The Nymph of Black Forest

Derek’s POV ~

I fucked up. I didn’t mean to sound accusatory..but, as soon as the words left my mouth..I knew that was how they sounded. I tried backtracking when I realized my next statement wasn’t sounding any better. But the damage was done!

Edward whispered “Yeah…a bandaid ain’t fixing that one, boy” and he chuckled. Kenneth was sitting up..looking bewildered.. then he said “Belden is gone. He said the Goddess finally called him home and he was happy! I’m nothing but human now!” Edward started laughing and said “Karma is a beautiful thing! You are ordered to make arrangements to hand your pack down to your predecessor..effectively immediately! You are no longer Alpha!” And Monty led him out.. Edward turned to me “I will be headed to his pack..to make sure the ascension is immediate! And to make certain he and his family are removed for his pack land before morning! Have your people shackle his daughter and him together and in the back of my SUV. I leave in thirty minutes “ and he walked out.

I sat down in my chair.. with my head in my hands. Shawn said “it’s going to be okay, bro. Rhiannon is awesome! She just needs to run out her anger..then you can talk..work it out..make it better.. you’ll be fine.” I stare at him.. his word vomit surprised me. He usually doesn’t talk that much..at one time! I nod..saying “I fucked up.. I was at a loss at what was going on with Kenneth..and he was fine.. then Rhiannon spoke out loud to Belden.. and I jumped to conclusions. That should never have happened, Shawn! She would never..not in a million years..harm another person..other than in self-defense.. and I know that.. without a doubt!”

Monty came back in..sitting down he said “Edina’s on the summit. We heard her howl. She’s fast, dude!” I nodded..”she has gone to recharge. Anger drains her energy. And Kenneth made her very angry” Monty snickered “yeah, well.. you pissed her off, too! Double whammy!” I grimaced.. “No.. I hurt her. And, now, I’m going to beg for forgiveness.. because that’s all I have left. I certainly have no excuses..and definitely had no reason. If I don’t grovel..and do it brilliantly.. Ambrose is telling me he will find a way to bite my face off!”

I take off for the mountaintop. And I pray to the Moon Goddess the whole way. I race the wind to the top of the mountain and spot my beautiful mate.. I slowly walked to her and curled around Edina..tucking around her and warming her. She nuzzles into my neck..breathing us in. Ambrose smugly reminds me she isn’t upset with him. Yeah..yeah! Asshole!

I link her 🐺 I am so sorry, baby. I made it sound like I thought you had caused whatever happened to Kenneth. I have no excuses..no reasons. I am just ashamed of myself for making you think I was accusing you! 🐺 I get it. It would have looked suspicious to me, too. It wasn’t just you.. it was the lies. It was Kenneth himself. It is this fucking prophecy. It’s feeling like I dragged you into chaos..when it wasn’t my call! It is fate! Deciding my life…long before I had even been given a chance to live it! It’s just a lot, Derek. A week ago, I was content..helping rabbits build hutches. Arguing with a squeaky squirrel. Destroying dams of curmudgeonly old beavers.. and it’s only a week.. I’m already overwhelmed! I will be fine.. I was just overthinking everything.. it’s why I came to the mountain. To recharge! I’m ready to go back now. I’m hungry. 🐺 Race you down the mountain!!

We shifted back and I pulled her into me.. “I am so so sorry! I love you so much!” And she sighed, pulling a tee shirt over her head “I love you, Derek! Yes… my feelings were a little hurt! I also completely overreacted to your words..and I can only put that down to residual anger at Kenneth. Belden had been in so much pain for so long..he just wanted it to stop. I projected that anger onto the words I spoke to you. We are going to argue, Derek. But we will always come back to each other. It’s called a relationship!” And she grinned at me.. I smiled..so grateful for this woman “Come on smarty pants! Let’s have some dinner!” She grinned cheekily “Can’t be a smarty pants, if I’m not wearing any” And I smacked her ass…because my mind took a left turn and went a completely different direction!

Walking into the dining hall, all eyes were on us..and Rhiannon whispers “Fucking glad I put pants on! Damn!” And I laughed hard saying “Me too, baby!” When everysaw us laughing and holding hands, we literally felt the tension leave the room. We sat down.. and I started putting food on her plate, when Micah stood in front of my plate…squeaking angrily..huffing and waving his little arms.. then pointed a finger at me. I looked at Rhia and she was trying to hold back a laugh. I whispered “I take it I am being threatened” and her laugh broke free “Oh..you have no idea.. everything from mice droppings in your shoes.. to chewed shoelaces.. and holes in your underwear. He’s pretty serious.. even threatened to chew all your files up, in your office.” I choked back a laugh and told him “Micah, I appreciate you looking out for Rhiannon! I apologized.. I will always apologize..I never want to hurt her. You are such a good friend looking out for her all this time! I promise to try and find a cure for my foot-in-mouth disease” And Monty cracked up… “I love that this is our life now! Our inner circle has mice now! This is great!” And we all laughed!

Rhiannon tells us.. “This Rogue King fella? How did he know….well.. think he knew..about a prophecy no one else..not even the King..knows about? Think about it? No one knows this Connors guy…and he’s ‘hanging out in No Man’s Land’? Yet..he wasn’t noticed, until he showed up at the summit? Did you talk to him, Babe? Even notice him? Around that other Alpha.. Bert.. or whatever? Was he around Deidra? And… we still have to figure out how the rogues knew to move their group more easterly..or how they knew what day you would be coming through? We have to go through a process of elimination!”

I think..wrack my brain… “Bart” she looks at me with a ‘what?’ on her face “the Alpha… Bart, not Bert.” Her beautiful lips form an “O” She’s right though! I stand “everyone… to my office. We have some brainstorming to do! And for Goddess sake..get the mouse some more pencils!”