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The Cave (Optional)

Mark

Marshals pack had been attacked, and my best friend was killed. His death echoed down the blood bond, and my mate Hailey died the same day as him. Cay was so afraid and confused. He knew that they were blood wolves. But Hailey didn’t want our son to be involved in blood binding. She only saw their gift as a curse; she never understood why blood wolves were chosen to be someone’s second chance in life.

During the dire wolf war, we released the paralytic fog to disable the dire wolves. We knew blood wolves lived along with the dire wolves. But we were not educated on how the blood bond worked. So, instead of killing the dires, Marsh aimed for the blood guards. Two birds with one stone, as Marshal put it. But that came back to bite him in the ass, though.

After being stabbed, Marsh nearly died that day. But there was one small chance to save him. The warriors were able to capture an unbound blood guard. Alpha Don gave her the option to live by saving Marshal or die with her kind. The woman looked around for help. But no one stepped forward, and just as she opened her mouth to speak. Her eyes landed on me, and that’s when I really saw her.

The beautiful young female with black hair and grey eyes smiled at me. It was an instant connection, and her scent hit me like a runaway train. I immediately rushed forward and held the woman in my arms. “Mate,” I whispered in her ear. “No one will harm you. I will protect you with my life. I promise.”

“How can you say that?” She pulled away from me with tears running down her face. “If I deny linking my life to this murderer, this man will kill me.”

I looked behind me. “This is my mate. And I will not allow any of you fuckers near her.”

Don scoffed. “I don’t give a damn about it being your mate. That blood bitch will die, and you can too. Save Marshal or say your final goodbyes.”

Marshal may have been the one calling the shots out loud. But I know for a fact the Don is the one whispering in his ear. That man is a fucking snake. He’s the top alpha and owns so much territory that it is practically a state. Alpha Don conquers his enemies using outside force, never his own. And then he claims the land as his own. Any remaining pack members are the deemed omegas and are forced to work for him.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he planned on Marshal dying. Don is second in command in this war; he’ll gain Marsh’s title and land if he passes. But he can’t make it look like he didn’t try to save the commander in front of the other alphas. We were all fools to jump into this fight. But I damn sure won’t be lying down on the ground beside Marshal.

“Fight me one on one, then Don. Because the only way you’ll get to her is through me.” I kissed my mate’s head and turned to look at the ass hole behind me. “If she’s going to die, I’m going with her. But I won’t go down without a fight.”

Don shrugged. “Fine by—”

“Wait!” My mate shouted and looked up at me. “You’re willing to die for me?” I nodded. She took in a deep breath and looked at Don. “I will save that murderer. But you will leave my mate and me alone for the rest of our days.”

“I don’t negotiate with bitches.” Don spat. “Save Marshal or—”

I growled and stepped forward. “She just offered to save Marshal. Why won’t you agree to her conditions?” I looked at the alphas and warriors surrounding us. “Don, if you really want to save Marshal, take the damn deal.”

The doctor spoke up from Marshal’s side. “He doesn’t have much time left. His organs are starting to shut down.”

“FINE!” Don growled and howled up at the sky. “I agree to the blood bitches’ terms. Now Hurry the hell up!”

Marshal was saved, but he didn’t learn from his mistakes. He still wanted blood, Niro’s blood to be exact. And he also wanted the life of Niro’s mate, the dire wolf. Niro’s own father disowned him and stripped him of his alpha title.

Marshal instructed his allies to keep an eye out for his ex-best friend. But I was tasked with something far more critical. Now that Marshal was blood linked. Hailey had to guarded day and night.

Years flew by, and there was no sign of Niro. Marshal eventually found his mate, and she birthed three children. Hailey and I had a son, and we named him Cay. Although Marsh and Hailey had a horrible history. My mate found it easier to forgive Marshal with her kind heart than to continue to hold on to hate. And in return, Marsh called off the hunt for Niro and the dire wolf.

Everything was peaceful, and the second we let our guard down. Shit blew up in our faces. The evidence pointed to the hunters, but I knew they could not create the drug used on Marshals’ pack. I spoke with Gail, and we decided to investigate the bullets used a little more. We started in the forest in the south, right in Marshals’ back yard.

“Mark, I feel like we’re on a wild goose chase,” Gail said, walking alongside me. “Hunters are becoming smarter; they could have created this. Let’s just find peace in their deaths and work on healing.”

“Yeah, I did find peace in ripping the lead hunter’s head off.” I huffed. “But, my gut tells me there’s more to this. And I won’t be satisfied until I know where this bane shit originated from.”

“Maybe eat a subway sandwich first.” Gail chuckled. “And then tell me how you feel.” I shoved the obnoxious hunter into a tree. “Or maybe a damn Snickers bar, hopefully, you’ll turn into that cute little puppy I love so—”

I threw my fist, but Gail jumped out the way. “My wolf is dormant. He might as well be dead.” I growled. After Hailey’s death, My wolf Rex was so distraught. He wanted me to end our existence. But my mate would kick my ass back down to earth. I have to be here for Cay and now Nixon.

