Ch. 241..250

Chapter 241

After Leon leaves Sinclair takes me to bed, though not for the reason I initially hoped. I cling to him as he tries to place me in my nest, “What are you doing?” I inquire indignantly.

“Trying to help you get comfortable.” He replies, petting my cheek. ‘You need to rest.”

“You promised we’d cuddle.” I remind him, refusing to let go. I wrap my legs around his back, hanging off of him like a very round sloth.

“I did, but I think we both know that’s not what you’re interested in right now.” Sinclair rumbles affectionately, gently detaching my limbs from his big body. I huff and stretch out beneath him, wriggling out of my clothes and enticing him with my lush curves. His emerald eyes rake over my naked skin with open appreciation, and I hear his wolf grumbling with barely contained desire.

He’s not wrong about my intentions. This is the ether’s doing – a side effect I haven’t yet experienced because Sinclair hasn’t been with me during the previous sessions. The drug is not only consuming my mind in a haze of dreamy images and surreal illusions, but the euphoric sensations which once seemed like innocent joy now translate into overwhelming lust.

With Sinclair’s heady aroma and dominant energy filling my senses, my limbs become deliciously heavy, and a sultry heat radiates from my core. My blood simmers and pulses, accumulating in my breasts and dripping sex, swelling them with carnal need. My love for my mate is so powerful in this moment that I can’t even contemplate keeping it to myself. It wants to pour out of me in a great rush, to drown my mate in affection and bring us both to rapture.

“We just discovered something wonderful, Dominic.” I state in a voice as smooth as silk. “We should celebrate.”

Sinclair sighs, fluffing the pillows around my body and tucking me beneath a weighted blanket. “I hate to say it but I don’t think you’re in the right state of mind for that.” He declares firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Besides, not all of that memory was good, my love. Are you sure you aren’t just focusing on the nice part to avoid thinking about the rest?”

“Of course I’m sure.” I counter stubbornly, pushing the blanket off of me and sidling closer to him. “The ether isn’t making me imagine I want you, Dominic. I always want you.” I profess, leaning into his side and kissing his neck. “Are you truly going to deny me just because I’m a little high?”

‘That’s exactly what I’m going to do, you naughty thing.” Sinclair answers sternly, “now stop flirting with me and lie down.”

My wolf whines pitifully, and I slump back against the pile of pillows. Sinclair’s hungry gaze follows my every move, and I sense his dire temptation through our bond. A flash of devious inspiration strikes, and I part my legs, letting him see just how aroused I am- ensuring my scent assails him at full force.

Sinclair groans, his wolf snarling with frustration and heightening my arousal even further. “Such a brazen little wolf.” He croons, towering over my prone body with dark, sensual intent. ‘You don’t have any inhibitions right now, do you, trouble?” He observes, sliding his fingers through my slick cleft, teasing my aching clit with a featherlight touch that nonetheless makes me arch and cry out. “Putting this sweet pussy on display like this… tempting me with all your honey?” He removes his hand only to take his fingers into his mouth, licking my arousal from his long fingers with a rumble of pleasure. The scandalous sight leaves me panting, but then Sinclair captures my nape in his powerful grip, lowering his face until our noses are practically touching. “Do you really believe I’m going to let you get away with it?”

I nod hopefully, but my mate’s ominous chuckle makes my heart sink. ” Wrong answer, baby.” He nips my trembling lower lip. “When the ether wears off I’m going to rut you senseless, but not before I teach you what happens to bad girls who try to top from the bottom.”

“But you’ve done that before.” I object, my sex clenching with the memory of the night he finally claimed me.

“Well clearly the lesson didn’t stick.” Sinclair rumbles, kissing me fiercely. * Lucky for you I’m a very patient wolf.”

To my utter dismay, my mate is as good as his word. A few hours later I’m spread-eagled on the bed with Sinclair’s head buried between my legs, his talented tongue tormenting me to no end.

‘This isn’t fair!” I whimper desperately, “I was high!” I’ve been spanked and worked up into an impossible lather, forced to orgasm over and over again as my mate overwhelms me with more pleasure than I can bear. I never know how Sinclair is going to punish me, and today he seems to have decided to teach me to be careful what I wish for – by giving me too much of it. Frankly I can’t decide whether it’s worse to be overwhelmed with too many climaxes or denied them until I’m a begging, babbling mess. At this point I’m so sensitive that the slightest touch can send me over the edge again, detonating in a terrifying blend of ecstacy and pain.

“And you were a defiant imp who left me with blue balls all day long.” Sinclair replies, guiding me onto my hands and knees. ‘You’re lucky I’m so proud of you, or I might have refused to claim you at all.”

I scoff before I can think better of it, “Fat chance, with me leaving in less than a week. I’m surprised your wolf even lets me out of bed.”

“Is that so?” Sinclair responds, his deep bass full of foreboding. ‘Then perhaps we aren’t finished yet, after all.”

Despite his words, I hear his belt buckle clink and my wolf sags with relief. Finally, she moans in my head, driving me to sway my punished bottom in invitation. As raw as my intimate flesh is, nothing

compares to being filled and marked by my mate, and she won’t be satisfied until he takes this final step.

Sinclair growls, dragging his hard length through my sodden folds, using my own arousal to coat his huge cock before pressing the thick tip to my back entrance. I jolt slightly, because we’ve only done this in our dreams. Sinclair purrs and rests his free hand on the small of my back, rubbing my lumbar in soothing circles. “Easy, sweetheart.” He encourages, some of the fire fading from his voice. “I’ll go slow.”

I whine as he presses forward, feeling the foreign stretch of my forbidden channel. My cheeks flush with embarrassment as his thick head finally pops inside, feeling so strange and wrong… so oddly exquisite. “That’s it,” He praises, reaching down to stroke my overly-sensitized clit. All of my inner muscles clench and a moan escapes my lips as Sinclair eases further inside me. “Good girl, just relax. Remember how much you loved this the first time? How you came to pieces before I could even think about touching your needy clit?”

I shake my head, not understanding why something that sounds so wrong can excite me so much. I know Sinclair loves scandalizing my sensibilities, but that doesn’t explain why I enjoy it in equal measure. When he’s finally buried to the hilt Sinclair drags my back up against his chest, claiming my mouth as I adjust to his size. My lips part on a silent gasp when he begins to pull out, and he swallows the non-sound with a ravenous purr.

Sinclair withdraws almost entirely before thrusting back inside of me in a single move, and I cry out as his flared cockhead rubs up against my g-spot through the thin walls separating my passages. He does it again and again, and before I know it I’m abruptly thrown over the edge of orgasm. It seems like too much too fast, but my body is strung as tight as a bow after all his expert handling. ’You see?” Sinclair growls, all predator now, ‘Your body was made for me, we fit together so perfectly that you can’t help but find pleasure in anything we do.”

There’s a note of pure elation in his voice, and I understand he was every bit as eager to celebrate our newly fated status as I was – he simply had more patience. A tiny ache I hadn’t realized I was carrying eases in my chest, comforted to discover the desire wasn’t one-sided. “Mine,” He purrs, increasing the pace of his thrusts as his hands work wonders on my breasts and clenching sex. “My fated Ella. I knew you were meant for me. You’re too perfect not to be – everything I could ever dream of and more.”

At any other time I might try to tell him that I’m far from perfect, but I know there’s no reasoning with his wolf right now. If I try it will undoubtedly result in another spanking… though now that I think of it… “I’m not perfect.”

 

Chapter 242

Sinclair’s heartbeat thumps steadily beneath my ear as his hands move over my body, massaging away all the kinks in my overworked muscles. I’ve been fading in and out of consciousness for the last hour, floating in a very different kind of high than the one induced by ether. Sinclair tells me it’s not unusual for she-wolves to enter a heightened plane of consciousness amidst such an onslaught of pleasure, but I’m still getting used to the violent surge of endorphins holding my body captive.

I feel completely boneless in my mate’s arms and I really don’t want to move, but my stomach is growling and I can sense Rafe’s hunger through our bond. Sinclair senses this too, gently untangling our bodies so he can rise. I murmur in complaint and he kisses my hair, promising to return with food. I snuggle deeper into the plush bedding as his footsteps recede, still reveling over the information revealed in my most recent hypnosis session.

It’s not that I find the idea of chosen mates any less romantic or important than fated ones. In fact, in some ways I think chosen mates are more special because they derive from a love which transcends divine power.

No, I think Sinclair and I are simply so happy because this news confirms what we’ve both felt for some time now: that we were made for one another and nothing in this world can come between us now that we’ve found each other.

Of course it’s not merely comforting, it also bolsters our spirits in the face of the war ahead. When Sinclair returns from the kitchens carrying a tray piled high with my favorite foods, I confess just how profoundly the priests’ vision impacted me.

“I know it was meant to give me hope back then, but I think I needed to see it now too. I needed to know there’s a chance we can beat Damon – that we can be that happy.” I say softly, accepting a bite of strawberry from his hand. “I understand it’s only one possibility, but if we can figure out how to win

this war then that beautiful family – that incredible future is somewhere in our cards… we just have to play the right ones.”

“I needed it too.” Sinclair admits, holding a cheese-laden cracker to my lips. I accept the bite and chew, but I’m surprised to hear my mate disclose such doubts. He’s always so confident and in control, and though it may seem counter-intuitive, it’s a comfort to know he worries about our future just as much as I do.

