For the Love of The Guardian

Porter Highlights

“Careful now, little one.” His tall, broad stature loomed over the young woman. Her gray orbs came to meet the gaze of his chocolate browns that held her attention firmly. His short trimmed hair gave a depth to his features, the jet black of his hair seemed to shine in the afternoon light. His shoulders squared and pulled back showing his self security. His beard was dark and well trimmed, sitting close to his skin as it covered his jaw. A soft smile moved across his lips as he watched her gaze move over his features. The white button down shirt he wore was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing the wrap around tattoo about his forearm. The layers of triangular scales gave the look of a complex tribal pattern. Dark navy jeans held the hem of his white button down, secured by the black belt about his trim waist.

“You be careful.” Sarah breathed a response, her senses filled with the scent of pine and citrus. Her brow furrowed and she watched his smirk widen at her words. Her heart raced with intensity in her chest. The skin where his fingertips met her flesh, pricked with goose bumps and her hearing was on high alert. The sounds of the front door opening and the voices carrying from the house broke her full attention on the stranger. The sound of her hair tie snapping was enough to set her off, her dark hair falling to her shoulders.

His eyes moved to watch the small band move across the yard, his eyes watching the few males leave the building. Laughter emanated from the porch, the now familiar voice of Zane Estro carried across the lawn. “Careful, that one’s feisty.” Sarah could almost see him pointing at her.

The fingertips of the tall man before her still lightly graced her elbows. “Is he bothering you, little one?” His dark brown eyes bore into her soul and her body shivered under his gaze. His voice was soft and caring, with only subtle hints of a sheathed sword in his tone. There was a ferocity hidden in his tone that flooded her chest with warmth. She felt safe under his gaze, even with the others watching, as though he was ready to fight for her.

Her voice was still just a whisper, “Nothing I can’t handle.” She looked back to Zane briefly, before slowly removing herself form the grasp of the stranger. Her body instantly missed the touch as her feet moved begrudgingly away from the stranger and took her off in the direction of the training field. Her pulse was blaring in her ears.

Can you believe them?! Sarah spoke blatantly to her wolf, her mind racing to the Alpha’s and trying to ignore the encounter. Her feet moved as fast as they could toward the forest. How dare they treat me that way!? I should be an equal. I should be treated no different just because I have a bigger chest!

I know dear one.The soothing voice of her wolf responded gently. Her tone was tender and always had a way to calm her edged nerves. They always filled out the weakness of the other. Whenever Sarah was flustered or upset, her wolf was the voice of reason. When her wolf would rage deep within her soul, Sarah would be the calming waves that turned the tides.

How are you so calm? They disrespected me and you!

Oh Sarah, they can only disrespect us if we value their opinion. Her wolf’s voice was kind and full of wisdom. It sang to her like the sound of wind chimes on the brink of a storm.

You really don’t care what they think? Sarah began to disrobe at the forest edge, laying her clothes neatly on a nearby rock. Her pulse had slowed and her fingers brushed over where the strangers hands had once been. Her mind went to the warmth of his touch and the steel of his voice.

Of course not, they are just young pups.

But that Alpha…

That Alpha is a threat, he’s different. A low growl came from deep within the pair.

I don’t trust him.

As well you shouldn’t. He’s up to no good, I can smell it on him.

Me too. Sarah relaxed her shoulders and let the magick of their kind wash over her. The familiar feeling of fur moving across her flesh brought chills as her bones reshaped into the comfortable feel of her wolf. The dark auburn coat shook with anticipation of the upcoming run. Without a word, they both knew what they wanted; to run.

The feel of their long claws digging deep into the soft earth was enough of a hint to get them pushing forward. Sarah treasured the feel of her fur moving in the wind as they ran through the forest. The thrill of the chase was almost as good as the hunt. While her father would chide her for playing with her meals, she really did prefer the chase to the kill. The scent of a jack rabbit caught their attention, as they adjusted course and quickly flushed it from it’s hiding place.

Prancing about the forest relieved a lot of tension that Sarah had been holding deep within her soul. There was still a quiet tug that came at her mind as she began the trek back to her clothes.

Did you feel that? The peaceful silence between the pair was broken as they moved behind the house. Her eyes moved to look across the back porch, the group of men and spread out amongst the open space. Her eyes moving to the stranger who had caught her earlier. A strange pull coming at her as she watched his eyes turn and scan the forest line. She froze in her steps and watched.

I do feel that. Her wolf replied calmly, as they fought the urge to howl. This many males in the area would set them on edge if she released the cry that was building in her chest.

We need to move. Sarah spoke, but neither urged their body forward. Their gray eyes watched his large build, his nodded to Forrest and moved beyond Eli, stepping out onto the lawn. He walked patiently to the forest edge, his eyes scanning the area.

“Liam,” Alpha Cage was calling to the man, “come and speak with Erick about the changes you’re making.” Cage had lifted a near empty glass toward the tall man.

