SIERRA

Soon, Xavier overtakes me and blocks my path. His snout-like muzzle recedes a bit allowing his lips to cover those sharp canines. He sneers as he looks at me and then growls lowly when Fenris comes to stand beside me. His fur tingles my thighs and I feel those tingles, those comforting tingles, a physical proof that my mate's alive and the bond fragile yet strong.

I let out a breath of relief and push my fingers in my mate's fur on his back and feel him tremble a bit.

"I know baby, I know how you feel. I missed you so much." I want to whisper those words but refrain from doing so in front of our enemy.

"Awww. Won't you both run towards each other? Come on. Isn't your bond strong enough to survive a month's separation? Sad that you won't give me a proper show before I kill your mate here, cyka," sneers Xavier as he stands in front of us. His gaze moving between me and Fenris and then resting back on me.

"I'll make you a deal, okay?" He says but doesn't wait for us to respond.

"We'll duel. No one is supposed to interfere. Just you and me, here, now. Whoever wins, gets the girl and the kingdom. Cool! Come on, my little prince," he laughs loudly and the sound sends a shiver of trepidation along the length of my spine.

Goddess! What is his vendetta against my mate?

"Ah, darling. Nobody knows that. You know why?" Xavier asks me and I realise that I said it out loud. I hear a growl from beside me and I look down at Fenris. His wolf is in his aggressive stance, ready for battle. I maintain my hold in his fur trying pathetically to keep him from attacking Xavier. I want to know first. What is his motive? Why so much hatred?

"Tell me," I order unable to keep the curiosity out of my voice.

"Hah! DO NOT ORDER ME," he shouts but I don't quiver.

"ANSWER ME NOW!" I shout back. I don't know from where I got this renewed confidence but my anger is slowly building. Maybe because I have Fenris at my side. Xavier only smirks and then runs his tongue over his teeth, I take a step back. His anger doesn't scare me but his lust sure does.

"My grandfather, King Lucas Vlček had twins. One was named Adrian and the other Aragorn. Aragorn was the older twin therefore, the heir to their father's throne. King Lucas always believed in status and royalty. He didn't accept my father when he introduced a lowly wolf peasant's daughter as his mate. They made him choose between the throne and his mate. My father being a fool that he was, he left the throne for his mate! A few years later, I was born and some more years passed by before Lucian was born.

"That Adrian, my uncle, took over the throne after Lucas's death. I thought that Adrian would at least call his twin back now that his father and his ways of the ruling were at an end but he didn't. That bastard didn't even acknowledge me when I went to him to claim my royal status. He said that Aragorn was dead and had no living heirs. They threw me out and my father being a lovesick fool scolded me for my childishness. He called me childish for demanding my right! That's when I started planning my revenge. I wanted to end Adrian." I observe Xavier all the time that he talks. Saliva froths at the corner of his mouth as he's talking about his life. So much anger, so much hatred that even I can feel it. I can't even imagine how it's affecting Fenris.

He is completely in the story, recalling all those things that happened years ago but the wounds were still raw. I pity this man who doesn't have the ability to let things go. I agree that King Lucas was unjust towards his son, Aragorn who did right by choosing his mate. Even if Xavier didn't have royal status, he had his parents who were definitely in love with each other and their son. My mate lost a chance of knowing that kind of love because of this bastard. The sudden realisation makes me lose any sympathy that might have started taking root in my heart. Under the guise of revenge, Xavier put his parents at shame along with destroying my mate's childhood. I will not allow this wolf to continue with his plans.

No, this man is selfish and horrible. He had a chance of choosing but he always chose a wrong path. Oblivious to my mental rant, Xavier continues telling the reason behind his pathetic excuse of revenge.

"Years later, Lucian found his witch mate. I expected Adrian to follow his father's footsteps and dethrone Lucian but no, he didn't. You know why?" he shouts now looking at Fenris. My mate is calmly staring at Xavier, waiting for him to finish his sad story for revenge.

"He accepted that witch because she was the witch princess. Your father was going to ascend the throne in very short days now but then the witch became pregnant. Because of the first inter-species pregnancy, she was put under extreme care. Nobody knew where the Prince and his mate were, not until after a year when they came back with their newborn son, to show to the werewolf as well as witch world. I stood there in the crowd, watching Adrian show off his grandson with his son and daughter-by-mating flanking at his sides. That's when I vowed to take back my right. I vowed to kill your parents. I vowed to kill you and today in front of you I vow to take your mate as mine. She'll carry my pup and I'll make him ascend the throne. He'll rule the werewolves. No one will dare cross my path once they know what happened to you and your mate, who dared disturb my plans." He speaks with such finality that I can't help wrapping my arms around myself. I feel threatened.

