Ever Cynical

Chapter 25🌶️- Scavenger Hunt

Kieran POV

Well, that was unexpected, but I could not be happier for my Delta. Sean and Helga! Two awesome people that would make a great team. Helga was still waiting for her wolf to come out of dormancy, but clearly Sean was endlessly patient. Now that he'd nearly lost her he wasn't keen on waiting, but apparently she'd figured it out by talking to Anais. My clever mate! My sneaky mate... Cheeky girl.

I was glad one crisis had been averted, but now we definitely had a new issue. I ran my hands through my hair. While I'd handled it appropriately, as any alpha would have, it did not mean that the alpha king was not going to try to use it as an opportunity to seize power, in whatever form he could. At least he was in Germany, and it wasn't like he could really sneak an army in without humans noticing. He'd have to fly them in.

Looks like I'll have to see if I can get a firm answer from Silver Moon on an alliance. They were a little farther out, being based in Northern California, but were strong. Their Luna was a Lycan, and as a result they were no strangers to trouble. Lycans were quite rare, even more so than Immortals. Power wise, pretty close to us. If they had even two hundred, it'd be a decent army.

At the most, it bought me some time. He might wait a little bit because they'd not found my mate or any unmated females to steal. They would probably think they still had plenty of time to make their plans, and gain more local allies. Ludolf had never been one to have American allies. Considered it beneath himself. I scoffed. Imbecile. I clapped Sean on the shoulder.

"Congratulations, man, Really." I smiled at Helga. "I knew you were meant for great things. Your cooking already has you in line for sainthood." I winked, then looked to Anais. "Mo shíorghrá, I need cuddles, let's go home, shall we?" She nodded before hopping into the cellar to grab their stuff. Smart. Probably from years of running and hiding, but I was grateful it had allowed them to remain undetected.

Lugh, have a team come clean up the Alpha hut, will you? I'm bringing your Luna home, I linked him.

You got it Alpha, he replied.

Anything from Geoff yet?

Not yet, Kier. Even if they turn around, they're not getting back in.

I know, but they were so close, Lugh.

Don't worry Kieran. It's going to sound weird, but I know the Luna could have handled that group. I sighed.

Yeah, you're probably right, but it doesn't make me feel any better. We'll talk more when Geoff gets back, Lugh.

No problem, Kier.

We loaded up my SUV that another warrior had brought, and drove back to the pack house. When we got to the door I took Anais' bags from her and tossed her over my shoulder. She squeaked but did not fight. I'm sure she understood that I was at my limit. I needed as much contact with her as I could manage, right now. I took the stairs two at a time and went straight past her door to mine. She huffed.

"You better have a bath at least as nice as mine in here." She quipped. I laughed and set her down. She walked into the bathroom and nodded her approval. "Alright, I think I can make this work." I grabbed her and pulled her close, her back to my chest as I leaned my chin on her shoulder.

"You think, huh? What if I said I already cleared half the closet and dresser out just for you?" I said as I gently swung her back and forth, luxuriating in her scent. Goddess, I had missed her smell.

Bergamot, amber and ylang-ylang. So f*****g sexy.

"I'd say that was very generous of you, Alpha." She said as a purr rumbled out of her chest. "Claire is pleased."

"Can I see her? I mean, can she come forward like you've seen Ri'dubh?" I asked. She nodded then turned to me, her eyes a crystalline purple. "Hello, Claire." My voice was tender as I looked into the eyes of my wolf mate.

"Ooooh finally, mon amour. I would ask to see Ri'dubh, but even I know that's not a good idea." She pouted with a slight French accent that was very cute.

"He would love to, actually. If I allow it, do you think you could hold back from mating?" I asked, wanting to give them some time together. It wasn't fair that they did not get as much time as Anais and I did.

"Non, mon amour." She sighed and sulked. "I definitely could not. You are too beautiful to resist, I'm afraid." She said, stroking my naked chest. She bit her lip, then threw up her hands in frustration. "Ah! I'm sending Anais back, I can't keep my paws off." Her eyes flashed back to Anais' sky blue and Anais began to laugh. "I wasn't sure whether she annoyed me or not, but you know, I think she's pretty awesome. It takes a lot of control for a horny she-wolf to say no to her mate."

"You're right about that." I giggled, thinking of the times I'd seen my mother go after my father when her heat started. Not that I'd complain, once we were mated. My face turned serious. "We are in for trouble, go hálainn. The alpha king isn't going to let it slide that I tossed out his envoy. For sure he will go to the Elder Council."

