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

by Rebecca Anne Stewart

  Her grin had me laughing, the sound like nails on a chalkboard to my ears. I was sure it had more to do with Wulver healing abilities, but I didn’t doubt that she was good at her job. Sobering up, making sure Quillan was still sound asleep, I turned towards her. She leaned in, looking serious.

  “I don’t know exactly what I saw. It must have been a delusion from pain or fear but I did see her, my mother. She was yelling at me to get up, to keep fighting, like she knew help was coming,” I whispered. “But it can’t have been real…”

  “I won’t begin to pretend to know everything about the world. Who knows if it was simply a delusion, I’ve seen stranger things,” she replied.

  I stared at her, tears brimming. “You think it really could have been her?”

  Sam shrugged, leaning back in her chair with a small smile. “Who knows, Oria. It wouldn’t be out of this world. But maybe she wasn’t telling you help would come, maybe she knew you were capable and needed you to believe that too. You didn’t need help, Quillan said you were magnificent, fierce.”

  I blushed, looking away. I wasn’t so sure about that, I’d needed him and Roarke to help pin my father down while I…bile rose to burn the back of my throat. I could practically feel my fangs slicing into flesh and taste the metal of blood in my mouth. I’d killed him.

  Quillan shifting drew my thoughts away from those horrors. He let out a heavy sigh, dark eyes fluttering open in a daze before settling on me. He sat up quickly with a grin, leaning in to give me a kiss that stole my breath away. I kissed him back, clinging onto him for dear life, not allowing him to pull away. Inhaling deeply until all I could smell was him, I finally felt relaxed. Sam tutted from her chair and Quillan froze when he finally noticed that we weren’t alone in the room. I was secretly pleased that I distracted him so much.

  “Be careful with her until I remove all the tubes and wires,” she warned, nodding towards where the cannula was tugging at my skin.

  I’d hardly even noticed the small stinging sensation after that kiss. Quillan immediately backed away with wide eyes and I laughed. “I’m fine, a little tender, but I won’t break.”

  “I don’t want to risk hurting you,” he said, and the deep timbre of his voice washed over me.

  I closed my eyes, savouring his presence with a smile. For a moment as I’d fought to keep Raeghan safe, I worried I’d never hear his voice again, nor feel the way my skin burned at his touch.

  “You won’t,” I promised, keeping his hand in mine before looking at Sam. “When can I go home? I want to go home.”

  She made a face, looking from Quillan to the machine I was hooked up to before her eyes met mine. “Tell me honestly how you feel.”

  “There’s pain, but it’s manageable, I swear. I want to be in my own bed, I want to see Cathwulf and Raeghan,” I begged, sitting up to show I really was okay.

  “I’ll make sure she takes it easy,” Quillan added, squeezing my hand.

  I could see her thinking but when she nodded, I could have hugged her. Instead I threw her a grateful grin, holding out my hand for her to take the cannula and heart monitor off me. She rolled her eyes at my eagerness but stood anyway.

  “I’ll give you something for the pain but as a Wulver, you’ll burn off medication quickly. You must promise to rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat every meal, sleep, and no funny business until I’ve given you the all clear and taken those bandages off. If the pain gets worse, or there’s bleeding, or you feel dizzy, you come straight back. Understand?” she ordered firmly.

  At the same time as I nodded, she pulled the cannula out and a small drop of blood beaded. She covered it with a tissue, holding it there until the bleeding stopped. Sam was right, she was a good doctor, and a good friend.

  “I understand and I promise I will,” I said, even as my skin flushed red at the look my mate was giving me.

  He smirked, his eyes darkening. “I don’t look forward to having to keep my hands to myself, my mate.”

  “Quillan,” I scolded quietly, even though I couldn’t keep the amusement out of my voice.

  “Sam doesn’t mind,” he teased.

  She snorted, looking up from where she was checking my bandages. “Sam does mind. Sam minds very much. Sam still remembers the stains on her bed sheets from you two being all over each other…Sam is beginning to sound like bloody Sméagol.”

  I laughed then cringed, as that strained my injuries, and I doubled over. Quillan looked worried, leaning closer to stroke my cheek. “I’m okay, just a little achy.”

