The doorbell rang as the contact info appeared on my phone screen. I grinned slightly at glad that something came up to distract me. Opening the door, I was greeted by Sylvi holding 2 cups of coffee.
“Hey, I was just about to call you, I haven’t been able to get ahold of you for days. Are you okay?” I asked right away.
“Of course, I was just tied up and not in a good way.” She winked at me.
“Well consider me disappointed for you, what brings you by?”
“That is what brings me by.”
Sylvi waved her hand in a circle around my face as she spoke. She knew something was going on.
“Great, I’ll take that coffee.” I said taking the cup from the tray.
We both went in and settled into the couch. I was taking as long as possible to begin. She noticed I was trying to avoid the conversation.
“Astrid, I feel like we are tight on time so we should get on with it. Start
As I headed into the kitchen, I walked into Helga, Ingrid, and Freya all tossing bags around while they argued about who was getting what. I shook my head watching them and laughed, food in this house was one of the things worth fighting over.“When did you guys order take out?” I asked.“Um, Mama, this was that hottie.” Helga pointed into the living room speaking low.“Oh, I’ll explain that later.” I said walking towards Lex.“I don’t know if Kilian is going to be okay with you being here with them. I was thinking you would just keep an eye on them from outside.” I explained in a whisper.“I have no problem with it, in fact I suggested it.” Kilian said from behind me.He was wearing a black button-down shirt and light jeans. His cologne filled the room as he walked in.“Girls, there are a lot of things changing. I want you to know that your mother and I lov
“Kilian, I feel this is something that needs to come from you.” Lex said.Sylvi handed me the joint she had just lit. She had a look in her eye like she was trying to get me to relax. I took it then handed it to Kilian as he nodded at Lex.“Okay, there was a heavy conversation that took place at first.”“I told her the same thing I told you. I am not going anywhere.”“She told us some vague information about preparing for a huge influx of wolves. She told me how special you are, Astrid.”“Love, there is a reason you have affinities for all the elements.”“A war is coming, and we will be ready. All of us, together.” He stated firmly.“I don’t feel the need to get into the specifics of my personal conversation with her, it was bad enough Lex was there.” He blushed a little.I was shocked. I closed my mouth once I realized I was staring, eyes
I woke up the next morning in a haze, my head pounding. I looked around the dark room slightly confused. I tried to replay the events from the day before. I felt like I had been sleeping for days.The realization hit me that I was not in my room in the house but the new room that my husband had built for me to share with my new-old man. I began to sit up and was weighed down by a heavy arm.I turned over to stare as he slept, he was so peaceful without the weight of the world on his shoulders.I gently snuck out of the bed and headed for the shower. Today felt different, like a new beginning. After I turned on the shower, I walked over to the linen closet and grabbed a towel, before stepping into the shower.I was lost in my thoughts putting things together. Everyone had a great time last night, we all acted as if we had been family forever.The shower curtain opened quickly, and I jumped spinning around. When I saw it was Lex, I smiled stepping as
After the two hours of training everyone had went in different directions. Kilian disappeared into the basement followed by tons of banging. All three girls were complaining about their sore muscles. I went into the kitchen to prepare lunch and decided to find Helga and check in with her.“Hey there buttercup!” I said with a grin walking into her room.“I wanted to check in while the spy-demons are busy. How are you doing with everything?” I was trying to be upbeat but serious at the same time.“Mama, I really don’t know. I mean it’s a lot.” She stopped looking in her closet and took a seat beside me on the bed. “For some reason these boys coming here, well, it’s making me nervous. Like, come on. What if the guy is a douche-canoe? I am stuck with him following me around school and everywhere outside the house for weeks?!” I could hear the stress in her voice as she was speaking to me.&ldqu
I didn’t see either of the men before dinner. I went into the office after leaving the basement to gather my thoughts and get some work done. The girls helped with the weekend chores waiting for dinner. I had opened a bottle of Jameson and poured drinks for Sylvi and myself as I explained the day’s events. She wasn’t as shocked as I expected her to be.“What did you expect? Lex has been watching you for a year living, screwing, LOVING, another man. It makes sense he wants you to continue to have that joy… Kilian has known for years that you would never be his forever, this gives him a chance to keep a piece of you, why wouldn’t he say yes?”“Well when you put it like that, I sound like an idiot for not thinking of it to begin with.” I scoffed at her. I still did not like the idea of keeping both in that way.“Anyways, how are things at home? Luke still being a movie-class hubby?” I giggled at the
After dinner we gathered in the living room and made sure that everyone knew the basics for school the next day. The girls needed to make sure that their stories all aligned with the guards and parents. We decided that the three of us, Alexander, Kilian, and me, would go to the schools to speak with the administration personally as well as introduce our third parent to the group. At this point we were just going to limit the information as much as possible, but the men agreed to let me do the talking and have complete control. Helga is in Highschool, but Freya and Ingrid are still in the middle school, they are both in 8th grade. After my time homeschooling Freya, she was too far advanced, everyone thought they were twins anyways.The girls each took their own guards on tours of the house. They went in different directions to get comfortable with each of them before tomorrow. I could hear Freya giggling like crazy when her prank spider contraption sprung out at Hal. Tristian
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
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