Kira
I've spent most of the evening preparing for the arrival of the Chiyads. Tomorrow, the challengers for our pack's Alpha Title will formally arrive and take residence within our borders. It's a really big deal and there's a formal welcome ceremony. My mother, Mistra, and I have been out gathering wildflowers for the welcome bouquets to the mothers of the challengers.
Honestly, it's super old-fashioned but Alpha Jason likes tradition. So, we're out trying to find whatever kind of wildflower blooms the night before the Spring Solstice just to keep him happy. But I guess when you're Alpha, you get what you want, right?
I can hear my mother foraging a short distance away from me. She always picks lavender if she can find it, but it may be too early. We do live in a rather temperate climate most of the year, but the extra snowfall this past winter killed off the early roses I was hoping to find.... and, I admit, take a few for myself. I love r
Perrin "There was an attack." I'm packing back and forth in the small patient room, listening to my father, The Alpha, give me an account of what happened. "Well, thank you Captain Obviou--" My father silences me with a look. But I quickly recover and continue, trying to get answers. "Why was Ethan on Afternoon Guard duty? We'd been training all morning! You know we're not supposed to be assigned duty unless we have a day off from training. WHY WAS HE ON GUARD DUTY? THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED!" -- my temper is clearly getting the better of me. "That's not really the point, Perrin," my father growls. He doesn't enjoy being interrupted. "WELL WHY WAS HE?" I counter, still pissed. "I've been sitting in a waiting room for hours. Nobody will tell me anything! MY BEST FRIEND IS IN LIFE-SAVING SURGERY AND I'M NOT ALLOWED TO KNOW WHA--" "SHUT. UP." My father roars in my direction. The ferocity of his voice and
There are monitors, tubes, and medical equipment everywhere. The room is silent except for my own footfalls and the sound of a "Beep.... Beep...." from the heart monitor. I take a step towards Ethan's bed. My blood turns cold. With the exception of his silver hair and knowing that it was him, it was hard to recognize him. There were claw marks deep across his forehead and his eyes, spanning his face. Gauze was covering most of it but it looked deep. His chest was equally marred, as if a wild animal--or wolf--had tried to tear him apart. Gashes stripped his arms. The smell of blood was overwhelming. It wasn't Ethan's blood either. We had trained for long enough for me to recognize when my partner was hurt. This was someone else's. I didn't recognize it. I looked away, uncomfortable at my own queasiness. I found the medical chart, wishing I had just a little bit of Jasmine's knowledge to interpret what I was seeing. The paperwork doesn't make sense to me at all. Terms I don't under
Perrin I'm not exactly sure how long it took me to get back to the Packhouse, but I was so tired I almost fell asleep. My father's drivers were always the smoothest. But when I jerked awake upon arrival, I felt almost guilty. How could I sleep after what happened to Ethan? "I'll talk to Mistra. You go to bed. You look like you've been to the Temptress and back." My father points to the stairs. I don't need convincing. I walk the several flights of stairs to my room. Pushing open the door and kicking off my shoes, I head towards the shower. A long hot shower seemed a good way to relax my tense body. Between training and the emotional fatigue of the evening, I don't want to think anymore. The scalding water rakes my body and I lose myself to thought. Kira Alpha Jason had left the room a few minutes ago, but what he said still hasn't processed. One of the Alpha guard had let us know earlier that something had happened, but they wouldn’t let us go to the infirmary. They thought we’
Kira... He stands almost a foot above me, and I realize that I've buried myself into his chest--his bare skin, glistening and warm. His eyebrows furrow in concern as he searches my face. I feel a flutter--lightheaded--and then I realize.PerrinHer eyes open wide, suddenly, with clear embarrassment."Oh My Goddess!" She screams.I scramble to pick up the towel I dropped and cover myself."Kira--I---I wasn't expecting you--""I'M SO SORRY!" She's breathless and turning from side to side, as if not sure where to go."Kira, it's alright, are you Ok--""I shouldn't have come here.""Kira, Calm down!""How can you be calm right now?""Wait, why ARE you up here--""WERE YOU HURT TOO?" She rushes toward me again, grabbing my bleeding hand. The hand which was holding up my towel. She yanks it towards her."KIRA!" The towel falls to the floo
LeilaI know Texas is only an hour ahead, but I woke up at the crack of dawn for some reason. I had the strangest dream. Shaking my head, I knew I wasn't going to be able to fall back asleep. I threw on my slippers and headed into the living room area of our suite.My dad's door was closed. I thought maybe he was still sleeping. I headed back to my room.Well.... Breakfast by myself! Not like it'd be weird. I've barely seen my dad with the exception of being greeted at the pack border. It was just too weird.I looked towards my suitcase. I hadn't really bothered unpacking last night. Apart from pulling out a dress for my "date" --is that what it was?-- and finding my pajamas when I got back, I didn't have much of a chance. Nor did I really care to. With any luck, I wouldn't be here too long. I don't think it will take Perrin too long to figure out we aren't mates. I looked at the dress, crumpled on the ground.My thoughts drifted t
Perrin She lay out, stretched on the bed. Her silver hair fanned out on the pillow around her head. Her large eyes stared back into mine, patiently. Waiting. I lowered myself down to her easily, resting my hips lightly on hers. She was small, but not fragile. I could feel her hips reach up slightly to meet mine before falling back into the bedding.
LeilaIt didn't take me long to find the kitchen.I am a she-wolf and not immune to the smell of bacon, after all.A few minutes after running into Alpha Jason, I found myself in a beautiful, industrial-sized kitchen. Several skylights show a tease of a clear sky. The whole space is open and welcoming.I've always loved cooking... baking... you name it. And this kitchen smells of fresh toast, bacon, and exactly what I came for: coffee."Mmmmm" I murmur to myself.I rush over to the counter and grabbed the largest mug I could find. I was alone, but some brilliant pack member had already started a massive pot of Jamaican Me Crazy. It smelled delicious. I poured myself a massive cup and smiled happily as the strong aroma engulfed me.I scanned the shelves and the rest of the counter, looking for creamer."Can't find something?" A deep, cheery voice sing-songed from behind a large stack of freshly baked bread.
JasmineI could barely sleep. It seems I'm wide awake an hour before my alarm usually goes off.I slap my head on the bedside table.I don't think I slept a wink.My heart sinks deep into my chest as I go over the events of yesterday for what seems like the hundredth time.Ethan. Perrin. The accident. His dad.I just don't get it. My head seems to be exploding.Ethan's injuries were bad. I mean,really bad.After Perrin and his dad left the infirmary, I headed back to the nurses break room to see what I could find out. Punctured lungs? Broken ribs? Bones? And what the hell happened to his eye? I had made one of the healers on night-duty for Ethan swear to text me with any updates. I check my phone screen. I hadn't let go of it all night. She hadn't said anything, but I text her anyway.Any updates?LORRIE: No, no changes. Stable, but that's good.