Chapter 50
WARNING: mild references
Marco was looking at the email, at a complete loss for words. Everyone had been through enough crap, plus figuring out where all the survivors would go. It was sad, but they couldn’t save most of the mutated ones; ninety percent of them couldn’t be moved or they would die.
The facility itself they blew up and covered in rubble. No one would ever know of its existence. There were sentinels placed around the cleared area, all that was left of the outside of the facility. They wanted to see if anyone came looking.
They were also discussing a multi-were task force, one that could go out looking for this kind of stuff, trained to see it and know where to look, putting an end to the ignorance of the Were communities.
Children would also be taught about some of the things to look for, and to be aware of those who would manipulate or abduct them.
Marco was still looking at the damn email. It looked like he was going to have to get some rooms ready. First order of business was to go tell the Alpha of his upcoming guests—after today. No way was he going to disturb him right now; he liked his head where it was.
Adira was enjoying having Duncan all to herself. They had breakfast and lunch in their room. They talked, laughed, made love, and watched a movie here and there. It was pure contentment. Duncan even listened to their pup as he moved around.
Around three in the afternoon, there was a knock on the door, and three pack members brought in all kinds of flowers: bouquets of roses of every color, daisies, and irises. It was a cornucopia of flowers. All of them were for her; most were from her mate. There were three bouquets, though, of mixed flowers that were from the pack. She was dumbfounded by all of them. She smiled brightly, and that was what Duncan wanted to see—no more tears for his Luna.
He gave instructions to all pack members not to disturb them at all, unless the place was on fire. He set it up to have their meals brought to them, as well as chocolates and flowers. She was going to be spoiled and pampered today and tonight.
He had already growled at two members for mind-linking him, never answering their questions, just growling.
Adira decided to tell Duncan about his sister, hoping that he would be open to the idea. She didn’t see anything wrong with it, as long as they were physically compatible. She supposed that if they couldn’t have their own pups or cubs, then they would be wonderful adoptive parents.
“Duncan, I have something to talk to you about. I want you to keep an open mind.” “What is it, little wolf?” “Do you know that Marnie and Ashton are developing a relationship? I think they are mates.”
He giggled. “Yes, love, I know about their budding relationship. I have no trouble with it, as long as no harm comes to Marnie and it makes her happy. I don’t know what kinds of things they will face amongst the pack or the pride. I like to think no one will have problems with it. If they do, they can bring their concerns to me to address.”
Adira smiled at Duncan. “Why are you smiling at me?” “Because, my wolfie, you just added another reason that I love you. You add them every day.”
Duncan pulled Adira to him for a kiss. “Duncan, what was it you wanted to tell me?”
He started to laugh. “You are not going to believe this. I’m not sure I do, and I saw it with my own eyes. When we reached the head scientist’s lab, he had been killed by what he had locked up. It was a Bigfoot.”
“What! No way, you are playing with me.” “Nope, my little wolf, I speak true.” “What happened to the Bigfoot? Did you let it go?”
He started to laugh louder. “Are you kidding? It made a hole and escaped all by itself. It was so pissed; there was no way anyone was going to step in front of that nightmare.”
Ash followed Marnie around like a lost puppy. She was starting to get annoyed, especially when he was waiting outside her bathroom door while she was doing her morning ritual.
In truth, she thought that Ash was hot. She fell for him the first time she saw him. They were two different species, though. Would it work? What if they are not compatible? When he carried her the other day, she felt sparks between them; that could only mean one thing.
Oddly, her wolf, Myan, had been strangely quiet about all this. Whenever Ash was around, she would go all shy and quiet. Come on, Myan, you’re a warrior, not a shy, giggling schoolgirl. I could really use some advice on this.
Still, she had to see if she could lose Ash for a little while, so she could go ask one of the elders. She decided that the best way to do it was to wait till he started eating. It was like the only thing that could drag him away from her.
She decided that she was going to the kitchen, to talk to the chef about making some especially tasty dishes for their feline guests.
Lily locked herself in her room. She was so angry with herself for all the shit she’d done in the past. Now it was coming back to visit her again. That stupid drug they used on her for so long was having side effects. They were giving her herbs to help clear it out, but not fast enough, though.
She was going into heat again. Sighing, she sat on her bed and began to cry. What the hell was she going to do now? She didn’t dare leave this room. At least this room had a tub she could fill with cold water, at least. It did help to lessen the fever and pain.
It does nothing to stop the need for mating, though. This crap was only supposed to happen to mated females, so their mates could take care of them. She had her mate, and they mated that first time. Now he is dead, and she is stuck.
She started to cry even harder when she remembered her handsome mate's face and his gentle smile. She would kill for just one more night with him. Then the image of his final moments went into her mind, and she cried out in pain. She managed to calm herself down and start a cold-water bath.
Tomorrow it will be really bad. She was supposed to go to her therapist, but that wasn’t going to happen.
She picked up the in-house phone and dialed her female helper. She told her what was going on. For a little bit, there was no sound on the other end. Then, in a burst of speech, Molly, her helper, started to bark out orders to some other women.
She was ordered to keep her door locked and stay inside. They would bring her things she would need to help ease her through the process. She was only to unlock the door if it was Molly on the other side.
With a sigh, she sat back down and started to laugh. “At least it isn’t in front of a bunch of crazy biker bears this time.”
The King was restless all day and now well into the night. What the hell was wrong with him? He hadn’t felt like this since his eighteenth birthday and met his mate that night.
Ever since Lily came to him to tell him about her last memory, he couldn’t get her scent out of his head. It made his mouth water. It reminded him of warm summer sun and gardenias. He has been roaming the castle in his restlessness. He came to a stop.
Lord God above and Goddess of the Moon sure have a sense of humor. He knew then what was going on. Lily was his second-chance mate. It would be complicated, but it could be done. If he claims her as his mate, she would be his Luna. She couldn’t be Queen, though, perhaps in name only, because of her history.
Still, though, why was he so restless? It could only mean one thing. She was in heat!
Thorn at that moment started to howl in his head. “She is alone, unprotected, and in heat! All she has between herself and a bunch of wolves is a locked door. You have to go to make our mate safe. Then we can claim her.”
He called to his personal servant, to remove all guards from inside the castle for a half an hour. He looked at his King like he’d lost his marbles.
“I SAID GO AND REMOVE THE GUARD FROM INSIDE THE CASTLE, NOW!”
In a calmer tone, he explained that he needed to remove a female that came into heat unexpectedly.
The servant ran from the room, telling the guard his instructions. Ok, now all he had to do was get his mate out of her locked room, without scaring the crap out of her. Thorn wanted to just break down the door, toss her over his shoulder, and run back to their chambers.
The King had other plans. Sometimes, Thorn, you have to be a little more diplomatic and charming to get what you need, not ram it down their throat.
You will be on your best behavior. I know that the heat will drive you crazy. Think about the scared she-wolf and what she has been through. We’ve got to take this a step at a time.