the ground like that. Is everyone okay?” I asked pleading with my eyes.“We will talk about your earthquake next, what was that light? We couldn’t see you guys until it disappeared. We could only hear Lex’s growl. He shook the walls, but nothing compared to the whole property shaking before that. We had no idea what to think.” He was clearly concerned, angry, hurt and confused.“What?” I whispered it, trying to understand the words.&
I woke up the next morning as I felt Lex move from the bed. I opened my eyes feeling refreshed. I sat up and took a sip of my water before noticing Randolph in the corner of the room. He had a pillow under his head laying flat on his back. My heart warmed at the sight of him. I am sure he was not comfortable, but he felt the need to make sure I was okay, no matter how awkward.I walked over him quietly, grabbing the blanket that was thrown over the back of the chair on my way. I sat down pulling the blanket over us both gently. I set my head on his chest and wrapped an arm around his torso. After I was there for a moment, I felt his arm move from the floor, it wrapped around my body pulling me closer to him.I was in a trance, the sound of the bathroom door caused me to come back to reality. I tried to sit up slowly but his arm was locked around me. Lex was looking at the bed then towards the closet. When he did not see me, his face turned to Randolph and his eyes wide
I entered my room and headed for the shower. If everyone wanted me to relax this morning, that was exactly the plan. I turned the knob and ran to the switches to turn on the exhaust fan. I was still preoccupied and unfocused. The house was getting smaller by the day, I hadn’t expected to be preparing for war but now we are. Randolph avoiding my eyes earlier was nagging at the back of my mind.I was not sure what I expected. I curled up next to a guy I just met thinking he would want my comfort. Maybe he did not, I just assumed after how he cared for me the night before. Was my ego growing to large? Alexander seemed to be distracted all morning, I would be to if I found him curled up on the floor with Sylvi.I shook my body under the water and grabbed the bottle of shampoo before speaking out loud to myself. “We need to discuss housing as a group, maybe we can find a bigger place locally to fit all of us.” I thought for a moment and decided that was al
Lex told me to take the jeep back to the house and before shifting and heading back the direction we came from. I jumped into the jeep and took off across the lawn. I was going as fast as I could on the rough trail. I had lost sight of Lex as soon as he hit the tree line earlier. I pulled into the front of the house and jumped right out, the jeep still running.I swung open the door, “In here!” Lex called to me hearing my entrance.I saw Randolph laid out on the couch. Florence was coming in from the kitchen with a bowl of water and some towels. There was blood flowing down from the slash across his chest. He wasn’t moving, my guess was he had passed out from either the pain or blood loss, maybe both.“What the hell happened?” I said rushing over to his side to assist with cleaning the wound.“We still don’t have all of the information; he was just outside the border when one of the patrols heard the fight. We man
She handed me a coffee and we walked out back together. Luke had taken Mason into Ingrid’s room where the pack and play was set up. I filled her in on the events that happened last night and this morning. She wasn’t shocked like I had hoped when I mentioned my better-than-dream-home. I should’ve known she was in the loop the whole time. I guess that is why her and Lex looked at each other that night I was asking what else I needed to know.The first to join us were Shane and Tristan, they joined into the conversation about the house. It seemed like everyone was excited that I was finally told. Shane made a comment about Lex not letting anyone else live there until I gave the approval. I responded with “approval given” and laughed with Sylvi.Kilian came out driving the UTV and opened a cooler filled with water and beer. He pulled a thermos out of his bag and handed it to me. Sylvi and I are coffee addicts most days, he had perfect timing b
A few more days passed. Gunny and I finally began to lose hope and devise a plan to search for our missing group. I couldn’t think about what may have happened to them. I wanted to know they were okay. Randolph was a fierce warrior above everything else. It hadn’t been long enough since the last time I thought I may lose him. I needed to find him. No matter the cost. I expected Lex to fight me on leaving, to protest my partner. I always had Alexander by my side. Through the thousands of years, we had been together, we always had each other. When he agreed to stay behind to help develop our settlement, I was shocked. Not knowing the status of Randolph, Helga or the others was to much for both of us to bare. As Gunny and I sat near the fire a few days before the full moon, Freya came running
