Adolf took a sip of his brandy, stood up, and walked to the window. The moon was full and heavy in the sky. It's light bathed Bouvier's room. He looked back at her. Sonia. He couldn't allow her to attend the pack games. She was not Loux Garoux, she was still attractive. He knew it was a selfish reason, but he didn't care.
He saw her sit up in bed. He hadn't expected her to wake up. She pulled the covers back and walked over to him. He was distracted by what she was wearing, which was his dress shirt.
It was three times too big for her. The hem went a few inches above her knees. She looked sleepy and beautiful in the moonlight.
"I'm sorry, my darling. I couldn't sleep." He informed her.
She still didn't have her voice. She let out a loud sigh and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her. He loved having her there. His head rested on her chin.
"Are you alright?" Adolf asked Bouvier.
Bouvier looked up at him and nodded her head 'Yes'.
"Good. I was thinking about the pack games." He told her.
He saw the inquisitive expression on her face. He knew she wanted him to tell her more.
"You and Sylvie must stay away. I know it is our custom to have every Loux Garoux and their spouses attend, but that was before my son decided to marry a human." He explained.
He could tell she wasn't liking this conversation. He was essentially putting her and Sylvie in hiding until the pack games were over. That wasn't fair.
"I know this seems unfair, but I can't let anything happen to you." He admitted.
Bouvier stopped pouting and looked at him intently. He continued, "I can't lose you. Fate has seen fit to bring us together. I won't let you go. I won't let anything happen to you, or my son's bride."
Bouvier kissed him on his lips to let him know she liked how he thought. He smiled when the kiss was broken, and she took him by the hand and left him back to bed. She took off his shirt and got back in the covers. He took off his trousers and did the same. Adolf pulled Sonia close and held her as they both drifted off to sleep.
He knew he was lucky to have another chance at love. He had to be sure to do the right things. His marriage had been arranged. There was no love there, just duty. Once he was a widow, the pressure to be re-married had loomed over him.
He had been kind of thankful the war raged on. He didn't have to rush, and he could still have his freedom. Now that he had Bouvier he didn't want to be free. He wanted her to capture his soul as well as his heart. He wanted her to kiss him until he felt like he was flying.
He had a second chance, and he wouldn't let anyone or anything stand in the way of him having it.
They were hiding. Something he had promised Luna and all of his pack they would never do. The ambush had caught them off guard, and his most trusted inner circle had been killed off one by one. He was running out of options and time to strike. They were reduced to living in a cave deep in the woods on the farthest side of the Island.
It was treacherous to get there unless you knew the terrain. There were only 20 men left. He had two hostages now. Caleb and a Loux Garoux soldier whom they found still alive after the ambush on the Prince's carriage. He had done his leader proud. He had not told them any information that would give Amaruq any leverage in this battle. He had to admit if he were not so angry with the Prince's attempt to kill him, he would have admired his discipline and the respect he garnered from his men.
Amaruq was able to find more materials and set up a new laboratory inside the cave, as well as sleeping quarters for Luna. Everyone else slept or dwelled in the mouth of the cave, leaving the Lycan Alpha to do what he did best, which was come up with new ways to outsmart the snobbish Loux Garoux.
He had done well. Over the past few years, he could almost smell his victory. Now, with news of the Madame seeking help from the King Alpha after his son's death, it would seem their luck had changed. Killing the Prince and starting the human rebellion on the Island, only enraged King Alpha Adolf, and aided in his torching of the Island. He made all the humans pledge their loyalty to him by weeding out who they knew to be in cohorts with Amaruq.
At first, the humans tried to resist, but when he began setting fire to their stock and livelihood, they quickly came to their senses and gave up the traitors on the island. They were immediately slaughtered and the rest scattered to the winds.
Amaruq had lost his journal in the fire. He knew there was a chance the fire did not burn it, but he also was aware that he was a wanted man now. He would not be able to go back to his old place to find it. They were looking for him, and Luna.
He walked over to the two prisoners that were chained to the cave wall. Caleb hadn't spoken since watching his mother get murdered in front of him. He was broken.
The other prisoner, the Loux Garoux soldier, still had fight in him. He was still holding on to hope that he would make it out alive. That pleased Amaruq in a sick way. He had to get information out of him. He had worked every angle he knew. Threatening him, cutting off fingers and watching them painfully grow back. Nothing.
"Do you think anyone misses you?" Amaruq asked the prisoner.
The prisoner looked at him with disdain in his expression, but he did not answer.
"You lot are very proud. I bet there is someone who misses you and wants to see you." Amaruq continued.
The prisoner spoke then, "It won't work."
"What won't work?" Amaruq asked, knowing exactly what the prisoner was referring to.
"Trying to get me to think on some long lost love. I have no one. I am no one but a soldier for King Alpha. The pack games are almost upon us. That is where I pledged my loyalty. I will not give you what you want." He told him.
The Pack games? Amaruq was unfamiliar with what that was. It sounded like a possible way for him to infiltrate the Loux Garoux, and if he could not infiltrate, he could at least send them a gift. He thought. His smile grew wider as a plan started to form in his mind.
Yes, this prisoner may be useful after all, he thought...
Pack Games
On the sixth day of Sylvie and Madame Bouvier's confinement, the Pack games arrived. Sylvie's wrist and Anckle felt much better. Madame Bouvier's voice was still not healed. She could barely speak above a whisper. The Physician told her to get it more time.
Randolf had not expected to be around for these festivities but was secretly excited to be the host of his very first one. The Pack Games was a yearly tournament that had been celebrated for centuries.
Randolf had not expected to be around for these festivities but was secretly excited to be the host of his very first one. The Pack Games was a yearly tournament that had been celebrated for centuries. It was a celebration of life and the strength of the pack. Games, triathlons, and hunting sessions for an entire week. In that week, The Loux Garoux packs could speak with the King Alpha about any pressing issues or concerns they felt needed to be addressed within their family pack.
Loux Garoux lived all over the world. They gathered one time a year. Centuries ago, their numbers had once been in the tens of thousands. Now, it was down to half a thousand. Though the Loux Garoux was winning the war, their ranks were diminishing as well.
As a child, Randolf had always looked forward to this time of year. He got to hang out with other mischievous pups and play fight and hunt small rabbits. A feeling of childhood nostalgia washed over him. His mind went to Sylvie.
After speaking with his father, he knew it would be in everyone's best interest if Sylvie and Bouvier kept a low profile while the games were in effect. They were human. One of his family members could feel defensive. He didn't want another inadvertent attack to occur. He wanted her to feel safe with or without his presence.