Hammers in the Shadows

Part Two: Hammers in the Night - Chapter Fifteen

I turned slightly and nodded to my mate at the interplay between the wolves in Adam's family, because essentially that was what it was. It was at that point that Sergey stepped forwards and offered to take Adam's bag.

"Sir I can take those for you and take them to Wild Valley Suite." He said with a smile, he was comfortable around Adam and I knew that for the most part, he'd enjoyed his stay at Wild Valley.

Adam grinned at my eldest son, "Hi Sergey. How have you been?" He asked before giving him a hug, "I can carry a bag. It's mostly what Brook, my daughter, and I need for the night, as tomorrow all of us other than Beth and Shawn are headed up to the Pack."

Sergey nodded and then turned and nodded to Jess before offering to take his younger brother's bag.

At the same time Anna and I were talking to Beth about what damage had been wrought on the Pride by the one who'd done his best to destroy those that had followed him. "When Vladimir and his followers broke their bonds to the Pride elven years ago, that hurt all of us." Anna said looking at Beth hugging her gently.

"Then three months ago," I began, "When we found out that they'd mostly all died..."

Anna carried on, "It tore our hearts out. I think that most of us were prepared, to some extent, for this, but we weren't prepared for the full horror of what Vlad and those like him did." She said gently as she stepped over to me and rested a hand on Tanya's back. "Almost every cub that survived Yasmira's torments has had some problems... they are all regressing emotionally to some extent or other, though I am hoping we can do something for them. If we let it go on for too long it may impact their emotional development.

Beth nodded slightly and I could see the concern for our cubs on her face, "I will be here, and I know a few others that I have made contact with that will be able to give me some assistance as well to help, but this won't be an easy task."

Both Anna and I nodded at that as a man limped out of the Pride House, followed by a woman and two children. "Alpha," He said nodded to Adam, before turning to me. "Sir..."

"Roger," I began smiling slightly, "two days ago, he showed up at our gates with his family, telling me that they'd been kicked out of Midnight Forest for his injuries. That had incensed me since he'd sacrificed much for his pack, only to be ejected due to an injury sustained in their service."

Adam growled, "I hate it when so-called Alphas do that to members. They fought and were injured for the pack, and when they need the pack, they are kicked out. I have seen several, and when I can, I offer them refuge."

I nodded and I could see that Roger was looking hopefully at Adam, "Sir, I mean I fought against Mark and his Pride... lost my foot from that damned machine gun that we didn't know about. The reason I am here is because he saved my life after the battle." He said looking down at the metal foot that I'd had provided him with, "I don't really fit in here, I'm a wolf but I have nowhere else to go, and I know that Mark is a good sort and would help."

Adam nodded, "Since Mark is vouching for you, why don't we sit down and talk at lunch?"

I smiled when Roger nodded, "Yes sir, in the main plaza? Or in my guest room with my family?" He asked.

I stepped over to Adam and smiled, "Thank you Adam, now how about we go inside and take a look at our oversized Pride House?" I gave my friend a grin as I said that, I knew that he would appreciate some of the details that we'd added when we rebuilt the place. "Vladimir wanted to impress any visitors with this place, though we did take out his centerpiece." I said as we headed into the foyer, followed by Anna and the rest of the wolves, with Shawn and Roger taking up the rear.