It had been two days since Kandra had exchanged herself for me. Two days of worrying what that monster was doing to her. Owen had sent Hawfalk to the alpha of Lycans Roake turns out we were lucky and the lycans were close by so he was due back today. Owen told me that they continuously moved around so the fact that they were only a day away even in wolf form was definitely in our favour. The sooner we could get Kan back the better.
After my confrontation with Ver he seemed a lot less bruting then usual. Turns out he actually decided to listen to me. That's not to say he wasn't still quick tempered but he was quicker to suppress his power. He also made sure I was involved in every meeting regarding the pack. It was more work but hey at least I wasn't in the dark any more. Owen however went the opposite the usually calm Owen was now just as quick tempered as Ver. Which I can tell you was not a good combination when next to Ver. So it became my job to calm Owen down, which was proving easier ever since i stood up to Ver. Seems as next in line for alpha I had more alpha power then even I thought.
Even the other pack members sensed it they started coming to me with reports instead of Ver. Though I think that was partially due to their fear of not knowing what mood Ver was in. I did say he was less bruting but he was still insanely scary if you pissed him off.
As for Cora I hadn't spoken to her since I woke that day after being captured. Not that I'd been avoiding her or anything it was more like she was avoiding me. Which was why I found myself at her door now. She'd become resigned in her room not even coming down to eat with the pack. I stood outside her door somehow nervous as I figured out what to say. Just as I went to knock the door swung open. Her firey form running straight into me. I wrapped my arms around her preventing her from falling.
"Whoa there, seriously Cora we gotta stop meeting like this."
I chuckled but stopped instantly as she pushed out of my arms like I was poisoned. Avoiding my eyes her voice was quiet.
"Oh umm did you need something?"
I sighed. This was going to be harder then I thought.
"Look can we talk?"
I indicated her room. Hesitating she finally stepped back but still wouldn't look at me.
I had been in her room many times before it was very punk rock style just like her wardrobe. I stared at her as she sat down her pleated skirt and button down shirt making my wolf want to be closer to her. I sat down on the three seater lounge leaving a gap so as not to tempt my wolf.
She fidgeted with her hands which was definitely not like her. I had never seen her so nervous. She was always the more confident of all of us. Clearly what happened was getting to her more then I thought.
When I didn't say anything she back up.
"If your not going to talk then sorry but I have things to do."
I grabbed her hand before she could run away from me like she'd been doing the last couple days.
"Cora wait."
She didn't pull away but she still didn't look at me.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
She shrugged.
"I didn't think you wanted to see me after what I'd done."
I shook my head for all her bravado she showed everyone around her the truth was she wore her heart on her shelve.
"Cora look at me."
She didn't move. My hand was still wrapped around hers, so I gently pulled her towards me. With my other hand I gently turned her face towards mine. There were tears in her eyes which made my wolf want to wrap around her and tell her it was going to be alright. I pushed the urge back as I wiped the tears away.
"Cora I'm not mad at you. You were just worried about me. I get it, if I was in your position I probably would have said things I didn't mean too."
She shook her head ripping her hand from mine.
"You don't get it. Everything I said to her I meant them. If I had to do it all over again I would still feel the same way. I'd rather it be her then you. I don't care if I'm a monster for saying it, it's how I feel."
She rushed into my arms her small frame pressed against mine.
"I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."
Her words muffled as she spoke into my chest. I held her against me as she cried. One of my hands tangled in her red hair as I leaned into her.
"Your not a monster Cora it's just...."
I hesitated. Was I really about to do this? Was this the right time to tell her? For years I have wanted to tell her what she was to me never knowing if she felt it too. Even though I was petrified that she would deny what was between us but I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. I couldn't go another second not being with her like I wanted to be.
"It's just a natural reaction when your mate is in trouble."
She froze at my words, then slowly her emerald eyes met mine. I was holding my breath as her eyes searched mine. Finally a huge smile spread across her lips, one word coming out.
"Finally."
I laughed letting out the breath I was holding as her hand reached up to pull me towards her. My lips met hers and for the first time since she'd come to live with us I felt complete. I felt my wolf reacting to her touch the blood instantly rushing south. I could smell her own arousal as my hands grasped her arse and lifted her up her legs instantly wrapping around me. Gasping for air she pulled back looking down at me her hand tangled in my hair.
"What took you so long?"
I chuckled.
"I didn't know if you felt it too."
She purred, a sound she didn't make often.
"I may not be a wolf but I could still feel the bond Slo."
I arched an eyebrow at her.
"Slo?"
She giggled.
"Kan told me why she called you that I figured it was fitting."
I laughed shaking my head.
"Guess I deserve that."
Our eyes locked. She was still wrapped around me and the longer I stared at her the greater my desire became. I wanted her, needed her. Needed to plunge inside her, make her mine. She must have read my thoughts as her lips crashed back down on mine and like that the dam was broken. I carried her over to the bed breaking apart only to pull off my shirt even as she did her own shirt and bra. I stared down at her, my eyes taking her in. She went to cover them but I stilled her hands.
"No I want to see them."
Slowly she let her hands drop to her side. Leaning in I took one of her nipples in my mouth sucking the tender bud with my tongue. With my hand I grasp the other rubbed my finger over its peak as a moan escaped her mouth. My large hands only barely cupped her breast as I savoured the taste of her skin. Her alabaster skin a creamy white made me want to taste every bit of it. With my other hand I caressed her thigh as I made my way down to the seam of her lace undies. I paused to hover over her staring into her eyes. Without hesitation she nodded granting me permission.
I took her lips again my fingers pushing aside the lace seeking her core. I knew the second I did as she moaned against my mouth. I teased her clit rubbing, caressing. I could feel her getting close to the edge, just as she neared that all consuming ecstasy I plunged my fingers in. I felt her shudder against me as I pumped deeper my fingers riding out the wave of pleasure inside her.
