I swallowed, the realisation that my existence was the catalyst for so much atrocity making me feel suddenly ill. Laila gently squeezed my hand again, quickly burying her feelings of anger and disgust, "It's not your fault," she said gently, "You had no part in this, and from what I'm told, you've fought their vile plans just as hard as we have."I nodded, though her reassurance barely scratched the surface of the guilt that I felt. "I'm sorry," I said quietly, "I would never have wished for any of this, not even on my worse enemy. Certainly not on my mates.. or on yours," I added, as a further pang of guilt hit with the recollection that one of her mates had been gravely injured too. "Thane.." I began uncertainly, "Our Elders, they'd heard.." she nodded, saving me from trying to find the words that could never even begin to express the depth of the guilt that I felt. "He's.. healing," she said with a sad smile, "Elyanna, and Dorian - our lead Doctor - are both helping him as best
Haden and I shared a shocked glance, as Saxon tried to find the words to respond to Laila's suggestion. Nightfall had not had an official ally for decades, even I knew that. They had isolated themselves since the war with the Royals, shunning almost all outside contact, only becoming more and more insulated as the years passed. To say it was unexpected for them to not only be willing now, but actually suggest it themselves, was an enormous understatement. Laila and her Betas waited patiently for Saxon's response, and after a long moment collecting himself, he dipped his head graciously. "We would be honoured," he said humbly, and Laila beamed in response. "Wonderful. I think our packs could truly flourish together," she said brightly, with a glance in my direction. "And learn a great deal from each other," she added, and I couldn't help but think of the former Royal witches she'd mentioned.A part of me couldn't resist the pull of the past, yearning to learn more of where I'd come
I sighed softly as I heard a twig snap somewhat close behind me, knowing perfectly well the only people who'd find it amusing to attempt to sneak up on me out here. Choosing to ignore their childishness, I kept my head down, focused on looking for more of the small, dark green shoots I sought. This particular patch of shaded forest, not all that far from the pack house, was one of few places they grew. They were plentiful here though, and I was grateful for it, given they were the only thing that seemed to prevent the severe migraines that had happened all too often, for as long as I could remember. I was equally grateful for my mother's skill in herbalism, since no one else here could prepare the unusually shaped roots. We were something of an oddity, her and I. Not Lycans, like the rest who lived here.Including the twins. They were the Alpha's and Luna's boys, about the same age as me, and well-loved by most, despite their arrogant attitudes. I'd always assumed that was a privile
What we saw was.. unsettling, but not in any of the hundred ways that had flashed through my mind as they dragged me over here. Luna Abigail was on the ground, sobbing and wailing, surrounded by faces that looked more in shock than I'd ever imagined they could. "NOO! Noooooo!" Abigail wailed desperately, looking up to the sky as though pleading with a higher power, "He can't, it can't be true! Please.. you're wrong!" She broke down into wordless, heavy sobs, clearly wracked with grief. The twins' eyes widened, both of them suddenly looking as shocked as the rest of the bystanders. They exchanged a glance, then pulled me back from the edge of trees more, away from the rapidly growing crowd. "You should go around the back, try to stay out of sight," Matteus said gravely, and Tyler nodded agreement, "If she decides to lash out, and needs someone to take it out on.." he trailed off as my eyes widened in realisation. They were.. trying to look out for me? That was every bit as shocking
I had no idea when I'd fallen asleep, but when I woke, it was in complete darkness. I was also freezing, and by the sound of it, still very much alone. I straightened and stretched out as I yawned quietly, before carefully making my way over to the cavern wall, and along it, tracing it with my fingers as I edged towards the opening that led out to the hidden pool. Out here, the almost-full moon shone brightly, and I was able to see well enough to gather some kindling for a small fire. And it would have to be very small, I realised, to not announce my location with a plume of smoke. I cleared a patch of ground near the opening, where there was some cover, and set to work getting the fire going. Once it was burning on its own, I huddled close, grateful for everything Mama had taught me about survival. She'd always been insistent on that, though I'd never really understood why. Judging by our last conversation, there was clearly a lot I didn't yet understand about her. I just hoped sh
I jumped suddenly as I felt someone's breath on my neck, and turned my head to find one of Saxon's escort standing closer behind me. I'd been so absorbed in watching Saxon and the twins that I hadn't even noticed him approaching. He looked a little younger than his Alpha, and a little softer, brown-haired and almost boyish, with freckles and a gentle smile that reached his beautiful green eyes. He placed strong hands firmly on my shoulders, in a way that somehow felt.. grounding. "Calm," he said softly, in a voice that was just as soothing as his touch, and I felt some of my fear and worry melting away. "You're safe with us," he continued, and I closed my eyes, nodding gently and.. somehow believing him. I wondered then if Crimson Forest had witches of their own, but everything about this man suggested he was a Lycan, just like the others. They were all huge, their strength obvious in their well-toned bodies, and even the smallest of them was larger than either of the twins, despite
