2 comments/  8006 views/  2 favorites

Soulmates Ch. 01

By: Tyrinum



Chapter 01: The World

This story is set in 2011 (which in later stories will become relevant), three years after our young couple first came together. Please leave comments, and enjoy. Thank you. 

* * * * *

The soft clicks of her heels against the York Stone driveway were barely audible over the gushing of the Autumn wind. It was just after 10 p.m. and she had been out with her two girlfriends. It had been an unplanned evening out with them, and as she thought about it she had realized just how much she had needed it. Tina clutched her coat as several powerful gusts of wind hit against her. The wind had caused her to sway slightly; as it lessened she began to walk towards the front door. Once again the soft clicking of her heels was heard on the stone, she carefully climbed the two steps and reached for the door; of course it was locked.

Searching for the keys in the large pockets of her overcoat proved to be moderately difficult. When her fingers finally sifted through the contents of the pocket and found the keys she sighed with a sense of relief and longing for the feel of a long bubble bath and then bed. It had been an incredibly tiring day, and it was coming to an end. When the key turned in the door, allowing her entry into her home it suddenly hit her.

It came back to her suddenly, and it felt like a ton of bricks had hit her square in the chest. When the door opened a faint breeze snuck into the house, as well as the wind due to the motion of the opening door. The combined effect of the wind and door caused the rose petals that were spread across the entry way to flow within the breeze. Tina stood there, just watching as the rose petals curled in wind, she had forgotten. How could she have forgotten!

Rethinking the events of the day she began to remember all of the signs leading up to this moment. He'd called earlier in the day, reminding her to be home for dinner at six tonight. There were the flowers that had arrived just after lunch time, they were still sitting on her desk; proudly displayed. Even worse then that was the fact that it was their anniversary; it had been three years. This was not something that she should have forgotten!

Only a lamp lighted the entry to their house, it allowed for enough light to view the entire foyer, a path of rose petals that lead around a corner and into the dining room. She softly bit on her lower lip, nervous and ashamed she began to follow the path that was laid out before her. The house was void of noise, although she could faintly hear the thudding of her own heart.

The heels that she still wore dug into the rose petals, slicing through the thin material of the petals. She had walked through the foyer before she even realized that she was piercing the roses that still blew gently across the floor. She bent down slowly, she'd always been flexible and it wasn't long before she slipped from her heels and slid them aside as she continued to walk towards the dining room.

The path that lead to the dining room was clearly defined by the rose petals which rested on the dark carpet. She tread carefully over the carpet, her bare feet could feel several soft petals brush against them. The path of rose petals lead her around the corner and into the dining room, and there the path stopped.

The dining room table was set, the sole light source was a single candle that sat in the middle of the table, barely providing enough glow to encompass the table. Slowly her eyes scanned across the table, everything was in place; everything laid out perfectly. Unable to break her gaze from the table setting, she just looked and felt the pain in her heart gradually increase. Unable to break her thought process from what she had done. Seconds ticked by that seemed like hours as her mind continued to play over the fact that she had forgotten him, forgotten the plans for the evening which he had obviously worked so hard to make perfect.

Sitting atop the closest plate was a folded card, the outside was a light cream color, the black ink showing a stark contrast to the white. The only writing on it was her name, his hand writing had always been flawless. She allowed her fingers to roam over the soft card, thinking to herself while she read her name over and over again. Did she want to open it? Did she want to know his disappointment that he was feeling for her? Taking a deep breath she flipped open the card, her eyes strained to read the writing that was barely visible in the darkness.

It was just a simple sentence. Should she have expected anymore from him, this was just so characteristic of him it almost made her laugh, and she would have if the situation were different. Short and to the point, it read Dinner is in the Fridge. This time she only read it once, she could not handle the disappointment and shame in herself right now. 

As she lowered the card back to the table something caught her eye, it was a small dark red box. There was a white ribbon that wrapped around the box, and tied in a perfect tie. 

Her face turned into a smile again, unable to ever imagine him being able to tie that knot. For well over a month now she had been helping him with his tie each morning, sometimes when he would go to work she would wake to one of his soft kisses. She'd rouse herself from the bed and make sure that his tie was perfect, she would kiss him as many times as she could before he had to go. How many times had she laid in bed after he left for work, the tingling in her lips lasting for hours.

She allowed her mind to come back to the present, still thinking of the feels of his lips she took the box and opened it all rather quickly. If her mind had been focused more on the present she would not have opened it. But that too was now in the past. What she saw inside the box made her blink, her eyes narrowing in to try and focus. It was a perfect sphere; a small globe keychain. It was cheaply made, why had he given it too her?

Her mind continued to think over it several times, was this some sort of trick? Had he removed the original contents and put this inside because she had forgotten? It bugged her, nagged at her mind as she continued to look at it, trying to find some hidden value to it. She could think of nothing. It was a trinket, something small enough he had sitting around to fill the box perhaps. But it was not like him, he wasn't crass like that.

She had to go to him, to tell him just how sorry she was and hope that he would forgive her. For the last three years he had been the rock in their relationship. When she ever needed him, he was there. How many times had he needed her? Did he even need her? Anyone could help him with his tie in the morning. Why was he with her? She knew that she was lucky, she knew just what an amazing man he was. 

They had waited all this time to have sex; she was almost forceful that the relationship not become about sex. How hard had that been on him? When she moved in with him, they had planned for it to just be temporary. Her apartment rates had been raised too much and she could not afford the new lease that just came up. She still was looking for a new apartment, but she felt at home living with him. It just felt right for her. 

He had offered for her to take the master bedroom. There wasn't a guest bedroom and he would sleep on the couch for her. That he had offered it meant everything to her. She wondered if that was the right choice though, what must he think of her. She got the comfort of his bed, with him on the couch, and after three years. He had been so wonderful over the years, how much longer could she expect him to wait? How long until his needs would overshadow his character? 

Softly she sighed as she closed the small box, the keychain left inside. Turning quickly she looked around the dining room once again, he must be sleeping. She began walking, with each step the beating in her heart increased. Each step was harder then the last.

She walked slowly across the house; he slept on the first level. That is where she'd expected him to be at least. She walked into the small den area, reaching down she flicked on the lamp. Her eyes scanned quickly, taking everything in. He wasn't there.

Had his car been out front? Was he even here? The agonizing thoughts ran through her mind quickly, forcing her to move onward at an even faster rate. Her steps quickened, her heart raced while she climbed the steps. She was at an almost jog as she came into the bedroom. Her eyes looked down to the bed, the bed that she slept in each night. It held his scent, that delicious scent.

He wasn't in the bedroom, was he even here? There was a light coming from the walk in closet, she thought she heard something but it could maybe be her mind. At an almost run she came towards the closet, it took her just seconds to cross the bedroom. It was sudden, an instant impact as she rammed into him. She stumbled, nearly loosing her balance if it had not been for the strong arms that caught her, steadied her.

Her senses were on brief overload, her eyes blinking wildly as she looked up at him. The light from the closest caused the shadows to play across his face as she was captivated by his gaze. His arms began to adjust her, get her to stand upright while his grip remained tight and strong on her. She wanted to talk, she tried to say something but she couldn't. When she was standing on her own she couldn't look at him. Her eyes looking down to the floor in shame, she could not look at him she was too embarrassed.

She closed her eyes, unable to take even seeing his feet. She stood there for what seemed like hours. His hand rose up, cupping her face lightly while his thumb brushed over her cheek. The touch was gentle and tender, sweet yet strong. She felt the tear fall, eyes closing even tighter. Trying to talk again her mouth opened, no words or sounds came out. Taking one step closer to her, she could sense just how near he was. His physical presence was nearly overwhelming her. His hand slipped from her face, and rested on her shoulder.

He leaned down closer to her, he had turned her face up higher. It made him smile a little, her eyes were clinched tight, refusing to open. When his lips kissed softly to her cheek he could feel her shudder. Three kisses he planted on her cheek, kissing away the lone tear that fell. His mouth was at her ear, kissing it once as well "You know I hate it when you cry," another kiss to her ear before he slowly stood up. 

She was leaning into him now. Her chest pressed to his, her head moved subconsciously onto his shoulder as she let out a soft sigh. She began to cry again, somehow managing to talk now, "I'm sorry." It was all that she could manage. After what she had done, a sorry is all that she could say? 

She felt him chuckle a little, the rise and fall of his chest caused her body to react in kind, moving as he moved. His fingers slipped into her hair, brushing through it slowly. He kissed the top of her head slowly, while his hold continued on her. "I burned the chicken anyway," he gave a slight laugh again, he felt her face move. He knew she was smiling now, he could tell by the movements of her face.

Soft lips pressed softly to his chest, he could feel it just hovering over his shirt while she kissed again. This close to him she could smell him so perfectly. The scent of his soap on his skin, the feel of the shirt against her face, it was all hers. Even if she did not deserve this, it was still hers.

His other hand took her face again, brushing over her cheek ever so gently. The roughness of his hands against her smooth skin caused a tingling sensation to rush through her. She turned her face towards the tough, welcomed it. Her heart still raced, still thudded in her chest, his heartbeat remained perfectly still. He was always calm, always the rock.

Adjusting her head she moved to kiss his hand, letting his thumb brush over lips and collect some moistness from her. Four times she kissed his thumb, opening her mouth just slightly to capture it, keep it prisoner while she licked at it playfully. 

It was working like he had hoped it would, she needed reassuring, she needed to know that it was alright. Even if he was upset, there was a time and place for that, this was not the time, nor the place. Taking a step back from her, his hand slid out of her hair, and fell from her face gradually. Now his eyes looked at her. 

Slightly a smile eased over his lips while he looked at her, she was gorgeous even with the tears that had fell down her face. Reaching his hand out he took hold of hers, enjoying the softness of it. Gently he tugged her, guided her into the closest. It was difficult for her to adjust to the light, she would have rather stayed in the bedroom, it was easier to face him when it was darker.

Turning from her he took one of his shirts, and set it down on the small chair. Reaching to her, his hands took hold of her hips and guided her to come closer. His fingers began to work on her suit jacket. It loosened on her once the two large buttons had come free. She looked down to the floor again, not sure what to say, or what to do. They had never done anything, nothing that typical couples do. 

When they would see movies she would feel awkward, especially if it was a movie that involved couples and sex. Over time she had learned to try to avoid those, because it made her uncomfortable. She did not feel good about that aspect of their relationship. She was holding out on him. She was not giving him what he very likely desperately needed at this point.

While these thoughts occupied her mind he was still working on her clothes. The suit jacket was now off, and was resting on the back of the chair. He was now on his knees helping to remove her knee length skirt when she snapped out of her reverie. She bit her lips gently, no matter what she was thinking. No matter what she wanted, or did not want to admit. There was one thing for certain, his hands felt really, really good.

Once the skirt had fallen to the floor he took each of her ankles and slowly lifted her feet. Taking the skirt he also placed it on the chair. Her hands moved from her sides and went to cover her front. It seemed like her face was a thousand degrees as he took her pantyhose and slip them down her legs. Once again he took each ankle and helped placed the pantyhose on the chair. She whispered something, if there had been any noise in the house he would be unable to hear it, "Mike, please stop." She still covered herself, taking one step back from him and turning around to face the door.

She took a single step towards the door, she wanted desperately to leave. But she stopped; her eyes still looked to the ground in a sense of shame. He stood up behind her, unable to help himself his eyes gazed on her little butt. Three years they had been together, and he could count the times he had seen her in panties with a single hand. 

His hand came to her hip, he kept her from taking the next step. Now he was right behind her, his chest pressed into her back. She felt as his fingers brushed over her, they roamed gently over the lace fringes of her black boyshorts. She began to shudder, her knees weak again as he touched her. This was wrong, this had to stop. Turning her neck she looked back at him, eyes opening to look into his. The look in his eyes told her everything. Those dark blue eyes were calm and confidant, judging from the soft beat of his heart every part of him was calm. 

The blouse was next, his hands had moved around to the front and began working on the smaller buttons. Unable to drop his gaze she stood there, with each button her resolve lessened, she became more vulnerable. It took him over a minute to unbutton it, not because he was nervous or inexperienced; but because he cared. He was calm for her, he moved slowly for her. This was for her, if through some twisted way; it was all about her.

The clasp for her bra was in the front, his fingers unsnapped it slowly, when he removed it she gasped and quickly looked to the floor. Kneeling down he picked it up, it was still warm from her. The bra and panties matched perfectly, both black and made from lace, they suited her quite well. 

Being unable to see her, was the best way. She was not ready for him to see her breasts, but this was a step. Over and over again he told himself that he loved her. The love he felt was enough to keep him waiting, to understand that she wanted to wait; and to respect that decision. Her hands moved to cover her chest, she started to walk out. She had to get away from him, this was just too much.

This time he stopped her, he was faster then she had expected he could be. "Wait," it was not phrased as a question, his voice was different now. It was as if her legs were concrete and fixed in place. Reaching behind him he takes hold of the clean shirt that he had previously grabbed, after some direction her arms finally lifted and the shirt slipped onto her. It was obviously too big, stopping just below her thighs, but it smelt like him. She loved the feel of his shirts.

Smiling she turned slowly to him, her eyes now having the courage to look at him again. Inching closer to him, and forced to go to her tip toes due to her height she tried to kiss him; she wanted to taste his lips. When their lips touched her body began to melt and lose so much of her resistance. She pressed herself into him, wanting to close that distance between them. The kisses remained soft, and gentle while his arms wrapped around her back to hold her, she tasted so delicious.

When she lowered from his lips she looked into his eyes awhile longer, licking on her lips slowly she began to blush. Returning her head to his shoulder she let out a soft sigh, the smile remained on her face. "Thank you for the present," she was hoping that he could explain it a little, it was starting to bother her.

When he kissed the top of her forehead she couldn't withhold the shiver that ran down her body. "Do you understand what it is?" his voice was quiet and calm. Even as he asked it she began to lift from him, and reopened the box that had stayed in her hand the entire time.

With the benefit of the extra light she looked closer at the miniature globe. It appeared to be just a normal globe. No markings existed on it as she rotated it slowly in her palm, she began to wonder what it could be. Was there supposed to be a dot? Maybe a vacation site that he was taking her? She felt guilty for even thinking that, like she really deserved that from him. Walking over to the bed she sat down, and quickly turned on the bedside lamp for more light, "It is just a keychain isn't it?"

When he sat beside her his hand reached out rubbed over hers, brushing over the her flawless skin. "What is it that you are holding right now?" It was a simple question, direct and honest, yet she still did not understand it.

Even if she did not understand it, she would knew to play along, he seemed to be a step ahead of her. "It's a globe, with a keychain."

While she talked his hand remained rubbing over her arm. "Yes, it is a globe. What does a globe represent, what is the globe a model of?"

She looked down at the globe, a smile spread slowly across her lips as she figured it out. It became increasingly difficult for her to hold in her emotion, there were so many emotions going through her mind right now, she barely had the strength to answer him. "The World, you gave me the World," as she talked her voice began to fade as the tears began to fall. Moving quickly into his arms she wrapped her arms around him, wanting to hold him for eternity.

Once she was embraced fully within his arms she let out a sigh. It was a sigh both of relief and of frustration with how much time had been wasted. Three years they had been dating, she was dating a good man; a man that she loved. 


Soulmates Ch. 01



Have you ever made love to someone? I mean REALLY made love. Been SO in love with someone, that the connection ran SO deep that when you came together, nothing else mattered? Everything else just disappeared? Have you ever had a connection SO strong, that that connection makes everything SO much more?

When you find your soul mate, that's how it is.

When my soul mate looks at me with his gorgeous brown eyes, I just melt. I see so much in those eyes. So much love, passion, desire. Knowing all I see in those eyes is just for me, all about US, that turns me on almost as much as his touch.

Because of our connection, the connection that runs so deep, the connection that is so much more than physical, when he DOES touch me? It's such a high. He is my high. Eric IS my addiction.

He looks me in the eyes with such fire. He touches my cheek, I lean into his touch. He slides his hand to the back of my head, slightly down on my neck. He slowly pulls me toward him. His lips meet mine in a tender kiss. My lips part, my tongue welcoming his as it enters my mouth. The kiss is so tender. Then, something changes. His breathing becomes shallow, labored. He winds his fingers in my hair and deepens the kiss. He becomes like a drowning man clinging to a life preserver.

Just when I think he can't get any deeper, he breaks off the kiss. With his hand still tangled in my hair, he pulls my head back exposing my neck to his tender kisses. He kisses my neck down to my collar bone on one side and back up the other. Then he grips my hair tight and starts to suck on my neck where the base and collar bone meet. He starts to suck hard and bite hard just the way he knows I like it. After he leaves his mark on me, he trails tender kisses downward.

He gently takes both breasts in his hands, looks at me with smoldering eyes and smiles. He runs his thumbs across the twin hardening peaks. Then ever so softly, he kisses first one, then the other. Always taking turns with them, he starts to suck on them, tonguing each peak and gently biting them, eliciting a moan from me as he does so. As with the kiss, the pressure of his teeth intensifies causing me to moan his name, which causes him to look up at me and smile that wonderfully wicked smile he has. I know what's next.

Sure enough, he takes one breast in his left hand while his right hand snakes down my stomach to my mound. As he starts to tease the nipple with his tongue, he rubs my mound. As his teeth find their target, he slips a finger inside my moistness and rubs the hardened nub he finds there. He rubs faster as the pressure of his teeth become harder. Just when I think I can take no more of either, he bites just hard enough to draw a little blood which spills me over the edge as I orgasm at the same time. It virtually takes my breath away!

My love knows exactly how to love my body. He knows exactly the amount of pressure it takes for my pain/pleasure threshold even though I have never told him. And because of our metaphysical connection, every feeling, every sensation is amplified.

My lover leads me to the bed, where he has me lie down before him. I lie in the center of the bed and he joins me. He leans over me, looks at me with such desire, it fuels my own. He leans down and kisses me deeply, his tongue furiously entwined with mine.

As before, he breaks the kiss and briefly suckles at my breasts. He then trails kisses down my stomach. He shifts his body so that he is sitting down facing away from me. He stretches one arm across my stomach and sort of leans back to a lying/sitting position. I hear him make a kind of purring sound. I can almost hear him smiling.

With his other hand, he caresses my body. Down my stomach, down the outside of my thigh. Up the inside of my thigh. Across my mound. Down the inside of the other thigh and when his hand reaches behind my knee, he spreads my legs apart. He pushes my leg as far as it will go, bent at the hip and the knee so that my legs form a 'four' under him.

He shifts a little bit again. My hips move as much as he lets me. He uses both hands and slowly parts my nether lips, exposing the moist inner skin to the air. I hear him take in a deep breath as he drinks in the scent he says intoxicates him so. He leans in and his warm, wet tongue runs across the nub he rubbed earlier. I let out a moan.

He proceeds to tongue my clitoris as he slides a finger inside me, causing me to squirm under him, which he loves. He moves slowly, deliberately causing such sweet torture. Finally, he focuses on just the right spot. My toes start to curl, my butt muscles start to clench. I dig my nails into the bed sheets. I take a deep breath and hold it as I ride the tidal wave of orgasm he has created. He keeps tonguing me and sucking at my climax causing me to have not one, but two orgasms.

After my bowed back hits the bed, my butt muscles unclench and I fairly catch my breath, my lover changes positions. He gets up on his knees, placing them beside my hip. Now he is in my reach so that I may rub his buttocks and stroke his cock as he leans down for round two.

He loves the oral, giving as well as receiving, probably a little more. He is a rare man, my lover. Thinking to pleasure me as he does. He always says that oral is the most intimate part of lovemaking.

Only this time when he spreads my legs and my lips, he dives in like a starving man at a feast! It does not take long for the first orgasm. Then he slows down a bit. As he licks and sucks at my nub, I grab his cock in my hand and stroke his wonderful hardness. I stroke faster the closer I get to orgasm. As I come this time, he sucks my clit into his mouth and gives a good long pull. Meanwhile, I have to let go of his cock lest I squeeze or pull too hard. Instead, I end up digging my nails into his buttocks until the dizziness from my orgasm subsides.

After I am done, he sits up smiling at me, wiping my juices off his handsome face. I shudder, the remnants of the orgasm still racking my body. He chuckles as he lies down beside me. I smile too. Not just at what he has done for me, but because now? It's my turn!



Soulmates Ch. 01



Neither of them said anything as she stayed in his arms, they stayed like that for two hours. The first movement was when she began to fall asleep against him, he worked hard not to disturb her. Using just one hand he peeled the sheets down for her, and began to help her into the bed, the blankets and pillow a certainly welcome destination for her.

Kissing her forehead softly once she was settled in he stood, taking the time to look down at her. Three years he had waited. Other men would have left, not understanding her hesitant nature; but she was worth it. Caring for her comfort he turned the bedside lamp off, which caused her to slowly stir in her sleep. Sitting up slowly she looked at him, giving a smile that he could barely see in the darkness.

Adjusting herself she moved to the other side of the bed, and away from him. She began to pat the spot where she was just sitting and looked up into his eyes, "Stay with me tonight."



Soulmates Ch. 02



After massaging my wet, swollen clit to the point of maximal stimulation, he stopped and got up leaving me begging for more. As I continued laying there in front of the fire, my nipples hard and firm and my vaginal juices flowing from his intense erotic stimulation, he asked me to go back to the loveseat with him. He removed my skirt and gently positioned me sitting in the middle of the seat and slid my buttocks down to the edge and spread my legs open as wide as they would go. He lifted my hands up and placed them behind my head fully exposing my body to him. He walked over to the liquor cabinet and returned with a bottle of Sambuca. Just the sight of the bottle of Sambuca caused my entire body to tingle. Before he could say anything, I let out a low moan. He kissed me firmly on the lips and then whispered in my ear, “Care for a body shot?” Before my mouth could say yes, my body had already begun answering his question.

Chapter 2.

He opened the bottle of Sambuca and set it on the floor next to him. He positioned himself on his knees between my legs and began licking my inner thighs. He again began to finger my clit and tease the opening of my vagina as my juices continued to freely flow out of my freshly shaven cunt. As I began to moan with pleasure, he grabbed the bottle of Sambuca and drizzled it over my now throbbing, engorged clit as he firmly held my legs open and began vigorously licking and sucking his “shot” of Sambuca off of my clit and surrounding vaginal area. His repetitive licking and sucking of the Sambuca and my vaginal juices, combined with the warm sensation of the Sambuca on my skin, brought me to a level of sensation and ecstacy that I had never experienced with anyone before. I lost total control of myself as he helped himself to a total of 4 “body shots”.

I began to cum over and over again. The sensation was so intense that I almost lost consciousness as he licked and sucked and firmly held my body against the loveseat allowing me not to move. He watched me pant and moan. Every fiber in my body was tingling and fully stimulated. I was breathless and motionless. Realizing my loss of control, he began to continue to stimulate me more and more by massaging and squeezing my breasts and nipples, licking and sucking my soaking wet cunt, and gently fingering my vagina, but not entering it. My body felt like it was on fire. My moaning became so loud that it temporarily aroused me from my state of passion and emotion. At this point, he began to slow down his pace until he finally stopped leaving me completely drained and exhausted.

As I lay limp on the loveseat, he gently laid me back on the floor and straddled my upper body. My vision was slightly blurred from my prior stimulation from him. His cock was large and hard. He placed several pillows behind my head. He slowly moved his cock over my mouth as his juices dripped softly over my lips and face. He grabbed the bottle of Sambuca and drizzled it over his cock and firmly began to fuck my mouth while I reflexly began lapping and sucking the Sambuca off of him. After I had my 4 “body shots” from him, I was completely relaxed which dampened my gag reflex. By now he was groaning from his intense stimulation and began thrusting his cock in my mouth over and over again, faster and faster, hitting the back of my throat with each thrust. He tightly squeezed my nipples as his balls hit my chin. He continued until he couldn’t take it anymore and his warm cum rushed down the back of my throat. I continued to lick him clean. He slowly got off of me and lifted me back over to the loveseat where he laid on his back and positioned me on my back on top of him with the crack of my ass over his penis, my head resting on his shoulder as he held me tightly with one arm beneath my breasts while gently stroking my cunt with his other hand. I was listless from the heights that he had taken me to. I knew from that point on that I was under his spell and would never be able to exist without him. Several times during the night, I awoke and softly whispered his name almost as if to check to see if what had happened was real. He softly whispered in my ear that it was very real and that he was still with me. He softly lulled me back to sleep with his gentle caress and his soft voice. We awoke the next morning in the same position.

To be continued……….. Please provide your feedback of this story. This is only the second story that I have written. 



Soulmates Ch. 02



I move over so Eric can lie in the middle of the bed. As he lies back on the pillows, I get up on my knees. I lean over him, putting my breasts in his face. He takes them in his hands and brings them together so that he can suck and bite both nipples at once. I only let him do this briefly as I am anxious for my turn at pleasuring him.

He is such a considerate lover. And as it should be, our relationship is a true partnership. We both get pleasure from pleasing the other. Neither of us has to "do all the work."

