by Bethany Shaw
The curtain rustled as Darren stepped in. His eyes went to Enid who was still resting in the bed before darting back to Alex. “How is she?” he asked.
“I think she’ll be fine after she gets some decent sleep,” he said honestly.
“Good. The avalanche appears to be successful,” he commented. “One truck was inundated and the other vehicle fled. There is no sign of the helicopter.”
“I would assume you have posted lookouts to be sure?” Alex questioned. Darren might not be an alpha, but surely he had common sense—at least he hoped he did.
“Of course,” he answered smugly.
“Was there something else we could do for you then?” Alex dismissed him.
Darren opened his mouth, his gaze drifting to Enid again. “No.” He turned and strode out of the room, leaving the three of them alone again.
“I don’t like him,” Cori whispered.
“You’re not the only one,” he told her. “But he has the loyalty of all the other wolf packs. Until we earn their trust, we can’t afford to do anything rash,” he admitted.
If anything, the other wolves looked up to him being a lower ranking wolf that had risen into a role of power. It was going to be hard to win them over, but he was always up for a challenge.
Chapter Ten
Enid groaned as she blinked her eyes open. The aroma of deer stew called to her, which was laughable because she’d had enough of that crap to last her a lifetime.
“You’re awake,” Cori’s voice floated through the room.
Enid rolled over and met the girl’s eyes. “How long have I been out?”
Her body didn’t ache anymore, but her eyes were heavy like she'd been sleeping for years.
“Two days,” Cori replied.
Oh?
“Dad says it’s a side effect of being shot and forcing yourself to shift twice so close together after a serious injury, but I think he’s going to be really glad to see you awake,” she said as she made her way over and sat down on the bed. “How do you feel?”
“Like I’ve slept for two days,” she sighed with a smile. It had been a long time since she’d gotten a good night's rest. Most of her nights were filled with nightmares of the events that led up to the death of her boys. She couldn’t recall dreaming of anything. That’s probably why she’d slept so soundly.
“Dad will be back in a bit. Darren has him on guard duty,” Cori told her as she fiddled with her fingers. “He insisted you stay with us while you healed. I think he wants you to stay indefinitely.”
“And what do you want?” Enid inquired. Did Cori want her to stay too?
Red bloomed over the girl’s cheeks. “You saved my life and you make my dad happy. I’d be happy if you stayed with us. Do you want to?”
Enid shifted beneath the covers. “I think I’d like that,” she smiled.
Alex had awoken her spirit and now that she had a glimpse of what could be she didn’t want to lose it again. Opening her heart was a risk, but she couldn’t ignore what she felt for Alex and Cori was quickly worming her way into Enid’s heart as well.
Cori reached out and hugged Enid. “I’m so glad.”
Enid clasped the girl to her, smoothing her hands up and down her back.
“I’m sorry. I’m not hurting you am I?” Cori pulled back as her eyes widened.
Enid chuckled. “I’m fine.”
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Alex’s voice spoke from the entryway.
Cori grinned and shook her head. “Enid’s going to stay with us, Dad,” Cori blurted with a giggle.
“Is that so?” Alex asked meeting Enid’s eyes.
“It’s a little lonely in my cavern,” she told him. “Do you mind?” She bit her lip and swallowed. Cori could have extended the invite on a guess as to what Alex wanted. What if he didn’t want her to stay? Sure the sex was amazing, but it had been a long time since they’d been a couple.
“We’re glad to have you with us,” Alex beamed as he strode to the bed and sat down on the mattress beside Cori. “Have you eaten?”
“I was just about to offer her a bowl of stew,” Cori said as she stood.
Enid’s stomach rumbled before she could speak and she placed a hand over her abdomen and laughed. “I’d like that. Thanks.”
Cori hurried over to the table and snatched a steaming bowl from the table. “Here you go.”
“Thank you,” Enid told her as she accepted the food.
“You’re staying at Parker’s tonight, right?” Alex asked.
“Yes.” Cori said bobbing her head up and down. “Is it okay for me to go now that you’re back?”
“Go ahead and have fun,” he told her as he pressed a kiss to her temple.
“See you in the morning,” Cori called as she skipped to the door.
“Sleep over?” Enid questioned.
“Just because we survived the apocalypse doesn’t mean she shouldn’t get to be a kid,” Alex teased. “I’m just glad there are kids close to her age here. She’s really taken a liking to Parker’s girl Katie.”
“It must’ve been hard being the only girl,” Enid agreed.
“You know, you don’t have to stay with us, Enid,” Alex told her as he met her eyes.
“I know. I want to. I’ve been in love with you since the first time we met. I can’t walk away from this,” she whispered as she set her bowl down on an end table and pulled him in for a kiss by the collar of his shirt.
“Good,” he mumbled against her lips.
Enid sighed as he cupped her face and flicked his tongue into her mouth. Everything in this moment was right. She wiggled her fingers up his shirt and ran the pads of them down his back as she pulled him closer.
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Alex questioned between kisses.
“Hmmm, I’m not sure. Maybe you should check my wound and be sure,” she flirted with a grin.
