It's already dark when I feel that large arms take me off the sofa. I am taken out of Eli's bureau. I don't have to open my eyes to realize that my mate is the one that carries me. We go upstairs and enter Alec's room. I open my eyes as I feel that I'm put in bed.

"Alec... I'm sorry. I did not want to..." That is all I can say. My body is exhausted like I've trained for days without rest or sustenance. I feel his hands unbutton my pants and take them away, slowly, as if he knows how sore I am. He goes up and kisses my lips. Thousands of needles hit my body, creating this almost too strong emotion inside me. Still, I don't want to break contact and need him near me as much as possible.

"That's okay, little wolf. We just need to work on your sentiments and how to let them go without you being hurt. Just stay away from Amber. We don't know for sure what's happening, but we will find out, don't worry, Princess". He takes off his trousers and shirt, goes into the bed with me, and holds me in his arms. His body is so warm against mine. As soon as my back touches his torso, I grab his arms to feel more of him. I move them so his arms embrace me: his body relaxes alongside mine. Our heartbeats beat at the same rhythm like we are one and only.

"Try to sleep. And don't worry. Everything's fine. I can't but want you; I know that I'd die without you." He spoons me, and I grip his hands tightly, afraid he could go away from me.

We fall asleep together.

In the morning, when I woke up, Alec was already gone. Since then, we've barely seen each other: it's quite hard for me as I feel like he does not want to waste time with me and prefers Amber's presence.

During the days we are apart: he works with my brother, Julie, Jackson, Amber, and the leading chiefs of our warriors' teams. Then he goes back to our room late at night. First, he kisses me softly on my lips and neck, then he undresses before he takes his shower. After that, we have sex together, always as good as before: he teaches me so much about pleasure, kindness and our souls are more and more connected one day after another. Then, after the passionate and relaxing moments, we fall asleep in each other's arms.

Unfortunately, he is already gone when I wake up every morning.

His men had started to train our wolves two weeks ago, the day after they arrived. Groups were established to watch the woods and the city and ensure no attack could happen. Lycans have a very developed sense of smell, and their help is truly appreciated: they checked our warriors to see which ones had developed olfaction and could be trained to sniff our enemies. During patrols, some outsider wolves were scented several times by our borders, but none of them had the guts to enter into our territory.

The rest of our warriors were trained by the lycans and the King's wolves: the first days were harsh as the level of stamina of these super warriors is as least twice outstanding as ours. After that, it got easier for us: we may not be as powerful as them, but we adapt and progress fast. Nevertheless, decisions were taken to protect the pack. One of the main ones was about the kids.

Teenagers were moved to the high school, inside the packhouse area. It was agreed that they would stay here days and nights so they could be instructed and be able to help if an attack had to happen: they are supervised by two nice lycans. Our rebel teenagers quickly recognized that it was their chance to progress with the best teachers and did not oppose for long. They are growing faster than expected: they all form a strong group, supporting each other at every step of their intense practice. I'm proud of my pack's younger members: they give their best for the sake of all.

Despite the trust, Eli and I decided to impose that our teenagers would have to help only in case of extreme danger. They are just kids, no matter how strong and trained to fight they are. Unfortunately, this discussion led to another confrontation with despicable Amber. Alec and Jackson understood our position, but Amber argued and said lycans would have done that. Eli started to say that he was the Alpha and that his constant disrespect was getting on his nerves. I tried my best to stay calm and let my brother deal with her, but she committed one mistake: she growled at Eli. Before he could retort, I went mad. I attempted to rip her throat again, and if not for Alec to catch me, I would have succeeded. Even if Alec wasn't hard on me, I felt he was annoyed: I felt he was tense when he finally calmed me down.

Since that day, I'm not authorized in meetings. So naturally, that makes me mad, but both Eli and Alec asked me to stay out of it, and contrary to Amber, I can be obedient.

Since then, I have spent most of my days with the youngest members of our pack.

