Chapter 26

"We have at least one warrior stationed at the siren control center at all times." Carl reassures me as we walk near the border discussing how the warriors are handling the new patrol schedule.

After helping Crescent Pack clean up following the attack and making sure they have enough supplies and warriors for their own patrol, all of us who decided to break away from the council had a meeting. We all came to the agreement to dig up as much evidence to try and pin point at what time the council shifted its priorities while simultaneously figuring out if we can backtrack Ivan's movements to find out where the rogue army is hiding. It would be too difficult to just search every area of no mans land since the sheer amount of land would take years to clear.

"Are people scared?" Our pack has put on a brave face since we got back from the disastrous council meeting. We held our own pack meeting the same night we got back explaining all the evidence we have gathered as well as what happened with Crescent Pack's attack. It was gut wrenching to look my pack members in the eye and admit what little information we have on the rogues. Of course they had questions which Quentin and I both answered to the best of our abilities, but there were some answers even we didn't know.

"Yeah." His face softens and he shoves his hands in his pockets kicking a small rock along the path. "But they trust you." He nudges me with his shoulder trying to get me to smile but the pit of anxiety in my stomach continues to build. I thought for sure we would find something, anything about the rogues whether it be their location, any other members, or even their next step, but so far we are empty handed.

"Thank you." I murmur running a hand through my hair. Carl always knows exactly what to say while making sure to get what's important across. I think that's why we get along so well, we balance each other out. He's like the brother I never had and I'm like the sister he never had. "I should head back Asher's going to call soon." Thankfully Asher is doing just as well as Carl after their attack and have had no further complications. I've called him a few times over the past week to just check in on how him and Stephanie are doing as well as sneakily checking in on my dads. I know Asher will be honest with me if my dads aren't doing well.

They both have been through the Blake situation along with their own tragedies before they found each, but it was different back than. We all lived together then but now we are spread far apart not knowing whether the other is okay at an exact moment.

The pack house is vibrant and full of life despite the impending war drawing closer. I stop a few times to chat with people and ask how they are doing, and I'm quite stunned how honest they are. All admitting how worried they are but are making the best of a terrifying situation. I'm proud of them for handling it all with grace.

"Hello?" Asher answers after a few rings. He sounds tired which has me worried immediately. Did something happen? Is everyone okay?"

"Hey it's me, is everything okay? You sound exhausted." I lean back in my chair kicking my feet onto my desk. Quentin's desk sits empty across from mine since he's out with Oliver helping build a new storage building for training equipment. He asked if I wanted to help this morning at breakfast, but my past record of handling a hammer isn't exactly clean. Plus he told me he had a surprise for me later, so it's not like we won't see each other all day.

"Yeah, Stephanie was up really early this morning with morning sickness." As much as I hate it my heart goes out for Stephanie. I may not know first hand how it feels, but I watched Della go through it twice from a young age. It's not something that you forget easily when you are on a picnic with you family and she has to rush to the nearest bush to empty her guts.

"I'm sorry." I cringe at how disingenuous my voice sounds. It's not my fault I don't know how to make him feel better all things considered.

"It's okay. I've got some good news." Asher's voice rises with excitement. I don't need to see him to be able to envision the smile stretching across his face. He always seemed to turn into a child when he got super excited about something, and it seemed like he still hasn't grown out of it. "We're having a girl." He announces, and I wish I was there to hug him, but repetitive congratulations over the phone will have to do.

"Congratulations! I'm so happy for the both of you." In another universe I would be in tears broken at the idea of Asher starting a life with someone other than myself, but sitting here now I feel nothing but happiness and hope for the both of them. My only worry is finishing this war so they can safely start their family without the fear of whether they will have tomorrow together. "I'm sorry it's under such nerve wracking circumstances." I slump back in the seat my mood falling again. I can't imagine the amount of extra anxiety Stephanie is going through.

"It's not your fault Tessa. We'll get through this soon." He sounds so sure of himself making me envy his optimism. Every morning I wake up with a sinking feeling of anticipation waiting for the rogues and Ivan to make their next move, but it's been eerily quiet. Although it's been much easier piecing together evidence now that we can consult other packs without fear of punishment. So far we have found out that each pack over twenty years has had unexplained attacks that were dismissed by the council for various reasons. All of which resulted in deaths and multiple injuries, yet most of the time the council said the attack was most likely random and it would be very unlikely to happen again. With all of this new information coming to light a lot of the Aphas and even some Lunas wanted to move forward with a counterattack but thankfully we were able to defuse the situation before it got to the point of no return.