As her shudders died down she began to purr making me chuckle. The sound was the cutest thing I'd ever heard. She pushed me playfully knowing what I was laughing at.
"Shut up I can't help it, it just happens when I'm happy."
I smiled.
"Guess this means your very happy."
Her purrs got louder as red coloured her cheeks. I chuckled again as I kissed her cheek.
"Don't worry I think it's cute."
She laughed as she snuggled into me her head resting on my chest. Her fingers began to trace the red eye brand mark on my left chest.
"Slo?"
"Mmm."
After the last two days I was glad something good had finally happened. However Cora's next question brought me right back to the reality that had been our lives for what seemed like forever.
"What's going to happen now?"
I sighed as I looked down at her. Her emerald eyes held concern for the future. I know Ver had already told her everything just as he had told me. To Ver Cora was just as much family as I was so he was trying to include her with everything.
"I honestly don't know. If we had more information maybe we might have more of an idea. Even with the information we have so far it's all circumstantial, we have no proof. All we do know for sure is that Kan was Rixs twin."
"I still can't believe Ver had a mate and he never told us. I mean I know Rix wasn't technically his mate, which I still don't quite understand how that works but anyway. It just seems like he's always kept us at arms length and well I guess now we know why."
I remained silent my mind going back to my time in the pit. The first time I'd heard the name Raine Valdier. Was she really as bad as what Ver and Owen said? I thought Ver was the most powerful wolf. I mean I guess he is which was probably why she was always ordered to retreat when the faced off against each other but still. I just couldn't picture the Kandra i knew as being someone that could hurt anyone let alone killed thousands. It made me wonder what would happen if she really was Raine? That would mean she had helped wipe out Owens pack and had killed countless red eye pack. Not to mentions her hand in my parents death. She may not have dealt the killing blow but she was still apart of it. How could I see her in the same light knowing that? I had to see the records. I had to know everything Raine did even if I might regret it. Gently I removed Cora off my chest and I grabbed my shirt.
"Slo?"
My eyes met hers as she sat up on the bed concern on her face.
"Sorry Cora there's something I have to do."
She nodded but I could see in her eyes she was worried. Kneeling on the bed I took her lips with mine.
"Don't look so worried. There's just something I have check. I'll come back as soon as I can."
Her smile returned but I could see in her eyes that she was still worried. I couldn't let it stop me though. This was something I had to do. If Kandra really was this Raine Valdier then I had to know everything.
Slipping my shirt back on I gave Cora one last kiss on the forehead and left her room. Going downstairs I headed straight for vers original office. It had already been cleaned up and repairs had been started. Luckily for me they were all on a break since only a few members know of the records room. Going inside I was just about to close the door when Ver appeared stepping inside.
"What are you doing sneaking around?"
I sighed might as well tell him.
"I just wanted to check the records for something."
He frowned as he closed the door and locking it so we wouldn't be interrupted. Turning back to me his face told he knew exactly what I wanted to check for.
"Sloane knowing everything Raine did won't change who Kandra is. We don't even know if Kandras true identity really is Raine Valdier."
I glared at him.
"You and I both know the odds are in favour that she is."
He didn't answer his eyes answering for him as sadness darkened them.
"How can I see her the same knowing that she's part of the reason our parents died. That she killed her own pack and murdered some of ours? I have to know just how much of a stake she had in all this. Did she enjoy the pain she caused, did she enjoy knowing how much it would hurt those left behind?"
I was rambling I knew it my wolf was frustrated and angry. Somehow knowing that I had friended someone who killed so many that I cared about hurt more then if an enemy had done it.
"Sloane calm down-"
"How can I calm down? I brought a killer into our lives!"
I growled at him angry that he didn't seem to be feeling the same way even though he already knew everything shed done. Hell he was mated to her, how can he want to be with someone like that? My fists clenched I spoke through gritted teeth.
"She took everything from us! She took everything from Owen! Even if she doesn't remember what she did it doesn't change the fact that she did them! How can you be mates with a monster like her?!"
At the mention of his mate Ver snapped. His eyes glowed, canines snapping out. With clawed hands he grabbed my shirt lifting me up he growled towards me. His kings power pushing down on me.
"ENOUGH!"
His bones were starting to crack as his wolf fought to come out. He tensed with the strain to hold it back. The handle of the door rattled as someone started pounding on the door. Ver ignored it as he glared at me red iriss glowing.
"If it's true that Kandra is Raine Valdier then I will deal with it as I see fit. As king of all it is my right to pass judgment on those who disrupt the peace."
His voice sounded odd like another personality was speaking through Vericus. An older more ancient being. The voice made me shiver as his power grew.
"You challenge something you could not possibly comprehend. Dare to challenge the kings will again and you will be the one punished."
The door slammed open a wolf I'd never seen before stepped through. His eyes were a beastly yellow and his hair blonde like Owens long enough to reach the middle of his back even while it was tied back. He like all wolves was heavily muscled, pants being the only thing he had on I saw his body was riddle with scars. Tribal tattoos covered most but not all as they wove along his shoulders chest and mostly likely his back.
Ver turned the weird personality still controlling him growled at the new comer. Owen who had rushed in behind the half naked guy moved forward but a muscled arm raised stopped him in his tracks.
"Don't approach him."
Owen looked confused but he listened and stepped back again.
"I hope you know what your doing Roake."
Ah so this was Roake alpha of Lycans. Ver was right he did look more animal than human. His canines never seemed to completely change nor did his claws. He didn't move and his eyes never left Vers. Suddenly the yellow of his eyes glowed as he bowed....?
"My king please fight the taint that has started in your power all is not lost yet."
Wait what the fuck?