Chapter 93
Xander POV
I can’t believe it. The worst thing is knowing that my mate is hurting, and it somehow feels as though it’s my fault even though I’ve done nothing wrong. The tension in the room is stifling as my father continues to instruct our men to search for those evil bitches. I stand up abruptly, unable to take any more, and begin to storm from the room, my anger increasing by the second. To my surprise, it’s not Xavier who comes running after me, but Regan. She puts a hand on my arm, halting me in my tracks. At her touch, part of me instantly calms and so does my wolf. The mate bond never fails to soothe me. I instantly relax and soften my eyes towards her.
“Xander,” she says softly “I know you’re angry but…” she trails off as she sees the expression on my face.
“Angry doesn’t even begin to cover it” I growled, “And what about you Regan” I gestured to her. “Aren’t you mad? Upset?” I burst out in frustration.”I’ve hurt you and I don’t know what I can do to make it up to you. You’re my mate. This shouldn’t be something you have to deal with.”
It shouldn’t be anything any of us should have to deal with. I wasn’t ready to be a father yet and to make Regan a mother before she was ready to be one…I wasn’t that much of a monster Yet the thought of denying my child was also unbearable. I was torn and feeling as though I was being dragged in all directions.
Her eyes widen. Surprise crosses her face. “Do you think I’m going to blame you for something that is out of your control? Sure, it sucks” she breathed as I titled my head and studied her, “and yes, I’m hurt” she admitted “but not once have I gotten angry at you Xander. Isabelle has always been conniving, and this is no different to one of her lousy tricks. Don’t let her get in your head” she warned, “because it will drive you crazy.”
I scowled. She paused and then slowly put her arms around me, taking me aback. She should be screaming at me, cursing me, and shouting at me, I thought incredulously, and instead, she was comforting me. I had never felt so low or so ashamed. I saw Xavier come in behind us, nodding tightly as he watched Regan, and I comfort each other. He looked relieved to find that my anger had begun to fade.
“I don’t know what to do” my voice is hoarse “I don’t know what the right decision is. I don’t want to hurt you” I admitted, reaching to tuck a loose tendril of her hair behind her ear “because you mean everything to me Regan. I can’t imagine my life without you” I added and watched as her eyes began to softly glow.
“I feel the same. We’ll get through this together” she promised wildly.
I cupped her cheek, marveling at her selflessness. I didn’t deserve this girl. She was everything I could have hoped for in a mate and more. I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers, expressing what I couldn’t in words, my kiss tender and filled with love. She moaned and put her arms around me. I felt Xavier move behind us and as I pulled back, he gently grabbed her chin and turned her face, kissing her as well as she nestled into our arms. For a moment there was nothing but silence as we all stood huddled together, all three of us content and relishing the touch of our mate.
“I love you” she murmured out loud and we both stiffened surprised, even though we knew that already.
I still liked hearing the words come from her lips.
“I love you” my voice was thick with emotion.
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“I love you too” Xavier’s voice was low and almost strangled.
We stood there in silence. Regan shifted uncomfortably and I glanced down at her sharply, recognizing the look of pain on
her face.
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“Your ribs, they aren’t healed yet, are they?” I said, carefully with drawing my hands from her person, not wanting to hurt her any more than she already was.
She looked sheepish. “I think I might have hurt them more than thought or had more internal damage than I expected” she admitted as I stared at her in disbelief.
I growled and then swept her up in my arms shaking my head have taken you to the hospital or put you to bed to rest” I added
her. “Why didn’t you say something” I snapped “We would arrowing my eyes at her in reprimand.
“Because we were busy and they’re still looking for Isabelle and Heather” she argued back, sounding defiant, even as she guiltily glanced away from me. “I was hardly going to interrupt while all of that was going on” she protested.
“You’re injured. That takes priority over everything” Xavier’s voice is dark as he studies our mate.
Regan blinks up at us, recognizing the furious expressions on our faces. “Maybe I should have said something” she admitted wryly “but I didn’t want to burden you.”
thick “You’re not a burden” I roared, feeling angered and causing her to blanche. “When are you going to get it into your head Regan Lourdes that we care about you and would do anything to make sure that you are safe and comfortable” I demanded.
