I snorted at that but his expression remained serious and I began to wonder if it hadn’t been a joke. I had picked everything up with ease but I’d always been good at following instructions and I really didn’t want to disappoint.
“Are we done for the day?” I asked, still a little breathless as I wiped sweat from my brow.
“Almost,” Weylin said, stepping into the space he’d kept between us during our training.
His aura changed as he walked, his steps going from light to heavy with the power of his wolf that thrummed out towards me. I stepped back with the urge to curl in on myself but my wolf was hyped up from exercise and demanded that I hold my ground. Fingers of fear curled around my throat when Weylin continued to stalk closer and my gaze flicked wildly to Quillan, searching for help but he stood stiff, his jaw clenched. When Weylin growled, the sound crashing into me, I gave in to old instincts. My head bowed low, shoulders curling in to protect me as I struggled to keep myself from dropping to the floor. The moment I wavered, the power was sucked from the room, allowing me to breathe again.
Slowly I unfurled myself, my eyes on both males to take in their stance. Quillan looked unhappy with a glare pinned on Weylin’s back and it was then that I realised he’d been testing me. And I’d failed.
“If a wolf postures, Oria, you need to posture back. You started off well. I could sense your wolf pushing you, you’re stronger than I think you believe. Use your height to your advantage. Remember what I said, Oria, there are few females here as tall as you. You have height on a few males as well,” Weylin guided, his fingers suddenly gripping my chin and tilting it up.
I stiffened when he touched me after he’d been so careful throughout our training to keep his hands from me. Quillan growled when he saw my panic flare, taking a dangerous step towards Weylin, who growled right back at him. “I know you’re a new bonded pair but I can’t teach her if you won’t let me touch her, Quillan.”
He seemed unsure until his eyes met mine and he could see I’d calmed down. He stood back in his place but I had the feeling he wouldn’t relax again. I tried to stand as Weylin did, with my shoulders back and my stance confident but being so open made me feel vulnerable.
“Take a deep breath, draw it right into you.”
I did as he said and took a slow, deep breath that filled my lungs and lifted my chest. Weylin grinned before releasing my chin and stepping back. “There. Just like that.”
It was an odd feeling that flowed through me now. Standing like this felt strangely empowering, like the very ground I stood on was giving me strength. I could feel my wolf inside me stronger than I ever had while I stood in my skin. When Weylin’s eyes met mine, the urge to growl filled my chest. I wanted this male’s submission. I wanted him to accept that I was his Beta Female. I broke our gaze before I did something I’d not be able to back up but my eyes flicked back to him when he willingly bowed his head. I stared at him in shock while Quillan puffed up behind him, a look of satisfaction on his face.
“You have my respect, Beta Female,” Weylin announced. “And I truly believe that if you keep training with me, I can make you a great warrior.”
Tears welled and I had to bite my lip in an attempt not to cry. I could see the care this male had for me and I felt a little less alone in the pack. When he stood straight again, I was beaming and filled with a confidence I never thought I could feel. Weylin nodded towards Quillan and chuckled. “You’re free to take her home now. We’re done for today.”
It would be a lie to say I wasn’t relieved that we were finished for now. Finishing seemed to allow my body to really feel how exhausted I truly was. My legs began to tremble like jelly beneath me and I almost collapsed into Quillan’s side as he came over to me. I gave Weylin a small wave and blushed at the wink he gave in return.
“Thank you,” I murmured before allowing my mate to tug me out of the hall and towards home. The air was chilly but it was a welcome relief to me. I was sure I must have stunk of sweat and I lifted my head to let the gentle breeze caress over my skin. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, unable to help but grin in pride and satisfaction. When I opened my eyes, Quillan was watching me and a rumble of appreciation rumbled from his chest. He stopped us just outside the front door, strong hands gripping my hips as he leaned down to inhale by my neck. I froze, my breathing hitching at the touch of his lips against my mark.
“You really were incredible, my mate. In time, you could give me a run for my money in a fight. You move like quicksilver,” he whispered huskily.
