Chapter 76Pulling up to the farm house, I let out a nervous breath. This is the first time in years that I will be seeing Milan again. My niece and I had been adamant about not seeing each other for everyone’s safety. Had Valor learned some of the wolves of Harvest Willow survived, he would have hunted them down and killed every last one of them himself.“I thought you said they lived with humans?” Ash questions, looking out the windows of the bus.“They do. The city is just ten minutes drive from here and the pups go to the nearest schools which happen to be full of humans.” I answer, standing from the driver seat and stretching. The drive here had been shorter than we thought with five day on the road and minimal stops to replenish the fuel and our food supplies. In the end, it leaves me feeling sore but thankfully we split the job of driving and taking turns sleeping on the bus.“Besides, I own the farm and land here.” Ash was in the middle of drinking some coffee when I reveal th
Chapter 77Sitting in the hospital room, I wait patiently for Jasmin to return. An hour has passed by after we redid all the tests from last week to see how the results have changed. She would have stayed with me in the room, but Jasmin was called away to help a pup that fell from a tree broke her wrists while training.My mind wanders back to the party last night after the initiation ceremony. It had went better than expected as everyone ate, drank and laughed to their hearts content. No one was an outsider anymore. We were all one pack now, one family that could finally communicate and work together as one.Simone and Odette had danced most of the night before slipping away and Quincy joked that Caspian was finally going to mark and claim her as his. This prompted me to roll my eyes and shove cake in his face before a few of our Hunters came and stole him away to welcome him into their unit.“Brynlee.” Jasmin calls, braking me from my thoughts.“Hey. Are the results in?” I ask, curi
Chapter 78Facing Odette in the training ring I smile as she lunges for me, aiming to punch me in my right side. I easily dodge her, using her momentum and pushing her lightly by placing my hand in the center of her back. She fall onto the ground behind me, her body hitting the training ring floor with a loud thud.Odette growls in frustration as she turns to lay on her back. It has been three days since I was told I could train again but no one would spare with me out of fear of pissing off Quincy and Rune. In the end, Odette became my training partner with the intent of becoming stronger because she wanted to be promoted from an Omega to a Warrior since she is now mated to Caspian. At first I was hesitant, not wanting to hurt the she-wolf who essentially became my sister in law. But Caspien begged me stating that I was the only wolf they could trust in bringing out Odette’s strength.“Come on Odette. Just one blow is all you need to land.” I call out, lazily stretching as the she-wo
Chapter 79Staring at Brynlee held in a headlock, I stalk towards the training ring she is in. Caspian’s mate tentatively lets her go as the power and anger inside my blood courses out in waves. I watch as Brynlee stands, worry in her eyes as she places her hand on my shoulder.“Rune, we were just sparing.” She states, her scent wrapping around me. Something has changed about it. It has grown sweeter and warmer. The urge to protect her grows stronger and without thinking, I scoop her into my arms are walk out of the training facilities with everyone watching. I note the scrapes and bruises left on her as she silently lets me carry her, knowing they are from her sparing and will heal in no time but that doesn’t stop the feeling of wanting to turn back and thrash that she-wolf for giving them to her. The broken bond hums with satisfaction at my thoughts of wanting to take revenge for my Mate no matter how misguided they may be. But I can feel Brynlee growing angry at me for taking her a
Looking out the window of my room, the lights off and the area quiet, I wonder how Brynlee is doing. After announcing to her that she is pregnant, Brynlee kicked me out of her cottage saying she needed time and space to think about it. That was three hours ago. In these last three hours I have done nothing but sit in my room worrying about her.I know Brynlee wants to be a mother. Know that she wants a big family after living life as an only child, but I also know that she is terrified. I can feel her fear through the Mate Bond, feel her worrying over this news. I hate that I can’t be there to hold her and help her through it, but this is Brynlee’s decision. It is her body, her choice.If she decides that she isn’t ready to be a mother, then I can’t change her mind. As much as I want our pup, I can’t force her to stay pregnant just for my selfish needs. I had already been selfish once and rejected her for the safety of a pack that didn’t really care for me. I will not make that mistake
Curled up in bed, hand on my flat stomach, I wonder if I am truly pregnant. It could be one of Rune’s tricks with him trying to get back together with me, but my instinct tells me he wasn’t lying with how overprotective and possessive he became. The worst part is that the bond became whole once more when he announced I am with pup. I can feel it even now, humming with new vitality as if the rejection never happened.[Hey Brynlee, are you okay?] Caspian’s voice rings through my mind, taking me out of my thoughts.[I…I am dealing with something.] I answer hesitantly, getting a hum in response.[Does it have anything to do with how Rune behaved?] I sigh, turning to lie on my back and looking up at my ceiling.[Unfortunately, it does.] I then apologized to Caspian about how Rune behaved with his Mate, Odette, and explained that the bond threw out a danger warning that set Rune off. Caspian is silent for a moment before our link hums with understanding.[Something happened between the two o
Standing in front of Brynlee’s cottage, I knock on the door and wait for her to answer. After confronting Rune, I had planned to talk to her but duty called and I had to deal with wolves on our borders. It was spies of Pine Moon once again trying to sneak in and catch a glimpse of our Luna and Beta.News had spread that Crescent Phoenix had helped Onix Moon liberate themselves from the tyranny of Viren and people were becoming increasingly curious of our female leaders. It took longer than I had thought to deal with them, the enemy wolves fighting my men with everything they could. One managed to escape capture while the other two decided to take their own lives by slitting their throats before we could restrain them.“Quincy? What are you doing here?” Brynlee’s voice calls from behind me and I turn to see her coming up the path. The faint smell of rubbing alcohol comes off her and I frown. It seems she is just coming back from the Pack Infirmary.“I wanted to see how you are doing.
