Shadow of the Eclipse

Chapter 8.

"You summoned me?" Silas raised his brow at his long-time friend. Tobias sat behind his desk, he ran his hands through his thick brown hair. Looking up at Silas, he let out a heavy sigh.

"We've just received word that there was another attack." Tobias' expression was grim.

Silas took a seat on one of the chairs that sat adjacent to the desk.

"Where?" he asked.

"Our neighbors to the west. The Lotus pack. They sustained significant casualties. I am sending some of the warriors there to help them while they recoup. Did we get anywhere with the prisoner?"

"No, the bastard's not talking." Silas shook his head. He crossed his arms. "Can we afford to lend our warriors? We have to be prepared for another strike. And no doubt, this time, they will hit us harder."

"I agree with you, Si. But should we ever need our allies to help us in times of crisis, we must do our part. I have already alerted the Council. Jade and I will be leaving this afternoon for a meeting with the Alphas regarding this threat. I need you to stay back and keep things under control here." Tobias said sternly. "Any ideas on how to break this prisoner?"

"Actually, yeah. Sick Garth on him." Silas chuckled, and Tobias joined in.

"We need him alive for now. Something tells me Garth won't have your restraint." Tobias pointed out.

"Oh, definitely not. But maybe that's exactly what this one needs." Silas shrugged. Tobias sat back in his chair and rubbed his brow.

"OK. Give it a shot." He conceded. "Just remember, do NOT let him kill the prisoner. I'd like to question him myself when I return. "

"No promises." Silas joked and raised his hands. He stood and turned to leave just as Luna Jade walked in.

Her golden hair was pinned up neatly, and she wore a simple yet elegant cream dress. It had sheer sleeves that reached her wrists and a tasteful neckline. Tobias did not like her wearing anything that exposed too much skin. He hated when others oggled his wife. Her high heels clicked on the hardwood floor as she made her way to her husband.

"Good to see you, Silas." She nodded at him as she stopped beside Tobias.

"You as well, Luna. Safe travels to you both." Silas offered a small smile and walked toward the door.

"You are not planning to meet the council in that, are you?" Silas heard Tobias groan in annoyance as Jade chided her husband. He chuckled to himself as he closed the office doors.

A tiny twinge tugged at his heart as he strode down the hallway. Jade looked so much like her sister, Lilliana. It hurt to see her sometimes. Lilliana was Silas' fated mate. She was his everything. Tobias, Jade, Lilliana, and Silas had all gone to the same school growing up. Upon meeting, he and Lilliana quickly fell in love. Once they came of age and it was revealed they were each other's fated mates, they married right away. Not wanting to waste anytime. She was his world. His flower. They tried for several years to start a family with no success. It was devastating for them. Finally, the moon goddess blessed them, and Lilliana's belly grew with their gift inside. Silas couldn't remember a time before then that he had been so happy. But it all came crashing down. His mate went into labor early, and there were complications. He recalled squeezing her hand in the hospital room as doctors and nurses rushed about around them. He begged her to stay with him, soaking the bed with his tears. She whispered she loved him as the light in her eyes faded away. The doctors were unable to save the baby. Everything he loved was gone. In many ways, he felt as though he had died that day, too.

It had been nearly 17 years since that time. He had vowed to always be faithful to his mate, even in her passing. And he was. There had been she-wolves who made their attraction to him more than obvious, but he did not care. No one would ever take the place of his flower.

Silas shook his head to chase away the thoughts. His heart ached for her, but he did not like to linger on the pain.

He took a turn to down the next hallway and stopped at the first door on the right.

"Garth!" He called as he knocked loudly. The door swung open.

"What do you want?" Garth grunted in aggravation. His green eyes narrowed as he glared at Silas. He was clearly in the middle of shaving and not thrilled about being interrupted. The man stood a hulking 6'7" and was built like a tank. He was definitely a force to be reckoned with. Their relationship had always been tense, but it took a turn when Silas adopted Van.

"And here I thought you'd be happy to see me." Silas smirked. "I have a job for you. One I think you're going to enjoy."

"Go on." Garth raised a brow inquisitively.

******

Jax laid in his bed. His large hand covering his face. The doctor had discharged him with strict orders to rest until fully healed. Jax sighed heavily. Everything seemed to be upside down. He had been replaying that moment in the hospital room with Van over and over in his mind. He couldn't pester Rafe about it as the wolf was still off healing in the recesses of his mind.

If they hadn't been interrupted, if she hadn't pulled away...what might have been...

