Damien's pov
“Sapphiraaaaaa!” She screamed in pain, breaking my heart into a million pieces. I knew what she was feeling and I wished I could take it away.
Her cry turned into a howl and I felt Roman push forward with a force I'd never felt before.
“Roman, what are you doing?!” I asked, mad that he would distract me from comforting Alari.
“It's not me, it's her” he said, taking over and pushing me to the back.
Our shift was swift, having done it maybe a million times before. He stood at attention, watching the last moments of her shift.
I watched from the back as she panted, sitting on a bed of snow as snow flakes floated around her.
“She's breathtaking” I whispered and Roman growled in agreement, his eyes not once leaving her.
She was as white as the snow she sat on, with a bluish glow. Her purple eyes glowing fiercely, intensely and lines curved elegantly on her forehead. It almost looked like a crown.
I was too absorbed by my mate to notice the pack, it was when she looked around that I followed her gaze and saw them.
“She didn't just call to me, she called to everyone” I whispered to myself, amazed at her powerful command.
I saw her eyes widen a bit as she noticed everyone there, the question in her eyes amusing.
“You called your pack, they answered” I linked her, watching her look around with shock swimming in her beautiful eyes. Fuck, even in this form she was gorgeous.
“Leave us” she linked and everyone left without hesitation, including Mason, Pearl and her parents.
Did she just mind link witches?
“You look… out of this world” I said, a little breathless, bowing to my Queen. And who could blame me? She was breathtaking!
“Don't look too bad yourself” she said with a giggle, her voice majestic and teasing, drawing a growl from my chest.
She looked me over, taking in my midnight black coat. I stood tall, giving her a good view of her mate.
It was when she looked up that I noticed snow flakes falling. Was that her? She does have the power of frost after all.
She stood up, her white paws literally camouflaged against the snow. Her legs were tall, standing taller than me. She didn't even need to tell me, her form clearly said she was my Alpha.
My Alpha! Why did that arouse me so much?!
The moon was shining brightly, lighting up the forest and I'd be stupid to not take my mate for a run on such a beautiful night.
I brushed against her, sliding my body over hers, causing an electric charge to go through us.
“Follow me” I said and ran ahead of her, making sure to go at a slow pace until she was used to using four legs instead of two.
It wasn't long before we were practically racing through the forest. She ran faster, getting ahead of me and I sped up as well, matching her speed.
Goddess she was fast!
I bumped into her like speeding cars, increasing my speed a bit and she matched it, running freely beside me.
I don't know how long we'd been running but we stopped when we finally got to the stream at the edge of the pack, helping ourselves to a drink.
I lifted my head from the water to find Alari staring at her reflection, seeing herself for the very first time.
“See how beautiful you are?” I asked, coming to stand beside her.
“Unbelievable” she whispered, eyes still looking at her beauty.
“It is said that pure white Lycans are Goddess kissed” I said, making her tilt her head to the side, still looking at herself.
“I feel Goddess kissed” she giggled, now turning her gaze to me.
“Sapphira’s strong, stronger than anything I'd ever felt. Not from any Alpha I've ever come across” she said with a sigh. It was amusing to see her finally realise the kind of power she had.
“Alari, you're a Lycan Alpha, blessed beyond anything imaginable” I said, rubbing my snout against her neck.
“It's a little scary” she whispered, shuddering as my touch electrified her.
“I know love, and I also know you're capable of tapping into that power” I said, pulling away from her and making her look at me.
“Why do you believe in me so much?” She asked, a hint of fear in her eyes, worry and a little sadness.
I realised then that the trauma she had been dealt at that pack would take a long time to heal.
“Because I believe in you mate, because you are stronger than you realise, because I know the Goddess wouldn't have chosen you if she didn't believe you were capable” I told her, watching her purple eyes mist with tears.
I licked them away as they fell, making her giggle and rest her head against mine.
“I'm lucky to have you Damien” she said with a content sigh.
“I'm the lucky bastard” I said and she laughed, pulling away to look at me.
We sat next to each other, with her leaning into my body as the snow continued to fall, blanketing us in a thin layer.
The heat traveling between our bodies kept us warm as everything around us gradually turned white.
“Let's head back, I can feel my parents worrying” she said with a little laugh.
“Alright love” I said, as we got up and ran back. I couldn't help but wonder what else she could feel.
“Everything and everyone” she said, her voice sounding a bit smug.
Did she just read my mind?
“Sapphira’s showing me what I can do with the bond and my new found power” she said, making my eyes widen.
“So you're going to be in my head a lot huh?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
“Yes sir, time for a little payback for all those times you invaded my thoughts” she laughed and I got a devious thought.
I pushed the image of her beneath me, writhing and moaning to the front and I saw her step faulter.
“I don't mind” I laughed and she huffed.
“Well you better be ready because now I want you” she said, speeding ahead of me.
“You're so on” I said as I sped up to catch up with her, eager to have her beneath me again.
“And if I want to ride you?” She said, making me stumble this time.