Helping Milan pack up the remaining items in the kitchen, I catch site of a few pups helping to bring boxes and bags out to the charter bus where Ashton and Eddison are waiting to load the storage compartments.It has been six days since we arrived at the farmhouse and after realizing how much packing needs to be done, Gale and I had called Asteria asking if we could delay our return to the pack to sort through what Milan and the others will be bringing with us on our return trip home. Luckily, Asteria agreed that us staying would be beneficial to the Willow Bark wolves and just asked that we call her before we make the drive back home.“This should be the last of it.” Milan says as she stands, a smile on her face.“So we should be ready to move out soon?” I ask my niece. She looks around, taking her time to answer as her smile falls and a hint of melancholy washes over her. I know she is sad about leaving the farm, the only safe place she has known since Valor attacked Willow Bark.
Walking through the first floor of the dungeon brought back unwelcomed memories. Memories that made me want to become a stronger she-wolf, a stronger Beta. I am glad that unlike those cells Rune, Caspian, and I were held in as pups, going through the life of prisoners just for the greed of a pack of Rogues, these cells were kept clean thanks to Quincy. I am glad that my Pack agrees that no matter who it is, everyone deserves a clean-living space even if that person is a prisoner. Now, staring at the man cuffed to the interrogation chair, I feel my anger and hatred replace the discomfort I feel. This wolf came to us as a Rogue from the Council. Came to our Pack pretending to be excited to join and then turned out to be a spy for Valor, giving that vial man information of Goddess knows what about Crescent Phoenix. Who knows, they could be on their way here, ready to take us out in our sleep without notice.[So why do you need the ice?] I link Gale, getting a deep chuckle from him, the
Watching Brynlee walk into the stone cottage that houses the dungeon entrance, I feel myself grow anxious. Only a handful of people know about her pregnancy and the thought of Devlyn finding out while interrogating him brings a sour taste to my mouth. If we aren’t careful, Devlyn might be able to hand this information on to Valor and place my Mate and unborn pup in even more danger than we are already in.[Ashton, Jett.] I call out through our mind link, feeling it buzz slightly in annoyance.[Let me guess, Devlyn did something stupid?] Jett asks right away. I sigh, turning to face the two men who lean against Brynlee’s truck watching on from a distance.[Yep. Uncle Gale wants you to grab a few buckets of ice and join us for the interrogation. You can use Brynlee’s truck.] I answer back, feeling Ashton’s confusion through the mind link.[Who is Devlyn?] He asks. This time Jett sighs, confirming that he and Ashton will be back with ice before telling Ashton that he will explain everyth
Something feels off. Like the calm before a storm. It is because of this feeling that I find myself unable to focus while staring blankly at my computer screen wondering just what the hell is happening in my Pack to make me feel so uneasy right now.Rune had been stopped by Gale this morning while the alluring scent of apple strudels took all of my attention. I could tell the two were having a serious conversation and before I could walk over and join them, Rune took off. Worried, I had dropped my apple strudel onto a plate and left it on an empty table before rushing towards the Pack House exit when Gale stopped me.“Rune has something he needs to do.” Gale had said just as I managed to catch sight of Rune shifting into his wolf mid-step and racing off towards the border. Gale kept me from following after him, telling me that as his Beta, Rune had a duty to perform for him and that I needed to go perform mine as Asteria’s Beta. He was adamant that I stayed in the Pack House.Reluctan
Slinking through the underbrush of the forest, I try my best to stay hidden in the shadows. I need to leave Crescent Phoenix before it's too late and get as far away from any Packs associated with Crescent Phoenix, Pine Moon and Blood Claws. A twig snaps somewhere behind me and I freeze, trying my best to calm my rapidly beating heart while I focus on sensing the person that has been watching me. When I sense nothing, I breathe a sigh of relief and bolt to the right hopefully growing closer to the edge of Crescent Phoenix’s territory.Sometime last night I felt a pair of eyes watching my every movement. It was during dinner at the Pack House, Carolyn and I had just reported in what role we would like in Crescent Phoenix to Luan Gale and were plating up some dinner when I felt the prickling sensation of being watched washed over me. For a moment I thought it was paranoia from dealing with Valor up until that last phone call, but then that gaze followed me throughout dinner and all the