Della and Aidan along with my dads have stressed that we need to go about this as strategically as possible. I immediately agreed because my main concerns is making sure no more innocent people die, but in the end I know I'm going to be heartbroken. We've started this revolution and the only way to end it is going to battle with the rogues, which means lives will be lost regardless of how well we train, plan, and strategize.

"How are my dads?" Asher sighs on the other end of the line probably due to my sharp change of subject. No matter how many people reassure me this isn't my fault the guilt still eats away at me. It feels like this started because I wanted to learn more about my mom and since then the world has gone to shit.

"I'm not going to lie to you and say they are fine, but they are doing better than most. The pack is on edge considering we are the only pack in your family that hasn't gotten attacked, but your dads have remained collected making sure not to be emotional in front of them. At the end of the day they let the facade fall, but even then I'm quite impressed with how well they are handling it all." It relieving to know my dads are doing better, but it hurts to know how anxious Dark Mountains is overall. I wish there was a way to put them at ease but right now all we can do is wait.

We're are all gathering and combining all evidence of attacks involving rogues and the councils dismissal to try and convince the pack who remain undecided to side with us. It's not about having more man power or numbers, but if they don't pick a side the council or rogues may take the opportunity to overtake them.

"Have you found anything new?" I cross my fingers while biting my lip waiting for an answer.

"Not today but my dad's calling some old friends later to see if they remember anything about Dark Mountains and rogues working with Blake." That's another blind spot for us since all the records were burned and all the people who were left of the pack were people who lived on the outskirts of the pack close the border, and had nothing to do with Blake since they were too scared of him.

"Thank your dad for me and tell him I miss him." Brandon has really stepped up volunteering to travel between packs to exchange information, basically taking over what Jasper used to do. Speaking of Jasper he is sulking, pissed off at me for not allowing him to put himself and pack at risk. I understand he wants to help especially after seeing what the rogues are capable of first hand, but he's too young and I can't justify letting him put his life on the line for something he had no part in. As far as anyone except my family knows his pack doesn't exist and I want to keep it that way. Most of the pack members themselves are children and parents who are staying hidden for a reason so I don't want that trust to be broken between us.

"We all miss you too. How the Luna life treating you?" I glance at the clock only to see I need to meet Quentin in a few minutes. Calling Asher every few days is a fresh breath of normalcy amongst this chaotic mess, and I swear each call flies by faster than the last.

"I'm really sorry but I need to go. I'll call you either tomorrow or the next day. Tell Stephanie congratulations for me, and thank you for everything Asher. It's nice to have my best friend back." My smile is genuine as we finish up our goodbyes for the day before I start my trek back home.

I still don't know what Quentin has planned for us, and since he just told me it was a surprise without providing any context or clues. I haven't even come up with any possibilities of what it could be. I do know that ever since that night where my dads calling him interrupted us there has been a sexual tension lingering in the air. The bond flares up any time we are alone yearning to be completed, but every night or morning something new pops up that quickly diminishes the mood.

It doesn't help that I have no reservations of having sex with him. He's proven that I can trust him with my life, so why wouldn't I trust him with this. The Moon Goddess made us mates for a reason, and so far I haven't second guessed her decision for even a moment. I love him with all of my heart and soul, and he has shown me he feels the same.

"Should I meet you at home?" He didn't exactly specify where the surprise was going to be, so I'm not sure where to find him. The mischief in his eyes when he told me this morning made my heart rate pick up, and the smile didn't leave his face the entirety of breakfast.

"Yeah, I'm all ready for you." My cheeks tingle with heat my brain processing his words differently and than the way he meant. Hopefully the surprise only involves us or else it's going to be torturous night for me. Taking my time the rest of the walk home, I compose myself a little so I don't jump his bones the moment I walk through the threshold of our home.

The air is crisp with a cool night breeze, and the orange and red hues coloring the sky make a beautiful backdrop to the evening. I want us to forget about the hectic world around us just for tonight. He needs a night of relaxation just as much as I do, and this is our best shot at it for a very long time. Tomorrow is Troy's birthday so Della and family as well as my dads are going to travel down to celebrate here. I insisted that we can have a party at their house, but apparently Troy wanted to have it here. If I'm being honest I think they want to deal with the mess that comes with a Troy birthday. Somehow something always happens on his birthday that results in a huge mess, which is mostly due to Emeric influence.

"Quentin?" I call out for him as I walk into our living room only to find it empty. Heading into the kitchen the smile falls from my face finding it empty as well. My stomach twist with nerves as flashbacks from a few of my nightmares invade my thoughts.

"Out here." Letting out a sigh of relief I head towards the back door where his voice came from. I step onto the back deck stopping in my tracks at the breathtaking sight in front of me. Quentin stands next to a fully decorated table with food already set up, candles in the middle of the table as well as cushions on the wooden chairs to add some comfort, and to top it all off he has strung up fairly lights that twinkle in the reflection of his eyes.

