I'm back! This chapter is a little longer than the last one and things are about to pick up... Please let me know what you think because I love constructive criticism.
Hope you enjoy,
B
P.S. When the writing is italicized the characters are mind linking.
~~~~~
Savannah’s POV
Being angry was really hard when the person you’re mad at was acting like the most amazing man alive. Cade was truly in rare form and was literally doing everything in his power to make me happy. He walked around constantly like he had a plan that needed to be fulfilled where I was concerned. He was pampering me like I was a queen by preparing all three meals of the day and giving me cute little presents every night that showed just how much he knew me. One night he got me a bouquet of my favorite flowers calla lilies, the next night he gave me a first edition copy of my favorite book Pride and Prejudice, and another night he gave me the most beautiful locket with pictures of both of us inside. When I woke up each morning he would tell me how much he loved me and when we went to bed each night he’d let me know how lucky he felt to have me in his life. Throughout the day when we weren’t together he’d even send me cute little texts to let me know he was thinking about me. Most of the time his sweetness nearly made me become a puddle on the floor.
One Friday exactly two weeks after our big fight he brought me with him to work so that I could put my opinions in on the rogue situation. All the higher ups in the pack besides Liam and Cade’s father Peter seemed super uncomfortable when I first walked in to the room. There were only males in the room and I could tell they thought I was just some weak little female who didn’t know the first thing about battle tactics. When I opened my mouth to give my viewpoint on how to track the unscented rogues without taxing the patrol wolves everyone’s doubts were quickly squashed. Great Hills relied far too much on brute strength and wolf senses when in reality they could use technology to add an extra advantage to the borders. I suggested that we set up monitors lining the territory so that if anyone or anything crossed them we would be immediately alerted. I’d used the technology in several of my missions with the Guardians and they were all successful. If we added a witch’s protection spell so that they couldn’t be detected then that would also keep the rogues unaware. I left that meeting with a lot of respect from most of the wolves in the room and it made me feel like I had a piece of myself back.
That night as we were lying in bed I couldn’t shut my mind off. I kept fiddling with his newest gift of a white gold bracelet that had belonged to his grandmother. Cade was silent beside me and I was pretty sure he was sound asleep, but I continuously thought about everything that had happened in the past few months. Was I ready to forgive Cade? I mean obviously he was keeping his word about respecting me and involving me in the pack. He’d brought me to that meeting earlier and had been asking me my opinions on even the littlest things all week. He’d even been trying to teach me all the packs inner workings, and I literally knew everything there was to know about the pack, well as much as I could remember with all that information being thrown at me.
Would he continue to treat me like this even after I’d forgiven him or would he want to keep me domesticated like he’d mentioned before? A Luna’s role truly was to be a caretaker to the pack but I didn’t know if I could do that in the traditional way.
“What are you thinking so hard about over there?” Cade’s voice cut through the darkness startling me. He turned on to his side to face me and propped his head on his hand so he could look at me better.
“Sorry I woke you up.” I replied.
“I wasn’t sleeping. I can tell you’re worried about something and it’s distracting. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I’m just thinking about the pack. I hope the monitors work.”
Cade stroked my cheek gently. “It will. It’s an amazing plan.”
I shivered at the feel of his skin on mine. He’d barely touched me in the last week and I didn’t realize how much I’d missed it. I closed my eyes and relished in the delicate touch.
“Thank you for taking me to that meeting. It feels good to be useful again.” I whispered with my eyes still closed. His fingers had traveled down my cheek and were playing with a curl of my hair. I loved when he played with my hair.
“Don’t thank me, Savannah. I should have been involving you all along. Maybe if I hadn’t been such a stubborn jerk we would have dealt with this problem sooner. You’re the most experienced person in the pack and I completely dismissed you.” Cade answered sounding dejected.
I opened my eyes and stared in to his. He looked so beautiful but absolutely heart broken. It was in his eyes all the time lately that disappointment in himself, the guilt, the longing. He’d made a mistake and he was beating himself up about it constantly. Given it had almost cost me my life but I couldn’t find it in me to be mad any more. I just wanted both of us to be happy again.
“Cade?”
“Yeah baby?”
“I forgive you.” I said quietly but he still heard me because his hand stilled in my hair.
“W-What?” he stuttered.