I lean down to kiss him pressing my breasts on his chest as I kiss him deeper. I feel him reach down and give himself a couple of strokes and break the kiss. I cover his neck with kisses and nibbles as he strokes a few more times. Then I kiss my way to his nipples. I have never had a man react the way he does as I tongue his nipple and then suck hard.

He tangles his fingers in my hair as he presses my face against his chest and I bite harder. He hisses in a breath and lets it out in a moan. Then, with his fingers still in my hair, he reaches up to grasp my head with his other hand as well. He pulls my head back and over to the other nipple. As I take this nipple in my mouth, he moans my name. Again, he presses my face tighter to his chest and I pull a hard suck on and bite his nipple until he hisses his pleasure again.

He releases my head and I trail kisses down his stomach, sticking a wet tongue in his belly button and then blowing gently on it. He smiles that beautiful smile and I can't help but smile back. But my smile is more of a 'just you wait' kind of smile, as I trail kisses lower and lower.

He moves his legs apart giving me full access to what he offers me. I move down and plant kisses on the insides of his thighs, letting my hair fall over that offering. I know the sensation tickles him, for I see his hardness jump out of the corner of my eye.

He arches his butt in the air slightly. I dip my head down and lick his skin between his anus and his sac. Then I kiss and lick his sac and suck it into my mouth. As my mouth surrounds his balls, he lets out a satisfying moan. I suck on them a few moments longer then let them 'pop' out of my mouth.

I change position slightly because we both like him to finger me while I go down on him. As he starts to rub my mound, I slowly lick up his hardened shaft until I get to the swollen head. Here, I take my time. I swirl my tongue around the head several times. Eric thrusts up trying to put it in my mouth, but I back up so he cannot. I want to give him the same kind of pleasurable torture he inflicted on me.

He drops his hips back on the bed and I chuckle. I reach down with my hand and take his swollen sac in my palm. I slowly squeeze as I slowly go down on his hard cock. I moan. He moans my name. As I move up and down on him, I squeeze his sac at the upstroke. He slides a finger inside me and finds me wet. He starts rubbing my clit as I move up and down on him. The faster he rubs, the more I match his pace while sucking his cock.

He makes it hard to concentrate on the task at hand as he pleasures me. As he makes me reach orgasm, I bury his cock in my throat and move up the shaft in a long hard pull and the head pops out as I reach the peak of orgasm.

I am not done with him though, by any means. I love sucking him. I could suck him for hours. As I start to go down on him again, he tells me that he wants to taste me as well. So I straddle over him and as he spreads my lips apart, I take him in mouth again. This time I really do have to concentrate. That's easy enough to do at first. His licks are slow and teasing.

Again, I match the rhythm he has set. When he tongues me faster, I go up and down faster. He fingers me as well and I falter. He slips a wet finger in my anus and I deep throat him. This continues for a while, me enjoying the silky feel of his cock in my mouth as well as his mouth on and fingers in my body.

After he makes me come a few times, I take him to the edge and then I get up. I turn to face him. I straddle his hips and slowly lower my wet sex down on his hard cock. I start rocking my hips back and forth. He reaches up and squeezes my breasts, pinching my nipples. The harder he pinches, the faster I move.

Then he slides his hands down and slides his thumb in my slit and rubs my clit. I throw my head back and moan. I reach up and pinch my nipples as I look down into his gorgeous eyes. He rubs harder and I bounce up and down on him faster. I feel his legs start to move and I know he is close.

I bounce faster, rock my hips harder, he arches his back, digs his nails into my hips to hold me still as he comes. I clench and unclench my sex muscles around his cock milking him for everything last drop. The look on his face as he comes sends me over the edge and I join him, riding the tidal wave of his orgasm.

Because we are soul mates and spiritually connected, our lovemaking is...so.......much............more. It TRULY is making................love. So much more than JUST physical and emotional. I hope everyone finds their SOULMATE!



Soulmates Ch. 03



A big thanks to AsylumSeeker for helping me edit this chapter. You're legend!

*

Dee drove like a mad woman to get to Maria's home. When they went inside, Ulisi called out, "Who's there?"

Maria snapped out of her thoughts. "Just me and Dee, I had to collect somethings." and raced upstairs

Dee headed over to Ulisi and sat down opposite, and the old woman said, "And here I thought I'd catch up with my reading". Marking the place in her Braille book.

Dee smiled a little. "Sorry, a little breakdown with Maria, she thinks that White Deer is wanting to control her emotions to be with Eric."

Ulisi arched a brow. "Well that's not possible, I made sure that wouldn't happen when she was three and called him Wa'ya."

Arching a brow, Dee asked curiously, "What do you mean?"

Softly chuckling. "I was trained as a shaman Dee," Ulisi said. "I've been giving her herbs which blocks out any attempt of spirits to take over her body. Sure, I loved my sister but I wasn't going to let my granddaughter be influenced with her emotions if she tried. She might of gotten in with making Maria dream of Eric, but it's all Maria's thoughts about the man."

Shock covered Dee's features. She could of been pushed over by a feather at that moment. "Oh my. You sneaky old wolf."

Maria was on the way back down the stairs, not hearing the rest of the conversation but hearing 'sneaky old wolf'. There was only the women in the house, Eric wasn't there. She'd know if he was because of that tightened feeling in the stomach she got.

She was carrying a large box and asked, "Who's a wolf?" as she put it on the chair closest to them and looked at them both.

Both women froze this time and Ulisi sighed. "I guess I've been hiding my own secret for a long time, my child." She held out her hand which Maria took and knelt down next to her grandmother. Ulisi didn't know where to start. "I know you've probably had an emotional night, so right now wouldn't of been the best, but I guess now the wolf is out of the bag, I should tell you."

Maria looked over to Dee and saw her eyes down cast so she looked back at her grandmother. "What do you mean?"

Ulisi patted her hand gently and said, "I'm like Eric. The wolf spirit came to me after Dee left the tribe. He set me a task to complete, so, here I am fulfilling it. The task I can't speak of, just yet, but it was important things played out."

Maria stood up and tried to pull her hand free but Ulisi had a good hold of it so she couldn't. Maria was confused. "How come your appearance is of a old woman while Eric shows a young man?"

Smiling, Ulisi answered, "Because I wanted to age so I did something about it. But that will change once I release my wolf again." She patted her granddaughters hand again. "So what is wrong, why aren't you back at their home?"

Shaking her head a little, Maria a little stunned with that and now with the change of subject. "Because I don't know if the feelings I have are my own or of White Deer's."

Ulisi smiled. "They are all yours my dear. On your third birthday when you called Eric, Wa'ya, I started to give you herbs that would block any emotions of any spirits that wanted to try to use you. I loved White Deer greatly, but I wasn't going to let her influence what you thought or felt. When I felt something different in you each morning, I upped the magic of the herbs. Even when I spirit walked, I told her not to touch you again and she promised she wouldn't. So what you are feeling, those are your own, not anyone else."

Both women blinked with the added information. Maria took deep breaths to let it all sink in. If tonight was a dream then damn, she was going mental in them. "So what I feel is my own?" she repeated.

Ulisi nodded. "Yes, what you feel is the drawing of the wolf. Even though you haven't gotten your wolf yet, your heart knows where you have to be. I have seen in my visions that your place is with Eric so hurry up and get out of here and back in his arms before you confuse the poor boy any worse than he is already." She chuckled.

Maria blushed hearing her grandmother just pawning her off again. "Thanks Gran. You always know what I have to hear," and hugged her gently, kissing her cheek and stood up. Heading over to the box and picked it up.

Dee smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow, Ulisi."

Ulisi smiled, and moved her hand in a shooing motion. "Get out of here, I have some reading to do." She stared ahead and found her place in her book and started to run her fingers over the bumps again.

The two women left and got back into the car and drove back to the apartments in silence.

* * * * *

Richard looked towards the door when he felt Dee's presence stronger. "They're back".

Eric nodded, even though he wasn't bonded to Maria, the pit of his stomach clenched when she was close by. He continued to pace until he was told he was allowed to go back to his Maria.

For both men it seemed to take hours till Dee walked back thru the door laughing to herself and both men stared straight at her for any answers she could give them to clear the confusion. 

She decided to make them hold out a little longer to give Maria plenty of time to set up her surprise for Eric which was what she was laughing about when she got to her apartment. "She was scared," she told them.

Eric growled, "I know she was scared but I thought she knew I would never hurt her."

She poured herself a drink and shook her head. "That wasn't what she was scared about. She knows you'd never hurt her because she knows Richard and I would kick the living shit out of you if you touched a single hair on her body without her say so." she said smiling.

That confused Eric even more. "What was she scared of then?"

Dee went over to him and patted him gently on the shoulder. "She was scared her feelings weren't her own. She was scared, she thought White Deer was influencing her emotions."

Both men blinked. Neither of them had thought of that. They both knew White Deer would never do anything like that to jeopardize Eric's happiness.

Laughing at the look both men had, Dee said, "We went home so she could collect something and Ulisi reassured her that whatever she was feeling was her own and no one elses. The old wolf had been giving her teas so it stops spirits influences on her since she called Eric, 'Wa'ya' when she was three. Whenever she felt a change in her attitude, she'd strengthen it and so forth."

Eric fell back on the sofa, completely stunned at how far Ulisi went to protect Maria and her emotions. Then out of nowhere he said, "I guess Billy and his boys better make the new build faster when they start," he chuckled.

Both Richard and Dee looked at Eric curiously. "What build..." Richard asked.

Eric cringed a little. "Err, I kinda rang Billy before bout getting Maria's desk made and told him I wanted some refurnishing done on the floor below us. It's not being used so thought it would be nice if Ulisi moved in here. Better her being with family than by herself in that big house on her own. Was thinking like here, one side could be Ulisi's apartment and the other side Maria's studio space. That's if you don't mind? We aren't using it for anything."

Both them looked at each other and shrugged then grinned, then Dee said, "As long as we're allowed in the studio and not be kicked out each time she's working on a masterpiece." Which made them all laugh.

Then Dee jumped. "Shit, she's gonna kill me. Get over there now Eric. I told her I'd send you over as soon as I got back here." 

Eric growled at Dee and quickly left through the offices. Eric couldn't believe Dee held him up from seeing his love because she wanted to talk. He moved through his apartment, tracking her scent, once it got stronger he said, "Maria, I'm sorry, I shouldn't of spoken so much of White Deer. I won't speak about her again."

Maria smiled looking over to him from the dining room table. "It's fine. I don't want to you to stop talking about her. I want to know about her, about your life as you should know about mine." She had the box beside her on a chair and started pulling out pictures and memories of her life. Even drawing she had done when she was younger, of a girl and a wolf together.

He went over to her and sat down and started looking thru the memories she wanted to share with him. For some reason, his wolf was content. With her showing trust in him of her private memories, he knew he would only ever be honest and open with her as much as he could.

* * * * * 

As soon as Eric was gone, Dee smirked. "So where were we before the interruption?". She went over to the bar fridge and pulled out a bottle and poured the dark red liquid into a glass. She looked over to him and he nodded so poured a second glass before putting it back in the fridge. She took both glasses over to him and sat down on his lap and wriggled as she handed him the glass.

He groaned and arched his hips into her backside when she sat. "I think we were just about to do start some foreplay." He took a sip of the red liquid then screwed up his nose a little. "I hate human blood."

Dee nodded. "Same, but we have to, if we want to go to the reservation next week."

Even tho they were vampires, they were more pack than coven. They usually make kills of dear and bled them for their food. They did work during the day, but animal blood didn't have the kick to it, so they didn't do much traveling during sunny days. Human blood tho, for some reason when they went on the diet of only that, they were able to handle sunlight better. Especially the rare blood types. Tonight they were having a nice glass of AB-. For Dee and Richard personally, with their way of living. The rarer the blood type, the stronger they became during those days of their human diet.

Dee and Richard were both psychic vampires. While Dee specialized as a empath, Richard specialized in the mind. When they worked together, no secrets were ever able to be held on to. Against other vampires physically, they might not win a fight, but mentally, they could drive any vampire to madness quickly which made them a strong team in the city. The other vampires in the city knew, not to test the two, but they always offered help when covens were in need of assistance like Eric did for the weres.

Soon they had finished their drinks, the glasses on the table in front of them and Dee shifted to straddle him. She grounded herself hard against him which made Richard buck up again her. His hands moving to her hips and firmly rubbed his clothed self against her.

She flashed him a wicked grin and a mischievous gleam in her eyes as she sent him her thought of what they should do. 

He raised his eyebrows and smirked before quickly picking her up and whispering, "As my lady commands." 

She wrapped her legs around him as he stood and started to move herself a little more freely against him as he carried her to the bedroom.

*

To Be Continued.....

Due to the type of story this has turned out to be, I'm not doing any in depth sex scenes. But I do plan on writing them and posting them separately if you want to see the down and dirty side of this group. I do apologize if you wanted sex scenes in the story, but I think so far it has been a little to innocent for them. If you disagree, let me know and I can fix the other chapters up that could have them in it. 



Soulmates Ch. 04



Sorry it took so long to post this chapter. A cyclone hit north of where I live so have had a busy time with the clean up. Now that things have settled down I should beable to post regularly again. Thank you for your comments and mails to remind me to get back into it.

*

Maria had always been a early riser. She blinked a little looking around. The room was dark and she had to remember where she was. She felt a arm around her and her heart started to race. Turning her head slightly, she saw long hair covering a face and turned very carefully in the arms and moved the hair away. Lightly biting her lower lip when she saw the handsome face and knew then. Last night happened. It wasn't a dream. 

Carefully as not to wake him, she tried to slip from the bed but heard a soft growl to which Eric pulled him back hard against his chest. "Your not going anywhere. Sleep, my Maria."

Giggling. "I have to get up Eric." And tried again to get away but only having the same problem with him pulling her back to his chest. "Please, I have to get up," she said softly. 

With a soft growl. "I don't want you to leave me," he said.

She kissed the side of his hand. "The sooner I'm up, the sooner I'm back." She promised.

With another soft growl, he reluctantly released her. "Remember what you said."

She quickly slipped out of the bed and headed straight for the bathroom and turned the shower on. 

Eric growled hearing the shower and called out, "You said you were coming back to me." 

Giggling from the bathroom. "I will." Softly saying to herself, "Later."

"I heard that, 'later' part." He grabbed her pillow and hugged it to his face and inhaled deeply to her scent. He hugged it then started to relax to get another forty winks.

Maria showered quickly before getting out, after drying herself off, she wrapped a towel around her small frame and walked back into the bedroom. She knew she forgot something last night and was about to ask but saw Eric had gone back to sleep, so quietly opened his closest, grabbing the first shirt she could before slipping it on and headed out to the kitchen.

Thirty minutes after she left the bedroom, Eric came out to the smell of breakfast being cooked and the sweet sound of humming coming from the kitchen. He snuck up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and looked over her shoulder, "What's cookin' good lookin'?"

Leaning back against him. "I didn't know what you usually have for breakfast so I'm making flavored pancakes and homemade cream, if you want something different, just let me know. And the coffee is nearly ready."

He arched a brow. "Pancakes can be flavored?" he asked with a chuckle.

She nodded. "Uh huh. I got normal, chocolate and fruit."

He gave a curious, "Hmm..." He hadn't heard of having flavored pancakes before.

She chuckled. "Just close your eyes and take a bite of 'em."

He poured himself a coffee, grabbing plate of mixed pancakes and took it over to the table and arched a brow. "You better watch out Hun, I might get use to this." He couldn't help but feel pampered with the paper and files of the overnight reports at the head of the table along with the table set for breakfast. He wasn't use to that type of setting. He was use to just having a coffee at the computer as he goes over the overnight reports.

She smiled at his surprise to what she does in the mornings. "I don't have to do it from now on if you don't want. I'll do whatever your use to." Turning off the stove and picking up her plate and juice before joining him. "Just gotta tell me what your routine is and I'll fit into it."

He shook his head a little as he read thru the reports. "I'm liking this idea compared to just having a coffee at the PC."

By the end of breakfast, every single pancake had been eaten. Eric found out he liked the flavored pancakes and wanted them every morning from now on. On his way to the bathroom, he rang Richard up and asked if Dee could bring over some clothes until Maria bought her own over. Just after Dee bought over some clothes for Maria, there was a knock at the door, so quickly slipping the pants on, Maria went and opened it while Eric was still in the shower.

Peeking out behind the door. "Hello." Looking at the dark skinned man.

The man gave her a big smile. "Hi, I'm Billy, Eric is expecting me for a job."

She opened the door. "Yes, of course. Come on in, he's just finishing off in the shower."

Billy was tall and thin, his skin she compared to as a used oil and his hair had the same shade but slightly darker and with a natural wave to it. He had a big white smile and his eyes seem to gleam with happiness. He headed thru to the office and pulled out a small notepad to remind him of what he was doing with the desk Eric ordered then quickly spun around. "Your her ain't ya? The chick who stole Eric's heart."

Maria blushed with the way he worded it and nodded a little. "I guess I am. I'm Maria."

He seemed to sniff the air towards her. "Haven't gotten ya wolf yet, huh" then gave a huge grin. "I can't wait til you show up at the compound and show off your wolf. Those bitches won't know what hit 'em."

She started to act a little nervous around him. But he noticed it and eased his smile a bit. "Don't worry, girl. I'm safe. I'm kinda like Eric, I was born a Were, I'm a thylacine though."

Nodding slowly and glad now she knew that others would beable to tell who's what type then she blinked. "A thylacine?" She looked a little confused.

The look made Billy chuckle. "Yeah, thylacine, Tasmanian tiger, big Aussie carnivorous marsupial. Tan fur with black stripes that start behind the shoulder. We aren't suited as fighters but we're excellent scouts. If I knew where the album was I'd show ya." He headed to Richard's door and yelled out, "Oi, bloodsucker, bring the album over when you get ya lazy arse up." 

Richard was heard swearing back at being woken up which made Billy laugh and Maria giggle. Since Dee was already up. "Good morning to you as well, Billy." She bought the album with her into the office and placing it on her desk and flipping pages til she got to a photo of the group of them with two thylacines, a wolf and a cougar and showed it to Maria.

Maria stared at the strange animals and shook her head, "Amazing, beautiful colourings." Then asked, "Who are those with you?"

Billy smiled proudly. "Those are my mates. Kaira is the other tiger, Natalie is the cougar and Tom is the wolf."

That made blink blankly at the photo. "You have three mates?"

The look made Billy and Dee both laugh and he nodded. "Yeah, my people are a little more stranger than you 'Merican shifters. We can only have pups with our own so, Kaira is the mating mate, Natalie is my true mate and Tom is Kaira's true mate. So when the girls go into heat which luckily now are around the same time, Tom and I become sex addicts for a week." He started laughing. "Nat and Tom decided they wanted to have pups as well so we made a agreement that when the the girls go into heat, I'd get Kaira pregnant and Tom would get Nat pregnant and we'd raise the pups together with two of each parent."

Maria nodded slowly, trying to take it all in as Eric came thru the doors and catching the last of the words and softly growled. "I hope your not giving my mate the wrong ideas there, Black Man."

Billy gave one of his bright smiles. "No way, Red Man. She wanted to know how I ended up with three mates." He winked at Maria then looked back to Eric. "So what else did you need me for? Oh, the girls and Tom are coming up as well, they wanted to meet the new family and to tell Dee something."

Eric nodded but not fully believing his old friend so went onto the new subject that was forced. "Alright, we'll meet them at the elevator and let the girls get to know each other." He went over to Maria, wrapping his arms around her and picking her up with a squeal and giggling. Taking her and the album into his apartment, he opened up his door as Billy and Dee followed him thru and Richard made an appearance to join them. 

Eric decided that since he would be taking Maria to the compound, she would have to get use to being quizzed and there was no one better than Kaira and Natalie for that job. He softly kissed Maria and smiled. "I'll be back soon, my love." His eyes seem to shine with love for the young woman.

She lightly touched his cheek as they kissed it. "Take your time, I'm not going anywhere."

They heard the lift ding with the arrival of the others and the men left Maria and Dee to talk and flip thru the album. Richard smiled, "Hey beautifuls" then smiled brighter, "Ulisi, don't you trust us with her?"

Kaira and Natalie were on either side of Ulisi and walked her inside. "Oh no dear," Ulisi answered, "I thought Maria was in a rush last night and probably forgot to bring clothes with her so I brought a overnight bag with some of her gear if that's alright."

Eric grinned. "Your welcomed here any time Ulisi.." He paused and sniffed the air when she got closer to him then smiled more brightly. "You've released her." He went over and hugged the older woman.

The women looked at Eric curiously, not understanding what he was talking about but Ulisi nodded. "Now that Maria knows what's going on, I thought it was time she woke. It will take the full moon til she's fully awake and calmed down with what I did. But she'll do that quickly when she sees you and Richard with us now."

They women headed inside after that and the brothers grabbed Tom by the arms and pulled him back into the lift to go down one floor. 

* * * * * 

Kaira and Natalie headed into Eric's apartment with Ulisi and over to where Dee and Maria were. Kaira spoke as both the other women were busy with the album. "Hope you don't mind, we bought a extra."

Maria quickly looked up and squealed. "Gran!" Quickly went over to Ulisi and hugged her. "Your staying aren't you? I don't want you to go."

Ulisi hugged her granddaughter back and nodded a little. "Yes, I'm staying for a while. We have things to talk about and we don't really have the time to do it later."

Maria took over to Ulisi over to the table and let her feel the chair to sit down. Maria asked, "What's wrong?"

Holding her hand out, Ulisi waited til she felt Maria's hand. "What we are going to be doing so you and Eric can be fully together." Letting that sink into the young woman and once she thought she would understand what she meant, she began. "Alright dear, Eric and I will be doing the ceremony with you to see if the wolf agrees with his pick of a mate. If he does, he'll send a spirit to you and then the real test will begin. She'll be testing you to see if you are mentally strong enough for her. Eric will be helping you calm her down. But there will be blood shed by the end of it. So don't worry about waking up and being covered in blood."

Kaira and Nat screwed their noses at each other. They were glad they weren't spirit weres. 

Ulisi patted Maria's hand. "With that said, I guess the lessons should start at the very beginning with what a were is, so it helps you understand what you will end up being. So to start with, there's three types of weres. There's created, born and spirit. Created is when a human is bitten and survived the change. Born is just that, mother and father were weres, hence the child is a were. And then is us, we're spirit weres. Very rare, but it's when our guardian spirits bless us with our animal and we become bonded to them that way."

Nodding a little, taking the information in. When Ulisi spoke of created, Natalia moved the neck of her shirt aside to show deep scarring from an attack so Maria saw what created meant without to many questions.

Once Ulisi felt Maria relax with the information, she continued. "Each type of were has two transformations. Created and Born have the animal and hybrid forms. Hybrid is half man, half animal. That's their strongest form when they go to war. For us, we only have two types of animal forms to transform in to. For women, our normal wolf is about the size of a large born or created man's wolf, so around six feet tall. Then there is our dire wolves, our dires are monstrous creatures. They are from eight feet and taller. It's very dangerous when we go into that form. It usually takes being completely worn out for us to beable to shift back to human."

Dee nodded. "I've only known Eric to change into his dire once over the past few centuries. It was a blood bath that night. He was like a rabid beast attacking everything in his way. It took months for him not to wake up in a sweat after that night. But we heard later from a sharman that dires shouldn't used at all until he had his mate by his side. So we'll have to get him to change again now your with us."

Ulisi reached out towards Dee and she took her hand lightly, giving it a squeeze. Then turning her attention back to Maria. "That's correct. You can only safely turn into the dire when your mate is close to you. Your mate is able to bring calm to your mind so the dire won't go on a blood lust. Oh, and the only other safe time to do it is on the full moon. You won't have to have Eric with you then."

Kaira arched a brow. "Doesn't the full moon make you change?"

Ulisi shook her head. "No dear, the moon cycle only affects created and born. For spirit, it's like having a deep mediation. Both of our wolves are more primal animals. The moon doesn't control us like it does you, it's more like a warm blanket over it to bring us peace of who we are. The human can talk them to do whatever. That's why the packs don't challenge Eric for land or force him into joining one of them. Because we have a direct link to the brother wolf, our normal shift is just as strong as your hybrids which is your strongest form. Then our dires are ten times if not more stronger than that."

Natalie nodded slowly. "So that's why when Thad found out about Eric he was a little nervous on the first meeting. He thought Eric would challenge him for the pack."

Ulisi gave a single nod. "Most likely. But with spirit were's, we're loners. Only time we'd be in a pack is with our mates and their direct blood families, and that's the only time we'd form a pack. Maria has always been part of my pack and now Eric is mates with her, we've become part of his pack with Dee and Richard."

Kaira quickly asked, "What if he was force mated, that would make him part of a pack."