Young kids up to five years old stay at the packhouse. As guests had left after the arrival of the lycans and King's wolves, the emptied rooms had turned into kindergarten dormitories and nurseries. That is my favorite part. Sometimes we go up to the kindergarten to do more activities. But most of the time we stay in the packhouse, playing games or drawing or painting. I love painting with the kids, and I found out it helped me relax to let my pictures out of my head. This is naive and free of any concerns. It makes me calmer, and I'm less tempted to annihilate Amber when we cross paths.

Other kids between 5 and 14 stay in the city with adult wolves and some warriors, our pack, and the King's troops. Shifts are taken, so the schools are always protected, and patrols are 24/7 in the streets. As a result, the city will be safe if our enemies attack; plus, they said they wanted our Luna, so they have no reason to attack modest civilians.

Alec is gone again with Elijah, Caleb, Julie, Jackson, and Amber. It appears that she is the first general and so is always needed more as time goes by. Brilliant... I wish she was not here. She is the first general of the bitches, "trying to steal mates" squad.

Despite the fact I was left aside, that Elijah was really good at closing his mind now he was an Alpha, and that Alec was almost always gone, I can say that they knew more than they told me. Everything was too well prepared. And I can feel how far away from me Alec is. I, his mate, am not a priority to him.

Today, I am with the kids in the gardens to play outside: the weather is terrific, and they like to have fun on the grass: board games, sheets of paper and felt pains, children's books, and gardening equipment are out to keep our kiddos occupied.

I draw peacefully when a sympathetic voice makes me stop.

"I didn't know you were that good, Princess." Jackson sits down beside me and takes my sketchbook to look into it.

"Don't call me that, Jackson. I'm tired to say it days after days." I hit his shoulder with my fist.

Jackson comes to check on me at least three times a day. He keeps me updated, delivers Alec's messages to me - mainly that he misses me and that he'll try his best to come into our room early, that he does not do - and speak with me a little. He explained the Capitale to me a lot, which seems to be a big, surprisingly modern city. He told me a lot of young Alec and Jackson's adventures: those two could be twins as they made a lot of mischiefs together.

"I'll try to recall it, Princess." He is sometimes irritating, but I genuinely adore him: he is considerate and makes me feel like I'm already part of his world. Their lycan's world.

"You draw a lot of this clearing and these two wolves. That's really good, Liv." He looks at me: he seems amazed by the drawings and questions me simultaneously.

"That's a dream I've made for some weeks now. Well, several dreams, in fact. It was this silver wolf at first. Then the black wolf appeared. The ones I had with him are quite funny." I giggle when I think about them.

"Funny?" Jackson looks at me, more attentive than before.

"Yeah, this black wolf, in my dreams, he calls me 'mate'. He did it several times. The other wolf is quiet: she generally lays under the tree cuddling with the black wolf or peeking at me. She does not speak to me, not like Ares." I blush a little as I tell him about my dreams. It may be odd, but I did not expect his reaction. Jackson grabs my wrist.

"What did you say?" He almost shouts at me.

"It's just a..." I almost whisper.

"What did you just say about the wolf's name, Olivia?" Jackson speaks less loud but seems almost worried.

"In my dreams, sometimes, he is called Ares. But..." Before I can end, Jackson frees my wrist and gets up.

"I have to go, Liv. I'll get back later. Try to stay out of troubles, Princess." He leaves with a smile but a bizarre attitude. Well, I guess lycans are some kind of bipolar creatures. I decide to get back to my drawing and the kiddos.

As the afternoon goes by, I play with some kids to dissuade me from thinking.

Thankfully, Kate is with me. When we are not training, we help the kindergarten teachers to keep the kids busy. Kate as a Reader is really useful to help the kids loosen up. Moreover, I was asked by Elijah and Alec to take care of the kids and staff if any attack had to happen. Having a nurse in training would be great if it had to happen.

"Could you speak with Alec?" Kate asks. I feel she hesitated a bit before she dared to ask.

"Barely. He goes to bed quite late. We kiss, have sex, he tells me about his day briefly, and he falls asleep". Hot playing sex honeymoon was already far gone. Maybe he is no more attracted to a fragile human now that Mrs lycan is back in the game and just did "his duty" with me. But, still, why do I sense like I am his whole world when he is by my side. I clearly don't comprehend him and miss something. If only he could communicate more than he does.