"You did all of this?" I ask walking over to him while looking at each detail of the whole ensemble. It warms my heart to know he took time out of his busy schedule to do all of this. Reaching him I wrap my arms around his waist looking up into his silver eyes.

"I thought we could use a night to just our selves." He smiles brushing a piece of hair out of my face and behind my ear. Biting my lip I look around him to the delicious food set up onto two plates as well as the small bowl of blueberries off to the side. He knows me so well, but right now I'm not hungry for food.

"I like the sound of that." I whisper leaning up onto my two connecting our lips. His hands fall from my waist to my hips pulling me flush against his chest. Taking the inishsitve I start to unbutton the few first buttons of his dress shirt that he looks so good in, but he'll look just as good without it.

"The food?" He pulls away tilting his head to the side slightly trying to figure out what I'm going for, but I don't stop my mission on the buttons until they are all undone.

"We can eat after." I snake my arms around his neck gripping his hair and pulling his mouth back down onto mine. Running my tongue across the seam of his lips, he grants me access creating a battle of dominance with our mouths.

"Are you sure?" His eyes are clouded with lust as his eyes bore into mine searching for any sign of hesitation. The only problem is he isn't going to find any.

"Positive." That all he needs, reaching down he grabs the back of my thighs and hoists me up. I wrap my legs around his waist while holding the one side of his face guiding his lips back to my own. Walking us back inside he shuts the back door leading us into the living room where he presses me up against the wall.

I use the extra support to push his shirt off his arms and lift mine above my head letting it fall to the floor. Placing my hand on his chest I trace the muscles leading down his chest and stomach until I find his belt which doesn't stay on much longer.

"Shit Tessa." He hisses as I kiss my way down to his mark paying extra attention to the one spot that always makes him squirm. His fingers work quickly to unbutton my jeans and push them down my legs as far as they will go but it's not enough.

"Quentin." I moan his hands sneaking up my bra brushing over my breasts. Jumping down I step out of my jeans and grab his hand dragging him towards the stairs, but he scoops me up before I get too far throwing me over his shoulder. Shrieking I smack his ass hoping it'll get him to put me down but he just smacks my ass in return.

"Put me down." I giggle as he walks down the hallway towards our bedroom, and just before we reach the door he sets me back on my own two feet. Reaching behind my back I unclasp my bra throwing it to the side watching as Quentin's eyes trail down my body, and he doesn't waste another second unzipping his pants letting them fall to the ground and stepping out of them.

"I love you." I breath just before or lips connect again. Reaching behind me I open our bedroom door and back into the dark room until the back of my knees hit the bed. I crawl back until my head is by the pillows, but he takes his sweet time trailing kisses up my legs, stomach, and between my breasts. His lips brush against my own as he climbs above me resting himself between my legs.

"I love you too." He groans as I lift my hips rolling them against his feeling the outline of him. The bond between us electifies each touch leaving goosebumps in it's wake. He trails his fingers up my thigh as he kisses down my neck to my mark.

"Please." I gasp the anticipation growing to be too much, so he removes the last two pieces of clothing separating us leaving us bare to each other. The minimal light from the moon coming through window is still bright enough that I can see him fully. He's perfect in every way possible from the outside to the inside, which says something because he is fucking beautiful.

"You're stunning." He whispers between kisses while reaching into the nightstand, and putting on a condom. I'm glad because I certainly didn't want to stop to have a long conversation about kids. "Stop me if it hurts." He waits for me to nod before lining himself up with my entrance and easing himself in.

"Fuck." I grip his biceps waiting for the discomfort to diminish. He clutches the sheets next to my head as he pulls back almost completely before repeating the action all over again. Pleasure spreads throughout my body as he picks up speed creating a steady rhythm. Gasping into his mouth I drag my nail down his back eliciting a growl from him.

We climb up higher together getting closer to euphoria with each thrust, touch, and kiss. The bond is overwhelming my senses pushing me over the deep end. Screaming his name it doesn't take long before he follows holding me as he falls over the edge into heightened bliss.

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Song: Deep End by Ruelle

Thank you for being so patient with me over this busy week. I feel terrible for not posting for almost a week, but now I shouldn't be as busy for a while plus I have the next few chapters planned out and I'm really excited for you to see them! I hope the love scene at the end wasn't too horrible I'm feeling a bit rusty today. Also this book has hit over 5,000 reads and I don't know how to process that because it feels like yesterday I was celebrating it hitting 500 reads. It's all thanks to you guys, so thank you so much. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and if you did don't forget to vote and comment! Stay safe, healthy, and home. Until next time.

~Stella Gordon