Shaking her head, Ulisi answered, "That wouldn't be possible. We don't settle until we find our true mate. If we're force into a mating, we wouldn't become aroused so it wouldn't work. Say, Eric was forced into mating some bitch, she could suck him for five hours and he wouldn't get hard." Which made her chuckle talking like that. "Even the primal male urges wouldn't be a problem. His wolf would become depressed so even a bitch in heat wouldn't turn him on if he was forced into it."

Dee softly said, "That explains that then." To which Kaira and Natalie nodded to.

Maria looked at them curiously. "What explains what?"

Dee bit her lower lip. "Has Eric told you anything before we found you?"

Giving a half half motion with her hand, Maria answered, "He said he played around a bit but when he found me, that all stopped and has been celebrant since."

Least he had told the truth so Dee decided to tell her. "Well, when you go to the pack, you'll find out anyways, so we may as well prepare you now for it. Just before you were born, Eric was seeing an alpha's daughter, Carrie. She was and still is a total bitch. She wanted the strongest as her alpha when her father retired and that was Eric, and still is. He ended things between them on the night of your birth, but being the selfish woman she is, she didn't take no for an answer so told her father she wanted Eric as her mate. Her father forced Eric into the mating ceremony. Eric told her father he wasn't interested in Carrie any more because he had found his true mate but her father wouldn't believe him." 

She could see the hurt in Maria's eyes with what she was being told but couldn't help but grin a little as she finished the story. "Lets just say, four hours later of giving head, he never got hard. No matter what she tried, it didn't entice him. Her father ended up calling a end to it. It took a few years but the alpha and Eric started talking again but Carrie has never forgiven him for making her look like a fool. I'm sure he wouldn't take you onto their pack lands until he knows that you can handle yourself against her. But even though you don't know her, she will be your number one enemy. She'll be out for your blood."

Natalie started laughing. "Oh, I remember that night. It was hilarious. She was calling him everything under the sun because he wouldn't get hard and mate with her. She's tried to get back into his bed, " then she hit Kaira. "Remember that time when we were out there and she snuck into Eric's bed after he went to sleep. When he found her, he howled and started yelling so the whole camp woke up and then he threw her out of the cabin in front of the whole pack. Her father came up and Eric told him to keep his daughter on a chain cause she's acting like a bitch on her first heat."

Dee nodded as she laughed. "And the time she played possum to get Eric to come after her. He ended up picking her up by the scruff of the neck like a pup and taking her back to her father."

Kaira burst out laughing. "Then he let Eric pick her punishment." The women burst out into a fit of laughter.

Ulisi chuckled hearing the stories and Maria felt a lot better. He had been truthful to her of not touching a woman since her birth. She couldn't help but laugh along with the stories the women were telling her.

* * * * *

The men went down to the floor below the the penthouse level and they looked around the open space. At the moment it was just being used for storage but with Eric's plans, it would soon be changed. 

Eric looked over to Billy. "So what I was thinking, I want to have what we got upstairs. One side for an apartment and the other side I want set up for Maria's studio."

Billy and Tom looked around and nodded. Billy said, "That shouldn't be a problem. We can toss up a few walls within a few days."

Then Tom said, "What sort of colours you want them done in? We can always paint as walls go up so it's done quicker." Looking over to Billy to see a nod.

Eric looked around. "The studio will have to be white. And for Ulisi's apartment." He thought hard. "Well, her house now is with light colours but that might just be cause of her human side. Her wolf is waking up so that might change."

Richard nodded to that. "I would go with strong but feminine colours. You know what wolves are like". 

Tom grinned. "Ok, female wolf. Shouldn't be hard to please her. We'll go with earthy tones with a touch of softness."

Tom had been the decorator for Richard and Eric's apartments All they had to do was tell him what the person was and he'd know exactly what to do for them. 

Eric looked up at the ceiling, he could hear laughter coming from his apartment and shrugged it off. He was glad Maria was getting along with his friends. At least she had females she could go to when she wanted them, because he knew some questions she would ask, he wouldn't beable to do so. That was the other reason why he wanted Ulisi here with them. She would have what he never did. A family from the start to help her thru the changes that would soon take place.

Richard cringed and looked over to Eric with a sorry expression. Eric growled a little, "What."

That made Richard cringe again. "Their talking about your failed mating to Carrie and her attempts to get you."

Eric started growling again. "Their what!"

Richard nodded. "But it seems Maria is OK with it. She's laughing with them." He chuckled. "Laughing so hard, she's crying."




Soulmates Ch. 04



Eric had quickly changed his mind about wanting those females around his mate now. He looked over to Billy and Tom and said, "This is the first and last time they come here. I don't want them telling Maria any more stories about me."

The men looked at each other and cringed, Billy answering, "No, where we go, they go. Got no choice now."

Eric growled They hadn't said no to one of his requests in years and now they decide to say no to him now when he has his mate. "And why not?" He questioned as he stalked towards them.

Tom smiled a little nervously. "Because we can't let them out of our sights for the next few months."

Eric got closer to the two men. "And why not?" he repeated.

It was Billy's turn to smile nervously. "Cause, we're having pups and you know what expected dads are like."

That made Eric stop moving towards them. "Both?"

Billy and Tom nodded quickly with big smiles across their lips. "We found out yesterday We're having pups!" Tom almost shouting.

Eric and Richard both moved towards them and shook their friends hands. "Congratulations. We're happy for you."

After a quick chat about the expecting, and taking the last measurements, the men headed back upstairs to their women.

* * * * *

Dee looked down then over to Kaira and Natalie with wide eyes. "Oh My God! Why didn't you tell me!" she yelled and went over to the women, giving them a hug from the side. "Congrates hunnies."

Both women laughed. "Thank you and we didn't want to tell you til the boys were ready," Natalie answered.

Maria looked a little confused and Ulisi smiled. "Their both pregnant, my dear." Looking over to the two. "Congratulations."

Maria smiled brightly. "Congratulations!"

Dee held her hands above the womens stomachs. "I guess that's one good thing about your situation When one is preg, the other is as well." Hugged them again before sitting back down in her seat.

Kaira nodded. "Yea, the hospital is gonna hate us again. They hated the last time when we forced them to have us all in the same birthing suite. It was funny as and it confused them big time."

Maria watched their joy but it was confusing her as well. Natalie noticed the look and grinned. "They knew who our partners were, but they were a little shocked when both men helped talk us thru it and then when Kaira has a pure thylacine pup and me having a cross bred of wolf and cougar, they got confused big time and couldn't understand our relationship to each other."

Maria nodded a little and had to admit. "I'm not sure if I fully understand your relationships either," she said softly.

Kaira smirked. "We just think of ourselves as one big happy orgy. We're open to our sexuality and all of us plays both sides, so to speak. So we hook up," pointing to herself and Natalie, "And the boys hook up together as well. Once Nat and Tom understood Billy and my relationship and how it works and what not, they where more into the sharing and caring. And when we told them we wanted more babies and them as the birth parents."

Natalie finished the sentence off. "We were all in for that idea. And it seems that if one of us is pregnant, the other is as well. And this will be our fourth litter together. The first ten years together, it was really hard on all of us. Either Kai or I would be pregnant but when it was born, it was a still birth. But as soon as we were pregnant together, the litter was perfect. And that's when we started to go into heat together. Their elders told us after our first that now that we're in-sync with each other, the rest will be perfect."

Half way thru the conversation, the men arrived back up on the floor and headed into the apartment Richard and Eric headed over to the Nat and Kaira and gave them both a gentle hug. "Congratulations." Before going to their mates.

Maria smiled up to Eric when he walked behind her and laced her fingers with his when he rested his hands on her shoulders. 

He didn't want to change the mood of the room but knew time was getting away from them and looked over to Ulisi. "Do you have everything you need for the cycle?"

She nodded. "Everything is prepared for the trip. We'd just have to make a quick trip home to pick up the bags inside the door."

Eric nodded and kissed the top of Maria's head. "I want to do it on this cycle instead of waiting for the next."

Billy looked down at Natalie and she nodded, the two couples stood up. "We got everything we need so we'll see you in a weeks time." They headed out to the lift, leaving the brothers and their partners alone.



Soulmates Ch. 05



Hope you enjoy and thanks for your patience and support.

CHAPTER FIVE

The day had started early. Bags were packed the night before and left next to the lift. Richard and Dee were over at Eric's apartment having breakfast together with him and Maria and they started explaining what was going to happen. After breakfast, they started putting their gear in the SUV and Dee quickly send out emails saying they had business outside of town, they would be back in a weeks time and giving them a satellite number in case of emergencies.

After an hour, they were off towards Ulisi's home to pick her up and then the five Cherokees were off towards their homelands to the north.

Everyone had noticed big changes in Ulisi, she seemed more younger, though they just took it as being around the other Cherokees, to bring that life back to her and by releasing her wolf after such a long time. 

After nine hours on the road, Eric turned off the highway and down a dirt track. Maria was amazed with the wildlife she was seeing. Richard explained that this was their homeland and bought the land years ago and made it into a reserve. The only people who were allowed to hunt were the ones who lived there, who were also Cherokee of tribe and who knew of their secret.

When they came out into a clearing, there was a large cabin like building on one side of the road and on the other side there was teepees standing along with other types of traditional homes. Maria couldn't help but stare at them, she was totally amazed, it felt like she was transported back in time. 

Eric parked the car next to the large building and they started to unpack. A older man came up with a large smile. "Welcome home warriors" then clasped their arms in the traditional welcome.

Eric smiled. "It's good to be back, old friend." He turned to the side a little. "Let me introduce you to Ulisi and Maria."

The old man smiled. "I'm Charlie, I'm the current chief til Eric decides to step up." Then looked back to Eric. "So what's the plan boss?"

That was one thing he liked about Charlie, he was always straight to the point. "Ceremony tonight night on the first night of the cycle. If their staying here, tell them, their to go to the main house and not to leave til dawn. That will be for the next three nights after tonight."

Charlie nodded his understanding. "Got it, I'll call a meeting now." He then headed away from them. 

By the time they were half way thru unpacking the SUV, a bell was rung and people started to head towards the main house. By the time they had fully unpacked, everyone was inside and Eric sighed, "I'll be back soon. Take them home would ya Richard."

Richard nodded, picking up their own gear along with Eric's, then headed towards the woods and Eric towards the main house. 

* * * * *

As soon as Eric was inside, people smiled seeing him. He smiled and said a quick hello to a few of the older members as he headed to the front of the room. Once everyone was silent he started. "Every one of you knows what I am. You teach our history to our children that one day they might join me with Brother Wolf. I know we usually only do the ceremony once a year but I'm here now to do it tonight for my mate. Most of you have heard what it involves and as such, as soon as the sun starts to set, I want everyone in this building. You are not to leave til dawn. If I catch anyones scent outside, I won't beable to promise your safety."

There were mummers around the building. The tribes elders nodded. "You know what's best for us, so we'll follow your lead, Eric." one of them said.

He bowed his head to the elders and looked around at the younger people of the tribe. "If any of you want to head back to the city, I suggest you get ready now. And those curious, I highly suggest you do as I said about staying indoors. Like I said, I won't beable to promise your safety. If you are curious. Wait til you hear the wolves and look out the windows and you will see why I'm giving you this warning."

He made sure it sunk in with what he said before leaving them to do what they were doing. Charlie walked with him outside and sighed. "Gray Wolf, a few of them are talking take over. They think they have what it takes to be chief."

Eric chuckled. "That will never happened. I placed you as chief for a reason. But I'll be sure they understand what they are thinking. If they start freaking out, we'll get Richard to alter their memories and remove them from the tribe."

Charlie nodded. "Alright. I just wanted to make sure you knew what was going on before the ceremony, just in case there's trouble."

Stopping at the edge of the forest and shaking hands again, Eric headed into the forest as Charlie headed back to the building.

* * * * *

Their camp was in a small clearing, and consisted of two large teepees painted in their traditional symbols of being warriors and family of the tribe. The emblem of Brother Wolf was painted on the flaps that were considered doors. In the center of the clearing there were rounded stones for the ceremony and to the side there was darkened soil from past open fires. 

After they had packed their gear away, Eric smiled and handed Maria a small bundle. "Put this on for me." Softly kissed her lips before he went into one of the other teepees. 

She followed into the womens teepee and started to unwrap the outfit. She blinked a little then smiled seeing a small branch inside the clothing. She held it up to show Dee and Ulisi and they both smiled brightly at her. In their tribes traditions. If a man wants to claim a woman, he would give her a branch. If she showed him using the branch to start a fire, he would know she accepted to be his woman. If she didn't use the branch, it would mean she rejected him. Maria knew what her answer was straight away and couldn't wait for Eric to return from the hunt.

Dee giggled as the women were getting dressed. She couldn't help but stare at Ulisi, she seemed more different than before, even Maria noticed it. Ulisi looked over to them. "The wolf is getting stronger, so she's making me strong. Wait til I turn back after the first night," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

The women got dressed in deer hid breech clothes and small vests to go with them. As Maria changed and was about to slip the vest on. Ulisi shocked her. "When did you get that young lady?"

Maria turned slowly and buttoned up the vest. "Get what Gran?"

Ulisi walked straight over to her, pulling the shoulder of the vest down and tapped a tattoo on the back of her shoulder. "That."

Maria and Dee just stared at her, both in shock. They had only ever known her as blind, how could she possibly see now. Maria softly said, "I got it when I was sixteen.... How come you can see? Or have you always been able to see and just pretended to be blind?"

Ulisi shook her head. "You should of told me you got it done." Having a better look at it. "I was blind, it's because of the herbs I took to make my wolf sleep. The wolf is a predator, it has to see where it's kill is going to beable to stay strong. Going blind is one of the effects to put the wolf to sleep. I won't get my brown eyes again, they'll end up being as they are now with a pale blue. They probably won't get any darker than they are now. But I will beable to see clearly if you decide to mark your body again, young lady."

Dee was curious. "What other effects will happen?"

Grinning. Ulisi said, "After this cycle, I'll be the women I should of always been." Not elaborating any further than that.

By the time they women had finished dressing and preparing themselves. The brothers had made a fire and took out their old weapons and laughing to each other. "Just like the old days, brother."

But they stopped when the women walked out of the tent. Eric couldn't keep his eyes off of Maria. He felt like he traveled back in time and back in the tribe. He softly said, "Wow."

Richard smiled at Dee and bowed his head to her to which she returned, then he grabbed Eric's arm and started half dragging him into the forest to hunt.

Dee went over to Richard, lacing her arm around his waist. "That sneaky old wolf can see again and she didn't tell us."

Richard blinked and Eric looked up and said, "You can see?"

Ulisi smirked. "Yes, I stopped taking the herbs and all of my senses are returning. By tomorrow I'll be the woman I should be." She stood there with her hands on her hips. "Shouldn't you two be off hunting for the ceremony by now."

Eric put his hands up as if he was wanting to stop a lecture before it came. "Ok, ok, we're going," he said chuckling, then quickly gave Maria a quick kiss before dragging Richard away from Dee's kiss.

* * * * *

Eric and Richard decided to hunt the human way. They headed straight towards one of the well-used deer tracks and followed the freshest tracks towards their targets. But something else caught their attention. Both men weren't able to completely shut off their senses and smelt a bear was in the area. 

Richard looked over to Eric as they stopped and softly said, "The tribe hunts and we can't exactly have a bear in the area, just in case something happens to one of them."

Eric nodded. "So guess we're going bear hunting," he said with a grin.

Richard nodded with a chuckle. "Same rules tho, no shifting for you."

Eric shrugged and started to track the bear. "Yeah, it's no fun taking it down within the first minute."

After about an hour and further into the mountains, they had finally caught up with the large male grizzly, Eric put his bow and quiver down next to Richard and Richard handed him his dagger. 

Eric took his own dagger out and held both and grinned. "Just like the old days, brother." Before standing up and walking towards the bear. 

Richard knew what Eric was meaning. When they were human and they went bear hunting, Eric would do close range combat while Richard did range. They had always been in-tuned with each others movements so other than Eric ending up with injuries from the bear, he would never be hit with the arrows that Richard released.

The bear looked up when Eric exposed himself and roared, but Eric didn't flinch at all so the bear ran at him to make it's attack. 

Eric reminded himself to relax and think human, even tho his wolf was howling to be released. He started to stab the bear when it opened it's chest to the attacks. But he made sure that the hide wouldn't be to damaged, so with each attack Eric made, he made them exact but deadly towards the bear. Richard also took his time releasing the arrows, making sure each one counted. 

The fight went on for just over ten minutes before the bear was finally taken down. Even with the injuries the bear had given him, they were already healing. Sweat beaded across Eric's chest and he sat down on the bears chest as he caught his breath. Richard grinned at his brother. "I'll let you get to carrying it back to camp. See ya there." 

Eric looked up and shook his head. "I did all the work so you can do that."

They both started laughing and once Eric had calmed down enough, Eric grabbed the bears front paws and Richard grabbed its back paws as they started back towards camp.

* * * * * 

The women back at camp were preparing items around the fire. 

Dee and Ulisi felt the nerves coming from Maria so made sure she kept busy. Once everything was in place, Ulisi took Maria by the hand and took her over to the rugs that they placed and sat her down.

"I guess we should explain what's going to happen tonight so you won't be a bundle of nerves." Ulisi started.

Maria looked up with a bit of hope and remained silent as she was talked thru it.

Ulisi patted her hand. "When he comes to meet you, answer any questions truthfully. If there's any shadow of doubt in your heart, he'll know it. And always remember, Eric's wolf wouldn't of chosen you without knowing your the one. So never doubt your emotions, because I can feel you wanting him just as much as he wants you."

The young Cherokee listened and nodded lightly, then smiled a little. "What's the worse that can happen. The wolf spirit will think I'm unworthy to be given the wolf. That won't mean I can't stay with Eric. So whatever happens, as long as I'm with Eric, I don't mind."

* * * * *

By the time the brothers had returned from their hunt. The women were relaxed and singing old songs in their native language to the spirits. 

As soon as Maria saw the bear, she gasped. "Oh my." Which made Dee and Ulisi look over to see the kill and they had the same expression as Maria. 

The brothers grinned at the response from the women before placing the bear down gently. Maria went over to it and lightly ran her fingers thru the thick fur and knelt down, she lowered her head and moved her lips in a silent prayer. 

The others watched her curiously before going back to work to make sure everything was set up for when the moon would appear within the next hour.

Maria moved her hand across the bears head one more time before standing up to see what else she could do. But before she did anything to help them, she made sure everyone was watching and placed the branch Eric had given her and made a small fire next to the large one. Letting them all know along with the spirits that she accepted Eric as her mate.

* * * * *

Once the moon had risen. Richard and Dee moved to the side of the camp with Maria and started to sing the song of the wolf. Ulisi and Eric cut their palms and allowed their blood to pool in their palm and stood at the front and back of Maria so she was between them as the first rays of the moon hit their camp.

Eric started first, speaking in their native tongue. "The goddess of the moon and earth, I call you forward to let brother wolf come to us. I, Gray Wolf am calling you, brother." he spoke as he painted blood emblems on Maria.

Once he was done, Ulisi moved up to Maria calling out, "The goddess of moon and earth, I call you forward to let brother wolf come to us. I, Baby Deer am calling you, brother." As she too painted designs on Maria.

They continued to make the calls to Brother Wolf until the moon was high in the sky and then the three of them sat down and began to sing, to see if their calls would summon him.

They waited another hour before a shooting star, shot across the sky and then it seemed to curve back towards them. Everyone but Maria knew what was going on. The three of them stood up and Maria inched back a little. Her nerves started to show. 

As the star got closer, Maria could see it was a wolf running thru the night sky. She stepped forward a little and watched it. It was a large white wolf that glowed brightly like a star. Just before the wolf touched the earth, it trotted up and sniffed the air and howled. 

Eric and Ulisi howled with the wolf before the howls ended and the wolf walked up to them, bowing its head to them. In a deep growling voice, "You call me brother and sister?"

Eric nodded to the wolf. "Yes brother. I wish to take this human as my mate." He motioned towards Maria.

Brother Wolf looked at the young Cherokee woman and nodded then looked at the kill. "For me?" He walked over to the bear and sniffed it.

Eric answered. "Yes, the kill is for you."

The wolf took in the scent from the bear and looked over to the human and slowly stalked towards her. "Come with me human."

Maria looked a little nervous and looked over to Ulisi and Eric to see them both nod to her. She took the final steps towards the large wolf and he turned around, picking up the bear by the scruff of the neck before dragging in into the forest with Maria following.

* * * * *

Maria stayed close to the wolf as he lead her deeper into the forest. The only light was that of the moon which seemed to show the way for easier walking. After a long time, they came into a clearing and the wolf dropped the bear and he walked around to the other side of it, he shifted into a Cherokee man covered in a wolf skin. He stretched a bit and looked over to Maria. "Tell me what your feeling, human," he asked as he crouched down, taking a dagger out and began to skin the bear.

Maria never took her eyes off of what he was doing, then jumped a little with his question. His voice seemed softer than as a wolf so started to relax a little more. "Nervous," she said simply. He stopped the skinning and looked up with question so she continued. "Nervous, because your going to judge me to see if I am Gray Wolf's mate or just someone who he believes I am to be it."

He grinned, showing the sharp teeth of the wolf and shook his head. "I know who his mate is. So I don't have to judge you at all, human." He looked her over and shrugged. "You are not his mate, what do you think of that?" Then looked down to continue skinning the bear.

She watched him silently for a long time before answering. "Then I will be there for him until he finds his mate."

He paused for a moment with her answer. "You will beable to give him up for someone else?"

She sighed and sat down and ran her fingertips across the grass. "If we weren't to be then so be it. But I'll always love him, even if I'm not meant to be with him forever. But yes, I would give him up, so he can have true happiness." Her voice soft, it was easily heard she was upset but her voice had honesty in it. 

Brother Wolf didn't look back at her as his knife slipped under the fur of the bear, he maneuvered it around with ease. "You blessed the bear? Why? What did you say?"

Maria looked over to him then the bear. "Yes, because it was a living creature. I thanked the spirits for allowing the kill and for the bear for giving its life to us."

He paused when she spoke then nodded before going silent again. His dagger slipping around the head of it before going back down over it's front paws. It seems to take hours but it was only twenty minutes if that for him to have the skin off and wrapping it up and taking it over and putting it down beside her. "Leave so I can eat in peace."

She quickly got up, picking up the fur and nodding. "I wish you a good evening, Brother Wolf." 

He shifted back to his wolf form and started to eat to which she turned and headed back towards the camp.

* * * * *

She took her time before returning to camp. Her hand moving lazily over the head of the bear and she was deep in thought. She snapped out of it when she heard Eric call out, "Maria, your back!" And she looked up and smiled to him.

Ulisi took the fur from her as Eric gave her a tight hug. "Wasn't to bad to meet him was it?"

She shook her head and softly said, "It wasn't, but I'm not your mate." Before turning away to help Ulisi clean the fur to tan it.

Eric looked at her as she walked away. There was pain across his face when she said she wasn't his mate. How could that be. Even his wolf was pacing and growling at those words. Both, man and wolf knew she was, why didn't she believe she was now. Anger flashed in his eyes for a moment before Richard placed a hand on his shoulder. "Relax brother."

Eric growled at him before going over to Maria. "What do you mean your not my mate, Maria. We both know you are. What's changed now?"

Maria didn't look up to him as she concentrated on salting the hid and then helped Ulisi hang it up to dry. "He said I wasn't the chosen one to be your mate," she finally said after a very long time.

Eric went over to her as Ulisi, Richard and Dee headed into the forest to leave them alone. He moved his hand against her cheek to make her look up to him. He softly said, "I don't care what anyone says. You are the woman I want." Hugging her tightly.

She was still for a long time in his hug before tears rolled down her cheeks and wrapped her arms around him. "I'll be here for you til my last breath. I have and always will love you, Eric."





Soulmates Ch. 05



They stayed like that til Brother Wolf in human form appeared behind Maria and which Eric growled at him. Eric pulled Maria to his side and slightly behind. "She is my mate. I won't have anyone else but her. Take my wolf so I can be with her as a human, I want to age with her so I won't have to watch her age while I say young."

Brother Wolf arched a brow. "You would really give up your wolf for this human?" He moved his hand slightly and a mist started to be pulled from Eric and his wolf appeared between them.

Eric took a deep breath seeing his wolf in front of him and nodded. "I love Maria just as much as my wolf does." His wolf came up and nuzzled his hand then went over to Maria and she scratched his head softly as he whined. "If it means I separate from my wolf to be with her then so be it. Release me of my curse."

Brother Wolf then looked at Maria. "And you, human. Would you allow him to give his wolf up?"

She shook her head. "No. Eric and the wolf are one. One can't survive without the other. I would prefer to leave with no trace than to have him give his wolf up."

He walked towards her and softly asked, "You would leave and not return to him?" Brother Wolf watched her curiously.

She nodded. "He can't give up the wolf for me. I'm not worth it. Because I love him so much, I would leave so he wouldn't have to change."