“Really?” I ask, once I’ve swallowed the tasty morsel.

“You and Rafe are my strength, Ella.

Sinclair answers, his voice like gravel. You’re what keeps me going in my darkest moments. When everything else in the world seems wrong, I sleep easy knowing that there are at least two things which are so right it hurts… so much so that I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to go on if anything happened to you.” He offers me a tender smile. “You’re not the only one whose world was turned upside down when we met, trouble.”

“That’s why it was so hard for you to agree to let me go.” I assess, stroking his cheek.

“That and because I’m a greedy bastard who wants my sweet mate within reach at all times.” Sinclair quips, only half-joking.

But yes, it will be easier to watch you drive away next week knowing that our family has a chance to not only survive, but thrive and grow even larger and more wonderful.” He sighs, reclining next to me and nibbling a piece of chocolate. “And if I’m being completely honest, it helped convince my wolf that finding your mother is the right move.” A wry canine grin flashes over his gorgeous features. “He doesn’t always respond to logic with the same ease I do.”

I chuckle, but my amusement with the ironic statement is short-lived. “I wish you could come with me.” I share, gnawing on my lower lip. “It is the right decision, isn’t it?”

I’m not sure where this sudden rush of doubt comes from, but I do realize why I couldn’t acknowledge it before now. I needed Sinclair to be entirely on board with the plan before wavering, because now that we’re on the same page the stakes aren’t simply about missing one another or safety they’re about strategic value.

“I’m afraid so.” My mate nods, offering me another strawberry. “The Goddess set all this in motion, and so far she hasn’t led us astray. Everything that has gone right has been part of her plan, so it only makes sense that we continue down that path.”

“Okay.” I nod, feeling the knot in my stomach ease. “I promise I’ll do everything in my power to ensure we have that future together.”

“So will I.” Sinclair vows, “But we can’t let it make us complacent or take it for granted. You remember what the priests said? There are no guarantees. One wrong move and it could slip through our fingers.”

“I know.” I confirm, knowing Sinclair is only reminding me because he’s so afraid that it won’t come to be. It terrifies me too.

He’s holding up a bite of chicken now, but I ignore it, leaning past his hand to steal a kiss. He cradles my head as we melt into the intimate act, his tongue teasing the seam of my lips and delving into my mouth. He tastes me with languid ease, running his hands over my belly as Rafe flutters and kicks. The pup has been radiating happiness ever since the session, no doubt feeding off of our own joy.

Of course, when we part Sinclair is watching me with an intensity that goes beyond mere affection. “Do you want to talk about the rest of the memory?” He asks.

I exhale, snagging the chicken from his fingers and using it as an excuse to delay my answer. When I finish chewing I say, “It’s strange. This morning I had no recollection of ever feeling that way. I’ve experienced depressions and low points of course, but I always thought I pulled through because I had no other choice.” I frown, not wanting to acknowledge this new window into my past. “But now that the ether has uncovered it, I remember every detail, every dreadful ounce of that pain and hopelessness.”

Sinclair doesn’t say anything, simply humming in sympathy and feeding me another bite. “I’m so ashamed that I ever considered abandoning Cora that way.” I

confess, already wanting to change the subject again. I can feel tears welling, and I don’t want to trade this glowing warmth for the doom and gloom of my past. Even so, I know my mate won’t let me get away with avoiding this conversation. “I spent so many years wondering what I’d done to deserve my life… why I was being punished. I couldn’t figure out what I’d done wrong, and eventually I did start to tell myself it had to be for some larger purpose… that there was a reason I was suffering.” I pause, swiping at an escaped tear. “I told myself I was being challenged so I could grow up and do great things: help others, prevent other children from experiencing the same horrors.”

I shake my head, choking on my next words. “But that day one of the boys I’d considered.

to be part of our little orphan pack died. He was only 7, and he’d gone to a foster family just a couple of weeks earlier.” I explain, everything rushing back at once. “They killed him after everything he survived at the orphanage… and suddenly it hit me – none of it was happening for a reason, and I wasn’t special. How could I be, when every child around me was being abused in the same way?”

Sinclair starts to purr, and I can hear his wolf whining in my head. I try to pull back on my feelings so that they don’t all flow through our bond, but my mate growls in warning and I surrender. “His death gutted me. It was proof that there was no hope for any of us – a reminder that too many people never make it to a better life… that people are cruel for the sake of being cruel and some lives are just short

and brutal – full stop…” Heaving in a shaking breath, I continue, “That was the one time I considered ending it all, and I’m so glad now that I didn’t.”

Sinclair caresses my hair, “They showed you that you’d been right all along… you were being tested.”

“That isn’t the reason.” I correct him softly. “Because the rest is still true… the others didn’t have to go through all that. It happened because there are too many broken people in this world, and the vision didn’t change that reality.” I move my hands to my belly, taking strength from the tiny life within. “I hung on because they showed me I could be happy one day. I saw you and Rafe and the babies we could yet conceive. It didn’t matter whether I was being tested… I just needed to know there was hope things could be different in the future… I wish that every person who feels trapped and without a way out could receive such a gift.”

“Ella, you do realize that you’ve given us all that gift today?” Sinclair asks gently, moving his hand to cover mine. I blink in confusion, and he smiles tenderly down at me. “Everyone in this war is struggling to find a light in the darkness, and it’s getting harder every day. But that vision wasn’t just about you and me… it was about the future of the united packs – of our world.” He smiles, gazing at me with so much love my heart feels like it might burst. “Baby, that vision means we can win.”

 

 

Chapter 243

As per usual the news about my latest hypnosis session is all over the palace by the time Sinclair and I surface from our rooms. Thankfully not the details about my teenaged despair, rather the premonition of our potential victory. I’ve realized how important it is to give people hope in this conflict ever since my early days visiting the refugees, but it really is remarkable the difference it can make in morale. In fact, the increase in public and political optimism is palpable as we attend the days’ scheduled summit events, the Alphas have even agreed to fly to the coast to witness the continental front of the refugee crisis first hand.

Unfortunately, there’s at least one person who isn’t thrilled by these revelations: my sister. I’m dressing for dinner when Cora ambles into my dressing room, her feet dragging with exhaustion. She slumps onto the chaise as I try on gowns, watching me with begrudging amusement. “You know, just once I’d like to come home after a long day of surgeries and not discover that my little sister has accomplished some impossible feat yet again. What’s next, Ella? Are you going to grow a tail?”

“I think you’ll find I’ve already done that.” I joke as my wolf wags her tail in my mind’s eye, eager to show off the beautiful rose-gold appendage.

“Har har,” Cora quips, rubbing her sore neck. “Come on then, tell me all about it.”

Sighing, I slip out of the red dress I was attempting to stretch over my belly and exchange it for a green number that will match Sinclair’s eyes. I’m not particularly eager to linger on this particular subject, but if she’s going to hear the story from anyone, it ought to be me. I gradually share the details, stopping and starting as the emotions catch up to me, using my wardrobe dilemmas as an excuse to delay the inevitable. It’s a relief when the tale is finally complete. “So it turns out those priests weren’t all bad,” I conclude, “for everything they put me through, they also kept me going when I was ready to give up.”

I peek at Cora for the first time since I started talking and discover her cheeks streaked with tears. “You never told me.” She states hoarsely, and I feel as though I’ve been punched in the gut. I guiltily search my sister’s lovely face, hating the pain in her deep brown eyes. There’s a flash of betrayal, but also a deep hurt I understand all too well.

“I didn’t even remember myself.” I answer, my voice barely louder than a whisper. “I never wanted to leave you Cora, you and the other kids were the one thing that kept me hanging on.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” She asks, a bitter note in her melodic voice. “You only got that low because you were bearing the brunt of the hardship for all of us, and now you say we’re also the reason you couldn’t find peace.”

“Because of how much I loved you.” I beseech her, taking a seat near her hip. “And it wouldn’t have been true peace, because I’d known I would be leaving so much pain behind for the people I cared about most. I would have missed out on my future – on seeing you become a doctor, on finding my own passion and meeting Sinclair… having this baby, waking my wolf.”

“I understand that.” Cora replies stiffly, “and I understand why you felt like you couldn’t confide in me then when you were in the thick of it, but I never knew you got depressed at all. You always seemed to have it all together.”

Wincing, I rest my hand on her arm, gently stroking her soft skin with the pad of my thumb. “I think you’re rewriting history a bit there… you’re the one who was always cautioning me not to bottle things up, to deal with our past.”

“Yes, once we were adults and I realized that the only way you could have stayed so composed was to repress everything.” Cora explains with obvious frustration. “It took a lot of therapy for me to reach that point – when we were children I truly thought you weren’t fazed by any of it. It made me feel even weaker than I already did.”

“I’m sorry.” I profess earnestly. “I never wanted you to feel that way, and I hope you know that I was the weak one for avoiding my pain rather than facing it.”

“Oh don’t say that.” Cora grumbles in typical contrary fashion. “You were in survival mode. It’s not your fault you never felt safe enough to come out of it.” An unidentified emotion flashes across her features, “besides, you’ve been the emotionally brave one lately.”

“Oh?” I inquire, waggling my brows. “I don’t suppose you’re referring to a certain wolf with a sly smile and bedroom eyes?”

