around the pot, lowering it to let more water into it before cleaning it some more. Dinner went well, surprisingly so with the Elites there. The pack have definitely got used to them over the past two weeks and are slowly being less hesitant around them, especially the kids.
I should stop their interactions altogether, but seeing some of those towering males make them laugh… I just can’t bring myself to tell them to stay away. Maybe if the Elites got close to them, they would become another protector for them. The Elites know some of the pack still shake in fear when they get too close, but they never cross boundaries with them. Its surprising they respect it, considering some are the cause of some members suffering.
I sigh and tip the pot forward, letting out the water into the river. “How are the injured Elites doing?” I ask Anna as she washes a mug beside me. It’s only Anna, Josie and I out here. I asked them earlier to help me so we could talk privately.
She wipes a strand of red hair from her freckled face. “They are healing well. A bit too well if we want to delay their trip back to the Highers.”
“It’s been what? Nearly three weeks now since they arrived. They are getting restless, especially Darius.” He’s itching to get back, the male won’t leave me alone, especially after we made the vow that he would keep Eridian from the Highers. He doesn’t even try to hide that he’s always following me.
Anna has been slowing the injured Elites healing as much as possible so we had time to figure out how to handle the situation. I don’t know whether Darius believed her when she told him she’s limited in her healing abilities and lacks all the supplies she needs, it’s all true, but we also needed time to keep Eridian safe.
“You mentioned they had some sort of timeline, right?” Anna asks, and I nod. “Do we know when that is?”
“No idea. We haven’t heard them speak of it again since Hudson overheard them the first time.” I put the pot to the side and grab a plate. “Not knowing isn’t helpful either.” I need to prepare for when I leave for the Highers.
I’ve barely slept since they’ve arrived, apart from the time in the cave with Darius, or really eat. The fact that Darius and Leo are staying in my cabin only raises my anxiety. I can’t function like this. The fear that I’ll wake up to them telling me it’s time to go to Fenrikar is ever pressing in my mind, never letting up, never leaving me alone.
“It’s not,” Anna agrees. “We will have to deal with it when it comes to you leaving. None of us want you to go.”
“Are you sure you will be back?” Josie asks, rinsing another pot out on the other side of me.
“I will have to help them bring new people here, so yeah, I’ll be back,” I tell them. I told them all about the vow I made with Darius a few days ago, it took a lot of persuading to reassure them that this is for the best.
“Can you trust him? They are the Highers’ weapons after all,” Josie grumbles, hefting another pot into the river to clean.
“He vowed before the old Gods, as they call them. I don’t take that lightly, so I think we can trust him in this. For now, anyway.” I sit back on the bank, shaking the water off my hands as I watch the river flow in a smooth rhythm. “I haven’t come across someone like him before,” I murmur. “Before I came here, Josh, Kade and Cassie and I were just staying out in the woods or abandoned barns. We never interacted with anyone unless it was absolutely necessary when we went into a village to try and steal some food, or pay with coins we stole. Even then we kept our answers to a few short words. We weren’t around a lot of people. Darius is so different from Josh or Taylor or Danny, or anyone here.”
“In what way?” Josie follows my lead and sits back, waiting for my answer.
“He’s just… more.” I shake my head, tipping it up to the slowly darkening sky. “He has an aura around him I have never felt before.”
“He’s an Alpha,” Anna says, squeezing out water from the rag.
“So are many others here too, and most of the Elites. Darius just feels like something I can’t explain,” I say, shaking my head, frustrated I can’t put it into words.
I know what an Alpha feels like when they release their dominance, but Darius has an undertone of something I’m not sure anyone else realizes. It’s subtle, but that something swirls around, entwining with his natural dominance and flows through it discreetly. Just not discreetly enough for me to not pick it up.
A howl pierces our silence, and I smile, bringing my head forward and looking into the trees on the other side of the river.
“Someone is calling you,” Josie chuckles, and Anna gives a matching smile.
“So it seems.” I get to my feet and begin piling up the pots and cutlery I’ve washed when Josie bumps my hip with hers.
“Go, I’m sure you miss them.” I look around, unsure. “We will be fine, we have been on high alert for days, and nothing has been reported as unusual. We will take the pots back. Go, relax a little.” I look at Anna, who nods and rolls her eyes at the next howl demanding my attention. “Quickly, before you’re hunted,” she laughs, and I chuckle, knowing how right she is.
I touch my cheek to both of theirs in goodbye before I roll my loose pants up to my knees and take off my boots. Once in hand, I walk across the stony bottom of the river, hop up and put my boots back on. Thankfully, it’s shallow where we are and I can cross easily.
I turn and give one last wave before heading into the treeline, opening my senses and heading for that howl. I nudge Runa for a burst of speed, my heart pumping as I get closer and closer to the sound. It isn’t long until a branch snapping to my left has my head whipping that way, and a grin spreads across my face as the sight of fur. The wolf follows alongside me through the trees, keeping pace as another joins me on my right, gliding through the bushes.
