Charity POV
“NIKKI” Silvie and I shouted in unison. She didn’t see the slight drop just before the mine and went slightly airborne. Then she crashed and burned. “Nikki, are you okay?” Silvie cried out. I bent down to roll her over and saw the gash on her head. There is a lot of blood, but I know that the head bleeds more than other parts of the body.
“Is she breathing?” Silvie asked as she went to her knees next to our friend. “Yes she’s breathing but she is out cold. I know normally we shouldn’t move her in case of neck injury, but we have to get into the mine.” I replied. Silvie looked over and said, “We don’t have a choice, it’s less than 10 yards. I will grab her feet and you get her under the arms and support her head as best as you can.” “On 3, ready? 1… 2… 3 lift.” We counted together.
We got into the mine entrance and I could feel a wall to the foreman’s office, now to feel for the door. I tried not to think about what bugs and other creatures could be in here with us as I cautiously felt along the wall for the door. “Here it is. It is jammed, let's set Nikki down so I can use my whole body to shove it open.” I said . We set Nikki down and grabbed the handle and pushed hard. No go, I adjusted my grip on the handle and slammed my hip and shoulder against the door. “Ok I got it open. Let's grab NIkki and we’ll get her in the room.” It smelled like mildew and the air was stagnant.
“I wonder if there are any matches or candles in here.” Silvie said. “Hang on a sec.” I dug into my pocket and pulled out a lighter and flicked it to get a look at the room we were in. “Why do you Have a lighter Charity?” Silvie said. “For my eyeliner, duh. Oh look, a lantern, hopefully there is a little oil in it.” I said after looking around. I lifted the globe and flicked the lighter again at the wick and it lit right up. After replacing the globe, Silvie and I got Nikki on the desk so they could get a better look at her head. “Looks like the bleeding has slowed. Rip off a piece of my shirt so I can use it to put pressure on her wound.” I said to Silvie.
Frankie POV
The rogues kept coming. They were no match for our warriors, they just haven’t figured out they are losing yet. We have some injuries, but unlike the rogues, the only death we have suffered is Sidney. As a mangy looking gray wolf leaped at Thunder, 2 of the warriors leaped at it. One captured its hind leg and the other tore a chunk out of its side.
I could see a smaller brown wolf struggling with one of the rogues and I started to run in that direction. As I was running, a second rogue leaped onto the small brown wolf’s back. As I leaped airborne to knock the second rogue off of the smaller wolf, Lehr clamped his teeth around the first rogue's neck and began to shake it like it was a rag doll. When Kolt collided with the second rogue, we rolled as we hit the ground. I was on bottom when we stopped, but just as the rogue wolf snapped in my direction, he was lifted off me by his scruff. Thunder slammed the rogue onto the ground and tore out his throat. Thank the Goddess dad’s wolf is huge and quick.
All of a sudden the rogues began to retreat and dad mind linked for the warriors to chase after them.
As I shifted and started to walk over to a tree trunk to grab some shorts, I shouted over to my dad. “Dad, Nikki and a couple of her friends were up here watching the moon hit its apex. They left right after, but they would have been in the woods on the hillside closest to the packhouse and grounds. There’s no way they made it safely home before this started.” “ Why don’t you, Tatum and Marcus head into the woods to start searching. When Bill, Xavier and I get the wounded transported to the hospital and after I notify Sidney’s parents of her death, we will join you If you haven't found them yet,” dad replied.
Frankie POV “Who are we looking for again? Marcus asked. “Nikki and the twins she hangs around,” I replied. “Oh, those girls are hot.” Marcus replied with A grin. “And not yet 18, hornball,” I said. “Hey a guy can dream, who wouldn’t want a mate with a twin? Wouldn’t get in trouble for staring too long, because you’re just trying to make sure you’re talking to the right twin.” Marcus chuckled and with a lopsided grin. “Tatum, why so quiet dude? I know you like guys and stuff, but I thought you liked girls too?” I asked. “I am just listening to the two of you and trying to see if I see, hear, or smell anything.” ‘That and while you’re into the twins, I am into Nikki’s other close friend Jonas. Not that the mouthy twin wasn’t hot, I just don’t know much about her other than she doesn’t have a filter.’ Tatum thought to himself. “I just linked Nikki’s mom to see if they had made it back, keep looking and try to think of a place they may have hidden. Bill, Xavier, and I are heading bac
Frankie POV “I just messaged the Alpha that we found the girls.” Marcus said. “Good. Is everyone okay here?” I asked. “Nikki is unconscious, she lost some blood. We don’t know if there are any more injuries yet.” Charity replied. I took two strides and was standing beside Nikki looking down at her still body. I removed the torn piece of cloth from Nikki’s head and could see that it was still very lightly bleeding. I bent over and began to lick the head wound, “What are doing, that’s gross Frankie.” Silvie said with absolute disgust. “Alpha saliva, Silvie. The saliva of a true Alpha blood or a mate can help healing. And since she isn’t old enough for a mate and I am the next Alpha of this pack, I can at least stop the bleeding.” I answered. “Are you two girls okay?” Marcus asked. “Would you lick me if I said I wasn’t?” Charity replied. “Oh, I'll lick something alright. Except I am Gamma blood and since you aren’t of age, the most you’ll get is moaning out my name when I do.” Marcus
