Chapter 50

Marco was looking at the email, at a complete loss for words. Everyone has been through enough crap, figuring out where all the survivors will go. It was sad, but they couldn't save most of the mutated ones; ninety percent of them couldn't be moved, or they would die.
The facility itself blew up and was covered in rubble, then they set more charges and turned the wreckage into a complete pile. No one will ever know its existence; there were sentinels placed around the cleared area, all that was left outside the facility. They wanted to see if anyone came looking.
They are also discussing a multi-shifter task force that could look for this kind of stuff—trained to see it and know where to look—putting an end to the ignorance in the shifter communities; nothing like this should ever get a foothold ever again.
Children would also be taught about some things to look for and be aware of those who would manipulate or abduct them and keep an eye on the younger ones.
Marco was still looking at another damn email; he would have to get some rooms ready. The first order of business was to tell the Alpha of his upcoming guests after today. No way was he going to disturb him right now; he liked his head where it was.
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Adira enjoyed having Duncan all to herself; they had breakfast and lunch in their room. They talked, laughed, made love, and watched a movie here and there. It was pure contentment. Duncan even listened to their pup as he moved around.
Around three in the afternoon, there was a knock on the door, and three-pack members brought in all kinds of flowers, bouquets of roses of every color, daisies, and iris. It was a cornucopia of flowers.
All of them were for her; most were from her mate. There were three bouquets though of mixed flowers that were from the pack. All of them dumbfounded her. She smiled brightly, and that was what Duncan wanted to see. No more tears for his Luna.
He gave instructions to all pack members not to disturb them at all unless the place was on fire. He set it up to have their meals brought to them. As well as chocolates and flowers. She is going to be spoiled and pampered today and tonight.
He had already growled at two members for mind-linking him. He never answered their question; I just growled.
Adira decided to tell Duncan about his sister, hoping that he would be open to the idea. She didn't see anything wrong with it as long as they were physically compatible. She supposed that if they couldn't have their pups or cubs, they would be wonderful adoptive parents.
"Duncan, I have something to talk to you about; I want you to keep an open mind."
"What is it, little wolf?"
"Do you know that Marnie and Ashton are developing a relationship? I think they are mates."
He giggled......"Yes, love, I know about their budding relationship. I have no trouble with it as long as no harm comes to Marnie and it makes her happy. I don't know what kinds of things they will face amongst the pack or the pride; I like to think no one will have problems with it; if they do, they can bring their concerns to me and set them straight."
Adira smiled at Duncan.
"Why are you smiling at me?"
"Because, my wolfie, you just added another reason I love you. You add them every day."
Duncan pulled Adira to him for a kiss.
"Duncan, what were you wanted to tell me.?"
He started to laugh...."You are not going to believe this, I'm not sure I do, and I saw it with my own eyes. When we reached the head scientist’s lab, He had been killed by what he had locked up. It was a Big Foot."
"What!!! no way, you are playing with me."
"Nope, my little wolf, I speak true."
"What happened to the Big Foot? Did you let it go?"
He started to laugh louder…
"Are you kidding? It made a hole and escaped all by itself. It was so pissed that there was no way anyone was stupid enough to step in front of that nightmare."


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Ash followed Marnie around like a lost puppy. She was getting annoyed, especially when he waited outside her bathroom door while doing her morning ritual.
In truth, she thought that Ash was hot; she fell for him the first time she saw him. They were two different species, though. Would it work? What if they are not compatible? She felt sparks between them when he carried her the other day; that could only mean one thing.
Oddly her wolf Myan had been strangely quiet about all this. Whenever Ash was around, she would go all shy and reserved. Come on, Myan; you’re a warrior, not a shy giggling schoolgirl. I could use some advice on this.
Still, she had to see if she could lose Ash for a little while so that she could ask one of the elders. She decided that the best way to do it was to wait till he started eating; it was the only thing that could drag him away from her.
She decided that she was going to the kitchen to talk to the chef about making some delicious dishes for their feline guests.
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Lily locked herself in her room; she was so angry with herself for all the shit she'd done in the past. Now it is coming back to revisit her. That stupid drug they used on her for so long had side effects; they were giving her herbs to help clear it out. Not fast enough, though.
She was going into heat again. Sighing, she sat on her bed and began to cry. What the hell was she going to do now. She didn't dare leave this room. At least this room had a tub she could fill with cold water. It does help to lessen the fever and pain.
It does nothing to stop the need for mating, though. This crap was only supposed to happen to mated females, so their mates could take care of them. She had her mate, and they mated that first time; now, he is dead, and she is stuck with this endless punishment.
She started to cry even more when she remembered her handsome mate’s face and gentle smile. She would kill for just one more night with him. Then the image of his final moments went into her mind, and she cried out in pain. She managed to calm herself down and start a cold water bath.
Tomorrow it will be awful, she was supposed to go to her therapist, but that wasn't going to happen.
She picked up the in-house phone and dialed her female helper. She told her what was going on; there was no sound on the other end for a little bit. Then in a burst of speech, Molly, her helper, started to bark out orders to some other women.
She was ordered to keep her door locked and stay inside. They would bring her things she would need to help ease her through the process; she was only to unlock the door if it was Molly on the other side.
With a sigh, she sat back down and started to laugh.
"At least it isn't in front of shit load crazy bikers bears this time."
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The King was restless all day and now well into the night; what the hell was wrong with him. He hadn't felt like this since his eighteenth birthday, and he met his mate that night.
Ever since Lily came to him to tell him about her last memory, he couldn't get her scent out of his head.
It made his mouth water; it reminded him of the warm summer sun and gardenias. He has been roaming the castle in his restlessness. He came to a stop.
Lord God above and goddess of the moon sure have a sense of humor. He knew then what was going on; Lily was his second chance mate. It would not be very easy, but it could be done. If he claims her as his mate, she would be his Luna; she couldn't be Queen, perhaps in name only, because of her history.
Still, though, why was he so restless? It could only mean one thing.
She was in heat!!!
Thorn, at that moment, started to howl in his head...."She is alone, unprotected, and in heat. A locked door is all she has between herself and all the male wolves in the castle. You have to go to make our mate safe; then we claim can her."
He called his servant to remove all guards from inside the castle for half an hour. He looked at his King like he'd lost his marbles.
"I SAID GO AND REMOVE THE GUARD FROM INSIDE THE CASTLE NOW!!! "
He explained that he needed to remove a female who unexpectedly came into the heat in a calmer tone.
The servant ran from the room, telling the guard his instructions. Ok, now all he had to do was get his mate out of her locked room without scaring the crap. Thorn wanted to break down the door, toss her over his shoulder and run back to their chambers.
The King had other plans; sometimes, Thorn, you have to be more diplomatic and charming to get what you want, not ram it down their throat.
You will be on your best behavior; I know that the heat will drive you crazy; think about the scared wolf and what she has been through. We've got to take this a step at a time. I never thought we would have our second chance, mate; I know she didn’t either. I think she wanted us to kill her so she could be with him.
Now we show her that she is worthy of one more chance, and we will make sure she forgets her first and turns to us for the rest of our lives together. As far as the rest of the world, they can stick it up their uptight asses. Let him, without sin, throw the first stone.