Watching Brynlee flitter about the cottage getting ready for the day, I sip my coffee by the dining table and try not to smile to brightly. Last night Brynlee spent time teaching me about the basics of living alone starting with laundry. I thought the process of cleaning and folding clothes was a difficult task but found it surprisingly easy the moment Brynlee showed me how to turn the machines on and how to disperse the laundry detergent into the washing machine. The hard part was learning how to fold my clothes. Brynlee had warned me that my laundry was my responsibility. That we may be working on our relationship but she was not my caretaker. She said that I would need to learn these skills before our pup came and that once our pup came, she would not be raising the pup alone like how Valor left my mother to raise me alone. That part stung but she is right. If I am to be a good Mate and father, then I will help her with the chores and take on an active role in raising our pup. I w
Sitting in my living room, my leg bouncing due to being nervous, I sip on the camomile tea while I wait for Rune to return. After he agreed to move in with me for the time being while we deal with Devlyn, Rune drove me home in my truck before taking it to the dorms so that he could pack his things and bring them here. That was about an hour ago and in that time I prepared one of the two remaining bedrooms for him to take. He may be my Mate, but I am not comfortable sharing a room with him yet.The door to the cottage opens and I turn in time to find Rune walking in with a duffle bag slung over his shoulder and a single box that he carries in his arms.“Is that all you have?” I asked, shocked by the small amount of items that Rune brought.“No, I have two more bags to grab from the truck. I wasn’t able to bring much when I left Pine Moon but this box is filled with stuff I gained while being part of Crescent Pheonix.” He admits with a sheepish smile. My heart aches as I think back to h
A feeling of unease settles over me as I watch out the window of my office. Rune had sent me a link an hour ago warning me that there is something wrong with a Rogue that the Council sent over and to be weary of those wolves for now. When I asked him who to look out for, he told me he will explain later and gave me no further details than that. I can’t help but worry that Tanya sent a spy. I wouldn’t put it past the conniving bitch to pull something like this, especially if it meant learning where Rune and I are and killing the two of us without a trace of who the culprit is. Hell, I could even see her demanding her father to send a spy here instead and make a fanfare of my death. A death that would cause a war painting me a martyr.“Brynlee?” Jumping as a hand lands on my shoulder, I turn and without thinking I throw a punch towards the person who has just grabbed me when the scent of mint and vanilla wraps around me. My punch is caught in a gentle hold and I find myself relaxing whe
“That fucking bastard!” I snarl out, throwing my phone against the wall. Anger fills me as I think about how Devlyn, a trusted Warrior, betrayed me because the blood pact that I forced upon him was fulfilled. That snake used this opportunity to escape Pine Moon right from under my nose and I gave him the fucking opportunity to be able to do so.“Darling?” The door to my office opens and Tanya comes rushing inside, her concern for me clear for all to see. Her appearance settles me slightly as I look at the slight bump growing on her stomach and I know that I cannot let my rage take over and accidentally hurt her and the heir growing in her womb in the process. As angry as I am with that snake Devlyn, I cannot take my anger out on my pregnant-soon-to-be-mate.“I heard you snarling, are you okay?” She asks, coming to my side and pressing her hand to my cheek. I reach out, wrapping an arm around her waist, and pull Tanya towards me. I take a deep breath, breathing in Tanya’s scent, and fo
Watching as Gale, Jett, and Rune leave the guest house, I wonder just how in the world did I get lucky enough to find all of the people Alpha Valor is hunting for in one Pack. As far as we knew, Rune and Brynlee had been spotted leaving Onix Moon, now named Shadow Rose, after Alpha Viren was killed by the now Alpha Titus. From there, our men informed us that Brynlee and Rune took refuge in Crescent Phoenix as it is closest Pack to Shadow Rose.Imagine my shock when I climbed off the bus to find Asteria, Gale, Jett, Brynlee, Rune, and Caspian standing in the crowd of wolves as they welcomed the Rogues sent by the Council and the Crescent Phoenix Council Representative Alastor and his men to the Pack while we were shown to the guest house to get settled in by a few Warriors and Omegas. It wasn’t till the welcome dinner that I was told that Asteria is the mysterious Alpha Rose and her Beta – Beta Lilac – is Brynlee herself. It seems that there is more to why these two ladies kept their i