The next moment, I feel a cold wind around my legs and turn to look at Fenris's wolf spring up at Xavier. It only registers in my mind now, that Fenris was just waiting for me to release him and didn't have any interest in the listening to the rogue's purpose for revenge.

I now understand why. This rogue hurt his mate. That was enough of a crime in his mind and no way could any dominant wolf sit by and allow such crime to go without severe punishment.

Xavier is ready and already in the air pouncing towards my mate. They both claw at each other, mid-air, and then fall back on opposite sides. I watch as Xavier roars in pain because of Fenris's deep scratches whereas it appears that Fenris was successful in evading Xavier's claws.

Fenris doesn't give any recovery time to Xavier and with quiet agility moves behind him, to rake at his shoulders. He pulls out a huge chunk of flesh from his shoulders. Blood sprays over my mate's snout and shoulders as he jumps back from the rogue. Xavier, now, many alerts and familiar with my mate's fighting pattern, quickly increases his pace before taking blows. His recovery time is now decreasing as he copies my mate's moves and successfully claws at my mate's neck and shoulders.

At a particular pounce of Xavier on my mate, he aims at Fenris's neck but at the last moment, Fenris's hind leg slips, making Xavier stumble over him. Fenris's stumble turned out to be lucky for him otherwise Xavier would have been successful in cutting at the jugular vein.

Amidst the fighting of those wolves, a wind whirls past me and then I feel a presence beside me. Turning towards the presence in quiet worry and fear, I let out a breath when I see it is Alcina. She looks tired with her dirt-smeared cloak around her. She looks at the fighting wolves and then at me, shaking her head a little.

"Here, take this," she hands me Fenris's mother's knife. The one with which that black witch had stabbed him. How she has it, is a big question. One that I choose to ignore and take the offered hilt in both of my hands, looking at her.

"It is coated with moonflower's pulp," she explains and then closes her eyes as if in pain. An old memory quickly makes away in my mind and I remember the time when Fenris had informed us about Xavier's spell requiring the moonflower.

Another memory, this one older than the previous one, flashes in front of my mind. I read it in the book of magic potions in plant toxicity. Yes! A moonflower's essence will kill an evil being. Any supernatural being can be killed by the moonflower's essence.

I look at Alcina, my knowledge clearly shining in my gaze as she then smirks at me, before her smile drops off completely.

"Finish him off and then return back to the pack. They need you there," she whispers, her expression radiating pain and then takes off. By takes off, I mean that she vanishes into thin air. I look around for a second thinking that I was hallucinating but the weight of the knife calms me a little.

I focus back on the wolves fighting in front of me and quickly grasp that Fenris is winning. I see a lot of cuts and blood on Xavier's skin but when he falls on the ground, he moves back up in a second throwing a second punch to my mate. How is he still so strong if he's bleeding so much?

I observe, trying to find some answers when it clicks.

Oh my! He's copying my mate's moves exactly in the same manner and it's surprising Fenris. I think and think, trying to find a way to distract Xavier but no one's looking at me. They are focused completely on each other.

Before, I carry on with my "distraction plan" Fenris surprises both me and Xavier when he suddenly moves to the side and then punches Xavier smack in his belly. Xavier doubles over in pain and then falls on all four of his legs. I see blood dripping from his stomach and then realise that Fenris punched deep inside Xavier's gut and while retracting his fist, he clawed his insides, thus the bleeding.

Gross!

I quickly avert my eyes when I see Fenris' front paw, all bloody and containing some flesh. Eww!

Urgh! I feel the bile rising again.

Fenris then taking advantage of Xavier's defensive form, leaps over him and then lands directly on his back where he puts his canines over Xavier's neck. With a growl of victory, Fenris dips his canines in Xavier's flesh and then tears off the flesh there, savagely.

This murderous rage in Fenris's eyes is so clear and transparent that I involuntarily take a step back, a little scared of the bloodthirsty look in his eyes.