She winced. “I’m sorry” she apologized meekly.
I glared at her. Somehow I didn’t think that apology was sincerely meant but it was difficult to tell when she had an earnest expression on her face.
Our father came rushing out, his eyes going dark. There was a grim expression on his face. We turned to face him, Regan still held tightly in my arms. I didn’t want to let go of her, my wolf almost purring at the contact.
“Bad news” my father’s voice is cautious as he takes in the scene, his hands clenching tightly together.
I sensed that what he was about to say was going to involve the women we were looking for and it wasn’t about to be anything good. A glance at Xavier showed he felt the same way. Why could nothing go right for a change?
“Have they found Isabelle and Heather?” Regan asks sounding tired.
“Yes and no” my father answers, causing us to glance confused at one another.
“Father” Xavier’s voice is tentative. “What do you mean? You’ve either found them or not” he added bewildered.
I was just as lost. How could we have lost them on pack lands? They couldn’t have had that much of a headstart, could they?
My father hung his head. “They knew we were coming for them. They must have planned their escape. They knew you had the antidote” his voice was a low growl “and when they found Regan missing, decided it was time to leave. I’m sorry” he paused as we all stiffened “but our men just confirmed. Heather and Isabelle Ramona were just spotted leaving the pack grounds and heading into neutral territory.”
13 Shit. Neutral territory. We could still go after them, I thought, gripping Regan tighter. They were still members of our pack. All we had to do was…..my thoughts trailed off as I saw the glint in my father’s eyes and the shake of his head.
It was as though my father was reading my mind. “They denounced themselves as no longer members of the pack before they crossed the boundary line. They are no longer members of our pack and as such we have no reason to go after them while they are on neutral territory. They are rogues now, just like Beta Johnathon was. They could go to any pack and ask for sanctuary and we would never know which one.”
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His face was filled with remorse. “I’m sorry, we were only seconds too late” he exhaled.
“But she’s carrying my child,” I said dumbly, feeling like a moron the instant I said it.
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My father shook his head. “Even then, it’s not enough of a reason. Neutral territory is meant to be a haven for those without a pack or for those escaping their packs for various reasons including abuse. We are meant to stick to our own territories, you know that.”
“So, we just forget about them?” I asked feeling annoyed.
My father shook his head. “No, we can apply for the right to apprehend her through the elders, but it will take time. By then, we don’t know how far she would have traveled. It’s our only hope though” he added, and our shoulders slumped.
Another loophole to go through. Regan, however, looks almost fearful. “I doubt they are finished here. Isabelle wanted to have your child for a reason” she whispered as we all looked at her. “What if she never intended on keeping it?”
Chapter 94
Chapter 94
Regan POV
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Xander was the first to understand what I was implying, the color draining out of his face. “You think she intends to go back to the witches and offer my child as some sort of sacrifice for another spell or favor from them?” his tone was icy.
“Maybe,” I said doubtfully, “but why? She chose to have your child for a reason. She wanted your bloodline and a direct way to challenge the Alpha title. If she sacrificed the child, she wouldn’t have that option” I pointed–out, feeling as though I was missing something but not sure what that could be.
His expression cleared. “You’re right. She has to have every intention of giving birth to my child then, but how is she going to survive? There are rogues and danger in the forest and she’s not the greatest warrior” he added scornfully.
But there were several choices that Isabelle could take. I thought about what I would do if I was in her position and then I chose my words carefully. “If she was able to pass the child off as another Alpha’s, would they not take her in, grant her sanctuary, and offer protection in exchange for the heir they think is theirs?”
It was one option. Deceitful and cunning, which was right up Isabelle’s alley.
“She’s only a little bit along” Xander’s father agreed readily “but she would have to persuade an Alpha to sleep with her in order for that to work” he added narrowing his eyes “and most Alphas will wait for their mates unless they are stupid, or she has something to exchange besides that” he shifted on his feet, looking uncomfortable.
“Unless the Alpha is infertile and mateless?” my thoughts were moving rapidly to another solution, another way for Isabelle to scam her way into a pack and be accepted. “Then the heir would be accepted, and Heather Ramona could become Luna of another pack couldn’t she?” I asked.