"You know, Caleb does the same. They really do worry about the situation, and you should try to relax about Alec and you. I'm sure everything's fine." She smiles at me and starts drawing with one of the kids.

"Yes, maybe. I don't know." I'm slipping away from reality, back into my thoughts. It happens to me more and more often. When I don't dream about the wolves, awful ideas come to my mind. I feel like Alec and I will argue and be apart. And that we are never going to survive that. Sometimes I even see myself alone in the woods, my throat bleeding, and I just die. I wish I could run to Alec tell him about this, but I don't want to make him think I am a burden. Things are already complicated enough.

"Olivia, can you try to look for Jake? He ran away again, and you know the place better than anybody else". Alice, the kids' teacher, looks at me with pleading eyes. She is an elegant blondie with two incredible clear-blue eyes. Alice arrived a few weeks ago in our pack as I was implored by a friend to take her and keep her safe with her baby. As she didn't want to leave the little girl, we put her in charge of the kiddos, and she is absolutely good at that. It takes me a few seconds to answer her.

"Yeah, of course. I'm on it." I get up and look in the packhouse where Jake is gone.

Jake is an adorable kid, but it is difficult for him as his parents are part of our combatants. They train all day long and often have patrols at night, so they don't spend much time together except for some breaks. But even with these moments, it is more like a family nap time

than a family fun life. It was regular for him to escape and hide somewhere. It was at least once a day. And every time, I look after him and comfort him.

I walk in the corridor, checking all the rooms, one after another. I see Sam. Sam knows almost everything that happens in the packhouse.

"Sam, can I ask you a question?" I ask, even if I already anticipate the answer. Sam always helps me.

"Of course, Miss Olivia," he answers. Since the attack, we had improved, and he called me now Miss Olivia instead of Miss Evans. I have good hopes he could call me Liv before my human life expires.

"Have you seen Jake? He fled again ...."

"You should check in your room, Miss Olivia. Your terrace is the best place to watch the property, and so the warriors..." he smiles at me and blinks.

"Thanks, Sam. What would I do without you?" I kiss him on the cheek and go to get our little runner.

I go up to the hall to reach the stairs. Alec is here, with Jackson and Amber. Nice to notice he didn't dare to come to see me. They are talking, and Amber has her hand over Alec's arm. I feel anger rising in me. Alec turns as he must scent my smell. He looks at me and moves his arm, so he breaks contact with Amber. He looks like a young pup who would be caught messing around.

I sigh, but it sounds more like a growl. A loud and aggressive growl, I have to admit. I run to the stairs before I get out of my mind again and go straight to my room. Here is Jake, on my terrace, just like Sam said: he is on one of my chaises longues, watching the training field.

"Still here, buddy?" I ask him as I sit by his side. I wrap my arms around him.

"I try to find mummy and daddy, but they are too far away ."His little voice sounds so sad. His eyes are wet, and so are his cheeks. He must have been crying.

"They must be at the gym, training hard to take care of you. We have to go back to the class, but what if I try to find a way to take you there later?" I give him my hand and smile. He smiles back. I suppose I can ask Eli to take a child to his parents, even if it is not part of the protocol. I fucking don't care about heartless bitch's protocol.

"Okay, Livia. If you promise." I promise him I'll try my best. I'll probably do it whatever Eli's answer is. I am still Alec's mate and so his equal until further notice. My brother should listen to me. I don't want to play it this way, but if I have to in order to make my little buddy happy, there I'll do. I take him back to the class when a hand touches my shoulder.

"Liv, Can we talk?". Alec's voice seems nervous. He is waiting for me at the stairs, in the hall.

"I have to bring Jake back to the kids' room. But I guess we can talk after that. If you still have time". Well, it seems I am angrier than I thought.

"I'll be back soon." I don't let him answer.

I go away as Alec stays in the hall, waiting for me.

At least, I hope.