Undeterred with the blood gushing from the jugular vein of Xavier, Fenris jumps back from Xavier's tumbling body and then shifts right there in front of me. As he shifts back to his human form, I can't help but wonder if he grew taller than the last time, I saw him. I can see a lot of wounds, deep gashes and finally the almost healed burnt wound on his sternum and neck region. It still looks like it's healing. If it's been a month then why hasn't he healed completely yet?

His wolf mark is still clear and my eyes automatically move downwards. I forget all about the time that has passed when I feel my heart thudding rapidly in my chest as a very naked Fenris makes his way over to me. I take a step back at the rage-filled gaze and look beyond him to Xavier's body that's started twitching. He's healing? Oh no!

My sudden cry of shock must have alerted Fenris because he turns from his position to look at Xavier's body, healing over broken bones.

"Stab him in his most wounded tissue," I speak, my voice slightly throaty maybe because of thirst. Fenris whirls around to look at me in shock, perhaps? He quickly walks to stand in front of me and then holds out his hand, clearly noticing the knife in mine.

"Give me the knife, baby," he whispers but it comes out more like a rumble. Looking at my scared form, his expression softens and the rage dims a little from his eyes. I close my eyes to let his voice wash over me. Oh, how desperate was I a few hours ago to hear his voice. To feel his scent around me.

"Sierra?" he questions and my eyes open to look into his black ones. I quickly hand over the knife to him and he smiles softly before turning his back and walking towards Xavier's beaten yet shockingly healing body.

I can't help myself when my eyes flicked down towards my mate's tight ass as he walks towards the rogue. The familiar tingling sensation unfurls low in my belly and I stifle a gasp.

As my mate walks towards the fallen rogue, I notice Fenris hesitating a little. That's when I see Xavier speaking something. I can't hear anything but my attention is diverted when Xavier springs upwards, pushing back at Fenris. Without losing his foot, Fenris takes aim and plunges the knife into Xavier's already healing jugular.

A huge roar erupts from Xavier's throat and then ends with a loud gurgling sound. Blood pools in his mouth and runs down his chin as his eyes roll back in his head and he falls down on the ground with a loud thud.

I stare numbly at the dead body actually waiting for Xavier to stand up and then laugh evilly at us, saying, "I am still alive."

I am shaken from my stupor when Fenris's voice makes way to my ears. I quickly turn my head at Fenris, avoiding to look at his lower body, strictly keeping my gaze on his eyes.

Oh, fuck it. He anyway can sense my emotions! I give in to my urge and let my eyes travel at a leisurely place all over his body, taking in the never-ending line of wounds and cuts all over his body. Any lascivious thought that I had in mind, quickly disappears when I see the extent of his wounds.

Goddess! He's hurt. A whimper escapes from my throat as I look at those horrible wounds.

"I'll heal, baby. I need you to wait here. He's dead okay?" he asks me. His voice sounds like he's unsure of the next step. Is he worried about me?

I quickly put on my brave pants and look in his eyes to assure him that I am fine.

"Yes. I'll wait here," I say without stumbling. Good.

"I'll be back in a few minutes. We need to burn his body. I need a flaming torch or a matchstick for that," he explains and then looks at me for a minute before walking away from me.

I wait for a few minutes before I see him again. He's walking towards me, wearing a pair of jeans but still shirtless, yet with a little less amount of blood on his chest and shoulders. His hands also look surprisingly clean carrying a torch and fuel. He reaches towards the body and then looks up at me to give me a reassuring smile.

"Stay back baby," he says and I quickly take a few steps back. He lights the torch with a lighter and then opens the lighter, pouring it on the dead rogue's belly. Fenris then sets Xavier's body on fire. I watch as the body burns, a very putrid smell wafting off from the body, making me retch, violently but I control the urge once again.

A few seconds later, I watch my mate making his way towards me and I find myself meeting him halfway and soon, I am in his arms, being clutched in a death grip. I don't mind for I am holding him back with the same ferocity. I missed him. Oh, Goddess! Thank you, he's alive and he's well.

"Sierra," he murmurs in my ear and I feel my wolf mark tingle. I rejoice in his arms, finally feeling my wolf rise to the surface, being called by our mate.

"Fenris. Thank you. Oh, I missed you. I love you so much. Thank you for coming for me," I babble, clutching at his neck and then combing my fingers through his hair. His blue eyes are darker in shade. He hands are wrapped around my hip and back as he lets me inspect every inch of him while he caresses my body with his eyes.