After all, they would never settle for being simple pack members. They liked the luxurious lifestyle now that they had a taste of it. I doubted they would give it up. Isabelle liked the power of being in charge as well. She wouldn’t bow down to a Luna when she believed she deserved to be one or at least related to one.
“Who’s going to take those bitches in?” Xavier’s voice was incredulous. “All of this is speculation. They’ve gone underground. They aren’t that conniving” he burst out. “You’re giving them too much credit” he added sourly.
“Really? Because they were quite intelligent in seeking out the witches” I snapped, folding my hands across my chest and glowering at him.
“Because of Beta Johnathon,” my mate argued back, refusing to be cowed, “otherwise they would never have thought about
it.”
My father had been instrumental in their plans, I thought with a wince, but that didn’t mean that my suggestions were
wrong.
But Alpha Jackson was thoughtful. “Regan has made a good point. However, our first step is to search surrounding packs for Isabelle and Heather Ramona. I’ve put the request in for the elders, so much more can’t be done right now. If they continue to travel, we can continue to put out notices, but for now, why don’t you go and get some rest?” he suggested kindly, ducking his head. “We also have a funeral to arrange” he mumbled, his voice forlorn.
A funeral. For Malcolm who had been lost to us. I was lost for words, stumbling slightly as Xavier put his arm around me and began to help me up toward our room. I felt the urge to weep, the loss of a friend was almost too much to bear. We walked into the room and I felt Xander’s arm gently smooth my hair away.
“I’m sorry” he whispered, kissing my temples, my forehead, and my cheeks “I’m so sorry Regan.”
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My arms went around his neck and he pushed me down. Suddenly it was almost as though we became desperate. He began to pull my clothing off, his eyes scanning over my body. I felt my body become heated. In the background, Xavier was already pulling his clothes off, but Xander didn’t look as though he was in a rush. He gave a low growl and began to trail kisses down my body, down my navel, paying particular attention to my inner thighs as I caught my breath.
“You’re the only one for me. The only one I want to bear my children” Xander growled again, prying my legs apart as my head arched back, his tongue lightly beginning to circle my clit, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.
He brought me to the heights of pleasure, my body writhing beneath him, my cries growing shriller as he suckled and licked my clit without mercy until I was almost sobbing. It was too much. It was as though he was trying to expel all thoughts of Isabelle out of his mind. He was like a man possessed. I came, my body tensing, my back arching as I screamed, my orgasm so powerful that I almost blacked out from the pleasure.
I reached for him, but he stepped back, beginning to peel his clothes off. Xavier moved in, his lips pressing against the nape of my neck. I panted, my hands going to his lower back, my nails digging in as he kept moving, his lips gently closing around my nipple and then sucking before letting go. My body was so heated that I felt as though I might spontaneously combust. I let out a moan, my eyes beseeching. My mates had this look about them, as though they needed this distraction desperately. It had been so long since we had been intimate. So long since we had spent this amount of quality time together without worrying about the pack, Isabelle, or Heather. I entwined my fingers in Xavier’s hair as he caressed my stomach and then kissed my belly button. My juices were dripping freely onto the bed now and I was soaking wet. My pussy was throbbing with the urge to have him and Xander inside of me. I couldn’t hold out any longer. I wanted him or Xander inside of me. I wriggled, pleading with my eyes.
“Please” I whispered, my voice hitching, my hands roaming over his back.
He moved. Suddenly I found myself kneeling over him, his hands guiding me onto his cock, my body obediently sliding down, my head flinging back at the feeling of his massive shaft filling me, my body quivering until he was fully inside of me, my knees resting either side of his body, my hands lightly touching his chest. I felt a breath near my ear.
“You don’t think that you’re going to get away with just one of us taking you now, are you?” Xander’s voice.
I swallowed hard. The notion of both of them taking me was exciting. It wouldn’t be the first time they had done it and I was used to them now. I felt Xavier’s hands grip me, my body falling forward onto his chest. I felt Xander moving behind me and I gulped. Suddenly I felt his finger penetrate my back entrance, cautiously stretching me, my breath a hiss as I felt the unfamiliar intrusion and I forced myself to relax.
