I jumped suddenly as I felt someone's breath on my neck, and turned my head to find one of Saxon's escort standing closer behind me. I'd been so absorbed in watching Saxon and the twins that I hadn't even noticed him approaching. He looked a little younger than his Alpha, and a little softer, brown-haired and almost boyish, with freckles and a gentle smile that reached his beautiful green eyes.
He placed strong hands firmly on my shoulders, in a way that somehow felt.. grounding. "Calm," he said softly, in a voice that was just as soothing as his touch, and I felt some of my fear and worry melting away. "You're safe with us," he continued, and I closed my eyes, nodding gently and.. somehow believing him.I wondered then if Crimson Forest had witches of their own, but everything about this man suggested he was a Lycan, just like the others. They were all huge, their strength obvious in their well-toned bodies, and even the smallest of them was larger than either of the twins, despite Matteus and Tyler having several generations of Alpha blood.Alphas were almost always larger than the rest of a pack. Betas too, especially if the ranks had carried through family bloodlines, and it certainly seemed like Saxon's had. He was far more intimidating than Alpha Yannick could have ever hoped to have been, and the same could be said for most of those with him.Is this why Mama had wanted me to leave? Did she predict the merger happening? She no doubt knew much more about the different packs than I did, given that I'd never so much as left Silver Waters territory before. I wondered how much she knew of Crimson Forest, and if that was why..My thoughts were pulled back to my surroundings, as the man behind me whispered again, his thumbs gently rubbing my shoulders. "Sshhh, you're safe," he said soothingly, and a tension I hadn't even noticed building, began to fade away again. I had no idea how he had such an effect over me, but I was grateful, and found myself resting back against his warm, strong chest."Good girl," he breathed softly against my ear, and I felt something stir inside me, an unfamiliar kind of warmth. He pressed his face closer to the curve of my neck, inhaling my scent, before he tensed suddenly, and I felt Saxon's eyes on me again. He looked absolutely furious, I realised, and it didn't seem to be at the twins now, who were slowly backing away, seemingly forgotten."Haden," Saxon said shortly, with a jerk of his head that called him over. The man behind me squeezed my shoulders gently, and stepped obediently towards Saxon. "None of them leave," Saxon said to the rest of his escort, as he and Haden moved out of earshot, behind some trees.The twins paused their retreat, glancing nervously at the rest of Saxon's group, then me. "Don't try anything stupid," one of them said impatiently, earning a scowl from them both. One of the two women in the group looked over at me, coming closer, then giving the twins a sideways glance, "Are these two runts really the Alpha's?" she asked, sounding sceptical."Trin," one of the others said, a warning in his tone, and she grinned at him, "What? Aren't you curious about who we're supposed to be merging with?" She looked over at the twins again, then lowered her voice, "Or the stray muts we're taking in.." A couple of the others gave soft laughs, and she turned her grin to me, a look of mischief in her eyes."Trin!" the same one warned her again, and she sighed dramatically, "Ugh, fine. I just wanted to know how she got 'em all riled up in the first place. It looked like fun.." she winked at me, and I couldn't help a small smile of amusement. It did feel like a healthy dose of poetic justice, seeing the twins getting a taste of their own medicine for once.I couldn't help but think of how different they'd been earlier though, even if briefly. What had suddenly made them concerned for me, almost.. protective even? I frowned over at them, as they stood close together, Tyler looking sulky, as he so often did, and Matteus scowling at the others, standing a little in front of his brother, defensive of him as always.That had always been the same. Matteus, just a few minutes older, the stronger of the two. And Tyler, the precious youngest, always used to getting his away, and responding with petulance when he didn't. Their pride though, was something they shared, often looking down on the rest of the pack kids as beneath them. And many of them were all too eager to fall in line, no doubt hoping for favour when the twins inevitably became the pack's leaders.Yet.. not so inevitable now, though they still seemed in denial. I wondered how much they'd learned of what had