I propped myself so I was facing him and looked deep into his gorgeous eyes. “I forgive you for everything that happened with me being sick. I should have done it sooner because it’s only been poisoning us but I really truly do forgive you. I love you so much Cade.”
He didn’t move or give any indication that he processed what I just said and remained still just staring at me. Finally after what felt like an eternity he moved but instead of moving in to kiss me like I’d expected he got out of bed and paced.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Cade didn’t stop pacing but did speak. “You can’t forgive me yet, Savannah. I don’t deserve it.”
I blinked in confusion. “Are you joking? Isn’t this what you were working towards? Bringing me to the meeting, being all sweet, isn’t this what you wanted?”
He stopped and stared at me. “I haven’t been doing it so you’ll forgive me, baby. I’ve been doing it because I love you and I want you to be happy. Even if you never forgave me I’d still do anything I could to make you the happiest woman on earth. I did so much to hurt you. I can’t just expect you to let all that go in two weeks.”
My heart melted. Gosh, this man was too cute. “Caden Morris, I forgive you. It’s not your decision how much time that should take it’s mine. So, accept it and get in this bed right now before I kick your ass.”
He grinned and did just as I asked. His large body pushed me back into the pillows and he hovered over me. “You’re sure? I don’t want to rush this. I’d wait forever.”
I reached up and kissed him lightly. “Yes I’m sure. I love you and I don’t want to hold all this anger in me anymore. I did it for far too long and I don’t want to do that in our life together. I want us both to be happy.”
“You’re here so it’s already done on my end.” He replied cheesily.
I rolled my eyes. “Alright corn dog. Just kiss me already.”
He didn’t waist any time in fulfilling my request. Let’s just say that we made each other really happy way in to the early hours of the morning.
Cade’s POV
“Wake up gorgeous.” I whispered in to Savannah’s ear. She groaned but didn’t move. “Baby we have lunch with our parents in an hour. You need to get up.”
“I don’t wanna.” She whined.
I traced a finger down the bare skin of her back and she shivered. “I can think of more creative ways to wake you up, but I’m sure you’d like to recover first.”
She turned to face me grinning. “I think I could go another round.” Her voice was husky from sleep but the sound sent blood rushing straight to my d*ck.
“As much as I’d love that I don’t think we have enough time for you to get ready, and for me to do all the things I’d like to do to you right now.”
She groaned again. “I hate when you’re right.” Savannah sat up and stretched making the fabric of the blanket pool around her waist and revealing her amazing breasts to my eyes. “Wait. Why is this the first I’m hearing about lunch with our parents?”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her chest as I responded. I was surprised I could even come up with a coherent sentence with how much I wanted to take her again. “Because I organized it this morning. I have a surprise for you.”
Savannah placed her finger under my chin and forced me to look into her eyes. She was grinning cheekily. She knew exactly what my perverted mind had been thinking. “You’re full of surprises lately, huh?”
It was my turn to grin. “Well I think you’ve enjoyed every one of my surprises haven’t you? Especially since last night’s surprise left you a panting mess.”
That bottom lip got captured in her teeth again and I could smell the sexual hormones pouring off her at the mention of one of the new moves I’d shown her last night. “Are you sure they can’t wait for us a little?”
She wrapped her arms around my neck so her bare breasts pressed against the fabric of my sweater. I’d already been up since seven a.m. despite our marathon sex session last night and I was dressed and ready for the day. If she kept this up though we’d never make it to my parents’ house for lunch.
I pulled away and stood up trying my best to avert my eyes from her gorgeous naked body. “I’m going downstairs before you seduce me out of my clothes. We need to leave in 45 minutes so hurry that cute little ass of yours up.”
“You’re no fun.” Savannah grumbled as she got out of bed and sauntered in to the on-suite bathroom. Her butt swished from side-to-side most likely because she knew I was watching. Before she entered the bathroom she looked over her shoulder and smiled seductively. “On second thought I don’t even need you to get what I want. I’ll just keep my hands busy while I lather myself up in the shower.”
She disappeared as I stood there in shock of her words. When they finally penetrated my brain I didn’t hesitate to strip and join her in the shower. No one got to give her that kind of pleasure but me.
~~~~~
Needless to say we were 45 minutes late to lunch with the family. I couldn’t say I felt even a little bit guilty as my mother scolded us especially with the satisfied smirk my gorgeous mate had on her face. She’d definitely made the delay worth my while.