Brother Wolf smiled then moved his hand again as Eric's wolf went back inside his body. "A good choice you made, brother." He howled. Once the howl had ended, he looked at Maria. "The spirit world need a favour of you, young pup."

Maria looked over to him. "What could they want from me?"

Glowing started to fill the forest behind Brother Wolf. A white wolf and a man with bear skins around him appeared and carrying something in his arms. The white wolf growled at Eric and Maria before it charged towards Maria. Maria started to back up quickly and screamed when the wolf lunged at her. 

Maria's eyes went wide as the wolf entered her body. She fell backwards onto the ground and started to pant, holding her chest. Her senses were quickly awaken and she could feel the wolf pacing around in her mind before calming down. Once her wolf was calm, she blinked and sat up, she softly said, "Wow". 

Eric helped her up. "Are you alright?" Holding her head between his hands, looking deep into her eyes.

She nodded a little. "I'm fine. I think..." She started to get hammered with all new sences and slowly started to register all the new things she could feel, smell and sence. "She's an old spirit and had been waiting til it was time to bond with me. She said she's been watching over me since I was born." Then she gave a soft laugh. "And that she's sorry for making me yell out Wa'ya all those years ago. She didn't want you to leave us."

Eric hugged her tightly and kissed her softly. "I love you so much, Maria."

Then there was a clearing of a throat with made both of them look up quickly. Brother Wolf stepped forward. "She will explain everything to you. Trust her completely, she is a old spirit and knows what she's doing. She'll never lead you down the wrong track."

Maria listened to Brother Wolf and her spirit. "I won't ever doubt her."

Brother Wolf smiled then motioned the other spirit over to them, then he said, "This is Brother Bear and has a favour to ask of you both, and your families."

Brother Bear when over to them and showed the bundle in his arms. "His parents died and he's alone. He's the last of my people that walk this land. The bear you killed will be his spirit bear when he gets older. So.. ". He looked down at Maria to see if she knew where he was going.

Maria gently took the baby from Brother Bear and smiled as the baby grabbed hold of her finger. "We'd be honored to teach him."

The wolf nudged the bear and they looked at each other. From the facial expressions, it was easy to tell they were having some sort of private conversation The wolf growled as if pointing out something important and the bear nodded. "Alright, brother." Rolling his eyes. 

Brother Wolf grinned at his win. "Call him so it can be done now. He'll still have to call you when he finds his mate, so it won't be the last time we see him."

Eric only guessing what the conversation was about. "We'll come up here each month from now on so you can watch his grow into a man."

Brother Bear nodded and stepped back and roared. He looked back down at the baby as a grumbling came from the forest, he took the baby from Maria and nodded to the bear. The bear charged and leaped, it's spirit bonding with the baby. Then he handed it back to Maria. "There's not many left of the spirit bonded, that's why I spoke with Wolf about you two taking on a cub. We have watched Eric living both modern and traditionally and we knew he was the right choice to be the cubs guardian."

Maria smiled holding the baby as he wriggled. "We'll be sure to be good parents to him and that he learns who he is from the very beginning instead of hiding it." 

Brother Bear nodded, he lightly placed his hand over the child's eyes before moving away, changing back into his bear and started to walk back into the forest before disappearing from sight. Wolf watched him go and sighed before looking back to the new young family. "He is Cherokee so teach him well, brother and sister."

Eric watched the little bundle. He couldn't believe his family grew so quickly in one night and nodded. "We'll make sure he learns the way of the warrior, brother." Gently playing with the child's hand and grinned when the baby grabbed his finger. "We'll make sure he learns who he is and how to harness his gifts."

When the moon reached its peak, the baby started to shift, he wriggled around til he appeared in his bear form and growled a little. Maria's smile beamed watching him, but she felt her wolf pacing back and forth. "My wolf wants to do the same thing."

Eric smiled, placing his hand on her lower back. "We'll see what Richard and Dee thinks about doing some babysitting."

Just as he mentioned their names, Richard, Dee and Ulisi came back into the camp. Brother Wolf nodded to them, leaving the new family together. He walked over to Richard and Dee. "If you weren't bitten all those years ago, I would of made you both wolves." He walked away and shifted into his wolf and ran back up into the stars to where he came from.

Both vampires were shocked with what they were just told and smiled to each other before going over to Eric and Maria. Richard arched a brow. "A baby bear?"

Maria smiled. "Instant family. His parents died so Brother Bear asked us to care for him." Handing the baby to Richard. "Uncle Richard and Aunt Dee are gonna look after you, darlin'. So be a good boy for them." 

Richard went wide eye hearing what she just said. "Hang on a sec." But felt a shift and looked down to see the baby shift back into his human form. "Wow." 

Dee smiled brightly and took the baby from Richard. "Just to cute." And walked away from Richard.

Eric smiled watching Dee dot on the baby and then looked over to Maria and softly kissed her as he undressed and shifted into a large gray wolf and whined at her. She moved the other side of him so her family couldn't really see her as she undressed and whimpered as she let her wolf step forward. She listened to what her wolf was telling her and nodded to herself as she completely relaxed. 

Pain shot thru Maria which made her fall to the earth with her eyes closed tightly. She felt her bones shifting and re-shifting. The pain seemed to be endless and she cried out which slowly turned into a howl. Slowly, she began to open her eyes and stare at the ground, panting and looking at two large white paws. She lifted one and then the other, then looked back at her body to see white fur, then her eyes went wide when she saw the large bushy tail as it started to wag. Standing up slowly and started to move her muscles and walked out from behind Eric's form and softly whined to get the others attention.

Dee looked up at the whine and went to look back down at the shifting baby then quickly looked up again at Maria as a white wolf. "Beautiful."

Richard's smile was bright. "Congrates Maria."

Ulisi walked over to her as a large dark gray wolf which was nearly black and brushed against her before Eric yipped and the three wolves took off into the forest and lead them towards the main buildings of the reserve. Once they were in the clearing of it, he howled along with Maria and Ulisi. 

Everyone inside headed towards the closest window and looked outside to the three large wolves. Charlie smiled to himself as people started to talk amongst themselves. He then called everyone to the main room and started to tell them stories of old about their people and the connection to the wolves.

After a while, the three wolves took off into the forest to hunt.



Soulmates Ch. 06



In regards to those mentioning needing a editor and spell checking. Well. I've gone through four editors already. As soon as they hear that it is a long series, they aren't interested in helping me after the chapter/s they worked on. And for spelling. I do use two different spell checks so I submit when both show up correct spelling. If you have any suggestions of any good spell checkers, let me know please and I'll try to improve it. 

CHAPTER SIX

Over the next week, the brothers and women stayed in the forest. The tribe knew not to go near them over the next week so they were never interrupted. Over that time, the spirits returned to them. Each time, letting a little more information about the child. 

It was during one of the last days Ulisi finally shifted back to human. Everyone had to take a double look at her because of the major physical changes. She seemed to turn back time with her appearance. The only thing that never changed was her silver hair and the pale blue eyes. The rest of her looked like the same age as Maria or Dee. Except for her hair, she could pass off by being their sister. 

* * * * *

It was on the last day when Bear finally spoke fully of what happened. 

Bear looked at them and the cub bounded over to him and sat in his lap. He stroked the thick fur and listening to the little grumbles from the small bear. "I think I have made a mistake by asking you to care for the child. The Council believes I should leave him with one of them," Bear said softly.

Maria growled at that comment. "I certainly do not think so, Brother. A child should be in a loving family."

Bear looked over to her and then to the others sitting with them. "Do you each believe that? Do you want to be the cubs guardians?"

The brothers looked between themselves then Eric looked towards Dee and Ulisi. He gave each a smile before moving a hand over to Maria. "We're sure, Brother. We want to be his guardians. You and the other spirits can drop in on us at any time to make sure we're doing the job well. If you don't believe he's in a loving home, then we'll accept if you take him."

With a slight nod, Bear started to explain. "Over the last one hundred years, someones been hunting the bears down." Then softly sighed. "I know their coven, but we've never been able to track who exactly it is. Up until the last attack they had only gone after one family at a time." He moved his hand lightly over the dark hair of the baby sleeping in his arms. "But this last attack, it was done simultaneously."

Eric just stared listening to the spirit speaking. He couldn't believe what they were being told. "Why didn't we know about it?".

"The Council believed they were just after the bears. None of the other Were's were targeted like the bears were," Bear answered simply. He carefully stood up and laid the baby down on the bear fur, watching him curl up before settling down before he went back over and sat down with the others. "This last attack tho, we didn't know it was going to happen until it was to late."

During his last words, Brother Wolf appeared behind them and added. "That's why I was late." He walked over to sit down next to his brother. "We were at the Council when Bear felt pain and each of us who could teleport went to the families to see them slain."

Bear looked over to Wolf. "Only the boy and an adult was alive when we got there. We froze time to get them out. But like whenever we use our abilities, if we interrupt," he sighed again as the images flash in his memory.

Wolf touched his brothers arm. "The adult we got out, he said everyone started to yawn even tho it was early, but they didn't feel the need to contact anyone to tell them something was happening. Everyone that the Council had set as guards to the families were killed as well. It was well organized."

Then Bear took over once more. "The bears were killed at the exact same time, and I mean in the different locations as well." He shook his head a little. "The pain when I felt them die, all at the same time."

Maria softly asked, "So each spirit is linked to the spirits that are given to the human?"

Wolf nodded. "Yes we are. Some deaths are more painful than others. If they die of old age, we're there for them and we lead them to their next life. If it's in war, then they have a warriors death and we're proud but a death against their will like this attack, when they are under from some sort of ability. The pain is unimaginable. With multiple deaths like that at one time." He shook his head, not wanting to imagine what his brother went thru.

Eric and Richard stood up and started to pace the area. Then Eric spoke, "Call all the spirits to meet at the chambers. If people are going to be after the boy then we'll need everyone on side."

Richard agreed. "I'll call the vamp bosses as soon as we're back to make sure they keep their ears open for anyone new in town. And I'll give the big bosses a call to get them in the meeting as well."

Eric nodded at that then looked over to Wolf and Bear. "Can one of you, tell the Council what we're doing? We'll get a couple of them in on this as well so we're all on the same page."

Both the spirits nodded. "We'll ask Gabriella and Nikolia to come. She is the one who was heading the protection up," Bear answered.

Eric, Richard and Dee each chuckled. Dee saw the expression across Maria and Ulisi's faces and grinned. "It was the both of those two which made us into who we are today."

Maria nodded slowly, then Wolf continued, "They are born, elemental wolves. They are part of the council which oversees our kind and they are,...." he paused for a moment to figure out the right word. "They are like the law enforcement for all non-human kind."

Eric chuckled. "And they are the only two people I know who can win a fight against us in their human forms."

Lost in thoughts, Maria began to think how strong this Gabriella and Nikolia was if they could handle Eric in his wolves, after he said that as wolves, normal were's couldn't win against him.

* * * * *

The next day, they had packed and made their way back to the main house and car. Eric had a quick chat to Charlie, telling him if they notice anything new to give them a call straight away. After saying their goodbyes, they headed back to the city to get things organized 

As soon as they were in cell range, Richard rang the local vampire bosses and the main players in the vampire world, he organized it for them to meet the following night as arranged with the spirits for the other spirits and council representatives By the time they arrived back at the apartments, all the meetings were placed and word had gotten around the vampire community to keep eyes and ears open for anyone new in the area. 

First they took everything upstairs to the apartments and a few minutes later, Billy arrived at Eric's door and knocking.

Eric yelled out, "It's open."

So Billy made his way inside. "Welcome back," he said when he saw Eric. "Have a good trip?"

Eric smiled and went over to Billy and shook hands. "Let's just say, it was interesting."

Billy gave one of his big smiles then caught the scent of someone new and looked around before taking a larger breath. "What is that? Bear?" He looked a little curious.

Just then, Maria came out from the spare bedroom with the cub chasing behind her. She was laughing as he tried to trip her. Then she bent down and swung him around and he shifted into human and started to giggle loudly. Softly laughing with the giggles. "Hi Billy."

The cub then the shift made Billy blink before smiling again. "So who's this?" He went over to Maria to say hi to the child.

"This is," Maria started, then looked blankly at Eric.

Eric chuckled. "We weren't told his name so I guess, a new life means a new name. Brother Bear came to see us and asked if we'd become his guardians. We agreed to it."

Billy ended up giving the boy a tickle and the giggles coming from the child made everyone smile. "Well, Little Bear, welcome to the family." He then looked over to Eric. "That work you asked to be done is completed so whenever your ready. We also, kinda, moved her in already." Then cringed a little.

Richard, Dee and Ulisi came over when they heard Billy. "How's it going, Billy?" Dee asked.

Billy grinned big. "Great. Just came up to tell Eric the work is complete."

Maria then raised a brow. "What work?"

That made all of the men cringe and look to Eric. "Um, I think it's better to show than tell."

Everyone took the elevator down one level and headed to the left first and Billy opened the door to the studio. All of Maria's paints, paintings and brushes were all set up and she nearly dropped the boy when she saw the studio. "Oh my goodness." And started to look around the space.

Eric walked up behind her. "I hope you don't mind but I thought you needed a better room for your work," he said. Wrapping his arms around her and softly kissed the side of her neck.

She was breathless of words and tilted her head to the side for his kiss. "I love it". Then turned to the side and softly kissed his lips. 

He smiled softly and he softly said, "That's not the only thing they were doing on our trip." He took her hand and and took Ulisi's when he walked past her. "I hope you don't mind Ulisi." And he nodded to Billy to open the other door.

Billy quickly went over to the other side of the hallway and opened the other door to show them Ulisi's apartment.

Ulisi stood shocked at the natural tones of the apartment with all of her belongings in it. "Oh my," she said, "I never thought you'd do this." She looked over to her family. "Are you sure?"

Maria squealed seeing Ulisi was going to be there with them. Richard, Dee and Eric all nodded. "Yes we're sure," Dee answered for them.

Ulisi nodded a little and turned back to the apartment. "I can't thankyou enough for letting me stay close to Maria." Then started to walk around the apartment, motioning them to come in and all of them had a good look around.

Billy ended up saying goodbye after a hour and since the kitchen was already stocked, Ulisi decided to christen the apartment by letting everyone stay for dinner.

* * * * *

That night, Ulisi offered to babysit Shvetank, or Jessie for his modern name for the night. They had decided on Shvetank as the childs Cherokee name due to the white mark on his chest when he is a bear.

Eric was happy with that idea. With everything that had gone on over the past week, he and Maria hadn't been able to complete their bonding and tonight was the perfect night to do so. Over the past week he and Ulisi had been teaching Maria the ways of the wolf, so time was consumed with the teachings.

He had left a few minutes before Maria and quickly went upstairs to surprise her. By the time she had arrived, he had lit candles all around the apartment with soft music was playing in the background. He had moved the sofa back and placed a thick fur on the ground. With a bottle of white wine and strawberries beside him on the fur. 

As she walked over to him with a surprised smile across her lips, he poured two small glasses of wine for them. When she sat down next to him, he softly kissed her lips and handed her the glass. "Are you happy?"

She took a sip and nodded. "Very happy. Thank you for letting Ulisi stay close to me."

He grinned. "She would have been with us in any case. She is part of our pack, our family. She is blood to us and there would be no other place than with us, that she would ever belong."

She listened to the way he spoke and knew straight away he meant every word. She knew he would never push anyone he considered family away, and that was one thing she loved about him. Over the past week and being on tribal land, she had fallen completely in love with him. Even if Brother Wolf had denied her, her wolf. She couldn't see her life with anyone else but with Eric. He owned her heart, body and soul, completely.

He saw a distance look in her eyes and lightly ran his finger down over her cheek and down to her chin and asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Smiling as she placed her glass down on the floor and shifted to straddle his lap. "I was just thinking how lucky I am that Richard found me for you. I knew I cared about you. But over the past week. I know I feel more than I first thought. I could never imagine my life any other way." She slipped her arms over his shoulders, pressing her body lightly against his and then softly kissed his lips.

As soon as she moved into his lap, he couldn't help but let out a soft growl and place his hands on her thighs as she spoke. But as soon as she moved her arms over his shoulders and feeling her body pressing against his. He couldn't help but wrap his arms tightly around her body to feel her pressing harder, but he made sure to keep the kiss gentle. He pulled back slowly and looked deep into her eyes. "I love you til my last breath, Maria," he said in nearly a whisper.

The wolf inside Maria started to howl. It paced in the young humans mind and tried to keep it's feelings away until it was time to be released. Maria could feel the emotions coming from her wolf but her own feelings were over-riding them. She quickly whispered, "I love you too." She firmly rocked her hips against him and kissed him again, but this time it was harder with more passion. 

Eric was a little shocked with her actions. She only had a sip of the wine. During dinner they drank water or cider. But in the end, he went with her pace. Not pushing her to do what he wanted. He gave her full control. He felt himself harden as she grind herself against him. A soft growl escaped from his throat as he tried to control himself.

She broke the kiss only long enough to remove their shirts before her lips were attacking his again. The feeling of her flesh against his, Eric couldn't handle it any longer and laid back against the fur and pulled her down on top of him. He rolled them onto their sides and looked into her eyes. "Are you sure? I can wait until you are ready, Maria. I don't want to push you into anything."

She grinned at him. Her hand went straight to the bulge at the front of his pants before slipping her hand up and undid the button then the fly before slipping her hand inside. Over the week, she had gotten use to the idea of being naked with him. The feeling of him as a wolf rubbing his body against her wolf form. She wanted to feel that as humans. 

Soon with a bit of persuasion from her, they were both naked on the fur. Their bodies pressed hard against each other. Their lips tasting each others body. She knew exactly what she wanted to do, so letting go of all of herself, she wrapped her fingers lightly around his length and began to stroke him slowly. 

His hand lightly touched her thigh and she allowed him to guide it to the top of his own which made her move up a little so as she stroked him, the large mushroom head would move against her folds to let him feel how moist she had become.

Remaining with the slow pace she kept, he rolled her onto her back and moved between her legs. His wolf howled wanting him to take her hard and fast but Eric remained in control and whispered, "I promise next time we'll do things longer. I'm having trouble keeping my wolf at bay."

Maria just smiled and whispered, "Take me. My wolf wants you now as well."

He lined his length at her entrance and kissed her softly. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist. Both let soft possessive growls into their kiss. With her opening herself up more to him, he slowly pushed himself into her. He pulled back from the kiss to watch the emotions that flooded across her face as he started to move slowly back and forth within her.

With her admittance of playing with herself, he knew he wouldn't hurt her with being taken for the first time. She had already used a vibrator so it would only be his width that would make him take his time. He continued making slow thrusts into her tightness. Only when she started to buck back against him, he felt his resistance falter slightly and thrusted hard inside her til he was buried completely inside her.

He panted against her neck, nothing has ever felt so right in that moment. Feeling her body take him fully, feeling her nails raking back and forth against his back. He waited til she started to move under him before he lent back and kissed her softly and started to thrust slowly back and forth. He could feel her passion building up along with his own, he knew straight away he wouldn't beable to last for to long. He hadn't revealed himself in weeks now and was quickly rising and knowing this would be an embarrassment to him especially if she thought it would be like that each time they made love.

They looked into each others eyes and both saw their wolves pacing close to the surface. He whispered, "I need to take you now."

She nodded and unwrapped herself from around him and he quickly flipped her over. As soon as she was up on her hands and knees, he thrusted back deeply inside her. He lent down and licked over the fold of her neck where he was going to bite her and couldn't hold his wolf back any longer. 

Maria gasped when he entered her again and pushed back hard to feel him buried within her again. She continued to move even tho she felt his weight change and fur started to tickle her back. She could feel his width become thicker but nothing could stop her from her movements. She could feel claws digging into her flesh which only made her move back harder against him. 

The wolf on her back began to pant. He started to thrust harder til he knew there was no going back. Just before he came, he licked her neck again before biting deeply into her flesh which made her cry out as she came and a moment later, he poured his seed into her. He shifted back into his human form and held her tightly before rolling them onto their sides and panted to get their breathing back to normal. 

He licked the droplets of blood from the bite and let out a contented growl. She started to move but he held her firmly and whispered, "Don't move. We're joined."

She blinked and nodded a little. She had forgotten about his knot forming when they made love. They were joined for another fifteen minutes before he was able to slip from her and able to turn her around. She smiled looking at him but her wolf was still close to the edge and he smirked. He pulled her up to straddle him, he was already hard again and slipped inside her. He started to thrust as she started to bounce. He whispered, "Just before you feel on edge, shift so you can claim me as I did to you."

His hands went to her hips and his thumbs played with her clit. Her hands went to her breasts and started to pinch and squeeze them. He could feel her coming to the edge of the pleasure and nodded when she looked at him. 

She shifted into her wolf form and laid against his body as he continued to thrust inside her. She licked his neck and just before she came, she bit into his flesh then quickly shifted back as she cried out and came around him. He pulled her tightly against his body and continued to thrust inside her before he became to cum again within her.

He could feel her breathing become slow and steady as she fell asleep on his chest, then carefully he rose, keeping himself deep within her and carried her to his, no, their bedroom to sleep.

To Be Continued... 



Soulmates Ch. 07



A big thankyou to Pixie for editing this chapter for me. Your a legend! 

* * * * *

The morning started late for everyone except for Ulisi. She had woken early so she would be there when Jessie woke. Just being around the cub made her have feelings she never thought she'd have again. But over the past week, her wolf had been crying with what she had missed out on due to Ulisi making her sleep. The only way she could make her wolf happy was being around the child as much as possible. As Ulisi started to make breakfast, she spoke quietly to her wolf. "Just remember, wolves can have pups into their old age so maybe, just maybe, one day we'll find our mate and be able to give you want what you want."

Her wolf started to pace back and forth in her mind before she settled down and huffed. Her human was right. They still would be able to have pups but only if they found their mate. Now she had something more to concentrate on. She wanted her mate.

Just after Ulisi had breakfast ready, Jessie ran out to her. She couldn't help but smile at the bear that ran out. As it sat down, he shifted back to human and reached out towards her. She wiped her hands and picked him up to give him his morning hug. "Good morning my sweet cub."

He gave her one of his biggest hugs and talked away in his baby talk. She just smiled and nodded as if she understood what he was saying. "Is that right? And are we ready for breakfast?"

He nodded and babbled on as she sat him in a highchair and brought over pancakes so he could make as much mess as he wanted. The evening before they had decided he must have been at least a year old. He was crawling well and his motor skills were better than expected. They would have to ask Bear when his birthday was so they would be able to find out his true age. But what had impressed the adults about Jessie. Was his human and his bear seemed to be kindred souls already. They understood already what the other needed; when he was scared or wanted to run around to catch up to the adults, he'd shift into a bear but the rest of the time he remained human. Even when he was a bear and picked up, he'd shift into a human so he could babble and giggle with the humans. So, even though he had by only had his bear for a little over a week, both sides understood what the other half needed.

By the time breakfast was over, Jessie was covered head to toe with maple syrup. He was slapping his stomach to feel the stickiness against his skin and was in a fit of giggles as Ulisi was shaking her head and saying how messy he was. "Time for a bath I think it is," she told him. 

His eyes went wide and started babbling and reaching out to her. This was his other favorite pass time. He loved water and bath time was the best thing in his view.

She shook her head and got up. Picking him up from behind so he couldn't hug her and dirty her clothes, and she took him into the bathroom and filled the tub up. As she turned her back to get the water right, he stood up with the help of the wall and lunged towards her, giggling loudly as he reached her and gave her a big hug from the side. 

She jumped when he grabbed her before then cringing. "Jessie. I just got dressed before we had breakfast." Ulisi scolded but then upon looking at him, she softly laughed. She would never be able to stay be angry with this child. The love and mischief that was in his eyes would always beable to make her drop her defenses around him and melt her heart. Since she was already dirty, she turned slightly and gave him a big hug which and he returned hugged her back just as tightly. "So you're happy now you got a hug?"

He babbled aways happily and nodding and pulled back from the hug. She shook her head at him and tickled his stomach which got a roar of laughter. Once the tub had only a few inches of water in it, she took off his nappy and lifted him into the water. As soon as he sat in the water, he peaked up to look at her and as soon as Ulisi reached over to grab the soap, he made a huge splash of water which covered her shirt and face. 

Narrowing her eyes and she glanced at him. "You did that on purpose didn't you?"

He just looked up at her beaming with that same look of innocence, love and mischief. He shook his head and then started babbling again. She just laughed. "Sure, you little ratbag. One of these days you won't be able to talk your way out of the mischief you cause!" Then Ulisi tickled his tummy again before soaping up a face washer and began to clean him up.

* * * * * On the floors above Ulisi, the day started later. Maria stretched out and felt a weight wrapped around her body and she snuggled back against the warmth. With a rumble against her back and the tickle of words on her neck. Eric softly said, "Keep wriggling and we won't be out of bed when our brothers and sisters arrive."

That made her stop wriggling enough to turn around in his arms to ask. "How many will be coming today?" Staring into his eyes as her fingertips traced the outline of muscles over his chest.