Waking this time was easier than the last. I was glad that I didn’t feel as restricted waking. I could see the bright light creeping from the open doorway. The curtain along side the bed I slept in was open. I slowly sat up making sure I didn’t move to fast. When I realized I was moving okay and there were no side effects from the tonic Lex gave me I began to move faster. I could hear giggling and kids playing around. My heart leapt, the thought of Freya and Ingrid being here. All the uncertainty in the world had my nerves on edge I just needed to know my family is safe. Sylvi sat with Mason on her lap next to Chase and Killian. Bjorn and Chase decided on using my late ex-husbands name when adopting the little boy. Bjorn felt it was important to ask Helga, Ingrid, and Freya’s permissi
After we were settled, I paced around the complex looking for any weak points. Lex had tried to convince me to get some rest, but I had no need for it. I wanted to make sure the children we brought here were safe. I needed to know when the rest of my pack would arrive, they would be too. “Astrid…” Lex’s voice full of sympathy came from behind me. “I don’t like your tone… Or your guilt.” I responded sensing it through the mate bond. “There was another attack. We lost a few more…” Lex began to explain but I raised my hand cutting him off. &ld
I woke disoriented. I wasn’t sure what was happening around me. I could tell I wasn’t in my bed. I kept my eyes closed trying to hear anything around me. My hearing was distorted, a faded ringing was the only sound in my head. I moved my body slightly careful not to draw attention to myself. I was unable to tell what I was laying on. The only comfort I had was the blanket loosely placed on me. I began to grow inpatient. I forced my eyes open ready for anything. Or so I thought. Looking around the dim-lit cabin I was infuriated. How did I get onto the plane without realizing I had been moved? Many questions began to flood my mind as my vision cleared. I was finally able to see Lex approaching where I laid across the two seats on the plane.
I sat naked, on the floor, in the center of my ritual blanket. The candlelight flickered softly against my skin. I was doing my best to relax and remain open calling to the gods. I wanted reassurance that we were making the right move. I had no need for more bloodshed. I let out my frustration as a sigh and a roll of my eyes. “I know I have been busy and closed off, but that was just because so much happened.” I said aloud. “I just need something, anything to tell me we are doing what is right!” I yelled. Nothing happened. After all the times the goddess had spoke though me, my moments in other worlds with them, nothing. I felt a sense of desertion, like they had abandoned me. We were not turning out like they wished, they finally had enough. A knock on the door startled me.  
The last week went by in the blink of an eye. The repairs were mostly completed around the packhouse We listed the farm for sale, the clearing team was almost finished. An offer came in 2 days after listing, we accepted glad to be rid of the horrific scene. I stood on the back porch with my coffee watching the teenagers training. There were 2 children, 11 and 10 years old, trying to mimic the advanced moves. I took a breath of fresh air, the breeze was cool but it was warmer than average. I heard footsteps approach and felt Sylvi’s presence before she spoke. “You seem to be in a good mood today.” She said holding her cup over the railing. “A week with no future attacks will do that.&rdquo
The last week went by in the blink of an eye. The repairs were mostly completed around the packhouse We listed the farm for sale, the clearing team was almost finished. An offer came in 2 days after listing, we accepted glad to be rid of the horrific scene. I stood on the back porch with my coffee watching the teenagers training. There were 2 children, 11 and 10 years old, trying to mimic the advanced moves. I took a breath of fresh air, the breeze was cool but it was warmer than average. I heard footsteps approach and felt Sylvi’s presence before she spoke. “You seem to be in a good mood today.” She said holding her cup over the railing. “A week with no future attacks will do that.” I stated grimly. “The wea
I paced around our bedroom that now had 2 cots placed in different corners, the couch made into a bed. We were accommodating everyone left into the one house that was severely damaged. Only 2 fae families survived other than Renard, Mary, and Edyth. Freya managed to save 10 children from 6-16 years old, 4 adult wolves, and Edyth in the building. Leo was amongst the deceased. Only 2 lone wolves survived. There were another 4 warriors that survived the fighting at the house. Our numbers had dropped below 50 with no response when trying to check in with anyone who was still on the road. We set up a schedule so everyone could rest. I was waiting for Randolph and Lex to return. “Mama.” Freya said opening the door. I nodded for her to enter. “There was a lot of death today.” She said
As we approached the house, we noticed a few people had gathered on the porch, everyone seemed badly wounded in one way or another. There was blood almost everywhere. Alexander strode past the porch checking things over as we went to shift in the garage. We shifted and instantly his arms were around me. He was holding me as if he would never let go. I could hardly breath; I tapped his side and he relaxed slightly. I took a deep breath feeling the oxygen fill my lungs. “Sorry. Are you okay?” He asked placing his hands on my face. “I don’t think I will know that for a while. I feel so much death. It feels different though. I don’t feel the need to fall apart. We need to do this.&rdquo