Way Of The Wolf: Endeavour (The Wulvers Series Book 3)

by Rebecca Anne Stewart

  Oh how naïve I had been and how much things had changed.

  “If you don’t get a move on, I’ll have to take you again before we go for breakfast and the pack don’t like being made to wait for their food,” Quillan teased.

  I laughed, sliding my hands under his shirt so I could feel skin. “Why you thought that would get me to go any quicker is a mystery. I’d much rather be in bed with you than out there where there’s a chance of meeting an angry wall of teeth.”

  “You won’t meet any teeth. Now get your ass moving,” he replied with a cheeky grin.

  Shaking my head and doing my best not to grin too, I headed for the door and I was sure the eyes of my mate were solely focussed on my ass. Peeking over my shoulder, I blushed at being proved right. His gaze met mine and I saw the promise they held. Tonight my screams would ring through the house again.

  I did my best to collect myself as I walked towards the dining room. I didn’t need my first time at the table to be while my hormones filled the air for all to smell. Turning to further tease my mate about his reasons for wanting to walk behind me, my words turned to a yelp. My foot caught the edge of a box by the stairs, sending my body flying forward. I managed to catch the bannister but that only jerked my shoulder and I yelped again.

  Quillan came to my side, steadying me on my feet with a chuckle. “That’s why we watch where we walk, Mo Lighiche Beag.”

  I gave him a disgruntled look and rubbed my shoulder, then eyed the box of Christmas lights in silent accusation. Cathwulf’s head popped out of the dining room, a frown creasing her features before she caught sight of the box by the stairs and marched out.

  “Roarke, I thought I asked you to move the boxes into the living room?” she yelled, irritation filling her tone as she came towards me. “Are you okay, Oria?”

  I nodded, standing straight. “I managed to avoid falling on my face.”

  My friend did her best to keep a straight face but the way she bit her bottom lip let me know she was doing her best not to laugh. I rolled my eyes and stepped closer to brush my cheek to hers, my hand brushing over her bump in an instinctual need to check on her pup. She’d be a mother very soon, I could already feel the way the pup had shifted position.

  Cat gave Quillan a smile over my shoulder before her gaze landed back on me, her eyes searching. I looked down.

  “You’re eating with us now?” she asked.

  I nodded, pushing down the nerves that coiled around my stomach. Quillan’s hand rested low on my back, his thumb sweeping over the curve of my rear which made me straighten once more.

  “I’m taking my place,” I stated, hoping my voice didn’t betray my lack of confidence.

  Cathwulf grinned, her chin tilting up in pride before she nodded once. “Good. After breakfast, you can help me get the house ready for Yule.”

  Looking back at the pile of boxes, some that were overflowing with various lights and ornaments, my nose scrunched. I’d never enjoyed Yule, it brought too many wolves close and I knew the house would be full to the brim when members of the pack came round to enjoy a shared meal. Butterflies erupted for a whole other reason and before I could try and come up with the excuse of needing to work at the clinic, I decided some private time with Cat would give me a chance to have her help me come up with a gift to get Quillan.

  Cat and I both swung to look at the very male when his stomach let out a growl that rivalled the sound of his wolf. He didn’t look embarrassed and simply shrugged, pushing me in the direction of the dining room.

  “I’m hungry,” he said simply, and I couldn’t blame him, we’d used up a lot of energy in the last few hours.

  At first, I hid behind the hulking frame of my mate as we entered the room. I held my breath as I followed him to the top of the table and took my seat on his right. My skin burned with the feel of eyes on me, the conversation seeming to stop at my presence. Tension grew and a low rumble tumbled from Quillan’s chest as he sat too, his body tense. He was waiting to see who he’d need to put in their place first but it was a fight I wanted to deal with myself.

  Gritting my teeth against the way my body trembled, I lifted my head. My wolf pushed forth with confidence, making me meet the eyes of those around the table. Ben smiled as he bowed his head, happy to submit to my position. Ruiraidh and Weylin also had no problem with me taking my place. Athena sat next to her son and the pair watched the dynamics of the pack unfold.

