Ava’s POV
I’m laying as still as I can in Cameron’s arms, my heart is thudding hard against my chest.
I have to be in patrol in ten minutes.
Cameron fell asleep nearly an hour ago, I think anyway, judging by his slightly heavier breathing.
He took an early shift on patrol this morning. He wanted to get out there and scout the area himself.
I sat in Lily’s room while she talked about pushing back the ceremony and maybe inviting even more packs now that King Cameron would be there.
I wasn’t listening though. I was chewing on my lip and pacing the room, worried about Cameron, thinking about Eric and Benny.
Eric has made a full recovery. He was at dinner this evening, he sat with us and he is a super nice guy. I’m really glad he’s okay. And I really wish he could be Cameron’s beta.
Anyone but scary guy.
This morning at training, he insisted on demonstrating on me again.
Instead of two seconds, it took him fifteen to take me down, laying on top of me and grabbing the skin on my throat with his teeth again, pulling away with a huge smirk.
I was proud that I lasted longer, but I still don’t feel great about going on patrol.
Ugh, and the thought of that asshole putting his teeth on my throat sends waves of hate through me.
That guy is the worst.
At least training had helped me keep my mind off Cameron being on patrol. Afterwards, when I was with Lily, it was all I could think of.
We made a beeline to the bedroom as soon as he got back. I feel a little hot remembering how passionate and thorough the lovemaking was.
I convinced him to go to bed early after dinner, after another, quicker round in the bed…
Okay, I need to go. I’ll get in trouble if I’m late.
I glance at Cameron’s handsome, peaceful face, and feel a huge surge of remorse.
He would be livid with me if he knew what I was doing. It’s not a very good mate to sneak around behind their mate’s back.
I remind myself that I am doing this for my pack, he has to understand that…right? I mean…he took a turn…
I swallow hard and scoot slowly away from Cameron, placing a pillow in his arm to take my place.
As I slip out of the covers and my feet touch the floor, I think I hear him stir.
I stay still for a full minute, my heart beating even faster and a bead of sweat rolling down my forehead.
Okay, time to go. I reach under the bed for my patrol clothes and tip toe across the room. I turned two fans on before bed to help block the noise of me leaving the room, knowing his Lycan hearing is crazy good.
I make it to the bedroom door that I had ensured was well-oiled and wouldn’t squeak and pull it open slowly.
Glancing at Cameron’s still body on the bed, I step out and slowly close it softly shut behind me. I exhale the breath I didn’t even realize I had been holding.
I quickly throw on my clothes, socks, and a cap, holding my tennis shoes in my hand as I take off as quickly as I can while remaining silent.
Once I’m at the end of the hallway, I take off into a run.
I throw my tennis shoes on when I reach the bottom of the stairs and start running again until I’m at the new patrol meeting spot, outside of the packhouse.
There’s a Lycan with short curly brown hair there that I don’t recognize, but that’s it.
“Hi, I’m A- uh… Lana.”
The Lycan raises an eyebrow at me.
“I have patrol.”
He checks the clipboard and looks questioningly at me.
I pull my cap down further over my eyes.
“Where do we start? Has everyone else left?”
I see him shrug his shoulders.
“You’re late. Everyone just left. We’ll go to the end of the woods where you can take off your clothes and shift. I’ll be your patrol partner. We are covering the Southeast side. I’m Luca, by the way.”
I nod. We walk over to the woods and I stop, just thinking of something.
“How will we communicate? You being in a different pack?”
“I’m a Lycan, I can communicate when I shift with any werewolf that lets me in.”
“Oh.” I didn’t know that. So, why didn’t Cameron communicate with me while he was on patrol?
Seeing my confusion, he elaborates. “If you are in wolf form that is.”
Oooh.
So next time Cameron goes on patrol, I’ll make sure I shift while I wait for him.
I step behind the tree and take off my cap and clothes, feeling more nervous than I ever had before going on a patrol.
I shift and walk towards where Luca had been and nearly whine in terror when a giant dark brown beast comes towards me. It’s wolf-life, but with a long, skinny snout with rows of sharp teeth. Long, muscular legs that almost look like human limbs, that attach to gigantic paws with long toes that have dangerously long curved claws at the end. His back arches high so he stands at least seven feet off the ground with both paws flat on the ground.
Oh my god. I’ve never seen a Lycan shifted in real life.
I’ve always known that my wolf was small, but this Lycan beast could crush me just by stepping on me.
My heart thuds painfully against my chest.
What the hell am I doing here? I can’t fight beasts like this!
“Lana…are you okay?”
It takes me a moment to realize that Luca is talking to me.
“Yes, sorry, first time seeing a Lycan shifted in real life.”
I can feel Luca’s doubt as his beastly wolf cocks his long, skinny snout at me.
“Let’s go.” I try to sound confident as I lift my wolf head high and take a few steps towards the Southeast side.
Luca takes off at a slow run beside me and I do my best to keep up. I can tell he’s not going anywhere near full speed, yet I’m going as fast as my paws will let me, panting heavily, a stitch forming in my side.
Every once in awhile, other’s on patrol will be in my head, telling us all clear to the Northwest and they are starting the circle again…all silent to the Southwest…
With a jolt, I recognize Ralph’s voice. He’s covering the Northeast. I hope I don’t run into him. I better stay quiet, so he doesn’t recognize me.
I let Luca be our contact with the others, informing them of our position and whenever we reach the end of our territory.
We are circling back to the upper edge of our territory when a panicked voice I don’t recognize starts yelling in our heads, making me freeze and look over at Luca, who’s already taking off toward the Northeast territory.
“Lycan’s in Northeast, at least 3!”
I follow Luca, feeling my heart is about to burst in my chest.
Ralph!
I feel someone’s pain in my head, but I don’t know if it’s Ralph or his patrol partner.
I feel sick.
Luca is so far in front of me that I can’t see him, but I hear the sounds of fighting ahead.
Oh my god!
Something huge and dark is racing towards me from the trees and I freeze.
It’s not Luca.
I don’t have time to react as the huge black figures lounges at me…all I have time to think is…
Cameron.