100. Marcel

KIARA

Despite his threat to his brother, his words send a rush of emotions through me. My heart was pounding as he pulled me into his arms possessively. I simply closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"I only wanted her for her power, as Mom wanted… It's nothing personal. Now that I know she was lying… I can guarantee I don't want your mate… She seems to be young enough to be my daughter." Marcel shot back.

Alejandro growled and I pulled away, trying to calm him down. I was glad that a few rogues had brought in some extra lanterns so I could see a lot better.

"It's fine… Come on, we need to think of a plan of action." I said, kissing Alejandro's chest as he glared at his brother.

"You should rest, my wolves will keep watch." Marcel said quietly.

"Like I would trust you that much." Alejandro shot back. "We should head back first…"

He frowned deeply, looking at me, and I knew he was worried about me.

"I think I'd like to stay. Once I'm rested, in the morning I can help heal the Wendigo's." I added thoughtfully.

Alejandro's frown deepened, he seemed lost in thought and I could feel his hesitation before he nodded.

"Fine."

"Thanks." Marcel said. "I will have someone show you a room, and give you clothes. After that, let"s eat. It is late."

"Thank you." I said before Alejandro could even speak. "We'd like that."

"At least one of you is sane." Marcel muttered.

"Yeah well, at least I'm not a fucking loser like you." Alejandro shot back.

Both brothers glared at each other and I sighed. It seems like it was in their blood to have such big egos.

Once we were shown to a room and given clothes, we were left alone.

The moment the door shut, Alejandro was in front of me, removing the necklace from around my neck. He crouched down, resting his head against my stomach. My heart thundered at his move. He must have been worried...

"We are fine." I whispered, I knew for a fact our bodies could take more than that, and I hadn't felt any pain or cramping.

I ran my fingers through his hair as his lips fleetingly brushed my stomach. Even though the fabric of my top, I felt the pleasant tingle rush through me.

"I know." He said, clenching his jaw as he stood up, not able to look me directly in the eye.

I knew it was because he didn't want to show his concern.

"You were worried about our pup?" I whispered.

"Not really…" He denied, still not looking me in the eye.

I raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly. I felt all warm and happy with his concern.

"Really? So, the moment we are alone, you rush to hear the heartbeat…simply because you wanted to and not because you cared?" I teased as he slipped the necklace back around my neck.

"Maybe a little. Don't fucking annoy me, Sweetheart." He said, pulling me close.

I smirked.

"I kind of can if I want, and you wouldn't be able to stop me." I taunted.

"Oh, I wouldn't be so fucking sure." He said, with a small cold smirk.

Ok, I do not trust him at all…

"Well, let"s get changed." I said, looking around the cavern room.

It was more of an actual room than just a dingy cave. Although it was barely furnished, I could see that it was well kept. There was a large double bed to one side, with three lanterns hanging around the room. It seemed they didn't have much access to actual technology. There were two more lights on the far corner, ones that were created by magic.

There were two small drawers and a chair standing to the side. I picked up the clothes that were left on the bed for us and began stripping out of what I was wearing. I felt his gaze on me and my heart pounded, knowing I was tempting him… I wanted him… but… I turned towards him just in time to see he had turned away, his jaw clenched as he began getting dressed, tossing aside his torn pants. I pulled on the long-sleeved black shirt and denim pants that were rather loose on my waist, but they would do the job.

We had barely finished when there was a knock on the door. Alejandro growled as I walked over, about to open it when he got there first, moving me protectively behind him. I sighed. Did he really not trust Marcel?

At the door was a young wolf. He barely looked much older than fifteen. Despite how slim he was, I could see the muscles under his worn-out shirt.

"Dinner is ready." He said, looking down under Alejandro's intense glare.

"Lead the fucking way." Alejandro said coldly.

I took his hand in mine, hoping he and Marcel didn't start attacking each other.

"What's your name?" I asked the boy.

"Mine?" He asked, sounding surprised as he let us through the dark halls. Only Alejandro's lead was guiding me.

"Yeah, who the fuck else?" Alejandro added.

"Eric." He said.

"Nice name." I said. I could feel the tension and anger rolling off Alejandro, I knew playing nice wasn't in him.

I knew this was not his style. Alejandro was the type to work alone and not trust anyone or rely on anyone for help. But I knew to defeat Endora we needed a united team. I knew he had listened to me because I wanted to stay and help the Wendigos.

"Thank you…" Eric said quietly.

Soon I saw light ahead and the smell of freshly cooked soup, with plenty of vegetables, filled my nose. I inhaled deeply and heard my stomach grumble, making me blush. I was starved!

We stepped inside and all eyes turned to us. There was a mix of men and women. One thing they had in common were their lean bodies, each littered with many scars. The women all had hair down to their shoulders or shorter. There was not one item of jewellery on any of them and I wondered just how hard their life had been.

"Come." Marcel said, sitting at one of the long tables.

Alejandro and I walked hand in hand. His power rolled off him, making every wolf we passed lower their heads in submission to their rightful king.

"It's a simple meal, but it should be filling. We don"t really have many options." Marcel said.

"Thank you." I said sitting down.

Once the food was served I picked up my spoon, looking forward to the meal, but before I could eat anything Alejandro had sniffed my bowl and had a taste, finally placing it down in front of me. .I shook my head. Did he really still not trust Marcel? I guess, unlike me, he found it harder.

