In This Life or Another

Chapter Nine: Hobbit House and Complications

Sarah’s POV

I came across this tree when I was a child, no older than ten. It was one of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen. What was even more amazing was the inside. The inside was a big open space, the trees all woven together, yet not encasing, which caused small cracks of light to shine through, making this tree more mesmerizing. I had a small bundle of blankets and a pillow in one corner, and a few books that I had left on the ground near the makeshift bed. On the warm summer nights, I remember coming out here to watch the stars, before falling asleep inside the tree. Mother and father were very upset the first time I fell asleep overnight out here, but they couldn’t stop me from doing it again, so they let it go.

I moved over to the makeshift bed and sat down. I lit a small candle to illuminate the room as I pulled out my phone. Clicking on Striker's name, I pressed the video chat button, listening to it ring all but three times before his face popped into view.

“What's up butter…fly?” Striker started to laugh at his failed attempt at a joke.

“Very funny, ha ha ha. What are you doing, am I interrupting anything” I said, raising her eyebrows up and down.

“You know you’re the only girl for me. Where are you? I can barely see you?” he asked, trying to see my surroundings.

“I'm in the troll's lair, deep in the woods. The fairies and pixies have kidnapped me, and I'm being held for ransom!” I wrap my hands around my neck pretending to be choked. “Save me ole valiant knight, before the trolls eat me for their dinner…”

Striker jumps up from his chair and picks up his butter knife. “I shall save you, my fair lady, on two conditions.”

“Anything just save me before all that is left of me is a pile of bones.” I threw my arm over my forehead as if I was about to faint.

“Upon thy rescue I will require two things… dinner fit for a hero and my fair lady will bestow me a kiss as payment.”

“Oh, my sir, and tarnish my virtue… what will the people say?”

“That I am the hero and you, my fair lady, have a very big imagination…” We both laughed till the tears appeared. Striker loved my childlike behavior I only shared with him.

“I need to go get packed, so I can come rescue you tomorrow. Goodnight butterfly.”

“Good night my valiant knight.” I laughed. “Text me when you leave tomorrow.”

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Striker’s POV

“Will do. Try not to get eaten by the trolls till I get there.” We ended the voice chat and I walked back to my room at the packhouse. As I walked up the stairs to my room, I heard an unnerving voice. I stopped, trying not to overhear, but ...

“I know, stop yelling. I know what needs to be done, just give me a little while longer. OK… OK…yes, ma’am.”

Striker turned and walked back down the stairs, not wanting any confrontation with anyone.

“Striker, just the person I wanted to see.” He cringed as he turned around.

“What do you want, Simone?”

“I can't find Henry. Have you seen him? I just bought this” she held up a sexy black lace piece of lingerie. “And I wanted to show him” Simone tried to slither into my personal space, but I shoved her back.

“He’s with Tyson. You would have known that if you had been here the last two days. Do you even care that he has an entire pack to run? He's a f*****g Alpha. Simone not your personal boy toy. Where were you, anyways?” I asked in disgust.

“I don't answer to you Striker, but if you must know, I went to see my brother.” Simone throws the fabric over her shoulder and saunters down the steps. “Oh and Striker, I quite enjoyed you watching me get f****d by a real man. Just let me know if you want an encore.”

“f**k off Simone”

“Anytime, stud puppy,” Simone says without so much as a glance.

I returned to my room where I had a strange feeling about his conversation with Simone. “What are you up to now, McNasty?

Henry's POV

I woke up just before dawn. I don't remember much about last night, only large amounts of whiskey and a lot of s*x. Simone was naked next to me along with two others. I think it is Camille and Cecilia. Simone and Cecilia were wrapped up in each other's arms, naked as the day they were born. In all honesty, it was quite hot, but I had to get up and start my day. I peeled them all off of me and went to get a shower. The hot water felt amazing on my skin. I stood there letting the hot water roll over my head while trying to think straight as I closed my eyes. The only thing I could see was Sarah's face.

We walked up to each other not saying a word, she placed her hands on my bare chest and stared up at me with love and kindness. I brushed a strand of hair away from her face as I slowly began to kiss her. To my surprise, she kissed me back. There was no rush, only passion, desire, but most of all, love. She was perfect. How could this happen? I have never felt so alive. As she began to pull away from me, her mesmerizing purple eyes stared at me.

“They are trying to keep us apart. Our love has lasted lifetimes. I will always protect you, even from yourself. I love you Henry” and just at that moment, with my loaded c**k in my hand, I had the biggest release I had ever had. She felt so real in my arms… what is happening?