“That’d be my pleasure.” Alex lifted her tank top up and over her head, exposing her breasts.
His fingers trailed over her nipples as they tickled their way down to her side. The tips of his digits skimmed over the puckered, pink scar. He leaned forward and placed a kiss to it.
“Looks good,” he said as he kissed it again.
Enid ran her fingers through his thick hair, loving the way his mouth felt on her bare skin. It wasn’t enough. She wanted to feel more of him.
Her hands dipped down his body and tugged at the hem of his shirt, rolling it up his sculpted body and tossing it to the floor. She smoothed her fingers over the plains of his chest and smiled up at him.
Alex grinned as his hands went to the buckle on his jeans and he unfastened it. He stood up and shoved the fabric down his long legs. His pert cock sprung out to greet her and she bit her lip, shuddering as she imagined what it would be like to have him inside her again.
Her body hummed with excitement as she reached under the covers and slipped her pants and panties off, depositing them on the floor next to her tank top.
Alex climbed back on the bed as he shoved the blankets back. He nestled between her thighs and tugged the covers up over his shoulders as he leaned forward, placing his hands on both sides of her.
One of his palms kneaded her breasts, rolling his thumb over her nipple, drawing the bud into a tight peak. Enid leaned up and nibbled on his lower lip. She traced his lips and teeth, exploring his mouth.
Alex grunted as he pushed her down onto the pillows. The tip of his cock probed her entrance and she wiggled her hips, encouraging him to enter.
She stared into his eyes as she lifted her leg and fit it around his waist. Alex groaned and tilted his hips forward, sinking into her tight, wet, heat. Enid arched off the bed as her eyes fluttered closed. His cock stretched her wonderfully and she slid her other leg around him, drawing him in as deep as she could.
Alex pulled out and then thrust back in. He set a slow and steady rhythm. Enid bucked her hips, meeting him thrust for thrust, eager for more friction.
“Don’t stop,” she panted as her eyes rolled into the back of her head. Her hands jutted out and she fisted the sheets in her hands as Alex pumped harder. Her inner walls clenched around his cock. Unable to hold back any longer she teetered over the edge, burying her face in his shoulder to help muffle out her cries of pleasure.
Alex picked up his pace, driving deeper and harder, spurring her orgasm to intensify. Enid dug her heels into the small of his back as her nails dug at the sheets. He cried out as his body stiffened above hers and his seed spilled inside of her.
Enid panted, releasing her vice grip on the sheets and wrapping her arms around Alex. She held him close as he rested his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes.
“I love you,” she told him as she brushed her fingers through his hair.
“I love you, too,” he sealed it with a kiss as his cock began to harden inside her again.
It was going to be a long, wonderful night.
***
Alex walked hand-in-hand with Enid down the corridor to the meeting room. He grumbled under his breath wondering what Darren wanted this time. Maybe he was finally going to relinquish control to him or Enid.
In the three weeks since their trip into town, all had been quiet. However, Parker had made sure to let everyone know that the avalanche that had saved the wolves had been Enid’s plan, not Darren’s. There had been unrest and whispers questioning his command, especially with the imposed mating. Not so surprisingly, no one was a fan of the idea; like he and Enid, most people that lived in the tunnels had lost a child or children and few were willing to travel down that path again. Losing a child was too painful and not something he ever wanted to experience again.
“You’re late,” Darren informed as they entered the cavern.
Alex rolled his eyes as Enid shrugged. They’d been a little caught up and he was certain everyone could smell their lingering arousals. He didn’t mind if others knew what they’d been up to. Enid was his mate and he loved that they smelled like each other all the time.
“What’s going on?” Enid questioned as she folded her arms on her chest and leaned against the wall. “Is everything okay?” she jumped right into business.
“I wanted to discuss a few things with you before I address the pack,” Darren said as he flitted his gaze from Alex to Enid, then to Parker.
“I was going to lift the requirement of finding a mate and I thought we could introduce a council consisting of the four of us to the pack. All major decisions go through us before being passed down to the pack,” he replied.
“Or you could just make Enid and I leaders. We do have alpha blood. It’s in your instinct, in everyone’s instinct to follow our lead,” Alex pointed out as he stared Darren in the eyes.
Darren looked down to the ground in submission. “Maybe so, but for now, the majority of the pack still looks to me for guidance.”
A fight for dominance might not go over well—yet—but it was only a matter of time before Alex and Enid could take the helm. Keeping things peaceful was the right thing to do for the moment. Enough wolves had lost their lives in the past decade. There was no reason to add to it.
Enid shook her head and Alex sighed as he held her gaze. He trusted her decision when it came to Darren. She knew him best.
“If we join this council, then can I deem it a safe assumption our opinions will actually matter when it comes to important decisions?” Alex questioned.
“Of course,” Darren grunted.
“Fine.” Alex nodded. “I’m in.”
“Me too,” Enid piped up.
“Me three,” Parker added.
“Good. I’ve called a town hall meeting after lunch. I’ll announce it then,” Darren said as he walked to the exit and made his way out without another word.
“There has been a lot of unrest lately. There are some who think the two of you could lead us better than Darren,” Parker admitted as he met their eyes.