Cora glowers at me, “You know smug really isn’t a good color on you.”

“I’m not trying to be smug.” I reply apologetically, leaning my shoulder against hers. “I’ve just never seen you like this.”

“Like what? Annoyed?” Cora bites back, and I wonder if she’s being intentionally contrary or if her emotions are simply so tangled and confused that she doesn’t realize she’s contradicting herself from one sentence to the next. “At my wits end over how to shake him off?”

“Cora you obviously like him.” I reply in exasperations. “Scowl at me all you like, I’d have to be blind not to notice. The reason you can’t shake him is because you don’t really want to, and you can’t lie to a wolf about your feelings. He’s not going to give up when you’re obviously denying yourself something you need.”

“I’m so tired of that nonsense.” Cora lashes out, surging up from the chaise. “So I find him attractive – maybe I even care about his well being. That doesn’t mean I want to be in a relationship. It doesn’t give him the right to overrule my decision.”

I observe her for a long moment, trying to decide on the right response. It hasn’t escaped my notice that the women in my life seem to be uniquely scarred when it comes to love, and it breaks my heart to

see brilliant figures like Cora and Isabel so skittish of being hurt. “How do you know you don’t want a relationship when you’ve never been in one – never even attempted to form that kind of connection with a lover?”

“It’s not brussel sprouts, I don’t need to try it to know I won’t like it.” Cora snaps, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m not like you, Ella. I don’t need a partner to feel complete, I love myself exactly as I am.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” I say, ignoring her barbed comment. “But I’m curious, if you don’t want anything more, why did you say you haven’t been brave lately?” Cora freezes like a deer in headlights, and I press, “Did all that therapy you did ever address why you don’t let anyone get close to you?”

“It addressed the fact that I have legitimate reasons to fear intimacy.” Cora replies stiffly, neatly sidestepping my first question. “And I also have legitimate reasons to distrust Roger, in case you’ve forgotten.”

I shake my head as my patience with this game runs thin. “You should have been a lawyer.” I remark dryly, pinning her in my crosshairs. “You started this conversation, big sister, not me. You obviously want to talk about it and it’s frankly annoying that you’re being so stubborn and evasive. You say you aren’t brave, you say you have reasons to be afraid… so at least do us both the courtesy of being honest about what you want.”

Cora’s lower lip quivers. “I want to know what it feels like to love and be loved in return.” She answers, staring at her feet. “But I don’t want to risk having my heart broken.”

“Then you will never know.” I inform her, as gently as I can. “You can’t experience real love if you don’t ever let yourself fall, Cora. There is no reward without first taking a risk.”

“Well that’s just stupid!” Cora exclaims indignantly, beginning to pace. “Why should I have to expose myself to harm in order to be happy?” She doesn’t give me time to respond, nor does she acknowledge

that she essentially just admitted to being unhappy despite her earlier words. Instead she carries on as if she’s having a conversation with herself.

“This entire thing is messing with my head, maybe I don’t even like him and I’m just confused because of everything else that’s going on.” She muses, working herself up further. “In fact, now that I say it, I know that’s right.” She nods, turning back to me. “This trip is going to be a good thing – I need some time away to clear my head, to get Roger out of my system.”

My eyes roll into the back of my head, but a knock sounds at the door before I can tell her what a blockhead she’s being. “Come in!” I call, scenting my father-in-law.

Henry wheels inside and offers me a broad grin, looking so much like Sinclair that my heart pangs. “I think I’ve found your mother.”

 

Chapter 244

I stare at Henry in utter belief, my conversation with my impossible sister immediately slipping my mind. “You found her?” I gape, instinctively reaching for Cora’s hand. Her warm palm settles in mine, squeezing tightly.

“It wasn’t easy.” Henry admits, moving further into the room. “I reached out to every surviving contact I could think of, to no effect. Then I tried the news archives from the time, since they reported on the King’s death and Reina’s departure so thoroughly. They all said the same thing – that she was devoting herself to the Goddess, but none seemed to know where she was going to serve.”

“So how did you figure it out?” Cora asks, sounding every bit as excited as I feel.

“I followed the money.” Henry explains, in a statement so vague and cliched I could scream with impatience. “I had one of Gabriel’s computer forensic specialists hack into the royal banking records back home in Moon Valley. Luckily Damon hasn’t destroyed the financial archives dating back that far.” He shares eagerly. “He discovered that Queen Reina purchased a one-way trip to the Altaran islands just before the King’s death.”

“The Altaran islands?” I ask, racking my brains to try and place this name.

“They’re a remote island chain between the hidden territories and the royal continent,” Henry tells us, “so remote that all but the largest island are completely uninhabited. And the big island is only home to one thing: the most sacred temple known to shifters. It’s considered so hallowed that they don’t even allow pilgrimages to the site, only the most devout and worthy priests and priestesses are permitted to serve there.”

I press my hand to my racing heart, “so Reina wouldn’t be going there unless she intended to devote herself as a priestess.”

“Exactly,” Henry smiles, “and the fact that she was even allowed to go indicates that her journey was Goddess-blessed.”

“So how do we get there? How long will it take to reach the islands?” I ask, my blood feeling positively electric.

“You’ll have to go by ship.” Henry tells us with a small frown. “You can’t fly in the third trimester and I don’t even know if there’s access from the air. Reina traveled by boat, so you will too.” He pauses meaningfully, “I have to tell you that Dominic isn’t going to like it, though. There aren’t any doctors or hospitals, no resources to help you if you encounter trouble.”

“Surely there can’t be safer hands than the Goddess’s,” I counter, practically bouncing up and down. “How long is the journey?” I ask again.

Henry chuckles, “If I were you I would try to show a bit more hesitance about the risks when you talk to your mate. But it will take no more than three days.”

“That’s amazing!” I burst, giving up the pretense of calm and throwing my arms around my sister. “I can’t believe you found her! I can’t believe I’m going to meet her!”

Cora hugs me back, and I’m beyond moved when she murmurs, “I’m so happy for you, Elle.”

“Henry, you should come with us!” I suggest, glowing with happiness. “You know Reina, and I couldn’t ask for a better travel companion.”

“Hey,” Cora objects in an offended tone.

“Except for Cora, but she’s already coming.” I amend, batting my lashes at my disgruntled sister.

To my surprise, Henry’s face falls. “Yes, I know Reina.” He says in a strange voice. “But if I’m being honest I’m not particularly eager to renew the acquaintance.”

At once I remember that my birth father is responsible for the death of Henry’s mate. I don’t have any idea if my mother was in on the plot, but it’s entirely understandable why Henry would want to keep his distance. “Oh Henry, I’m sorry. That was thoughtless of me.”

“Nonsense.” He waves my apologies away, wheeling forward to kiss my cheek. “Besides, Dominic needs me here – as an advisor. He’s already arranged for you to have plenty of protection and company, and I think he’s worried about being short-staffed as a result.” This is news to me and I don’t entirely understand his meaning, but I can’t bring myself to care right now.

“Have you told him the news yet?” I ask, secretly hoping that he has so that the duty doesn’t fall to me.

“No,” Henry grins, reading my sly expression. “That’s up to you, little mother.”

I nod, hugging him tightly. “Thank you so much, Henry.”

___________________

3rd Person

Damon stomped into his war room, raking his gaze over the scale model of the various battle fronts spread out on the center table. He growled with barely contained frustration, quickly losing control and slashing his arm over the tiny wax figures dotting the Southern border.

His troops had just called to report yet another loss – and to the humans of all people. It was one thing to be routed by the shifter resistance forces, but it was an insult to grievous injury to be defeated by such inferior beings. The furious emperor was ready to murder his war council, convinced that they’d do about as much good to him as corpses as they currently served as advisors.

Ever since the secrecy pack broke the humans had been an unforeseen and shocking complication. Sure, the same clowns who’d recommended he send his best troops to the Western front had

cautioned him about the fallout, but who would have ever believed those neanderthals could mount a competent defense against his elite forces? It seemed the weak creatures had been investing in advanced weapons systems for years without making the information public, and they hadn’t hesitated to deploy them when faced with an existential threat.

For weeks Damon had been watching his forces dwindle beneath the two-pronged assaults of shifter and human armies – the only blessing was that the two sides had not united against their common enemy. Now, Damon didn’t particularly care about the death of his men – a soldier was little more than cannon-fodder after all – he had plenty more where they came from. The far greater blow was the impossibility of governance amidst the sheer chaos of the collapsing societies. He couldn’t get control of any town or city beyond Moon Valley, especially since he’d dismantled every institution and power structure that might impart order.

The fact of the matter was that Damon needed to put an end to the fighting and fast, or the continent he’d seized would be worthless by the time he finally established his rule. Moreover, he needed to do something about that bitch and Sinclair’s unborn pup in Vanara. He was thrilled to have Sinclair out of the way, but his widow was still a source of hope for the downtrodden, and his pup would likely grow into an indomitable challenger if given the chance.

Damon had been trying to reinstate contact with his assassin in Vanara ever since Sinclair’s death was confirmed, but the wolf seemed to be dodging his calls. Perhaps he’d discovered he enjoyed life in Vanara so much he didn’t need Damon’s favor any longer. But no matter the cause, Damon needed an ally in the hidden territories. His resources were so strained that he couldn’t afford to deal with the refugees on the coast, let alone get another spy over the border.