His eyes stopped on the site of the red wolf, the tug between the pair was almost unbearable. Sarah felt the weight of his gaze and allowed herself to lay to the soft ground. Part of her hoped he would come to her, part of her hoped he would go away. She fought with her own feelings.

“Sure thing.”

His deep voice filled the open lawn and rattled deep in the chest of the red wolf. Sarah urged her wolf to move, but they were still frozen. She knew then, it was a battle between their own desires. Sarah urged once more with a more intense nudge, causing them to lift from the ground. It wasn’t long before they were back to a full run toward their clothes.

What was that?! Sarah demanded, as they rounded the last edge to the training grounds. The boulder where her clothes lay finally within view.

I don’t know, dearest. I’ve never felt that before. Her wolf shuttered as they recalled the feeling.

Scarlet, is he our mate? Sarah spoke with fear, unsure of how to handle everything.

He might be. I can’t say, things are so uncertain still.

I know we still have time, but is it possible to know before I’m of age? Sarah’s concern was thick and filled their heads with worry.

Anything is possible, my angel.

Sarah continued to run their conversation through her head. He would be of age and know if he was or not, if so he would petition her father for courtship. It was the way when the daughter of an Alpha was available. Sarah smiled, knowing her father had turned down every courtship at her request.

Liam. She thought his name out, letting the link between her wolf and herself wash over it. I think I like that name. Sarah let a goofy smile wash across her face as they began the slow walk back to the pack house. She couldn’t put a word to what was coming over her, as she moved down the dirt path that would open to the front lawn of the pack house. The party would be raging on the lawn with the packs escorts and many from Azure Rise, yet the higher ups would be at the house enjoying the meal prepared by Asia and Hera.

Sarah moved from the dirt path, the quirky grin still on her face as she greeted familiar faces.

“Sarah!” Malin came across the lawn to greet her, a red solo cup in his hand. “You made it just in time, I just popped the keg on that vanilla bourbon porter I brewed a months back.”

He thrust the cup into Sarah’s hand, her lips taking from the cup the sweet flavors. “This is really good.” She smiled to Malin who beamed with pride.

“I am so glad you like it!” He moved to walk alongside her, “Because I may have brewed five kegs.”

“Five?!” Sarah turned to him, her brow tense and her eyes wide.

“Well, to be fair,” he held his hands up in defense, “Erick is taking some back with him.” He smiled like a Cheshire cat to the Alice of their pack.

Sarah shook her head and raised her cup to the mastermind of the drink, “May he take more then 2.” She laughed as she took a swig from her cup, the pair laughing as they walked across the lawn.

Several of the shop employees were on the lawn, their grills going and the smell of burgers and hot dogs filled her senses. It was in this moment she realized how hungry she really was, her stomach responded with a loud rumble.

“Hungry?” Malin laughed.

“Starved.” Sarah stated plainly, her eyes already on Joe as he moved across the lawn toward them.

“Gods, save me.” Joe said as he arrived to the pair. The three musketeers were together again, and it would appear they were crashing a barbecue. Joe reached over and stole Sarah’s cup, drinking back the liquid.

“Hey!” Sarah slapped his shoulder.

“God that’s good.” He ignored her hit and turned Malin, “Is that the porter?”

“Sure is.” Malin beamed once more, his brown eyes lighting up.

“I need more of that,” Joe licked his lips and wiggled the now empty cup, ready to follow Malin.

“Apparently I do too now.” Sarah slapped Joe’s shoulder once more for good measure.

“Listen, if you keep bruising me, Hera is going to call this a toxic relationship.”

“No she’s not, she knows the measures needed to keep you in line.” Sarah beamed at the man like a sister to her brother. It was in that moment that the trio broke out in laughter. Their steps in sync as they moved to the tap for a refill.

A large man stood watch over the tap, carefully filling a cup.

“James, can we get three porters?”

“Sure thing Malin.” The man by the taps smiled and moved to another chilled keg and began to fill three new red cups. The foam filling to the brim and the aroma filling the small space. “This one’s a hit, already had to tap another keg.” He smiled handing out the cups. “Sarah! I thought you’d be in the house.”

“Not tonight James, I feel more at ease with my people.” She clasped the man’s shoulder. His hard work in the shop had earned Sarah’s respect, and Henri’s. He was trusted and looked to Sarah like a niece.

Sarah smiled and took her cup, she looked about and realized how much of the pack was watching her. Their protective gaze over their princess eased the tension she had from her father’s conversation. She knew they would defend her and fight for her, she’d built a personal relationship with everyone there. Her eyes stopped at the front porch.

As if her gaze willed it, Liam’s form stepped out onto the porch with Erick beside him. The last hints of daylight were slowly fading in the late spring air. Sarah sipped at her cup, the sounds of Malin and Joe talking about the gathering and their plans for tomorrow.

“Sarah?” Joe’s voice was irritated, as though he’d said her name several times.

“Ya?” She looked calmly to the blond man.

“Are you working tomorrow?”

“Yup,” she took another sip of her drink, “I need to finish a few orders this week.”