I heard Trin's soft laughter, seeming to find the whole situation highly entertaining, but Matteus' voice sounded strangled. Panicked, even. "AVA! Please!" he cried out, and I could hear the heartache in his voice, a sound of something lost. The others heard it too, and it only seemed to infuriate Saxon even further, Matteus' pleas cutting off with a loud crunch, sounding like it was inflicted by a solid fist. More sounds of a physical altercation followed, though it ended quickly, no doubt by Saxon's brute strength. I kept my back turned, and simply kept walking. Whatever followed wasn't my problem. Or so I thought. It was only moments later that I felt a strong pair of hands around my waist, easily lifting me and draping me over his shoulder. Haden, I realised. It seemed he had a knack for creeping up quietly. "Put me down!" I hissed angrily, squirming and struggling against his grip, trying to make him drop me. His only response was giving my ass a firm spank, making me cry out
I frowned, but didn't see much choice other than to walk with her. Trin would likely be just as able to throw me over her shoulder as Haden had. Besides, she had to sleep sometime, and slipping away unseen would have to have a far greater chance of success than trying to outrun a Lycan. She continued trying to make small talk as we walked, seeming mostly focused on learning more about Silver Waters. And me, though I didn't really feel like sharing much in that regard. It wouldn't be important anyway, given that I had no more intention of staying with them than with any other Lycan pack. We walked for hours, and eventually, she fell silent too, seeming to watch me with some degree of concern. I was more than a little bit tired of being looked at in that way. First the twins, then Saxon and Haden, now Trin, when all I wanted was to be far away from all of them. Except for Mama. I once again found myself wondering what could have happened to her. "What's up?" Trin asked gently, soundi
Haden and I shared a shocked glance, as Saxon tried to find the words to respond to Laila's suggestion. Nightfall had not had an official ally for decades, even I knew that. They had isolated themselves since the war with the Royals, shunning almost all outside contact, only becoming more and more insulated as the years passed. To say it was unexpected for them to not only be willing now, but actually suggest it themselves, was an enormous understatement. Laila and her Betas waited patiently for Saxon's response, and after a long moment collecting himself, he dipped his head graciously. "We would be honoured," he said humbly, and Laila beamed in response. "Wonderful. I think our packs could truly flourish together," she said brightly, with a glance in my direction. "And learn a great deal from each other," she added, and I couldn't help but think of the former Royal witches she'd mentioned.A part of me couldn't resist the pull of the past, yearning to learn more of where I'd come
I swallowed, the realisation that my existence was the catalyst for so much atrocity making me feel suddenly ill. Laila gently squeezed my hand again, quickly burying her feelings of anger and disgust, "It's not your fault," she said gently, "You had no part in this, and from what I'm told, you've fought their vile plans just as hard as we have."I nodded, though her reassurance barely scratched the surface of the guilt that I felt. "I'm sorry," I said quietly, "I would never have wished for any of this, not even on my worse enemy. Certainly not on my mates.. or on yours," I added, as a further pang of guilt hit with the recollection that one of her mates had been gravely injured too. "Thane.." I began uncertainly, "Our Elders, they'd heard.." she nodded, saving me from trying to find the words that could never even begin to express the depth of the guilt that I felt. "He's.. healing," she said with a sad smile, "Elyanna, and Dorian - our lead Doctor - are both helping him as best
I stared back at her, not quite able to find the words to respond. The nurse keeping an eye on me seemed equally uncertain, glancing nervously between us, and where Saxon was checking in on Haden. The Luna gave a soft, casual laugh as she noticed. "Relax, I'm not about to bite her head off," she said to the nurse playfully, before turning back to me, "But I did think it was past time we properly met. We are apparently related, after all." The nurse gave her a sharp look, but gave us a little more space, physically at least, though he continued to watch us like a hawk. Laila smiled warmly, as she noticed, "They seem as protective of you, as mine are of me," she said quietly, and though I frowned doubtfully, her words brought a warming kind of comfort. They did seem to care about me, certainly far more than Silver Waters ever had. She watched me patiently, and my mind was drawn back to her previous comment. "Oh.. I suppose we are related, aren't we?" I said awkwardly, and she respond