happened, before they'd followed me out here. Had they tailed me? Overheard Mama and I speaking? Or knew it was somewhere I'd go, or searched and stumbled on the scent of smoke?Tyler noticed me frowning at them then, his face softening as he gave me a small, apologetic smile. That was out of character too. What on earth had gotten into them all of a sudden?!I didn't wonder much longer, as I felt a soothing, strong hand on the small of my back, pulling my attention away. "You okay?" Haden asked softly, stopping close beside me. I turned to him, noticing the concern on his face, and gave him a grateful smile, nodding gently. "Yeah, thank you. I just.. want to leave, that's all."I felt him tense, at the same moment Saxon stopped, turning back to me with an angry expression again. There was a flash of the same in Haden's eyes too, though it was quickly covered. Somehow, that was more unsettling. Angry seemed to suit Saxon, but Haden..His brows drew down into a small frown, as he gave a gentle shake of his head, "I'm sorry, we can't.." he began, sounding apologetic. I shoved his hand away, stepping back and turning to go. One way or another, I was determined to be done with Lycans, whether they liked it or not. And not just because Mama had said so.I stalked off, turning South, with Silver Waters' territory on my right, and Crimson Forest's on my left, knowing that I'd eventually reach somewhere that belonged to neither. Somewhere warmer. Probably one of those chaotic, noisy, overcrowded human cities that they all talked about with such derision."Ava!" Tyler called, sounding hurt, but I raised my middle finger over my shoulder, and didn't bother turning back.I heard Trin's soft laughter, seeming to find the whole situation highly entertaining, but Matteus' voice sounded strangled. Panicked, even. "AVA! Please!" he cried out, and I could hear the heartache in his voice, a sound of something lost. The others heard it too, and it only seemed to infuriate Saxon even further, Matteus' pleas cutting off with a loud crunch, sounding like it was inflicted by a solid fist. More sounds of a physical altercation followed, though it ended quickly, no doubt by Saxon's brute strength. I kept my back turned, and simply kept walking. Whatever followed wasn't my problem. Or so I thought. It was only moments later that I felt a strong pair of hands around my waist, easily lifting me and draping me over his shoulder. Haden, I realised. It seemed he had a knack for creeping up quietly. "Put me down!" I hissed angrily, squirming and struggling against his grip, trying to make him drop me. His only response was giving my ass a firm spank, making me cry out
I frowned, but didn't see much choice other than to walk with her. Trin would likely be just as able to throw me over her shoulder as Haden had. Besides, she had to sleep sometime, and slipping away unseen would have to have a far greater chance of success than trying to outrun a Lycan. She continued trying to make small talk as we walked, seeming mostly focused on learning more about Silver Waters. And me, though I didn't really feel like sharing much in that regard. It wouldn't be important anyway, given that I had no more intention of staying with them than with any other Lycan pack. We walked for hours, and eventually, she fell silent too, seeming to watch me with some degree of concern. I was more than a little bit tired of being looked at in that way. First the twins, then Saxon and Haden, now Trin, when all I wanted was to be far away from all of them. Except for Mama. I once again found myself wondering what could have happened to her. "What's up?" Trin asked gently, soundi
The room remained very quiet then, as Anna kept cleaning me up. Most of the wounds seemed superficial, at least. Some of them barely left a mark, despite the vibrant lines of dried blood that had covered them. If she found it strange, though, Anna kept it to herself. As soon as she was done, I went to the bathroom and washed up, before heading towards the kitchen, for lunch. As I stepped into the hall though, I heard their voices raised, seeming to argue, "How can Saxon want to take such people in? Into our home?!" Anna was asking, sounding shocked. "Yannick is dead, along with his Beta, and most of the pack," Trin was saying, sounding like she was trying to convince her. "They will have so little left, and they can't be held responsible for their Alpha being a.." Pete interrupted her, "But how do we know they're any better than he is? Especially his boys, you just said they were chasing that poor girl, right into our territory! With no respect for our border, or for her well-being!
