20: A Possible Escalation

HARPER

“Good to see you, Layla. You look a bit worn out though,” I said, visiting Axel’s place. She was cradling one of the girls who was a bit fussy. Both were running a slight fever, which was normal for wolf pups.

Especially if they were lycan. In their first week, they’d run a low-grade fever due to our ability to shift as they grew older. It was just how our bodies adapted.

The fever would last a day, then stop, and then return in a few weeks. Of course, we were keeping a close eye on the girls in case anything was off.

“Exhausted is more like it. Where’s your mate, Harper? I was hoping to meet her,” Layla said, smiling.

I quirked an eyebrow at her. “Really? Well, Grace gets to meet her first. She took her shopping to get whatever she needs. I think Sierra could use some girl time,” I told her.

Layla smiled back at me. “So, you just handed her a card and told her to go wild?”

Axel put Kamina down in her crib and walked back toward Layla as I responded. “Maybe I did,” I said, grinning.

“You’re quite the spoiler, aren’t you, Harper? That’s adorable,” Layla teased.

I shrugged. Maybe I did enjoy spoiling a woman. What’s wrong with that?

“He’s always been a softie when it comes to women,” Axel chimed in, making Layla turn her head and plant a quick kiss on him.

“Something you could learn,” Layla retorted.

I raised an eyebrow. Layla always got what she wanted. Even if Axel was a bit tougher, he’d jump when she said jump. I bet she knew that by now.

“Don’t spread rumors, sweetheart. I’m not afraid to discipline this pretty little ass of yours,” Axel said, giving Layla a playful smack on her backside.

She squealed a bit, looking indignant. I almost laughed. Layla blushed slightly.

“And here I thought you were finally learning some manners,” Layla said, growling a bit.

Axel just gave her a boyish grin. “Nobody’s perfect,” he said, walking toward me.

We left the nursery, with Axel telling Layla to call him if she needed anything. We headed downstairs to Axel’s home office. Axel let out a sigh, and I could tell he was frustrated.

“We’ve got a ton of shit to deal with. The territories are getting tense again, and I’m sick of these assholes thinking I’m some kind of fool,” Axel grumbled as we entered his study.

I had seen the messages and emails. I knew what he was talking about, and I shared his fear that a few territories might end up at war.

Our territory was better protected than most since we had taken over the North Pack’s territory. It had a mountain range that shielded us from the territories on the other side.

Still, we were being asked to support some of the territories that were becoming strained.

“We do, and we need to decide who’s getting the bid so we can start the pharmaceutical processing and labs,” I said.

Axel slumped down in his chair, rubbing his face with his hand. “When the fuck did we become businessmen and political advisors, Harper?” Axel asked.

I could tell he never thought he’d be in this position. Neither did I. When we started fighting for a place, taking in the misfits, the abused, and the oppressed like us, we never imagined we’d be in this position of power.

We now had one of the largest werewolf and lycan territories in the world. In fact, I was pretty sure we were the largest now, and our territory was close to rivaling the human territory over the mountains.

They still had the largest chunk of land. Humans liked to stick together like that.

“I don’t know, Axel. I guess we never really thought we’d get this big, but here we are. That’s what happens when you get old and settle down,” I said.

Axel looked at me and then laughed. “Fuck off, we’re not that old.”

“Maybe,” I chuckled and shrugged.

However, we did get down to business, and the next few days were a whirlwind. Time sure flies when you’re busy.

I was feeling a bit off with Sierra. She seemed to be putting up a wall between us, at least physically. I wasn’t pushing her or pressuring her, but I knew she needed to feed again.

I was getting a bit agitated that she might refuse to do it with me and go to someone else. Yes, I understood it was her choice, but it felt like a betrayal to me.

It hurt, knowing that she’d probably choose a woman eased the pain a bit, but I was her true mate and as a wolf, it felt like a failure no matter how irrational it sounded.