He growled, frustrated by the whole situation. She infuriated him on so many levels. She was not like other females who were always throwing themselves at him. No, Van was bold and sure of herself. Fiercly independent and always ready to prove she was just as good if not better than any male.

But in that moment, she was delicate. Her touch as she moved his hair was gentle. Her voice was soft as she whispered to him. It sent ripples throughout his body. When he grabbed her hand, he felt his whole body ignite with a fire he'd never felt before. Her scent of lavender and honey intoxicated him. He wanted more of that feeling. More of her.

He groaned loudly and rolled over. That would never happen. He was dreaming if he thought she would ever forgive him for the way he'd treated her all these years. But he couldn't help letting his mind wander to what it would be like to feel her lips on his, her body pressed into him, running his hands over her soft skin.

Jax snapped himself out of his fantasy. He had to stop or he was going to drive himself crazy.

********

Van opened her door to find River standing on the other side. His hand poised to knock. She arched a brow at him as he leaned against the doorframe.

"Can I help you?" she crossed her arms. She was in no mood for visitors. Usually, the sight of her best friend would cheer her up instantly, but not today. She was eager to get back out in the field with the other warriors. However, Silas had other ideas and had forbid her from training until further notice. She was furious at him for treating her like a child. She longed to shift and run through the woods, feeling the grass beneath her paws and the wind on her face.

"I just wanted to see-" River started, but she cut him off.

"To see how I am doing under house arrest?" Van snapped angrily. She could tell River had just finished training as he was in his uniform and still glistening with sweat. What? Had he come here to gloat? She knew he would never, but it didn't make her any less upset.

"Take it easy. I'm not the bad guy here." River put his hands in the air in feigned surrender. Van rolled her eyes and stepped back, allowing him to enter.

She went over to the bed and plopped down on it in a huff. River closed the door and sat beside her. He opened his mouth to speak, but Van spoke first.

"If you are about to say anything along the lines of 'its going to be ok,' I will rip your tongue out." She warned. River chuckled.

"No. I'm not stupid. I was going to suggest we sneak you out of here and go do some sparring? You know to burn off all this excess rage you have." Van elbowed him in the ribs. River pretended to be hurt, falling back dramatically on the bed. She rolled her eyes and ignored him. She wasn't a child in time out, though it felt like it, but she was a pack member who had been given a direct order by the Beta. And disobeying that order held different consequences now that she was an adult.

"I'm not an Alpha's heir who can do whatever I want whenever I want." She scoffed at him.

"Ouch, that stings." River said, sitting up. He put his hand over his heart. She elbowed him again. "Alright, alright." He stood up and grabbed her hand to pull her up with him. "Enough sulking-"

Before he could finish, Van yanked his arm around behind him and pinned him face first to the wall.

"First rule. Never let your guard down. " A mischievous smile played on her lips.

"OK, I see how it is." River chuckled, he should have known. Van stepped back and prepared herself. She swung her fist, but he dodged it easily. He tried to sweep her legs out from beneath her, but she gracefully eluded him. They went back and forth, trading blows until they were both tired. They had always been evenly matched.

"Thanks." Van said breathlessly. "I needed that."

"Could have fooled me." River said, trying to catch his breath and wiping sweat from his brow.

The sun had begun to set, casting beautiful rays of orange and red through the window and into the room.

"Probably should get ready to head to the dining hall." Van stretched. Warm sunlight illuminated her figure, catching River's attention.

His eyes traced her curves and paused at her chest before moving to her lips. He had always known she was beautiful but they had never been anything more than friends. Best friends with an unbreakable bond. But after the week's events something different was stirring in him.

"River? You ok?" Van she asked when she noticed him staring at her.

River opened his mouth to speak but instead he grabbed her arm and pressed her up against the wall. His lips crashed into hers greedily. At first he felt her tense, ready to push him away but after a moment she relaxed. Giving herself over completely to the moment. He cupped her face in his hands and deepened the kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.

River pulled away slowly and looked into her eyes. They stood there for a moment with their foreheads pressed together. Not saying a word. He wrapped her in his arms, her head resting on his chest, as he nuzzled his face into her hair. Lavender and honey filling his nose. He had always loved her. He wanted more than anything for her to be his. Almost losing her nearly killed him.

"Van..." He started, but she stepped away from him.

"I know. I know! That was stupid. Ugh! You have a mate. You're betrothed to the Alpha of the Blue River pack's daughter!" Van buried her face in her hands. What had she done?