I sat down on the other bed, letting the silence stretch out between the two of us, as Trin pulled out her phone and began typing quickly. Probably updating Saxon, I realised. I wondered how much she'd tell him, though the thought faded quickly as exhaustion suddenly set in. I yawned, stretching myself out, and laid back on the bed, letting my eyes drift close for just a moment. Or, so I thought. Next thing I knew, Trin was shaking me awake from the cold grip of a terrible nightmare. "Ava! AVA! Wake up!" she said loudly, trying to rouse me, and I sat up with a start, my eyes wide and heart pounding. It took me a moment to remember where I was, then I closed my eyes again, letting out a long breath and burying my face in my heads. "Thanks," I muttered, as she sat down beside me, still looking concerned when I lowered my hands again. "You get those a lot?" she asked, and I shrugged, not really wanting to talk about it. "I guess. No more than most people..""And how often do most peopl
Real or not, the comment was quickly pushed from my mind, as another sharp wave of blinding pain hit. I might be far too old to cry for Mama, but at this moment, I could think of little else. I'd do just about anything for her homemade migraine cure, and her comforting touch. It took until well into the next day for it to pass without her help, at which point I fell into a fitful sleep, once again plagued by nightmares. Those were always the same. A feeling of helplessness, being carried away amidst terrified screams, a fiery inferno, angry roars and the sounds of a fierce battle. I often wondered if it was somehow a memory of whatever Mama had been running from. I'd asked her once, but her face had immediately darkened, and she made me swear to never mention it again, and now I'd probably never know. I didn't see how a newborn could hold such vivid memories, anyway. The nightmares had been there as long as the migraines had though, like some kind of early warning signal, and I gues
"I.. I thought.." I stammered awkwardly as he stepped closer again, grabbing my wrist and pulling me against his broad, strong chest, "I told you," he growled roughly, "you're MINE!" I didn't get a chance to respond to that, as he tangled a hand in the back of my hair, lowering his head and pressing his lips to my own. I tried to protest, but he wrapped his other arm tightly around my lower back, taking my open mouth as an invitation to deepen the kiss, teasing my tongue with his own. My protests faltered as his taste filled my mouth, tempting me, beckoning me to give in. And for a long moment, I did, letting myself get lost in his delicious, possessive kiss. He didn't seem to want to let it end, but the sound of a vicious growl behind him made him lift his head, and I took the chance to pull away. Much to my shock, it was Haden standing there this time, looking just as furious as Saxon had a moment before, his eyes glowing golden. "Mate!" he growled, and Saxon stepped between him
I felt unsettled being here already. It certainly seemed more sophisticated than Silver Waters, but it also seemed so much larger, and busier, just like its people. I'd be easily recognisable here, given my smaller stature, and that would make slipping away all that much more difficult. And that was if Saxon ever let me leave his sight. Judging by the way he'd held me close to him for the whole journey, I wasn't entirely sure he would. I kind of understood that. Mate bonds had been treasured things in Silver Waters too, but I didn't understand how I could be either of theirs, let alone both, as they'd implied. Though not publicly, I noticed, as Haden met my eyes briefly in his rear view mirror. They'd given no one else any indication at all that I was his, too, and that left me with even more questions. Haden had also mentioned it feeling the same as what he'd felt with Saxon. Were they mates? It was certainly rare, for it to be two of the same gender, though not unheard of. It wasn
He kissed me with a fierce hunger, and I felt myself getting lost in it again. As his incredible taste filled my mouth, I couldn't help but return it with a hunger I hadn't even known I'd felt. And it felt good. Too good, I realised, as he moaned softly, pressing his body closer to mine, and I tried to pull away. Surprisingly, he allowed me to, only to turn me around to face Haden, standing close to me, that same hungry look in his intense green eyes. Oh no, I thought to myself, suddenly realising what was happening. He smiled, and Saxon nudged me closer, pushing himself against me from behind as Haden cupped my cheek with one hand, moving closer and pressing his lips to mine. His was more tender, at first, but just like Saxon's, the heat built quickly, leaving me breathless and aching for more. And they gave it. Saxon's hands began wandering over me from behind, while his lips found the sensitive skin of my neck, trailing soft kisses along it, while his hot breath made me shiver an