Of course the second we walked in all attention had been on Savannah and how beautiful she looked. Neither of our families had seen her much since she’d been discharged from the hospital the month before. Savannah didn’t leave the house except to go to the gym, and she asked me to keep visitors away because she wasn’t ready to deal with everyone. I figured that this was an important day though, and she hadn’t protested when I said we had plans. She needed to see more people and get back to some semblance of normalcy. The meeting had been the first step seeing our families was next.
From the happy smile on her face I could see this reunion made her happy. Both our mothers’ doted on her and both dads’ had hugged her enthusiastically. Her father had sent me a few scathing looks but I tried my best not to get worked up. I deserved them.
When Maddox stepped up to give Savannah a hug she beamed. “I missed you Mads.”
“I missed you too Savy. You look hotter every time I see you.” Maddox replied holding on to her a bit too long for my liking.
I growled and pulled her back in to my arms. “We’ve talked about this Maddox. She’s mine.”
They both just laughed and my brother just turned to walk back in the dining room where everyone else had gathered. “Don’t worry about him, Cade. Maddox is just a flirt.” Savannah said. She then pushed up on her tiptoes and pulled me down to whisper in my ear. “If you’re a good boy maybe I’ll even let you drag me upstairs and experience the full extent of my hotness.”
I looked down at her in astonishment. “In my parents’ house? With all these people here?”
She shrugged. “I seem to remember you not caring so much about who was around in the past. Do you remember my pack initiation party?”
Boy did I ever. We’d snuck in to the conference room during the middle of dinner and had some of the most amazing sex of my life. I’d initiated that little rendezvous because I couldn’t keep my hands off her in the curve hugging dress she wore that night. She’d been resistant to the idea but I’d done a great job of convincing her.
“I remember, but I also seem to remember that afterwards you were so embarrassed you told me you’d never be having public sex with me again. So where is this voyeuristic side coming from?”
“I don’t know. I’ve just missed you. We have a lot of time to make up for. If it was up to me we never would have left the house today.”
I kissed her briefly before staring in to those beautiful blue-green eyes. “I’ve missed you too, baby. Let’s just give our families this lunch and then we’ll spend the rest of the week in bed if that’s what you want.”
She nodded and kissed me once more just as my mother announced that lunch was ready. We all sat down to eat and my stomach growled impatiently at the delicious spread in front of me. Just as I was about to put the first bite of my mom’s famous Mac and Cheese in my mouth the doorbell rang.
“Cade would you go get that please?” my mom asked.
“Why can’t Maddox get it? He’s the one who still lives here.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “Just go.”
I jumped up immediately. I was 25 years old but my mother’s “eyes” still affected me in the most basic ways. As I opened the door the first thing I saw was my Beta standing there with a sheepish look on his face.
“Liam? What’s going on? Have the rogues attacked?” I asked worriedly. My body was instantly on alert.
He looked shocked for a second. “What? No! We just…” Liam didn’t finish his statement because next thing I knew Susannah had pushed her way in front of him and grinned at me.
“You’re such a worry wart, Cade.” She said sweetly. I knew the sweetness was an act so I growled at her.
“That’s Alpha to you.”
She just patted my chest condescendingly and pushed her way in to the house. Liam gave me an apologetic look. “Oh Cade we’re family now. We don’t have to use those kinds of formalities. I mean we’re going to be brother and sister soon now that you’re asking Savannah to marry you.”
“What did you just say?” I ground out. I turned accusing eyes on Liam. I’d told him of my plans because he was my best friend. Not so he could tell his vicious harpy of a mate and let her ruin the surprise.
“Susannah.” Liam scolded. She ignored him.
“You and Savy are getting married! I just think it’s all so wonderful. I hope I haven’t missed the main event. I’d love to see my sister’s face when she gets proposed to for the second time. I missed the first one you know.” Susannah was still using the sickeningly sweet voice but she was talking pretty loudly. I could only pray Savannah couldn’t hear.
Though that would have been too good to be true, which isn’t how my life works. When I heard her confused voice I wanted to rip Susie’s throat out for ruining what was supposed to be the perfect moment.
“Cade? What’s going on? What is she talking about?” Savannah asked.
I growled and turned around to see tears shining in her gorgeous eyes. They may have been the same color as her twin’s but hers held so much more kindness and love in them than that b*tch could comprehend.