“Sorry, man.” Gail slapped my shoulder. “I was just trying to make you laugh. I know how hard it is to lose someone close.” And indeed, Gail does. His wife and child died in a house fire some time ago, a fire started by his own kind. But with my help, we avenged their deaths.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” I piercing scream jolted us from our conversation. I looked off in the direction of the cry and took off deeper into the woods. The coppery smell of blood filled the air. “AHHH!” another shout sounded off. “MINA!”

I stopped a few feet away from a cave and hid behind a bush. Inside there are two women. One was lying her back, and the other one kneeled down with her back facing me.

“Holy…shit…Mark…” Gail panted beside me. “Can we…can we please keep in mind that I’m not as fast as—”

“Shhhh.” I covered his mouth and pointed to the cave. “Look.”

Gail narrowed his eyes. “I see…blobs.” He pointed at his eyes. “Damn my human sight.”

I rolled my eyes. “I think those women need help.” I began to stand up, but Gail pulled me down.

“Or they could be having a good time together. And I don’t want to interrupt them; I just need a better seat.”

“She’s bleeding, Gail.”

He shrugged. “I know people who enjoy freakier things.” I punched his arm. “OUCH!” he shouted out loud.

“WHO’S THERE!” one of the females growled. The one kneeling on the ground ran out into the open and sniffed the air. “I’ll murder you both if you don’t leave us—”

“AHHHH! MINA, GET YOU ASS IN HERE!” The other woman shouted. Mina stormed back into the cave. “AND YOU TWO BASTARDS WATCHING GET IN HERE AND HOLD MY HAND!” The command was so strong. Gail and I immediately shot up and ran to the cave.

“Yep. It’s a baby.” Gail said. His face paled, and he crossed his arms. “Are you sure you want us—”

“HOLD MY HAND BEFORE I RIP YOUR HEART OUT!” The mother to be snarled. I took her right hand, and Gail took her left. Her grip on my fingers was so tight, I could feel my bones splintering.

“Sarina, it’s time to push.” Mina stripped off her shirt and placed it on her lap. “Ok, now Sarina!”

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Sarina growled. I closed my eyes tight as my pinky and index finger snapped. Breathing through the pain, I looked up at Gail, who was slumped over unconscious now. “GET THEM OUT!!”

I reached up to wipe Sarina’s head with my other hand and nearly jumped out of my skin. Her eyes were glowing bright, and a crescent moon with a star formed in the center of her forehead. I know precisely what Sarina is.

“AHHHHHHHHHHH!” she shouted again. And then her body slumped back on the ground. The pressure on my fingers relaxed.

Wah…Wah…

The soft cries of a baby filled the cave. “It’s a girl Sarina,” Mina said softly, wrapping the baby in her shirt. She stood up and held the baby out to her mother.

Sarina was sweaty and shaking. “I don’t want to hold her.” I snapped my head back to her. “The other one is coming.”

“I’ll hold her.” Gail sat up. Mina looked at him warily and slowly passed him the infant. Gail’s smile lit up the cave. “She’s so beautiful.” He said, caressing the child’s head.

“Yeah? Then name her.” Sarina snapped. “Mina, get the other one out. I’m done with this birthing shit.”

I would question why this new mother was so aggravated. But then again, I don’t know the pain she’s in. On top of that, if she truly is a dire wolf, they are known to be temperamental. So, I would say Gail and I are lucky to still be alive. I stripped off my shirt and passed it to Mina. “Here, use this.” She took the shirt and laid it on her lap.

“Ok, Sarina.” Mina got into position. “It’s time to—”

Sarina shouted again. This time my middle finger and thumb broke, leaving my ring finger on its lonesome. But I didn’t notice the pain as the second set of cries filled the air. “It’s another girl Sarina.” Mina wrapped the infant and tried to pass her to the mother. But Sarina turned her head away.

“I’m not ready, Mina!” she snapped. “I’m tired as hell. I just want to rest.” Sarina laid back and closed her eyes.

Mina tried rocking the crying child. But she didn’t seem comfortable. I held my hands out, and she smiled gently. “Take care of them for a while. I need to go somewhere, but I’ll be back.”

She left the cave leaving us with the new pups. I rocked the little one in my arms, and she slowly fell asleep. “You know they’ll be hungry very soon. You may want—”

“Why bother.” Sarina scoffed. “You know most wolves abandon their pups after a few days. Some will survive….and the other pups die. Starvation or sickness may claim them. Or they could be Hunted down and killed for their—”

“What the fuck is wrong with you.” Gail snapped. “This is the happiest time in your life, or hell it should be, but you act like you just gave birth to two burdens.”

