Filed to story: Cara Nelson The Guardian: Werewolf Book PDF Free
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A couple of days before we leave, I see Thomas with a little Tula tucked up against his neck as they come into the dining hall. It’s the first time he’s been out of his room since the hunters came. Tula is shining brightly again and appears to have recovered, although I’m not sure her wing will ever regrow.
“Thomas, you and Tula should join us.” Grace says, indicating that they should come to eat with us.
I see Thomas turn and speak quietly to Tula, who nods before joining us.
“How are you doing, Tula?” Grace asks her as they sit. Thomas shifts her to sit on his shoulder like a bird, except she’s sitting rather than standing. The top of her head doesn’t even come to the top of his, she’s so tiny.
‘I’m much better Lady Luna Grace. Thomas has been wonderful.” She says and snuggles up against his cheek. He gently turns his head and kisses her before turning back, his demeaner going tense.
“Alpha Eli, Luna Grace, since Tula is my mate, we wanted to make sure that it is okay for her to remain in the pack.” know my brows furrow at his question. “Why wouldn’t it be?” I ask.
Thomas looks between me and Grace. Now it’s his brows that furrow. “Because she’s not a wolf.” He says as if this is obvious and answers my question.
“And?” I ask.
It’s Grace that answers, looking at Tula. “I am the Guardian of the Realm, am I not?”
“Yes, Lady Luna Grace.”
“What kind of Guardian would I be if I excluded those that I protect?”
Tula smiles and Thomas noticeably relaxes.
“Do you want to stay here and live with us, Tula? I was under the impression that sprites are afraid of us.” I ask, wanting to make sure that this is what she wants too.
She looks at Thomas, nuzzling her face against his cheek. “Thomas said we would take it slowly, like tonight, coming to eat. He’s told me that wolves like to be around others and that it’s important to him, so he is going to help me be around his friends.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
Thomas stands to go join his friends. “Oh and Luna, Tula and all sprites are vegetarian. Will that be a problem?”
“No, just let Cammy know, but I can’t imagine that she eats so much that it will. make a difference.”
Later that night as we’re getting ready for bed, I feel Grace’s tension through the bond. I walk up behind her, wrapping my arms around her, kissing her shoulder. “What is it, baby? You’re a nervous wreck and that’s not like you.”
She takes a deep breath, leaning back against me. “We’ll be leaving day after tomorrow. I might see my father in just a couple of days. The closer it gets the more terrified I get.”
I turn her to face me, keeping my arm wrapped around her.
“Tell me what you are afraid of. He cannot hurt you. You know you are stronger than he is and I won’t let him touch you. What is your fear?”
I can see tears in her eyes, and her lips begin to tremble. “What if he makes me feel like that scared, unworthy girl again?”
I take her face in my hands. “You, my love, are Grace Gunnar. Guardian of the Realm, the strongest of the Guardians, Luna of the Safe Haven Pack, an Alpha female and my mate. There is nothing weak or unworthy about you. HE is the one that was unworthy to be your father, unworthy of being an Alpha. And you are no longer a little girl, but a brave, fierce and powerful woman.” I tell her, pulling her against my chest.
“Honestly, I’m hoping you do run into him.” I tell her and she pulls away, looking at me.
“Why?”
“Because I want him to see what his arrogance and twisted Alpha thinking lost him and his pack. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he never knew what you were. I’m sure he would have forced you into some mate bond to keep you in his pack and strengthen it. But, instead, he banished you. Gave up on you and forgot about you and your mother. And look what he lost. He lost the most amazing woman I’ve ever met in my life.”
On the day we are to leave for the tournament, we pack up our four SUVs. Eli and I had pooled our money but could only afford one for the pack. The other three we rented in the city.
Our destination would take us about twelve hours to arrive, without taking stops into consideration. We were going to a place in northern Kansas. The council had gotten the state to close a state park for our arrival. This way, we wouldn’t risk running into humans. With the large numbers of werewolves coming into the territory, the state was paid well to shut down their tourist spot. The location was chosen, I was told, because it’s in the middle of the country.
Our day is long and boring. Eli and I practice using our gifts of mind linking our pack but the further away we get, the harder it is. We link farther than expected, equally annoying different members of the pack as we test our reach. Eventually, we are no longer able to reach them.
When we finally arrive, it is early evening. We check in, and I see that they are expecting all 298 packs in the country to show. That means my father will be here.
I hadn’t considered what it would be like to have all the packs in attendance, and not all of them. are large enough or strong enough to bring 20 contestants, but overall, there are nearly 5100 werewolves that will be participating in the battles. That doesn’t include the mates or pups that have come along to watch and support their packs. Our pack is bringing Hope, Amber and Carlos’s baby. Cara is bringing Aolis, as ho wanted to spend time with Baby Lily Liam and Angel. are bringing Richie, and Dustin is bringing his human mate, Sarah. She generously offered to watch over the babies while the packs are battling.
As our group signs in for their fights, it looks like tomorrow will be the longest day. There are just over 3300 warriors that will be battling for points and to win tomorrow’s challenge. From our pack, there will be 16 warriors. was bo
As we’re signing in, Rik, Cara and their pack arrive. I haven’t seen Lily since she and after saying hello, I snag her from Cara. Eli and I had talked about trying for a pup after the tournament and ever since, it’s been on my mind. With my Guardian sisters both having pups of their own in the last couple of months it has brought it to the forefront of my mind.
I look down at Lily in my arms. She is looking back at me and while she has her mother’s curly brown hair, she has her father’s glacier blue eyes. She reaches her little hand up and I give it kisses before she starts fussing.
I look at Cara. “She prefers Rik. She has ever since the day she was born.” She sighs. Rik turns. coming over to rub Lily’s head and leave a kiss on her forehead. She immediately calms.
“Wow, that must be frustrating.” I say, watching in awe at Rik’s uncanny ability to soothe his daughter.
Cara laughs. “You’d think so, but it’s great in the middle of the night when she’s fussy. She doesn’t want me, only her daddy.”
Rik takes Lily from my arms, holding her against his chest. “Daddy doesn’t mind, does he Princess?”
My heart aches with the sudden desire to have a baby. To feel Eli’s pup growing inside me. I feel tears of longing prick at my eyes before I swallow the lump in my throat and pull myself together. “Where do they have your pack staying?” I ask them, trying to divert the conversation.
“Uh…” Cara pulls the map out and points to where the dot is circled. “Here.”
I pull out our map and compare. “We’re close, that’s good. How many warriors do you have battling tomorrow?”
“Fourteen tomorrow. I know Angel and Liam have sixteen. How about you?”
“We have sixteen as well. But we don’t have anyone battling on day two. We don’t have a Lead Warrior yet and we left Noah and Sirona in charge of the pack.” I lower my voice. “We’ve had several individuals coming to us who needed medical attention. I know some of the problem packs and I can’t wait to meet their Alphas. I hope I have all of them in battles.”
Cara scoffs. “Don’t be greedy. Save some for me and Angel. You know if they are arrogant Alphas it will kill them to lose to a female.” She says and we both smirk at that.
“Lily, your mommy and Aunt Grace are scary. So, take note, that’s exactly how I want you to be when you grow up.” Rik coos to Lily, and we all laugh.
Eli walks over, saying hello to everyone. “Hey, we’re close to where Cara and Rik’s pack are going to be staying. I hope Angel and Liam are close by as well.”