Queen's Awakening

The Missing

Nikki's POV

"Courtney I have to go. I'm a member of The Wolf Council. Garrett has asked me to represent him too. He's busy moving his pack out of the city and back to wilderness. He has no desire to travel with three pregnant women. Even with the treaty things happen." I try to explain.

"Are sure you're just aren't wanting to see Nicole. It's bad enough they den for almost month. I have to put up with you cooing and lusting over her the whole time." she glares.

"This has nothing to do with her. It's about a missing breeder. Courtney, her guardian, a dog shifter was killed. She's gone. We have to find her. Women are not just loved, They are precious." I state. Then groan as much as I try. I can't always control my reactions to Nicole. It's been miserable without her. I've tried to keep everything as normal for my wife as possible since we got home Just me, her, Ruby and visits from my kids.

"Fine, how long will we be staying?" She asks.

"You don't have to come if you don't what too." I answer.

"No way are you going up there without me. I'm not leaving you alone with Nicole." she hisses.

"Ok, I'm not sure how long. Pack for a week. I guess." I say quietly. I don't want to fight. I hate that I've lost her trust.

Courtney's POV

We're almost there. As much as I've missed the pack especially the cubs. I'm dreading this. Seeing Nikki and Nicole together hurts. I don't think I'll ever understand how their minds work. How they except their mates being intimate with others. I mean they are loyal to their mates. They don't stray from their mate bonds. It's just forgiven if it happens during heat. I'm really having trouble thinking that their heat is so overwhelming. I mean during moon lust I still only wanted Nikki. Sigh, I guess you don't die from moon lust.
There are several people standing around the fire pit as we pull in. It's not as crowded, this time only the Alphas and Elders are here. As I get out of the truck I spot Nicole quickly. She sits with cubs at her feet. I can hear her sing to them. Then they sing in response. Once the song is over she sends them to play. Glancing up She sees Nikki and runs into his arms. They greet in the usual fashion with a nuzzle to the neck. I pretend not to see that he kissed her neck too. It's usually only a sniff with male and female family and friends. That's a lovers gesture. She greets me next with a nuzzle to my neck. I return the greeting. I feel only love from her. Why can't I just hate her.

"Let's get you both settled in. I got your room ready for you. Tom has his own room now. The renovations are complete." She smiles.

"Thank you." I answer.

"Your Welcome. I would have kicked him out for you anyway." she giggles.

"Is your den ready?" I ask as we continue to walk together. Nikki trails behind with Jason who had come to help with our bags.

"Yes It's next to the infirmary. Jason added it on after you both left. I will be coming back here to give birth from now on." She grins happily.

"It will make it easier on you won't it?" I ask.

"Oh yes to be able to be with Jason and Yennefer, you and Nikki when you're here. It will make it easier to bare when my cubs leave to be with their father's pack. I'm so glad I don't have to give up the ones I'm carrying. This is the first time I don't have to prepare myself and my cubs to be separated." she says her eyes shiny like she's holding back tears. We reach the house and Nicole leads us straight to our room. "I'll leave you two to get comfortable." with that said she and Jason leave me and Nikki alone.
I look around it's still not decorated except for the lacy white curtains, homemade quilt, and a vase full of old fashion pink roses. Their scent and color are gorgeous. Those I'm sure are here for my benefit. There is a card with them. It says welcome home. I sit on the bed and stare at the card. Why can't she just be a bitch, then I could just hate her.

Nikki's POV

"Are you alright Courtney?" I ask. I watch her expressions as she reads the card. Then sits on the bed.

"Yes Nikki go take care pack business. I know how serious this is. I'll see you at dinner." she answers.

"Ok if you're sure." I say and leave her to her own thoughts. I'm not sure what else to say as usual, so I turn and go.

I catch Jason headed out of the house. I join him as we head for the community center.

"How has she been?" I ask Jason.

"Miserable and brave, she doesn't complain at all. I know she has missed you horribly." he answers.

"I missed her too." I admit.

"I know you have, your eyes are giving you away." he says gently.

"I'm that obvious?" I chuckle at my own expense.

"And you should stay now that you're here. I don't think she could take it again if you leave. She needs you." He whispers his eyes glow softly.

"Greetings Sixx, I wish our meeting again was under better circumstances." Lance states interrupting me and Jason.

"Let's get to why we are here." Jarl sighs.

"Yes I guess we should. The Breeder Ella Harper has gone missing while on her way to her next mating run. Her escort and guardian Caleb Green was killed." Lance states sadly.

"Are there any leads to who would do this?" Jason asks.

"No not yet." Jarl huffs.

"Could it have been a hunter. I mean that Shamus Chasen I met seems like a psycho." I comment.

"I wouldn't think the Hunters would break the treaty after so many years of peace. It wouldn't make sense they lost so many in the last war." Victor answers thoughtfully.

"Shamus could be doing it on his own to stir things up." Jason adds to my idea.

The door opens in comes a very tired looking young man.

"Elder I have word from the scouts. They say that they found the scent of the moon cursed all over the kill site." Seth blurts out. Everyone goes quiet.

"What are the moon cursed?" I ask breaking the silence.

"They are humans men or women who are cursed to go mad under the full moon in wolf human form. The curse spreads through a bite like rabies. They have no control or memory of what they do on that one night a month. The males have been known to attack our women if they are in heat" Victor answers me.

"No it couldn't be, think about it. The murder and abduction didn't happen under a full moon." Shamara speaks up.

"She's right it doesn't fit. The scent must have be used to cover another." Jill adds.

"Were they able to follow the scent." Jake asks his son Seth.

"Only for a short time. Then it went cold." Seth answers.

"When will the scouts be here so we can question them ourselves?" Lance asks.

"According to Nicole and Yennefer tomorrow evening." Seth answers him.

"Well if we can all agree it is no longer safe for breeders to travel, the males will have to come to them for the time being. I suggest they travel in Sizable groups. Is this agreeable to the Alphas." he announces.

We all agree.