Chapter 70: Chapter 71: The Mountain

I stroll down the stairs of the main sweeping staircase after I am done eating with Sierra, feeling

heavy with everything we talked about. It's almost noon and the house is eerily quiet, but noises of

the busy village outside are filtering through on the now open windows on the light breeze. It's still

raining, but it has promise of a brighter day again and the schoolhouse is getting its first proper use

today, now it's almost complete. No more children in the great hall at all from now on and I squint

that way as male wolves begin streaming out of the double doors at the far end of the hall as I step

the last tread.

It's where Colton has convened the sentinels from patrol, his best packs, and they have been

discussing everything to do with continuing to maintain our peaceful and safe existence. Supply

runs, financials, as we still have to bear the weight of our pack, even with severance from the main

Santo millions. Luckily Colton had his own inheritance and his own trust fund that Juan couldn't

touch and with some of our adopted packs from the mountain, they too brought in funds to help

keep us afloat for a very long time. We have investments and share sin the human world and we

seem to be ticking over nicely, despite the loss of Colton’s rightful wealth. Wolves don’t need the

things humans do to survive, but it's easier to feed and clothe a pack than it is to hunt, forage, and

live like wild animals.

I yawn and stretch out as I make my way past the flood of departing Lychens, receiving the lowered

nods and mumbles of “Luna’ in passing. Showing their respect and I smile and wait until the passage

is clear enough for me to proceed. I will eventually get used to this change in how I'm treated but it

still sits kind of funny in my stomach. I'm getting better at taking hold of my role and accepting it

now, but always forever will be that unworthy girl with her doubts circling in my stomach. The

awkwardness at the respect shown my way is still strange.

I push into the now partially empty great hall, with its multitudes of military straight seats, all facing

the front podium where our sub pack are lounging around in various positions. On seats, on the

floor, and Colton is sat on the edge of the podium with his legs hanging free, looking like a teen

boy hanging out at lunch break in high school. They're huddle close enough that I can tell they're

summarizing their meeting and discussing something further. I wander closer and pick up on their

lowered tones easily.

"We limit supply runs to daylight hours, mid-day, only. We have to be alert more than before as we

don't know what they are capable of.” Colton carries on, glancing my way with a quick smile to

acknowledge me and it's clear they are talking about the presence of the witch or witches in the

woods.

“Does daylight really help?” I ask with a smile as I hop up next to him on the ledge and he

instinctively slides his arm around my shoulders and kisses me on the temple.

“No, but it means they aren't any straying vamps and we might hold our own against witches with a

little more effect.” He smiles and shoulder nudges me with that cheeky gorgeous smile of his and I

wrinkle my nose back at him. Always melting at his briefest of expressions and I sigh at how

lovestruck I still am for this boy.

“Good Morning, Hemara.” Meadow cuts in, pulling my attention to the only other wolf in the pack

that I love spending all my time with equally. Her usual title of sister warms my heart, as does her

loving smile, and I beam her way with my obvious affection for her.

“Good morning. So, what was so important that you had to kidnap my breakfast partner from me

this fine day?” I lean into Colton's neck, nuzzling snugly under his chin as I watch the uneasy shift in

my pack. The instant change in tension and atmosphere as Cesar and Jesus both glance to Colton

with a subtle flicker of apprehension. My stomach plummets, my chest tightens, and my suspicion is

instantly piqued.

What is it? I link Colton immediately, feeling his own rise in stress levels and knowing this is

something I NEED to be told. He hesitates slightly, that raise in his heartbeat has me all wide eyes

and I sit stiffly to eyeball him from my lower position.

“You know that's not a bad idea.” Cesar leans in and I know without looking at Colton that he'll

agree. He listens to his pack, especially Cesar, the wise and influential brother he never had and now

with the others nodding, I can sense his caving. His sub pack have always held this power over him

and with some gentle coaxing can influence him for good, no matter the topic.

"Okay, but only to scope it out, and keep your distance. Watch, report via link and when we have

enough of an idea what's going down, I want you back here. Fast. Watch your back, be home before

dark and keep in mind, the vamps have witches out there now. Be extra aware.” He commands.

“We won't make decisions until we know for sure how things are at the mountain, right?” Meadow

confirms what I'm thinking and Colton nods. Sighing again as though this whole thing has made

him weary and listless. It feels like a bad dream that none of us can wake form sometimes.

“Right. We see what's up, then we figure out our next move. I need to patrol the village and see if

we can squeeze more space out of the building works for those we've settled in the house, today.