  “Maybe you should stay until tomorrow—”

  “No! I can’t stand being stuck here,” I protested, panicking for some unknown reason.

  “Hush, I’m sorry. We’ll go home, I’ll take you home,” Quillan soothed.

  I nodded, waiting for Sam to give me the okay to stand. She and Quillan watched me like hawks as I twisted, placing bare feet on the cold floor. Both looked ready to catch me if I stumbled and I couldn’t help but smile. Slowly, I put a little weight on my feet before pushing away from the bed. I swayed and Sam grabbed my hand to steady myself. Pain flared up my side, blinding me for a moment but I refused to let it win.

  Standing still for a moment, I let out a soft breath. “I’m okay.”

  “Your clothes are on the chair. I’m officially discharging you, but remember, come back if the pain gets worse or if you notice any bleeding, or pus,” she repeated.

  I made a face at the mention of pus and she rolled her eyes. “I have work to do, I’ll leave you in Quillan’s capable hands.”

  “Thank you, Sam.” I smiled, watching her go.

  Quillan moved round the bed to help me to the chair, a smug grin on his face. I raised a questioning eyebrow and his grin grew.

  “If I can’t have you beneath me, then I’ll settle for helping you undress,” he growled.

  Another eye roll. “Undressed out of a hospital gown only so I can put clothes on, my dear.”

  He shrugged, biting his lip as his eyes raked over naked flesh. I dropped the gown to the floor, loving the feel of his eyes on me. Until his heated gaze turned into a frown. Looking down, my own joy faded. Dark blue, light yellow and green bruises littered my skin, cuts and grazes leaving their angry red marks. I swallowed, closing my eyes.

  “You’re still the most beautiful creature in the world,” Quillan murmured gently.

  My eyes met his, my heart swelling at his words. “I love you but I know I look a mess.”

  “A beautiful mess then,” he amended with a wink before helping me into a loose fitting top and skirt.

  I rolled my eyes, hiding behind a veil of hair. He chuckled, taking my hand in his and leading me towards home. Some of the snow had yet again melted but Quillan kept his steadying hand in mine, taking some of my weight. It took longer than I’d have liked to find my feet and for the world to stop spinning, and gods, the pain as I took my first proper steps was almost blinding.

  Laughter had me lifting my head and my heart swelled at the sight of pups throwing snowballs at each other and building snowmen under the watchful eye of a few adult wolves. Quillan chuckled as he watched and I tried to imagine him and Roarke playing like this in their youth. I couldn’t remember if I’d ever been this way when I was a pup, playing outside in the snow. I had no memory of being so blind to the evils of the world or seeing it as bright and wonderful as these pups did.

  “Uncle Quillan! Auntie Oreo!”

  Quillan crouched to scoop up the soaking wet pup that ran full speed at us. When he swung her up, her purple bobble hat fell off and she squealed in delight. I couldn’t help but smile at the way my mate was with his niece. My niece. Maya ran up to us too, breathless and rosy cheeked, black hair all over the place. She picked up the fallen hat and tugged it onto her daughter’s head before giving me a smile.

  “I’m very happy to see you’re up and about, Oria,” she said, reaching out to squeeze my hand.

  I leaned in to press my cheek to hers in greeting. “I’m gla
d to be up and about.”

  “Mammy said you were hurt and had to sleep. I was very quiet when I came to see you because Uncle Quillan was grumpy,” Fenna announced with a grin.

  Quillan almost looked like he was blushing as he was outed by his niece.

  “Was he now, I shall have to tell him not be so grumpy!” I scolded playfully, earning a bell-like laugh from Fenna.

  “I wasn’t grumpy,” he muttered, turning big, dark puppy dog eyes on me.

  I shook my head in amusement. “Of course not.”

  Maya chuckled, taking Fenna from her brother and propping the hyper pup on her hip. “Are you still coming for tea? I’ll let you off considering you probably want to rest and heal, it’s no trouble—”

  “No!” I interrupted, leaning into my mate. “We would love to. I can’t wait, and I have Yule gifts for you both.”

  “Presents!’ Fenna yelled, wriggling about excitedly so much that Maya had to put her down.

