The Gift chronicles

Book 1 Chapter 44

Cain's POV

I smiled down at the sight of my mate sleeping peacefully in my arms. Her platinum hair was wildly strewn over my chest, and her naked body was covered by a fur pelt as we snuggled on the ground. The pack could feel that the bond had been consummated, and they knew to stay away from the Pack House for the time being.

Now that we mated, I could feel the bond pulling me harder than ever towards the feisty woman that lay in my arms sleeping. Our hearts beat as one, and our minds were more connected than ever. I could feel her emotions so intensely, and I knew that if she dropped the mental block she put up, I would be able to read her thoughts clearly. Despite desperately wanting to know what was going on in her mind, I respected her desire to keep her thoughts private.

I hadn't lied when I told her that consummating the bond would make me able to take on the weight of her pain. As soon as she fell asleep last night, I took on the full force of the pain she felt from Carter's death.

I nearly passed out from the raw suffering I felt as I took her pain. It was so intense, I had almost forgotten how painful it was at first for me when I became Alpha and a pack member died. My poor little mate. Her agony was mine to bear, and I was thankful that it was me who had the privilege to relieve her of it.

She had suffered so much throughout her life, by no fault of her own. Even though I knew she wanted no sympathy or pity, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the brutalities she had experienced, even some at my hands.

Guilt clenched at my chest as I recalled the night I almost killed her from whipping her. Despite her not holding it against me and understanding that the feral nature of my wolf drove my actions, I was reminded of my crime against her anytime I looked at her marred back.

I knew that Carter's death had hit her harder than anything else. I wondered if she had ever cared about someone's death before now. Her agony was so raw, it felt like it was novel to her.

I swore to myself that for as long as I should live, I would make sure that no harm would come to her. Despite my initial reservations about her ferocity, I was thankful that the Moon Goddess had made my mate so capable of protecting herself. I couldn't continue to live if anything happened to her.

Jax and I tirelessly worked to find out who had poisoned her and sent the rogues that attacked her and Carter, and we had even come close to breaking the case a few times, but all leads fizzled out. Jax was also deeply affected by the loss of Carter, since Jax was the Beta and Carter was the Delta, they often worked together, and their mates were both extremely close.

I was so proud of my Ares for the way she took care of Rose and Lily after Carter's death. However much she may fight her natural instincts, how she dealt with them was clearly her Luna inclinations.

I had been pushing all of the grief I felt about Carter's death to the side, until I took on Ares' pain. Wolves die. That's just a sad truth to pack life, and as the Alpha, I can't let my grief overtake me the way others can. The pack members depend on me to be strong and unwavering, so I can't show how much the pup's death hurt me.

Consumed in my own thoughts, I stroked Ares' hair and occasionally her partial ear (one of my favorite of her flaws, if you could even call them that). I loved her disfigured body parts from scars. They made her look impossibly fierce and deadly. She was a true Blood Luna.

Ares' visage was tranquil for once, and dare I say, almost even happy? Her eyes were closed, not squinted in pain, and her lips almost curled up into a hardly noticeable smile. Her breathes were deep and I could hear air slightly whistling out of her nose. This moment was perfect, and all I could have ever asked for.

She truly looked like an angel.

Suddenly, her breaths were shallow and she opened her eyes, blinking a few times. She smiled at me slightly, and her grey eyes held happiness in them. Almost immediately, she narrowed her eyes at me and her smile turned into a scowl.

What the hell are you looking at? She snarkily asked me via mindlink, making me roll my eyes.

around her before she tried scrambling away. I didn't want this to end. I felt

the beautiful mate the Moon Goddess so generously provided for him?" I asked, and kissed

As hardcore as she loved to

pup? I gave the cook the day off, but I can make something for you," I offered, stroking her hair still. She slightly leaned into my touch. Her fingers traced gently over

she suddenly

raised my eyebrows. "Although last nights activities weren't too PG,

and hit my chest, none too gently. My strong little spitfire. Not that, you

could bear the weight of it

it might have been a

chose to go through with it, even though it might not work. I'm starting to think you don't hate me as much as

just sex, Her tone was flippant, but I could feel her heartbeat

making

placed soft kisses against her cheek, and trailed them down her neck. She gasped when

in, little pup," I mumbled against

me, straddling me, her legs straddling my waist. What a compromising

pup, then we'll play."

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Ares' POV

went to go make food. I went upstairs to shower and get

of Carter flashed in my mind, but it wasn't accompanied by the striking pain that usually came with thoughts of him, only vague sadness. I had a feeling Cain was to thank for that. I wondered if my pain hurt him as much as it hurt me, even though I doubted it. He was a

I threw my hair up into a ponytail. I had new bite marks all over my body, curtesy of Cain. We had been none too gentle with each other last night. His body would also no doubt have been ridden with bite marks, scars, and scratches if it weren't for his Alpha

anxiety wash over me. I realized that it wasn't my own, but rather, it came from

downstairs to see Cain on the phone, his face cloaked in a mask

in a few hours. That will give us enough time to mobilize," I heard him lowly speak into

on? I asked, not liking the look on

declared war on Blue Moon. I'm going over there with most of our warriors to back Thane up," He answered, and

mean you're going over there? I asked him, narrowing

coming, Ares." He spoke calmly, daring me

a piece of

Ares. Unnaturally so. That's why I need you here to help protect the pack just in case if any rogues decide to start some trouble because they know I'm

the safety of the Blood Moon women and pups with you, mate. It's not a punishment. It's because

nodded slowly. And if rogues come, I can