Instead he decided that it was time to take a page out of Sinclair’s own book.

Before they lost contact, his spy had shared that the Storm Forest Alpha, Kieran, was fiercely opposed to allying with Sinclair. The Alpha clearly had more sense than some of his countrymen, as he understood that humans were worth little more than slave labor, and made no bones about sharing this perspective.

In fact, Damon actually felt a sense of solidarity with the fierce leader. He’d been harboring these thoughts in privacy for some time, but now it seemed as if things were becoming truly desperate. He couldn’t continue to bear the burden of this fight alone. He’d thought Sinclair weak for seeking alliances, but perhaps the late wolf was more clever than he’d seemed.

It was time to make his move.

Damon found the phone number among his late father’s documents, practically salivating as he dialed. Damon held his breath as the line rang, silently praying for Kieran to pick up.

At last the shrill ringing ended in a click, “Hello?” A gruff voice sounded on the other end of the line.

“Is this Alpha Kieran?” Damon asked, trying to keep the excitement from his voice.

“It is,” the voice replied, sounding suspicious. “Whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?”

“This is Emperor Damon.” He replied, relishing the sound of his new title. “I have an offer to make you – an opportunity to increase your power and protect your lands from the scourge of refugees and human scum.”

Kieran contemplated this for a moment, but the suspicion was gone from his voice when he finally replied, replaced with avid interest. “I’m listening.”

 

Chapter 245

“Dominic, this isn’t fair, I want to come!” I’m staring down my mate as he pulls on his shoes, my arms crossed stubbornly over my chest. I have to fight to hide my yawn from him, as I’m barely awake. The sun isn’t even up yet, but Sinclair looks as alert and energetic as ever. His adrenaline is probably surging already, as he’s leading the summit delegations on an excursion to the embattled continent this morning.

My wolf is furious with Sinclair for ordering us to stay behind, even though I know I can’t fly now that I’m into my fifth month of pregnancy. The summit is as much my baby as it is my mate’s, and I don’t want to be left out on one of the most crucial events of the entire endeavor. Not to mention that I want to go for our people as well, all the ones still languishing in fear and uncertainty about whether they’ll be able to escape. I want to help them, speak with them and learn their needs – to comfort them if it’s possible.

Unfortunately Sinclair doesn’t look the least bit sympathetic. Last night I shared the news of my mother’s location with him, and he did not take it well. He shifted on the spot and went for a run, working through his feelings before finally returning and claiming me with all the ferocity he possessed. Afterwards he agreed to let me go, but he obviously wasn’t happy about it.

“Pout all you want, trouble. I’m not taking you into a war zone,” Sinclair declares sternly, “surely you realize how strongly I feel about this if I’m willing to let you out of my sight?”

He has a point. Ever since we decided that finding my mother was too urgent to delay, he’s been like my giant, furry shadow. His protective instincts are in such a state of overdrive that I’m reminded of the early days of my pregnancy, when he growled and snarled at anyone who so much as looked at me.

“But I should be there, people need to see that we’re in this together!” I insist, stomping my little foot before I can think better of it.

Sinclair arches a brow and unfurls his huge body from the edge of the bed, towering over me. He stares into my wide eyes for a few long moments, probing our mating bond and reading my wolf’s stress all too easily. I wish I could hide it from him, but I can’t seem to withdraw my gaze from his piercing scrutiny. The truth is that underneath my genuine interest in the trip, there’s a churning sea of anxiety over the fact that he will be going into a war zone without me. My wolf hates this more than anything, no matter how inevitable the eventuality.

Seeing this, Sinclair’s foreboding expression softens to something unbearably tender. “This will be good practice, little mate.” He murmurs, pulling me close. “Neither one of us likes it, but we’re going to be separated one way or another. You have to find your mother, and I have to fight Damon.” He sighs, kissing my temple. “The timing is terrible, but we can’t control that. We just have to get through it.”

“How?” I ask, in a voice so small I barely recognize it.

“By taking it one day at a time.” Sinclair replies, sounding so steady and sure that it’s hard to believe this is the same wolf who is currently sending waves of rabid possessiveness through our bond. “If we can just get through today then we’ll be together again this evening. And when it comes time for you to leave, then we just have to remember that every day we’re apart is one day closer to being reunited.”

I nod, my throat feeling thick and scratchy. “I knew it was going to be hard… I just didn’t realize it would be this hard. I mean, we’ve already done it once.”

“I know, baby.” He purrs, clutching me even tighter now. “But it’s different this time… and it’s for the best. I won’t be able to focus on the refugees or the other Alpha’s if you’re with me, I’d be too worried about your safety to give them the attention they deserve.”

He’s right. I know he’s right, but that’s never been the problem.

“Okay, but if you’re even one minute late coming back then I’m coming after you.” I threaten sulkily, my voice muffled by his sweet-smelling chest.

“I won’t be late,” he promises, kissing my hair four times in quick succession. “You have my word, Ella. I’ll be back before you know it.”

__________________

Sinclair

When this war began I told myself that when I finally came home, it would be to defeat Damon once and for all.

It isn’t easy to come to terms with the fact that I’m going to be returning to Vanara in only a few hours, especially not when I see the throngs of bodies clamoring to board the planes when we land. My family is a thousand miles away, which hurts to no end, but at least I know that I’m doing what’s best for them no matter the distance. It feels different to turn my back on my people when they languish here alone, for how can I do what’s best for them when I’ve escaped and they still live in fear?

As we disembark hundreds of wolves press around me, crying out with a mix of joy, relief and desperation. They beg for my help, cry out questions about my plans for the war, beseech me to overthrow Damon and pledge their lives to the struggle. It’s all so overwhelming, and I’m not the only one who feels this way.

I can see the pain, concern and pity on the faces of every Alpha in my company, even those who haven’t been particularly cooperative. There may only be a plane ride between these refugees and the ones they met in Vanara, but this experience feels entirely different. These people are not recovering, licking their wounds and trying to figure out what to do now that they’re safe. These people are still in the throws of fight or flight, unsure whether or not they will live to see the sun rise again.

The scent of their fear is crushing, and I wonder at how James manages to do this every day – to know he can only save a few and pray that nothing happens to those he must leave behind. I rest a firm hand on his shoulder as the delegations spread through the crowds, listening to their stories with grave

expressions. “I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner.” I confess to the soldier. “I want you to know how much I respect and appreciate the work you’ve been doing. If I hadn’t been so determined to come back the right way I would have understood what you’ve been going through sooner.”

“Alpha, that’s your guilt talking.” James replies simply. “These people are thrilled to see you, no doubt, but they know you can’t be here and plan a war at the same time.”

“He’s right.” A she-wolf chimes in. There are so many shifters surrounding us that private conversations are impossible, not that I mind. “Trust me, Alpha. We don’t want you here every day.”

“What do you want?” I ask, noticing a young boy leaning against her legs. “Is there anything I can do for you while I am here?”

“You can get us on one of those planes today.” The she-wolf requests, a stark burst of vulnerability crossing her countenance. “We’ve been waiting three weeks.”

I nod, unable to refuse them. “And you?” I ask the boy, “would you like to fly today?”

He peeks up at me with a confused frown, “Can my Daddy come with us?”

I glance at his mother, who kneels down beside him, “Finn, you know Daddy is fighting in the resistance. We’ve talked about this, honey.”

He looks up at her unhappily, then turns his eyes to me, obviously hoping I might tell him otherwise. “I don’ wanna go without Daddy.”

“You’re Daddy must be very proud of you,” I tell him gently. “He’d have to trust you a lot to leave his mate in your protection. It’s a very big job.” I continue solemnly. “And I’m sure he misses you every bit as much as you miss him, but I think he’d want you to get your Mommy to safety, since he can’t be here to do it himself. She’s in your care until he returns, after all.”

The boy looks up at me with wide eyes, his chest puffing up with pride as he reaches for his mother’s hand. “Come on then, Mommy. We should gets you on the plane before it’s all full.”

The she-wolf mouths a tearful thank you at me as they depart and I feel a split second of warmth as I watch them move towards the aircraft, but it’s quickly replaced with a fresh barrage of guilt and helplessness as more shifters rush forward, eager to gain the same privilege. I know I’ve opened the floodgates, but I can’t bring myself to regret helping those two. I want to help as many as I can, but it’s hard to hear individual stories with so many voices competing to be heard.

“Please, I have pups!” One woman cries.

“My grandson is injured, we need help!” An elderly wolf counters, waving his arms.

It goes on and on, breaking my heart. “What will happen if we stay?” “How much longer before the usurper comes after us?” “The humans are getting closer by the day!”

“The human armies?” I clarify, zeroing in on this surprising news and wondering why my spies haven’t reported such movements.

“No, sir. I mean the human refugees. The camps started small but the governments aren’t helping so they’re incredibly disorganized. The more numerous they become, the closer they come to encroaching on us.” The same man responds.

“Are you telling me that there are human refugee camps near here?” I demand, stunned by this news and feeling as though I’m completely incompetent for not learning of this sooner.

“Yes Alpha,” The man confirms hesitantly, clearly confused by my sharp tone. “There’s one only three miles from this spot.”

“Take me.” I command, “now.”

