Note to readers: Okay loyal readers, and new readers alike, some not so good news/good news.
My chapters will not be coming up are regularly as before. This is due to two reasons. ONE: My laptop is having a mini crisis and keeps crashing on me, right now I am writing/typing this message as quickly as possible before I lose it. TWO (this is where the good news part comes in) I am planning on writing a sequel but have yet to complete or even reach half way. I do not plan on waiting several months before publishing it.
I know how it feels waiting for a promised sequel only to find the author has become disinterested and decided not to do one. I promise there will be a sequel but to motivate myself I need to start typing it pronto. Therefore I have decided to update on a weekly basis instead, sorry but this is the only way I know how to get the second story at least half way done. I have written 2 1/2 chapters so I'm not bluffing and *slight cough* don't really want to jinx this, but there is a third story, which is far more complete than the second. Can't bring out the third unless there is a second. Trilogies don't work out that way. Feeling only slightly pressured, probably shouldn't have told you that there is more to the Dark series but meh, I've done it now!!!!!!!
Now onto the chapter...Enjoy :D
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CHAPTER TWELVE
Passion laughed as her father wrestled with the champagne cork, his face bright red with exertion as he attempted to get it open.
Her mother carried a platter of kebabs offering them to the guests that had come to pay homage to the new mated pair.
Joshua stood with Brent and Marie, making exaggerated motions with his hands. What they were talking about she had no idea but to see him so happy made her chest tighten.
"There you are, Mrs. Oaken." Passion turned at the voice and smiled.
Spectre stood in a simple blue dress with a small box wrapped in gold wrapping paper.
"This is for you." Spectre said handing it to her. Passion rattled the box peeling away the paper to reveal a velvet box.
"What is it?" Passion asked opening the box. Within the padded confines lay two gold chains with broken heart charms.
"Zachariah gave it to me. He told me that if Joshua ever returned and took a mate I should give it to her." Spectre explained wiping away a tear. Passion hugged her best friend close.
"Thank you." Passion said closing the box, reminding herself to show it to Joshua later. "By the way who did you get it on with?" Passion asked as they walked to the buffet table, filling their plates with food.
"Lucas." Spectre blushed.
Passion sniffed the air but realised that her friend was not mated.
"Every mating moon the two of you get together, but ignore each other the rest of the year." Passion said.
Spectre refused to answer and instead tucked into her food. Passion wondered just what their relationship was about, as unlikely as it sounded, they were more complicated than her and Brent.
"He's a good wolf, but not for me." Spectre finally said in a 'that's all I'm saying' tone. Passion respected her friend's wishes and they ate in companionable silence.
"Passion." Passion smiled as Joshua walked towards her, she took his hand as he pulled her up setting her plate on the table.
"How are you feeling?" He asked massaging her neck. Passion leaned into his touch as he worked away all her kinks.
"A little swore, but you're massaging all the wrong the places." She whispered into his ear, cupping him through his jeans.
"Insatiable." He growled.
"Only when it comes to you." She said, sighing when he kissed her on her brow.
"Get a room." Alyssa laughed as she walked past.
A cheer went up when Joshua lifted Passion into his arms and kissed her on the lips. His flesh against hers caused a slow heat to burn in the pit of her stomach.
"Disgusting." Brent muttered watching their display. Marie hit him on the back of his head.
"Why are you so miserable?" Marie asked.
"No one should be that happy." Brent sighed walking towards the garden door. Marie followed him handing him a glass of punch.
"She must be really special to have two guys love her." Marie said.
Brent looked down at the little wolf and draped his arm over her shoulder. Marie allowed him that small contact.
She wasn't used to men touching her so freely but aside from Joshua this was the first time she had felt comfortable within another's arms.
"You've lost the love of your life and I've lost mine. Let's go upstairs." Marie offered. Brent looked dumbfounded before squeezing her hand and leading the way.
"Did you just see that." Passion asked gripping hold of Joshua's forearms as he lowered her to the ground.
"I think they suit each other." He said. Passion cocked her head wondering if Joshua was right. Maybe they did deserve each.
"Joshua the warriors have returned." Claw said motioning towards the library.
Joshua took Passion's hand bringing her with him into the room. A dozen warriors stood looking bruised and worse for wear. Joshua was shocked, he had sent over twenty warriors and now here stood half.
"What happened?" Joshua asked sitting in the overstuffed desk chair settling Passion onto his lap.
If the other warriors were surprised they hid it well. Hosanna stood forward clutching her arm to her chest, from her posture Joshua could tell that it was broken.
"We were ambushed, there was so many we couldn't stop them. The others didn't make it." Joshua felt Passion's grip in his hair tighten at the thought of so many shifters being killed.
His mother had gone too far, coming after him was one thing but killing his people was another. This involved the whole pack and they would be baying for blood.
"Go home and rest. Thank you." Joshua said watching as his battered warriors left the room. Claw sat opposite him, his hand shaking as he ran it through his cropped hair.
"From the sounds of it my mother has sent all her warriors with the mission to claim me." Joshua said, trying to figure out the best plan of action.
The silence that engulfed the room could be felt heavily on their chests and Passion had no idea what to do. For her the Oak River warrior pack had been the baddest thing around, no matter how many times rival packs had tried to attack they had managed to fight back and win. To see her brothers and sisters beaten so easily didn't bode well for them.
"Do we wait for the attack or strike at the source." Passion mused, not realising she had spoken out loud until Joshua squeezed her hand. A smile blossomed on his face as an idea seemed too take root.
"My mother would have sent all her best warriors. What you saw of Stillwater was only the heart of the pack. Beyond the fence there are more shifters who are a part of my mother's people."