I didn’t bring it up, but I did ask her how she was feeling this morning as she looked a bit tired and paler than usual. I was worried about her. I was starting to care for her a lot.

She said she was fine. We talked a lot. She was really helping Grace and me understand the needs of vampires. The types of medicines that were specific to them. Vampires could eat food, but it was usually small amounts of certain fruits and vegetables.

They couldn’t tolerate meat, oddly enough. However, there was an increase in hybrid vampires lately, and that was causing some difficulties.

There were diseases specific to full-blood vampires too. Sierra also seemed quite knowledgeable about other territories, and who her father and a few other covens were trying to work with or make deals with.

She was smart and driven. I saw the value in her that her father and Kaven clearly did not. However, I made sure to spend time with her outside of the things Axel asked.

I wanted to get to know her, for her to come to me. I was starting to get frustrated with her sudden physical distance. If I moved closer, she would step back.

It was irritating, but I didn’t say anything. I knew her past, but it didn’t seem to be an issue the other day. So what the hell?

My thoughts were interrupted when Axel spoke. “We have a bit of a problem. I think something serious is happening in the Red Coven. I’ve been getting messages from Kaven.”

“I haven’t heard back from Adis about my response to his request to send someone to see Sierra, not just talk to her over the phone. Kaven has sent several demands that Sierra be sent back immediately.”

“The Lady of the Red Coven is needed as they’re having heated discussions with a few other territories,” Axel told me.

I found myself back at his place, not the main office. It was late in the afternoon and I was knee-deep in drafting pharmaceutical plans, courtesy of our architect.

~This isn’t what I imagined I’d be doing when I was younger~, I thought. The extent of my education, accumulated over the years, even surprised me.

“I don’t think she’s going back,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

A growl escaped me, and I quickly told my inner wolf to calm down. Axel flashed me a dark smile, a hint of humor in his eyes.

“She’s not going anywhere,” he assured me. “But I’m starting to think there’s more happening at Red Coven. Adis usually responds quickly, but he’s been silent. And Kaven… he’s been a pain. I’ve made it clear that I only deal with the coven leader, and as far as I’m concerned, that’s Adis and Sierra.”

“So, you think Adis and Kaven are up to something?” I asked.

“I’m not sure. But knowing Kaven, he’s after power. Sierra was supposed to be his ticket to that, right? We’ve seen this before. She was his plan to seize control,” Axel said, spinning a pen on the papers spread out before him.

“Well, he likes to think so. She is the heir, but the rule will pass to her firstborn son,” I pointed out.

Axel paused, deep in thought.

“I’m just saying, it’s unusual for him to reach out like this. It makes me think something’s happening at Red Coven since Sierra left. Her departure might have set off a chain of events. I think Kaven wants her back to instigate a leadership change. Look at this message he sent me today.”

Axel handed me his phone, and I read the carefully worded message.

“They need her to maintain stability in their coven?” I asked, looking up at Axel who simply shrugged.

The message also hinted at a deadline for her return, threatening force if necessary. I clenched my jaw, looking back at Axel.

“I think the little bastard wants to take over the coven. It’s a powerful one, with a lot of territory. Kaven might have been waiting for the right moment to challenge Adis. Many are loyal to Adis and his bloodline. They’ve been in power for a long time. I bet he’s not happy that Adis hasn’t come to get her. That would mean Kaven would have to step back. Sierra mentioned her lust was supposed to start. That’s probably his main concern—to get her and use her to take over the coven,” Axel speculated.

I fell silent.

Sierra had mentioned that. Now I was wondering if she was starving herself to suppress her lust.

~They have drugs for that~, I thought. ~We said we’d get them for her~. But I pushed that thought aside. I trusted Axel’s instincts.

We’d been keeping an eye on Red Coven for a while. We knew a power struggle was imminent. Adis had already survived several assassination attempts. It was a common hazard in our line of work, especially when you ruled a territory full of disgruntled citizens and bloodthirsty henchmen.