 

Chapter 246

I don’t depart for the human refugee settlement alone. I take every Alpha I can find, but I take special care to rope in Kieran. The wolf has been shooting me subversive glances since we arrived. He’s been perfectly attentive to the shifter refugees, but it’s almost as though he’s angry I’m making him care about them – that I’m confronting him with their pain.

It’s a short trip to the human camps, and we promised the pilots we would return by the scheduled departure time. This only leaves us about an hour to actually get a sense of the situation. Before we arrived I was worried this wouldn’t be enough time – afterwards I realize it was too much. The scene is so overwhelming, so distressing that even a few minutes amidst the chaos is overwhelming.

If we’d believed that the plight of shifter refugees was grave, it’s nothing compared to that of the humans. After all, the shifters understand why their lives have fallen to ruin, the humans are completely in the dark, and they’re not coping well.

We hear the camp before we see it. This isn’t much surprise with our supernatural hearing, but the sounds that float to us through the forest are not the desperate cries of people in need. It sounds like a battle.

Eventually we reach the crest of a hill overlooking the sprawling camps – if they can even be called camps. “Holy Goddess.” Gabriel says beside me, his dark skin going remarkably pale.

A vast field of black and blue tarps sit in deep mud, propped up on shabby poles and sticks. They’re supposed to be tents, but they look more like the squalid dwellings often built by those experiencing homelessness in large cities. The ramshackle structures are on the verge of collapse, and there is no sign of any food or fresh water. The stench is incredible, and it’s immediately apparent that there is no one governing this place.

The disconsolate cries of women and children rise through the air in a miserable symphony, while the voices of angry men explode in violent shouts. It seems like there’s movement everywhere, but none of it is positive or productive. There are fights breaking out every few feet, people lashing out over the last piece of fire wood, or accusing one another of thefts and attacks.

Utter dread fills me as I wait for the inevitable castigations from the other Alphas. And you want us to bring these wretches into our world? I imagine Kieran saying, with disdain dripping from his tongue. A crash sounds in the distance, and terrified screams break out as the humans whip around, searching for the source of the disturbance. It’s coming from the Northern mountains– the opposite direction of the shifter camps – and it sounds like nothing more than a rock slide. However to their ears it must sound like an incoming army, and their fear is so potent my heart aches.

“I’ve never seen anything so…” Callahan begins, trailing off before he can find the right word.

“Hopeless.” Of all the members in our party, Kieran is the very last man I expected to find an ounce of empathy for these people. Still, the pain and concern in his voice is clear, and I find myself even more on edge than before. I can’t make sense of his behavior today. One moment he’s so tense and on edge, looking around at the other summit attendees with such suspicion and distrust that I wonder what on earth is going through his head. The next moment he’s acting as though he actually has a heart, and I don’t trust it for one moment. Something is going on with him, whether this latest show of emotion is to throw us off the trail, or he’s internally overcompensating for his treachery. I have a terrible feeling that Kieran has not only made his decision about where to pledge his alliance in this war, but that he’s chosen the opposition.

__________________

Ella

He’s late. The lying fink promised me! But here we are five minutes after the designated landing time and the airfield is completely devoid of planes.

“Something’s wrong.” I fret, looking back and forth between Henry and Isabel, eager for their perspectives.

“They probably just got caught in a headwind.” Henry answers, squeezing my hand. “Flight timetables are an estimate, not an exact science.”

I gnaw nervously on my lower lip, focusing on Isabel. Surely she’ll support me, I think, with James away as well. “They did radio when they departed the coast.” She reminds me, the traitor! “We have no reason to think anything has gone awry.”

My wolf grumbles mutinously in my head, and I’m already wracking my brains for some way to go after my missing mate. There aren’t any planes left here in the capital – at least, not any that belong to the King. “Do many Vanaran citizens own private planes?” I ask curiously, trying to keep my voice innocent.

“Don’t even think about it.” Philippe growls from behind me. “For my sake if not your own. Dominic will kill me if I let you anywhere near an aircraft.”

“Let me?” I mutter under my breath, my wolf roiling against the idea that anyone but Sinclair should give us orders. “I ought to– look!” I exclaim, interrupting my own train of thought as a dot appears on the horizon, zooming towards us.

“There, you see?” Henry chuckles, “they’re just running a little behind.”

The wait is much easier then, but still frustrating. The delegation isn’t on the first, second or third transports to land, and I realize my noble mate probably waited until everyone else had departed before taking off himself. Finally the last plane taxis over the field, coming to a stop mere meters away.

The cargo door starts to descend before the plane has even finished moving, and then Sinclair is there, bounding out onto the pavement.

I throw myself into his open arms, feeling every muscle in my overwrought body finally relax. “Seven minutes, Dominic!” I tell him furiously. “You are seven whole minutes late!”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He breathes against my ear, squeezing me so tightly I think I might burst. “But I’m here now.” He purrs, “I’m here.”

I pull back only far enough to kiss him, tears of relief stinging my eyes. Sinclair hungrily takes my mouth, and he lets his power pour off of him in heady waves. The wolves around us shrink back at the force, but my own inner canine only swoons. I don’t understand why he’s unleashed his full strength on the airfield, but I’m too caught up in the delicious feel of him to care at this moment. It goes on and on, until everyone around us retreats to the intake tents. Even James and Isabel, who were trying to pretend they didn’t want to be wrapped around each other in precisely this way, eventually slip away hand in hand.

It’s not until later, when we’re alone in our rooms, that he explains himself. First he tells me of the human camps, which devastates and horrifies me in equal measure. It’s easy to understand why he would feel so on edge, and as terrible as it sounds I wish that was all there was to his temper. Instead he explains about the Storm Forest Alpha’s most recent offenses. “Kieran was acting very odd today.” He confesses, sprawled naked beside me in bed. “On edge, cagey, even after the danger had passed and we were on our way back. It set off alarm bells in my mind, so I wanted to remind him of exactly who he’s dealing with – just in case.”

“Then you mean it wasn’t for me?” I pout, my body still flushed from his thorough loving.

“Not entirely.” He grins wolfishly, caressing my belly. “I knew you’d enjoy it and I wanted to let go for my own sake, but I also needed to send him a message.”

“Well it worked.” I assure him. “You should have seen the looks on their faces when they first felt it?”

“Should I take that to mean you were looking at other wolves while I was kissing you?” Sinclair growls playfully, making me squirm with renewed heat.

“I was just curious.” I shrug, blushing. “Besides, my wolf liked seeing all those big tough Alphas run away with their tails between their legs.” I admit, rubbing my body against him.

“Oh?” He inquires, eyes glinting.

I nod eagerly, unable to hide the sensual pleasure in my voice. “They looked like children compared to you.”

“Now you’re just flattering me.” He teases, kissing my nose. “And if you keep this up then we’re going to get distracted and end up late for dinner – which we can’t afford. Not with Kieran acting so shifty and the summit coming to an end tomorrow.”

My desire is immediately banked. “You think he might betray us?”

Sinclair grimaces, “I think he’s hiding something… and we need to find out what it is. We don’t have much time left.”

 

Chapter 247

Dinner is a tense affair.

I wish I could say it’s clear whether or not our efforts with this summit are paying off, but all of these Alphas play their cards so close to their chests – well, all except Kieran. The Storm Forest Alpha spends the evening glaring at everyone around him, even his own men. I’m beginning to think that there isn’t any way for us to win him over and that we should focus our attention elsewhere – on the Alpha’s we can form alliances with. Still, I understand that excluding him might make his animosity towards our cause even greater.

I ponder my conversation with Sinclair, wondering if Kieran is actively betraying us. Has he told Damon that my mate still lives? Is he planning on helping him attempt another assassination? I don’t believe he cares about people beyond his pack or perhaps beyond Vanara, but I didn’t believe he was stupid. It’s one thing to refuse to join forces with us, and another entirely to make a suicide pact with a madman – for that’s surely what joining Damon would mean.

Of course, I’ve been wrong before. Sinclair believes he’s hiding something, and I have to admit the Alpha’s behavior is suspect. So my only mission tonight is to persuade Kieran to come clean, and I know exactly how I’m going to do it.

I start with simple observation, knowing just how uncomfortable persistent and unwanted attention can be to one with a guilty conscience. I don’t hide the fact that I’m watching him. Every time Kieran looks up and finds my eyes on him, I stare with the same expression I’ve always used for misbehaving children. It’s not threatening or cold, rather deliberate and dismayed. It says: I know what you’ve done and I’m already disappointed, don’t make things worse by lying to me.

I begin sprinkling bait into my conversations as well, which isn’t difficult when all the delegates want to debrief about their excursion today. “It was absolutely sickening.” The Black Alder is saying next to me.

“I’ve never seen so many people in so much pain.” He’s looking at me with wide eyed sincerity, eager to hear my perspective. They all are – being a child of the Goddess has its benefits.

“And to think the person inflicting all that horror is the one who is meant to protect them.” I sigh, shaking my head sadly. “It’s the worst kind of betrayal. What kind of Alpha could possibly stomach harming so many shifters, let alone those in his care?”

“But it wasn’t only shifters!” The Silver Dawn Alpha pipes up. “The human settlements were even worse.”

