Alpha's Embrace

The Reunion

Alysslin came to a stop at the familiar voice. “Lauriel.” Alysslin quickly hugged her. Not believing that she was here. She pulled back. “What happened? Why are you here?”

“Your father sent out Brock and some of the others to search for you. He wants you back at New Hope.” She paused before continuing. “I managed to convince Brock to let me join the search party. The party split up when two sets of tracks were discovered.”

Alysslin looked at Tovias, and he nodded. “Zirf.” He whispered. He looked back at the newcomer. “What happened then?” He asked.

Lauriel looked from one to the other. Then her eyes met Alysslin’s. “Some of the men followed the larger tracks to the east. Brock, myself, and some of the others followed the smaller ones.” Alysslin, Tovias and the others that stood behind her looked at one another. “Which I assume now is yours.” Tovias only nodded, allowing her to continue. “I had to try to get away from Brock and find you, Alysslin. Your father and Brock are very determined to get you back. I had to warn you.” Then she looked pointedly at the tall man. “Then I was attacked.”

He held up his hands. “What can I say? You were travelling in our territory. We were on patrol. You could have told us who you were.” Her eyes narrowed at him. He winked at her. To her dismay, she flushed, making him smile.

Tovias came forward. “I apologize for my men. It appears you met my Beta Vad.”

Lauriel nodded slowly as she eyed Vad. “Not in so many words. He didn’t even introduce himself.”

Tovias stared at Vad. “Really, Vad?” He asked, shaking his head.

“She didn’t ask.” Vad argued.

Tovias shook his head. Alysslin came forward. “I am glad you are okay, Lauriel.” She motioned to Tovias. “This is Tovias. He is the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. He rescued me from Zirf and his bear sleuths.”

Lauriel stared at her. Then she looked at Tovias. “Thank you for saving her and protecting her. However, I don’t think your job is done.”

Tovias frowned slightly. “Why did you say that?”

“When I managed to sneak away from Brock. I think he knows I betrayed him and the sire. They are following me. I know they are not far behind me.”

Alysslin touched Tovias’ arm. “What are we going to do?”

He placed a hand over hers and looked down at her. His eyes caressed her face. “I will step up patrol. You and Lauriel will stay out of sight.” He kissed her forehead. He didn’t care who knew. She was his and he was going to keep it that way. Lauriel watched them. Not sure how she felt that her friend might have something going on with a shifter. Tovias looked at Vad. “Vad, show Lauriel to a room upstairs.”

Vad nodded. “Come on ma’am.” She reluctantly followed him.

Tovias turned to face Alysslin. He cupped her face. “I don’t want you leaving the house, okay?”

“But..,”

He kissed her lightly. “I don’t want this Brock to know you are here. I want them to think you have never been here.”

She slowly nodded. “Okay, I promise not to leave the house.”

“Good, I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you.” She smiled up at him. She touched the side of his face. He couldn’t help himself. He kissed her again. This time the kiss was deeper and more passionate than any other he had given her. He pulled back. “Wait for me in my study. I am going to give orders out to the pack.”

She nodded. “I will.” He smiled. He kissed her one more time before leaving. She watched him until he disappeared. She turned around and walked back into his study.

Vad opened the door for Lauriel. "Alysslin is down the hall."

Lauriel walked into the room and looked around the expanse of the room. She turned around to face Vad. He was leaning against the door jam. His arms crossed against his massive chest. She sucked in her breath. Boy, he looked gorgeous, and definitely off limits. She had a feeling it was going to be hard to ignore him. She cleared her throat. "Thank you." Was all she could say.

She saw him slowly push himself off the door jam. He walked towards her. Actually, to her it was like he was stalking his prey. She had t look up at him. He was so tall...and those muscles. She felt her mouth grow dry. She had read about shifters and knew that their senses are unbelievable. By the look in his intense eyes. She could tell he sensed her arousal. He slowly smiled. His hand came up to her cheek. She flinched slightly.

"Are you afraid of me?" He asked. His voice was deep and masculine. It sent shivers through her.

"No. Should I be?" She asked breathlessly.

He stepped closer to her. If that was even possible. "Maybe you should be." She stared at him. Instead of being in fear of those words. She felt a pull to him that she had never felt with anyone before. He leaned closer to her. She thought he was going to kiss her, but instead he whispered in her ear. "Perhaps, I will see how far you would let me go." At this time, she would allow him to do anything.

"Vad!" Someone shouted from the open doorway.

"What, Brisom?" He answered. His eyes never left Lauriel's.

Brisom cleared his throat. Knowing he was interrupting. "Alpha Tovias needs you. There are strangers heading into the compound."

"Brock." Lauriel whispered. Her eyes blue eyes delving into his piercing grey eyes.

"I am coming, Brisom." Brisom quickly took off down the hall. Lauriel saw something shift in his eyes. They softened as he continued to stare at her. His fingers caressed her cheek. "Stay out of sight." Was all he said, then he left, closing the door behind him.