Nikki POV The darkness is interrupted. I can't open my eyes yet, but I can see light behind my eyelids. I can’t move any part of my body. I am in pain, my head is throbbing. I am alive, I can hear voices, one sounds like Alpha, another like Frankie, and mom she sounds like she is crying. I am paralyzed, that must be why mom is crying. OH GODDESS NO! Please no, don’t let me be paralyzed. If by some chance Frankie ends up being my mate at the next blood moon, he will surely reject me! I have to wake up! I can feel tears streaming down my face as this terrible nightmare rolls through my head. I slowly manage to get my eyes to open, just a little because the lights are so bright. I can see my mom talking to Dr. Lynn. “Mom?” I managed to croak out. “Oh Thank the Goddess, you’re awake!” Mom said, as she rushed over and placed a kiss on my forehead. I shift my eyes slightly to the side, because I can feel a strong presence on the side opposite from mom. OH MY GODDESS, it’s Frankie! I am
Frankie POV “At this point,it looks like the rogue attack was not random last night. It appears to be provoked, however we don’t know who and why yet.” Alpha Kieran spoke to the group of current and future leaders of the pack. “Okay then, How do we protect our borders against an unknown enemy then?” Beta heir Tatum asked. “Sometimes, The best defense is a good offense. We train every able body to fight. If they are not able to shift yet, then we focus on combat in human form.” Alpha Kieran stated. “But don’t we pretty much do that now, Alpha?” Gamma Xavier stated. “We have up until now left it optional for females under 17 and males under 12. I think it would make us stronger if we started all pups at 8. Pups under 15 would see no battle at all and pups 15 to 17 would be our last line of defense, essentially there to defend those heading for the bunkers, on the chance that enemies could slip through the warriors and those with the ability to fight in wolf form.” Alpha Kieran replied.
Nikki POV Monday morning is here and I am totally dreading Frankie seeing me all sweaty. I dress in my favorite teal sports bra, a pair of tight black leggings, and some joggers and head over to the training grounds. I am already not feeling it, because all I did was lounge around this weekend. I see my friend group and walk over to them. “Hey guys.” I chirped, with false enthusiasm. Charity grumbles “Hey”, Silvie smiles and says “Hey back at ya”, and Jonas, as usual makes an inappropriate comment “Well if it isn’t the founder of the ity bity tity committee.” “Knock it off Jonas, someone could hear you!” I growled as I smacked the back of his head. “Oh come on Nikki, I was just playing. Besides, isn't the saying, ‘More than a mouthful is a waste?” Jonas teased. “Okay well if we’re all done talking about our friends body parts, we can get this training started.” Frankie said looking directly at us and I know my face is a deep shade of red. Beta Bill says, “Pair off and spar.” “Okay
Alpha Kieran POV As I hung up the phone with Alpha Hollis, I mind linked my Beta and Frankie to come to my office. Frankie was now sitting sprawl legged into one of the chairs in front of my desk, while Beta Bill sat tensed in the other. “I received a phone call from Alpha Hollis. He wants to set up an alliance, but was reluctant to tell me the terms by phone. He and his heir will be here at noon tomorrow. I can’t say that I am not concerned that he didn’t want to talk terms over the phone, but I want to us to be prepared for him to drop a metaphorical bomb on us.” I told them. Frankie sat up and said, “Why is he bringing Kendall? He’s almost as much of an asshole as his father is and as worthless as tits on a bullfrog.” “Well son, I don’t know, but I think it would be best that you were here as well. Bill, I want you and Xavier posted right outside the office, so whatever adjustments need to be made for the training schedule needs to be decided and posted immediately.” I answered
Alpha Kieran POV ‘Alpha, we have just cleared Alpha Hollis and his heir through border security.’ One of the warriors mind linked. ‘Thank you’ I linked back and looked at everyone in the room, “Alright team, it’s showtime. I will leave the link open for Bill and Xavier to be able to hear the meeting, despite the soundproofing. I had the desk chair brought in from Bill’s office, so you can sit behind the desk with me Frankie. It will be your space soon enough anyway. I don’t expect any difficulties, Hollis isn’t an enemy, but I don’t necessarily consider him an ally either.” I said as I gave last minute instruction. “Agree to disagree or peacefully coexist?” Frankie replied. “Exactly.” I said. As Alpha Hollis was shown into the room, pleasantries were exchanged and then seats offered to the guests. Kieran: “I hope the trip over was uneventful?” Hollis: “Yes, quite. 45 minutes through neutral territory, looks as though the humans are doing a festival of some sorts.” Kieran: “Ok en
Frankie POV As I walk to the training grounds. I am caught up in thoughts about the meeting with Alpha Hollis. Guy is a total dick and so is his son. Still not sure why he was even at the meeting today. Maybe daddy was teaching him how to be absurd. I mean who uses their daughter mating to propose an alliance? Probably more than I realize, he doesn’t really seem smart enough to come up with that himself. I would never do that to a child of mine. Besides, she’s probably ugly or a total bitch or something. I am really hoping that I find my fated mate. I don’t necessarily want a chosen mate, but if I did, I don’t want to mate with a stranger. But maybe I should actually open my eyes and be aware of who is available and would be a good luna. Nikki POV After swimming all morning in the river with my friends, I have to get ready for training. I think I will wear my red strappy sports bra and navy leggings with my joggers. And since my hair is not going to cooperate without me showering