Among The Wolves

Touch

Obsidian sat in the dining  hall, enjoying watching pups scurry to and fro around the tables and chairs. He kept himself busy, at least he tried to, and pups were good medicine. They wore him out faster than a workout session.

He rubbed his hands together. It had been a month since he discovered the mateship awakening was actually for Kejyta.  Still, he had no idea what to do with that knowledge.  He had not gone to see her since.

A shadow appeared in the door, it was a familiar Eta. Obsidian stood up quickly and sauntered over to him. “I assume you've just returned from the base?”

The Eta nodded, “I have.”

“Let me walk with you to see Alpha M’est’r.”

The two he-wolves made their way to the Alpha's study. They waited until they were summoned and then approached the wooden desk.

“Fill me in.” Was the curt command.

The Eta relaxed from his salute. “There have been diligent fence repairs over the last couple weeks from the Vakusians.”

“Is it still going?” Alpha M’est’r asked.

“Yes, nie.”

“How many Etas are eyeballing that?”

“We actually have quite a few.”

“Relocate half those Etas if you can, do not exhaust manpower on pup-sitting routine repair. It will make it  harder to discern the entirety of the border. The ruckus they make could be a diversion so I want the men to cautiously treat it as such.”

“Yes, nie.”

“Next update.”

“They have fortified their forces, doubled their border patrolmen.”

Alpha M’est’r growled and ran a hand through his hair. “Then we have no choice but to do the same.” Alpha M’est’r looked at Obsidian, “Gather some of the former Etas who have not been to the border in a minute, at least five. Let them know their duty returns.”

Obsidian nodded, “Yes, nie.” He saluted and left the room.

He walked down the hallway and out the door. He was turning to head for the training arena when suddenly his heart squeezed. Obsidian gasped and grabbed his chest, nearly falling to his knees. The coil, that was the bond, felt so taunt. It almost seemed as if an ugly outside force was pulling and wrestling with it. Trying to sever the soul ties. Something was wrong. But Obsidian was healthy, which meant Kejyta was distressed.
Obsidian managed to catch a breath before he turned once more. He had to check on her, he had to check on his mate.

Something caught his eyes. Iota Soon'Ya was exiting the Au Courant packhouse. She looked mildly rushed. That only seemed to confirm the dread that was pumping with his blood. He walked past her and slipped into the packhouse. Quickly he went down the steps until he made it to the hallway. With steady and determined steps he made it closer to the room. His ears listened intently but he could perceive no one else around, he was down here alone.

While still agonized, the matebond gleamed brighter.

Obsidian opened the door and immediately saw her. A sigh seemed to emit from his very muscles. He did not know how it hurt so much and also felt so wonderful to see her again.

Her skin was still very pale and she looked thinner yet. Still, it did not take away from the beauty he saw in her.

He did not even register that he had moved to her bedside, until the cold bars on the side touched the back of his hand. It was there that the distress was evident. The monitor beeped wildly as her heart rate showed impending cardiac arrest.