Eric moved the pillows before stretching and then lent back against the headrest, pulling Maria up to rest against his chest. His arm wrapped around her back and, his fingertips absently traced down against her back while his other arm rested against his stomach. "There will be four from the council, then the leaders of the cougars, eagles and coyotes. Thad will be here; he's the leader of the wolf pack in the area. Then there's the vamp rep from the city that will be here. And I'm pretty sure, Wolf and Bear will be here as well. I'm not sure about their brothers though." He replied.

Nodding as she listened to him. This really wasn't how she was expecting to be introduced to others of their kind, but knew there was no choice in the matter. They needed to help Bear and Jessie as much as possible, and who knew what else this enemy had installed for their kind. "What time will they be arriving and what time did you set the meeting for?"

Eric gently pulled her to lay on top of him. He grinned when she moved her hands to rest against his chest and then placed her chin on the back of them and looked up at him with her dark eyes. He ran his hands down to her arse and pulled her firmly against him as he pressed himself harder against her. "We'll have enough time for another round if you are up for it" then wriggled his eyebrows at her.

Grinning with the offer of another round, she shifted her legs to straddle him and pressed her warmth against his hardness and slowly inched back to sit up on him. "What time are they arriving and what time is the meeting?" She asked, arching her brow at him, letting him know she wasn't going to move until she got her answers.

Letting a deep growl rumble from his chest as she moved against him, he moved his hands to her hips and slowly rocked himself against her to both turn her on a bit more as well as cover his hardness with her juices. "They'll start showing up in about two hours, so it will be around five when the meeting starts." Then he grinned and without warning her, he lifted her up and impaled her on his cock.

Maria listened to his words more than concentrating on what he was doing to her body. She nodded a little thinking of what needed to be done before the meeting. She squealed in surprise when he pulled her down around his cock then let out a deep growling moan and began to move against him.

* * * * *

An hour and a half later, on the other side of the building, Richard and Dee had already started their day. It had taken them years to switch their vampire body clocks off into normal human hours. Even though, they were never able to wake earlier than just after midday, they at least got a few hours of the normal work hours to do what they needed for their outside business interests. Dee was at her computer going thru emails and replying to those she needed and Richard was doing the same thing with patient records that were sent to him during his time away. 

They both looked up and smiled when they felt the first presence of their guests arriving and Richard chuckled. "I wonder if we should warn him?"

Dee shrugged, "We should at least warn her about it"

Eric heard the end of the conversation, as he walked through the office door and frowned at them asking, "Warn whom about what?"

Just as he asked, Billy ran in and staring wide-eyed at them, "That stuiped bitch is here. You think she's ready to meet her yet?"

Eric just looked at them with questions in his eyes. "Who is here?"

Billy cringed a little and said one single name, "Carrie"

* * * * * It had taken Eric an hour to calm down after hearing Carrie had come with Thad to the meeting. He didn't know what to do. But he ended up going down to Ulisi's apartment and told Maria and Ulisi that she was going to be there as well.

Maria didn't flinch at all and didn't even seem nervous either. She just smiled at him and gave him a soft kiss and telling him not to worry about it. She had everything worked out. She had known the day was going to come when she met his ex-lover and had things already planned with what she was going to say and how to act. Even though, she was a little nervous about meeting the woman, she knew she had Eric and no woman would get in between them.

* * * * * The vampires were last to arrive. And everyone was shown to the meeting room in the building which was on the floor below Ulisi's apartment and the studio. 

Once everyone was seated. Maria looked around the room at the other people and held Jessie in her lap. She could feel eyes on her but she turned her attention down to the little boy and only rose her eyes again when Eric began to speak.

"Welcome everyone and I wished I had a better way of bringing everyone together than the current reason, but first, let me introduce everyone." he stood up and started to walk around the large table, he paused. Standing at the back of the chairs as he said their names. "This is David and Sam, from the eagles... Chris and Thomas from the coyotes... Trish and Bec, from the cougars... Gabriella, Nickolas, Marcus and Wyvren from the Council... and from this city these we have Thad and his daughter Carrie from the wolves and this is Michael who represents the vampire council in the city" then he stood behind Maria's chair, "and this is my mate, Maria and in our guardianship, Jessie." With that he sat back down.

As he said each of their names in introduction, they nodded to those others they didn't know and smiled to those they did. The spirit were's weren't interested in waiting around so Trish from the cougars spoke up first before anything else was able to be said. "Is it true that he is the last?" motioning to the child with a simple nod.

Eric nodded. "It is true and that is why I called this meeting. Over the last few decades, someone has been killing the spirit bears off. Bear went to the council for help and once a plan was in action, something happened and the enemy found out the location of the families. They were all killed at the same time. Bear and Wolf made it just in time to save Jessie and an adult but the adult's wounds were to fatal. Bear and Wolf have been tracking the culprits hence the reason he asked us to be the boy's guardians. The enemy knows that they escaped so that is why I'm asking for help. We don't know the numbers we're up against but I refuse to let a child die because some prick wants to kill the bears off."

They all nodded with the last statement. There were's knew how important it was to keep children safe. Even the vampires nodded, agreeing. Children are innocents and should never be touched or killed.

Gabriella spoke next. "We have the scent of the enemy so.." she looked over to Chris and Thomas, "I know the coyote's are some of the best trackers in our world so if you're willing, I'll give you the scent for your people to see if we can't track them down."

Chris nodded. "All of our people.." motioning to the other spirit were's as he spoke those words. "are all ready to move. They are just waiting for orders. So if you give us locations, we can start tracking from the last attacks and start the hunt."

Then Sam said, "We can add to the hunt as well. I'll send a couple with yours so we can give any warnings if they see anyone on the ground so we can catch them." Then looking back to Eric, "I guess you want a few alive for questioning?"

Eric nodded. "We need to know numbers and where their base is. So will need one or two alive for those answers."

Michael started to stare off into space then he blinked and looked over to Eric, "Can Richard and Dee still do that trick with blocking senses of vampires?"

Raising a brow and looking at the vampire. Eric nodded, "Yeah, why?"

The vampire lent back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. "You know how we protect each other. Last night, a outsider came into one of the clubs and was asking about the were's around here. Just the normal questions with what type and that. It was like he was getting the feel of what our opinions were of yous. He was talking to one of my barmen about where he could find fighters and that hated the animals. My man told him to come back tonight. He'd asked around and seems he just showed up. You want him bought here? Even if he isn't part of what's going on with your boy it might be a good heads up for the pack to keep their eyes out for any new vampires in town."

He turned his head to the side and a moment later, Dee, Richard and Ulisi came into the room. Ulisi went over to Maria and picked Jessie up. Eric then said, "This is Ulisi."

Ulisi could feel her wolf acting excited and when she heard her name, she looked around and nodded. Then she saw why her wolf was excited. She couldn't help but stare at Thad and he was staring straight back at her. In a small voice she said, "Hello, if you would excuse us, it's time for someone's nap." Then she quickly left the room but not without raising a few brows and a few sly smirks.

Once she had left, Dee and Richard were told what to do and they reached out with their senses to find out who they were hunting for and once that vampire was in their reach, they blocked his communication along with his senses Then they, along with Marcus and Michael, headed down to one of the lower floors to speak with the outsider.

The meeting went on and phone calls were made with locations and meeting points for the were's to begin their hunt. It was early evening when the meeting was finally finished. As everyone started to leave, Gabriella spoke up, "Thad, please stay back. I'd like to go over a few more things with you after we've had some dinner."

Thad nodded and sat back down in his chair along with Carrie. Through out the meeting, her eyes didn't leave Maria's form. Thinking of how could Eric leave her for some little bimbo like Maria. Gabriella arched a brow when Carrie sat back down. "I didn't ask for you to stay, Carrie. You're free to leave and go back to the pack."

Carrie glared over to Gabriella and raised her brows. "I'll leave when my father leaves."

Gabriella shook her head. "I didn't ask for you to stay, pup. I asked for your father to remain because I have some personal matters for him."

Carrie just lent back in her chair and crossed her legs. "Then I'll wait here for you to finish speaking to him. He'll tell me about it anyways, so I may as well remain and hear it instead of him having to go over it again with me."

Thad let out a soft growl, "Go home, Carrie. Before you get yourself into more trouble."

Carrie didn't move and remained where she was. Gabriella looked at Wvyren and he just motioned to the door. A moment later, two large men came into the room and stood behind Carrie's chair. Then Gabriella looked back to the girl. "My men won't have a problem with tossing you over their shoulders to get you to leave. So it is either you act like an adult and leave on two legs, or be a child and get thrown over their shoulder. But I can assure you if they have to throw you over their shoulder, then they will smack your arse raw when you arrive back at the compound as discipline for being a spoilt little pup."

Carrie narrowed her eyes at Gabriella. "They wouldn't dare!"

Gabriella just lent back in her seat and Nikolas started chuckling. "She just told them what to do when they take you back, and they know better than to go against her words."

Carrie then looked up to the men to see the smirks on their faces and the looks in their eyes. She looked to her father and he just shrugged. He knew better than to go against the council. Letting out a deep growl as she stood up and marched out the door, swearing under her breath. The men who'd entered, followed her out to make sure she was going back to the compound.

When she had finally left, Thad lent forward and placed his face in his hands. "I'm sorry. Nothing I do to her changes her ways. She's to much like her mother and I'm at my last straw with her."

Gabriella smiled. "That is why I wanted to have you alone. I can feel the tension when she's around you."

Thad lent back in his chair and nodded. "She wants everything handed to her. I've told her it doesn't work that way. I've even had the thoughts of letting her take over and let her watch the pack break up from her leadership but I just can't let her break like that and I couldn't do that to the pack."

Nikolas then looked at Gabriella and grinned. "Maybe there is another way of teaching her."

Gabriella reached out to him and touched his cheek softly. "That is exactly what I was thinking, my love."

Thad just stared at both of them. "Mind if I know what you're both are thinking?"

Ulisi knocked and poked her head through the door and looked over to Gabriella and Nikolas. "Dinner is ready if you wish.." then felt the words catch in her throat when she saw Thad still there, "..to join us or I can have some bought up for you." She managed to stuggle through the sentance by quickly looking back to Gabriella.

Gabriella smiled and nodded. "We'd love to join you."



Soulmates Ch. 08



A big thankyou to Pixie for fixing up my shocking mistakes. Your a legend for putting up with my grammer problems!

* * * * *

The lowest basement of the building was linked to the sewer system. It was the way young vampires traveled through the day if they needed to get a message to Eric from their bosses. Eric, Richard and Dee were the first to live in this area. They had promised themselves at the very beginning that if they could live in harmony, then anyone else like them should do so as well. If anyone decided they wanted to go against their laws, then they would be dealt with quickly so others knew never to cross them. Even though, the Were and the Vampires would never truly see eye to eye they did like the idea of not having to fight each other. They would only ever have to fight amongst themselves for more power and that is what Eric and Richard allowed. They could only fight their own race; they weren't allowed to bring the other race into it and they sure as hell weren't allowed to let the humans, who were oblivious to them, know what type of city they really lived in.

The lowest basement was split into three rooms the entrance from the sewers, a viewing room, which had a one way mirror which looked directly into the meeting room, which was the third room. The meeting room looked more like a living room than an actual meeting room. It had a small kitchenette which contained only a fridge, which just had bags of fresh blood in it. Inside the cupboards wasn't food but weapons, weapons that would be required if there was an attack and they were there as a last resort.

When the outsider entered, Richard was sitting on one of the single chairs with Dee on his lap. Marcus was in the kitchenette pouring them each a drink and Micheal was sitting on a couch reading that day's paper. Richard and Dee both looked over to him before they began their heavy petting again giving the appearance that no one else was in the room with them. 

The outsider cleared his throat and began to get nervous. Richard had lifted his skills a little just so the vampire knew who he was dealing with. Just so he would know that they weren't young like he was and if he wanted to cross them, his death would be painful and slow.

Marcus picked up the drinks and took them over to place them down on tables closest to them. Then he sat down himself. He looked at the youngling and raised his brows. "You are here for business so spit it out. We don't have all night."

The vampire jumped when he was spoken to and nodded a little. "My boss is after new blood in his army. He wants to know if anyone in this city was interested in joining him to get rid of all the animals in the area before moving onto bigger things."

Micheal closed the paper then folded it neatly before tossing it on the table to pick up his drink. "And why would we join him? Shouldn't he join us since this is our city?"

The young vampire took a step back from the tone in Micheal's voice. "I'm just a messenger. I am just saying what he told me to."

Marcus sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees and laced his fingers together. "What is your name, childe? And what is your boss'

name?" Once he had the younglings gaze. He showed him just a hint of what he was dealing with in the room. His eyes turned from dark brown slowly into blood red before going solid black which showed the young vampire that he wasn't dealing with any normal vampire. He was dealing with an ancient.

* * * * *

Meanwhile upstairs. Dinner was getting the finishing touches to it and being placed on the table. Ulisi had been preparing it, with Billy helping her while he was around. He had to return to his mates since they were early in their pregnany, his tiger never liked leaving them for to long, even tho he knew Tom was with them. After saying his goodbye to her during the meeting. She made sure she had plates done up for everyone's preferences and made sure there was plenty of food for all of the guests.

It had been such a long time since she had interacted with others of her kind. Hell, she may have done but with her wolf being asleep, she wouldn't of known who they truly were. She felt so at home, being with others of her kind. She had missed it so much. Her wolf was even excited being around others of their kind but she was more excited on seeing one of them in particular. Ulisi had to talk her wolf down from claiming him when she saw him in the boardroom. All she wanted to do was go over to him, bend over and wriggle her arse against his crotch. Even though she had lovers in the past, she had never felt the need to do that, ever. Just the thought of it started to make her blush. 

Maria looked over to her with concern. "Gran, are you alright?" going over to the older woman who looked more like her older sister than who she grew up with.

Flushed, Ulisi looked to her and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, child."

Eric was watching and couldn't help but grin. He went over behind Maria and pulled her back against him whispering in her ear which made her eyes go wide and stared in disbelief at what he had just told her. She looked up to him and he just nodded. "It's the way of the wolf. With Ulisi allowing her wolf wake, like me, she won't be able to control what she feels and for who. So just be happy and I'll make sure he treats her right."

Due to how the spirit weres lived Eric knew straight away through the bond with Ulisi that she had found her mate the moment she entered the boardroom. Eric the Alpha of their family so, his bond to each member was stronger than the normal bonds they would have between the women. He would always be able to feel their emotions and would never be able to block them ever. It was a gift along with a curse of being an Alpha to a spirit pack. He was even finding the bond growing with Jessie which he didn't expect to feel. That was however one bond he was glad he was getting.

Maria looked at him with shock then looked at Ulisi before stepping towards her and hugging her tightly. Whispering she said, "I so hope you're going to play hard to get with him. You deserve to have a bit of fun in the relationship department after everything you've done for me. I'm so happy for you, Gran."

Ulisi gave a sigh of relief, for some reason she had thought Maria would be against the idea of her taking a mate. She hugged her granddaughter back and kissed her cheek. "Thank you my dear. I do plan to do just that, if I can keep my wolf back from submitting to him as soon as he walks through the door."

The three of them couldn't help but laugh at the submitting part. They each knew she wasn't the type of woman to do that but try telling her wolf that.

Just as all the plates were placed on the table, Eric called out. "Foods up."

It was as if they had heard him because Gabriella and Thad walked through the door.

* * * * *

The youngling began to shake when he watched Marcus' eyes shifting to solid black. His breathing began to quicken and he started to back towards the door but stopped when he felt the wall behind him. His hands were just pressed against the door and he felt like he was paralyzed and nothing seemed to work which only increased his fear.

It didn't help any that Dee and Richard had increased his fear ten fold of what he would really have been feeling right then.

Marcus looked over to couple and chuckled. "Oh, leave the childe alone. Stop playing with his mind." Shaking his head a little at their game before looking back to the young vampire. "I will ask you one more time, what is your name and the name of your boss?"

Dee and Richard stopped their kissing and looked over to Marcus as innocent as they could but there was wickedness in their eyes. They would play nice but keep the original blocks up. Dee moved around so Richard couldn't distract her again and rested her head on his shoulder while he automatically slipped his arms around her.

The vampire felt an instant relief after Marcus spoke to the couple. He looked over to them and began relaxing then darted his gaze back to Marcus. "M.. My name is Danny and my boss is André Blanc.."

Marcus let out a soft growl. He couldn't contain himself."André Blanc is your boss and he's in this area?"

The growl made Danny jump and shook his head a little. "He's coming though. He said he had a few spots to do along the way and would be here to meet his new army at the end of the week." He had no idea why he was giving away so much information. It seemed to just blurt out before he could even realized what he was saying but he knew, if he wanted to walk out of this room alive and unharmed, he would have to continue to blurt things out, knowing that when he saw André next, that would be one meeting he wouldn't live through.

Micheal looked over to Marcus. "You know him, I take it?"

Marcus growled again while standing suddenly and began to pace the room. "We knew he was a crazy son of a bitch but we never expected him to be this crazy. He was given his last warning with kills a century ago and been off our radar since, so we just thought he'd started behaving himself. I guess he'd just become more sly with his kills. He was always a smug bastard though. We should have known to keep someone tracking him. Hell, we should have just killed him after the last time."

Danny didn't like anything he was hearing. He knew his boss wasn't completely sane but having warnings from the ancients. That was something totally out of his league and knew his friends back there would be in a lot of trouble by the end of it. He knew if the ancients were pissed off at someone then no one around that single person would live through it. Hesitantly he spoke. "I never signed up to go against the ancients. There are others that don't want that fight either. If you can try to take them away from him then I will tell you everything I know."

Marcus looked over to Dee and she nodded. He then turned his gaze back to Danny. "Tell us everything and during the fight we'll get your friends out."

* * * * *

The world seemed to disappear when Ulisi saw Thad. He stood at the doorway with the same expression across his face and they just stared at each other. It took a nudge from Gabriella and a nudge from Maria to snap them both out of it. Both looked slightly embarrassed with how they were acting. It felt like they were teenagers again with their first crushes.

Dinner had gone smoothly and the others soon left to go to their rooms on the levels below which only left Eric, Maria, Ulisi, Wolf, Gabriella, Wyvren, Gabriella, Nikolai and Thad. The women were in the kitchen, cleaning up and talking quietly while the men were on the balcony talking amongst themselves.

Thad was quiet most of the time, in his own little world, and only hearing bits and pieces of what was actually being said. Suddenly he just blurted out, "can I get your permission to court Ulisi?"

The men stopped talking and stared at him. Eric couldn't help but smirk. "I was wondering when you were going to ask."

The other men just chuckled.

Eric lent back against the railings and looked at Thad hard. "You don't need my permission to do that. You need hers. If you get hers, then I'm fine with it."

Thad truly felt like a teenager now. He had never felt this way for anyone before. It felt like he didn't know anything about swooning women, even though he had had his share of women in the past. "How do I go about that?"

Wyvren then spoke. "It depends whether you want her just for your bed or do you want her respect?"

He wanted to say he wanted her until his dying breath but knew that was not appropriate speech expecially in front of Eric so instead he

said, "I want to spend the rest of my life with her. So her respect is first before taking her to my bed."

Wolf knew the young wolf was thinking other things right now but seeing his human had control of his wolf made the spirit respect the born were. "Learn our ways and you will have her."

Thad looked at him. "How would Cherokee men tell women they want them?"

Eric couldn't help but grin as he looked at Wolf. Both had the same opinion of the man now when it came to becoming part of their family. Eric looked back to Thad. "Strange but it's how we do it. Go over to the fire place, pick out one of the logs and place it at her bedroom door. If she uses it to start a fire, then you know she's accepted you. If she doesn't it means she's refused you."

Thad stared at him dumbfounded. "You mean, it will come down to a piece of wood if she accepts me or not?"

Eric and Wolf both laughed and nodded at the way he was looking at them. "Yes, it comes down to a bit of wood." Eric managed to get out through the laughter.

Thad nodded slowly. He couldn't believe what they were telling him to do. It must have been some sort of joke but he would do anything to have Ulisi accept him and if it meant being laughed at by the men, then so be it. He would play along. He gave a heavy sigh as if defeated then went inside and over to the fireplace. He looked through the bits of wood until he saw a piece he liked. Then followed his nose down the hallway to her room and placed the log outside her door before heading back to the balcony with the men. As soon as he returned he saw the serious look on both Wolf and Eric's faces he noticed them both turn to stare inside to watch what was going to happen.

The women stopped clearing away the lunch things when they saw Thad walk over to the fireplace and then disappear down the hall with a small log. Ulisi clutched her chest as her heart began to beat faster. She stared at Thad as he headed back outside to the men and didn't take her eyes off him until she felt Eric and Wolf looking at her. She saw the nod of approval from them and couldn't help but smile. 

She looked at Maria and beamed which made Maria give her a bright smile in return and a big hug while whispering. "Go get him, Gran."

Ulisi nodded a little as she tossed the tea towel down that she was holding and walked down the hallway to her room to see the log. She picked it up slowly and caught his scent on it. It had been the first time she was able to truly take in his scent and it sent her wolf into a spin. Her wolf was jumping around all excited, calling out, 'Mine, Mine, Mine.'

She walked back out into the living area, clutching the piece of wood. Right now, burning it was the last thing she wanted to do with it because it held his scent but she knew she had to complete the ritual so he would know she accepted his offer.

The fireplace hadn't been used at all, so she didn't need to move any other logs out of the way. She placed the log on the wood cradle inside it then lit a match. The wood was already treated so it to begin burning straight away, then she walked away from the fireplace and back over to the women who each gave her a hug.

On the balcony, there was silence until Ulisi lit the match to burn the log. Each man smiled and patted Thad on the back in congratulation of being accepted by Ulisi in his claim to be her mate.

Thad looked stunned at what just happened. Shakily he asked. "That's it? I don't have to say anything else?"

Eric just laughed, "No my friend. She's accepted you as her mate. With my people the log represents being able to provide for the woman. If she knows you can provide for her and the future family you'll have, then she accepts by burning the log. If she thought that you couldn't provide for her, she would not have burnt it. However, we knew that there was no chance in hell she would not have burnt it." Once he had explained he chuckled again along with the other men.

Wolf just smiled at Thad. "You will be an interesting addition to my family and your life will be changing soon, my son." He then looked at the other men. "Go and get the women. The new couple will need to have some time to themselves."

The men nodded and left Thad on the balcony and collected the women and Jessie before heading upstairs to Eric's apartment

* * * * *

Downstairs in the basementm maps were laid out on the table and Danny was showing them the areas they had been in, what they had done and where he knew they were heading next. He realized he felt safer with the ancients than he ever did with André. Even though it was a bit scary at the start, once he began to share information with them, his nerves disappeared and he began to realize there was more going on than André was telling anyone.

He also gave them a list of the dangerous vampires in the rogue clan along with their abilities. Marcus just shook his head. "So that's how they did it."

Danny looked at him curiously. "Did what, Sir?"

Dee spoke slowly, "He doesn't know what is actually going on." Then it dawn on her. "He's raising the army as a shield to protect himself. They don't actually know the full agenda of André's plans or anything about the bears."

Danny looked blankly at them blinking. "Bears? What bears? We never came across any bears in our travels."

Micheal shook his head in response. "So a lot of innocent vampires are going to be killed because they don't actually know why they are there."

Marcus just half shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. He might have thought he had the strongest with those abilities but he has forgotten about the ancients and our numbers. We'll have to speak to Eric and Wolf first about it but we can do this with minimum causalities."

Danny just looked lost at what they were discussing. Shaking his head slowly while frowning, "Who are you talking about, Sir?"

Marcus looked at him and grinned. "You haven't worked it out yet, have you childe?" Danny shook his head which made Marcus chuckle. "Drop everything but the communication."

A moment later all of his senses were back to normal. He knew they were blocking him somehow but thought it was just a way to stop him knowing where he was actually being taken. As soon as one single scent hit him, his eyes went wide and he stumbled backwards. He could smell wolves and other animals on the vampires. Tripping over his own feet, he fell onto the floor and scurried himself back to press against he wall behind him. "You... Your with them!"

Marcus laughed. None of them had given their names over to the man so he had no idea who he was dealing with at all. "I am Marcus DelRosii, one of the leaders of the Council Enforcement Team. This is Micheal who is the vampire representative of this city and these are Dee and Richard, who would be considered the vampire leaders of the city. This particular city is run by one man alone. Eric Campbell. A spirit wolf who won't take crap from anyone who wants to fuck his city up. So everyone, were and vampire live together peacefully and we defend what's ours."

As soon as Marcus said his name, Danny went pale. He knew things were changing but never expected it by this much. He knew everything was going to hell with what he had done. He knew if he messed up now, he was going to have a very slow and painful death, ten times over. 

Marcus just stared at him hard. "Now my boy, you can either help us sort out this mess, or I can send you back to the Council and they can deal with you. Those are your only options. If you help us end the problem, I will place you under my protection so no one will be able to touch you without me killing them. So make up your mind quickly where you stand."

