16. Grace

Chapter 16

Grace

-Anarchy- Lilith Czar-

Weeks have passed, and the training of the new Alpha is going to plan. As I traverse back and forth across the pack lands, a weary weight settles upon my shoulders, each step heavier than the last. The landscape shifts around me, a blur of greens and browns, as if mirroring the whirlwind of emotions swirling within.

My heart aches with a bittersweet pride as I watch my children, their forms growing stronger with each passing day. They shift effortlessly, embodying the wild grace of their lineage. Yet, their rapid growth only serves to stress the fleeting passage of time, a reminder of their vulnerability in this harsh world.

The absence of my erratic ex-lover and the treacherous elder casts a shadow over my thoughts, a chilling reminder of the dangers lurking beyond our borders. Dread tightens its grip around my heart, twisting like a vengeful serpent, as I imagine the havoc they could wreak if left unchecked.

But amidst the turmoil, my mates stand steadfast by my side, their presence a beacon of solace in the darkness. They take turns watching over me and our offspring, their unwavering devotion a shield against the encroaching storm.

Yet, deep within the recesses of my soul, a primal force stirs restlessly. The monster within me, with its feral hunger and savage desires, threatens to break free from its chains. My wolf, fueled by a thirst for justice and retribution, yearns to unleash its wrath upon those who have wronged us.

Ethan, with his keen perception, senses the internal struggle raging within me. Ever since the completion of my bond with Lorcan, the primal urges have surged forth with an unstoppable force. The instinct to protect my pack, my pups, and my mates battles fiercely against the savage longing for vengeance.

But for now, I must tread carefully upon this precarious tightrope between duty and desire, lest I lose myself to the primal darkness lurking within.

Conrad’s voice, a gentle melody in the air, pulls my attention away from the book I’m reading. “Grace?” he calls softly, his tone carrying a mix of warmth and concern. I lift my gaze, meeting his eyes, and slowly pivot towards him, the pages of the book whispering softly as I set it aside.

“Yes?” My response is soft, almost tentative, as I close the distance between us. His arms envelop me in a comforting embrace, and I melt into his touch, feeling the strength of his presence grounding me. Nestling closer, I bury my face into the curve of his neck, inhaling his familiar scent, a blend of cedar wood and rain.

I rest my head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear. Each thud resonates through me, a comforting lullaby that soothes the restlessness within. With my eyes closed, I lose myself in the symphony of his heartbeat, letting it drown out the worries and doubts that linger at the edges of my mind.

Conrad’s lips brush against my temple, sending a shiver down my spine as his words pull me back to the present. “Ambrose is coming to visit today. He’s bringing the items you asked for,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my skin.

A surge of anticipation courses through me at the mention of Ambrose’s name. “I hope I can help him. Far sight is something I’m still working on,” I admit softly, my voice tinged with uncertainty. But nestled against Conrad’s chest, I find the courage to face the challenges ahead.

As Conrad tucks me snugly under his arm, a sense of determination settles within me. Deep in my heart, I hold on to the hope that I can be of assistance to Ambrose, guiding him in his search for his long-lost mate.

I enter the sitting room, the warmth of the hearth embracing me like an old friend. Ambrose and Griffin, silhouetted against the flickering firelight, turn their attention to me. I feel a flutter of anticipation mingled with gratitude as I address them.

“Gentlemen?” My voice carries genuine warmth, a smile blooming on my lips as I approach them.

Ambrose’s eyes meet mine, and a soft smile graces his features. He steps closer, closing the gap between us with a familiarity that speaks volumes. As he envelops me in a tight hug, I’m struck by the flood of emotions swirling within me.

“I...” His voice falters, struggling to convey what words cannot fully capture.

“It’s my honor to try this for you,” I say, my sincerity echoing in the room. Memories of his bravery flood my mind, his unwavering dedication to protecting those he cares about.

“You helped my mates to save me and to keep them safe while they tended to me.” My words spill forth, gratitude lacing every syllable. I can’t help but laugh softly, overwhelmed by the weight of indebtedness I feel towards him.

“You are my children’s uncle. A brother to my mates.” The significance of his role in our lives washes over me, a bond forged through trials and triumphs alike.

“This is my way to thank you for all you had done for me.” With a steady hand I extend it out to him expectantly. I wait, heart pounding, knowing that this small token of appreciation can never truly encompass the depth of my gratitude towards him.

Ambrose offers me several rings, each adorned with shimmering jewels and intricate carvings, and a braid of hair. Instinct drives me to raise the braid to my nose, hoping to catch a lingering scent, but alas, there is none. Disappointment washes over me briefly, like a shadow passing through.

I examine the rings, marveling at their beauty, and my fingers trace the delicate inscriptions of “with love” on the inside of one band. It’s a poignant reminder of the emotions behind these tokens.

“You have beautiful taste,” I remark softly, my gaze lingering on the jewelry before settling into my favorite chair. Drawing my legs up to my chest, I nestle into its comforting embrace, feeling the familiar sense of security it brings.