A chuckle falls from my lips, and I lift my face to the branches above, releasing my own human howl as they echo it. The feeling of being free as I run sends air into my lungs, even as I exert myself. I feel like the coating of Rhea, Alpha of Eridian, falls away, and underneath it is just Rhea, a woman with no responsibility, no fear or anxiety. No thoughts of Solvier’s strange words to me the last time I saw him, or thoughts of being in front of the Highers.
I’m just me, free for a little while.
The two wolves burst through the trees on either side of me as we approach a hollowed tree. They stroll toward me as I slow down to a walk, and then I stop and wait. I look at the wolf to my left, our eyes connecting, before I look down at the one on my right, its stare already on me.
We still.
We wait.
Then, we pounce.
I dive for one while the other comes at me. I tackle one to the ground as the others jump on my back, nipping my shoulder as I laugh and roll. A sloppy tongue comes on my cheek next, and I chuckle as I push the muzzle away as the other flops itself down on top of me.
“Stop, stop,” I laugh, shoving them both to get them off of me. Runa comes closer to the surface, taking in their touches against my skin before lying down, happy to be close as we play.
Tiny yips and cries reach my ears, and the wolves instantly jump off of me and sit on their haunches, heads tilted to the side as their eyes go to the hollowed tree. I sit up, grinning as the cries get louder and louder. I wait, keeping quiet until a tiny black nose pops itself out of a large root, and then two tiny paws come next. The little gray furball, the one I named Leif, comes blundering out as soon as he notices me. His two brothers and sister come out after him as he lands on my legs and climbs up my chest, licking my face.
“Hey, little man,” I say, lifting him up to my face so I can nuzzle him, his little tongue covering me in saliva. More yips and the other three get bundled in my arms as I lay on my back, getting attacked by the little fur balls.
I move my eyes to the large tree, seeing their mama sat there, her head tilted as she watches her pups play with me. She’s always with them, but she keeps her distance, trusting me not to hurt them. Her mate, however, can be a bit trickier in assuring his pups are fine.
The two older wolves I was playing with come back to me, licking and nuzzling us before we continue to play on the forest floor, chasing each other and hiding from the pups as they hunt us down. I grab one of the pups, tickling its back as it spins and yips, its front paws to the floor, bum in the air as he gets ready to come for me. Leif darts between my legs and tackles his brother, the other pups joining in their wrestling match. I bend down and bat at their paws, tickling their noises. I bring my hand back before they can nip me and run away as they chase me.
I eventually collapse when the moon is high, panting on the floor with the dirt and twigs making a home on my body. One wolf curls up next to me as the other trots off to its mama, who watches her pups lay on my chest, their little eyes closing after their long playtime.
“It’s okay, mama,” I tell her, and she tilts her head as I bring a hand up and stroke the nearest fluff ball on my chest. “A couple more minutes, and I’ll bring them to you. They aren’t the only ones who need sleep.”
She makes a huffing sound before nudging her head against the other wolf next to her. Then she stills, her lips peeling back and hackles on end as she stands and growls in the direction across from me. I move in an instant, rolling over and bracing my forearms over the pups that fell off my body and are now beneath me, hovering over them protectively. Mama and the two younger wolves move to my side instantly as I look through the trees as a figure appears.
“I didn’t know you’d find wild wolves a good talking companion,” a deep voice murmurs, and I blow out a breath. I get to my feet, making sure I don’t stand on one of the pups, and face Darius as he emerges from the trees and into the moonlight. He looks toward the wolves, holding eye contact with mama for a beat as she growls, before he nods his head. “You know I won’t harm them,” he says to her, and my brows raise to my hairline.
Mama’s growls become quieter, and I watch her out of the corner of my eye until she eventually relaxes. She doesn’t take her eyes off Darius though. A yip has my head turning to the ground and Leif, ever the curious pup, gets on his little feet and runs toward Darius at full pelt. I take a step forward, wanting to… what? Protect him? But mama doesn’t make a move to, and it’s not my pup. So, I stay back and hold my damn breath.
I don’t know what I thought would happen, but it wasn’t Darius smiling wide and picking the pup up gently in his large hands, bringing Leif to his face and rubbing his nose against him. That was the last thing I expected.
I watch on, stunned with how careful he is and my chest swirls uncomfortably, so uncomfortably that I bring my hand up and rub the spot as I watch Leif try and nip his nose.
And then…
Then Darius releases a sound I haven’t heard from him before, and I swear the earth beneath me shifts and breaks before aligning into something new. The sound is deep and hearty, and I can’t take my eyes off the grin on his face as he laughs at the pup. His eyes light up even more as he puts him down and picks up a stick, waving it in front of him until Leif latches on to it with the most adorable, tiny growl. My heart just melted.
Darius sits down and does a small, gentle growl back, as if not to scare him. He grips the stick and moves it back and forth, Leif’s little front paws coming off the ground as he tries to hold on and take it from him. His brothers and sister get brave and run toward them, their own little growls coming from them as they jump on Leif and try and get the stick for themselves. Darius laughs again, picking up another stick to share while I stand there stunned.
Wordless.
And utterly captivated at the sight of Darius, Alpha of the Elites, playing with wild wolf pups and enjoying it. He has the same look on his face as he did in the forest with the wisps, and once again, that heat hits my chest.
