Thank you for your continuing interest in the Vlkolak and the story of Guillame and Orsolya. There is still more to come so don't worry. This isn't the end of the story. I promise there will be more. As always, a huge thank you to Archangel_M for his incredible editing.
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Guillame walked through the darkness of the early morning to the docks and finally found the clerk. "Hello there. Any word if the ship will sail today for America?" Every day he had been here, and every day he had asked the same question. The answer had been no. He wished he knew something about the sea to know if they were telling him the truth or just waiting until there were more passengers to load onto the ship.
The man looked up at the familiar face that had found him daily for the last week. "Yes, Sir. The ship will sail today. Have your people here at six A.M." He liked the well-dressed gentleman that had been prowling the docks for the last seven days. It was obvious, to him at least, that the man was sending a precious cargo to the New World. But usually it was the husband who left his wife and children behind and would send for them later. He saw the profound sadness on the man's face when he told him the ship would leave today, but it was not for him to wonder.
Guillame made his way to their rented rooms. He kept hoping for an excuse to let Orsolya stay here with him. But what could he do or say that would make her go against her father and Alpha? He had to keep her safe, but how could he do that without knowing what the danger was? As much as he wanted to deny it, this was the best course of action. At least she would be with Zsigmond and his family. They would help her. They would be with her when their cub was born. With that thought, he punched his fist right through a brick wall. He pulled it out slowly, feeling a dull pain. He looked at his bleeding knuckles and watched as the flesh healed before his eyes. If only he could destroy their enemies as easily as he could destroy bricks and mortar. He couldn't show Orsolya that he was upset. He had to be a strong anchor for her. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly before walking through the doorway.
Orsolya was waiting for him at the door as he entered. She had felt him return. She had felt his anger, his hurt, his sorrow, and his steadfastness. And she loved him more for each of those reasons. She saw his face when he walked inside and knew it was today.
"You leave in two hours. We must go now so you can be settled before the ship leaves the dock." His hand touched her face, gently stroking her jaw. He had it memorized already but he took every opportunity to feel her skin and inhale her scent.
Orsolya threw herself into his strong arms, sobbing into his shoulder. How could her father make her do this? How could Guillame let him? But she already knew the answers. Her father felt it was the only way to save her, and she and Guillame were both compelled to follow the orders of the Alpha. But she couldn't even feel the bond with her father anymore. They were so far away. She barely felt her grandmother's presence in her mind. She wondered when she would be totally alone. When would the bond with Guillame be silent? The thought of it made her cry all the more. She could feel Guillame pulling her into his lap as he sat on the bed. He rocked her as he stroked her hair.
It broke his heart to hear her weep. "Even when I am not in your mind, I will be in your heart, my love. And you will always be in mine. It is all we have left and it will have to do." As he spoke to her through their bond, he kissed her gently on her forehead, her cheeks, her nose, her lips. He didn't leave one bit of available skin untouched. "Know that I will be doing all that I can to keep you safe. And when the time is right, I will come for you, my love. I have already been in contact with the Council Archivist in America. He has agreed to watch over all of you for me and send me reports of your well-being. I will still be with you, my little red-haired kitten."
Orsolya did her best to stop crying and pulled back from Guillame's broad chest. He smiled at her and licked the tears from her face. "I love you more than I ever knew to be possible, Guillame. I will always love you."
"I know, my love, I know. And I will always love you, my sweet kitten." He stood, his mate still in his arms, and gently lowered her to the floor. "But we must go now. I will get Zsigmond. Pack the rest of your things."
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Rudolf paced nervously in his rooms. Guillame had answered his dispatch and said he would return but had business to attend to first at home. If a member of the Council were to die with the Vlkolak Rudolf would have to answer for it. He had sent word he wished to be informed when Guillame had returned to his home in Belgium, but was infuriated when told they hadn't heard from Guillame in two years. What was that fool doing? He couldn't possibly have any idea what was planned. He felt the sudden drop in temperature in the room and turned slowly.
"Is everything in place for tonight?" The pale creature stood quietly near the window, his ever-present hooded cape hiding his face.
"We might have to postpone. I have not heard from Guillame. We cannot go through with the attack if he is still with them." Rudolf was not prepared for the speed of the creature who crossed the room and gripped his throat with a strength that surpassed that of any werewolf. Rudolf struggled to breath and to escape from the demon's grasp. He tried to force himself to shift but was unable to bring his wolf forward. He grabbed hold of his attacker's arms, trying to break his hold. He felt his feet leaving the ground and kicked furiously, hoping to make contact with the demon and dislodge himself in time.
Erobos watched dispassionately as the werewolf sputtered and struggled. He saw the face turning red and then blue. He could feel the pulse quicken and then become erratic and slow. He waited just a few moments longer. He could hear the heart beating irregularly. He waited. The kicking slowed and then stopped. Erobos loosened his grip, and the werewolf dropped to the floor with a heavy thud. He casually stepped over the writhing body that was gasping for air and sat in the ornate chair that the head of the Council kept in his private chambers.
Rudolf clawed at his throat. His trachea had been crushed. He waited as the healing process began, trying to withstand the pain and force himself to breathe in enough air.
"Now, is everything in place for tonight? There will be no postponement, Rudolf. I am sure you are in agreement with me on that point." He smiled as Rudolf struggled to nod. "Good, now, my people will join with yours just before sundown. We will encircle their compound, and then crush them. There cannot be any escapes. But I want the female. I will take Leona myself." Erobos looked off into the distance as his eyes seemed to glow red. "Your time has come, Leona. You are mine!"
Rudolf cowered on the floor of his chambers. What had he done? What was this thing he had made his alliance with?
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