Ambrose takes a seat opposite me on the coffee table, his eyes fixed on me with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

In one hand, I hold the rings, and in the other, the braid of his mate’s hair. Drawing upon the deep well of my connection with my wolf, I summon her forth. She emerges within me, her presence palpable, and sniffs at the offerings in my hands.

I watch in my mind’s eye as her eyes, dark and intense, seem to absorb the flicker of power emanating from the braid. A surge of energy courses through me, connecting me to a distant thread—the essence of his mate, a faint yet undeniable presence.

“Where is she?” His voice trembles, echoing the fear etched across his face.

I feel her presence, a fragile thread tugging at my senses, drawing me northward. With trembling fingers, he cups my hand, the touch a silent plea for hope. In my grasp, I hold his mate’s braid, a tangible connection to the missing soul.

“I feel her to the north,” I whisper, my voice a fragile melody amidst the forest’s silence. “She’s weak, but alive.” A smile plays on my lips, but it’s a fragile thing, a flicker of warmth amidst the chill of uncertainty. A single tear escapes, tracing a path down my cheek, a silent testament to the depth of our bond.

“I can track her,” I declare, a surge of confidence coursing through me, fueled by the conviction of purpose. It feels right, this certainty in my heart, as though the very forest itself whispers its assent.

A deep laugh bubbles up from within me, a rare moment of levity amidst the shadows. “I wish it worked for tracking the elder and my ex,” I admit, a rueful smile tugging at my lips. The past, a tangled web of regrets and lost chances, hangs heavy in the air between us.

Shaking my head, I pat Ambrose’s hand reassuringly. “Give me time,” I assure him, my voice steady with determination. “I will find her, and we will bring her home.” With a gentle kiss to his forehead, I relinquish his mate’s belongings, a silent promise of our shared ambition.

Ethan’s question hangs heavy in the air, his movement drawing me closer, amplifying the urgency in his voice. As he inches nearer, I feel a surge of determination coursing through my veins, propelling me forward.

“When we settle things here, we will travel north as I track her,” I respond, my tone laced with conviction. My gaze drifts to my pack, lingering on Ambrose, his absence palpable even amidst the chaos. How has he endured without her all this time?

Ethan’s slow nod speaks volumes, a silent affirmation of his own longing to find his lost mate. I recall the revelation of his silent vigil over me, a tether binding us through the years, a faint echo of his devotion driving him to the brink of madness.

Griffin’s presence interrupts the moment, his disapproving gaze fixed on me as he perches on the edge of his desk. His displeasure is unmistakable, a storm brewing behind his eyes.

“So what’s next?” Griffin’s voice cuts through the tension, his skepticism evident. But I refuse to waver, meeting his gaze with unwavering determination.

“We find out what’s happened to my ex and handle him and the rogues. We find the missing elder and handle him. After that, we help Ambrose,” I declare firmly, the challenge clear in my stare. I will not back down, not when so much is at stake.

“It’s too risky,” Nicolai says with half a growl, his voice laced with concern as his eyes flicker with intensity.

My gaze snaps to him, a surge of emotion tightening my chest at the sound. “What would you do if I was taken again?” I challenge, the growl echoing in my voice matching the one building within me. “Would you give up and hope for someone to find me? Or wait for me to fight my way home?”

I watch as a subtle twitch betrays Nicolai’s composure, my head tilting to the side, taking in every nuance of his reaction.

“I would hunt to the ends of the world to get you back,” he growls, closing the space between us with purpose. His hand finds my throat, the grip gentle yet firm, tilting my head back to meet his gaze.

My eyes narrow, meeting his with defiance as the rage within me burns hotter. I feel the primal urge rising, my canines breaking through my gums in response to the intensity of our exchange. “So you would hunt for me?” I hiss, the words heavy with accusation. “But not allow me to hunt for our greatest ally? To help the male that protected me and my mates while they saved me?” Pushing back against his grip, I rise to my feet with a growl of my own, catching Nicolai off guard with the force of my defiance.

“I just want to keep you safe,” Nicolai growls, his voice a low rumble vibrating through the tense air. His eyes, usually warm and gentle, now glint with a fierce protectiveness that sends shivers down my spine.

“Then fight by my side,” I snarl back, feeling the primal urge of my wolf clawing at the surface, eager for the challenge my mate presents. His defiance sparks a fire within me, igniting a battle of wills that threatens to consume us both.

Around us, our other mates stand in silence, their presence a palpable weight in the charged atmosphere. They watch, neither intervening nor taking sides, a silent testament to our pack’s belief in resolving our conflicts internally.

Nicolai’s gaze pierces mine, his anger simmering just beneath the surface, ready to erupt at any moment. “I will keep you safe,” he declares, his growl resonating with a fierce determination that refuses to yield.

But I stand my ground, refusing to cower before his dominance. “I am your mate, and I am your equal,” I assert, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. “He deserves his happy ending,” I gesture towards Ambrose, my heart aching for his pain. “I will not allow him to suffer any longer.”

The tension hangs thick in the air, charged with emotions and unspoken challenges. Nicolai’s jaw tightens. His expression conflicted as he grapples with the weight of my words. But deep down, I know our bond is stronger than any disagreement, and together, we will find a way to protect what matters most.