  “Oria sits here not only as pack healer but as the mate of Quillan and our new Beta Female,” Roarke spoke up, power emanating from his words.

  He gave me a small smile and I didn’t miss his meaning when his chin jerked up slightly. I could hear what he wanted to say to me, keep your head up. And I would.

  The wolves I didn’t know nodded at my being healer, but I didn’t miss the wide and shocked eyes at the announcement of my being Quillan’s mate. I could only hope the shock was more because Quillan had taken a mate at all and not disbelief that he’d taken one as weak as me. Of course they would question my position until I proved I could handle it, but I prayed they wouldn’t challenge me until I’d had that chance.

  The high-ranked looked amongst themselves. They could see their Alpha had no problem with my new rank so they tried to work out the thoughts of the rest. Worry began to rise until Ruiraidh took the lead.

  “Congratulations on your mating, Oria. Good luck with that male, you’ll need it,” he teased, sending Quillan a smirk.

  I knew Ruiraidh was close to Quillan so I wasn’t as surprised as the rest at the table when his lips quirked into a smile. “At least I’ve taken a mate, Ruiraidh. I don’t see any female by your side.”

  My own smile was hard to hide but Ruiraidh shrugged the joke off easily while everyone else seemed to be in shock. Had they really never seen their Beta jest and smile before? Eyes fell back on me in wonder, something new in their gaze.

  I felt the need to say something as Quillan made up plates of food. I’d been silent since I came in and I needed to get to know these wolves. I knew faces but not names because I’d done well in avoiding interacting with anyone I didn’t have to. Beta Females needed to know all in the pack. I would be the one to stand by Cathwulf’s side when she gave punishment to her females and even the males for Cathwulf had greatly changed the role of an Alpha Female now, I would be the one to lead the pack by my mate’s side while the Alpha pair were away and to make sure the laws of the pack were always followed by all.

  “I don’t think we’ve met, Oria.” A female smiled from the bottom of the table. “I’m Ealasaid. I look forward to getting to know you and I’m sure everyone else is too. Will you be helping us decorate today?”

  My heart skipped a beat and I swallowed the mouthful of food that suddenly tasted of cardboard. I nodded slowly. “I believe I’ve been roped into helping, yes.”

  Accusing blue eyes turned to my friend who refused to meet my gaze. She’d known I’d be more likely to refuse if she’d been honest that we wouldn’t be decorating alone. Sneaky.

  Ealasaid had been one of the females that had crowded round her pregnant Alpha Female. That eased my nerves a little; the ones Cathwulf trusted enough to be her shield of teeth and claws couldn’t be bad. My nose scrunched a little as I remembered Tala had also been there but I already knew I would need to put her in her place.

  “Do you want Ruiraidh and I to go out again?” Quillan asked Roarke, who nodded, his eyes flicking to me.

  I knew what he meant, that he’d be hunting my father. Forgetting about the food on my plate, I slumped back. I wondered if the pack knew what was going on now and if they did, they hid it well. There weren’t any accusing stares like I thought there would be, nobody seemed to be laying blame at my feet for my father’s actions.

  “We must also thank Athena for her presence here the last few weeks. We’re grateful for the help you’ve given the pack, and for teaching Oria,” Roarke said, smiling over at my teacher.

  Sadness filled the pit in my stomach
. I was going to miss her. Athena smiled, winking at me.

  “It’s been an honour and a pleasure, Alpha Roarke,” she replied, turning to look at her son, who frowned down at his plate.

  Ben looked forlorn as well, pushing at the egg on his plate. The two shared a look and I suddenly felt like giving them privacy.

  “Are you coming home with me, my male?” Athena asked Liam softly.

  His shoulders tensed and he looked at the stares from around the table before shoving himself to his feet and marching out. Ben swallowed, slumping as he watched the male who’d been sharing his bed walk away. The silence was deafening and Ben mumbled his apology before getting up and leaving too.

  I hoped he’d gone after Liam.

  Athena stood with a sigh and bowed her head towards Roarke and Cat before eyeing Quillan. “Can I steal your mate for a few moments, wolf?”