“Don't play like that Alari” I growled, feeling my excitement tingle down my groin.
Fuck! She was going to be the end of me.
I noticed we were almost at the edge of the forest behind the castle and told her to stop.
“What's wrong?” She asked, looking at me with her head tilted to the side in curiosity.
“Are you planning on walking into the castle full of people that want to see you naked?” I teased as I left her to find the clothes I normally kept around these parts when I went for a run.
“Oh” she whispered, her embarrassment flooding the bond. I laughed, knowing she'd be blushing if she was in her human form.
I quickly found the tree I hid the clothes and shifted back, putting the shorts on. Returning to her, I found her in the middle of shifting back, groaning and moaning as fur went back into her skin and her bones cracked and snapped back into place.
She was panting loudly by the end of it, I knew just how tired she must feel and quickly pulled my shirt over her head to cover her up before someone saw her Goddess body.
That was for my eyes alone!
The black shirt was long enough to reach mid thigh and looked incredibly hot on her.
“Is there anything you don't look sexy in?” I asked as I scooped her up, shivering as the sound of her whimsical laughter reached my ears.
I doubt I'd ever hear anything more beautiful.
“You think anything on me is sexy” she laughed some more, resting her head on my shoulder.
I could feel her exhausting through the bond, shifting for the first time took so much from her.
I needed to get her inside, make sure she ate before passing out.
“Don't fall asleep on me” I said as her breathing got a little heavier.
“I don't think I can ride you tonight” amusement coated her voice and I chuckled.
“Oh sweetheart, you and I have forever together, you'll be riding this dick for a very long time” I said and she laughed, yawning in the process.
“I'll try” she said and I quickening my step, mind linking Margaret to bring food to our chambers.
Her parents seemed to be waiting by the door because they rushed to us when a guard pushed the door open for us.
“Oh, thank Goddess! I was so worried” Bethany said as she stroked Alari's tired face.
“I'm okay, just tired” she smiled lazily and her mother nodded, kissing her forehead.
“Let's let them go rest, it's been a hard night for Alari” Valerian said, bringing his hands to her shoulders and guiding her out of the way.
I quickly made it up the stairs and into our chambers, the smell of steak greeting us as we entered.
“Mmmm that smells nice” Alari said with a moan, her stomach growling.
I sat her down at the table and took my seat beside her. Uncovering the dishes to find three large steaks and lamb, cornbread and potatoes.
“That's a lot of meat” Alari said, her eyes bulging.
“You'll need all that protein, eat up” I said and we started eating.
She would need to sleep for quite a while and I wanted to make sure she was properly fed.
I could see she was quite sleepy so I talked a lot, trying to keep her awake but after eating two of the steaks and some potatoes, she sighed and leaned back into the chair, her eyes closing.
I got up and got the bed ready and went to get her, carrying her to bed. Slipping her gently into the covers.
I wanted nothing more than to join her but I knew I had a few things to take care of before bed, so I just kissed her forehead and whispered a goodnight, telling her I'd be back soon.
I grabbed the tray and went to the kitchen, knowing Margaret would still be awake and waiting for me.
I found Lucien and Annabelle enjoying a cup of coffee with Margaret and Cassandra.
“Good, I don't have to wait for your slow ass” I said, kissing Margaret on the cheek before sitting down.
“After that magical moment with the Queen, of course I'd be waiting to hear what our next move is” He said with a shrug.
“History books described it but definitely did not get it right” Margaret said, a small smile playing at her lips.
“Yeah” everyone at the table agreed simultaneously.
“So what now? The pack will have questions” Annabelle said, making me sigh.
Of course I wanted to introduce Alari to the pack, the whole Kingdom, but we hadn't spoken about it after the first day of her arrival and the matter of her safety was one of the biggest reasons for not having introduced her yet.
“It's no use hiding her now, everyone knows and by tomorrow, I'm sure the entire Kingdom will know too” I said, sighing as worry filled my chest.
“First thing's first, we need to increase security around the castle, reduce staff and implement her training” Lucien said, and I nodded.
“And she has to meet the pack, formally that is” Annabelle added and I couldn't deny that fact.
“I'll have a talk with her about it but I can't guarantee anything. And get me a list of warriors to add to her guard. Increase border patrol as well and I want a training schedule by morning” I said, making him sigh.
“I hate being your beta, when's the Queen taking her throne? I bet she wouldn't give me so much work” he said, leaning back into his chair.
“I'll just tell her to make you do all the work. Besides, I'd do it myself if I didn't have to deal with the council and the pack” I said, not really looking forward to the questions.
“You know what, you got it worse, I'll have it all sorted out by morning, good luck with Rose and her squad” he laughed and he and Annabelle left.
“You should return to your mate now, we're also going to bed” Margaret said and got up to leave.
I waited until they were out of sight before making my way back to Alari, my steps hurried as I hated the idea of her being alone. Especially now that everyone knew who she was.
It wouldn't be long before the witches found out too, and only the Goddess knew what they'd do to get to her.
I had to be ready for anything, I needed to make sure she was safe at all times.