We need to keep them moving out so we can accommodate the incoming, for now. There are still

three times as many wolves at the mountain than we have here... We need to really think about this.

We're at capacity almost and from what you said, Carmen thinks more will run soon.” Colton stands

and makes it clear he’s dismissing the sub pack, ending this conversation for the time being, as

though they are all somehow agreeing to leave this as is, they get up to move. I linger, waiting for

Colton as they nod their respect and leave in an almost single file until only Meadow trails behind.

“I know you don't want to fight our people again. Or him. I know how much it hurt to have to do

that.... But sometimes, Hermano, you have to do horrible things for the greater good.” She pats him

on the shoulder, rubbing his clavicle with her thumb for a second before kissing me on the cheek

feather soft, and departs with a sad smile. We watch her go before Colton turns his attention to me

fully.

“She's right... I don't want to fight my people again. It was hell to do it once, I can't even get my

head around doing it again.” Colton breathes out when we are alone and his despair washes over

my instantly, tainting the air I inhale. Always at the heart of his decisions are his pack, even the ones

that are not technically ours. My heart bleeds for him, a tight heavy pain that constricts my ribs,

because I understand. I don't want to hurt our people any more than he does. Most of them never

did anything to deserve this.

“You heard what they said.... the people are turning. The memory being shared. I don't think Juan

has the command to make them fight like he did. Only his loyal would take up arms and they're a

lost cause anyway. When you take down the king you have to take down his circle of trust, or you

leave betrayal as an opportunity. Didn't you learn anything from the history teachers.” I nudge him

lightly with my shoulder against his and he relaxes a little, that cute boy half smile coming my way

as my words amuse him.

"How did I get so lucky in finding a mate who's beautiful and smart.... You make every day easier;

you know that?” Colton leans in and brushes a kiss across my lips, warmly soft and yet he still ignites

butterflies; lingering a moment to rub his nose against mine and my insides melt and combust all at

the same time. It never ceases to amaze me how responsive I am to his touch and I hope it never

stops being this way. Six months on and he still gives me fireworks.

“The fates knew you needed someone to keep you in hand!” I giggle, running my fingers over that

squared off clean shaven jawline and melt a little when he smiles, all full-on dazzling dreamy.

“Really? Keep me in hand... I think that's a little backwards. I most definitely run dampener on your

temper sometimes, baby. My feisty headstrong Luna.” He kisses me again and I can't say that I can

argue with that, losing myself in the pressing of his lips as he lingers longer than the last one.

Colton draws back without pushing it further and fixes a serious look on me.

“Are you really not okay with carmen being here?” There's a serious glimpse of unease in his eye

and I exhale breathily, making a show of sighing dramatically and shrug. An inner war cascading

around and green-eyed jealousy showing face as I try to rationalize my feelings.

“I don't know. I know she can't come between us; I know you don't have feelings for her.... It's just

... It was a time that sucked, and she was a major part of it. Maybe I need to get used to her being

here. I know I have nothing to worry about at all, that she can’t do anything to hurt us, to separate

us. She won't be half the bitch now that I'm Luna and she knows her place.... and the consequences

for disrespecting me.” I growl lightly with the last six words, venom infused in the real threat I put

out there and Colton chuckles at my show of fierce.

“Baby, that temper, ouch.” He touches me and makes a mock sizzle noise before blowing his fingers

dramatically. It does nothing to damper my fury.

“Well, she better take note, because I will tear her a new one if she annoys me.” I smirk, simmering,

and Colton holds up mock defensive palms. His eyes alight with sudden laughter, seeing as his

everyday hobby is to tease and taunt me and it always brings back his sunnier side.

“Scary! You're cute when you're a little feral. Wanna make out?” Colton disarms me with his humor

and playfulness, a wink, and aims a grab on me that bursts the mood completely and gets me

giggling. He pins me down on the podium, flipping me onto my back so he can lay on top of me

and starts nibbling on my neck and jawline, heading for my face as I squeal and fight him with

futility. It's hopeless as he's stronger, faster, and completely relentless when he wants to be, plus he

weighs twice what I do. I was never a match in human form for this heavy, solid, Latino lover.

"Do you ever manage just one hour without needing to molest me?” I bat his face away as he goes

in for a kiss and then give up completely and kiss him instead with a chaste peck to cool his jets.

Pressing face to face and smiling as our lips collide. He grins despite being joined at the mouth and

chuckles.

"Hour? I can't manage ten minutes, baby.”

ooooo