Quiver

26

I jerked in the direction of the snarls and where some of the pack had lurched into action, filing into the living room. My heart pounded at what it could be, but as I took in a lungful of air I relaxed instantly. I knew the scent and who it belonged to: Elliere. I slid from my chair with Roman close behind. I pushed my way through the defensive members and directly into the heart of things. I seen Luke and Damion holding Elliere down, though he wasn't even fighting. He looked píssed to say the least, but he was not in any way fighting back or doing harm. I knew what he was here for and he knew if he harmed the pack he wouldn't have a chance in hell at any revenge on the Jaecars.

"Let him go," I said, my voice firm as I looked from Damion to Luke. Both their faces were wrinkled in a snarl, unwilling to let go, but eventually they released Elliere once I didn't drop their gazes.

The Lupus didn't move at all until I told him it was fine to stand. He stood, towering over a lot of the pack and looking calm, but I knew he was struggling deep down not to panic. Packs weren't his thing. Never would be.

"What happened?" Yorik asked, having pushed his own way into the center of the makeshift ring. He was eyeing Elliere carefully even though he knew he was the one who brought me back safely.

"Caught him following after Rori," Luke grumbled. "And then he just walked right up onto the porch like he owned the place."

Yorik snorted and turned to look at me. "Do you know anything about him being here? You did say he'd help with the Jaecars, no?"

I nodded. "Yes, he's here to speak with all of us on that exact manner. He'll be helping us get in, get out and take down the majority of the Jaecars. He's stronger than a normal Lupus and myself. We need him."

Everyone seemed to back off then, grumbling a little and throwing Elliere dirty looks as they departed back to the dining room. Elliere threw me a grateful nod and I gave him a small smile in return.

"We'll speak about everything after everyone has finished eating. In the mean time, take a seat," Yorik said, gesturing to the seats around him.

I sank down easily, Roman beside me while Elliere chose a recliner. I didn't blame him, he wanted his space just in case Yorik didn't appear so calm though I knew he was. The wait for everyone was awkward and silent. I wished we could have just dove right into things, but this was going to be a pack effort meaning they would need to contribute to the discussion as well. Yorik made sure everyone had a voice, that everyone mattered and that's why he was so favored with everyone in the pack.

Slowly, I watched as members began drifting in from the dining room. Some sat down, confident in their home while others stood, watching Elliere with piercing eyes. I gave the older Lone Wolf credit. He had guts to sit and appear at ease when I knew he probably wasn't with all the eyes watching him so intensely.

"So, is everyone here that needs to be?" Yorik asked, eyes gazing about.

"Yes," everyone responded.

"Okay. As you all heard, Rori wishes to take out the Jaecars located here to make it a safer place for all supernatural and as justice for her and her brother, as well as this Lupus over here. Elliere knows about the compound inside meaning he'll be our guide. Bree is helping with healing us and disabling alarms. Now we just need two Lupus to guard Bree and figure out what the rest of us will be doing," Yorik grunted out, his face set into a mask of determination.

**

Hours passed well into midday bordering on nighttime by the time the entire discussion had finally finished between the pack, Bree and Elliere. It was decided we'd launch our attack by the next week, using this week to prepare and plan further still. Bree was to be guarded by the brothers, Trevor and Cody. Elliere was to be one of the first entering the building along with Roman and myself. I asked about Cole joining us, but Chloe and Garrett were sure to shut that idea down, saying that if he went Lilith would want to as well. I agreed a bit reluctantly and Cole was even more upset, but he understood and volunteered to stay back to watch Lilith.

Lilith's parents agreed to go and Sarah and Holden opted to stay with Cole and Lilith. Even though they were Lupus, they were Elders meaning they didn't have much fight in them anymore. They had enough in case the kids were in danger though and that was what mattered.

That was as far as things had gotten though. It took so long because there had been so much bickering about Elliere and doubting of Bree's abilities. Yorik had actually almost gotten mad, a sight that was rather rare for the leader, due to the numerous interruptions.

Now Elliere was gone, back to wherever he was staying and planned to contact me the day of the attack. Bree had left too, but not before she went to Damion and apologized softly. He looked at her longingly, sadness swirling in his eyes, but nodded understandingly before wandering off. Bree looked relieved, but upset by the hurt in his eyes and hurried out.

Now the pack was at ease and as back to normal as it had been only with talk of the attack mixed in. The scent of Annalise, Chloe and Aurora's cooking wafted throughout the house as everyone did their own thing. I was seated on the floor near the sofa with Roman behind me, playing with my hair. We were watching T.V. sort of with Sarah, Holden, Garrett, Lilith, Cole, Eva and Winter. However I could hear everyone talking from time to time, whispering worriedly over what was to come.

It seemed Roman was sick of listening in as he shifted, standing up and reaching for my hand. I gazed at him questioningly, but didn't hesitate it gripping his hand with my own. Everyone in the living room fell silent as we stood, but we didn't say anything. I merely followed Roman's quiet lead out of the living room.

As we wound our way through the house, I began wondering where he was taking me when we appeared on the screened in porch. The smell of flowers and plants drifted into my nose, calming some of my building worries. I was happy everything was going so well now, but what about when things actually happened?

That was another thing entirely that I didn't want to consider right now.

I sank onto the floor cushions and felt Roman slid behind me, wrapping his arms around me.

"So are you going to tell me about Bree and my brother?" He asked softly, as a way to distract me it seemed.

"You don't know?" I asked, confused as I ran my fingertips across his arms.

"No. He wouldn't say a word and I didn't want to ask you until now because of all the discussions," he said, his warm breath ruffling strands of my blonde hair.

"Ah, well... Bree's a lesbian," I murmured, waiting for his reaction.

"Hmm. That's a new revelation. Explains why Damion was so distant. I figured she had to have a good reason to say no."

"I feel sorry for him. He had chosen her, Roman," I said, my voice a whisper.

He had no reply to that, only squeezed me tighter and I felt myself warm from our embrace. I decided not to say anything and enjoy this moment and every one we had until the attack because we might not make it out alive.