“Relax” Xander murmured.
More stretching. I whimpered. The pain had disappeared and now I was eager to feel him moving inside of me as well. I rocked back and felt him give a strangled groan. I felt him position himself and then he began to push, slowly, the head of his cock slowly bottoming inside of me. I arched my back, even as Xavier’s hands gently began to caress my sides. My body hummed. More, I wanted more. Xander pushed in further. I mewled. He pushed in all the way and I was in heaven. I could see both twins silently communicating with one another, their eyes on each other. Before I could move or before I could so much as make another sound, they began to move, one sliding out while the other pushed in, my body bouncing and grinding beneath them. They were ruthless. I came, repeatedly, my screams growing louder. This made them more determined to prolong their own releases. I sobbed, my nails digging into the sides of Xavier’s body as he smirked beneath me. I couldn’t take much more. They were killing me. It felt as though I hadn’t stopped cumming for the last few minutes. I cried out and then both boys gave a ferocious growl, stilling inside of me as they spilled their seeds, causing me to collapse onto Xavier’s chest, panting and whimpering.
“Good girl” they whispered in unison, and I closed my eyes, unable to keep them open any longer, my body aching and exhausted but a wide smile on my face.
They were still mine
Chapter 95
Chapter 95
The flickering of the flames, the moonlight in the sky, the look of devastation on the pack members‘ faces, and the grim expression on my father’s face as he stood there, facing the pack would remain with me forever. It wasn’t the first time we had lost a pack member but the circumstances were what made so memorable. Not to mention the fact that it was a good friend of ours.
voice is grave “Malcol
“We are here today to witness the loss of a pack member as he is taken by the moon goddess into the afterlife” my father’s
was a brave young inan whose skills as a warrior set him apart and whose intelligence only made him an invaluable asset to our pack. He was taken from us much too soon and I can only express my regret that his life was not taken in battle, nor was it taken defending the pack but taken by me as I was under the influence of a herb that made me susceptible to suggestions and dangerous, given to me by Isabelle and Heather Ramona. No amount of words I can say will ever make up for what I have done.”
Silence. Malcolm’s parents are openly sobbing and making no attempt to hide it. While they claim not to blame my father, they can’t help but feel some resentment for the loss of their son which is understandable. By now the pack is aware of what occurred and is sympathetic towards their Alpha while also feeling tragic for Malcolm and his family. My father bows his head, a look of despair crossing his face. “I don’t ask for forgiveness but merely that you say your last goodbyes to a man who will be sorely missed and who gave everything he had to prove his loyalty to the men he thought mattered the most, Xavier and Xander Dominjon, the Alphas he wished to serve.”
something The pack turned and looked at the both of us. I cleared my throat knowing that it was expected that we each say in his memory. “Malcolm was a loyal friend, brave to the end, and deserving of being our Beta,” my voice choked slightly. “His death is solely placed on those who have caused it. Isabelle and Heather Ramona will be found” I glanced around the pack, taking in the miserable expressions, wincing as the sobbing grew louder from Malcolm’s parents, “and we will seek justice for him. I am sorry for your loss, but know that he was courageous and someone to be proud of” I told them softly as they nodded, tears trailing down their cheeks.
Malcolm had been a son they could be proud of. He was also a single child and there would now be nobody to carry on the family line, causing further anguish for his parents. I gritted my teeth, feeling anger rising inside of me and the urge to lash out, but knowing that it was highly inappropriate at this moment to do so.
Regan is silently sobbing, her hand to her mouth. Xander clears his throat, looking as though he’s on the verge of losing his self–control. “I admired Malcolm for being such a good friend, for having the courage to stand up for what he believed in, and for remaining loyal, not just to us, but to our father the Alpha. He will be sorely missed, and I hope that the moon goddess grants him a next life, worthy of such a great man” he blurted out, his voice cracking at the end.
We were all struggling to maintain our composure. As it was Regan’s touch was doing a lot to keep us calm and grounded. Otherwise, who knew what we would have done or acted?