He'd been at the hospital when Mama had been brought in, I realised. Or, the woman I'd known as Mama, anyway, though it seemed like a lifetime ago, with all that had happened since. He smiled sympathetically, asking questions as he examined my leg, which I answered in something of a daze as all the memories came flooding back at once. So much, in such a short time, it was all too easy to get lost in it all. Saxon squeezed my hand as he sat beside me, bringing me back to the moment, as the nurse turned to report to a not so familiar pack doctor, who immediately began grabbing things from the largest med satchel I'd ever seen. He handed them to the nurse without a word, quickly moving on to help another nurse, then another. Far too many injuries, I realised, my stomach twisting in knots. I looked up at Saxon, barely managing to find my voice through the gut wrenching guilt and sadness. "I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice turning to a whimper as the nurse began tightly bandaging my
I stepped backwards as one reached a thickly-muscled arm towards me, crying out as I put weight on my momentarily-forgotten injured leg. His hand only gripped my shoulder reassuringly though, then my waist as his expression turned to one of concern. His eyes went blank for a moment, presumably communicating with the two who had climbed through after him, their weapons already drawn as they moved towards Haden and Reagan. I attempted to struggle as he lifted me easily, shaking my head, but he was exceptionally strong, even for a Lycan, and gave a soft laugh in response. "Relax, Princess," he said, sounding half-mocking, yet somehow warm, "We're friends, you're safe now." He carried me towards the window, but stood aside to allow two more to climb through, before calling out to one on the other side. "Marcus! Take her, carefully.. she's hurt," he said, and another huge Lycan came over to the outside of the window, waiting to gently grab my legs as the first passed them through, desp
It was beautiful. Terrifying, no doubt, yet truly beautiful. Like thousands of tiny fireflies, aligned in pairs, blinking in the darkness.In a vibrant shade of royal purple. 'Saxon?'' I called to him, through the mindlink, and immediately felt his warmth. He was close, I could tell.'We're here, love,' he repeated, and I felt an enormous surge of relief, though it quickly changed to horror as Reagan stopped his pacing, slowly turning to Haden with a wildly savage look on his face. Then he grinned, a grin of complete, malevolent, insanity, that made my stomach turn, and lunged for him, daggers in each hand. "NO!" I screamed, shoving myself up and towards him, with all of the strength I had remaining. It wasn't enough. He was too far, and I was too weak.. but I had to try. I screamed again, as pain filled me, a fleeting thought wondered if I'd broken a limb, or several, but I ignored it. Reaching Haden was the only thing that mattered. Haden moved even quicker though, suddenly k
Reagan looked confused, caught off guard for a moment by Haden's expression. He looked between the two of us and his six men, seeming uncertain, before he looked at Haden again, drawing another of his hidden silver daggers. "What's wrong with you?" he asked, staring down into Haden's eyes, as he turned the dagger around and around between his long, slender fingers. "Is the poison affecting your wits, boy?" he continued, with a laugh that sounded a little forced. Reagan's head snapped around to his six men, "Look! The poor, pathetic Lycan boy's going mad!" he said with another bout of laughter, this time chorused by his men. Haden smiled wider, and it seemed to bother Reagan even further. "Well, come on," he said, gesturing grandly and raising his voice, clearly mocking, "Enlighten us with this joy you've found, at the end of your miserable life!"Haden muttered something, barely audible to my ears, and entirely imperceptible to theirs. My eyes widened, but I barely managed to swall
A dismissive grunt was followed by the sound of someone being roughly shoved aside, then heavy footsteps coming closer. Lifting my eyelids as much as I could without being noticed, I could see only one pair of worn, bedraggled, yet impracticably ornate boots on the floor in front of us. They had to be Reagan's. He was silent for a long moment, as though watching us, thinking, as the rest of the footsteps followed. They were much more hesitant, yet still fell in behind their madman leader. I wondered what he had promised them. For the twins, it seemed obvious, they only really wanted one thing. And the werewolves of course had their own reasons. But the rest?Why would the rest of the Silver Waters Lycans follow a werewolf Royal, hellbent on revenge against their kind? I was pulled from my thoughts by Reagan's uncomfortably cold fingers suddenly gripping my cheeks, lifting my head and roughly turning it back and forth. "Wakey, wakey, my sweet Princess," he cooed in a sing-song ki
I woke slowly, my hearing returning first, before I'd even regained the strength to open my eyes. As my mind slowly cleared of the heavy foginess, I kept them closed, listening to the voices around me. My heart sank as I desperately tried to hear Haden, but Ceridwen's voice in the back of my mind was soothing. "He's close," she murmured groggily, "I can feel him." Her words brought some relief, and I focused on assessing the situation we now found ourselves in. Listening for a long moment, it was clear there were guards around us, yet I couldn't hear any signs of Reagan himself close by. I was grateful for that, but a new rush of fear swept through me, as I thought of Saxon. Had they warned him? Was Reagan hunting him now? Or worse, I wondered, with a deep feeling of dread. Ceridwen made her frustration clear, though, and I turned to gently testing the binds I felt around my wrists, feet, and chest, instead. They felt strong, and tight, and I dared not test them too much, in case