Haden gave a short nod, taking my hand and leading me towards the stairs, though his eyes followed Saxon and Byron as they walked away. He looked worried. "You're expecting trouble from them?" I asked quietly, "After everything with Abigail?" Haden nodded solemnly, confirming it. "Yeah," he said, keeping his voice equally low, "And after what we've just learned, we need to be even more on our guard. If Cyrus' sources are right.." He trailed off, his mood suddenly seeming dark, though I couldn't blame him. Even I couldn't have guessed how far outside Lycan laws Yannick would tread, just to get what he wanted. What was it that he had wanted though, I had to wonder. What did Nightfall have that was so enticing? I had no answers, especially given that I'd only heard their name spoken a few times, and little more than that. "Are Nightfall large enough to be a threat to you?" I asked, and Haden sighed heavily, nodding. "They're large enough," he said quietly, "And formidable fighters. E
Saxon watched them all leave, his expression looking dark troubled. "Letting that pack in was almost certainly the worst decision I've ever made," he muttered darkly, as he sighed, turning towards his rooms. I couldn't help but feel a little hurt by his comment, knowing if he hadn't, I'd never have met him and Haden. Haden, perceptive as ever, gave me a gentle squeeze before grinning up at Saxon. "I don't know.." he teased playfully, making Saxon raise an eyebrow, "It came with at least one pretty great perk," he continued, his humour finally breaking through Saxon's serious expression. Saxon smiled, nodding as he turned to face me, lifting a hand to touch my cheek with enough tenderness to make me blush. "You're right," he said softly, as his eyes met my own, "That's something I wouldn't change for the world." I tried to look away, feeling the heat building in my cheeks, and elsewhere, too, but he tangled a hand in the back of my hair, tilting my face up towards his. His own lowe
Haden and Susanna burst out, immediately shifting and lunging for the unkempt, rough looking Lycan who held Cyrus' limp form, its maw still closed around his bright red throat. As its eyes fell on the three of us, the crazed, rabid kind of look in them was clear, making both Haden and Susanna pause. No wolf or Lycan wanted to get too close to that. Susanna reacted quickly still, reaching for a floor lamp and ripping off its shade, spearing the beast before it even had the chance to react. It fell to the floor a moment later, beside Cyrus, who was clearly already gone. I let out a horrified-sounding sob, and Haden was beside me in an instant, in human form again, his arms wrapping me tightly and his chest blocking the scene from my sight. "Goddess.. Cyrus.." Susanna breathed, sounding shocked and heartbroken, as tears began to stream down my face. I shook my head in disbelief. I'd only meet him once, but he'd been so warm, so kind.. Haden squeezed me as he stroked my hair gently,
"Does this all have something to do with Abigail?" Calon asked, as the satisfied smirk was wiped right off Serena's face. Saxon sighed, still looking deep in thought, "It's.. possible. Probable, even.. maybe," he said hesitantly, "We don't know enough yet." "Well, what do we know?" asked Rylie, and Saxon grimaced, glancing over at Haden for support. "Not enough that's confirmed," Haden said calmly, "They're pretty big accusations, and we need the proof before we act on anything. We were hoping Cyrus had it, when he called for us today." Serena suddenly looked alarmed, her eyes going wide in shock, "Well, did you find out?! Or find anything in his stuff?!" she asked. Haden hesitated before speaking again, a slight frown on his face, but Saxon answered her first, "No, not yet. Given the health risk, his room is sealed for the moment. No one goes in or out." She sighed, though it was hard to tell if it was relief, or disappointment. Either way, her reaction had my senses on edge, and
"They're.. wait, you mean now?!" Haden asked in shock, as Saxon waited no longer, immediately heading for the door. "Yes, now," he said impatiently, turning back to raise an eyebrow at the two of us, still standing there staring at him. "Well?" Saxon asked, and we both reluctantly moved to follow him from his suite to the hallway. As he headed towards the stairs, I hesitated, glancing at Haden, and the doors to his room. He frowned at me, giving a small shake of his head. "No, without Susanna, we wouldn't remember the way," he said gently, "We'd only get lost in all those twists and turns." I nodded, but was unconvinced, quite sure I could remember the exact route she'd taken. Still, I wasn't about to argue with him, especially with Saxon only growing more and more impatient. We followed him downstairs and through the pack house, quickly enough that I had to jog every so often to keep up with his pace. A few people we passed looked as though they might stop him for something, but o
We all stared at her in stunned silence for a moment. To say this was unusual among Lycan culture was beyond an understatement. A Luna supported her mate, the Alpha, in his leadership of the pack, and if he was no longer able, the Beta would almost always take over. There was no circumstance I'd ever heard of where a Luna would lead, and judging by Saxon's and Haden's shocked reactions, they hadn't ever heard of this happening either. "Their.. Luna?" Haden repeated breathlessly, as Saxon glanced at me, "And a Royal," he said flatly, seeming to overcome his shock a little faster than Haden did. "Did she.. how did they seem?" he asked Aerin reluctantly, "Are they willing to discuss things.. rationally? Or are they set on retribution, and thinking only with emotion?" Haden shot Saxon a displeased look, as Aerin snorted loudly, rolling her eyes. "So you do still have some of your father in you," she said derisively, making Saxon turn to stare at her. "I thought we'd left that kind of o
The walk back upstairs was in silence, the people around us once again avoiding Saxon's stony face. As we headed all the way up to his rooms again, I couldn't help but feel unsettled by the situation. Not just by the threat of potential war, or there being another Royal, or even of the possible reactions the pack may have to me being one. It was deeper than that, harder to pinpoint at first, but as I finally put words to the feeling, I sighed heavily. Haden noticed, looking at me with concern, but I only shook my head. It was too hard to explain, that as much as the idea of me being their Luna was absolutely terrifying.. I still hated that it would happen not because I was worthy, or ready, or somehow miraculously accepted by their pack, but simply because they needed the power from my blood. The moment we were alone in Saxon's rooms again, Haden reached out and pulled me close, cupping my cheek with his hand. I shifted uncomfortably as he studied me with his beautiful green eyes,
Haden stood, lifting me with him, without even breaking the kiss. He carried me through to Saxon's bedroom, only lifting his mouth from mine as he lowered me onto the bed. He pulled away, pulling his shirt off over his head, revealing his incredible body. As he leaned over me again, I couldn't resist running my hands over it, tracing the outlines of his abs with my fingertips, until they reached the top of his pants. He grinned, that look of mischief in his eyes again, and waited, watching my face as I slowly undid his belt, then his pants, and pushed them down, revealing more of him. I felt my face flush, as the heat, and the need, began to build inside me, and he only smiled wider. Slipping his pants the rest of the way off, he then reached for mine, removing them quickly and lifting my legs over his shoulders. I started to protest, knowing I wanted - needed him inside me, but it was cut short as he pressed his head down between my legs, giving me a long, slow, tender lick that s
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