  I stood before he answered in a show to everyone here that I didn’t need the permission of my mate. Quillan smirked at me and in another moment of confidence, I leaned down to kiss his cheek. Another show to all, this male was mine. I’d fight for my right to him.

  “Meet me in the living room once you’re done?” Cathwulf asked quickly, her voice hopeful.

  My eyes flicked to Ealasaid and nerves flared at the thought of being around so many females. Taking a deep breath, I lifted my head and nodded. Cat grinned and gave Roarke a look that had him rolling his eyes. I didn’t have time to wonder what it was about before Athena was walking out. I quickly followed.

  Her bags were by the door, the car keys resting on top of her suitcase. She gripped my hands, her eyes crinkling as she smiled. “You’ve been one of my best students and I know you will be a great healer. One day, you might find yourself teaching the next generation as well. I’m so very proud of you,” she complimented, squeezing my hand before leaning in to press her cheek against mine.

  Tears stung but I didn’t want to let them fall in fear I wouldn’t be able to stop crying. My hands slipped from hers so I could wrap my arms tight around her.

  “Thank you so much for showing me I could do this, for believing in me,” I whispered, hoping she understood just how much I meant it.

  Without Athena pushing me, and helping me push myself, I didn’t know if I’d be Quillan’s mate right now, nor would I have managed to take my place at the table. She chuckled and pulled back.

  “Don’t give me all the credit. This was you. Don’t ever let anyone make you think you don’t deserve this, or that you haven’t earned it,” she urged, gripping my chin with a fierceness in her eyes.

  I had the feeling she was hinting about either Tala or my father, or perhaps both. I wouldn’t let her down. I wouldn’t let myself down. Now was the time to step forward on my path.

  There were tears in her eyes too and she looked up, blinking them back before smiling again. “Help me take the bags to the car?”

  I nodded, picking up the heavier of the two and walking outside. We were met with Ben and Liam sharing a passionate kiss. Athena coughed and the pair broke apart as she opened the boot to put her bags in. Ben’s cheeks were flushed red as his eyes met mine but I gave him a cheeky grin which only made his blush deepen. Liam frowned as his mother pulled him into her arms.

  “Mother, I’m not—”

  “Yes, you are, silly male. You’re staying. I’ve already spoken with Alpha Roarke about it. I won’t have you let this go because you’re worried about what others think,” she scolded.

  It was funny watching this small female tell off her giant of a son whose mouth opened and shut in shock. She sniffed then patted his cheek, her gaze turning to Ben. “Look after my son and let me know the minute you set a date for mating. He’s my only child and I demand there be a celebration that I attend for him.”

  Ben nodded, standing taller. “I will. He can have as big a celebration as he wants.”

  Liam muttered something and I turned away, giving the new family time to say goodbye in private. I couldn’t stop smiling, our pack was coming together and growing. Nothing could take my pride in this moment away from me.

  Chapter 20

  Support

  Cathwulf’s singing of Christmas carols was cut off by the smashing of a glass bauble that slipped from her hands to shatter on the floor. “Shit!”

  I snorted, eyeing the sharp, jagged pieces that glittered under the light. “That’s not a very Christmassy word.”

  She rolled her eyes and kneeled down but Ealasaid was quick to step forward, stopping her Alpha Female from moving closer. I watched with interest, eyeing the other two females, Brighid being one of them, who also jumped forward in alarm. I wanted to make fun of them for being so overprotective, especially as I saw the irritation in my friend’s face but I too had taken the barest of steps to block her. It was instinctual, not even because she was our leader which meant she was completely capable of safely clearing up the glass but because she was pregnant and pups were sacred.

  “I’ll clean it up,” a voice offered from behind me, a voice that had my fingers curling till nails dug into my palms.

  Ealasaid’s eyes flicked to me before she gave Tala a tight smile, taking the dustpan and brush she held away. I was glad I wasn’t the only one who didn’t want that snake of a female any nearer to Cathwulf. I wished that Brenna’s cronies had been kicked out with her.