  I grinned and nodded. “Yup. Presents.”

  She was off running without another word, already shouting to the other pups about all the presents she would have this year.

  “I’m sorry, she gets more excited every day,” Maya said, shaking her head at her daughter.

  “As she should,” Quillan stated, leaning in to brush his cheek against his sister’s.

  She smiled and nodded, rubbing cold hands together and it was then I felt the bite of the wind again. Quillan didn’t miss my shiver and he bid his sister goodbye so we could begin our trek back to the house again. I couldn’t help but look back, loving the sight of so many pups and wolves laughing and playing together.

  “We should take Fenna sledging. I’ve never been,” I murmured almost to myself.

  “She’d love that. Once you’re healed, we can find a good hill,” he agreed, pecking my cheek.

  I turned my head to kiss him properly then placed my freezing hand into his warm one. Loud Christmas music was pouring out of the house, the melodic voice of Bing Crosby making me smile. I’d forgotten all about Yule until Fenna had asked if we would still be going to hers. Did that mean I hadn’t slept through it? I hoped I hadn’t. With everything going on, I’d lost track of the dates,

  “It’s tomorrow,” Quillan filled in for me, noting my frown. “Our first Yule. Perhaps it’s why Sam was easily persuaded to let you leave.”

  “I don’t blame her wanting rid of me. I would have felt bad if she’d had to miss the celebrations to look after me,” I replied.

  Stepping into the house was like stepping into a snow globe. Tinsel and various other decorations hung from the roof, fake snow draping the windows in the kitchen. My smile grew. Cathwulf had obviously been busy. Wandering towards the living room, I paused to peek into the kitchen, chuckling at the crumbling gingerbread house that was sloppily decorated in icing.

  “Oria!”

  My head whipped round and before I could compute who’s voice it was, I was wrapped tight in strong arms. Flidais held me close and I bit my lip to stop from groaning as she pressed against my bandaged side and bruised ribs. She jumped back at Quillan’s warning growl but paid him no mind, grinning at me.

  “You’re finally awake! And you look so good! I heard you were a complete badass. I’m proud of you!” She beamed and I couldn’t help but grin back.

  I quirked an eyebrow at the Christmas tree earrings she wore that were completely at odds with her black AC/DC top and ripped jeans but didn’t mention it. I was glad that everyone was getting into the spirit of things.

  “I look like one of the walking dead,” I chuckled, suddenly self-conscious of the scratches I knew covered one side of my face.

  Quillan was pushed aside by Brighid next and he gave her a disgruntled look.

  “Females,” he muttered, his hand touching mine as he passed to head into the kitchen.

  The two females practically dragged me into the living room and my presence was met by cheers. The room was crammed full of wolves who grinned and shouted greetings and compliments of how much better I looked than when I’d first been brought back. How many of these wolves had come to visit me? It seemed a lot had.

  I was almost overwhelmed by the amount of Wulvers in the house but Flidais and Brighid acted as a barrier between me and them. It allowed me to catch my bearings and I was glad they understood. All I wanted was to go to bed and lie down a little more but I enjoyed seeing the joy in the room.

  “Where’s Cathwulf and Raeghan?” I asked Brighid after explaining to everyone that I was indeed all right and healing, and a glass of champagne had been thrust in my hand.

  I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to drink it with the amount of painkillers Sam had me on but I took a sip anyway. Surely I deserved it.

  “Cat went to put Raeghan down for a nap upstairs. Want me to go get her?” she asked, turning to leave.

  Holding her arm, I shook my head and passed her my glass. “I’ll go, I need a bit of quiet.”

  Flidais came into my space now, her and her twin looking me up and down in concern.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Do you need to sleep?

  “I can find more painkillers!”

  “I’ll get Quillan—”

  I laughed, cutting them off. Their protectiveness was sweet but I hoped everyone would stop being so scared for me soon. I’d more than proven that, like Flidais said, I was badass.

  “I’m fine. I’m not used to so many in one room. I’ll be right back, I just want to see that my niece is okay with my own eyes. Stay here, enjoy yourselves,” I soothed, smiling.

