Nebraska stirred in bed at the voices around her and drilling into her brain. As a result she opened her eyes in a very bad mood. And that was not good… not good at all. In the doorway she saw her husband with a scowl on his face and his arms crossed in front of his chest.
The she-wolf gritted her teeth. She quickly recognized her daughter’s scent and with it that of someone else. Layan’s. So they were arguing like uncivilized wolves during the morning as if no one in the mansion was sleeping. More so she that her husband had kept her up late.
She stealthily got out of bed and slipped on an ankle-length nightgown and walked to stand behind hades who barely noticed her. For his part he was engrossed in the image he had witnessed.
-Layan, keep your hands off my daughter.
The red-haired man clicked his tongue, pulling away the hands he had placed on Priscilla’s shoulders and pulling her back to give himself some space. She thankfully showed no resistance.
-Let’s set the record straight again Hades. Your daughter is the one behind me and the one who put her hands on me.
-Really?- he protested, -I find it unbelievable that a puppy would corner you against the wall. Oh great leader of the Council of Alphas- he said with irony- if my wife saw you I’m sure she would laugh, it would help her mood which lately has been a little sour, must be hormonal-.
-If Nebraska hears you talking about her like that she’ll surely leave you without sex for more than a month alpha watch your tongue,- Layan blurted out nonchalantly.
-At least I have someone to have carefree sex with,- he touched the other alpha’s delicate vein.
Layan grimaced.
-I remind you the reason why I can’t hook up with someone else, and that reason is right next door,- he growled.
-Coward,- Priscilla casually blurted out, -Just excuses, sweetheart,- she smiled calculatingly at him and then looked to the side, -And hello, ma. Don’t be too hard on pa.
Hades could have sworn the blood ran down to his feet and he turned really pale. How the hell did he not realize that his wife had been after him for some time. He had impregnated her with his scent all night long that hers was so imperceptible. He swallowed dryly looking over his shoulder. What he saw didn’t please him at all.
-So sour mood, hormonal- her voice was like sandpaper which shook the two wolves already plus Nebraska had her eyes narrowed and her dark hair disheveled- I guess I don’t have to say much, right love?- she smiled side to side and Hades shivered. Layan was right about one thing. A whole month of abstinence was coming.
Two hours later and after breakfast three wolves were gathered in Hades’ study. Layan sitting on the couch, while Hades behind his desk. In one corner of the desk Priscilla was sitting on the edge with her legs crossed and playing with a lock of her long hair. Litus, the alpha of the Ice Pack had left just before dawn, which was why Priscilla was at the window bidding him farewell.
Layan couldn’t help but stare at the long mane, it was just as shiny as his father’s, which he said, was the exact copy and seemed soft to the touch. He found his fingertips itching at the thought of wanting to bury himself among the strands and savor the texture.
He closed his eyes for a moment and focused. He had things to attend to first, such as why the puppy had awakened five years before the stipulated time.
-Well? Talk, it’s not for fun that you sent me the message to come,- he said, leaning his arm against the back of the sofa. He wanted to seem unconcerned but with Priscilla there that wasn’t so easy. The she-wolf could be somewhat intimidating in the way she demanded what she wanted. How the hell did she have so much power?
Father and daughter looked at each other, the latter smiled but let the wolf do the talking.
-ayan, when you return to your pack will you take Priscilla with you?
And the red-haired wolf could have sworn he stopped breathing for a few seconds. He even coughed.
-That’s a very good joke Hades. Try again, you caught me unawares.
Hades raised his eyebrow at this.
-I’m not kidding Layan. Priscilla woke up recently and she still doesn’t have control over all her powers and the healing ability that belongs to you is about to awaken. Not to mention that you are the best qualified to train her. Results we have with the queen of the Iron Pack who is doing very well.
Layan closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
-That’s all fine and dandy and all you want but they are different stories. I help the wolves get stronger and develop their abilities for a specific situation, but she….
-Right now she is the strongest wolf for miles around, if she loses control like last time we will be in trouble. The best thing to do is to train her well. Nebraska taught her to master her own ability and she learned it pretty fast.
Layan wanted to protest but Hades was right in every word he said. He wouldn’t give in so easily though. He wasn’t someone who could be manipulated so easily. He was the one to manipulate.
-I want something in return,- he watched as father and daughter bowed their heads dubiously, -I want to remove the mark from the back of Priscilla’s neck. Break the bond,- he said seriously.
This time it was Priscilla who raised an eyebrow.
-So afraid you are Layan- she smiled coldly changing the position of her legs slowly.
The wolf growled.
-Don’t touch swampy ground either, pup. Your father may be here but I’m still in charge.
She didn’t seem to flinch at either his words or his tone. She wouldn’t budge.
-All right, but you’ll take it off after a month,- she finally said, puzzling Layan.
-Why a month?- his teeth were clenched.
-I only need you to train me for a month, after we are done you can remove the mark.
-Priscilla, it seems to me that the conditions are too much now.
-And what are you going to do, jump on top of me and erase it with your claws. I can assure you that as strong as you are you won’t be able to get to my neck so easily Layan- she smiled more her empty and cold eyes looked at him like two ice floes- Let’s be civilized, just one month and don’t try submission with me, it won’t work- -Let’s be civilized, just one month and don’t try submission with me, it won’t work-.
At the words of the she-wolf who was not the least bit afraid of him, Layan frowned sharply.
-Layan,- warned Hades, feeling that his scent was getting much denser.
Finally he sighed and ran his hand through his hair, pulling the long strands back.
-All right, that’s enough, say no more. I’ll take her with me but I warn you with my trainings they are really hard. If you falter even once, I won’t turn back to pick you up.
Priscilla got off the table with a soft jump, falling elegantly.
-As you wish,- she lifted her shoulders.
This stunned Layan.
-What do you mean, we’re leaving?
-What you heard, we’re leaving. I want to leave as soon as possible and start, I told you, it will only be a month- she approached him and bowed- do you want to stay here longer- her eyes narrowed. The wolf knew what she meant.
-He challenged her but instead, thinking he would receive one of her sarcastic or provocative comments, the she-wolf straightened up. Her expression was expressionless, completely serious, letting Layan see her for what she really was, someone without feelings.
-Pa, I’m going to get the clothes you prepared for me,- she said without looking at any of them and headed for the door. The sound of the lock invaded the studio.
Hades stood still in his seat. His attention fixed on Layan.
-Don’t look at me like that, it’s your daughter who’s tragic.
Hades pressed his fingers on the table.
-Layan, I’ll only put my daughter in your hands because I know that even though you say all that, you are someone who takes good care of those around you.
The alpha clicked his tongue. Once again Hades was right.
-But I ask you to be a little flexible with Priscilla. At least until you break the bond. She may seem like someone really strong but that doesn’t take away from the fact that she has a limit. It’s enough that her emotions were sealed-
Layan narrowed his eyes.
-Did you notice?
Hades nodded his head.
-I love her smile, and this one she has these days isn’t nearly as warm as when she was a puppy. That’s why I’m telling you.
Layan sighed and stood up.
-Don’t worry. She may be a stubborn one but I can deal with her. She’s just a simple puppy with accelerated development. I can handle her or I wouldn’t be the strongest alpha,- he smiled at Hades before walking out the door.