We had plenty of dirt on Adis and Kaven. It wouldn’t surprise me if Kaven was plotting to overthrow Adis.

“Did you reply to his message?” I asked.

Axel took his phone back. “I told him that until I hear directly from Adis, we believe that returning Lady Sierra to her home territory would put her in danger. Given the current situation in Red Coven territory, we’re obligated to provide her with a safe haven as per our treaty. Until Adis contacts me, I’m treating the unrest as a threat to her life. No one has responded yet,” Axel explained.

“We’ll see how it plays out. I’m pretty sure Kaven would love to stick a knife in me,” I said, laughing.

Kaven was probably fuming, thinking I was seducing and corrupting Sierra.

~She’s better off with me. That jerk would get her killed~.

“I wouldn’t doubt it. It’s hard when the woman you want for power prefers another man’s bed,” Axel said, smiling.

I returned his smile. Axel sighed.

“On a different note, the fae territory between us has requested a revision of our treaty. They also want to co-sponsor our pharmaceutical and medical facility. We’ve had a good relationship with them for years, despite their rough edges,” Axel said.

“Jasper and Kane are trustworthy. I’d be comfortable working with them,” I said.

Kane was the fae king, and Jasper was his younger brother. The fae were struggling with fertility issues and child mortality. They needed a lot of medical care for their hybrid children. Their race was in danger, so I understood their need for this.

Despite their reputation as fickle and deadly, we got along with them pretty well.

“I thought we could discuss it with them once we sort out our current issues. If they’re between us and Red Coven, and Sierra becomes a reason for conflict, it’s best to have them on our side,” Axel said.

I agreed, and we moved on to other topics before returning to our work.

“Hey Axel, are we still going to the blue moon festivities tonight? I could really use a few hours out of the house. Grace is here to watch the girls. I only need an hour or two,” Layla chimed in.

She was dressed casually, her hair in a braid, and no makeup. She’d been cooped up in the house a lot, and I knew she didn’t want to leave the girls for long. But it was good for her to get out. Plus, the girls were too young to be out in public.

I thought it was a good idea for Layla to take a break. It was important for the pack to see their luna and know she was doing well. It was considered good fortune for a pack when the luna had multiple offspring.

This past cycle had been successful for many she-wolves trying to conceive. It was a testament to the positive effect a mated alpha and luna had on a pack and our pheromones.

“Sure, but Ian and Zen need to be here before we head out. I’m not…,” Axel began, rising to his feet with a protective edge.

His eyes were dark as night. I closed my laptop, raising an eyebrow at him.

~Take it easy, Axel~ I thought. Those girls were in for a ride with such a fiercely protective dad.

“They’re already here,” Layla assured him, her voice steady.

Axel moved toward her, taking a deep breath to regain his composure. She offered him a comforting smile.

“I love how protective you are, but it’s okay. We can’t shield them from everything as they grow,” Layla gently reminded him, leaning up to plant a kiss on his lips.

I watched them, pulling out my phone to text Sierra about tonight’s festivities. She replied instantly, expressing her interest in attending. It was indeed a rare occasion. A small bubble of happiness swelled within me at her response. Just a simple festival, a chance to socialize and have a drink. It was nothing like our sacred Autumn Moon festival, revered by most wolves.

This was purely for fun. I wanted others to see her with me, to be honest.

“Excuse me, lovebirds, I have my own matters to attend to before the fun begins,” I announced.

They stepped aside to let me pass.

“I’m looking forward to meeting her. You’re coming, right?” Layla asked, more of a command than a question.

I waved her off nonchalantly. “Yeah, I just need to pick her up first,” I replied, exiting the house to head home.

The sun was almost set, making it a good time for her to be out. A pang shot through the side of my neck, a longing for her touch. I yearned for her mark, but I’d settle for her willingness to be seen in public with me.

Maybe she’d finally reveal why she was keeping her distance. It was starting to bother me, the way my mate would engage in conversation but retreat if I got too close. It was wearing me down.