For Danny, there was no choice. They hadn't killed him yet, so he would do whatever he could to stay alive. His self preservation kicked in and nodded. "I'll do what you say."

* * * * *

Everyone was having drinks and catching up, in Eric's apartment, Maria was laughing so much, her stomach ached from the stories Gabriella was telling her about the first meetings with Eric and Richard, then later on meeting Dee. Maria had tears running down her cheeks and couldn't help but look over to Eric to see him look shocked with which stories Gabriella had decided to share. Then Nikolai joined in with the stories which only bought more embarrassment to the wolf.




Soulmates Ch. 08



Halfway through one of the stories, Richard and Dee walked into the apartment first, followed by Michael, a vampire they didn't know and then Marcus. As soon as Danny caught the scent of the wolves, he froze staring at them. Dealing with the ancients was one thing, but being thrown into a room full of dogs was something totally different.

He looked back at Marcus who just pushed him forward and towards a chair at the table. Michael then unfolded the maps. Marcus looked over at Wolf and said, "Can you ask your brothers to come?"

Wolf nodded and a moment later, from the balcony, Bear, Coyote, Eagle and Cougar walked in. They looked at Wolf to find out what was going on and Marcus spoke to answer their questions. "We'd like you to send messages to your people." Marcus then turned his attention to Danny with a hard stare.

Danny hesitated for a moment before looking at the map and began to make a trail with his finger of the path he was told to follow to get back to the rogues.

Coyote, Eagle and Cougar each looked at the path he showed them nodding and using telepathy to communicate their people, they gave them a general idea of where to look and to report back to them if they found anything.

It took an hour of quiet talking in the room when Eagle spoke up. "They've found them."



Soulmates Ch. 09



Andre Blanc was a short, lithe man. It looked like he had no muscle structure at all on his form but those that had seen him angered knew appearances were deceiving. What he lacked in strength, he made up for in agility, and his stubbornness of never wanting to loose a fight also played a big part. He never cared if his opponent was three or four times his size, he hated to loose so would only do so if he was knocked out or injured to the point of death, which was when his self preservation would kick in and take over whatever thoughts he was having. That was the only time he'd run from a fight.

One of his inner circle moved towards him and began to walk a step behind him. "Andre , if we might ask, where abouts are we going?"

Not looking towards his second, Andre continued to walk and go over things he had been told over the past few months. "Up ahead there's a hunting cabin. That's where we'll be staying until we get more information. Send scouts ahead to make sure no one is in the area."

His second nodded and shortly after, a dozen vampires ran past them to secure the area for Andre 's arrival. Once they were out of ear shot, his second said. "I didn't know you have been in this area before. You've never mentioned it, like the other places we go to."

Keeping his eyes ahead, Andre chuckled to himself while flashing a deadly smirk, "I haven't. An old pet has wanted a little help for years now so while we're in the area, we may as well help them out."

When his second heard him say the word 'pet' he couldn't help but stop in mid-step. The only time he had ever heard his leader call someone 'pet' was when he had forced a bond onto them. Once seeing the pet again, the bond would disappear and more trouble would begin as the ex-pet would want to be hunting his old friend to kill him, for forcing them into giving over information they would never normally tell anyone.

* * * * *

Eagle looked at the maps and pointed to where his people had located the rogue clan and the others looked at the map. Eric couldn't help but growl seeing they were finally in his territory, well, Thad's territory. Even though on paper, it showed that Eric, Richard and Dee owned the land. They had given it to two werewolf packs to live on, to make sure the land would remain as it was.

As Eric looked at the map, he softly mumbled to himself, then pointed to a spot near the area Eagle had pointed. "There's an old hunting cabin here. It's the only place in the area vampires could take shelter during the daylight."

A moment later, there was a knock at the door. It was not the door a guest would normally walk through though it was at the balcony door. The wolves started to growl more loudly as they saw a tall, dark stranger but as soon as Gabriella, Nikolas and Marcus saw the stranger they smiled. Gabriella walked over to the glass door and opened it up. "You took your time arriving."

The stranger just smiled and in a heavy Russian accent, "I missed you as well, my young lover." Then held his arms out to her.

Grinning, she jumped into his arms and they each gave the other a tight hug and a soft kiss at the base of the others neck. Nikolas growled at the man. "I suggest you let go of my mate if you want to keep those jewels between your legs in tack, Dante." 

The vampire, Dante, slowly slid Gabriella down his body to place her back on the ground and smirked over to Nikolas. "One day my friend, she will know who is the better man and she will dump your arse to come to me."

Gabriella started to pull Dante into the apartment but he stood fast at the doorway. "You know my ways, my lover."

Rolling her eyes, she looked up at him before looking over to Eric, who looked a little confused. "Eric, this is Dante. He's one of the ancients that have come to help. So could you say he's welcome to enter?"

Eric blinked hard with what she said along with the presence that Dante gave out now. He had felt nothing until he knocked on the door. How could someone hide that strength. He inclined his head slightly and said, "Come in then."

Dante bowed his head and stepped over the threshold. He slipped his arm around Gabriella and escorted her back to her mate before finally releasing her and shaking Nikolas' hand. As he shook Nik's hand, he lent down to Gabriella. "When you finally tire of this pup, you know where you can find a real man."

During their little jest, Marcus had joined them then he shook Dante's hand. Dante grabbed his old friend and in the traditional way, he kissed Marcus three times on each cheek and grinned knowing all too well what Marcus thought of that sort of greeting. With the hiss from Marcus, Dante chuckled. "It is good to see you, my old comrade."

During their conversation, Eric, Richard, Maria and Dee just stared at the old vampire. Each taking in their own decisions about him. Eric and Richard both thought, he was a very strong foe and they were glad he would be on their side instead of the enemies. Maria and Dee just thought he was just the same old vampire that humans would come to fear once they found out his true nature. He looked exactly like the typical vampire from those funny movies they created about vampires. Tall, dark, handsome with an air of mystery about him. A man who had pure sex appeal.

Marcus broke their thoughts when he said. "So what is it that has made your arrival so early, old friend?"

Dante just smiled and motioned to the door. A moment later a knock was heard. "The lady at the door has the information that gave us the need to arrive here quickly."

Nikolas walked to the door and opened it. Behind the door was a small woman, holding in one arm two bottles of wyne and in the other a large file. Nik looked at her curiously, "Come in." He said stepping to the side so the woman could enter.

The woman glanced around the room but, once she spotted Dante, she walked straight towards him without hesistation. He held his arms out to her, and she slipped into them. He lent down and kissed the base of her neck softly before turning her around and slipping his arms over her shoulders and resting them in front of her breasts. "This is Teresa. She has been my hidden treasure for a very long time and now I share her with you in this time of need."

She looked up shyly and nodded a little to those in the room. She made quick assessments of each person before lowering her eyes back to the floor. Dante grabbed the bottles from her and passed them to Marcus with a smile before leading her to a chair and pulling her down into his lap. Only after Dante warpped his arms protectively around her did she seemed to relax more.

Marcus had taken the bottles and looked at the labels. He arched a brow at Dante, "How did you know their ways?"

Dante laughing smiling, "Just open them up and hand the drinks around, comrade. All shall be revealed in a moment when I get my shy little girl to speak. She needs something to drink first."

Marcus nodded, taking the bottles to the kitchen, looking around for glasses and then pouring drinks from the two bottles. Taking the first two glasses over to Richard and Dee before grabbing the other three and taking them over to Dante and Teresa before sitting down to taste his own drink.

Richard and Dee both stared at the blood in the glass before bringing it up to take a sip of it. They were expecting human blood, but it wasn't. It tasted like the purest animal blood they had had in years. It was as if, the beast that died had been raised in a private stable, just to be able to give the purest taste and have nothing affect the taste of the blood once it was bled.

Teresa had finished her drink off quickly and Dante lent down to whisper. "Read for me, my Teresa," and motioned to the file.

Teresa opened the file up and began as asked. "Name: Andre Blanc. Age: 531 years. Born: Ashdown Forest, England. Sired by Michel Blanc. Sire childe: None. Known history: Andre was caught stealing when he was 21 human years old. He was found doing that multiple times, so this time it was death. The community he lived in was small. The rules were forest law; none shall steal from others in the community. Michel found him, released him and sired him. They both had the same attitude towards humans. At 60 vampire years, Andre killed Michel because he was told, by one of Michel's enemies, that he would become stronger with less lineage of his bloodline. He didn't find out until later that abilities only become stronger with age, not bloodlines."

Not looking up from the file Teresa snuggled more against Dante and he kept the protective sheild of his arms around her. "Profile: I personally believe because of that lie of killing his sire, he has a full hatred to half breeds of any kind. He has been killing half breeds, of any race, since the death of his sire. He seems to be under the impression, that killing stronger people than himself will force his abilities to become active instead of waiting to age for them to appear. With the death of the first bear, he was at the age of becoming stronger, but it seems that he's taken killing the bear as the reason for his increase in strength. I personally believe that because the spirit packs are extremely strong, once the bears have become extinct, he will begin hunting the other packs."

TERESA LOOKED UP FROM THE FILE AND SHE STARED INTO DANTE'S EYES. SHE DID NOT NEED TO LOOK AT THE FILE TO FINISH SPEAKING. "FROM HIS HABITS, HE IS STUBBORN BUT SELF PRESERVATION RUNS STRONGLY WITHIN THE MAN. IF HE IS LOOSING, HE WILL FLEE. THERE IS NO WAY TO REFORM HIS NATURE. THE ONLY WAY TO END THIS IS WITH HIS DEATH." SHE BROKE HER GAZE FROM DANTE'S EYES TO LOOK AT THOSE STARING AT HER. SHE LOOKED DOWN SHYLY. "USING INFORMATION HE HAS BEEN GIVEN IN THE PAST, AND THE FACT HE IS BEING GIVEN INSIDE HELP, HE PROBABLY KNOWS THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE LAST BEAR ALREADY. HE WILL WAIT THREE DAYS AS A PLAN IS CREATED FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME IN HIS FAVOUR AND THEN HE WILL MAKE HIS MOVE."

THERE WAS SILENCE FOR A LONG TIME ONCE SHE HAD FINISHED SPEAKING. EVERYONE JUST STARED AT THE TIMID GIRL IN DANTE'S LAP. MARCUS BROKE THE SILENCE BY ASKING. "HOW DOES SHE KNOW ALL THAT?"

Dante looked across to him and smiled. "Before Teresa died, she was able to read people around her but now that she is one of us, she just needs a picture and she can get everything needed to judge what the person is like."

MARCUS GLANCED AT THE GIRL BEFORE SNAPPING HIS GAZE BACK TO HIS FRIEND. "SHE IS THE REASON WHY YOU ASKED FOR PHOTOS OF EVERYONE WHO WE EMPLOY AND ARE ABLE TO TELL US IF SOMEONE WASN'T TO STANDARDS."

Dante just smiled and didn't say a word.

* * * * *

ONCE THE ROGUE CLAN ARRIVED AT THE CABIN, IT WAS NEARING DAYLIGHT. THE YOUNGER ONES BEGAN TO MOVE INSIDE TO FIND A SPOT TO REST WHILE THE OLDER ONES STOOD GUARD. THEY ALL RANGED FROM AGES; SOME OF THEM HAD ONLY RECENTLY BEEN SIRED SO DAYLIGHT WAS A FRIGHTENING TIME FOR THEM. 

ONE ROOM WAS LEFT ASIDE FOR ANDRE AND HIS INNER CIRCLE. ONCE EVERYONE HAD GONE TO SLEEP ANDRE LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW AND SMIRKED. A MOMENT LATER HIS PHONE RANG. "HELLO, MY PET."

There was an annoyed voice at the end of the line. "What do you want now, Andre?"

"LOCATION OF WHERE THE BEAR IS, OF COURSE." HE ANSWERED.

There was a sigh at the end of the line, "You're going to get me killed for betraying him, you know that right?"

ANDRE JUST CHUCKLED. "BETTER DEATH BY WHOEVER HAS THE BEAR THAN BY ME, PET."

Sighing again the voice spoke quickly, "Penthouse apartment of Campbell Towers. He won't be as easy to get to as the others were."

"Explain, pet"

THERE WAS A SATISFIED TONE IN THE VOICE THIS TIME, "COUNCIL, WHO IS MADE UP OF THE STRONGEST SPIRITS ALONG WITH THEIR PEOPLE, THE WOLVES IN THE AREA, AND THE LOCAL VAMPIRES, WILL ALL BE HUNTING FOR ANY OUTSIDERS. YOU MAY HAVE MET YOUR MATCH NOW WOLF IS INVOLVED."

Andre chuckled. "In that case then I may have some more use of you yet, pet. You will bring me the bear."

THERE WAS A LONG MOMENT OF SILENCE. "I CAN'T DO THAT. I'M NOT PART OF THEIR INNER CIRCLE. I WON'T BE ABLE TO GET NEAR THE CHILD."

"Then you had better figure out a way to seperate them from the bear. Call me when everything is in place, pet." He then hung up.

* * * * *

TERESA STARED DOWN AT THE PHOTO OF THE MAN THEY WERE HUNTING. HER EYES BEGAN TO TURN SILVER AND SHE SAT STRAIGHT UP IN THE CHAIR. 

DANTE HAD LEFT HER TO RELAX AND TO SPEAK WITH OTHERS ABOUT THE INFORMATION SHE HAD GIVEN THEM BUT AS SOON AS HE FELT THE SHIFT, HE WAS BACK WITH HER, KNEELING IN FRONT OF HER AND HOLDING HER HANDS GENTLY. "WHAT DO YOU SEE, MY PRECIOUS?"

She did not say anything until her eyes went back to their natural sky blue. She looked into Dante's eyes to get her focus back and then softly said, "He knows where the child is."

AS SOON AS THE OTHERS HEARD THOSE SIX WORDS ALL BUT THE SPIRIT WERES WERE ON THEIR PHONES. ERIC WAS ON THE PHONE TO THE PACK SINCE THAD WAS STILL BUSY, AND MICHAEL WAS ON HIS PHONE CONTACTING THE LEADERS OF HIS PEOPLE. MARCUS WAS ON HIS TO CALL THE ANCIENTS IN WHILE GABRIELLA AND NIKOLAS WERE ON THEIRS TO CONTACT THE ENFORCEMENT TEAMS. 

Cougar, Eagle and Coyote were each in mental links with their people to hold back until futher notice. They were just to watch and report back if there was any movement from the cabin. With the vampires with them, their presence and scents were hidden. They had found out during their journey, the vampires weren't just trackers. They had other skills to block others from sencing them. 

TERESA WAS VISIBLY SHAKEN WITH HER LAST VISION. DANTE HAD MOVED HER BACK ONTO HIS LAP AND HELD HER GENTLY WHILE SOFTLY KISSING HER SHOULDER AND MURMURING QUIETLY TO HER. 

Once Marcus was off the phone, he looked over to his old friend and couldn't help but chuckle a little. He had never seen Dante act like this with any of his women in all of the years he had known him. Dante was the type of man who would not accept weakness in anyone and yet with this woman Dante was doing just that.

Dante felt eyes on him and he looked over to Marcus. He softly spoke to Teresa and she nodded slightly as he placed her down on the chair. She curled up on the chair and closed her eyes to rest. He looked around then motioned to Marcus to follow him.

They had gone through the office into Richard and Dee's apartment when Dante sighed. 

MARCUS DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING. HE KNEW HOW HIS FRIEND WAS WHEN SORTING THINGS OUT IN HIS MIND AND HE PATIENTLY WAITED BY POURING THEM BOTH A GLASS OF WHISKEY BEFORE PRESENTING IT TO DANTE.

DANTE ACCEPTED THE DRINK WITH A NOD AND LOOKED AT MARCUS AS HE STARTED TO PACE. "SHE'S MY LIFEMATE. WE BOTH KNOW WE'RE EACH OTHERS BUT NEITHER OF US WANT TO SPEAK IT OUT LOUD." HE THEN SAT DOWN IN ONE OF THE CHAIRS AND LOOKED OVER TO MARCUS. "SHE WAS ONE OF THE RIPPER'S VICTIMS. I CAUGHT HER SCENT, THEN THE PULL. I SAW RIPPER TRACKING HER AND PULL HER INTO AN ALLEY. I WATCHED AS HE HAD HIS WAY WITH HER BEFORE LEAVING HER FOR DEAD. SHE WAS PASSED OUT AT THE TIME BUT I KNEW I COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT HER SO I SIRED HER AND SHE'S BEEN AT MY SIDE EVER SINCE."

Marcus just stared at him as he told the story and just smiled. "I did the same when Allison came into my life. I let someone else kill her so I didn't have to do it and bought her back. She was like Teresa for about a hundred years til her memories started to return from her human life but she understood why I did it. Each time I think it was wrong for me to be selfish in siring her, she comes back to tell me she wouldn't of had it any other way. At least I didn't have to go through the heartbreak of ending her human life."

Dante nodded and took a sip of the whiskey. "That's how she feels as well. I've been open with her from day one and told her what I knew of her life beforehand. Even cleared her home out from back then and moved it to my home in Russia so she has her things with her whenever she wants them."

Marcus watched his friend as he just stared down at his drink. He then smiled. "Is she always like this, shy?"

Dante chuckled. "Not when we're home or having visions of our prey. We have some of the best arguments, comrade. When I take her with me, she is shy around new people. Once this is all over and she's not getting visions, she'll be back to her fiery self."

MARCUS NODDED AS HE LISTENED TO HIS FRIEND SPEAK. HE COULD SEE THE LONGER DANTE SPOKE A WEIGHT WAS LIFTING FROM HIS SHOULDERS AND HE BECAME MORE RELAXED. A KNOCK AT THE GLASS DOOR MADE THEM GO QUIET AND WHEN THEY LOOKED THEY SAW RICHARD STOOD WAITING TO BE LET INTO HIS OWN APARTMENT. 

DANTE MOTIONED HIM INSIDE. RICHARD ONLY OPENED THE DOOR THOUGH AND SAID, "DAYLIGHT SOON AND THE SPIRITS WANT TO ATTACK DURING THE WEAKEST MOMENTS TO SEPARATE THE ENEMY."

The ancients just nodded. It was the only way to get the weak away from the strongest. They both stood up and walked back through the office to see what the youngsters had come up with.



Soulmates Ch. 10



There were six ancient vampires that lived in the area. Marcus had called each of them for their assistance for the fight. They had all decided to meet at the Thad's compound before they began their hunt. An hour before midday, the convoy from the city had arrived and were driving through the gates towards Thad's home.

That was one thing about the vampires. The older they were, the better they were able to handle sunlight. Richard, Dee, Teresa and Danny were still young in vampire years so their tolerance was still weak compared to the ancients. So they were going to remain in the compound with Ulisi, Maria and Jessie and would pass information over to the remaining wolves if any of the enemy were going to enter the compound and give them updates of the fight that was to come.

* * * * *

Just before the car convoy entered the compound, Thad had sent out word for his betas to meet him at his home. By the time the cars stopped outside of the large building, his betas were standing outside waiting for him.

Thad was first to be out of the cars and opened the front door. "Welcome to my home." A moment later, four streaks raced by the betas and through the open door. 

The betas caught the scent of vampires and each of the twelve softly growled but looked at their Alpha when he welcomed them. Thad just shook his head and their growling ceased. 

A soft breezed passed behind him and the beta's stood up straight and looked at him. Thad knew what they smelt and he nodded. Each of his beta's changed from their serious looks into ones of joy. Their alpha had finally found his mate and quickly looked towards the cars to find who the scent belonged to.

The car Thad had left from, Eric stepped out first then held his hand out and Maria stepped out next. Once she was beside him, he held his hand out again and Ulisi stepped out from the car and looked around. She couldn't help but smile with how she saw the compound was set up. Even though it seemed modern, only memories of her childhood floated into her mind. It reminded her so much of her home village. The evening before, Thad had told her of what the compound looked like but in person, it looked so much better than what he described. She looked over to him with a soft smile and nod. Letting him know silently she couldn't wait to begin her life here with him.

Gabriella, Nik, Marcus and Dante were last to leave the cars. They were quietly talking between themselves and Dante was using telepathy with the other vampires that were in the area. He looked over to Thad, giving him a heads up. "From the north there will be six vampires coming in quickly. We'll wait out here for their arrival and join you inside."

Thad nodded and motioned for his betas to enter, but it took them a while to drag their eyes off of the woman with platinum hair. They knew she was the new alpha bitch. And they knew, she wasn't the typical wolf they were use to seeing around. Once they finally saw the motion to go inside, they each went in and through to the meeting room to see what was going on for their vampiric guests to be there as well.

* * * * *

Carrie was last to join them. She had taken her time to get dress. As soon as she opened her bedroom door, she caught Eric's scent and let out a soft murr but then caught the scent of the other wolves in his pack and that murr turned into a soft growl. After gaining her composure, she walked downstairs to see the vampires making themselves at home in her house and couldn't stop the growl. But then looked stunned when she caught a second scent on her father. She narrowed her eyes at him and stalked towards him. Her growling continued. "How could you fuck with that woman. Don't you have any respect for the pack." Her voice low in it's deadly tone he had heard before.

Thad narrowed his gaze at his daughter and gave her one single warning. "Ulisi is my mate and your new alpha, so you will address her properly from now on."

Hearing he had taken the woman as his mate, she shook her head a little. "She will never be alpha while I'm around. You are the only alpha the pack needs, father."

It was one thing for her to threaten his own life but when it came to Ulisi, it was no holds bar when it came to threats against her. Without warning. He grabbed his daughter by the neck and began to slowly lift her off the ground.

Her hands and legs flailed in the air when the ground under her feet disappeared. Her hands reached up and grabbed his arm, trying to dig her nails into his flesh to get him to release his grasp around her neck. 

He walked with her still in the air and pushed her hard against the wall. A deadly look was in his eyes. A look of death to anyone who went against his wishes. Growling deeply, he looked into her eyes. "I don't give a fuck if you are my daughter or not. Ulisi is the new alpha bitch here and if you can't accept it, then leave now. If I have to speak to you again about your attitude towards her, it will be the last words you ever speak." Then he threw her aside as if she was just a piece of garbage. 

The pack wolves just stared at the confrontation. They had never seen their Alpha act like that before. They had never seen the look in his eyes ever in all of their years being in the pack. What surprised them more was Ulisi going over to him. She started to softly murr to him. When their alpha looked into his mates eyes. The look of rage disappeared within a moment and his eyes went back to how they normally looked and the feel of him went back to his relaxed self.

Thad looked deeply into his mates eyes and felt the calmness she could cause in his body. He rested his head on her forehead, letting her scent fill his sences. She was his anchor in the drifting sea. She would be the only one ever to beable to control the wolf inside him completely. After all these years, after everything that had happened. He had found peace in this spirit wolf. Something he never thought that would be possible to feel. He softly kissed her forehead before looking over to his betas. "I apologise for my outburst just then." Chuckling a little. "I will never tease any newly mated males again."

His betas joined in the chuckle and most knew what he was speaking of. Each of them had found their mates and when their wolf was uncontrollable, they knew what their mates could do for them. The only thing that could sooth their wolves would be their mates. Their mates always knew when they needed them most and they always knew what to do to sooth their rage. And with that little touch that the platinum haired wolf did on their Alpha, they knew from that point onwards they would defend their Alpha bitch until their dieing breath. The wolf, Ulisi, she was their new alpha female.

* * * * * 

By midday, the invited ancients had arrived. The betas had been informed of what was going on and what needed to be done. They had left to call in their experienced warriors to aid with the hunt. The pack liked Eric a lot. He had done so much for them in the past and now it was their turn to finally give him aid. So none of them complained with the task he had set for them. Even though it wasn't something for him directly, it was for the child that was in his care. Each wolf of Thad's pack was like any other Were that was living. Children were precious and treasures no matter what race of Were they were.

What wasn't seen above ground, below ground was a bomb settler which was the size of the compound. Each home and building had a entrance to it. So anywhere in the compound, people would beable to get to safety quickly. They had already moved the elderly and children down into the shelter before the final meeting, before the hunt began. And after sending the younger wolves down into the shelter. They were told that if any vampires got past Maria, Ulisi and the younger vampires, they would be the only defences left until the older wolves could return. It would be harder for the vampires to fight in close proxcimity to each other so they would have a better chance to defend until help was there.

Thad looked at his pack and nodded at the faces that stared up at him. "As each of you have probably already heard, I have my true mate by my side now. She will be remaining behind along with her granddaughter and the younger vampires to protect the compound with the younger warriors who haven't had the experience to fight vampires yet." Motioning to the ancients that stood beside him. "Take in the scents here, these are our allies in this hunt. If you scent their blood on the air, go to their aid. There will also be other were's with us so just go after any of the vampires that you don't know."

The pack nodded and did as he said. Taking in the scents of the vampires in front of them so they would register it when the rage within them took hold. They wouldn't attack any allies.

