For the Love of The Guardian

Gracious Greetings

Sarah’s posture only softened with a roll of her shoulders. Her stance remained the same. She wasn’t the Luna - her mother, she was the daughter of an Alpha. She was his enforcer and peace keeper, she took on the jobs the same as the sons had. She stood firmly in her place, her hands behind her back and her hair pulled back at the nape of her neck. Her gray eyes moved across the many vehicles that had stopped before her home. The drivers exiting and moving to walk alongside their passengers, it was quick to tell who was the Alpha as each exited their vehicle. Alpha’s always lead the way and escorted their sons.

The first to approach the house was a tall man, who was lean by their standards. His light brown hair was cut short and styled, hints of gray played at his temples. He was dressed in a button down shirt and slacks. His right hand extended to greet Henri, a large scar on the back of his hand that came to an end where his ring finger should be. Sarah looked over the Lunar Blood Alpha, the hints of a scar in his right brow.

“Henri.” The deep tenor voice greeted the Alpha before him.

“Jacob,” Henri’s hand extended to clasp with his, “I am glad you were able to make it.”

A young man, about Sarah’s age came up alongside Jacob. His dirty blond hair cut similar to his fathers. He was dressed in a blue polo and khakis, with a hint of ink under the sleeve of his left arm. His hazel eyes smiled to Henri as his father shifted.

“Dear Sarah,” Jacob’s hand enclosed about her callused hand, “it is an honor to officially meet you.” Tears glistened at his eyes, as he looked into her gray orbs.

“Alpha.” She nodded her head, her face was stoic as she took in his reaction.

“Please, just Jacob. You’re mother earned you the right to be casual with us.” He sighed slowly and spoke softly, “She was family to Lunar Blood, as are you also.” His second hand clasped atop hers as they shook hands.

Sarah nodded a thanks, but spoke nothing further. Their impression of her needed to be stoic, emotionless.

“Please forgive my father.” The young man moved forward as Alpha Jacob was ushered inside. “He took your mother’s death hard,” his eyes softened as he looked to Henri.

“As did we all.” Henri spoke plainly, his face also without emotion.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s fine.” Sarah spoke up, interrupting them, “Welcome to our home.” She took his hand in hers, shaking it comfortably, her strong gray eyes piercing his hazel orbs.

They exchanged a nod and he moved further into the home.

“His name is Oz, that’s Jacob’s only son.” Henri filled her in as they waited for the next set to approach the home. “His mother died defending him from a bear when he was young.”

“Ouch…” Sarah exhaled, her eyes drifting inside slowly. If anyone knew her loss, it’d be him. It was no wonder he had such a gentleness to his touch.

“Henri!” A familiar face moved across the lot to the porch. His broad shoulders had slumped slightly, but he was still as much the lumberjack now as he was in his youth. His usual flannel shirt replaced with a deep red polo and jeans, the shirt looking a little too small for his chest. His hazel eyes lit up as he took Henri’s hand in his own. “It has been too long!” The brown hair of the giant Alpha swayed softly about his shoulders.

“Jaroth! I am so glad you could make it. How is Chilam?” Henri greeted his friend, his blue eyes danced with delight at the sight of his friend.

“She is well,” he moved forward to greet Sarah, but continued to speak with Henri, “she will be mad she missed the chance to see you.” His smile genuine as he turned to Sarah. He made a soft bow and took her hand in his. “Dear Sarah.” He pressed her hand to his forehead, “I am sorry I have been away for so long.” He smirked as he looked to the woman.

The look of surprise that swept across his face, as her stoic expression never dropped. “Alpha Jaroth, it is an honor to welcome you to our home.”

“Sarah, really?” He stood back with surprise at her formal greeting, then pulled her into a tight hug his large arms wrapping about her shoulders.

“Please, I have to show the others I am a worthy warrior.” Sarah whispered in his ear, her arms fighting the urge to hug him back.

“I understand, we’ll catch up later.” He whispered and then winked to the young girl, in the hopes she would blush with embarrassment, yet she stood without emotion.

This man had been like family, his sons close friends of hers. So it was no surprise when the shadow of his eldest son, Jared, cast at her feet. Sarah smiled to the man, his dark hair cut much like his father’s and moved just as gracefully. His brown eyes had yellow flecks hidden at the pupils edge when the light shined just right on them. His polo a dark green and worn much too tight like his father.

“Dear Sarah.” He smirked, pressing her hand to his forehead, just as his father had done.

“It is good to see you, Jared.” A smirk played at her lips as he winked at her, then continued inside. His younger brother moving in like fashion.

Sarah could have sworn the two could have been twins, if not for the age difference.

“Sarah,” he spoke from his bowed position, his dark hair swayed forward to cover his face.

“It is an honor to welcome you, Forrest.” Sarah spoke, moving to welcome them into her home.

A deep breath filled her lungs as she looked at the throng that was still coming. The Alphas were the only ones she needed to greet, but she was already done with this. It was customary, but it could have been done better.

“Relax,” Henri spoke from beside her, “it will go fast.”

“I hope so.” Sarah rolled her shoulders and craned her neck, giving an audible pop from it cracking. She didn’t miss the smirk that Sebastian sent her way, his body guard stance still in affect beside Eli. Eli’s head shook slowly at her display, knowing it was normal for her to behave this way and the others would view it as a challenge.