An involuntary shiver went up my spine, my hands lifting to splay on his chest. I didn’t believe him; Quillan was a born warrior that I’d never be able to compare myself to, but the compliment was nice. He nipped my neck, sending a wave of heat to my core, then turned me towards the front door. I knew that tonight he would go through with his teasing and my skin flushed in anticipation. His hands stayed firmly on my hips as I stepped inside, allowing him to guide me to the kitchen and I licked my lips, my mouth dry from dehydration. I’d never worked myself so physically hard as I had in the last week. My cheeks went red again and Quillan chuckled from behind me as if he could sense where my thoughts had trailed off to.
I was almost disappointed when I could see Cathwulf sitting at the breakfast bar, her knowing gaze on me. I wanted more alone time with my mate, I wanted to tease him as he had me. All that was forgotten when excitement bubbled up at the prospect of getting to boast to Cat how well I had done.
“I’m a natural,” I drawled with unexpected confidence making Cathwulf laugh.
“I knew you would be. It went well?” she asked happily.
Nodding quickly, I leant against the table with my wide grin still in place while Quillan poured us glasses of water. “Some of it was a little…difficult. But I didn’t want to give up.” Especially with Quillan watching my every move.
“I’m so pleased for you, Oria. One lesson and you look so much better,” she complimented.
My head ducked in embarrassment, my fingers flying to hide my smile but Quillan’s low growl had my head lifting again. It was still progress. She asked me more about it and I was beaming as I told her all about my first ever self-defence lesson. Even though I felt like I was rambling, like I should have shut up, she kept grinning, happy to listen. In return, Cathwulf told me about building the cot for her little one and how she wanted my help to decorate their room. Quillan watched us both with a small smile, taking delight in my own joy as we discussed baby names and clothes shopping. A cold breeze swept through the room as the front door clicked open and shut. Quillan’s head turned, drawing my attention as Roarke stepped into the room. The smile fell from my mate’s lips as he took in his alpha’s expression. He widened his stance, eyes alert as if there was danger in this very room. I was glued to the spot, my veins filling with ice as a very familiar scent filled my nose. Roarke was holding something, something I couldn’t make out and dreaded to see.
“What is it?” Quillan asked, his nose flaring until he could smell what had me frozen.
Roarke didn’t answer and stepped towards me, holding a dirty piece of paper for me to take. I didn’t want to take it. Everything went in slow motion, my vision swirling for a dangerous second before my eyes focussed again on the paper he held out.
“I’m sorry, Oria,” he murmured as his arm slid protectively around Cathwulf. “I couldn’t in good conscience keep this from you. It was found by the border. His scent was all over it.”
My hands shook and I took the paper carefully as if terrified it would bite. Quillan’s unease and worry coming through the bond made my stomach twist until I was sure I was going to be sick. But those feelings were nothing compared to what I felt as I read the messy scrawl. I recognised my father’s hand immediately; he’d taught me to write with the same cursive letters. I read and reread the simple line over and over again. I could feel the concern from everyone in the room. I slid the paper onto the table, fingers numb and tingling as I mouthed t
he words to myself. My heart skipped a beat and icy fingers crept up my spine as I repeated out loud so Cathwulf and Quillan would know what Roarke and I knew.
“You were mine before you were his.”
Chapter 15
Power
Cathwulf hung my new winter clothes up in Quillan’s wardrobe while I placed my candles in various spots around the room. The joy of finally finishing moving in with my mate was gone, and funnily enough so was my mate. Quillan hadn’t taken to my father’s letter very well and had grabbed Ben to hunt him down without so much as a goodbye. My eyes lingered on the edge of the forest as I placed a white candle on the windowsill, trying to find any sign of movement.
“They’ll find him,” Cathwulf comforted, hanging the last skirt up.
“No, they won’t. My father has managed to play ghost for years. He’s managed to hide from your father and the many wolves he sent to find him. He’s not going to suddenly slip up now,” I replied tightly, placing the last candle a little too firmly on the bedside table. “He’s been watching me, he must have been. He knows about Quillan and I.”
