Rhiannon finished the report in record time because fortunately, everything was quite organized, so she only needed to talk to Maddox about the materials needed for the construction of the new houses. She was so focused as she walked through the warehouse that she didn’t notice that someone had been watching her for a while, and when she turned to leave, she was met head-on by a firm and once again strong body.Aidan caught her before she fell backwards to the floor, and Rhiannon closed her hands over her arms to brace herself, but the small burst of heat that seemed to render them both mute was enough to make her pull back, clearing her throat.“Aidan! How can I help you?” she said raising her eyebrows and addressing him with the same composure she would maintain with any other lycan.For a second she could see the sadness and disappointment in Aidan’s eyes, but he just looked away before speaking.“I, um...” he tried to concentrate. “I wanted to thank you for saving me, and... don’t

“Are you sure?”Aidan smiled mischievously, raising an eyebrow.“Anyone would think you don’t want it, Gallagher. Is that the case?” he asked.“Oh! Don’t get me wrong. I’m more than happy to accept it, but...”“You’re not sure Rhiannon feels the same way,” Aidan said in understanding.General Gallagher let out a sigh and laughed. “Her pride has sacrificed a lot lately, so maybe she won’t be too offended.”“Well... if a gets upset, put it to her this way: either she uses it to help the lycans in her packs or someone else will use it to help those who still subdue their wolves.” Aidan leaned forward in his chair. “You were my Strategy teacher, Gallagher, and we both know this will be a war of attrition, resources could make all the difference.”General Gallagher smiled. He even looked proud to hear him talk like that, and before Aidan could persuade him any further he simply pushed that button and watched the long red bar grow into a beautiful green line.“Done!” he exclaimed, and they

“Ready to go, champ?”When Alanna opened the door to the nursery to finally give them the queen’s safe conduct, she found three released wolves and two lycans lying on the floor of the nursery, with sixty children all over them listening to the big bad wolf’s tales.They even looked cute! But as soon as they heard Alanna they stood up right away.“Let me guess. I’m not going,” Aidan muttered.“You guess right. You could take up fortune telling,” said the lycan woman sarcastically, “but before you throw a tantrum, Rhiannon had nothing to do with it, it was General Gallagher’s orders. He says we don’t know what Nader is really planning, and it’s imperative that Rhiannon is involved, so it’s easier to protect one than two.”“I understand,” Aidan said, leaning a forearm against the door of the nursery. “Then I'll take care of the team for the lib—”“That will have to wait,” Alanna interrupted him, taking off a backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. “Until Maddox returns you will do h

Setting foot on Welsh soil again was a relief in Rhiannon's heart. The hardest things were yet to come, but still she felt she could be at peace for some time, at least that was what she had gained from that treaty she had signed with Nader.In the main community they were building everything was going smoothly. They had enough funding to give the refugee families all the support they could possibly need, and there were already eighteen perfectly functioning companies, run by lycans loyal to the queen, which were working specifically to sustain that project.Rhiannon had not once dared to protest Aidan's “donation”. In the end, her pride could not be stronger than the welfare of the families in her care.As soon as he had rested a bit from the trip, she put on work clothes and went out to see how everything was going. She helped in moving materials, taking care of the children, and finally with the distribution of food and basic needs supplies.“Wait, I'll get it for you in a minute,”

The road wasn’t rough, or at least it didn’t seem so. Under normal circumstances it would’ve taken them less time but the Alpha Lukas’ pack seemed to be taking their time to reconnoiter the grounds and enjoy the journey to their new home.The construction crew had opened up a dirt trail to the new community, but all the cars they were moving in had to go slowly if they didn't want to lose their axles in the bumps in the road.The nearest community they had passed through had already settled. They had stayed there a full day and it only had seven small children, so Aidan didn't have so much work, but almost all of them gathered around to watch him return the wolf pups to the little lycans in the pack. There was no denying he had something that made them feel at ease, or maybe it was the wolves, though the Alpha had been careful not to let the two of them go out together in front of anyone.They continued on their way as dawn broke on the second day, and perhaps it was too early yet, bu