Randolf walked over to him. He stopped when he was standing directly in front of him. Nikan was still saluting. Randolf was holding a stern face. They both broke character and embraced one another like old friends.
The hug held unspoken emotions. Both of these males were fighting what felt like a never-ending war. Few could say they survived, and when they did, they sacrificed limbs and eyes. These two were still standing. Lifelong friends and comrades.
"So glad to see you, Randolf," Nikan said as they broke the embrace.
"I can say the same about you," Randolf said.
A nurse walked over. She curtsied first, to Randolf. Then she spoke to Nikan. "My Lord you may retire to your rooms if you like. The Physician will visit you in a few day's time to make sure you aren't suffering from any headaches." She walked away.
Nikan and Randolf began their walk to his chambers. Nikan was still weak. His legs felt like jelly. It had been months since he had properly used them. It took them twice the time it normally would. Randolf didn't care. Nikan was alive. When they arrived at his chambers in the manor, he was sweating. He sat down on the settee. Randolf sat next to him and gave him an encouraging pat on the back.
"Good show, old man. You made it to your room." He joked.
"Shut it," Nikan replied.
Randolf laughed.
"Did you see who ambushed us?" Nikan asked Randolf, changing the tone of the conversation.
"No, I didn't. I was able to run, but not far enough. They got me as well." He explained, then lifted his shirt to reveal his scar. "I was able to track down the core Lycan group and make the pack weak. Just recently, I got my hands on something that could end the war."
Nikan was confused, "What are you saying? You have a new weapon?" He asked.
"One of their hideouts burned, and I was able to retrieve a journal. This journal has the cure for Lycanthrope." He told Nikan.
"So you mean to cure them?" Nikan asked, still not sure what Randolf was saying.
"Essentially, yes. We could round up all the Lycans and try to cure them, but we all know how volatile they are. When they are in big packs, they are wilder. We could synthesize it and make a more efficient weapon to eradicate them all." Randolf explained.
"I understand. That is a very clever plan. It may just work. How long do you think it would take to come up with a serum?" Nikan asked him.
"I'm not sure," Randolf answered honestly. "I only have two scientists I trust with this. There are spies everywhere now."
"When do you need me back on the ground, boss?" Nikan asked.
"I am not sure yet. Something has come up, and I am going to be here for a few more days. I will keep you posted," Randolf told him.
"Ah, I see. What came up?" Nikan asked.
"I got married..."
Nikan wasn't surprised by the information. He knew Randolf was to marry Louve once he returned from their last meeting.
"Congratulations are in order then, brother. " Nikan said. "Louve must be a happy one now. She finally got what she had always wanted. The King Alpha." He joked.
Randolf's expression turned gray. What had Nikan said that would change his mood?
Randolf spoke, "I am not married to Louve. I decided to marry a human."
Nikan was shocked by his admission. He had married a human. Loux Garoux felt that humans were inherently weaker than they were. To choose to wed a human over his kind could be considered an affront to his pack. Nikan had fought under Randolf's command for years.
The King Alpha was calculating, smart, and always a step ahead of his enemy. Nikan was sure he had a reason for marrying the human.
"Louve is quite pissed at the moment. She had no idea I was marrying the other woman. My father had her helping my bride fit into our society, and she tried to attack my bride. " Randolf explained.
"Good God, man. Sounds like you have more than one war to squelch." Nikan told him.
"Aye, and it would seem the war outside was one I am more prepared for." He admitted before standing up and taking his leave.
He arrived back at his chambers and found Sylvie still awake. She was trying to get her ankle properly cushioned, but it was no use. She couldn't seem to do it. When she looked up, Sylvie saw her husband standing a few feet away from her watching her. He didn't look pleased that she was awake, and he let her know.
"I thought I told you to rest." He said.
"Yes. You did, but I am very uncomfortable. It is hard for me to sleep with so many pillows." She confessed.
Randolf crossed the floor. He stood at the foot of the bed now. He thought she looked beautiful in his bed, and he felt a surge of overprotectiveness wash over him. She was his. He would protect her with his life.
He wondered if she knew that. He gently cradled her ankle as he took away three pillows from the bed. Sylvie felt instant relief.
"Oh, my. Thank you." She was truly grateful.
"You are welcome. Now, rest. I will sleep on the sofa again."
Since Sylvie had been injured, Randolf refused to sleep with Sylvie, afraid he would cause her more harm if he bumped or touched her. It had been a hard feat, but he was doing it. He walked to the opposite side of the bed to grab a fur and a pillow when Sylvie's voice stopped him.
"I would prefer if you slept in the bed tonight." She said.
Randolf didn't know why, but he was pleasantly surprised by her admission. Sylvie wanted him as much as he wanted her. She hadn't said it yet. He knew it was too early, but he wouldn't give up. He needed to hear her tell him how much she needed him.
Baby steps, he told himself.
"Are you sure?" He asked. She was looking at him with those big hazel eyes, and he felt the need to kiss her.
Sylvie nodded her head 'yes'.
He put the fur and his pillow down on the bed. He slowly started to undress in front of her. Sylvie couldn't recall seeing her new husband undress like this in front of her. She had to admit it was an eyeful. He had muscles everywhere.
Randolf reminded her of a Greek statue. His body also had scars. Sylvie saw the scar on his side. He quickly got under the covers. His weight made her body shift and she gently rolled into him.
Randolf lifted his arm and tucked it under her small frame. Her head now rested on his shoulder. Sylvie made sure not to lay on her bruised ankle.
"Where did you get that scar on your side?" She asked him out of sheer curiosity.
Randolf was caught off guard by Sylive's question. He had told her that she could be honest with him. He couldn't do that just yet. It made him feel guilty.
"Uh.. I don't remember." He replied.
"What do you mean you don't remember? Have you been in that many battles?" Sylvie asked.
"It doesn't matter. Now, go to sleep." Randolf told her.
Sylvie lay there thinking she wouldn't be able to sleep because she had stayed in bed for the past three days, but she did.
King Alpha Adolf
Adolf sat at Bouvier's small table in the middle of the night thinking about the upcoming days. The Pack games were less than three days away. Randolf had said he would be too busy to host and had left it to him. The attack had been a blessing in disguise. His son was home and could participate in the games.
As King Alpha, it was his right. He wondered how the pack would take the news of him marrying a human, that was if they hadn't already heard about it. Adolf wondered if would alliances be broken. He had to come up with a plan if Louve's family decided to no longer assist in his funding for the war. It was almost over, thanks to his son. He knew losing this alliance at such a critical stage could be detrimental to the progress they were making in eradicating the werewolves and Lycanthropes.
He had watched his son grow up from afar. He had been an angry son, who thought his father was a fool. This war had matured him, and it would seem, made him one hell of a leader. His troops respected him and showed their loyalty. His mother would be proud of the son they had. Adolf knew he would be a great King Alpha.