I let out a breathless chuckle and plonk down on my ass, crossing my legs as I sit and watch them. Mama comes next to me, bumping my cheek, and I reach a hand up to scratch behind her ear. She makes a small sound, and the pups stop attacking the stick and look up at mama before trotting over to her, their tails high. Mama bends her head and nudges them toward the hollowed tree, and I keep my eyes on a reluctant Leif who stays with Darius.
I get to my feet and walk over to them, not raising my eyes to his curious stare and still ignoring the heat within my chest. Bending down to stroke Leif’s head, I give him a good scratch on the back of the neck. “Come on fluff ball,” I whisper as I place my hand under his belly and lift him up. “Time to go.” A dark shadow comes out of the trees, and I turn, meeting the gaze of a larger wolf. He stops short at the sight of me with his pup until his gaze turns to Darius. “Daddy’s home,” I mumble.
They stare at each other, and I don’t move, too nervous as I don’t know how this will go. I usually leave when he turns up. He’s not much of a fan of mine, but with Darius here, I’m not sure what will happen. I tense up, waiting for the male wolf to snarl and lunge. Only he doesn’t. He cocks his head to the side before he walks over to me, his paws silent on the ground. He stills when he’s in front of me, looking from me to his pup, and I have no idea whether I should hold on to Leif or put him on the floor.
“Give the pup to him, Rhea,” Darius says, his breath at my ear as his arms come around. I didn’t even hear him, in fact, I didn’t hear him coming here in the first place. He followed me didn’t he? Did he hear what Josie, Anna and I were talking about?
I swallow. If he knows she’s been slowing his Elites healing, everything could fall apart.
His large hands engulf mine, and my head turns towards him. My mouth touches his jaw, and he releases a little sound that has my insides fluttering. Squeezing my hands gently, he guides them out, making sure we both have a firm hold on the wiggling pup as we bring our hands down toward Leif’s dad. I watch as the wolf opens his mouth, and my fingers dig into Leif’s fur, not wanting to let him go. Darius’ nose nudges behind my ear, not taunting, but more letting me know it’s okay. I release a small breath.
Darius moves our hands to just inside the wolf’s mouth, then his own fingers slip between mine as we slowly let go. Leif wriggles, but his dad gently presses down onto Leif, his hold secure, but not hurting him as he turns to where mama waits for them. Mama licks her mate’s face as he passes with their pup, and she wastes no time heading into the den herself with the others, disappearing out of sight.
I breathe a sigh of relief, thankful daddy wolf didn’t attack Darius, then I jolt at the squeeze of a hand against mine. I look down at our threaded fingers. His are much larger than mine, and I can’t help but think how good we fit despite the size difference. I have never just held someone’s hand, not like this, and I’ve never felt the need to keep it there. His chin lands on my head as we stay silent, listening to the odd sound of critters nearby, not wanting to disturb the bubble of peace that has descended between us. I relax back into him, wanting his warmth to seep into me as he brings his arm around me, pulling me closer.
I don’t feel threatened in his arms. I don’t feel scared or like my lungs will give out from not getting enough air at being held against him. I never have felt truly threatened by his touch. Some part of me instinctively knowing he won’t hurt me in that way. Not physically.
I just feel peaceful, and that isn’t something I should feel. Especially with him. My enemy.
“Let’s go, little wolf. It’s late.” I nod my head beneath his chin, and he releases his arm around me before turning me with my hand still in one of his. He pulls me along as we walk in the direction of Eridian, the moon our only witness as he keeps hold of my hand and doesn’t let go. It feels like a secret, something only known between us and the night.
I don’t try to release my hand from his, wanting to keep the connection thrumming between us at the small contact, our wolves pressing up against each other. After making the vow in the cave, we have a truce, no matter how tentative it may be. I just hope when the time comes and I am brought to the Highers, I can eventually return home to my safe haven and go back to some sort of normalcy.
But as we walk back while holding hands, silently taking in the night air, it feels like something has changed. Something that neither one of us is willing to admit. We can’t stay away from each other. I feel his eyes on me all the time, watching, protecting, and I always search for that feel of him watching me. Deep down, I don’t want that to go away, it’s become so familiar to me since he came here. It feels like something that is just… mine.
He suddenly stops, bringing me to a halt and tips my chin up with a hand. We hold ourselves captive to the pull, our eyes bouncing between each other. Darius blinks, a small hum coming from him before placing a surprised, gentle kiss to my lips. I give in to the feeling that courses through me at his touch. I open my mouth and let him taste me as I taste him, breathing in each other’s scent. He growls low in the back of his throat at my submission when I let him take control, his tongue tangling with mine as he brings a hand up to the back of my head and threads it through my hair, bringing me as close to him as he can. All the while still holding my hand.
There, under the moonlight, I feel like it’s possible to have the impossible for just a moment. I’m not the Alpha of Eridian, and he isn’t the Alpha of the Elites. We are not enemies, just a man and a woman with no responsibilities until the sun rises and the day begins anew.
And as he softens the kiss and rubs his nose against mine, I know I will remember this moment as one of those precious ones. Where he let himself indulge, and I let myself be selfish until we go back to reality.