Marcus then stepped forward. "We will work in teams of five since there are the numbers for it. It is only the older vampires we need to handle. The younger ones will still be to weak to come out to fight, so no one enter the cabin until the fight is finished. Also, I know the vampire bite is deadly to you, so stick with the vampire you are teamed with. Since we are ancients we have ways of removing the venon so no one will die via bite in this fight. But please, no one get bitten just to prove the point. If you are bitten, get one of us to notice and we'll be at your side."

The wolves nodded. The older hunters knew that Marcus was one to trust with his word. They had fought beside him a few times in the past though the younger ones were a little mistrusting of his words. But when the younger saw the acceptance from the older, the young accepted as well.

Thad gave the hand signal to shift and each of the males undressed and began to shift into their hybrid forms. Eric and Thad both gave their mates a last kiss before undressing, passing their closes to Maria and Ulisi before shifting themselves. Thad shifted into his hybrid form and Eric went to the base of the steps and began to shift into his dire form. 

When the wolves saw Eric's shift. They understood straight away, that if anyone got in his way of his kill, no one would survive it. But unlike the last time they had seen his dire form, he seemed more relaxed and himself. The first time they had seen that form, he went on a blood rage, killing everything and anyone that got in his way. 

Eric lifted his massive head towards Maria and she stepped forward. Scratching his snout before giving him a soft kiss. "I will see you after the hunt."

He let out a deep growl before turning around and darting into the forest, followed by the pack and the vampires.

* * * * *

Maria sighed once they were out of sight and headed back inside the building. She looked at Ulisi and grinned. "He'll be back soon so you can cover yourself in his scent again."

Ulisi blushed deeply. She didn't think her granddaughter would notice as she had lifted Thad's clothing up to take in his scent on them. "Like he said, newly mated couples are hard to get along with. Though, my wolf isn't as bad as she was. She's more calmed down now that we've claimed each other."

Richard, Dee and Terresa were sitting cross legged on the chairs in the lounge. Each seemed in a meditative state until Dee turned her head but still with her eyes closed. "You don't need to be quiet around us. Keep talking so it will help us keep focus of where we actually are."

Ulisi nodded to Dee, sitting down on one of the sofas. "In that case then." Looking over to Maria. "I have to say, this place reminds me so much of home, how the village I grew up in was set up like."

Maria went and sat down next to Ulisi and Jessie scampered up to them. Picking him up, she set him down between them. "Tell us a story of your childhood."

Ulisi smiled and nodded as she got comfortable on the sofa. Then she began her story of what it was like during her childhood.

* * * * *

It didn't take the hunters long before arriving on the outskirts of the cabin. They divided themselves up into teams of five and began circling the cabin. The cougars arrived a few minutes later and the coyotes arrived with them and began to seperate to join a team as well.

The eagles above began to fly in circles around area, just like their smaller relatives if they saw something dead before going down to feed. The eagles knew what their jobs were. If they saw any enemy dart into the treetops, that was when they would make their moves. To make sure the fight remained on solid ground.

Once everyone was in position. The cloaks that had surrounded the hunters were dropped and watched as vampires darted out of the cabin and to see their expressions when the first thing they saw was the dire wolf in front of them.

* * * * *

Terresa softly spoke and said. "It had begun."

Ulisi and Maria looked towards her and nodded. They both knew it would soon begin. They looked at each other and gave the other reassuring smiles. They both knew their mates would return to them. Both being strong alphas. Their concern was for the hunters with them. They hoped that everyone that had gone with them, would return to the compound safely.

* * * * *

Andre had kept his five strongest fighters with him when the fight began. They were pacing back and forth, questioning why they weren't fighting with their people. "Our fight hasn't begun yet." Was his answer each time.

His phone beeped when he watched one of his warriors fighting for is life against a cougar and one of the hybrid wolves. He looked down just as his fighter was torn apart. He grinned at the message. "Now it is time for us to fight. Douglas, place the cloak up around us. It is time for us to make our kills."

Douglas was an assassin before becoming a vampire so his skills with stealth had given him abilities to cloak himself along with whoever was with him completely along with their scents. He and the five others moved through the fighting quickly. No one seemed to have noticed their departure as they headed towards the compound.

* * * * *

Terresa was first to dart her eyes open and look towards the door, then a moment later, Richard and Dee were staring at the door as well. "Six are coming that aren't our own." They said nearly in unison.

Maria and Ulisi had guessed they would be dragged into the fight so each gave the other a smile. Maria looked over to Dee. "Look after him for me, alright." Leaning down she gave Jessie a soft kiss on the forehead. "You be good for aunty Dee now."

Ulisi then gave the child a hug and kiss on the cheek before walking with Maria outside of the building, letting their sences reach out and tracked the vampires in their mind. Looking in their direction as they walked into the compound.

Danny stared at the two wolves as they left and closed the door behind them. He looked over to Richard and was about to ask what was going on until he felt Andre was close by. He started to shake his head. "I didn't contact him. I didn't contact anyone from the clan." He hugged the bottle he was carrying against his chest and began to back up until he felt the wall behind him and slide down to sit on the floor.

Terresa looked over to him and gave him a half smile. "We know you didn't." Then she looked over towards the doorframe to the office and motioned to the figure standing inside of it. "They did." Which had Dee, Richard and Danny staring at the figure. Each had their fangs extended and hissing at them. Each moved into position between the figure and Jessie, each crouched and each ready to attack. They would let the enemy make the first move.



Soulmates Ch. 11



The six vampires stopped a distance away from Maria and Ulisi. Both women began to strip so they wouldn't ruin their clothing. They stood naked in front of the vampires and waited for their first move. 

Andre openly gaze over to the two women and smirked. "Once we kill the bear, I will truly enjoy playing with both of your bodies. They look so delicious, I am sure I will enjoying having you both as my toys for a while."

Both women couldn't stop the deep growling from their throats. "You only have one warning. Leave or die. Your choice." Ulisi answered.

The vampires laughed. How could two small women put up any sort of fight against a vampire, let alone against six vampires. "I think you are mistaken girlie. You only have one warning. Bring the bear out and we won't prolong your deaths." Andre said with a hint of amusement in his voice.

* * * * *

Tears were running down Carrie's cheeks. "I had no choice. He placed some sort of bond on me. I had to do what he said or he'd kill me along with the pack."

Dee shook her head. "That is no excuse. You should have spoken up about it before any deaths occurred. They are on your head, along with his."

Carrie, cringed a little as she felt the thump in her head happen again. More tears ran down her cheeks and she shook her head. "I have no choice. I'm sorry." Without any other warning, she shifted into her hybrid form and began to attack the vampires. Not caring about her own life right then. All she hoped to do right then was die and have it over and done with.

* * * * *

Blood soaked into the fur of the hunters as they continued to kill the rouge vampires. They had worked out early in the fight that having the teams instead of going one on one did make the kills faster. The more they killed, the quicker the kills began and they were onto their next vampiric prey. They figured out, with the other hunters with the wolves, what they could do so each time they attacked, they would each use their strengths so within moments of their first attack, they would be on to their next target.

The only ones of the wolves that hadn't shifted were Gabriella, Nikolas and Wyvren. They were still fighting in human form most of the time. The only part of their bodies that had shifted were their hands. Instead of human hands, their hands were a little stumpier with long claws just like a vampires talon but the claws where thicker than a talon and had more of a curve to them.

The three of them were from an ancient bloodline of wolves. Instead of having the regular two forms and only one form being the strongest to fight in, they had three forms. Human, hybrid and wolf. Their human forms were just as strong as the others hybrid, their hybrid and wolf was just as strong as Eric's dire. They were most deadly in the fight. Even though Gabriella and Nikolas looked like they were in their twenties, they were over 900 years old, Wyvren who looked around forty, was a few hundred years older than they were. They were three of the oldest in the were nation.

Each had a different fighting style but each looked like they were in a solo dance when they fought. Compared to the other wolves, their deadly dance was more composed, more elegant. Something you would see a vampire do over a wolf. Their attacks were precise and each landed where it was intended. At times it looked like they were toying with their prey and at times there were. They waited for their enemy to open themselves for the main attack and once they did, their heads would hit the ground to stare back at their decapitated body.

* * * * *

Carrie stood there panting as she finally registered what she had done. Terresa, Dee, Richard and Danny were thrown to different parts of the room. Each bloody from her attacks. Jessie was crying, pushing at Dee's side to try to wake her up.

Looking down at her claws, Carrie had tears running down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I had no choice." She knew the vampires would heal quickly, her wolf knew she shouldn't kill these vampires so her wolf made sure her attacks were just lethal enough to immobilize them for a while.

She went over and picked Jessie up. His bear came forth when he was picked up and began to claw and bite at her arms. He was growling as deeply as he could and attempted to rip fresh from the arms that held him.

As soon as he shifted and started to attack her. She grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, knowing it wouldn't hurt him as a bear and began to walk towards the door. As soon as she opened the door, she pulled him up to her chest with his back to her. One arm went around his torso so his arms were raised a little so he couldn't claw her again and her other hand was under his bottom so she had him a little more secure in her arms. 

Standing just inside the doorway just as the fight outside began.

The five vampires with Andre began to run towards Maria and Ulisi and both women ran towards them, shifting as they passed the half way mark. When the vampires saw they were facing two dire wolves, they hesitated for a moment. But that moment of hesitation was enough for Maria. She dived towards the closest to her, tilting her head and snapping her mouth around his torso, as she continued to run, she bit down hard then shook her head. 

The vampire screamed as he felt his body being torn apart. The next moment he was silent as his upper body laid apart from his lower body and his mid section was spat out near his head. 

The taste of his blood in Maria mouth made her make a face. The taste was worse than she had expected. First thing she would do after the fight would be to wash her mouth out. But she didn't let those thoughts last long when she saw Ulisi being surrounded by two of the vampires. Using telepathy with her grandmother. "Tag team, one closest to me."

Not giving any signs of hearing her granddaughter. She started to growl at the one furthest from Maria before turning around quickly and darting to the same target as Maria. Maria grabbed the vampire's left arm as Ulisi grabbed his right then without stopping their pace they ripped the vampires arms away from his body. Then spat them out to attack the next vampire in their sights.

Each wolf ended up taking another vampire down each to leave one behind. The last attacking vampire started to back away from them before he turned around and ran back towards the way they entered from. Maria and Ulisi wanted to give chase to him but they both knew Andre was the dangerous one, they needed to be rid of him more than any of his lackeys.

Maria and Ulisi stood between the house and Andre, both growling deeply with their heads lowered and their teeth showing. Nothing was worse than trying to get in between a female wolf and their cub. Even though Jessie wasn't their biologically, he was now part of their pack and no one would take him away, ever. Unless it was over their dead bodies.

Andre had a bored expression across his face. "Bring the bear to me or everyone inside will die." Staring at dire wolves.

They just deepened their growls and began to snarl at him for their answer.

He chuckled at their reactions then looked past them to the house. "Bring the bear to me, pet." Then looked back to the wolves with a satisfied look across his face.

They then heard Jessie's growls behind them. Maria darted her gaze behind them as Ulisi kept her eyes fixed on Andre. Then Maria turned fully around and moving in front of Carrie and deepening her growl even more.

Carrie still had tears running down her cheeks which matted her facial fur. With a growling voice. "I.. have.. no.. choice.. I'm.. sorry.."

Maria blocked her way, taking a step back when Carrie took one forward. Ulisi stepped forward to keep in line with Maria so she could judge when they would be getting to close to the vampire.

Andre was getting tired of the slow pace Carrie was walking at. He looked directly at her and yelled. "Bring the bear to me now or so help me I will kill you and he both at the same time."

That was his downfall. As soon as he made full eye contact with Carrie, she doubled over, using her body to protect the bear as the ache in her head became stronger ten fold. She held her head and cried out in pain as the bond between her and Andre broke. 

By the time they were half way across the compound. Richard was standing at the door of the house and watching the scene that was happening in the yard. When he saw Carrie had doubled over in pain, he looked back to Dee and give her a soft smile before running as fast as he could towards Carrie. Pulling her away from Jessie and picking him up roughly before darting back to the house. By the time he had returned to the shadows inside the house, steam was coming from his body and his breathing was hard. He passed Jessie over to Dee before collapsing onto the ground and curling up in pain that the sun kiss had caused.

When Andre saw what Richard was doing, he moved forward quickly but Ulisi ran forward and bowled into him at his side which had him rolling on the ground from the impact. She slowly began to stalk towards him. Her head lowered and the fur on the back of her neck was bristled, the only thing that her eyes showed was hatred and rage of what he was trying to do to their lives. And she was ready to taste his blood.

* * * * *

The fight at the cabin ended just as quickly as it started. The Weres were outside pacing back and forth, the rage that had built up inside them was still peaking and they had to walk it off to return back to normal. The vampires had entered the cabin, and did a quick search before Marcus and Dante raced back outside. "He isn't here, neither are the others Danny said were part of his inner circle."

Eric looked at Thad and at the same time. "The girls." Both turning at the same time and racing back towards the compound. They had blocked their mates from their thoughts during the fight. Neither wanted their mates to feel them fighting or them feeling scared with reactions from their mates.

When the others realized what was going on, they each set off back to the compound, each nervous for what they were going to find.

* * * * *

By the time the hunters and vampires returned to the compound. Maria was sitting on Carrie growling her at her each time she moved. Ulisi and Andre began to circle each other. Andre was hissing at her, showing her his fangs and she was snarling back. Letting him know that hers was bigger than his. The other weres saw what was happening and began to form a circle around the two opponents and into a fighting ring. 

Both Thad and Eric were about to step into it but where stopped when Gabriella touched their backs. "This is her fight. This fight will prove to this pack that she is strong and will defend them. So send word to the ones in the shelter to come up but not to interfere."

Thad looked to his betas and they disappeared to get the rest of the pack to come back above ground. And to see what their new alpha bitch could really do.

By the time everyone was out of the shelters. They couldn't help but stare at the large dark gray dire wolf and the vampire circling each other. Word soon got around to the pack that the dire wolf was their new alpha bitch so none of them could break their gaze of what they were going to see.

When Andre saw no one was going to interfere with the fight, he kept his concentration on the female wolf. He chuckled to himself before saying aloud. "You really think you have a chance against me, dog?" His mind ticked over how many times he had killed wolves in the past. This wouldn't be any different. They were slower than vampires so his speed and agility would be the star and just show why vampires were better than the dogs.

He started to move faster around but then he shook his head. Ulisi wasn't meant to be keeping up with him as he increased speed. They were meant to be slower than what she was showing him then.

Because he hasn't fought against a spirit wolf yet, he didn't know the skills that came from being one. Other than different shifting to normal Weres. The spirits also had bonus' of their kind. The cougars had stealth and able to hide their scents. The coyotes, their sense of smell that was ten times stronger than any other of their kinds, along with their dexterity. The eagles had sight and flight. Then the wolves, they had speed and agility which matched the oldest of vampires. 

The wolves of the pack had problems keeping up with the speed of the fight, but the vampires, Gabriella, Nik and Wyvren and the other spirit Weres were keeping track of it easily. 

When Ulisi and Andre and Ulisi clashed, it felt like a small shockwave hitting the watchers. Ulisi had curled around his body to pull him in her direction instead of his own and latched onto his arm to rip it away. When the hit the dirt, he placed his free hand against her throat to try to add pressure to her airway as he straddled her large frame.

There was a blood lust in her eyes which made him nervous of what the outcome of the fight was going to be.

When he pulled his hand back from her throat and tried to move backwards. She rolled to stand back up but wouldn't release his arm. She bit down hard and turned her head quickly. There was a ripping of flesh and his scream as she bit down completely and tore his arm away from his body then spat it out to the side.

He held the stump of his arm, he looked at her with new sight. His self preservation began to kick in as blood poured from his arm. He looked for a escape but seeing they were in a full ring of people. He started to run towards the gates and jumped to clear the crowd.

But his moves were to slow. Ulisi saw what he was going to do and was just a step behind him and as he jumped, she latched onto his leg and turned her head to yank him back to the middle of the ring.

He felt his hip pop out of the socket along with his knee. He cried out in pain, holding his hip with his hand then stopped when he saw her stalking towards him. He looked around again and laid eyes on Marcus. "I yield" crying out to him.

Ulisi stopped when she was standing at his feet. Then placing her right front paw on his chest and letting her claws dig into his flesh. Leaning her head down just inches away from his face, she started to snarl, letting him see close up how large and sharp her teeth were.

Thad looked at Gabriella once he heard the vampire called yield, then looked back to his mate and began to walk towards her. Making soft murring sounds. 

When Ulisi heard her mate, she lifted her head but kept pressure of her paw on the vampires chest. Leaving her claws pressed hard against Andre chest, letting him know if he moved at all, he'd most likely bleed out four times as quickly from the slashes her claws would make.

Thad never stopped the murring even when he stood beside her. He ran his hands through her fur of her cheek and whispered. "This isn't your kill. Bear should do it because it was his people who it was done to."

Ulisi nodded and looked over to Eric who gave her a nod. She remained where she was until Wolf and Bear walked through the crowd to her.

Bear looked down at Andre and growled. "With the number of people you killed in cold blood, you have no right to live." There was a darkness in Bear's eyes but he wasn't one to let anyone have a slow death so he crouched down, placing his hands on either side of Andre's head then twisted the head from one side then the other before ripping it from his shoulders and tossing it to the side. As Bear stood up he bowed his head to Ulisi. "Thank you." He walked back into the forest to finally morn the deaths of his people.

Wolf watched his brother. He wanted to help him but knew nothing could be done until Jessie was of age to rebuild the spirit bears again. He touched Ulisi's cheek before looking over to Maria and giving her a smile. Then turned his attention to Eric and gave him a nod before going into the forest to be there for his brother when he needed him.

* * * * *

Once everything had calmed and people had taken showers to clean themselves up. The vampires went back to the cabin to question the younger ones that were left inside with the sun as their guard.

Dee, Terresa, Richard and Danny each told them what happened and when Thad found out his daughter was involved, he was furious. Calling the council of elders along with all of the pack. What Carrie had done was against the pack so everyone deserved to know her treason.

* * * * *

Thad stood there, in the middle of the compound with the pack in a circle around himself and Carrie. Staring hard at his daughter. Anger boiled in his eyes. How could she of done such a thing, against him, against the pack, against her own people. "You selfish little bitch. How the fuck could you so that to us all. You put us all in danger because of that. Normally exile would be the punishment for this, but that won't give the respect to the lives you killed. Death is the only thing for you now, girl."

Ulisi walked over to him, slipping her arm around her mates arm and pressed herself against Thad. She began to make soft murrs which she knew could normally relax him. And slowly, she could feel the tension leaving his body.

Carrie was furious that the vampires didn't pull through on their side of the bargain but more angry at herself for having to do what was done. She was never one to take full responsibility of things because of her pride had always gotten in the way. She looked over to Andre's body was then shook her head before bringing her gaze back to her fathers. "The pack needs a strong leader, Father. You're even weaker now because of that bitch beside you." Her anger had boiled to breaking point and letting everything out, even if she didn't really mean it. She just wanted it over and done with, she knew she did wrong but wasn't going to admit it.

The pack started to move around her, growling softly at her. Even though they didn't know the wolf Thad had chosen as a mate that well yet, the protection she gave them during the battle, they knew she was one that they could count on and would always stand beside them compared to Carrie.

Thad just stared at his daughter and chuckled a little. He turned to the side and wrapped his arms around his mate's body and took a deep breath of her scent. Her scent of the wild bought automatic calmness to him. The anger in his eyes that he held for his daughter disappeared nearly automatically as he nuzzeled Ulisi's cheek.

She looked into his eyes and brushed her cheek against his before softly touching his other cheek. "You need to tell her. She has always deserved to know the truth. It must be done now so she knows the reason to why she would never be alpha in this pack." 

He lent back and looked into the palest of blue eyes which were nearly fully white, an effect of making her wolf sleep for so many years. He rested his forehead against her own and nodded. "No time like the present." Then he turned slowly towards his daughter and sighed. "Your mothers and my mating was polictical and not for any other reason. Everyone from both packs knew what our mating ment. But when you were born, they assumed that we were just fighting the envitable of being mated. But during the ceremony, I caught a very faint scent on her. With that, I looked at her father just before we finished and whispered to her, 'Only blood shall lead the pack'. As soon as I said it, your mother knew what it ment."

Carrie stared at her father and narrowed her eyes. "I am your blood. So I should have been leading well before this ever happened. This wouldn't of had to happen if I was Alpha. Every other past Alpha has retired by your age so their children can lead."

Thad just shook his head. "That faint scent I smelt on her, was you, Carrie. You mother had found her true mate and mated with him to carry you. That is why your mother hated me so much, and why she tried to kill me so many times. She thought with me out of the way, she could mate with him and set him up as Alpha. But her mate ended up challenging me for it, and he died by my hand. She hated me more but the love for her mate was stronger, and she killed herself. Leaving you behind with me to raise. And that is why I have always told you, you would never be Alpha of this pack and by putting us all in danger, you have proven you only care about yourself, and not the pack."




Soulmates Ch. 11



The young wolf just stared at the man she had called father for all of her life. Why would he tell her such a story like that. When she looked around at the older wolves in the pack, she could see the looks in their eyes and could just see the ounce of truth of what he was telling her. Darting her gaze back to her father as tears ran down her cheeks. "Then why, if you knew she was pregnant, then why did you go through with it!"

The Alpha looked down at his mate before looking around to his pack then settled his gaze on Carrie. "To protect the pack of course. Your mothers pack was a dieing pack. They were to set in the old ways and never travelled to find their mates. Your grandfather knew the old ways were killing his wolves so he came to me. The only way a merger could work and be accepted was if he mated his daughter off. And his pack was forced into new ways because with the mating of your mother, he would retire and join the packs together. If I didn't hear the love in his voice as he spoke of his pack, I would never of done it that way. My pack was stronger and twice the numbers to his. So I could of taken over his pack and land through war. He knew that coming to me with the idea of merging the packs could of lead to war but he had to try. He had to save his pack and by doing that, I accepted the arranged mating."

Sitting there in silence. One thing after another started to be placed in her mind. Looking back on memories of when her father was ill, her mother didn't once go to see if he was alright. Memories that were long forgotten flooded into her mind. The way she watched how her parents interacted with the pack. Her mother always treated the pack like crap while her father treated them with kindness. She just thought at the time it was because her mother was the alpha bitch and having to prove herself as being strong. That was why she acted like that as well. She looked around at the pack before drooping her head into her hands and began to weep as she saw the errors of her ways.

Thad let out a soft growl rumble in his chest as he saw the way his daughter was acting. He had seen it happen so many times before from her mother and still had that defensiveness when it came to how females of that bloodline acted when they thought they could weaken him to lower them.

Ulisi looked at the girl before placing her hand on Thad's chest. "Maybe there is also a third option." 

Her mate along with the pack looked at her when she spoke. Then Thad motioned for her to continue.

She gave him a soft smile and nuzzeled his neck before moving back so everyone could heard her. "As children, we're all influenced by the adults around us, especially our parents. She would of seen her mother act tough around the pack, and as a child, she might have thought that is how a female leader needed to act. She had no other alpha female to be influenced by at the time."

Thad arched a brow at his mate. "What are you trying to say, woman?" Not liking where this was leading, but would play along with it for now.

Ulisi gave him the smile that was only ment for him. "I am saying. Demote her. Remove all status. Let her see how a true leader is ment to be. Even though she will never be an alpha, maybe never a beta, she is still a strong warrior and can teach the children and future children how to defend themselves well. I say, give her one last chance to see the true meaning of being a leader. If she messes up this last chance of life, then do as you want to her."

Thad stared at his mate hard. "Why are you defending her while all she's done to you is show disrespect to you?"

She couldn't help but smile. But gave a small shrug. "Because all children show disrespect at one time or another if they are bought up in a hard life. With what I have heard so far, her mother was a total bitch and not in the good sence. Her mother was out for power so treated people like crap. With me being around humans and with that situation. I've heard humans speak up against bullies but the bullies finding out who told on them. The ones who told on them were treated even worse than before. My wolf side though, you have an alpha mated to a witch. You love the alpha male and don't want to cause disrespect to him by speaking up about his chosen mate. Because nothing was done to her mother at the time, Carrie only saw being an alpha female, she should treat the pack like crap like her mother did."

Thad stared hard at his mate as she spoke. He knew where she was coming from and understood her reasonings of how she saw the situtation. Nodding a little. "Then I will leave it up to the pack to decide what to do with her." Looking over to his second. "House arrest until the decision is made. Put her in the guest house."

* * * * *

Epilogue

Three months later... 

The pack decided to give Carrie a second and last chance due to being tricked by Andre. They removed her title of being Thad's daughter and placed her as an omega so she could learn how to properly treat pack members. Dallas who was a beta and in charge of teaching the young shifting, hunting and tracking took Carrie under his wing to teach her as he would any other child or new pack member.