  The two younger females that always stuck to Tala’s side looked uncomfortable as they followed their leader in, their eyes never meeting mine. There was a tension to them like they didn’t want to be here, and instead of sticking by Tala’s side, they happily joined in the decorating. I let them, not feeling the need to keep them out of the way. I had the feeling they only stayed Tala’s friends because they were afraid of her.

  “It’s okay, Tala. We’ve got everything covered here,” Ealasaid said quickly, watching the other two as they put the glittery candles around the room.

  Tala sniffed, her eyes flicking to me and then to the rest of those in the room. I hoped she could sense that she wasn’t wanted here. I moved my body in front of my Alpha Female’s, a slight shift that may have seemed like nothing, but to Tala it was clear. I’d taken her place and I wouldn’t let her near my friend. It turned out it wasn’t as subtle as I’d thought, Cathwulf and Ealasaid had taken notice. Ealasaid gave Tala a once over before turning her back to her to clean the glass away while Cathwulf gave me a smile.

  “I knew you disliked her but what lesson are you trying to teach her?” Cathwulf murmured for my ears only, pretending to concentrate on choosing decorations for the tree.

  Moving again as she did, making sure Tala couldn’t weasel her way into our space, I also looked through the antique baubles. “She spoke badly about Nennie and Kailum with the two that follow her like lost pups. In her eyes, in the eyes of many, Omegas are not just bottom in hierarchy but bottom of the pack, less than wolves because we’re weaker or just don’t care to fight our way up.”

  “We? You’re no longer an Omega, Oria,” Cathwulf replied, tipping her head.

  “Exactly. I know you and Roarke are reminding wolves like Tala that Omegas bring just as much to the pack as the most powerful of warriors but I believe it’s a lesson some might learn better from me. I was an Omega and I hope I’ve proven we’re not all weak, that our lives aren’t worth less than the lives of our high-ranked,” I stated, raising my voice for those in the room to hear.

  Brighid gave me a grin of approval, skipping over to the tree so she could fix the branches. I grinned back, watching her in amusement while wondering where her sister had gotten to. I hadn’t seen Flidais in a few days and her presence might have gotten rid of Tala. The two never stayed in the same room for long and Flidais would refuse to be the one to leave. Having Ben and Liam in the room for a while had also probably kept them away. Ben had happily helped us stick tinsel around the borders of the roof until he’d been called away with Liam in tow.

  “She’s licking her wounds,” Brighid whispered to me, noting how I
looked around the room. “Flidais doesn’t deal well with rejection and I think she’s still heartbroken over losing you to Quillan. She has seemed a little happier since she got your forgiveness, though.”

  I felt my cheeks heat at her words but did my best to play it off. “Tell her I miss her when you see her for me.” Because I did miss her. I missed her brazenness and her straight to the point way of speaking, her inappropriate jokes, and even her pessimistic view of the world.

  “Of course!” Brighid nodded and smiled before beginning to wrap the small Christmas lights around the tree.

  Tala tried her best to again push through the wall I’d made around Cathwulf but she was gently moved out the way by Ealasaid as she came back with drinks. I smiled, taking a glass of fizzy champagne, and decided that I rather enjoyed girls’ time. Cathwulf eyed the alcohol longingly.

  “I’m sure one glass would be okay.” I laughed, offering her a taste of my own.

  She shook her head. “I’ll have a glass on Yule, but if I have one now, I’ll just want another one.”

  “I had a glass of wine once a week when I was pregnant with Tom,” Ealasaid added. “It really won’t do any harm.”

  Brighid snorted. “Are you sure? I’ve seen Tom lick windows.”

  Ealasaid tossed a silver-coated pinecone at her, her eyes narrowed in fake anger even as her lips twitched in amusement. I laughed too, feeling completely light and free.

  “Has everyone gotten their presents sorted?” Brighid asked, tossing the pinecone back at Ealasaid.

  Cathwulf nodded, going on tiptoe to hang a bauble on a branch. “I got Roarke some paints and canvases, I just need to wrap them up. What about you, Oria, what did you get Quillan?”

  I focussed on hanging the little tartan ribbons up, embarrassed as I admitted. “I don’t know what to get him.”