I took two steps towards her and wiped the moisture away. By this point every one was gathered in the foyer watching the two of us.
“Savannah, this isn’t how I’d planned on doing this. I wanted to wait until after lunch and bring you out to the backyard where both our families helped me put together a romantic setting for you with flowers and candles, but I guess now I don’t really have any choice.
“Baby, these few months together have been some of the most amazing and frustrating times of my life. We’ve been through so much and made it out because our love is one of a kind. There is no one I could have dreamed up that could have been as perfect for me as you are, and even when I’m not easy to love you do it anyway. I know that we’re just starting out but I know I want to spend my life with you.” I got down on one knee and reached in to my pocket to pull out the little black box I’d bought for her. “Savannah Crescent, will you marry me?”
I opened the box to reveal the round cut diamond set in platinum with littler diamonds lining either side. I’d picked this out before we’d even left Los Angeles all those months ago. I realized from the second I’d met Savannah that she was the woman I was going to marry. I’d seen in as I walked by a jewelry store and knew it was meant for her.
“Oh gosh, Cade.” Savannah said looking between the ring and my face over and over again. “Are you serious?”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Yes I’m serious baby. Now are you going to answer me?”
She laughed happily before jumping up and down and saying “Yes” over and over again. I slipped the ring on her finger and stood. Within seconds she’d flung herself in to my arms kissing every inch of my face.
“I love you so much! I can’t believe you want to marry me!” she screamed.
“Of course I want to marry you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I can’t believe you want to marry me.” I replied.
She pulled back a little and smiled. I don’t think I’d ever seen her so happy and it warmed my heart. “I’d marry you if we were in rags and you used a rubber band for an engagement ring. I don’t need some fancy proposal or ring all I need is you.”
I kissed her again but more passionately this time. I think people were trying to get our attention but we were in our own little happy bubble and didn’t want to be disturbed. Finally after my father patted me on the back we pulled away and accepted all the congratulations from our family.
Liam apologized profusely for letting Susannah find out but I told him it was ok. This was a perfect moment and even her selfishness couldn’t ruin it. To her credit she did tell us both congratulations even though it sounded fake as hell, but I mean you couldn’t expect too much from someone like Susannah.
“So I don’t mean to put a damper on the celebration.” I announced after we’d made the rounds. “But I am starving. If I don’t get to eat the food on my plate in the next ten seconds I can’t be held responsible for my actions.”
Everyone laughed and headed back to the dining room. Just as I was about to dig in the doorbell rang and I couldn’t help the growl that came out of my mouth. Whoever it was didn’t wait for my father to get up and answer the door before one of our enforcers Julian came running in with panic written all over his face.
“Alpha, Luna the monitors. They picked up rogues on the west side of the territory.” Julian said quickly.
All the men and Savannah jumped up quickly. “How many?” I asked.
“We aren’t sure yet but the patrol have reported at least twenty sir.”
“Twenty?” my father exclaimed. “There’s only ever been at the most four at a time before. What the hell is going on?”
“They’re attacking sir. They haven’t made it very far but they have killed at least three of our wolves so far.”
When we heard that none of us hesitated to strip out of our clothes and shift. I ordered Julian and Maddox to stay with the women and the rest of us tore through the woods. Savannah was the fastest of all of us and lead the pack toward where we were got reports through the mind link. The closer we got the worse I felt about this whole situation. Twenty wolves? How was it even possible? Rogues weren’t usually this organized and now they were attacking us.
Savannah was pretty far ahead of us as we ran and then suddenly she just stopped. The west side of the territory was in complete chaos. I could easily discern my pack from the rogues but there were a lot more than twenty, at least double that were fighting. There was also a small contingent of the wolves that were gathered around a tall woman who was chanting: their witch I assumed. Liam, my dad, and Jared immediately jumped in to the fray, and just as I went to join them I realized Savannah was still frozen.
She was not afraid of a good battle of that I was sure. I nudged her with my head. What’s wrong? I asked through the mind link.
I know the witch who is helping them. She replied.
I looked to the tall woman but I couldn’t see her face well and didn’t think I recognized her. Who is she?
She’s the head witch on the Elders’ Council. That’s my friend Harriet Whitecomb.
~~~~~
So what did you think? A member of the Elders' Council is attacking them?
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