“May the moon goddess watch over you and guide you into a peaceful afterlife” Regan whispers, her voice shaking from raw emotion.
“Thank you for your kind words” Malcolm’s mother manages to say, before weeping profusely and burying her head in her husband’s shoulders.
Kind words could never make up for what they were going through. My father continued to look ashamed, his guilt overwhelming. No amount of protesting this wasn’t his fault was getting through to him. He continued to blame himself. As though he’d had some choice in the matter.
“Please, those that would like to, step up to the pyre and bid farewell to Malcolm for the last time” my father’s voice is loud, his eyes glancing around the pack, a look of expectancy on his face.
This is a ritual, a tradition and I know that everybody here will want to bid goodbye to Malcolm
His parents are the first to go up. As the flames continue to burst, I see his mother throw a rose into the pyre and say something, followed by her husband. One by one, pack members proceed to do the same. My father stands steadfast, his expression stoic. Malcolm was well loved by the pack and it’s evident by those who attended, those who didn’t the elderly or children. I feel my heart give a pang. This was difficult, harder than I had imagined. Malcolm had been a friend since high school. I bit the inside of my lip to prevent myself from crying, determined not to show weakness in front of the pack. gently putting an arm around Regan, whose face was awash with tears.
Xander is beside her, his expression pained. The pack members begin to slowly disperse back to their homes. Soon only Malcolm’s parents, my father, Xander, Regan, and I remain. The fire continues to burn. We stand, blindly watching We won’t leave until the fire burns itself out and until there is nothing left but ashes. Until no sign of Malcolm remains. It’s a long night. We hold hands with our mate, while Regan continues to sob, Malcolm’s mother sinking to her knees at one point, unable to bear looking at her son as he burned in front of her. She should have been spared this, I thought blankly, no mother should have to see such a sight and I closed my eyes, unable to look anymore, my own vision becoming blurry as I continued to fight back tears.
My father’s face grows wretched. Eventually, Malcolm’s parents can’t take anymore and stumble towards their homes, their eyes streaming with tears. My father could do the same, but he refuses, gripping both hands together, forcing himself to remain. I put a hand on Regan’s shoulder.
“This should never have happened” Regan’s voice breaks “Malcolm didn’t deserve this.”
I pulled her into me, embracing her tight. “I know but we will find Isabelle and Heather and make them pay for this,” I told her gently.
They weren’t going to get away with what they had done.
“It’s not enough” she whispered, sniffling. “Malcolm always thought he would die against a rogue agack or defending you guys. They,” She looked up at me and there was anger in her eyes, “they caused this. It’s not fair” she sobbed.
“I know” I whispered, feeling a lump in my throat “I know, and I can’t make it better Regan. I can’t bring him back.” God knew I wanted to. I had begged the moon goddess over and over again to bring Malcolm back; to admit she had made a mistake, to negotiate with her. I had even offered to sacrifice myself in order to have him return but the moon goddess had never answered. I had a feeling if Regan found out the depths I had gone to, she would be angry, but I couldn’t stop feeling guilty.
“The fire is beginning to burn out” my father’s voice is quiet, interrupting us.
We look at the fire and sure enough, it’s beginning to slow down, the flames a lot less high than they were before. I swallow hard. There is nothing but ashes now. Malcolm’s spirit has left his body and is in the hands of the moon goddess.
“May you find peace Malcolm” I wished out loud.
“May you be our friend again in the next afterlife” Xander chokes out.
“May we give you the justice you deserve” Regan spits out, her voice dripping with venom.
My father bows his head. “I hope one day you can forgive me for what I did. May the moon goddess bless you and know that I will always take care of your family” he said.
No more was said. My father signaled for us to go. I glanced at Regan and nodded subtly at Xander. She was beyond exhausted and so pale I feared she might break if we touched her wrong. I began to guide her back to the packhouse, feeling numb inside. As yet, there had been no sightings of Isabelle and Heather, but it was only a matter of time, I thought, until we
got our hands on them and when we did….no amount of begging was going to persuade me to grant them mercy. Malcolm’s death was on their hands and I would make sure they knew that.