I pretend like this is news to me, though my pain and outrage over the details they share are completely genuine. “You see, this is why we have to stop thinking about our peoples as separate. Damon doesn’t care who he hurts, and if some of us suffer then we all do. If we only help the shifters and leave the humans behind, then those settlements you saw today will only grow. The people will see that we only care for our own kind – they will see us prosper while they languish, and they will hate us for it.” I scan the faces around me, taking my attention off of Kieran only long enough to argue my case.

“When I first learned about shifters, Dominic explained to me that he doesn’t lead because he wants to. He does it because his power is a grave responsibility – he has the strength to spare, so he’s obligated to lend it to those in need. This is the same principle. Vanara has the power and strength that all those beings fleeing the war, and everyone who remains trapped under Damon’s thumb, lack.” Sinclair has one arm slung over the back of my chair, and his fingers trace circles on my upper arm, encouraging me to continue.

“It is an incredible privilege to be able to choose whether or not to enter this conflict. And it would be easy to say it’s not your problem, but if your life is easy and prosperous while the rest of the world wages war…” I trail off, sounding forlorn. “Well I just can’t find any honor in that.” I return my full focus to my true target, pleased to see the Storm Forest Alpha listening intently. “And what good is an Alpha without honor? Without loyalty to a higher cause than his own self-interest?”

Kieran, who has been turning increasingly red while I make my speech, surges up from the table. “Fine damn you!” He bursts, throwing down his napkin. His movement is so abrupt that his chair falls back and clatters against the marble floor, adding violent emphasis to his outburst.. A hush falls over the room, and I’m infinitely pleased this is a private dinner rather than a public feast. Sinclair glowers at the other wolf, a deep growl rumbling in his chest.

I rest a steadying hand on his leg, keeping my posture relaxed. “It’s okay.” I soothe, trying to gentle his worth. “I’d like to hear anything Alpha Kieran has to say… or confess.”

The man in question narrows his eyes at me, outrage and indignance pouring off of him in waves. “Ohh you’re too clever for your own good, you know that?” He grumbles – it does not sound like a compliment.

“I’ve been told.” I tell him, smiling serenely.

Kieran shakes his head, clenching his fists. “I wasn’t going to share this,” He begins furiously. “But now I see I have no alternative.” He’s silent for almost half a minute, and the quiet drags on interminably. Eventually Kieran seems to find the right words, “Yesterday I returned to my rooms to find an anonymous electronic message waiting, including a video link and a note advising me to follow it if I cared about the future of Vanara. When I did so, I discovered that Damon was waiting on the other end.”

The other Alphas begin muttering amongst each other, and Kieran huffs in frustration. “I didn’t announce this for precisely this reason. You’re all already preparing to condemn me!”

I raise my hand, urging the other wolves to quiet. “No one is condemning you. Please tell us what happened.”

Kieran scowls, and I’m sure he’s cursing my name in his head. “He offered me an alternative alliance.” He explains fiercely, not taking his eyes from me. “He said that he needed someone to help ensure Sinclair’s bloodline ended once and for all, and that he could use ground support to thwart the humans and the resistance fighters on the royal continent. He was confident that once these challenges were overcome, We would be primed to turn our attention to Sevka and Vanara.”

Now the hush in the dining rooms is completely voluntary, as many of the delegates gape in surprise. “Dominic was right. Damon isn’t going to be satisfied with controlling one land, his appetite for power is infinite. He spoke of a worldwide empire, and he tried to bribe me by offering your crown, Gabriel.” Kieran confesses, looking suddenly ill. “He said he would reward my loyalty to his cause by putting me in charge of Vanara – that this was the only way I would ever sit upon the throne.”

We’re all waiting with baited breath, beyond curious to hear how Kieran responded to this offer. “I questioned his strategy. You see, I thought he might tell me some of his plans to prove he could fulfill the promises he was making. I wanted to know what his vision of the future was, and how he was going to achieve it. In return he lashed out. He called me a coward and a… little bitch. He said I was as bad as a she-wolf, nagging and questioning his ability when he’d just offered me the world on a platter.”

Kieran is growing visibly more irate with every word, his cheeks positively crimson now. “He called me every insulting name he could think of and he ended the meeting when I refused to commit to an alliance.” The Alpha averts his gaze to the ground. “Then today… this afternoon my chief of staff called to inform me that I’d received an express package by special courier. Apparently it was full of dresses, diapers and self help books on how to be a real man.” It’s a good thing that Kieran can’t seem to look us in the eye, because I slap my hand over my mouth to smother the shocked laugh attempting to bubble up inside of me. I glance at Roger, whose lips are visibly twitching as he fights his own humor.

“I know it was from Damon.” Kieran announces angrily, and I’m certain only the grace of the Goddess keeps my face straight. “He’s trying to bully me into betraying you all. But I will never join such a wolf.” He turns his gaze on Sinclair now, looking contrite. “I did not reveal to him that you are still alive,

Dominic. I did not share any of the progress we’ve made here.” He sucks in a deep breath. “I should have told you about the offer as soon as I received it. But after seeing those camps today, after learning just how dishonorable our enemy is… I’ve made my decision. My allegiance is yours.”

 

Chapter 248

I’m dying.

The strength and determination it requires to stay serious in the face of Kieran’s announcement is staggering. I want nothing more than to roll on the floor laughing, but something tells me that doing so would undermine this victory.

I can feel Sinclair’s mirth through our bond, though he looks as cool and intimidating as ever. You brilliant, devious, glorious little minx! His voice sounds in my mind, full of all the laughter missing from his face.

I send him an elated giggle in return. The only thing better than getting to see how embarrassed he is by that delivery, is knowing that Damon is getting the blame. I share, my pulse racing with excitement. You notice Kieran didn’t tell him no? He asked about strategy and ‘didn’t commit’, but he never refused him… how much do you want to bet he was genuinely considering the option before getting so mercilessly insulted?

I know. Sinclair confirms, positively glowing with pride. I think your prank just stole a powerful ally right out from under Damon’s nose, trouble. I have no doubt Kieran was tempted and just needed to confirm it was a safe bet… but he’ll never work with Damon now.

No wonder he was in such an odd mood today. I reflect, wishing this dinner would end so we can go celebrate.

I can sense Sinclair preparing to stand and thank Kieran for his allegiance, to deliver a speech inspiring the other pack leaders to make their own pledges. The momentum is on our side, and Kieran was our most difficult sell – if he’s on board it’s only a matter of time for the others to join as well. We can both feel that this is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for, the perfect time to go big or go home.

However before Sinclair can move, the FrostFang Alpha stands as well. “I admit, I have my opinions about the way you handled this, Kieran.” He begins, giving the other wolf a piercing look. “But I cannot fault the conclusion at which you have arrived. I was inclined to lend my support to this effort from the beginning, but this week has surpassed anything I could have imagined.” His gaze swings to me, “Ella, your wisdom and grace – your compassion for all those affected by Damon’s violence and greed – is an inspiration. You are living evidence of the Goddess’s wishes for our future, but you are more than that too, because I’m certain that you would never join an unworthy cause. To oppose you would be to oppose justice, and I have no wish to betray my values that way.”

The Alpha forges on, turning now to Sinclair. “Dominic, I have always admired your dedication to your people, as well as your unflagging principles. But meeting you, seeing your strength and feeling the magnitude of your power first hand, has been a humbling and heartening experience. I’m certain I have never, and will never, meet another wolf of your caliber – unless perhaps it is your son.” He allows with a genial smile, nodding to my round tummy. “You have never sought to pressure or manipulate us despite the urgency of your campaign, you have only worked to educate us about the threat Damon poses, and allowed us to bear witness to the events on the ground.”

“You have done very well. Because even if I did not feel so warmly towards you and your Luna, the things we have seen and the stories we have heard over the last few days would have been more than enough to convince me to oppose the usurper.” His countenance hardens as he surveys the other pack leaders, many of whom are nodding in agreement. “Any wolf who would cause his people such torment is not fit to lead. Any Alpha who would risk the existence of all shifters by breaking the secrecy pact – who has overturned our way of life for the last thousand years – cannot be allowed to gain power. And any King whose avarice is so great that he cannot be content with a single empire, will turn on his allies as soon as his enemies are defeated. And when that time comes, there won’t be anyone left to help those who stood with him.”

The FrostFang Alpha is clearing gearing up for a big finish, his volume rising with his passion. “We saw Damon’s vision for the future today in revolting detail, and I for one have no intention of letting him spread that nightmare any farther than he’s already managed. We must do whatever is in our power to defeat him, so I too pledge my allegiance to Dominic and Ella, and I charge any Alpha who would refuse to do the same as a traitor.”

Cheers and growls of agreement rise up around the table as the other Alphas stand one by one, each wolf declaring his commitment to defeating Damon. Soon Sinclair, Gabriel, Roger, Henry and I are the only ones seated, and I think we’re all a little surprised by the sudden wave of support. I suppose this has been building all along and it’s just been difficult to read because of their expert poker faces, but then again, maybe today was a turning point? Maybe even the hardest of hearts cannot stand before such suffering and remain unmoved. Maybe they were waiting for Kieran to choose a side first, so that they wouldn’t be alone if they refused to help… maybe a simple and diabolical prank accomplished what no words ever could.

