Liam



The atmosphere in the dining room was relaxing and nice if Damien trying to disappear was ignored.

Madam Kimmy kept on refilling Lelia's plate, her daughter talking animatedly to anyone paying her attention while Xander looked at Lelia with so much warmth in his eyes.

Lelia wasn't aware of it. How long will she be unaware of the fact that she was his mate?


I could see us meeting like this every morning, our numbers increasing with the addition of mates and children.

We needed to take care of Antonio quickly.


'Liam I know that the village is protected, but along with training, we will have to watch the perimeters and the surrounding areas of the forest" said Xander.

'Yes Alpha. Maybe recruit wolves from this village?"

'I don't feel comfortable dragging them into this but they need to be trained. To keep them alert and prepared for anything."

I nodded and finished my meal.

Antonio had a lot of men at his disposal, he might have stolen some of Lelia's powers. Although the way they work and how long it'll last when stolen were unknown, he had a lot of advantage.

'Damien."

'Yes Alpha" he answered, his eyes fixed on his shoes.

'I need a list of weak point in Antonio's pack, names of his least trusted men and if you can, carefully make outline his weaknesses by the end of the week. Take your time think about it and anything that can give us a winning chance."

'Okay Alpha."

'I can't eat anymore." Lelia complained backing away from the spoon that madam Kimmy held up.

'Let her rest for now" Xander said coming to her rescue.

'Hmph…" madam Kimmy reluctantly dropped the spoon, eyeing Lelia's skinny figure '...we need to put some flesh on you young lady but I'll let you rest for now. I'll give you some porridge in the next two hours."

Lelia looked horrified.

'But the food i just ate can fill everyone here. I'll need at least ten hours to digest it."

Madam Kimmy ignored her and began to clear the plates.

Xander chuckled, 'let her feed you Lelia. It's important that you get better."

'Okay, but I don't want to hate food after this."

'Impossible. Mother makes the best meals including the ones for recovery."

'Jean less talking and more working."

'Yes mother."

I smiled at the domestic scene.


****


'I taught Lelia some sword skills and I'm sure that Antonio also did." I told Xander as we stood in an open field, stretching out our muscles.

'I'm not worried about that. I just need her to recover."

'Yes, but when she does, you'll need to help her practice with her powers. She has no control whatsoever and her powers are triggered by her emotional state. It'll cause a lot of harm if left in such state."

'Fine. I don't want her fighting in the coming war but I know she won't accept it."

Xander had a small smile on his face as he talked about her.

'When will you tell her you're mates?"

He looked suprised, 'is it obvious?"

I nodded.

'When she's healed and totally trusts me."

I was surprised to hear that, 'Lelia doesn't trust you?"

Then why did she ask me to look for him?

'She does but due to the things she was forced to experience, she has become really skeptical and currently trusts me because of our relationship. I want her to trust me now, irresponsible of the fact that I am the Alpha of her pack."

I understand what he meant. Trusting someone based on past relationships can only go so far before that trust is broken.

'Alright, let's get to work."

Armed with wooden swords, we faced each other.

Xander wasn't fully recovered and I wanted to use this mock battle to see how much he could fight in his current situation.

He watched my movement intently, releasing his dominating hormones. It was oppressing but I could tell that it was not at its full capacity.

I ignored it and attached.

He blocked it and parried. The force behind his defense pushed me back.

I was surprised by the strength in Xander's attacks.

Impressive.

I put more energy in my strikes and we began the real fight.

Xander didn't yield and held his ground but, I could see that he was straining himself.

I yielded, tossing my sword away.

'You're good but you won't last long in your current state. We need to rebuild your stamina."

He nodded and turned away from me, taking long drinks of water from the bottle he kept on the floor.

I rotated my shoulders, trying to release some of the tension in them. He wasn't the only one that strained himself.

This was also an opportunity for me to improve myself.

'Let's head back, we'll take a run in the evening" I said and he agreed.

'We should include Damien in our training" said Xander.

'Oh?"

I thought you didn't trust him.

'I don't trust him but he's with us for now, he needs to be prepared and it'll also give us an idea of their way of fighting."

'Brilliant idea Alpha."

He nodded, 'after this, I assume you want to join my pack."

Xander didn't ask, it was a clear fact.

'Yeah, I like the way you do things and I need to keep an eye on my sister."

'Although I don't know why you worry about her when I'm with her, it pleases me to know that you care for her."

'Thank you Alpha but I'm her brother, it's only natural that I care about my sister."

He nodded.

'I'm curious, why didn't you come to my pack with your sister? Your father was there after all and I wonder if it's only aging that made Lelia forget about you."

I guess it's time for some conversations.

'I'll answer your questions when my sister is present. But I have a question for you Alpha."

'Go ahead."

'Why didn't you claim Lelia as your mate once you found out?"