15 Storm breaking…
Ramsey
It’s been 6 days – nearly a week since we brought Lyla to the Pack healers at White Moon Mountains. They were the best healers ever but still; Lyla hadn’t
woken up.
Her wounds were too deep and severe and because she had no wolf, she was healing slowly – barely making any progress if you ask me. She just lay there, unconscious, without moving or anything.
And I hated it.
I have been in a constant state of tension since that day. Not just that, the entire territory of the White Mountains and the Packs in the territory were on high alert after another Feral attack. This time, it had happened at the lower borders and they had targeted the soldiers on patrol there.
How they had managed to infiltrate the border remained a mystery to us since there was no breach in our security walls, and neither was anything picked. Since then, we’ve spotted a few of them roaming outside the
territory… but not attacking.
Ideally, they weren’t really attacking us. All the soldiers so far had survived… which was so strange for Feral Wolves who didn’t stop until their prey was dead. All the soldiers that had gotten injured were the ones who attacked
first.
Reports from some of the packs in the region confirmed that they just came in groups and would stare for a long time, then turn and go away.
It was as if something was attracting them to the White Mountains but it was a mystery to all of us. Every day, I made rounds, inspecting each duty post personally. There was tension in the air and I knew all our warriors were on the edge, but I’ve ordered them not to attack.
Since the Ferals weren’t engaging us, it was best we leave them alone until we figured out what was happening. I had also minimized movement in and out of the pack’s territory, putting the whole region on lockdown.
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15 Storm breaking…
No one came in or out without direct permission from me.
Despite all of this, my attention was still split. Half of me was focused on keeping everyone safe but the other… The desperate half was still worried about Lyla.
I hated that I couldn’t be by her side, not like Nathan who had barely left her side since we brought her in. I had to stop myself from yelling at him, all the times I had to sneak in to see her..
I couldn’t afford to draw suspicion from my grandfather or even the Pack Healer. If word got out that I was constantly frequenting the White Mountains healing ground, people would ask questions and right now, with the Region’s survival on the line, any sign of weakness could end my reign.
That’s why tonight, despite every part of me hating to be here, I was sitting down for dinner with my grandfather and Cassidy’s family. My wolf was seething with annoyance, anytime Cassidy tried to seek my attention or brush her body against mine. He hated her.
My grandfather, Eldric was at the head of the table, watching me closely, as if he wanted to make sure I wasn’t hiding anything. According to him, I had accepted to marry Cassidy without complaint.
The dinner was the first step towards our Union – Me and Cassidy’s.
I clenched my jaw. I had to agree to it. I had no other choice. With the threat of the Ferals, it was clear that the White Moon Throne needed stability, a united front. Mating with Cassidy was the logical choice – it was politically sound since her father was the Lycan of White Lake Mountain Pack.
—
Our union would strengthen the throne and would ensure my continuity. I’d even convinced myself that this was the right thing to do. My duty didn’t care about how I felt – by the way.
But no matter how many times I tell myself that, my thoughts keep drifting back to Lyla. And my wolf – damn Lax, howled incessantly for her all the time.
“Ramsey,” my grandfather’s voice broke into my thoughts. “You’ve hardly touched the food. Is everything alright? You seem distracted.”
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15 Storm breaking….
“I’m not!” I responded immediately with a forced smile “Just thinking about the border patrols. I received a mind link before dinner that they spotted another group of Ferals outside the Southern border just sitting there, doing nothing.”
Cassidy’s father – Elder Thorne nodded. “Well done, Alpha. I heard they breached the lower borders earlier this week.”
“We’ve increased the patrols,” I assured him. “Everything would be fine moving forward. It’s just strange that they’re not attacking or anything. Is this normal, Grandpa?”
“No!” my grandfather shook his head “But enough of those worrying thoughts. Let’s just enjoy the dinner and Elder Thorne and his family’s presence.”
“We’re so honoured for the invite, Pop–pop!” Cassidy flashed my grandfather a smile calling him by the name we used to call him as kids.
My grandfather laughed and then turned to her father again, giving him a sly smile. “I believe it’s time we discuss the future of our children. They obviously regretted breaking off their engagement,” he chuckled. “What do you think of a Winter Joining Ceremony, Cassidy?”
“I love winters!” She beamed.
“I think it’s the perfect time of the year for them to be joined. I confirmed with a moon priestess that the 18th full moon of the year is the best time and it’s the second week into winter. They were really meant to be,” Cassidy’s
mother beamed.
“That’s excellent then!” my grandfather nodded. “I’ll make sure Ramsey makes time before the end of this month for the official engagement party. Can you check your schedule and let me know, Ramsey?” His gaze sought
mine.
“Of course!” I nodded and concentrated on my food.
Suddenly, something flickered into my mind… someone was trying to send a mind link. Only a few people had access to send me a mindlink directly aside from my Beta and my grandfather including some top–ranking Warriors and
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15 Storm breaking…
Elders.
I stiffened in my chair, ignoring the link. But it kept coming. Reluctantly, I opened the link. It was the healer in charge of Lyla. I had given him a direct mindlink to me so he could send reports about Lyla to me.
“This better be good!” I sighed.
“Alpha, it’s Lyla… she’s awake!”
On cue, thunder struck and it started raining. I just sat there, unable to process the relief that washed over me. My gaze flitted round to the people, excitedly planning my life without my consent. I imagined Lyla at the table with us… without a wolf… with her pheromones every month… It wasn’t a pleasant image.
My heart throbbed with pain at the realization of what I must do. I was bound by duty first before any other thing.
“I need to use the restroom,” I announced, rising to my feet as I walked to the door. “It might be a while,” I added, “You can finish up dinner without me and Grandpa, instead of the engagement, how about we hold the joining ceremony at the first full moon of next month? I’m tired of putting it off!”
Without waiting for a reply, I walked out of the room, straight into the rain. My clothes were soaked in seconds but I couldn’t care less. My only thought was to get to her. I had to see Lyla… I had to put an end to this longing… once
and for all.
I shifted into my wolf form as I sprinted through the wet earth, the rain soaking my fur, spurring me on.
Today would be the day I bury those feelings.
When I arrived at the healer’s building, a familiar figure emerged from the darkness, arms crossed. It was Nathan and he didn’t have a pleasant look on his face. He came towards me.
“She’s asking for you!” he said, watching me “Make sure you keep your promise.”
I nodded, unsure of what to say. I was too tired to banter words with him
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15 Storm breaking…
too. I also wondered how much did Nathan know? How much had Lyla told him?
“Thank you!” I said instead “For staying with her.”
His eyes narrowed. “I didn’t do it for you, Alpha Ramsey. Lyla is my friend and from what I’ve gathered, she needs all the friends she can get and also…” He leaned closer to me, his mouth in my ear “No one should know about her being your mate!”
I froze and turned to him, arching my brow.
“I saw your mark on her neck.. and the way you’ve been acting, explains everything.” He said. “Hurry now and do what you must… end her misery quickly… please! Don’t hurt her anymore, or else…” he trailed off. “You’ll answer to me!” o
