The pretender King. It was now early evening and we were minutes away from the Sagar pack. The warriors were ordered to hold back until they were called upon by Mav. We didn’t want Andrei, even if he was still on Sagar grounds, to have any indication that our visit was nothing more than a new family drama. “Aida, last chance. Are you sure about this?” Brennan whispers into my ear as with approach the pack gates. “There’s no turning back now Brennan, it’s too late…our arrival will have been announced…” I trail off as my eyes fixate on the unmanned gates. Or maybe not announced. Where was border patrol?“I knew it, we are heading into a trap.” Axel growls from the front seat. “Yes there should always be a patrol shift on the gates…no matter what. Something clearly has happened.” I let my own mind’s concern venture out onto my lips. “Turns round!” Axel growls at Mav who was driving. “No Axel, they would have seen us now. We need to stick to the plan. The warriors are prepared they
Delving deeper. “Andrei, you are right. I do you a discredit. I’m surprised to hear you are in league with the rogue leader that calls himself the King. What has he promised that you would betray Henri for?” I stall for much needed time as I take a seat, tactfully in an armchair. No one can sit next to me then…get too close. He takes a seat opposite me, watching me intently. He oozes confidence as he sits back, relaxing as if he had all the time in the world. Good, because I needed time on my side. Andrei’s eyes continue to watch me from over his clasped hands leaning against his chin. He was thinking, thinking what exactly? “Is Henri still alive?” “Oh yes, he is still alive. He arrived during the take over, shame really. I wanted him to be spared.” He sounds almost remorseful. “What do you mean?” I asked confused by his choice of words. “I care for this pack Aida, this pack has always been my home….” He cuts off when I scoff at his words. “Yes you’ve not had the best of times
An offer. His words make my heart rate spike, I felt uncomfortable from his words. “Andrei, I am mated.” I breathe out. “Hhmm things can change.” His eyes burn into my skin. I’m struggling to hold his gaze, my eyes want to look to the floor, not see any kind of desire in his eyes. I was only for Lance to desire. He continues to pull me to the hallway, to the basement door where two guards stand outside. “Any trouble?” He demands an update of them. “No my King, all quiet here.” A guard replies. “Good!”He starts to gently pull me down the stairs into the basement, but it is unnatural for my body to go down these stairs. I pull back, apprehensive. “Aida, I promised you won’t be harmed.” I can tell by his eyes that he actually means that. Against my better judgement I follow him downstairs, I needed to make sure Henri was still alive and where Caleb wasn’t being held captive. I follow Andrei down the stairs to find Henri, Saskia, William, Trisha, Caleb and Skylar tied up on ch
Hands outstretched. Everything is slowed down to the tiniest of details. I could already hear a commotion outside, had Mav or Axel gained consciousness and taken back control? I can feel each of my heart beats, each bang against my chest, each thud warning me to do something. No, not these stairs…I refuse to be pulled down these stairs any more. I try to push my hands forward, trying to reach out. But it is only thin air that greets me. Panic takes over me as I feel myself losing the battle against Andrei and gravity. Until he appears at the top of the stairs, like a godly apparition. He meets my reached out hands and manages to pull me towards him. His scent, my favourite smell, wraps around me like a protective arm. “Aida!” He sighs desperately grabbing hold of my hands. It is then over in seconds. A loud crash behind me turns my head to find two wolves fighting at the bottom of the stairs. I breathe a sigh of relief as he pulls me into his chest and helps to rebalance my foot
A new study buddy. “You’ve got a lot to tell me my little wolf.” Lance’s voice pushes Rory’s from out of my head. “Let’s start with how you got yourself captured shall we?” I muse back through the mind-link at him. His arms wrap tightly around my lower back and he pulls me into him, inhaling my scent. “Hmm less talking….” He starts to kiss my neck, nibbling on my skin, leaving new marks. His wolf won’t like that another male has marked me with finger prints. He will feel the need to give me small love bites tonight and I wouldn’t dream of stopping him. “Was it Andrei?” His back stiffens as I shake my head in response. He takes hold of my hand as he gently pulls me through the alpha house hallway and back outside into the courtyard. “Anyone of these?” He asks me through the mind-link. I look through the collection of rogues now sitting on the floor. They were now being held captive by the lycan and sagar pack warriors that had been in their captivity until only ten minutes ago.
A steamy shower. It’s been a week since the fall of Andrei and the rebel rogues. Or the ones we captured at least. We knew there were rogues still scattered around and we had sent trackers out to locate any possible locations. Today was Alpha Triste’s hearing, he had been under lycan surveillance whilst Mav led a search on his pack grounds for evidence. We were to attend the Triste pack later on this morning and make a decision going forward. Giovanni was tutoring me now. My lessons with Lorrel seemed to have organically reduce and my lessons with him grew more frequent. It was 6.30am and I had been up for two hours already. I was struggling to sleep now, I would wake up in the night with a surge of energy…a want to clean things and then would be tired again come mid morning. I was also waking up in cold sweat panicking about the babies coming and us not being prepared. The palace wasn’t finished, we didn’t have nursery furniture and I only had a chance to order a few basic baby
A day of surprises. “Uncle? What a surprise?” Lance keeps his growl at bay, fun mate time has now officially ended. “Is it? Every morning Lance I’ve been tutoring Aida, it shouldn’t be a surprise I am here.” He helps himself to some fresh coffee in the kitchen. “Typical.” Lance groans in my mind. “I’ll make it up to you tonight.” I promise through the link. “Two ticks and I’ll be with you.” I say to Giovanni who just waves his hands not caring about catching Lance and I in our towels having showered together. “Aida I haven’t made eight children without lots of practice.” He muses. “Too much information Uncle.” Lance growls as he enters the bedroom to the sound of Giovanni’s playful laughter. ….It was now late morning and we had arrived at the Triste pack grounds. Axel, Brennan and Giovanni accompanied Lance and I in our vehicle, with warriors following us behind. It was a tight squeeze and I was now struggling with seatbelts. The compromise was that Lance wrapped his arms arou
No judgement among friends. “Here, lay her here.” I suggest to Colette to place the sleeping Rayna on mine and Lance’s bed. I place cushions around the sleeping beauty, just to keep her extra safe. I cover her with one of the wool shawls Luna Rennie gifted, trying to keep her warm. Until she could speak her mind, I had a feeling we would all be extra protective of Rayna. Is she hot? Is she cold? Would a simple cut on her knee from the playground heal like a lycan…or even a werewolf for that matter. Until she is older, we won’t know how dominant her human side is. The baby shower had ended around an hour ago and there were now discussions of a takeaway and a movie before bed. I couldn’t wait for the palace to be completed, it would mean Colette could stay over more and she, Mav and Rayna could have their own designated living space.I hadn’t laughed so hard in such a long time. The baby shower was just what we all needed. I was teamed up with Axel for the nappy game and I ended up