Greyson stood on a semi-sheltered outcropping that overlooked the Lycan King's castle with mixed feelings swirling uncomfortably inside of him. For the first time in days, the sky was clear and he squinted against the light as he assessed the damage on the estate that at one point, had been his home although now, it looked considerably smaller and far more run down than it had in his memory of the place.
Now, the outer walls of the fortress had been cracked open from Bella and Lexi's last strike, the ancient stonework burned and broken in places with scattered piles of charred stonework along the base.
A few of the reserve Lycan and hybrid units were busy forming a defensive ring around the perimeter in preparation for the advance of their base camp. The sooner they moved their base forward, the sooner they could move the next phase of the attack along.
The units moved quickly, swapping positions where needed, checking for hidden passageways and tunnels as they went and marking the safe paths that had been cleared with flags.
"That border needs shifting by ten meters," Greyson called down to them, "The corner back there is too exposed, pull another unit to cover it now please."
The head of the closest team lifted a hand in acknowledgement and seconds later one of the group broke off at a startling pace, running back towards the base camp and returning not too long afterward with a small group following and taking up the positions that he had asked for.
Greyson watched until the perimeter had begun to take shape and the defensive positions were fortified and then he gave a satisfied nod.
As much as he hated to admit it to himself, seeing the castle again filled him with a strange feeling of nostalgia. There weren't many positive memories that he could recall other than his mother, and at the thought of her, his heart lurched painfully.
He wondered briefly if she would have been proud of how he had grown up…how he had turned out nothing like his father and how he had found his mate…and accepted her instantly without caring about her background, her species…just as true mates should.
Just as his mother had wanted with his father…but instead received nothing but cold, hard hatred and disdain…
Adam walked up beside him quietly, pulling him from his thoughts and as he turned to look at him he saw just how tired he looked.
"The last patrol is late. They were supposed to check in ten minutes ago." Adam said quietly, a frown of concern crossing his face as he stared out at the Lycan Kings castle.
"I know," Greyson rumbled, "Allen went down to meet them and see what the hold up was."
Adam scanned the broken towers and clicked his tongue.
"Still no sign of Ely or the King either. This place is far too quiet for my liking. I thought we might have encountered more resistance than we have done on approaching the castle and I'm half expecting for some horrific surprise to land on us that we're going to struggle to deal with.".
"I think that if either of them were here, we'd feel it. Power like that doesn't just disappear." Greyson hummed thoughtfully.
"Unless they're underground or waiting for the right moment to strike," Adam said as his scowl deepened.
"Well, we're more than ready and honestly, if they can get past Lexi and Bella without being noticed, I'll be surprised."
As if she had heard them talking, Lexi appeared a moment later, dropping down between them from Bella's latest flyover without warning, and sending both Adam and Greyson reeling backwards, crouched and ready to meet the unknown threat with violence.
"Psssh, now, now boys, no need to panic. It's only little old me," She snorted, flicking something off her shoulder and turning her wide smirk towards them both, "When did you both turn into little girls?"
"For Goddess sake Lexi, you could have been hurt! I wish you wouldn't do that. A bit of a heads up wouldn't hurt."
"And ruin the fun?" She snorted, "Not a chance. Besides, you two wouldn't stand a chance against Bella and the wrath of my Bestie if she found out you'd injured her first love."
Adam snarled despite himself and Lexi chuckled.
"Aww, did I hit a sore spot there furball?"
"I take it back," Adam muttered, "I think I liked it better when it was quieter."
Lexi feigned shock and clutched her chest with a wounded expression on her face, staggering theatrically and before it could go any further Greyson stepped in. The last thing he wanted was a tired Adam losing his shit and storming off.
"As much as your presence is always appreciated," He began, clearing his throat, "What are you doing down here anyway? I thought you were patrolling?"
Instantly Lexi's smirk dropped off and a flash of irritation crossed her face. Clearly she had been arguing with someone.
"Your patrol found something," she snapped, "Allen thinks its fitting to use me as a fucking messenger so I'm here to tell you that he wants you down there now."
Greyson blinked in confusion.
"Where? I don't even know…"
"Oh for goddess sake, you send your patrols out and don't know where they are? What sort of commander does that?" Lexi huffed, folding her arms indignantly in front of her and flicking her hair over her shoulder.
She suppressed her smirk at the sight of his jaw clenching and unclenching and huffed a little noise of submission.
"Fine. I'm just teasing, you don't need to be so…" she wiggled her fingers vaguely in his direction and then sighed heavily, "You know what, never mind. They're waiting a little north of here. I'll take you, it's not far so you don't have to cry when you ride Bella again."
Greyson's head snapped to Adam who was staring at him with an eyebrow raised as Lexi brushed past him, purposely nudging him with her shoulder and a wide grin back in place.
"I…I didn't cry." Greyson protested loudly, sharing another meaningful yet panicked look with Adam, "It was just windy up there..that's all."
"Mmmmhmm, keep telling yourself that big boy." Lexi purred as she motioned with her head in the direction she was going, "Are you coming or not?"
"The chance would be a fucking fine thing," Greyson mumbled sulkily under his breath as they followed after her.