Chapter 226 As People

Across a wheat field prepared for harvest, three large wolves padded slowly towards a small village where several black plumes of smoke hung in the air. Large red and orange flames worked to consume the grand hall at the center of the village.

The three wolves stopped. They watched carefully for movement within the village.

The red and brown wolf observed along the fence for anyone that might be fleeing. However, the grey wolf kept his eyes focused on tracing the burning buildings, looking for signs of life.

The last wolf, black and grey with a white muzzle and chest, was the first to catch movement. He ran forward, the others following immediately after him.

A woman holding a child ran from the gate. She screamed and cried out. Begging for her life. Behind her, a black wolf followed, snarling low and steady. He lunged at her, and the woman screamed.

Axel slammed his body into the black wolf, bringing him crashing to the ground and giving the woman another chance to escape.

Caleb placed himself between the woman and the gate. Jonas shifted back into his human form, feeling stronger this way.

Two more wolves came from the gate, similar to the first, snarling and baring their teeth. Again, they lunged at the challengers.

The first wolf jumped for Jonas’ throat. He moved one foot behind the other, shifting his weight back to avoid the strong jaws. He was able to throw that weight into bringing a heavy fist down against the wolf’s ribcage. Producing a sickening crack and an accompanying whimper.

The second wolf ran at Caleb. The two wolves bit and snarled at each other, each trying to grab the other by the throat. Caleb managed to get the upper hand, clamping his jaw down on the back of the other wolf’s neck. The wolf cried out as the blood pooled in Caleb’s mouth.

After tackling his wolf to the ground, Axel made quick work of him, immediately tearing at his throat.

Each having taken care of their respective enemy, Axel and Caleb shifted.

“I didn’t think there were any rogues in this area. How could they surprise the pack and get so close without anyone knowing?” Caleb asked..

“No…” Axel whispered, getting down on his knee. He looked carefully at the wolf Jonas had fought.

“How the fuck did this happen!” Jonas hollered with a fury he had not displayed to either man before.

Caleb looked at the downed wolves. He didn’t understand.

“What’s going on?” Caleb asked carefully.

Jonas stood with a quiet rage building inside of him. His teeth clenched so hard it hurt. Taking deep breaths through his nose, he couldn’t answer Caleb.

Caleb looked to Axel for an answer.

“Axel?”

Axel stood up, the look on his face a quiet storm. A wave of miserable anger burned through his heart.

“These weren’t rogues….” Axel said.

Behind him, growls and snarls could be heard.

Jonas lifted his head. He snarled as his rage grew even heavier. He moved to stand beside Axel, staring through the gates ahead. He touched his hands to his armor. They were instantly covered in a black material that faded away.

His hands were now adorned with gauntlets made of leather and steel folding together around his forearm and hands. At the knuckles were four small spikes, not enough to kill but enough to do damage. He set his body and fists into a ready stance, pumping each fist to seemingly produce a short blade from his hand. He ran the edges together as though he were sharpening them and prepared to fight.

Caleb joined them, a standard sword in one hand and a short sword in the other. He readied himself.

Axel turned around. Before him, five wolves and ten men in battle armor holding various weapons stood. All baring their teeth. Snarling and growling like rabid animals.

“…they are the wolves of Eclipsed,” Axel sighed.

***

Ashleigh had spent the better part of the day sitting in Clara’s office listening to her gush about Nessa. She was happy for her, but she was tired of hearing about the woman she hadn’t even met.

‘Do I do that?’ she wondered. Trying to remember if she had talked anyone’s ear off about Caleb. ‘I should ask Bell.’

Clara had gone to great lengths to point out that Nessa had a strong understanding of computer security, coding, and a certain degree of hacking. As subtle as she was, Ashleigh quickly understood what Clara wanted.

“Clara,” Ashleigh said, interrupting Clara’s fifth diversion into explaining just how soft Nessa’s lips were.

“Yes?” Clara said.

“If you want to ask me something, just ask.”

“Well…” Clara started. “I was just thinking that since my skills aren’t top-notch in terms of breaking through the ridiculous security measures Alpha Cain took to keep his partition safe and encrypted…. And now we have a genuine computer genius right here within arm’s reach…. It seems like a waste not to use her skills.”

Clara paused, waiting for Ashleigh to reject the idea or remind her about its secrecy.

“And of course, since she is my mate, Goddess, I love saying that….” Clara let out a slight squeal before continuing. “I will vouch for her. I mean, yea, we just met, but also, it’s like we have always known each other… like she’s always been a part of me just hidden behind some invisible door, ya know?”

“I am familiar with the feeling, yes,” Ashleigh laughed.

“Right, right…. Anyway, my point is that I believe we can trust her. She won’t tell anyone about anything we find. I promise.”

Clara swallowed her anxiety, hoping Ashleigh would agree and she could start working with Nessa immediately.

The idea of watching her break down the firewalls and decrypt the secrets Alpha Cain had hidden away…. It was enough to make Clara wish Nessa wasn’t out with Galen getting a tour of Summer right now.

She licked her lips, remembering their introduction. It was the reason Galen was giving the tour now instead of Clara. They had tried to continue the original tour. But, apparently, there were enough complaints about their frequent ‘breaks’ that Galen put a stop to it.

Clara smiled; she never knew how fun making out in random corners could be.

“Clara!” Ashleigh shouted.

“Huh?” Clara said, sitting forward at her desk. “Did you say something?”

Ashleigh sighed.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Ashleigh asked.

“I swear, she is amazing, and I know we can trust her! Believe me!”

“I don’t mean her. Is it a good idea for you two to work together on this?” Ashleigh asked. “You seem pretty distracted just at the idea of it.”

“I guess that’s true… But I promise I will focus,” Clara said. “I swear, Ash, I know how important this is, and I won’t screw it up.”

Ashleigh was quiet. She knew Clara meant it, but she also knew the pull of the bond. The need to be with your partner, to touch them, feel them close to you. Hell, even with the suppressant, she felt it now.

An idea struck her.

“Clara,” she said, “how badly do you want this to happen?”

“Badly!” Clara shouted, leaning forward on her desk toward Ashleigh.

“Okay,” Ashleigh laughed. “Then how about this? I’ll agree if you agree to take the bond suppressant.”

Clara looked crestfallen.

“But… I just found her…” she said sadly.

“You aren’t losing her, Clara,” Ashleigh chuckled softly. “Look, you and Nessa know you are meant to be together, and you won’t be separated. The bond is amazing. But sometimes… it can be overwhelming; it can make us forget about knowing the person on the other end of it.”

Clara gave Ashleigh an uncertain look.

“Alright,” Ashleigh said. “You’ve seen Galen and Bell together?”

Clara nodded.

“They aren’t bondmates,” Ashleigh smiled. “They developed their relationship without the bond, just because they chose each other.”

“That is pretty amazing,” Clara smiled.

“It really is,” Ashleigh said, taking a moment to appreciate what Galen and Bell shared.

“My point is that right now, you are too excited, in all the ways, about your bond,” Ashleigh smiled with a raised eyebrow.

Clara blushed and looked away.

“It’s understandable,” Ashleigh said. “But for what we are working on, there is no room for distraction.”

“I understand,” Clara said.

“So maybe look at this as an opportunity to get to know Nessa in a way that is based on the two of you as people, rather than through the bonds of your wolves.”

Clara nodded and bit her lower lip as she considered the idea.

“Alright,” Ashleigh nodded. “So, take a minute, talk to Nessa about it. If you are willing to take the suppressant, I will trust your judgment on bringing her into the fold.”