“Henri.” A deep voice broke the moment of silence. The man that approached the house was tall and bulky, yet his features seemed lean and birdlike. He moved with grace across the lawn, a young man moving beside him.

“Gene.” Henri clasps his hand in both of his, “I am glad to see you and Quinten could make it.” He motioned the pair forward.

Sarah looked at the beady green eyes of the man, his black hair was short, but not close to the skin. His facial features sent a chill up her spine, his nose coming to a sharp point. Everything about this man reminded her of a bird of prey.

“Alpha Gene.” Sarah shook his hand tightly, his long fingers wrapping firmly about her hand. Her gray orbs staring at his emerald ones. “Welcome to our home.” Her shoulders were back and her head was held high as she motion to the doorway.

“Lady Sarah.” His voice gruff and greeting simple, he wasted no time with pleasantries and she appreciated it.

“Lady Sarah.” A young man that was familiar to her greeted in a slight whisper.

“Quinten, it’s a pleasure to have you.” Her stance did not change to the young man. They knew each other, but nothing more than an acquaintance. Her arms moved to motion to the doorway, and she watched them enter her home. The days to come were going to be difficult with this much Alpha blood rolling through the house.

Sarah released a deep sigh as she watched a dark brown haired man approach the home. Behind him were two young men, also about Sarah’s age. It was no surprise that the Alpha’s would bring their sons, hoping to mate them to the she-wolf. Her teeth clenched in her mouth at the body language of the Alpha and what would appear to be his eldest son. The arrogance of entering another’s pack’s home with a stare down. With pride she watched as her father never looked away and stared back as much the opposing Alpha glared at him.

“Henri.” His gruff voice was laced with arrogance and self importance.

“Cage.” Henri’s eyes watched as the man moved to stand before Sarah.

With everything in her, Sarah fought to rein in her powers. His cruel demeanor was enough to set her wolf on edge, she could almost hear her growling in her ears.

“Ahh, Sarah.” A disgusting grin moving across his lips as his hands grasped hers, tightly.

“Alpha Cage.” Her voice carried no inflection or emotion, her gray orbs glared back at his steel blue eyes, her grip meeting his. They stood locked for a moment, before he relented and moved to enter the house. Sarah’s stance sharpened as his son’s approached her, the first nodding his head slightly.

“Sarah.”

“Garrett.” Sarah noticed how Garret held his posture relaxed and his grip firm, yet welcoming. His shoulders were relaxed and though he was well built, his demeanor was inviting, as his hazel eyes met hers. His sandy brown hair was short and out of his face, giving a perfect view of his clean cut features. Sarah motioned slowly and watched as he moved inside the house.

“Sarah, so good to see you again.” The arrogant voice grated on every nerve Sarah had left in her body.

“Zane, you actually made it?” Sarah took in how he had trimmed his light brown hair to be short and neat.  It was obvious he cared much about his appearance, as he adjusted his shirt collar slightly. His large hands matched those of his father, but the similarity ended there. His eyes were a dark brown and seemed to cut deep into the soul. His posture was high and stiff with arrogance dancing along his shoulder and up his chin.

“Of course.” A smirk moved across his lips as he leaned in close, “I wouldn’t miss the chance to get close to this precious gem of Azure Rise.” His voice a whisper as his free hand moved to her hip.

“Not in a million years.” She retorted, her eyes flashed purple for only moment before her knee came up quickly to meet his groin.

The sound of the impact as well as his groans caught the attention of those in the home and outside. Curses and expletives leaving his lips as his knees dropped to the floor. “You b***h!” He managed to get out, his hands firmly cupping his family jewels.

Sarah knelt slowly, “You would do well to remember that.” Her voice a whisper in his agonized ear.

“What is going on out here?” Alpha Cage burst out, seeing his son on the floor.

“It would do your son well to learn how to treat a descendant of an Alpha in their home.” Sarah lifted to her feet quickly and turned to Cage, anger in her eyes.

“How dare you!” Cage moved toward her.

“Not in my house!” Henri’s voice boomed as he moved in front of his daughter. “Your son disrespected my heir, let him learn from his mistakes.”

Zane’s eyes glared at Sarah, her stance taught as she watched him closely. Her lips were pulled tight and she felt the veins in her neck begin to pulse with rage. Garrett came to help his brother to his feet, which he fought against once he was on his feet. As they slowly moved inside, Sarah turned to leave the home.

“Sarah, are you not eating?” Henri asked her softly, concern covering his face.

“I just need time away from them for a bit. Let me get a run in, if my wolf doesn’t get out she’s going to go all fur and fangs on them.”

The pair exchanged a laugh, as the childhood term came out so easily. For a moment, she was still the young girl that Henri protected with ferocity. He knew she was a strong warrior and brilliant young woman, something that all of the Alpha’s in that house had doted to their sons. To them she was a prize to win, but to him she was a treasure to protect.

“Go run, enjoy yourself. You earned it.” He winked to his little girl, the treasure of his heart.

“Thanks, dad.” She smiled and leapt from the porch, taking off at a near full run. She spun quickly as she hit the gravel and took off before looking around. Her body slammed hard into what felt like a brick wall. Arms snaked about her body as she froze and processed through the chances of an enemy being on their land. Her wolf howled in her ears as she felt warmth come from the grasp that now held her.