Northwood

For hours after the end of her battle with Nox Adline e cried over Kane. She refused to let go and growled at anyone that tried to pry her away.

Both Nathaniel and Ethan tried and failed to comfort their little sister, to no avail. It was Babel that finally made Adline see sense. There was nothing left to be done but gather the dead and prepare them for the afterlife.

“Please Addle.” She pleaded. Her voice full of sorrow as she stared down at the man she admired so much.

“I killed him,” Adline sniffed as she brushed his dark curls from his face gently. His grey eyes now closed held no joy, no anger, no emotion. What Adline wouldn’t give for one more day, one more hour with him.

She found herself sorting through memories wondering if there was anything she could have done differently to make him like her more.

So clouded by loss and sorrow was she that she failed to see the bigger picture around her.

There were three dead Alpha males and the closest thing anyone now had to a leader was Adline.

Babel finally pried Adline away from Kane as Harvey and Taylor lifted his body from the ground and placed him in the back of another vehicle.

Everyone had watched from Mollies home, the struggle Adline had to go through. The decision she had to make. Though it was an outcome many didn’t see coming they all knew that if she’d left Kane as he was he would have destroyed them all.

“What do we do now?!” A man cried out in confusion. “We’ve no leader. We’ve no Alpha!”

Others questioned the sudden lack of leadership as well. Who would lead them?!

“We have a leader!” Bellowed Harvey as he returned from his task. “She stands there battered and bruised but triumphant!”

Much to her surprise Adline noticed that Harvey motioned towards her gently. She had never thought of herself as a leader and had never wanted to but it seemed she now had very little choice in the matter.

“Her!” Cried a stranger, “She can’t be Alpha! She is a woman!” Though it was perfectly acceptable for an Alpha couple to lead a pack no one had ever been under the rule of a woman before and the thought scared many.

“She’s a witch too!” Another screamed accusingly. “She should be punished and thrown out as a rogue!”

Adline hadn’t expected any of this. Just days before she was happy knowing her brothers were alive and well and now she had not only lost her mate but was met with an angry mob of packless wolves.

“Northwood stands with her regarless,” Esmerelda stepped forward to stand beside Adline. Before long the rest of those present in the fight that belonged to Northwood stood beside their chosen leader. “Not only does she have Alpha blood but she was the chosen mate of our Alpha and even though he’s dead it still means something.”

Northwood were known for being fiercely loyal and incredibly stubborn and though there were often small instances of in fighting it was always taken care of.

“We remember your parents Adline, they were good to us.” Those of her old pack joined Adline and her growing pack leaving Carriere and the misfit bunch of rogues that belonged to Ambrose.

“My father had our brother killed.” One of Ambrose other sons stepped forward with a deep frown carved into his features, “I stand with you.”

It warmed hearts that even in complete despair the loss of Alpha’s saw the rise in something greater. A united pack that was putting it’s differences aside.

Adline noticed the men with guns shifted their weight more than a little uneasy. It was them and David Carrieres pack that chose to stand alone.

“I claim Carriere Territory as mine!” Demanded Adline of the small group. “If I am not mistaken David agreed I would be his when Kane visited you recently.”

The look of shock and surprise on the faces of David’s loyal followers seemed almost animated. They were not expecting Adline to know that.

“Those of you who choose not to join me may stay in your homes,” Adline didn’t want to forcibly remove anyone from their homes but it was her territory now. “But know that from here on out you will be treated as Omega. All entitlements and leniencies you were given under Carriere law no longer apply.” Adline’s new found leadership sat well with her as she turned from her spot.

“You’ll have one week to bury and mourn your losses. If you have changed your minds after that time I welcome you to Northwood pack.” Taking a pause she turned to look at them with a crooked smile. “If not you will suffer the consequences or leave the territory.”

She really didn’t want to mistreat anyone but Adline knew she had to establish herself and quickly.

She found herself being ushered to the vehicle with Kane’s body in it. When she turned her head she saw Harvey walking with her. “Thank you,” She muttered quickly as he pulled the door open for her.

“It’s what Kane would have wanted.” He replied just as quickly as he closed the door and whacked the side of the truck.

Alone in her grief Adline sobbed quietly as she felt the enormity of the entire situation fall on her shoulders.

It was a big mess to clean up.