“Well damn,” Sinclair observes, smiling broadly. “I thought I was going to have to make a speech. You kind of stole my thunder, Ethan.” The group laughs heartily, and Sinclair gracefully rises, buttoning his suit jacket as he raises his glass. “I must admit I’m incredibly moved by your support. I’m infinitely grateful to have your allegiance, and I vow that I will do everything in my power to honor your sacrifices and live up to your expectations.” He squeezes my hand, and I can feel pure love rushing through our bond.

“I have always considered this war to be so much bigger than us – than our pack and our people. I wish that wasn’t the case. I wish that Damon was not the monster he is, that he was not such a threat. I wish that he hadn’t cost us all the lives he’s stolen and destroyed.” Sinclair’s eyes are shining now, and I send him a flood of encouragement, needing to overwhelm his guilt with support. “But I could not wish for better allies than the wolves in this room, and I promise to never take you, or your people for granted. My hope is for our refugees to leave your shores one day soon, but I assure you that even

after we are gone, we will never forget the kindness and support you have shown us. We will never be able to repay you for your generosity, and you will always have friends on the Royal Continent.”

Gabriel stands too now, raising his own glass. “To our alliance – to ridding the world of Damon, and building the future the Goddess envisioned for us when she brought this wonderful she-wolf into the world.” He smiles, gesturing to me.

The others echo his toast, and I steal a single sip of Sinclair’s wine to seal the verbal agreement we’ve all made. I can’t wait to go back to our rooms and talk about all of this, but my mate isn’t finished yet. He turns to the Storm Forest Alpha, a lethal expression on his handsome face. “Kieran, did you ever tell Damon whether you would join him – one way or another?”

The wolf in question flushes again. “No, but I swear on my mate’s life, my allegiance is yours.”

“Oh no, I believe you.” Sinclair reassures him, “I was actually thinking that there might be an opportunity for us to infiltrate the enemy camp. I have spies on the ground of course, even a few who have won prominent roles in his employ. But Damon needs more fighters, I’m sure he wants your army and it could be very advantageous for us to have a double agent commanding his reinforcements.”

“You’re saying that you want me to go back to him and accept?” Kieran clarifies.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Sinclair confirms, a devious glint in his eye. “Tell him you thought about it and decided that the Vanaran throne is worth the risk, but you want to be intimately involved in his war planning efforts if your own mens’ lives are going to be on the line. Pretend you’re on his side, collect whatever intelligence you can, undermine his plans whenever possible, and set your soldiers against his when the time comes for battle.” He pins the Alpha in his crosshairs, practically daring him to refuse. “Are you up for it?”

Kieran levels him with a blazing look, filled with bloodlust and an unmistakable thirst for vengeance against the wolf who insulted him so badly. “It would be my pleasure.”

 

Chapter 249

What started as a regular dinner party quickly evolves into a marathon planning session for the war, extending late into the night. I summoned James and my top enforcers as soon as the alliance was confirmed, because even though we’ve just clinched a major victory, the truth is that the hardest work is still ahead of us. In addition to coordinating Kieran’s mission as a double agent, there are a lot of logistics to sort out in terms of mobilizing combat forces and choosing tactical strategies.

In hindsight I realize I should have familiarized the delegations with the military minutiae from the beginning, but I hadn’t wanted to risk compromising classified information without confirming their loyalties first. Now I’m paying the price of that caution, as there’s a great deal of ground to cover simply to get everyone caught up on the same page. Still, I’m elated to have the combined armies of the Vanaran packs at our disposal. In addition to the resistance forces coalescing back home, our numbers should now be more than double the soldiers employed in Damon’s imperial army – and that’s not to mention the Vanaran technologies we’ll now be able to employ.

Everything is finally coming together, and I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel entirely impatient to launch our first true attack. Ella is helping me remain patient, simply by the virtue of my wolf refusing to be separated from her any sooner than we’ve already planned. It’s a good thing too, because I know rushing home in a fiery rage is a recipe for disaster. We have to put ourselves in our opponents shoes; get inside Damon’s mind and anticipate his every move, then account for each potential complication until we have a protocol for every contingency.

Ella is barely awake by the time we finally finish discussing our next steps. I tried to convince her to go up to bed an hour ago, but she only climbed into my lap and dug her proverbial paws in. I didn’t have the heart to set her away from me, and I figured there was a better chance of her sleeping with me than without me. I’m not even sure she’s aware when we decide to call it a night.

I carry the drowsy bundle up to our suite, pangs of tenderness radiating through my chest every time she emits a sleepy murmur and snuggles closer, burying her face in the curve of my neck. I try my best to undress Ella without disturbing her slumber, but it’s no use. She blinks up at me with heavy-lidded eyes as I slide her dress down over her hips, one small hand extending towards my face. I pause so she can stroke my jaw, wondering if there’s ever been such a sweet mate before, then deciding such a thing is impossible.

“I’m so proud of you.” She utters, her speech only slightly slurred. “You were brilliant tonight, Dominic.”

“You were the brilliant one.” I reply, kissing her palm and finally pulling the gown from her delectable body. “You played Kieran like a fiddle, and you had every other wolf in that room hanging on your every word.”

“I just lured them in, you’re the one who they’ve chosen to follow.” She replies, summoning a beatific smile. “All those big tough wolves deferring to your strength, anxiously awaiting your directions and guidance, even above their own King’s? That’s not nothing, my love.” Her silken voice is low and husky, her gold eyes limpid pools. I know, even without scenting her arousal, that my little wolf found no shortage of excitement in watching me take charge of that room.

“Oh?” I croon, slipping her heels from her poor, swollen feet. I begin massaging the soles, and Ella moans in relief as my knuckles knead her sore muscles. “So my little troublemaker enjoyed seeing me boss everyone around, hmm?”

She flushes and giggles softly, but her face is solemn when she continues. “I’m serious. It’s a testament to just how much they respect you – we couldn’t ask for a higher endorsement.” Ella smiles again, lighting up my whole world. “It’s why you deserve to be King… wherever you go, the most powerful shifters bend the knee of their own free will. You don’t use threats or intimidation, you simply walk the walk and they fall in line.” She muses, “It’s very impressive.”

I know Ella is expressing genuine admiration – that she wants to make sure I take credit for this accomplishment – but I’m feeling much too triumphant for thoughtful reflections. My wolf wants to celebrate, and what better way could there be to mark this occasion than playing with our mate?

“So it didn’t turn you on?” I tease, sliding my hand up her velvety thigh and pulling aside the sodden gusset of her panties. Ella shudders as my fingers connect with her needy sex, sinking right into her slick folds. “This sweet pussy is certainly dripping – do you mean to tell me it’s not for me?”

“It’s always for you.” Ella answers breathily, her voice catching when my thumb finds her sensitive clit. “Only you can do this to me, Dominic.” I might think she’s simply going along with the subject change to please me, except that I can feel just how profoundly my touch addles her thoughts, derailing anything she might have wanted to say next.

I purr with barely restrained pleasure, my cock going rock hard before Ella is even finished speaking. “Very good.” I praise, pulling away the last of her undergarments. Her eyes dip to the hard member between my legs, and my wolf howls through our bond when she licks her lips as if the mere sight has made her salivate. I’m still lazily petting her most intimate flesh, drinking in every tiny sound and movement she makes as the feelings wash over her.

Ella is perfectly alert now, but I cease touching her when her eyes fall shut. “Are you sure you’re not too tired for this, little mate?” I ask, eyes narrowed in concern. “We just just go to sleep if you are.”

Her eyes snap open. “No, I’m awake.” She answers, responding so quickly I have to smother a smile.

I don’t budge my stern expression, and Ella’s pupils dilate with obvious desire, “Prove it, baby.” I instruct her, making my voice as deep as possible. “Don’t take your eyes off of me for even a moment. If you do, everything stops. I want to see you come to pieces for me.”

She gulps and nods, gnawing on her plump lower lip as she waits for me to continue stroking her. I don’t disappoint, and soon the only sounds in the room are Ella’s ecstatic whimpers and my rumbles of

pure satisfaction.

_________________

The next morning we both find it difficult to believe the summit has reached a successful conclusion, before the scheduled events have even been completed. Of course, Ella also doesn’t know that tonight’s ball is going to double as our surprise mating ceremony, and though my mind is finding it difficult to think of anything else, hers is still sharply focused on politics.

“I was thinking,” Ella says, leaning back against my chest and trailing her hands through the sea of bubbles filling our bath. “We ought to focus some efforts on encouraging Damon’s men to turn against him. Not his top advisors or anything, but the footsoldiers in his army. They’re being ordered to commit atrocities and some of them might not have a problem following those commands, but I have to think that others are waiting for any opportunity to desert.”

“That’s a good thought.” I nod in approval. “We’ve had quite a few reports of imperial soldiers joining the resistance already, but if we offer amnesty to the rest then we might be able to incentivize more wolves to change sides.”

“The only thing I don’t like about it is that they shouldn’t need an incentive to betray a leader as dishonorable as Damon.” Ella sighs, “if anything turning traitor is a sign of virtue.”

“It’s not that simple.” I remind her, though I know she doesn’t need it. “Warriors are taught to follow orders no matter what, many have no way out, and the penalty for dereliction of duty is execution. Too many of those wolves have families to support, it makes taking the risk untenable.”

“You wouldn’t commit war crimes even if the cost was your life.” Ella counters, sounding rather petulant.

“Not my life.” I confirm, “but if it might cost me you or Rafe? If my death meant abandoning you in a world like the one Damon has created?”

