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.
 
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.
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
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
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
October in Tennessee is beautiful, the colors of Autumn, the cool breeze, football, bonfires, what is not to love? Astrid had moved to the beautiful small town of Townsend, Tennessee when she was 25, about 10 years ago, with her family and childhood best friend. She Has a husband (Kilian) and her three daughters, Helga (17), Ingrid (15), and Freya (14).Gunther (Gunny) made the decision in 5th grade to never leave Astrid’s side. He and Astrid had been best friends since kindergarten. She lived a quiet life, Kilian a contractor and Astrid owned a metaphysical store.Astrid POVI laid on my back staring at the stars for a moment before closing my eyes. I was feeling overwhelmed lately, hoping to have a chat with the goddess, I went outside to meditate. I could feel my body relaxing as the cool breeze floated through the air. I closed my eyes and began to take a few deep breaths. After my third breath, my nose was filled with cedar.Mo
I wavered in my seat as I blinked trying to clear my vision. Dizziness overwhelmed me, I felt as if I was going to be sick. I reached out my hand to steady myself dropping the knife, before setting my hand on the blade.I hissed at the pain radiating from my hand, I could smell blood. My head began to throb. I felt my shoulders burst into flames. After a few seconds I could tell two large hands were supporting me. A whimper escaped me as the area around me spun.I felt him adjust my body onto his pulling my head to his chest. I was unable to protest, honestly, I am not sure if I even had the thought. It felt so good, he laid an arm across my chest and I gripped it as I was pulled into another memory.My brain became overloaded, I was hardly able to keep up. I tried to allow myself to remember, but it was too much. I was only able to gather one piece of information. Alexander was right, he was my other half, my mate, my oxygen. How had I lived for so long without
The next morning went as usual. I tried to call Sylvi (my best friend) a few times, there was no answer. I was worried, she usually was a stick up my ass, but the good kind.I decided to send a quick message to Gunny and Sylvi. I needed to discuss what just happened with them before this lunch date.Hey guys, something crazy happened.Don’t worry I am fineI need you to call me asap.Sylvi’s reply came first.Copy that girl. If I need the shoveland an alibi just say WINE!It irritated me that she didn’t answer my call but texted back no problem. Another message from Gunny appeared in the top banner.I will be off the grid for another 3 days.Sylvi- take care of our girl.I allowed myself to get lost in some work. I wanted to distract myself from needing to make so many major life choices. My happy-ever-after with Kilian was ov
The next few days went by quickly. Alexander said he was going to give me a few days to try to figure things out, but he would be close by. I didn’t like the feeling that no matter what I did, someone would be hurt.I knew that someone was Kilian. I just needed to rip off the bandaid. He was such a great father; I really have no clue how he is going to process this. I decided to plan on telling him tomorrow morning.My daughters were going to be out of the house for the evening. Freya was going with Ingrid to a lock-in at the movie theater. Helga was taking her SAT’s tomorrow and staying at a friend’s house to study.Knowing Kilian would be out of the house until after midnight, I decided to go perform a ritual to attempt to contact the goddess. I am pretty sure she knows what is going on, and if she thinks it’s funny, well, it’s not.I wandered into the back yard with a blanket and some candles. I listed for Lex in human or
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