Sarina shook her head. “Not burdens. Just the next generation of dire wolves. The same species this bastard helped kill off.” She nodded toward me. “I remember you from that day, and don’t fucking lie to me. I have had enough of that today. I saw you helping the children escape. And that is the only reason you’re still breathing.”

“I did help the dire children escape. And I wished I could’ve done more.” I closed my eyes. “But I did aid marshal in the war, though, and I regret my actions. I’ve made my peace with the moon goddess, though.” sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Tsk, that bitch.” Sarina slowly sat up. “I have no faith in her anymore. She paired me with a monster, the father of those two pups.” She wiped a tear from her eyes. “I will never let him near them.” Sarina held her arms out. “Give me my children.” Her whole attitude changed in an instant.

I looked at Gail with wide eyes, and he shrugged. I passed her the child in my arms, and Gail slowly passed the other girl. Sarina rocked both children in her arms. “What did you name her.” She asked Gail.

“Denver, if that’s ok. Umm…I’m from Denver, Colorado. So, I…”

“That’s perfect. What about this one. What should we name her?” She looked up at me, and I shrugged. “I don’t know either.” She closed her eyes and snuggled the children. “What am I supposed to do?” She asked. “Where should I go?”

“I have a pack,” I said. Sarina shook her head.

“No. I don’t I want my girls around werewolves. I want them to be normal, and when the time comes, I’ll tell them about their inner wolf. I don’t want them to be involved with this world. This life, of death, and lies.” Sarina sighed. “I want to live among the humans, away from this—”

Sarina sat up with wide eyes. “Take them now.” Gail quickly took Denver, and I took the other pup.

Sarina gripped onto her chest. “Somethings not right.” She whispered. She lurched forward and coughed. “Mina…Mina she’s…” Sarina looked up at me with wide eyes. “Name her Aviry. Now run and run fast. Take care of the girls.” Blood spewed from Sarina’s mouth. “Keep them…safe,” Cough.

This scene was all too familiar. The same thing just happened to my mate. Sarina and Mina must be blood bound. If Sarina is dying, that means Mina must be…

“Keep them…away from…Niro.” Sarina fell back motionless.

Gail tried to soothe the crying pup. “WHAT THE FUCK!”

“Gail, hold on to the girls, and jump on my back.” I fell down on my hand and knees. Ready to shift, but Rex ignored my call.

“Rex. My friend, I know you miss Hailey. Fuck I miss her too.” I sighed. “But we have to continue living. And right now, I need you. Let’s make up for the past by saving these two dire pups. Together we’ll make Hailey proud.

Rex looked over his shoulder and huffed. “Ok…Mark.”

We made it out of the forest. Gail held one child in his hand, and I took the other. We agreed to Sarina’s wishes to keep the children away from the werewolf world. She told us to keep them away from Niro. Marshal’s ex-best friend had finally emerged. And I had no doubt, he created the bullets that took out Marshals pack.

I asked Gail to take both girls. I wanted to search the entire forest for that bastard. But Gail said it would be hard enough to raise a wolf in a hunter’s league, let alone two dire wolves. So, I agreed to take Aviry. But I wasn’t ready to care for her. Sarina doesn’t want her in a pack. And I still have responsibilities as an alpha.

So, I took her to a human hospital. I wrote her name down on a piece of paper and left her at the nurse’s station. There she would be placed with a human family. She would be a normal kid. I made a promise to return to her by her eighteenth birthday, in time to explain the wolf shift. Then this child could choose which world she wants to live in.

I was in a hurry to get back to the woods. If I could find Niro, I could avenge both Marshal and Hailey. Denver and Aviry would be safe from their father, and all would be well. But I got a call from Cay. He admitted that he tried to kill Nixon, and when he failed. Nixon attempted to take his own life, but Cay bound himself to him.

Hailey was right, blood binding is a curse, both she and Sarina are dead because of it. And now, my son is going down the same path. If anything happens to either Nixon or Cay, they will both die. I had to get home. Niro needed to be terminated, but our paths will cross again. For now, I need to focus on healing myself and my sons. There will be no more death because of the damn blood bound shit.

Over time, things settled down. I never returned to those woods. Instead, I worked with Nixon and Cay. Eventually, I passed on the title. I left my pack to my sons, and I searched for the girl I abandoned.

I regret my actions though. Aviry was mistreated by the humans, and I couldn’t intervene. Her mother wanted her to live a human life. I thought I was doing the right thing. But I wasn’t, so when Aviry turned of age, I planned on taking her back to my pack.

But there was no shift. I waited and watched, and I even introduced myself to her as a trainer. And finally, when she turned twenty-one, that’s when she discovered who she was. But she found her own way to my pack.

The place where she belongs.

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