“You would find another way.” Ella insists, leveling an adorable glare at me over her shoulder.

“I would try to find any alternative I could, but none of us ever know how far we’d go to protect the people we love until we’re put to the test. I know myself well enough to understand that I’m capable of doing terrible things if I feel like I have no other choice.” I exhale heavily, thinking about the future now. “Besides, when this war is over all of these shifters are going to have to find a way to go back to living side by side with those their former enemies. We can’t imprison everyone… we’re going to need compassion and empathy then more than ever.”

Ella frowns, “but we can’t just smooth over atrocities.” She reasons, “We can’t tell people to kiss, make up and pretend like it never happened – like they weren’t traumatized or they didn’t lose loved ones and livelihoods.”

“We won’t.” I promise. “But justice doesn’t necessarily mean punishment. Everyone caught up in this mess is merely trying to survive, however they can. We will all have committed offenses against other shifters and humans by the time this is over.” I run my hand over her belly, smiling as Rafe kicks against my palm. “That’s why we need you so much, Ella. I can kill Damon, but I can’t heal our peoples from wounds that run so deep. You’re the only person I know who has that power – just look at what you did for me and Roger. Look at what you’ve overcome yourself.”

Her lashes fall shut as the gravity of my words sink in. “That’s a really big job for one woman, you know.”

“I know.” I murmur, kissing her neck. “But I believe in you. And this little munchkin believes in you.” Rafe kicks in agreement, and I scent the faintest hint of tears. “Now let’s not talk about this any more today.” I suggest, “We have way too much to do.”

“I thought the only event today was the ball?” Ella asks, confused. “That’s hours and hours away.”

I offer her my most wolfish grin, “Well my beauty, you thought wrong.”

 

Chapter 250

“Cora, what the hell is going on? I demand, staring at my sister in shock and indignation. _ _ _

She has just broken into my suite and announced that I will not be wearing the dress that Did especially for tonight’s ball. She pulled the hanger out of my closet and threw the laundry bag aside, as if the dress inside wasn’t the same.the most expensive piece of clothing any of us have ever had.

“Just put on your bathrobe and sit down. The makeup artist arrives at any minute. Cora replies, with a devious and utterly unrepentant smile on her face. ” She’s moving around my dressing room, pulling up a chair in front of the dressing table.”, making room by moving boxes and suitcases. She moves around the room as if she owns the place. Normally, I wouldn’t mind that – since my sister is welcome to anything that’s mine – It’s his sneaky demeanor and knowledgeable looks that are driving me to distraction.

–

“Makeup artist? ” I repeat, horrified. I gave up trying to follow her frantic movements, knowing I couldn’t keep up with her and that she wouldn’t stop even if I tried. “What are you talking about? I’m perfectly capable of doing myown makeup. ”

“Sure you can, but there’s nothing wrong with pampering a little once in a while. when . ” My sister replies, not giving me any more information about her strange behavior . She starts rummaging through my shoe rack, seeming to eliminate a number of options with a single look, including the heels I bought specifically for this event. I’m about to demand answers once more when the door opens and a new voice joins the confusion .

–

“Don’t forget the hairdressers! Elizabeth sings, entering without warning and carrying three heavy- looking bags. “They want to start rolling it up before the makeup team takes over. Obviously she could hear our conversation before she arrived, and obviously she’s involved in whatever that plot is.

“Okay, stop! I cry, throwing my hands out in protest. The two women stop halfway, looking at me with Expressions of expectation . “One of you needs to tell me what’s going on, right now. ” I order firmly, trying tokeep my voice steady.

“Don’t worry, she’s never gotten along with surprises. ” Cora says to Isabel in a somewhat conspiratorial tone , as if I not even being here. Luckily she turns to me a second later, “Ella, everything you need Knowing is that there has been a small change of plans and we are here to ensure that everything run well . _ ”

“What a change of plans! I exploded, feeling more frustrated by the minute. “I’ve been planning this ball for weeks! I know all the details about the logistics , the decoration and the environment, the food ! I personally approved each _ _item on the menu, each flower going to the arrangements of Flowers – I’d know if anything had changed. Do you realize that I have teams of people working on this? You can’t just come in and change things at the last minute. ”

“Take a deep breath, dear. ” Elizabeth says, hanging the bags that weigh on her. _ _ _ ” It’s not last minute, we’ve been working on this for days. Also, Dominic doesn’t want you stressed, he’s just trying to do something good For you . ”

I gawk, cradling my belly. My first instinct is to laugh in their face if they think some days is time Enough to make big adjustments in this kind of event, but my wolf is more focused in the second half of Elizabeth’s statement. “Did Dominic arrange this? ”

“Well, technically we organized that. ” Cora corrects me, all smiling. “But we did it at his behest. We’re just fulfilling your wishes. Now calm down – if and try to have fun. ” _ _

As soon as I hear that my cowardly companion is behind this scheme, my wolf immediately cools down. _ _ My shoulders drop as the tension coursing through my body abruptly dissipates , disappearing as quickly as it emerged. If Sinclair is responsible, I know I’ll like this surprise. At the same time, my mind is spinning with questions. I’m not sure where he is at the moment, but I reach out to him anyway .

What are you doing? I ask suspiciously.

He must be close, because as soon as the message comes out of my head , his cozy laugh fills my senses. You’ll see, problem. Are you being a good girl and letting Cora and Isabel take care of you?_

You mean your evil minions? I snort, they’re taking great pleasure in fooling me , in fact they’re just asking towards be bitten .

No biting, little wolf. Sinclair warns, his tone sounding too forgiving for me to take seriously.

My wolf grumbles rebelliously, a new thought arises then. If Sinclair is responsible for this twist, perhaps he is the one who should pay the price . ” What about you?” “She asks mischievously, can I bite you?” _

Maybe later. He laughs, and I don’t try to hide my disappointment. “We’ll be together soon.” “For now relax – I promise you’ll enjoy this surprise.

My wolf is still muttering curses in my head when the makeup and hair crews arrive. They slide inside carrying sophisticated boxes of supplies, all with bright smiles and talking in a tone so loud that his words border on squeals. they’re allclearly very excited, but no one is going to tell me what’s going to be happening and it’s driving me absolutely crazy.

I sit patiently as my hair is curly in meticulous detail, staring to anyone and everyone who looks in my direction. I have to get up twice during the session to go relieve the bladder, but Soon my reflection is

more glamorous than ever.My golden pink hair is entwined in intricate braids wrapping around my head while long Curly locks float around my face. The effect is ethereal and charming, especially when they start adding pins with pearls true .

My makeup is impressive but understated, leaning heavily on my charms Natural , instead of painting them . Smoky shadows form seductive patterns under my well-carved eyebrows, and onyx paint is spread over my long lashes, making my golden irises glow. _in bright contrast . My fair skin is virtually untouched, with just a touch of blush on my apples of protruding face and a pink lipstick over my fleshy lips.

Cora and Isabel come to admire the finished product, and I notice that they are both using it matching emerald dresses. “You look amazing. My sister smiles, shaking my hand.

“It’s true ,” Elizabeth confirms with the typical indifferent air. “In fact, it’s annoying that someone is allowed to be so beautiful. Maybe we should undo some of that – it might cause a ruckus. ”

” She’s not going to cause a ruckus. ” Cora laughs, shaking her head. ” But Dominic can when he sees you. ”

“And we haven’t even put on her dress yet. ” Elizabeth smiles. _

“What a dress! “I demand,” how can you have made another dress without that Do I give it a try? I exclaim, gesturing to the full length of my body. While my breasts and belly bore the brunt of the growing pains in the first two trimesters of my pregnancy, the third is showing me how nothing is safe from change. My hips are widening, my ass has a lot of extra padding , up my feet seem to have grown. “I balloon another inch good morning, whatever is in that bag doesn’t will fit! ”

“Honestly, Ella. Elizabeth rolls her eyes. “Do you think we’re complete amateurs? The seamstress has been at it since the beginning. ” took a test for her ball gown, she took out duplicate measurements for

the royal dress. ”

My jaw drops as I look back and forth between these women, “Who are you! ”

“So, you love spy movies.” Cora replies, ignoring me again. _

“If one of you doesn’t start talking, I’m going to lose my temper . “I warn you,” and losing your temper means a lot of tears these days. If you don’t want me to ruin that makeup, then tell me what’s going on . ”

” Alright, princess,” Isabel laughs humorously, ” why You don’t take a look at your dress, so you can decide if you still want to twist our necks. ”

My jaw clenches and I clench my hands into fists, moving forward and violently unzipping the clothes bag. I don’t want to look at this dress. _ I want the dress I chose with the stylist. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like I’m going to get _ _the explanations I need any other manner , then I get into the game.

As soon as the zipper descends, I feel the air stolen from my lungs. _ _ Opening the waterproof cover, meeting meters and meters of bright white fabric . I have no idea what material it is, but it has the most notable luminescence _ _glow, making it look like a ray of pure moonlight. Pearls like the ones entwined in my hair were sewn into the bodice and skirts, accentuating the intricate swirling embroidery throughout the design.

Suddenly, I understand why everyone is behaving so strangely—even before my sister finally have mercy on me.

“Ella, tonight isn’t just a ball. ” Cora tells me, her eyes sparkling. “It’s your mating ceremony. “