Cathwulf turned to look at me, rubbing her bump. “There’s no way he’s gotten into the heart of our territory without any of us knowing.”
That was true. I was sure Quillan would have noticed and so would all of the wolves that ran the inner border daily. I sat on the bed, running my hands through my hair.
“Then it wasn’t Quillan he was referring to in his note,” I surmised, suddenly making sense of it all.
Cathwulf frowned, coming to sit next to me and take my hand. “Who does he mean then?”
“Roarke.”
Her frown deepened and she shook her head, not understanding but I answered the question that was on her mind before she voiced it. “My father was the only one I spoke to when we were part of your parents’ pack. He was my pack. He was my Alpha. I’m part of Roarke’s pack now and he doesn’t like that I belong here. He’s come for me to take me back, or to ruin my chances here, I know he has.”
Cathwulf cupped my cheek, turning my face so I was looking at her but my gaze was low because there was no way I could meet her eyes. I’d brought this trouble here. After all the struggles my friend had been through to protect her pack, to gain her place here, I’d only brought another monster out of the dark.
“He won’t get you back, Oria. You’re our pack member, our healer. Roarke will make sure your father is caught. We know he’s slinking around the border so that’s where we will have our scouts look for him, and when we get him, he’ll answer for what he did to you,” she said firmly, squeezing my hand.
I dared to look up, catching the determination in her golden eyes. The pack would do their best, I knew they would, but my father was an intelligent wolf, even as feral as he was.
“Why would the pack accept me as their healer and Beta Female when my presence has already caused injury to one of our own?” I asked quietly, remembering how Glenn had shown up almost ripped to bloody shreds.
“You make them accept you. You prove to them you’re meant to be here, just like I had to,” she replied.
Sitting a little straighter, I nodded, determination filling me. I’d certainly try my best. I was safe in the house, but I felt far less safe than I did with Quillan nearby. I understood his need to hunt though. His eyes had been wild with lack of control when I’d told him what the letter had said and he’d read it with his own eyes. His wolf had broken past the cage bars and it was either attempt to tame a feral wolf trying to protect his mate, or let the wolf free. Quillan was one of the best scouts Roarke had, he would find my father…at least that was what my Alpha had told me when I’d attempted to run after Quillan. I was safer here.
Cathwulf yawned, making me chuckle as I patted her leg. “You should go take a nap, the gods know you won’t get much sleep soon.”
Her eyebrow shot up. “Because you and Quillan will be keeping me up with your loud sex?”
Blushing furiously, I choked on my words before managing to blurt out. “Because the pup will be arriving soon!”
“Oh!” She laughed, looking a little sheepish. “Yeah, even walking up the stairs exhausts me lately. Are you going to be okay if I go lie down for a bit? Or I can wait with you until Quillan gets back?”
I shook my head and gave her a smile so she knew I was okay. “Go rest, Cat.”
Watching her leave, I waited until the door shut before pushing myself back to my feet. It felt odd to be alone in Quillan’s room, like I was trespassing and could be locked out at any second. I had to remind myself that this was as much my territory now as it was Quillan’s. Already I’d left my touches around the room as if proving to anyone who saw that I belonged here, including myself.
I frowned as I eyed the king-sized bed with its plain cream sheets and wondered if any other female had lain there. Cathwulf had thrown out Roarke’s bedsheets when she’d found Brenna naked and covering the bed in her scent. Would I feel the need to be just as possessive? I wasn’t sure it was in my nature, but as I imagined Quillan lying next to anyone other than me, I knew the real answer. Yes, I would be just as possessive, but as of now, the sheets must have been fresh because not even Quillan’s scent lingered very strongly around the bed.
My wolf was happy and urged me to be a little nosier and I found that I couldn’t help but comply. I knew very little about Quillan’s life other than that he’d been brought up a wanderer by his father and mother, stumbled his way into pack life at their death where Roarke’s parents then took him in and somehow there was a sister and niece in the mix.