  They cast each other a wary glance before nodding and I rolled my eyes. I really was okay. The pain was still there but easily ignored with the festivities to take my mind off it. With the permission of my two protectors, I went to find Cat. Roarke, Quillan, and a few more males were standing in the kitchen with a bottle of whisky between them, only Roarke noticed me pass by and gave me a huge grin that I returned.

  Grasping the banister, I hoisted myself slowly up the stairs, taking each step with care as the movement caused muscles to strain. I hoped that would pass soon too, it was a reminder of what had transpired. A reminder that I didn’t want. I took a moment to catch my breath at the top of the stairs, leaning against the wall and hoping nobody would notice. A door opening downstairs had me jumping to attention and I stepped up to the Alphas’ den and knocked, hearing the gentle cooing of a pup inside.

  “Come in!”

  Popping my head round the door, I grinned at my friend, who sat in an armchair by the crib. Cathwulf gasped and stood when she saw, running to me only to stop and pull me into an overly cautious hug. I hugged her back tighter and slowly she did too. I could smell the salt of tears and my own eyes began to water. We stood like that for a few minutes, both comforted in the knowledge that the other was okay.

  When Cathwulf pulled back her eyes were glowing and she whacked my arm. “Don’t you dare do that to me again!”

  “I’m sorry. It was stupid,” I agreed. “I’ll run into danger with you by my side next time.”

  Her lips twitched, ruining her mask of anger and I gave her a small nudge.

  “It was brave too,” she said quietly, her gaze flicking over my face. “How do you feel?”

  I wandered over to the crib, the last of the tension leaving my body as I smiled down at a sleeping Raeghan. Stroking a finger gently over her cheek, I sighed. Her skin was warm and a healthy pink colour with no sign of any scratches or bruises.

  “I hurt. Everything hurts. My only relief is that I managed to keep this pup safe,” I answered honestly.

  Cathwulf came to stand by my side, her hand touching my shoulder. “You did amazing. I don’t want to think about what could have happened; it makes it hard to breathe. But you saved her, and I owe you everything for that.”

  “You owe me nothing, Alpha Female. I did what any pack wolf would have done, what any sister would have done,” I argued, lifting my head to look at her.

  Sh
e smiled at me and I could see how hard she was fighting back tears again. Wiping at her face, she shook herself.

  “How do you feel about your father?”

  Another weary sigh. I wasn’t sure about that yet.

  “I don’t think I’ve had the time to process it yet and I don’t think I want to until after tomorrow. He made me do something I swore I’d never do, but let’s not think on the bad things, not on Yule,” I murmured, squeezing my friend’s hand. “Let’s drink and be merry.”

  “Let’s,” she agreed, leaning over to make sure her daughter was definitely fast asleep. Her gaze flicked to the boarded-up window and I knew she had reservations about leaving her pup alone despite the baby monitor that sat next to her. Cathwulf held the receiver in her hand, no doubt she would keep it on her at all times so she could hear so much as a slight change in breathing from her pup.

  Before we could leave to join the others downstairs again, I realised someone was missing. “Where’s Kerra?”

  A sad look swept over Cathwulf’s face as she gently shut the door, and I somehow knew she wasn’t here.

  “She went back to the pack. She said she knows how much you and I wanted her to be here, but with everything that happened, she thinks we need time for just us, just pack. Plus, with what happened, I think Kal and the pack back East needed her too. She did come to say goodbye to you but you weren’t awake yet. I hope you’re not mad at her,” Cathwulf fretted.

  I shook my head, understanding completely why she couldn’t stay. “I’m not mad at all. I’ll miss her though.”

  “So will I,” she sighed then smiled, linking her arm through mine like she always did. “Let’s have that drink and try and get the males to join us for a sing song!”

  I laughed, knowing that there was no way in Hel that she’d be able to convince Quillan to sing.

  ***

  “Will my father be given a grave, do you think?” I asked quietly, drawing lazy patterns on my mate’s naked chest.

  His eyes were closed but I knew he was still awake as I was. His arm tightened around my waist and I cuddled in closer, eager to feel as much of his warmth around me as possible. The pain meds I’d taken had made me drowsy but there were things I needed to get off my chest before I slept.