After that, everything else began to happen all at once. A blurry, chaotic, storm of events, as attacks began, from their side, and then ours, as our patrols began to hit their more isolated groups, using the terrain they knew so well to take them by surprise. We weakened them quickly there, while our sentries weakened those who dared attack our home, the few who broke through meeting Tyson and his teams, and finding themselves overwhelmingly outmatched. As the sun went down, they only grew more desperate and disorganised, the attacking groups growing smaller, weaker, and far less confident. Within a few hours, Marcus had his original patrols hunting down the remnants of Yannick's pack. Yannick himself was captured as he tried to flee, and his Beta, Sean, was killed as he led a dismal final attempt to attack our home. It was almost dawn again when Yannick was brought before us, greatly wounded in both pride and body. Cole, Finn, and I stared down at him with disdain, while we awaite
I rested my hands on my knees, sweaty and panting for air. Training was brutal today, even moreso than most, and they're never easy sessions. Our leaders push us hard, and walking away with a few cuts and bruises wasn't uncommon, especially for us lower ranks. I'm just one of many Omegas in the Grey Marsh pack, a small pack, but with a enough of a reputation for pure viciousness that no one really messes with us. Which is also why no one is exempt from these daily training sessions, every single pack member is expected to be able to hold their own, and then some.Thankfully, real fights are rare, as there isn't much competition for our territory. Our namesake, the Grey Marsh, is a dark, thickly-treed, perpetually misty marsh that lays in the valley between the greener, fertile inland plains, and the jagged, black peaks of the mountain range that rims the western edge of the continent. No one ever dares to wander into that mountain territory, and aside fr
Growling again, they licked my neck, right on the spot where a mark would be placed. My blood turned to ice, there was absolutely no mistaking that gesture. And just to make it crystal clear, they nipped that same spot, their canines only just piercing the skin, but drawing four tiny drops of blood. Licking me there again, the Lycan growled once more, a long, low sound of pleasure. I trembled as I stepped back, holding my neck, my eyes wide. They remained on the rock, their long, sharp gangs glistening in the fading light as they grinned, watching me, but not following into our pack's territory. I turned and ran, stumbling carelessly down the rocks in my sheer panic. I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe, I could only flee, as fast as my legs could carry me. As my feet finally - and somewhat miraculously - found more even ground away from the river, I careened through the brush that I normally would run around, feeling but ignoring the sting of the branches and th
It was a fitful night of sleep, plagued with dreams of being watched by glowing golden eyes, stalked by huge black shadows, and marked by long, glistening Lycan fangs. Nightmares, really. I awoke amidst one of being surrounded by long, thick fur, black as night, and kicked and struggled at the blanket, crying out. It brought both Mike and the nurse rushing in, then shaking their heads at me."Well, good morning," Doctor Mike said dryly, "Sleep well?" He didn't really sound like he wanted an answer, so I didn't bother with one. Checking over my more superficial wounds, he seemed satisfied, though didn't spare much of a glance at my neck, with the nurse in the room. "The radiologist should be in soon," he said, unwrapping my ankle and bending it carefully in different directions, "If she gives you the all clear, you'll be fine to go. No training for a few days though," he looked at me sternly then, "or long runs." His meaning was very clear. Hear
It only took half an hour before I got bored of the TV, and hobbled upstairs. Deciding on a nice hot bath, I turned the water on, adding some scented oils and bubbles, enjoying the smell of sweet cinnamon and vanilla as I stripped off my clothes and unwound my ankle bandage, dumping the lot into the clothes hamper. I stepping carefully into the hot water, sinking down and relaxing back as it rose around me. Turning it off when the tub was almost full, I closed my eyes, breathing in the slowly rising steam, and enjoying the heat as it penetrated deeply. It might not be as good as the natural hot springs, but it certainly wasn't bad. I felt a pang of loss, as I thought of the springs. It wouldn't be safe to go back there again, and not just for me. The Nightfall Lycan pack would almost certainly dislike werewolves so close to their border, even if it was technically our land, and it would be unwise to gain their attention. Given their brutally savage reputation, it
As we finally pulled into the carpark of Greenvale's larger shopping mall, Sam reached over and ruffled my hair, that was already looking a little windblown. After I got out of the car, I tried to straighten it a little in the car window's reflection, and suddenly there were two extra reflections either side of mine, almost identical to each other. "It looks just fine to me, sweetheart," one deep, smooth, masculine voice said from my right, "Mmmmm, smells just fine too," the other said, stepping closer and burying his face in my neck, nuzzling right near my marking spot. "Get off me," I said impatiently, tring to turn and step away, but they blocked me from each side, the first putting his face near my neck now, from behind. "She tastes good too," he said, making me frown, "And when the hell did you.." I started to say, but as the other grinned down at me, I froze, and my breath caught in my chest as I realised exactly where we'd met before. Sam's voice came from behind the car then
The four of us spent the rest of the morning shopping. Cole and Finn were actually pretty great company, and seemed to get along well with Sam too. He kept giving me these small, approving glances, and I couldn't help but smile. Cole and Finn would often take turns to disappear, heading off to different shops and then rejoining us later, which always made the other happy, having me to himself for a bit. They seemed a little competitive, in an endearing kind of way, and I liked getting to know each one better too. As we stopped to eat, we all exchanged numbers, and they promised they'd have their other brother meet me sometime soon, when all of us could get away again for a while. I hoped it would be soon, but between my steadily increasing training schedule, and a no doubt even busier Alpha's schedule, it might not be for a while, and the thought made my heart sink. Cole cupped by cheek suddenly, smiling, "Chin up, beautiful," he said softly, "Even if Thane can't get away anytime s
The sun was almost wholly obscured by the mountains as Sam parked his car, and got out, grabbing the bags. He grinned at me, a mischievous glint in his eye, "How much do you want to bet that there's at least two sets of sexy lingerie that found their way into your bags?" he teased as we made our way inside. I rolled my eyes at him as we walked into the kitchen, but his face quickly turned serious, and I looked around to see our Dad staring wide eyed at us, seated at the table with Doctor Mike. I swore internally, wondering what the doc had told him, and Sam suddenly grabbed the bags from me, "I'll just take these," he said carrying the lot upstairs all at once. The air was thick with tension, and this didn't seem good at all. Doctor Mike was the first to speak, "Laila, how's that rest going?" he asked dryly, and I cringed. He likely wouldn't approve of how long I'd spent on my feet today, even if it was just walking. "Oh, uh.. great, it feels really good again, Doc, thank you," I sa