Fingers trailed over the soft bedsheets as I wandered over to the drawers, leaving my scent where I wanted it most. There were two photos on top in simple wooden frames, one of a much younger looking Quillan with scowling features next to a grinning Roarke. My lips twitched in amusement. Even in this snapshot, I could see the brotherly love between the two males because even my mate’s scowl couldn’t hide the spark in his eyes. The other picture was of Maya and a newborn Fenna, whose face was scrunched up and red.
Perhaps one day there would be a picture of the two of us sitting here, maybe with one of us holding a pup of our own. The thought made me smile, even though I knew it would be a while till I was ready to be a mother, despite my wolf’s wants. It was in my nature to crave a family now I’d found a mate but I had the feeling Quillan needed time too. We had all the time in the world now.
There wasn’t much else to snoop through. Apart from the candles I’d placed around the room, there were no other knick-knacks or personal items. It didn’t feel like it was someone’s bedroom, more like a guest room, and I’d make sure to change that. Looking around, I made notes of things I’d move around or add. The walls would need painted for a start, they were far too white and clinical. I knew Roarke painted and perhaps he’d help me coat the walls in a softer colour.
My smile fell slowly, the excitement at my project dimming until it fizzled out. While I was here imagining making this room homier, Quillan and Ben were hunting down my father. They were in danger. What right did I have to stand about trying to create a future when my father was attacking wolves? Glenn had come close to not having a future, and even though I’d helped save him, it had been my fault he was attacked in the first place.
“Oria?”
I jumped, twisting towards the door that I hadn’t even heard open. Flidais stood before me, her face a little paler than normal, eyes ringed in red. Relaxing a little, I gave her an uninterested look. I was still mad at her for trying to manipulate me and the fright she’d given me had me a little on edge.
“What do you want?” I asked, almost cringing at the bite in my tone.
I wasn’t one to hold grudges, I didn’t want to be cruel or lose my friend with words I could throw in anger and later regret. Flidais had made a mistake, sometimes we all did. She deserved to have me at least hear her out.
“I came to apologise,” she admitted, sticking to her side of the door, knowin
g better than to step foot in my territory now.
Was I ready to forgive her? If she hadn’t kissed me, things with Quillan and I may not have played out as they had, maybe I’d still be mateless and pining. I folded my arms, watching her fidget, her eyes darting up to hold mine. When she went to take a step forward, my lip curled back to reveal warning fangs. There was no need for any sound, I think she’d realised the power I held and that small movement from me was all it took to stop her in her tracks. Thank the gods for Weylin’s lessons.
A snort of derision from behind her had my eyes snapping to an amused looking Tala, who flicked long brown hair over her shoulder. “Are you scared of the omega now, Flidais?”
I stiffened, my jaw clenching as Tala studied us both. Flidais turned slightly, never fully giving me her back and Tala took that in with greedy eyes, the wheels turning in her head.
“I submit to my superiors,” Flidais answered, lifting her chin a little.
Tala laughed, her eyes darting between us both. Instincts told me to take her down until she learned that I was nothing to mock, that she was beneath me, but I stayed rooted to the ground out of belief that Tala was indeed still my better.
“Your superior?” she asked, her eyebrow jumping up. “What are you doing in our Beta’s room, Omega?”
Unable to hold back, my stance widened and I refused to look away, holding her gaze firmly in my own. I remembered everything that Weylin had taught me about how to hold myself. Even in my skin, I had to remember I was Wulver. “This is my room now too.”
I almost regretted my words but the pride that flowed through me at having stood my ground had me straightening to my full height. I was taller than Tala. I was more than Tala. Flidais watched us both carefully, her eyes wandering over Tala’s form as if waiting for her to make a move but if Tala did try anything, I wanted to be the one to stop her.
Tala’s face was one of shock until she caught sight of the mark I hadn’t quite hidden well enough, not that it mattered now as I’d all but announced myself to be Quillan’s mate. Her eyes narrowed and she took her measure of me. For the first time, only a small part of me felt I didn’t meet the requirements as I forced myself to hold my ground. She stepped into the room and my wolf pushed forth as she trespassed.
Way Of The Wolf: Endeavour (The Wulvers Series Book 3) Page 17