Roman POV - A sudden flash of black moved behind the enemy. A Blood Mountain wolf? He sniffed the air but couldn’t catch its scent. It moved fast, it must’ve been a warrior. Why did it hide in the shadows? Roman needed help, and he needed it now. If they were a part of the patrol, there’d be more wolves with it, but it was seemingly alone. He wondered if it was Blake. He knew the wolf would be ready to watch his downfall. To let Roman die here, and to pretend to simply find the body later, would serve him and his innocent act. Why help, when Mini wasn’t here to see it, and getting rid of Roman would make his life easier? A snarl built in his throat, anger pooling in it thick and heavy, enough to make his enemy pause. He needed to prove Blake’s righteous act was false and this was the man he truly was. One that would happily watch his unit die to benefit himself. However, even if he could prove it, it’d be pointless unless he found a way to survive. Before another wolf could attac
Roman POV - Roman was running again, pushing harder and faster than he ever did for himself. His parents were in danger, and there was nothing else that mattered to him in that moment. He was limited only by Blake’s speed as he followed the Issacs wolf to the infiltrators, but every time he pushed his speed on, Blake responded in kind. He moved fluidly through the trees, as if the path over loose roots and around bushes was mapped out for him. Each step was confident, unburdened by the uncertainty of the territory like Roman had. Blake took him directly through the forest, avoiding the tediousness of the winding path, cutting their route in half. When Roman heard the first growls and snarls of a fight, adrenaline flooded him. His paws pushed harder, eating up the distance, thundering through the woods as if racing the speed of his rapid heartbeat. He passed Blake, and charged onto the path. It only took him a breath to survey the scene. He saw his mother first, each crease worrying
Mina POV - It was the warning from Blake, relayed through a Blood Mountain warrior, that had Mina heading to the packhouse. She had promised Alastor that she’d stay within the pack while he left to help Roman but had worried at its border at the base of the cave tunnels. However, now she knew her mates were safe, collecting her composure was easy. They had bravely faced the enemy and she would face their guest with the same courage. The packhouse hall was grand, overlooking the Blood Mountain township. It’s chill still made Mina uncomfortable and feel disconnected from her pack, but its distance would keep them safe until she understood Luna Jade’s motivations. She had helped the Red Spire Luna, warning her of the coup being planning by Castriel’s ally. She should be coming to Blood Mountain with thanks and peace, but there had to be something more going on. Some of her wolves had attacked first and, though she had been happy to kill them, why was Blood Mountain their target? Her
Mina POV - Jade sighed as she dropped into a chair and took her first sip of whiskey. She rolled the liquid around the glass and took another. It hadn’t taken long to set up the dining table and chairs in the packhouse hall, just enough time for the Red Spire Luna to give her explanation about the attack. After flushing out Castriel’s ally, and those involved in the coup, some had escaped detection and ran as soon as they could. Jade had pursued them, and had found them just in time to join the end of the already-won battle. It was a little convenient for Mina’s liking, but Jade had killed the last two intruders that could’ve corroborated the story.However, she took the explanation at face value, only asking a few questions. Whether she trusted the woman’s story or not didn’t matter, she still wanted to hear what she had to say. The distrust was more blatant on her mates’ features, but they too sat at the table to talk with the Red Spire Luna. Mina took a breath before taking her
Mina POV - After declining her wish to come to Mina’s Luna ceremony, Jade didn’t bother to stay at Blood Mountain for the night. Her own pack was only a short way from the mountain’s base, and she claimed to have the rest of Castriel’s mess to clean up. Mina was glad to have the Red Spire Luna off her territory. The woman hadn’t done or said anything to lay suspicion at her feet, but her motives didn’t seem entirely pure either. Not that any alliance between two packs ever had selfless intentions. Mina had heard her out, but delayed a decision on the alliance, formally at least. Jade was an unknown to her but could be of use at the Luna court. That was also what the woman wanted from the alliance. Despite no longer being a Clear Blue wolf, Jade was certain a connection to Mina would increase her influence, help her to be seen and heard. Not at the next court, of course, when they would have to keep distant and hostile, but the ones to come. It was well-known that the original thr
Blake POV - In just a few days, the pack was transformed into a paradise Blake had never seen before. Colourful flowers, handpicked from the mountain path, were bunched and hung outside the door of every house that stood between the packhouse and the green. Streamers were strung between them, leading Willi through the pack to the ceremony. Some Blood Mountain wolves lined the streets, hanging back to watch their Luna pass, while others ran ahead to get a good spot on the green. All were smiling, talking of their new Luna, her beauty, her poise, her strength. They had spent the last few days working on the ceremony with her, getting to know her and she had shown them her true self. Blood Mountain adored Willi. They lapped up her attention, praising her choices, marvelling at her ideas. They hung on her every word, but she didn’t use their awe against them. Blake wasn’t even sure she saw it, but he did. As did his unit. Alastor often teased her about his sudden competition for her af
Blake POV - The celebrations went on all day and well into the night, but Blake didn’t want to stay and watch the sun rise with the hardcore partiers. He couldn’t when his mind kept drifting. It drifted to the tension in his belly that had grown ever since his mindlink earlier. It twisted and curled, telling him to run, telling him to stay, sparking inside him each time Alastor touched him and warming when Roman allowed him a smile. Willi had been kept busy mingling with her new wolves, but even the sweet looks she spared for only him were enough to make his stomach flip. The sensation was new but not entirely unpleasant. Whenever it got too much, he fled the celebration for some space, but one member of his unit would find him. They soothed his fears without even speaking of them, reassuring him with small touches scattered amongst casual words and, before long, he found himself following them back to the others. It wasn’t that he was uncomfortable around them. The opposite really
Blake POV - As their lips locked together, Blake slipped his tongue into Willi’s mouth. The warmth of her enveloped him, teasing him of the pleasure to come. She tasted just as good as he remembered from a few nights ago and met him with an eagerness that stoked the brewing flame in his belly. His hands dropped to her waist, splaying over her gentle curves, itching to feel the soft skin beneath the dress that had been enticing him all day. He resisted the urge to strip her of it immediately. It was his first time with his unit, and he wanted it to be perfect. The hands that reached for him weren’t as restrained. Alastor’s body hovered behind him, sending a pleasant tingle of awareness down his spine. The Hayre’s hands quickly pulled Blake’s shirt free of its tuck and dipped his hands beneath the material. They were large, rough, finding an easy path across Blake’s flesh that let him explore every ridge and swell his abdomen had to offer. Lips found their way to his neck, lathering t