I have little choice but to follow Blake to the training field. I could sense his frustration in the fact I had delayed for as long as I could. He was clearly not a man who liked to be kept waiting. Though in truth, was any man? This man by my side, however was a man I was learning, and quickly was a man who struggling to control the temper burning within him. He may be trying to prove to me that he could be a wonderful and amiable mate for me, but there were times when his darker side slipped out. And, there was no lying, it terrified me. The darkness that laid within this man was something else… “So, you did training I assume at your pack?” Blake asked me eagerly. I sighed, I did not want this, but knew of no way to get out now. I nod. “Of course, all wolves had to train.” I explain. I believed that was expected of all werewolves in all packs, that they partake in regular training; both in and out of wolf form. The depth and regularity of the training was
Orla retreated from Blake at his words. ‘This man not right. He attack us. We fight back. Alpha or no Alpha.’ She informs me, and I think I have to say I agree. Yes, my initial reaction when Orla was rippling beneath my skin had been to push her back because we are trained to believe we do not attack or show disrespect to an Alpha, and I feared with the way Blake acted he may see us biting him as disrespect, but now having seen how this had all occurred, Orla is correct. He had attacked us and this was a training session. We had every reason to defend ourselves. Orla positioned herself in almost a pouncing stance, snarling at Blake. She was beyond furious, and I could feel the fear but anger emanating from every pore of her body. I could feel the connection we shared. But the fact it was emanating from her likely meant Blake could sense it too. “Quite an angry little thing is she not?” he sneered. Without the capability to mindlink I could not commun
Things were coming together. We had a strong plan. Thirteen out of the seventeen packs in the region were willing to back up our plan too. The possibility of the end to this war was too enticing to not want to help. They wanted to help however they could. And, amazingly, I had the support of two larger packs on the outskirts of our region if it was needed. They were unsettled by the constant conflict in their neighbouring region, and it had affected their businesses, plus we had long been their allies, and enemies to Night Shade, so they were more than willing to join in our defensive attack against Night Shade Pack once I explained the plan, and the reasoning behind our attack. Saying they would be there if we were needing additional assistance. I was feeling hopeful that we had the strength and power we would need now to bring them down... The Gammas of all the packs involved were regularly meeting discreetly in various locations in different towns across the region so as
I sat in my room, my whole body trembling, though whether it was in fear or anger, I was unsure. I did not want to think about how Blake would react to me when he saw me next. The training clearly had not gone to plan. The strength he had been so desperate to see on display had been severely lacking. Exactly the way I knew it would be. He was going to be angry, of that there was no doubt. His plan had failed. I was not what I had hoped I would be... He would be angry because Orla had shifted and attacked him, though, she had every reason to when he had attacked us first. She had gone to defend herself. Exactly how we were trained to. So why he would think she would do anything different I do not know. All because he was an Alpha? I don’t think so. He was not my Alpha… And, angry because the strength he wants to witness he had yet to catch a glimpse of. Well, I had news for him, I had yet to catch a glimpse of it too! Though, it may be better I do not share that info
I wandered through the quiet paths of the pack. Everyone was likely at their workplaces or in their homes. Though why they would not be out enjoying the sunshine I did not know. It was the middle of the day, so I knew many of our pack children would be in school, so that would be why they were not out enjoying the sun. No doubt in another hour or so once school finished the pack would be busier as the children enjoyed their time outside with their friends before the end of the day like they so often did. ‘Warrior Team change over.” A mindlink came through which was likely for myself, Jackson and Ryder, the warriors sent a general link out as they came back into pack to let us know of any relevant information to make us all aware. ‘Nothing of interest. Night Shade quiet as per usual. Although Alpha Blake exited for three hours. He was monitored, only went to local town and returned. No
I cautiously glance at the man sat by my side. He has a look of awe as his eyes take me in. “You have so little faith in yourself Evelyn.” He whispers. “You need to see yourself as others do. You need to see the potential within yourself. There is so much more to you than you see.” “I feel no strength.” I find myself admitting to him, totally unsure how he is able to sense anything. “The strength you mentioned, I do not feel it.” He smiles affectionately at me, like he is not surprised by my words. “And that, Princess, is why you need me.” He reaches for my hand, and brings it to his lap. His thumb tracing patterns across the skin over the palm of my hand. “I wonder now, if that is why you were so reluctant to come and train with me? But, that is unimportant now, you need to stop fearing me. I am no threat to you. You are too important to me, Evelyn. I will be able to help you to bring this strength to the forefront. Help you understand your abilities. The stren
I sit and savour the coffee as it hits my tastebuds. I needed this today. I am sleeping even less than usual of late. Aiden is smiling at me. “Anyone would think you were lacking in coffee, Jackson. Your blood need a top up, did it?” He jokes. I shake my head at him. “Don’t you start lecturing me on my coffee intake too.” I warn him, I have enough of that with Cayden. He grins. “As a man who appreciates many a coffee myself I would never dream of doing such a thing, just don’t ring me, or when we all live together wake me, if I am sleeping. That can continue to be his role, being there for you on your coffee-induced sleep absent nights.” I find myself laughing. I was just about to reply when Cayden’s voice came through the mindlink, clear but distressed. ‘Jackson!’ he almost shrieks, as my head jerks to look at Aiden. ‘Get up here.’ Cayden continues. What on earth had happened? He had gone to Ariella’s home had he not? I know she could be a challenge at times,
Seeing Jackson walk through the door was a huge relief. I had been unable to respond to his mindlinks as I did all I could to try to restart Ariella’s heart, I hoped so much to be able to bring her back to us, but she was gone, I was certain of that. Her body colder than anything I had ever felt. The same as Lily’s when I said goodbye… a coldness nobody should have to witness. The worst feeling in the world. And looking at her, I don’t know how long she had been gone… “She’s gone Jax.” I whisper to him, as I see the shock at the sight he finds in front of him. It had broken me finding her, so I can only imagine what he must be feeling. “Gone. I was too late to help her.” I can see Jackson’s eyes darting over us, his face full of so many emotions. I see a lone tear falling down his face. I know, despite the things he would say about her, he had affection for the old woman. She had been around a lot when he was growing up. A confidant of his Dad, and so many others wit