Soon the truck pulled into the Northwood home. There were a few security stationed around the property and when they saw the dark vehicle pull up many of them ran to meet it but none were expecting to see their Alpha dead in the back.

After the drover explained what happened the security team immediately pledged themselves to Adline. She had never doubted their loyalty to Kane and she never would question their loyalty to her but it would take a long time to get used to.

“Alpha Kane will be taken to the morgue along with his mother and brother. Will you be alright here alone?” The driver questioned her curiously. “We will send the doctor to check your shoulder.”

Adline nodded her head as her fingers wandered numbly to the wound she’d sustained in wolf form. Thick dried blood clung to her skin but the flesh beneath it was raw, red and more than a little painful.

“I’ll be fine, thank you.” She mumbled in return. “Just please make sure Kane is taken care of.” With the obsidian in her hand she disappeared off into the Northwood home that was now hers.

The deafening silence hit her like a fully loaded freight train. It was an uncomfortable silence she didn’t like for she knew no one would be around to break it.

Dragging herself up the stairs she soon found her room. The light coloured walls and bed were bright and romantic, much too bright for Adline to handle.

Though the sun had long since set on the second most traumatic day of her life the room was too bright. Too full of life. Turning from the doorway and heading down the corridor she came to another door, just like the one of her bedroom but as she sniffed she picked up a scent. It was deliciously earthy and masculine, pine needles mixed with berries and bark it completely intoxicated her.

Placing her hand against the metal door handle she twisted and pushed the door open with little effort. The room beyond was a heaven in a great time of darkness.

Her breath caught as she took in the scent. Kane’s room lay before her neat and tidy and looking like no one had lived in it. Thankfully her senses were strong get than a humans and she knew otherwise. Stepping through the threshold she slammed the door shut behind her. The dark ash coloured walls better suited her mood as she dragger her bare feet along the shaggy carpet. A large four poster bed sat between two large windows that were flanked by heavy drapes. One wall was covered completely with books leaving a small gap around a brick fireplace. Two leather casual armchairs sat before the fireplace with a small table between them. Some of Kane’s belongings lay scattered about the place and as she cast her eyes around she noted a door on the left side of the room.

Walking towards the door she pushed it open and revealed a rather large walk in wardrobe with a white tiled bathroom beyond. Placing the piece of obsidian on the ottoman in the middle of the wardrobe she walked to the bathroom and straight into the shower. The lights turned on as she entered.

Turning the silver handles in the large shower she let the water run over her body and wash away the grime and blood that had accumulated.

It was then that she realized she’d been naked the whole time. Shifting into her wolf form had shredded all of her clothing but it did not bother her as all others who’d been in wolf form would have been exactly the same.

Looking over her body she saw the many bruises inflicted by Luce and she felt the wounds inflicted by Kane.

She soon pressed her back against the wall and slid to the ground as fresh tears mixed with the warmth of the shower. Blood began falling against the pristine white tile too as her wounded shoulder came into contact with the water.

Adline stay unmoving for a long time. She had lost so much and the enormity of the task that now lay before her seemed huge as she lifted her eyes and spied the obsidian sitting in the dressing room.

She needed to find strength but for one night she would let herself cry.

When finally she felt the urge to move she picked herself up and dressed her wound as best as she could hoping the blood wouldn’t seep through her makeshift bandage.

Drying herself off she walked back to the robe and ran her fingers along the many hanging shirts and t-shirts Kane had. Taking one in her hands she pressed it to hwr face and took in his scent. Reaching up she slid the dark coloured shirt off of the hanger and slipped it over her slender shoulders.

Taking the obsidian she walked back into the room and slipped beneath the covers of Kane’s bed, her long hair soaking the sheets as she slipped into a deep slumber.

She was so tired.

Adline woke many times during the night but finally managed a few solid hours in the early morning before being woken by an insistent knocking at the door.

Turning to the side Adline woke a little groggy, she noticed a bottle of pills, alas of water and a note on the side table. Remembering she had an injured shoulder she put her hand to it lightly and realized it had been wrapped properly.

The persistent knock again sounded at the door. Pushing the covers back roughly Adline pulled herself out of bed and sauntered to the door. She was still so very tired but couldn’t ignore her duties.

“What is it?” She questioned the person on the other side as she pulled open. The door and saw Babel, Taylor and Nathaniel standing with concerned looks on their faces.

Babel stepped forward and touched Adline’s hand, “someone has taken Kane’s body.”