Brock looked at his men. "Be on your guard. This looks like a pack compound." His men nodded as they cautiously walked through a large gate that stood open. They didn't get very far before they were surrounded. The men with him bared their teeth. Brock looked at them. "Stand down." He commanded. Then he looked at the men that surrounded them. "I need to speak to the man in charge, at once." The strangers just looked at him, not budging.

Just then the men seemed to part, and Brock saw two men heading towards them. The big man was imposing in itself, but the man walking in front of him exuded power. Brock knew that he was the Alpha. He figured the muscled behemoth behind him was his second in command. The men stopped in front of him. Both men crossed their arms. "I am Alpha Tovias. What is the meaning of this?"

Brock stepped forward. Which made the muscled behemoth move. Brock came to a stop. Tovias held up his hand to Vad. "I am looking for someone that came this way."

"Was this person taking?" Tovias asked.

Brock didn't want to say too much. "No, she is one of us. She foolishly went off on her own." Vad tried not to let this Brock i***t affect him.

"I see. That is foolish. Especially if they don't know the forest. Why would she separate from the group?" Tovias asked. Trying to sound interested.

Brock stiffened. "That really does not concern you. Have you seen her?"

Tovias shook his head. "No, we haven't seen anyone new in the area."

Brock eyed him. For some reason he did not believe him. "Can we search the compound? It is imperative we find her."

Tovias arched a brow. "No, you may not search my compound. I told you we have not seen anyone."

Brock was losing his temper. Tovias could feel the strength radiated off of him. He was powerful. He realized that he felt more power coming from Alysslin. No wonder they wanted her back. Well, he would not let that happen. "Look, Alpha Tovias." He began as he took a menacing step towards him.

Vad was immediately there, stopping Brock's advance. "That is far enough." His voice was ominous. Brock didn't scare easily but these two, when together, were powerful. "I believe, my Alpha already told you we haven't seen anyone. Don't be disrespectful." His voice was low and threatening.

Brock nodded. He had to bide his time. He had to search the compound. He couldn't take anyone's word for it. "I apologize." That word literally stuck in his throat. He never apologized for anything. He had to let them think that he was. "You are right. I didn't mean to be intrusive. We will look elsewhere."

Tovias and Vad watched them walk away. Vad didn't say anything until they disappeared. "What do you think, Tovias?"

"I don't like it. From what Alysslin had said. Brock would not give up that easily."

"He was speaking of Lauriel. No mention of Alysslin." Vad questioned.

"Yeah. I wonder why?" Tovias looked at Vad. "We will have to keep a close eye on the women. I have already set up extra patrols." He raked a hand through his hair. "Maybe he only asked about Lauriel because that was who they were tracking at the time."

"Perhaps." Vad wasn't so sure.

Tovias looked at him. "Speak your mind, Vad."

Vad raked a hand through his hair. "I was just thinking maybe they cannot track Alysslin."

Tovias crossed his arms and faced his friend. "What do you mean?"

Vad cursed. "I don't know. They obviously don't want to tell us that they are looking for Alysslin. However, if they were looking for her too. Why not just say two of their people were missing?"

Tovias nodded. "Good point. I will ask Alysslin. In the meantime, they are not to be out of mine or your sight.

"Understood, sir." They headed back into the compound.

Alysslin was sitting on the edge of the bed in Lauriel's room. "What do you think is going on, Lauriel?"

Lauriel was pacing back and forth. "I don't know." She looked at Alysslin. "And I hate not knowing."

"I know you do. So do I." Alysslin sighed. "Do you think Tovias was able to get Brock to leave?"

Lauriel plopped down in an oversized chair that seemed to engulf her. "I am damn sure he wouldn't let a man like Brock into his compound."

"That is definitely true. He is very protective of his pack."

Lauriel arched a brow. "I think the pack isn't the only thing he is protective about." Alysslin looked at her and she blushed. "I knew it." Lauriel laughed. "So, a shifter. Interesting."

"It didn't start too well. Trust Issues."

Lauriel arched a brow. "What do you mean?"

Alysslin explained to the explanation that she had with Tovias, and how he thought she orchestrated what happened in the forest. She also told her how he thought she was here to bring destruction to his pack.

Lauriel immediately became defensive on Alysslin's behalf. "That is crazy. You would never be involved in something like that."

"I know that and you know that, but he didn't. He brought a stranger into his territory. His first priority is his pack." Alysslin met her best friend's eyes. "We straightened it out. He came to realize that I wasn't going to bring down his pack."

"I am glad he came to realize that because it was nonsense." Lauriel stated as she scoffed at the very idea.

Alysslin smiled as she nodded. The smile slipped a little when she spoke. "I told him everything."

Lauriel stared at her wide-eyed. "Really?" She was stunned. That was something that Alysslin did not like to talk about. Alysslin nodded. Lauriel got up and went to go sit next to Alysslin. She put an arm around her. "I know that must have been hard. How did Tovias take it?"

Alysslin had to smile. "He took it a lot better than I thought he would." Alysslin laid her head on Lauriel's shoulder. "It was hard reliving it all, but I had to tell him. He needed to know I was not here to destroy his pack."

"I understand. Now we have to figure out what to do about Brock." Lauriel stated.

"Agreed."