“I know you made sure everyone knew the avalanche was Enid’s idea,” Alex said, nodding his thanks.
“We need people who can think on their toes and protect this pack. There is a reason alphas are leaders,” he told them.
“Thank you,” Enid whispered.
“I’ll see you two later,” Parker excused himself.
Alex waited until he was certain both men were out of hearing distance. “We’re making progress,” he commented.
Enid nodded her agreement. “If we keep things amicable, it will make it easier when we get the chance to transition power to us.”
“Do you think that will happen?” Alex questioned. He hoped so, taking orders from Darren was grating on his last nerve.
“The bigger presence we are, and the more people that view us as leaders, the sooner it will happen. I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” she told him.
“Me either,” he agreed.
“So...we have until after lunch with nothing to do...” Enid trailed off as she batted her lashes at him.
“Cori’s in the cafeteria preparing lunch,” he added with a grin
Enid bit her lip as she smiled. “Sounds like we can go back to bed.”
“I can’t think of a better way to spend my morning.” And he couldn’t think of anything he’d rather be doing. Enid was the love of his life. Though they’d missed years, there was always time to make up for it and there was no time like the present.
Chapter Eleven
Three years later...
“She’s late,” Alex growled as he paced back and forth across the grass.
Enid nibbled on her lower lip as she scanned the streets. They were abandoned. Debris littered the streets of the deserted town. No one was there.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” she whispered as she met Alex’s gaze. “She’s nearly as good a shot as me and she’s with Marc.”
Alex’s lip curled up at the mention of the male. “I shouldn’t have let them go together. I’ve seen the way she’s been looking at him.”
Enid giggled. “She’s fifteen. It’s only going to get worse.”
“I know,” he admitted. “But he’s nineteen and—”
“Marc idolizes you,” Enid cut him off. “He’s not going to do anything to jeopardize your relationship.”
“He better not. Cori’s still a kid,” he grumbled. “I remember what it was like when I was his age.” His eyes darted to her. “I couldn’t keep my hands off the beautiful wolf I was seeing.”
“I remember,” she whispered with a grin. “You still seem to have a problem keeping your hands to yourself,” she teased as he stopped pacing and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her from behind.
“I can’t help myself,” he admitted, peppering kisses down her neck.
Enid brushed away from him and held her hands over her belly where the precious life was growing inside her.
“You’re still upset with me?” he questioned with a sigh.
“I’m not upset with you,” she told him as she turned to face him. “I’m upset with the situation. I never wanted this.”
She’d realized her precarious situation three days ago, but still had no idea how it happened. Well, that wasn’t true, she knew how it happened, her and Alex shared their love for each other multiple times each day. But she’d never had a heat cycle. It didn’t make sense.
“We’ll be home in two days. Once we get into the protection of the mountain I’ll feel a lot better, and I hope you will too,” Alex comforted as he pulled her to him.
This time she nestled into his embrace, burying her face into the crook of his neck. “Part of me can’t wait to meet this life we’ve created,” she whispered as she clutched his shirt tighter. “But the other part remembers what it was like to hold Chase and
James as they gasped for a breath they couldn’t have. I can’t do that again. I can’t bury another child.” Tears pricked her eyes and her bottom lip trembled.
“You won’t.” Alex pushed her back as he cupped her cheeks. “We are immune to the Wolf Flu. Our child will be, too. The books the witches used are still tucked away safely. There hasn’t been any humans or witches near the mountain for three years,” he assured her. “Besides, you’re already a mother. I see the way you dote on Cori. You love her like she is your own.”
It was true. Cori wasn’t her daughter by birth, but she was her daughter in every way that mattered.
Enid nodded. The witches hadn’t returned since the avalanche. But the pack had other problems. “What about food?” she questioned as she met his gaze.
That was the reason they were out—food was scarce at the mountain. She, Alex, Cori, and Marc had come out to raid some of the nearby towns. They’d been gone for nearly three weeks, collecting all the supplies they could.
“We did pretty well,” Alex encouraged. He nodded his head to the beat-up pick-up truck and trailer that was stuffed to capacity with items.
“Yeah,” she agreed with a sigh. “But our pack is growing.” In the past three years four babies were born. It wasn’t much by any means, but it was something.
“And we’ll figure it out like we always do,” Alex promised. “Everything is going to be fine. Trust me.”
Enid drew in a breath and let it out as she closed her eyes. “I do.”
Alex placed a kiss to her forehead and pulled her back into an embrace. Enid knew she was safe when she was curled in his embrace. They lived in a world of darkness, but occasionally shimmers of light emanate. When that happened she grasped onto them and hung on for dear life. The shimmers had brought her happiness so far and she wasn’t going to question it.
“Cori and Marc are here,” Alex told her as he pulled away.
Enid spun around and watched as the pair hiked toward them both holding onto a rope that pulled a large sled behind them.
“It looks like they did well,” she commented.
“Yeah. We’ll have to come back out and hit up the ocean towns again. If I’d have known we’d get so much, we’d have figured out how to bring another truck,” Alex told her.