I wrapped myself in a towel and exited the bathroom to go to get my clothes for the day. Simone was sitting on the side of the bed naked and alone.

“Where are the others?” I was confused. I wasn't in there that long.

“I sent them away, they were fun, but they needed to go. So tell me something Darlin, were you thinking of me while you were touching yourself in the shower? It was hot. Don’t get me wrong, but I would have been all too happy to serve you Alpha.” Simone says as she rubs my crotch.

I pull away from her and go into the closet. “Simone, I'm not in the mood. Didn’t you get enough last night?” At that moment I caught the oddest smell. “What the hell?” I whispered as I turned around to see her standing at the door. I just looked at the woman standing there, not understanding why she smelled different all of a sudden. I brushed past her. “I have a lot to do today, so stay out of trouble, and I will be back late, so sleep in your own room tonight.”

After I got dressed and headed to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, I was hit with the most amazing smell. I asked Mildred as she walked by “Mildred, what is that smell?

She looked at me with concern in her eyes. “What smell are you referring to young Alpha? The omegas have prepared breakfast if you are hungry.”

“It smells like blueberry pancakes. You really don’t smell it?” I looked in every direction.

“No young Alpha, but you're welcome to get some breakfast if you like.” Mildred looked at me with concern. She placed her hand on my shoulder. “I need to get going, young Alpha, your mother is expecting me.”

I snap out of this haze and smile down at the aging woman. I gently kissed her hand and said “Thank you, Mildred, please send mother my love.” I walked toward the heavenly smell.

Upon entering the dining hall, I looked around but found no one. I take my cup of coffee and head to my office, dreading the long day ahead of me. As I got to my office, Bas was standing outside the door.

“Hey yo” I said.

“Hey yo '' the two exchanged greetings.

“A little birdie told me you had a wild and crazy night last night,” Bas said with a smirk on his face.

“Hell ya Simone surprised me with Camille and Cecilia last night. We started drinking Wild Turkey after dinner and the next thing I knew, there were t**s and asses everywhere. Hey let me ask you a f****d up question?” Bas nods, “Do you smell blueberry pancakes?”

Bas looks at me like I'm crazy. “No man why… I smell your coffee and all the usual stuff but pancakes… notta''

“Just forget it. So how's Tyson doing? Did he get settled into the guest room OK? I asked

“Yeah, Avery and I took care of it last night. I don't think I have ever seen a 9-year-old eat so much. One of the omegas brought him some of her pups' clothes. He asks a lot of questions about his family, especially his brother. What do you want us to do with him?” Bas watched his friend drift off into his own world as he was lost in thought. “Hank… earth to Hank…come in Hank.

I snapped out of my daydream. “Yeah…um just make sure he has everything he needs to be comfortable. Do we know anything about where he's from or who took them?”

“No, just that there was a younger man in the town bar who had a few drinks, and asked the waitress a few questions. Apparently, the whole town was ransacked and lots of people didn't make it, according to the kid. Tyson said the only thing he remembers about the man was that he had long black hair and a loud motorcycle and a big ring. He said it had a colored stone in it too.”

“Have we heard from any of the neighboring packs of raids or missing children? None of this makes any sense. We would have heard of something by now. If men raided my village and took my son, I would rain hell on earth. Yet we've heard nothing.”

There was a knock at the door. Striker opens it before I can say come in.

“By all means brother, come right in.” Henry says as Bas snickers.

“I wanted to let you know I have left Warren in charge of warrior training for the next couple of days while I'm gone.”

“Gone, where are you going on such short notice?” I asked.

Striker threw his army green duffel bag on the chair by the door and sat down in the chair next to Bas. “Henry, I know you have gotten the same text messages as I have from Alpha Conner. Sarah almost died earlier this week. Aren't you the least bit concerned about her?” Striker questioned my lack of concern for Sarah, but he honestly welcomed the opportunity to get closer to her. “ I am going to Cresthill for a couple of days to check on her. Warren is capable of training the warriors till I return.” Striker finished answering my question.

“Yes, I received the text messages, and he said she was going to be fine, so I didn't feel the need to run to her like some love sick school boy, but hey, if the shoe fits Striker, by all means have a nice trip.” I say unaffected by Striker's attempt to get under his skin.

“How typical, only caring about yourself.” Striker spoke

Striker looks at Bas and Bas says “I hope she's OK man. Tell her Avery and I are here if she needs anything.”

Striker stands up and he and Bas do the typical man, handshake, and then he walks over and picks up his bag. “You know, Henry, it wouldn’t kill you to try and get to know her. She's pretty amazing, but hey, we all know your taste has always been a little trashy. Later Bas. Next stop Cresthill”