"Good thing I store camera data, and they all have sound, hmm?" She grinned at me. "I got your sexy booty covered, mon coeur. But I know it's not so simple. I overheard Pflumer, and he was saying that yes, they are looking for me, but they are trying to prevent you from mating and probably take your pack. They want to steal unmated Immortal females and breed them with regular werewolves."

"I knew they were trying to block me mating, I figured it out when I looked at the pattern of dates, and the fact that they don't actually seem to want me to join the Elder Council, even if they come to bug me about it." I said, nodding. "The only new thing is their intent to try and breed with Immortals. It doesn't work like that anyway. They can't become Immortal or have Immortal offspring if they cross-breed. Not that we know of..."

"Perhaps they are trying to change the balance of power. If Ludolf manages to somehow gain control of Immortals, though it's not like we are this massive army he needs, maybe he thinks it gives him something? Gosh! There is just too much we don't know yet." She said, clearly frustrated. "And honestly, why me?" I kissed her forehead.

"Let's focus on preparing for our mating, go hálainn. Now we've got about a week left. It's Friday, and the full moon is on Thursday. We're doing your Luna ceremony at the same time, though I think we'd best keep it mum and reach out to our allies after it's done. What do you think?" I kissed her cheek and she nodded.

"I think I need to reach out to Ekezeic tomorrow. I think he's older than me, though nobody knows for sure. I trust him to put feelers out with the Elder Council. Unobtrusively, if you know what I mean." She said thoughtfully. "Most are unaware he has a human form. He doesn't like to use it, says it chafes his scales, but if it's me asking, it's likely he'll take care of it." I tilted my head.

"Should I be jealous, mo chridhe?" I raised my brows at her, pretending to be upset. I knew her allies were just that, friends she had managed to acquire in her nomadic lifestyle. She huffed and smacked my arm lightly.

"No way. He's a cold fucker. I still don't know how he cares about me at all, given his nature. Probably the closest thing I've got to a dad." She laughed. "Always calls me on my bullshit."

"I definitely need to meet him then." I bumped her shoulder with mine.

"Eventually, mon coeur. Once he finds out I've got a mate, it's likely he'll come to make sure you're worthy." She giggled.

Anais POV

Poor Kieran. His face looked pained. Nobody wants to hear their in-law, or the closest thing to it, was planning to come test you for the ability to keep their loved one safe. Especially the Basilisk King, of unknown age. There was a reason nobody messed with his forest. He was a fierce combatant, as were all of his people. Beneath that gruff exterior, I knew, was a kind heart. But he had a special ability to see everything about a person. It was kind of like being psychic, except that it was more like who you were as a person than your immediate thoughts. As a result, he either loved you or hated you on sight. There were no second chances.

"Mon coeur." I turned his face to me and kissed him gently. "Let's go naked cuddle, hmm?" We stripped and slid into his massive bed. He held me tightly, his face pressed into my neck. I swear he was treating my scent like it was oxygen. Then I felt it. His canines. Just grazing, but still there. And my core was soaked. Well, I feel like a harlot now... I pulled back to find Ri'dubh grinning at me. "You naughty, naughty Alpha."

"You like it, mo bhanríon." He growled lowly. "I can smell it." He slid down my body and pushed his nose into my folds, inhaling deeply. A rumbling laugh poured out of him as his golden eyes glinted up at me. "I found it, go hálainn. That piercing you told Kieran about. He will be disappointed that I got to taste it first." Before I could say or do anything, Ri'dubh swiped his tongue along my folds and sucked on my c******l hood piercing. Goddess, I'm in trouble. "So that's one." He growled, working up to my belly button, sucking on it next. "And that's two." He moved to each of my n*****s, giving them each a slow sensual lick. "Three and four." He grinned. "You want me to lick the others or just count them out?" I just stared at the wolf who, for all that he looked hungry and dangerous, had love and care pouring from his eyes.

"I think counting is fine, mo rí." I said shakily. I wanted him so badly it was insane. Defied logic. He grinned, his canines slightly elongated from his partial shift. He extended one claw and drew it over my ears.

"Five through sixteen in your ears." His claw made me shiver in yearning as it touched my face. "Nose, seventeen. snake bite, eighteen and nineteen, tongue twenty." He grinned. "Care to try out the tongue ring on my-" I covered his naughty-ass mouth. He laughed, his golden eyes shining with humor as he licked my palm, causing me to draw my hand back.

Suddenly, he pinned me under him. s**t.

"Soooo... I see you are taking matters into your own hands, huh?" He just grinned and leaned towards me.