I opened my eyes, taking in the features of his tortured face. His sharp cheekbones, piercing blue eyes with perfectly shaped eyebrows, the almost imperceptible scar that ran along his eyelid. His full lips that begged to have mine against them. The one curl that fell across his forehead. He's utterly beautiful. I rested my forehead against his lips and sighed.
"I do not plan on leaving you. But I will not make it easy for you, you'll need more than a ladder and careful timing to get over my walls." I felt his lips turn in a smile against my skin, a throaty chuckle escaping his chest.
"I didn't use a ladder, but you're right on the precise timing." I pulled away and looked up at him with a frown.
"How did you get up there then?" He blushed, putting a hand on the back of his neck as he looked down.
"I scaled it." He mumbled.
"You scaled the wall?" I asked dubiously. "An 80-foot wall?" He nodded, suddenly sheepish as his blush crept down his neck. I chuckled, shaking my head. What an incredible man.
"Good to know. Somehow make the walls unscalable. I assume you'll assist in the matter." His eyes lit up as he nodded, a small smile spreading across his lips. "We have to go, our 10 minutes to yell at each other are nearly up." I smoothed my blood-stained dress as he stepped away, offering an arm to me.
"My lady." I chuckled and placed my hand on his arm, leading him from the chamber. "I…I am glad that you're not rejecting me just yet." He whispered as we began to travel down the corridor. I patted his arm in response, leading him to the front courtyard where my advisors waited with Akeila, Adrian, and a small host of warriors. I nodded in acknowledgement to my own warriors standing to the side of Marcus and Antonio, scanning each of them for injuries but finding mere marks of a scuffle. I squeezed Mikael's arm in appreciation, feeling his body relax slightly.
"Casmira, the men over by Adrian are my own. I've trained with and led them for many years, I'd trust any one of them with my life. Atlas, Silas, you will be tasked with Casmira's protection. Everyone…meet my mate." I looked over the group and saw many slack-jawed, staring at me, however one woman was scowling, crossing her arms and puffing out her chest. I nodded in a slight bow, taking his men by surprise. My warriors gave me a deep bow in return, most of his warriors following suit seconds later.
"We have a large force barreling towards us everyone, let us get in the trucks and meet them. Akeila, Marcus, we will be taking ATVs out so we can spread our pack scent and hopefully calm them. Oh, and," I carefully met the eyes of each of Mikael's warriors, "hurt a single one, neither Mikael nor I will be able to protect you." I strode towards the lower courtyard to large wooden doors, Marcus beckoning to the warriors to open them. Several gleaming armoured trucks were parked inside, and I marched towards an ATV, catching the keys that Marcus tossed at me.
I fired it up, hopping on and rolling my shoulders in preparation. I watched Akeila and Marcus take the ATVs behind me while Mikael gave me a curt nod and got into the drivers' side of a truck. Once the doors closed, I proceeded out into the lower courtyard, through the front courtyard, and down to the surrounding town. I raced through the streets to the gate, wind whipping my hair around me. The gates were opened by Lucien's warriors, who bowed their heads in respect as we passed. Once we were clear of the pack, I revved the engine and took off at full speed through the roadways between pastures and fields.
It both exhilarated and calmed me as it always has, allowing me to plan what I would say when we came across the Ice Claw pack. After 20 minutes, we neared the forest boundary and I slowed, pulling close to Marcus' ATV as I stood on the running boards as we stopped.
"How far out are they?" He similarly stood, sniffing the air heavily before driving in a crescent shape, returning to me.
"We'll be on them in 10 minutes if we go meet them." I nodded, following him as he pulled into the front. No one had a nose like Marcus, he could sniff out an enemy 5 miles out with incredible accuracy. True to his nose, I heard pounding paws and the pant of wolves overexerting themselves 10 minutes later. I signaled the trucks to stop, then revved the engine several times, driving in slow semi circles as Akeila and Marcus did the same, allowing our scent to spread, the noise attracting the wolves. I caught the first flash of white fur in my peripherals. They were surrounding us.
"Ice Claw pack, who did you send as your general?" Marcus called out as I brought my ATV between his and Akeila's. A gargantuan wolf stepped into view, growling low, his black eyes taking in the situation before him before his eyes settled on me. Marcus tossed him a robe from the pack he'd insisted having on each ATV, for which I was now glad. The massive wolf shifted into an equally massive man, dressing himself with the robe.
"I am Tofer, personal guard to Alpha Pearson. Is that the Luden behind you?" He nodded in my direction and Marcus nodded. Tofer inhaled sharply, a frown on his face. "We were under the impression that she was in danger. I have brought the entirety of the Alpha's guard and our finest shifters; we stand at fifteen hundred strong." My eyes widened slightly and I turned to the trucks, pointing at Adrian and Mikael before beckoning them over. Mikael swiftly came to my side, wrapping his arm around my waist as I noted Adrian doing the same to Akeila.
"We were attacked, Tofer, by the men standing by the Luden and Akeila over there and their brother. Although, as it turns out, those two men are their mates." Tofer's eyebrows raised and he came forward, bypassing Marcus. Mikael growled in warning, tightening his arm around me. I tsked softly at him, getting off my ATV to walk over to Tofer. He immediately dropped to his knee, bowing his head.
"Luden," he said softly, "it lightens my heart greatly to see that you are indeed safe. We would be lost without you." I smiled and put my hand on his chin to raise his head.
"As I am glad to be safe. The Goddess sent out a blast to all our allies when we were being attacked, I appreciate your packs swift response. Please, have your warriors follow us back to the castle. We will coordinate lodgings for two days for your team to rest before we send you back to your pack." I linked him, "Be alert, there's still an enemy here." His eyes widened and he nodded, standing.
"If it is permissible, I would like to shift back Luden. I will move more quickly that way, and we can don ourselves once we reach the castle." I nodded and took a step back before turning back to the ATV. Once I reached Mikael he pulled me towards him, resting his forehead on my shoulder. I heard the rustling of fabric behind me as he surprised me with a whisper.
"I have to stand for this 7 more times?" I chuckled and nodded.
"Such is your duty as the invader. Some packs might arrive at the same time, condensing our need for this discussion. Get back in the truck and follow us, let the other truck take them to the castle. We have more packs to meet. If your men could grab a few more trucks to lead the packs to the castle as well as set up their lodgings in the training house and the West wing, I would be most appreciative."
"Your wish is my command."