"So, how long did you know that Kiara could help with the Wendigos?" Alejandro asked coldly.

"For years. She said we needed to get her… or we would all lose our loved ones…" Marcel said, now slowly swirling his soup in his bowl.

The look of anguish that flitted through his eyes was enough to capture my curiosity. He looked down, taking a deep breath.

"We lost countless people… I travelled far and wide trying to get rogues to join me on this cause… but even then, I refused to just attack packs when all we wanted was help. That was until I became desperate… My mate… She was from a pack down near London… but she ran away from her pack for me…" Marcel said.

My eyes stung with tears, feeling his pain. He had lost her. I knew it before he even spoke.

"She was perfect… but yeah, she became one of those things… and right to the end, I just wanted a way to fix it. I even left here myself to beg the Alpha of The Blood Moon pack for help. But… I wasn't even allowed past pack borders… She died right here in a cell and I couldn't do shit."

The pain he felt for his mate was palpable and I felt an ache inside. Just imagining losing your loved one... Going through that terrified me…

"That should have been your first fucking alarm signal." Alejandro said coldly.

"The fact they let you live and not your men. If any pack let you just go back, didn't you find that strange?"

"I was beaten… But no… it never crossed my mind… Just the pain I felt and the cold treatment we received."

"I know enough about witchcraft to know that she probably put some spells on you or made you see something that didn't happen. Do you know how these fucking Wendigos are made?" Alejandro asked coldly.

Marcel didn't reply.

"By being fed other rogues… cannibalism at its fucking finest. She probably staged certain wolves" deaths, but really, she was feeding it to selected wolves right within these fucking walls. Your mate's dead, because of that bitch Endora." Alejandro's voice was cold and emotionless.

Yet I knew every wolf here who was listening felt the anger and power that emanated with every word. I knew they didn't like us. After all, all their lives they had been told we were the enemy.

As silence fell, I saw Marcel look sick. Snapping his spoon as he tossed it onto the table in anger, his eyes blazing gold.

"That bitch." He growled.

"Dad…"

Our eyes snapped to a boy with blue eyes and dark brown hair. He was barely ten years old, but I could see the slight similarity to his dad.

"Leo… why the fuck are you here?" Marcel said coldly.

"I just… I have news..." He said quietly.

"So, you have a kid…?" Alejandro said, with his head tilted.

The boy looked back at him defiantly, before looking down.

"What is it?" Marcel snapped.

"She's gone… I don't know if it was grandma… or…" Leo said.

I saw Marcel's eyes widen, a frown on his face.

"Fuck…" He growled.

I exchanged looks with Alejandro, who looked as confused as I felt.

"Who escaped?" He asked Marcel.

"It's not important… Let's just say she's trouble. Maybe it is for the best… Leave it… For all we know, she may just have been another of Endora's victims." He said frowning.

Leo nodded as he walked out again.

"You have a ten-year-old carrying orders?" Alejandro asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He's nine actually, and yes… He needs to pull his weight." Marcel said. For once, Alejandro didn't say much, simply nodding and shrugging.

Then again, maybe I was wrong.

"He should be in school." He said moodily. Marcel sat back.

"Care to share how we could have attained that when we are killed on sight?" He asked coldly.

"Made to fucking think that." Alejandro growled. "I've never fucking put that rule down."

"Fine! I get it." Marcel snapped back.

I ignored them. It seemed they were planning to be at each other's throats often enough, so I will leave them to it… Oo this soup was really good… I was feeling much more energised.

"Tomorrow we clear out this place. Her magic lingers and it isn't safe. You all can set up camp close to my pack grounds. If Endora plans to make a move, I have a feeling it will be a big attack. We need to be ready." Alejandro said, now placing his arm around my shoulders and kissing my forehead before he finished his soup by drinking it down in one go.

"Understood." Marcel said.

"Oh… and I'm sure Rafael would love to meet you." Alejandro said mockingly.

"Rafael…" He replied, frowning.

"Your twin." I said.

He nodded.

"I doubt he'd want to meet me, and I don't really care for family reunions." Marcel said curtly.

But I knew he was just unsure.

"Oh yeah? Well, Rafael will probably fucking love it." Alejandro said.

"If he's anything like you-"

"He isn't… Rafael is really sweet and kind." I interrupted with a smile.

Alejandro raised an eyebrow as he looked down at me.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes, and you know it." I said, with a pointed look.

"Well let's call it a night…" Alejandro said quietly as he stood up, I didn't miss his gaze lingering on me.

Marcel nodded as Alejandro placed his arm around my waist, glaring at a few male wolves who had glanced towards me. His menacing growl had them all lowering their heads in submission. I resisted a smile, leaning against him as he led me out of the hall. The second we were in the dark, he scooped me up bridal style, making me gasp.

"Alejandro!" I exclaimed startled.

His reply was a soft kiss to my neck before he inhaled my scent.

"This is fucking hard." He muttered.

I knew what he meant but I said nothing, simply wrapping my arms around him tightly. We reached the room and he locked the door behind us, easily carrying me with one arm before he walked over to the bed and placed me down.

"Best get some rest…" He said, his eyes meeting mine.

My heart pounded as I held on to him tightly, slowly pulling him on top of me. His eyes flashed red and I could feel his struggle.

"Just… kiss me…" I whispered, looking into his blazing red eyes.

He didn't say anything as he pushed me back onto the bed, gripping my wrists as his lips crashed against mine…