Settling In
1161 Words
Hawk's POV
To say that I was ok with moving into the ranch with more people than were at Bear Moon, was the understatement of the century. People flowed freely from this place like water. Being able to keep an eye on things was rough. Amber and Ronan, my top priority, their safety to me mattered the most.
Amber had asked if she could train with Maya and Athens. I was a little hurt, but after watching the session they did I could see how she would benefit from the sparring. Maya moved more like a vampire with the fluid grace and style of a skilled assassin. I was impressed, with the skills she had. Athens had done a fine job teaching her. I could see why Amber would want to learn.
I eyed both Maya and Athens now sitting in the chair. Maya made to fuss about stepping between two very deadly creatures of darkness. Her heart held a lot of love, I could feel it. I knew Athens could too, something with the way she just was, pulled it up from your inner soul.
"How long have you been training?" I found myself asking.
"Over three years now. Just after Joe was assigned to be my protection." Maya's grey eyes found me.
"Why did you need protection?" I knew it was a dumb question, Joe, he filled me in when I asked about the death of the Southern Wolf who had kept Amber couple of years in his dungeons.
"He was my ex-husband. I did not know anything about this world," she waved her hand wide. I noticed the bite in the crook of her elbow. Glancing at Athens I raised a brow. "He was using me in the hopes of breeding a strong wolf." I could see her lips lift in a twisted smile. "I did, Jewel will rule his pack, when she officially becomes the Alpha." There was pride in those words.
I was surprised, a female ruler of the Southern wolf pack. That would be no small feat to do. "That will be a treacherous undertaking." I glanced at both of them.
"Jewel will have all of us when the time comes to take it." I glanced over my shoulder to see Mortou walking up the ramp. This old cursed werebear had seemed to take up living here.
"I see," I nodded. "It seems after this adventure, is this one." I glanced at all of them.
"Indeed," Mortou leaned against the side of the house, arms folded over his chest as he surveyed the area with Amber the kids in it.
"How do you monitor people coming and going from here?" It was driving me crazy I had to ask.
"Like this," Mortou stood up uncrossing his arms he clapped loudly and roared. I stood, looking out I seen the bright blue glow of wards pop up for few seconds then fade back. "The children have a locator spell necklace, while Maya still bears the blessing mark and linked to Athens via the master bond mark on her elbow." Mortou leaned back against the house. Folding his arms on his chest.
"I did not realize how warded this place was." I raised my eyebrows at the amount of magic they instilled here. "How hard are the locator necklaces to make?"
The lips on Mortou titled up. "Not hard, I can show you if you wish?"
"I would like that." I looked back at Maya's face, she had a warm happy look to her.
"Tvso will be here soon for practice, I need to get to the barn." Maya stood, smiling at us all. She placed a kiss on Athens's cheek, walking to me she did the same. Going to Mortou he moved his arms wide as he grabbed her in a hug and twirled her around. She landed on the porch with a giggle before she headed down toward the barn.
"You marked her?" My tone devoid of emotion lest it betrays me.
"I had to," Athens leaned forward. "Once Veltio catches her scent, we will be in deeper trouble." He leaned back, "I did not have the wolves' approval, the fact is they are still angry about it." Athens snickered devilishly, "as long as it keeps her safe I don't care." His face you could see meant every word of it.
"Veltio is strong," I spoke knowing both men here knew it as well. "I can't say you would be a match for him in battle." My tone emptied still of emotion.
"Don't care, I would rather me go to keep her safe." He stood, the words were full of truth.
"What is she to you?" I could see there was something deep between them. Something I had never seen.
"She is my sister on levels that defy death. I will watch over her until her soul leaves her body or mine does." The words were a vow right down to the letters they made.
I could feel the strength in them. "You?" I looked to Mortou.
"I helped kill my eldest son to protect her." He huffed annoyed.
"I see," and boy did I. These people had developed deep ties with each other. A true family. "I am not sure a demon like me may fit in." I stood too, glancing back at Amber.
"You will fit in just fine," Mortou announced following my gaze. "We just need to make sure you are on our team." His words held a multitude of meanings.
I knew what they meant. "I hope I can meet the challenge of it. I have never been great with people." Waving my hands at them.
"For the people that matter you just have to open your heart and take the risk. Maya is a strong woman. Stronger than a lot of ones I have seen. She bottled up her love to the point that when we showed up she accepted everything that came with it." Mortou looked up to the sky. "Tvso comes." He looked at Athens.
I heard movement near Amber, turning I seen Jewel handoff, Ronan, to Amber and saw her jet out of the area toward the barn. "What's that about?" I looked at both of them.
"We believe that Jewel and Tvso are fated mates," Athens smirked, wanting I am sure to gauge my reaction.
"I have never heard of a wolf and dragon being mated." The surprise was not lost on them.
"Southern wolves have a bit of dragon in their creation but, yes this will prove interesting." Mortou agreed.
"Isabelle Jewel Munoz!" Maya's roar was not lost on anyone. "Get your ass over here!" Maya's words shaking the area.
"I better go save the tiny Alpha," Mortou chuckled as he headed down the porch to the barn.
Looking back to Athens I noted, was gone as well. My eyes darted to Amber, her green ones wide with surprise as she looked back at me.
- Writer