“I heard you have Denver’s Ruby at the shop.” Malin smiled and let his brow bounce with excitement.

“No, you can’t touch it, look at it or drive it.” Sarah took her gaze from her friends and looked back to the porch, the pair had left and were now mingled in among the crowd. Sarah sighed and took another long draw from her cup, she could feel the strange pull in her chest once more.

The light of the porch caught her attention as Henri, Jaroth and Eli exited the building. Their laughter danced from the enclosure and filled the small porch. It wasn’t long until they too were headed into the crowd.

“Excuse me.” Sarah left her friends and moved to intercept her father. They needed to talk and she needed to speak with him quickly.

“Sarah, you were missed at dinner.” Jaroth smiled to the raven haired beauty.

“Sorry, I just had to run off some energy.” Sarah returned the smile. “Father, I need to talk to you.”

“Sarah, can it wait? We do have guests.” Henri looked to see Sarah’s face as serious as ever and her gray eyes glinted with sadness. “Excuse me for a moment gentleman.” Henri nodded to Jaroth and Eli. Henri slid his arm about his daughter’s shoulders and moved to walk away from the party. Their pace was slow and they spoke in hushed voices as they moved.

“What is so urgent?” Henri was the first to speak, his eyes watching over the party. A smile on his face as he lifted a hand to wave to several pack members.

“Has Liam approached you?” Sarah’s voice was calm, but her heart raced in her chest. The steadiness of her voice making her sound more calm then she truly was.

Henri stopped their walk and turned to face his daughter, her eyes giving away the awkward feeling she held in her chest. “Should I expect him?”

“I dunno, maybe?” Sarah played with the lip of her red cup, her lips tense as she tried to phrase this next part carefully. “I feel this tug about him, and I can’t explain it.” Her eyes met her fathers, “I feel this draw to him, but it’s not how everyone explained it would be for a mate. I don’t know what this is.”

“If he asks, should I allow it?” Henri’s voice was careful. He was caring in how he handled his baby girl, but he was still Alpha and very protective of her.

“I wouldn’t be against it.” Sarah half smiled to her father.

“Alpha!” A pack member hollered from the party, his cup lifted high in the air.

“Roger! Enjoying yourself?” Henri bellowed back, a smile on his face.

“Always!” Roger continued on his way to the thick of the group as Henri and Sarah turned to walk back.

“You should speak with Ashleigh.” Henri spoke quieter as they approached the group, “She’d said she felt something that told her Eli was the one, that was before she came of age.”

“Dad, there’s something else.” Sarah froze, watching worry wash over her father’s face. “I’ve been seeing mom.” Sarah played with her cup, her gaze unable to meet that of her Alpha. She already felt his worry roll off of him and she couldn’t bring herself to lift her eyes to see his face.

“I know, gemstone.” Henri said, his arms coming about to hug his daughter. “I know, because I’ve been seeing her too.”

It was a brief pause in time that the pair shared. It was only a moment before Henri was to be pulled away once more, but it was what they needed. Father and daughter brought closer in that brief moment, before they rejoined the throng that gathered on their front lawn. The beer was still cold and the party still raged, soon they would get out the music and they would dance until morning’s light rose.

Sarah already felt the urge to escape the party, as she left her father’s grasp. “I think I’ll get to bed early. I have a lot of work tomorrow.” She smiled to her dad, tears threatening her eyes.

“You sure?” Henri looked over her expression, “You can always hold off on most of those orders for another day or two.”

“I’m sure, Denver will be stopping by tomorrow and I want to be ready.” Sarah kissed her dad’s cheek and handed him her beer.

“If your sure.” Henri took her cup and sipped the amber liquid, a soft moan leaving his chest as his eyes went wide.

“Malin’s porter. That boy’s got talent in brewing.”

“I’ll say.” Henri took another drink, “You get some good sleep, I need to go speak with our brew master.” Henri winked to his daughter and made his way into the throng of the party.

Silence flooded the space as Sarah entered her home and let the door shut behind her. Muffled sounds of cheers and music had just started as she moved for the steps. Everyone knew that the main house was off limits, so it was safe that only those sleeping in the house would enter. Most of the Alpha’s would be setup in nearby cabins and wouldn’t be sleeping in the house. A few of the sons would be sleeping on the pullout in the living room, as the cabins didn’t have enough space.

“Done partying?” A deep voice stopped Sarah’s breath in her throat. She turned to see her mysterious savior standing in the kitchen, a coffee mug in his hand.

“Ya, just not feeling it. Good night.” She smiled to him, feeling the tug in her chest.

“Wait…” he moved to stop her from leaving, which caused Sarah to pause quickly. Her feet responded to him before she even registered what he said. “Will you be at breakfast?”

“I will.” Sarah smiled, her eyes dancing in the dim light of the hallway.

“Then I’ll see you at breakfast. Good night.” The smile that played at the corner of his lips caused his brown eyes to dance.

“Night.” Sarah was thankful for the dim light that hid the blush in her cheeks. This was going to be the hardest nights sleep of her life.