Maria and Eric decided to enroll Jessie to join the teachings they gave children in the pack as well. Over those few months, they could see how much more comfortable he became as both child and bear and had many new friends to play with.

* * * * *

Thad, Eric and Richard began to train the warriors of the pack. During one day training Ulisi told Thad that she needed to speak to him then went back to their home to wait for him. 

It wasn't until later that evening when Thad returned home. As soon as he saw her, he couldn't help but smile as she read her book. He began to remove his clothing which made her arch a brow at him. "You aren't in my good books so you can go elsewhere if you want to get lucky." she said.

He just grinned. "Come for a run with me, love."

Looking back down at her book with a shake of her head. "Can't."

"Why can't you?" he asked.

"Because."

"Because why?"

This went on for a long time with one or two worded replies. He began to get a little annoyed with her. "I can always order you to come with me." Smirking at her.

Marking the page in her book and laid it down on her lap. "If you did order me to shift, then you better hope Brother Wolf is on your side to protect you from my anger."

Narrowing his eyes at her. "What is wrong with you, woman? You never usually have a problem with going for a run with me."

She just lent back in the chair and tried to keep a straight face. Crossing her legs and lacing her fingers together across her lap. "I have a question for you. What is the main reason when a female wolf says no to shifting?" Arching a brow at him for his answer.

Looking at her as if she spoke in another language. "Why won't a female wolf shift? Either she's afraid of going rouge, or if she's young and still learning the balance between human and wolf. Then there's..." Stopping mid sentence and blinked hard at her. "You... Your... We're..." he shuddered and she just nodded slowly. "When?"

Standing up, she began to walk slowly towards him. "I found out today and that is why I wanted to speak to you when I returned to the compound. But alas the pack was more important than my news."

He walked quickly towards and wrapped his arms around her. "If I knew I would have been home sooner." Sinking down onto his knees and softly kissed her stomach. "From now on I'll always stop what I'm doing and not get distracted again when you come to me."

Combing her fingers through his hair. "It's fine." she softly said. "But I can tell you, I will make your life hard when the cravings begin."

He looked up to her with watery eyes and quickly slipped up onto his feet, kissing her deeply before pulling back and howling, letting their pack know the happiness they were feeling right now.

* * * * *

Five years later...

A small wolf cub and a bear cub were playing in Eric and Maria's apartment. There was a knock at the door and the bear cub charged over to it. Sniffing at the base of the door before shifting into his human form and called out. "Mama, Unkle Wolf is here!" Slipping into a pair of shorts that was always at the door for when he was playing with his cousin and he opened the door with a bright smile on his lips. "Hi ya Unkle Wolf."

Brother Wolf chuckled at the boy. "And how are you today Jessie?" Ruffling the boys hair as he walked inside.

Maria came from the kitchen and smiled. "Hello Brother." She had her painting clothing on with fresh colors added over the old stains.

Jessie closed the door after Wolf entered. "I'm great. Beth is having a sleep over tonight!" Quickly pulling his shorts back off and shifting back to his bear and ran back over to the wolf cub and both children ran into his room to play.

Wolf chuckled at the children as they ran down the hall then looked over to Maria. "Hello Sister. Would your Mate be around?" His expression changing to something more serious.

Nodding a little. "Yes of course he's here." Motioning for him to follow, she lead him into the office where Richard and Dee were with Eric working and talking about their current business deals that were outside the country.

The chatting went silent when Wolf entered the office after Maria. Eric stood up and smiled. Holding his hand out to Wolf. "Brother, it is good to see you again."

Wolf looked at Eric then down at his hand. His eyes changed slightly which had Eric raise a brow at him as Wolf grabbed his forearm to shake it in a traditional manner.

Eric's eyes went wide and stubble backwards a step. His breathing became harder and sweat beaded across his forehead. Eric's eyes changed to more wolf like but as soon as Wolf released his hold on Eric. Eric stumbled backwards and lent against the desk, panting with his eyes closed. "What happened to Samuel?" He managed to get out between deep breaths.

"His mate." Was Wolf's answer.

Eric just nodded a little. Richard looked between his brother then back to Wolf. "What is going on?"

Maria and Dee were stunned with what happened and stood to the side of the room to stay out of it.

Eric opened his eyes slowly to show his gray eyes had flecks of gold through them now. "Sam was the Alpha of our kind, the oldest. But our wolves don't create packs like the others. The Alpha of our kind only has a one way connection to the others, he knows where they are, but they don't know who he is until they meet him. And he's just there if something major is going on with them and they need help." He looked over to Wolf. "Why me? I'm not the oldest."

Wolf just smiled. "Because you can mix in with the humans and have friends everywhere. You listen to what needs to be heard and do what is needed to be done. You aren't after power and that is what I want in a Alpha of our kind."

Looking over to Maria, Eric held his hand out to her. She walked quickly over to him and slipped her arms around his waist. He then looked back to Wolf. "Is there anything that is needed to be done? I know you wouldn't have come all this way just to give me this position with our people."

Chuckling. Wolf nodded. "You know me to well Brother. There is another reason that I wanted to see you which was the other reason I chose you. We have a little problem. It started fifteen years ago. A couple had a baby, they were killed in a car accident. Or so I thought all three of them died. Over the past few days, I've felt the child's link to me and now the link to you coming forth once more. I'm not allowed to see the child until the trails because they weren't bought up in our world. Your wolf will know how to track them down."

Eric rested his cheek against the top of Maria's head and nodded a little. Taking in her scent so he could find his balance more quickly. "So the kid will be close to the age trails so we need to get to them soon." Leaning back a little and pulling Maria back so he could look into her eyes. "Ready to go for a run?"

Maria smiled. "With you and to help another of our kind. I'm always ready to go for a run with you." Looking over to Richard and Dee. "If it's alright with you two. We'll ask Ulisi to look after Jessie. I know you two don't enjoy his early mornings."

Dee nodded. "We wouldn't have it any other way. He'll love spending a few days out at the compound and driving Thad up the wall."

The five of them chuckled. Eric looked back to Wolf. "Then we'll leave first thing tomorrow."

Wolf nodded. "Thank you Brother. I hope you both have a successful hunt. I will be waiting for your call and I'll tell Bear where to find his nephew." With that he disappeared to let them prepare for the hunt.

. . . . .

. . .

. . . . .

And that was the last chapter of Soulmates. I hope you enjoyed this series. And yes. Sometime in the future there will be other stories connected to this series, I'm currently writing them up but I will be writing the full story first before posting anything of it.

I wish to thank each editor that helped me along the way as well as the comments from the readers. Those that have commented and sent emails to me, each of you gave me inspiration to continue, so I thank you. 

Take care til next time!

Shyee.



Soulmates Ch. 02



A big thanks to AsylumSeeker and PennLady for helping me edit this chapter. You're legends!

CHAPTER TWO

It was the night of Maria's birthday. She hadn't expected any presents but a large boutique of white lilies arrived with a card sighed, 'Your benefactor'. There were more presents from people all over. She had more art supplies than she knew what to do with, along with being accepted into the art college in the city she wanted, so there was more to celebrate.

She couldn't wait to tell Richard and Dee about the acceptance. All she had been doing over the past six months was either, complaining about not getting the wolf correct or fretting over the wait for the response from the college. She sighed and looked back at the painting of the girl and space for the wolf.

The other paintings she had been working on presented no problems. It was just this one that had her stumped. She supposed that, with the money the man was willing to pay, she was anxious and wanted to make it perfect. Nothing but the right wolf would work.

Ulisi called out and broke into her thoughts. "Maria, they're on their way to pick us up, honey".

Maria jumped into action. She fixed her hair and smiled at her new hair style. She had placed a silver streak at the front, so at the natural part in her hair, she'd have a silver down both sides of her face. She didn't know why she did it, but had followed the impulse and not regretted it.

She wore a dark silvery dress, another impulse that she hadn't quested. As she skipped downstairs, there was a knock at the door. She called out, "I've got it". When she opened the door, there was a body behind a large boutique of wild flowers in a crystal vase which made her squeal in delight.

From behind the flowers, Richard and Dee chorused, "Happy birthday!".

Maria took the flowers from him. "They're beautiful! Thank you so much!". She took them over to the dining room table and placed them in the center and ran back to give them both a hug.

Ulisi came down from her room and smelt the wild flowers and smiled. "They brought your favorites, Maria".

Maria grinned. "Second favorites. The snow lilies my benefactor gave me are my favorites now".

Richard grumbled, "He had to out do us, doesn't he".

Maria spun at the words. "You know who he is?". The look on their faces spoke a thousand words and her eyes went wide. "You have to tell me who he is! I need to know, I want to thank him for them".

Richard looked at Dee and she shrugged. Richard sighed, "You can thank him later. Eric is meeting us at the restaurant and he gets impatient if we're late".

Maria started to quiz them as they left the house, then her eyes went wide. "A limo!", she squealed and ran over to it and slipped in the back seat.

Dee couldn't help but laugh. It was just like having White Deer back with them. White Deer might not have been as talkative as Maria, but they shared the same passion and joy in life.

On the way to the restaurant, Maria started to press the different buttons in the back of the limo. She felt like a kid in a toy store again. By the time they reached their destination, she had calmed down and stepped out of the limo with Richard's help. Dee and Richard entered the restaurant arm-in-arm, and Maria followed, holding Ulisi's hand.

The maitre'd came up and bowed. "Your table is ready, Dr. Campbell, and your brother is already waiting". He turned and led them over to the private booth.

When Eric felt their presence, he stiffened a little. He slipped out of his chair and stood with his back to them. It felt like his heart was going to jump out of his chest so once it was under-control, he turned around and tried to hide his emotions but it wasn't working to well. As soon as he saw Maria, his heart started to race again.

Maria studied the art on the walls, even the wallpaper seemed like pieces of art. As the waiter led them to their table, she saw a man standing up and couldn't help but stare at him. He wore a black suit with a dark blue shirt. His features were rugged, with a scar under his right eye. His long-ish hair was pulled back with a strip of leather. She had recognized him straight away. It was the man from her dreams; her muse. 

She squeezed her grandmother's hand and the woman turned back to her. "What's wrong, dear?"

Maria whispered, "Wa'ya..".

Her grandmother smiled and tugged her hand. "Come on, dear, you can't leave him standing there all day waiting for you".

Once they got to the table, Eric smiled. "It's good to see you again, Ulisi". He took her and brought it to his lips, adding under his breath, "It's good to see you, A-wa-ni-ta".

She touched his cheek. "It's good to be in your presence again, Eric". Richard took her around to her seat.

Maria's heart pounded as she stood close to her Wa'ya. She blinked at what she just thought; it was Eric, he was the muse for the paintings. She was sure he had plenty of women his own age that were lining up, and she shouldn't think of him as hers. 

When he touched her hand, electricity shot up her arm and made her blush. When he took her hand, he didn't kiss the back of her hand, she looked at him, puzzled. He kissed her palm and she flushed all the more.

"It's good to see you after all these years, Maria". His eyes were fixed on hers and he couldn't help but let her see his desire for her. 

She swallowed hard and thought she had lost her voice before she said, "Why did you leave me, Wa'ya?". She realized what she had called him, "I'm sorry. Eric".

His breath caught when she called him Wa'ya. He smiled and said, "I had to". As he lead her, pulling out her chair next to Ulisi.

It wasn't until the second course meal when Ulisi spoke up and broke into Maria's thoughts. "Maria, don't you have something exciting to tell everyone?"

Maria looked a bit blankly at Ulisi. "I do?"

Ulisi laughed. "Your plans for next year..". she prompted.

"Oh". Maria looked at Richard and Dee, knowing she couldn't look at Eric or she'd be lost. "I got into that art school I've been freaking out about". She pulled the acceptance letter out of her purse and passed it over to them.

They leaned close to each other and read the letter. "That's great news. Congratulations, Maria!". Richard and Dee beamed at her.

From across the table, she heard. "Congratulations".

She smiled at Dee and Richard then looked at Eric and said, "Thank you".

When dinner was finished, they left the restaurant. As Maria was about to get back into the limo, Ulisi stopped her. "There's not enough room, my dear". She turned towards Eric. "Eric, could you be a dear and take Maria home?".

Eric looked at Ulisi and nodded. "Of course, I'll take good care of her". He came over to help Ulisi into her seat.

Eric peered inside to see his brother and sister smirking and looked at Ulisi as she said, "I want her back before dusk tomorrow. Take good care of her". She patted his hand before shooing him away.

He stepped back as the window started to come back up and walked back over to Maria who was confused. Eric held out his arm to her, she took it and walked with him to his car.

"What was that about?", she asked, keeping her eyes averted.

He shook his head a little. "She has a theory that we're meant to be together".

Maria stopped for a moment. "What do you mean?".

He considered. "She feels we are soulmates, returning to each other after years of separation. If you trust me, I'd like to show you something".

She nodded as she got into the car. "I trust you".

He slipped inside the silver Mustang and were entering the private elevators within twenty minutes of leaving the restaurant.

While the elevator ascended, Eric asked, "Has Ulisi spoken much about our people's history?"

Making half-and-half motion with her hand she said, "Some but not everything". 

When the elevator stopped, he led her over to his apartment and motioned her inside. She stepped inside, feeling cautious, and was surprised at the mix of decor she found. Even though everything looked modern, there was a touch of the past inside with wall decorations, furs and woven mats on the ground.

He kicked off his shoes and took off his socks and then his jacket as soon as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

"Both of our blood lines go back to the same tribe before white men arrived in America," he began. "Our people were linked with the spirit of the wolf. For a lucky few, brother wolf chose to bond with us. Like wolves, we partner for life. If one of us loses a mate, we either go insane and kill ourselves or, we accept what happened and find peace within ourselves till the day comes that our mate is reborn".

She slipped her hand into his and he led her around the corner. On the wall, there were two paintings and a space for a third. 

He stopped in front of her painting of the couple and moved her in front of him with his hands resting around her tiny waist.

"U-ne-ga E-u-s-ti Wa'ya and U-ne-ga A-wi". He couldn't help but to inhale her scent. "Gray Wolf and White Deer. They had been together for about a year before the white man came. When they did come, they killed White Deer, which sent Gray Wolf into a rage. Brother Wolf had bonded with Gray Wolf and he ended up killing every one of the white man that came into the village that night. During his rage, his brother was taken away from the village and was nearly killed before he got to him". He paused for a moment as Maria stiffened in his arms.

"His brother was weakened, so Gray Wolf had to mourn the loss of his love but he had to stay sane for the sake of his brother. His brother's wife joined them as Gray Wolf waited to get his White Deer back in his arms again so they could complete the bond and be together until their last breath".

He stood back up straight when she turned around. "This is your story?".

He nodded.

"You think I'm the reborn White Deer?". Her voice steady but quiet.

He nodded again. "The night you were born, Richard caught your scent and called me to come to the hospital. As soon as I was in there, I felt a pull towards you. It ate away at me for the first three years of your life, and so I left. After I told you good bye, you called me Wa'ya."

¡°Ulisi said she hadn't taught you that word. That's when I knew I had to really leave. I couldn't stop thinking about you. Tonight, even after all this time, the pull was stronger than ever before. The wolf inside me is howling to have you as its mate as I'm dying inside to have you as well".

She had known all her life that there was one person out there for her, that would come and take her away from everything she knew. Even at school, she had never gone on dates, had never looked at boys at all in that way. As soon as she had seen Eric tonight, she had felt drawn to him. She had all those fluttery feelings that the girls at school would talk about with the boys they thought they were in love with.

"You have my paintings, so you're my benefactor. You want the last painting, which I can't finish". She thought for a moment. "The wolf should be like you. I should have it finished soon".

He chuckled a little. "There is more to thinking the wolf would be like me, Maria. The reason you can't find White Deer's wolf is because I never bonded with her".

She, was silent. She understood what he was telling her, but it was too much to take in. Then she heard him chuckle, as he said, "Come, let us relax and not think about such things for now. We have to celebrate your birthday, along with getting into the college you wanted".

He led her outside and took out a bottle of wine from the fridge along with two glasses and led her out to the patio. He poured the drinks and sat down watching her as he took a sip. She sat down near him and relaxed in her seat.

"So, what does bonding mean?" Maria asked. "Is it like getting married?".

He chuckled as put his feet up on the balcony rail. "It is, but it's deeper than a piece of paper. The couple make love then share blood just before they come. People say it feels like... Total euphoria".

She went still, "How do you share blood?".

He looked over to her. "We bite each other here". He touched the base of his neck.

"Have you ever done that with anyone else?".

"Bitten someone to bond with them?". 

She nodded. 

"No, I've never had that pull to want to be with someone until I saw you for the first time". He decided to be honest and added, "I haven't touched anyone since that moment either".

"You haven't made love to anyone since you saw me in the hospital?". Her voice a whisper.

He gave a small chuckle. "The last person I made love to was White Deer. The other women I had during the years up until you were born were just... to meet my needs". Then he decided to get more dirty with his thoughts. "I didn't think my hand could do a good enough job to keep me from getting blue balls but I found out it did a great job over the past eighteen years so never needed anyone's help. But now you have turned eighteen, I don't think my hand will do much good anymore".

She tilted her head forward so her hair would cover the shades of red against her cheeks. She had never spoken to anyone who was so open about their sexuality before and couldn't help to find it was turning her on a little bit more than just being in his presence.

He decided to tease her a bit more. "See, even now I can't control how much I want to make love to you".

She peeked over at him and her eyes went wide. From the bulge in his pants, it looked like a monster was hiding beneath them.

He couldn't help but grin at her innocence and watched her shiver. "Oh, you must be cold. I always forget that part with humans".

She gave him a curious look. "What do you mean? Don't you get cold?". She realized that she was getting a little cold and rubbed her arms. 

He shook his head and stood up, then took a couple of steps to get closer to her so she'd feel the heat radiating from him and held out his hand to her. 

She looked at his hand before slipping hers into his and let him pull her into his arms. She shivered again but not from cold. She couldn't help but snuggle into him. "You're so warm".

He smiled at the feel of her in his arms, then picked her up and grinned when she squealed. "We have a joint birthday present for you which I nearly forgot about". 

He handed her their glasses and he grabbed the bottle and headed back inside with her in his arms. He dropped the glasses and bottle off in the kitchen before taking her through to the joint office. "So what type of wood do you like?"

She looked at the desks and back to him and wiggled down onto the floor. "I kinda like this one, I love dark wood". She ran a hand over the top of his desk.

He nodded. "And what type of desk do you like?".

She studied the desks in the room and said, "I like that one, over there". She pointed at Dee's desk.

He nodded again and scrolled down the contacts list and brought the phone up to his ear. He waited a few moments before he smiled. "Hey Billy, just a quick call. Can your boys make me a desk? My desk's wood but Dee's style. Thanks, and come by tomorrow. I have a big job for you and your boys". He laughed, "Cheers". He looked at Maria and grinned. "Silly Aussies".

"Aussie?" she asked

He nodded. "Yeah, Billy's from Australia but he's an excellent builder so I get him to do all my personal jobs I want done perfect". He grabbed her around her waist and pulled her on top of his lap at his desk.

She wasn't used to being touched so often but when it came to Eric, she didn't mind. She loved his warmth and the way he made her heart skip a beat when he touched her. She snuggled into him again.

He reached down and opened the top draw of his desk and pulled out a set of keys and placed them in her hand. "The joint birthday present from us". 

She looked down at the keys. "What are these?".

¡°Did you notice the white convertible that I parked next to?". She nodded yes. He grinned. "It's yours. Dee said you have your license but no car, so we decided to make it easier on you and Ulisi, and get you one".

Her eyes went wide and she pulled back and shook her head. "I couldn't possibly. It's to much".

He shook his head. "It's already done". He hesitated for a moment, then leaned forward and kissed her lips.

She fell into the kiss, her eyes dreamy when he pulled back. "Are there any other things I need to know?".

He nodded. "There are but I'm sure one night of shocks is enough for now. The rest I can tell you about later". He couldn't help but shift against her, letting her feel what she did to him.

A light blush covered Maria's cheeks. She bit her lower lip and wriggled a little then tried to hide a smile when he groaned again. "Are you sure there's nothing else I need to know? I mean, any secrets that will come out that will shock me?".

He hugged her tighter against his body and moved his lips over her shoulder as he whispered, "I'm highly sexual and it won't take much to get me hungry for you". 

She could feel herself getting excited which made her shiver again. She had to get out of his lap. She enjoyed hearing his groans so she twisted in his lap then pushed back a little before standing up. She bit her lower lip as she turned to one side to face him. "So, can I have a tour?" 

His eyes turned to dark storm clouds and he growled when she left his lap. He was hungry for her. He wanted to take her there and then over his desk but he knew she'd hate him for it. He knew what he wanted their first time to be like, and he sure as hell wasn't going to let his wolf have his wicked way the first time.

"Certainly. This way".

She took her time walking through the living area which was connected to the kitchen and dining area. She couldn't help but smile at his taste in art. Each piece was different but each had the same sorts of colors in them so it made the room link together. She could feel the heat radiating off his body as she turned her head and smiled up to him. "So a tour?"

He nodded and pulled her against his body and whispered with a slight possessive growl, "There's only one room I want to show you tonight".

Maria tried to sort out her feelings; until now, she'd shied away from physical contact with anyone but Ulisi. With Eric, she wanted to be touched by him. She wanted that heat from his body engulfing her. Forcing herself away, she pretended to focus on the paintings and realized, she didn't want. She needed. 

In her journals, she would always refer to the man in her dreams. She had been dreaming of him for as long as she could remember, the longing for his arms to wrap around her. Just having that feeling of protection that she was getting right now.

She stopped. What if her feelings weren't hers at all. If she was the reborn White Deer, what if the feelings she was experiencing were not her own. The thought made her breath catch.

Eric could see the sudden change in Maria. "Are you alright?" 

He turned her around and let his hand stroke her cheek once they stood facing each other.

She shivered at his touch and took a step back from him. She looked around and walked over to one of the single chairs away from the others and curled up on it. Tears ran down her cheeks as she hid her face in her hands.

"Maria, what is wrong?". He followed her over and touched her arm. "Talk to me".

She shook her head, she couldn't tell him what she was thinking. She knew it would hurt him too much if she told him she doubted her feelings. 

He reached out with his senses and felt Richard and Dee were home. Assuring Maria he'd be back soon, he ran over to their apartment and called for them to come. He returned and tried to coax Maria into talking, with no success.

Richard had been teasing her big time in the ride back from Ulisi's and she was about to cause payback when they disturbed.




Soulmates Ch. 02



Annoyed at the interruption to what promised to be a pleasant evening, Dee led the way back to Eric's, "This had better be good," she began, but stopped when she saw Maria.

Glaring at Eric, thinking he had made the young girl cry, she ordered him out. She slipped in beside Maria on the chair and hugged her.

Frustrated, Eric stared for a moment before going over to Richard's for a drink.

* * * * *

Richard stared at a defeated Eric as he walked through the office door.

"What happened?". Richard stood up and poured them both a whiskey. Richard handed his brother a glass and went over to get comfortable in his seat.

Eric was dumbfounded. "I don't know. I really don't know. The night was going great. I was honest about everything, I didn't want to keep any secrets from her and she seemed fine with it. Then when she asked for a tour of the house, she broke down".

Richard arched a brow at him. "Just how honest were you?"

Slumping in the chair, Eric sighed. "I just want to be with her I want her more than I wanted White Deer and you know how I roamed before going to White Deer. I know she was my first love and always will be, but there's something about Maria. I'm craving her more than I ever did with White Deer".

"Then we wait and see what Dee comes back with and go from there", Richard said.

Then the men sat in silence for a while before going to play a game of chess as they waited for Dee to return to them.

* * * * *

Dee continued to hum and rock Maria gently. Once the crying had calmed, she asked, "What did that big brute say to you to make you cry, honey?".

Shaking her head a little Maria wiped the tears from her cheeks. "He didn't say anything. It was just a thought that came to me".

Dee ran her fingers through Maria's hair. "What was the thought?".

Maria hugged her legs to her chest and put her chin on her knees. "What if they aren't my feelings? What if it's White Deer that wants him and is just using my body to get what she wants?".

Dee was quiet for a moment, then hugged the young girl. "Maria, I knew White Deer. She would never do anything like that. But if you want to see, Richard can help you with that".

Maria looked up. "But what if it's true that it is her and not me? I don't know if I want to be pulled away from him now I'm here". She bit her lower lip. "Can you take me home? I want to get something and I want to talk to Gran".

Dee nodded and stood up. "I'll just tell the boys that we're going out. I'll meet you at the elevator".

Maria nodded as Dee left. She went over to collect her things and left the apartment, staring at the garden in front of the elevator.

Dee went back through the office and grabbed her purse and keys. "We're going out, see you later". She said no more and as she left the apartment, Richard hammered her with questions through their bond.

'Girls hours, no boys allowed' she informed him, and closed her side of the bond.


To Be Continued.....