His eyes rest on my chin and my neck for a long minute before they settle back on mine. Slowly, his fingertips graze the wound at the base of my neck from where his mark was forcibly removed. I flinch at the pain that resonates in the scabbing yet still fresh wound.

"Who did this?" he growls and I only feel reassured at his anger. It means he still wants me even after being abused and touched by someone else.

"Xav... Xavier," I stutter unable to keep my anxiety out of my voice. His eyes soften a bit sensing my anxiety and he pulls me closer to him, suddenly bending to lift me up in his arms. My arms automatically creep up along his shoulder to curl around his neck. I lay my head against his steadily beating heart trying to calm my heart to the familiar rhythm.

"I love you, too," he whispers after a long moment as he starts walking towards the direction in which he earlier went to bring the torch. A car comes in my view and I have all sort of questions running in my mind but at the last moment realise that I confessed my long-buried feelings for him. And to top it off, he still loves me, even after being kidnapped and abused. I never thought I would utter these words after such a blood bath but I don't regret them. Not at all. He's my mate, my protector, my partner and I love him dearly.

I turn my head on his chest to lay a soft kiss on his mark, sealing his words. A soft rumble vibrates against my cheek making my skin tingle more.

Soon, we reach the car where he sets me inside, on the passenger seat. I move to turn in the seat but he stops me, trapping my legs between his large ones. I look up at him questioningly as he runs his fingers up and down my cheek while the other lays firmly against my waist. Skin on skin! 

"Are you alright?" he asks softly, bending down to my eye-level. His moist eyes betray the mask of calmness.

"I am now. I am fine." My voice trembles and tears run down my cheeks as I sit there, running my fingers through his hair and neck and then over his face trying to reassure myself that he's here. I feel so weak, I've been doing nothing but cry during the last few days.

He leans over me a little and I notice that there's a shirt on the driver's seat. He snatches the shirt from the seat and then holds it for me to slip my hands in it. When I go to wear it, he shakes his head.

"Remove that piece of cloth first," he whisper-growls and I quickly obey. A sharp intake of breath is the only indication that he saw the bruises on my breasts. I look up at him to gauge his reaction. Is he disgusted that someone else put his hands on me?

"I want to kill him again," he growls loudly before taking deep breaths to calm himself. I quickly put on his shirt and welcome the woodsy smell of my mate as it settles around me like a warm blanket. It feels like home.

"He's gone and I am happy that I was there to see you killing him. He was terrifying," I whisper failing miserably to keep the agony out of my voice. I was numb before but now that I am aware, I can recall how badly his touch and his closeness hurt me. Both emotionally as well as physically.

"Don't cry, baby. Please," croaks out Fenris as he wipes away the tears that roll down my cheek. I hiccup, trying to control my wild emotions but then shake my head. He kisses me once on the forehead and then turns me in my seat before walking towards the driver's side.

Before getting in, he leans over the backseat and pulls out a small bag from the back seat. Removing, what looks like a hot water bottle, he hands me it. I look at him in confusion.

"There's warm water in it. Your mother packed some bacon too. It's in the bag and must be warm in the hot containers," he whispers. I am touched at the care he's showing towards me. But then his words register in my mind. My mother?

"We are near the Samara Pack, Sierra," he answers and I realise that I spoke that thought. I still stare at him questioningly.

"Xavier kidnapped you and brought you here, to the north of Samara Pack. I came here because this was the fastest way to reach you from human airport. At this moment, Samara Pack is raiding the castle, to free any unwilling people and to finish of the rogues," he explains softly all the while keeping a hand on my thigh as if reassuring himself that I am really here. I squeeze his hand needing the comfort of his touch.

Unlike any other time when I was kidnapped, I am not scared now. The comforting touch of my mate grounds me and pushes all the life-threatening thoughts away. I don't exactly know how much time has passed after I was kidnapped but all I care about is that I was able to escape and that I got to my mate just in time when he was finishing off the rogue who was responsible for the hurt that both my mate and me have suffered from.

He then starts the car, driving steadily through the sleet covered roads. I want to tell him about Xanthos and about that lady I saw in the cell who gave me directions, about how Alcina had his knife but all I feel is exhaustion. It feels like my body has stopped working along with my brain and soon, I find myself closing my eyes and drift off into a peaceful slumber, with no burning pain and uncertainties of survival. 

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þakka þér!

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