The Broken Warrior's Daughter

On the day we are to leave for the tournament, we pack up our four SUVs. Eli and | had pooled our money but could only afford one for the pack. The other three we rented in the city.

Our destination would take us about twelve hours to arrive, without taking stops into consideration. We were going to a place in northern Kansas. The council had gotten the state to close a state park for our arrival. This way, we wouldn't risk running into humans. With the large numbers of werewolves coming into the territory, the state was paid well to shut down their tourist spot. The location was chosen, | was told, because it’s in the middle of the country.RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

Our day is long and boring. Eli and | practice using our gifts of mind linking our pack but the further away we get, the harder it is. We link farther than expected, equally annoying different members of the pack as we test our reach. Eventually, we are no longer able to reach them.

When we finally arrive, it is early evening. We check in, and I see that they are expecting all 298 packs in the country to show. That means my father will be here.

| hadn’t considered what it would be like to have all the packs in attendance, and not all of them. are large enough or strong enough to bring 20 contestants, but overall, there are nearly 5100 werewolves that will be participating in the battles. That doesn't include the mates or pups that have come along to watch and support their packs. Our pack is bringing Hope, Amber and Carlos’s baby. Cara is bringing Aolis, as ho

wanted to spend time with Baby Lily Liam and Angel. are bringing Richie, and Dustin is bringing his human mate, Sarah. She generously offered to watch over the babies while the packs are battling.

As our group signs in for their fights, it looks like tomorrow will be the longest day. There are just over 3300 warriors that will be battling for points and to win tomorrow’s challenge. From our

pack, there will be 16 warriors. was bo

As we're signing in, Rik, Cara and their pack arrive. | haven’t seen Lily since she and after saying hello, | snag her from Cara. Eli and | had talked about trying for a pup after the tournament and ever since, it’s been on my mind. With my Guardian sisters both having pups of their own in the last couple of months it has brought it to the forefront of my mind.

| look down at Lily in my arms. She is looking back at me and while she has her mother’s curly brown hair, she has her father’s glacier blue eyes. She reaches her little hand up and | give it kisses before she starts fussing.

| look at Cara. “She prefers Rik. She has ever since the day she was born.” She sighs. Rik turns. coming over to rub Lily's head and leave a kiss on her forehead. She immediately calms.

“Wow, that must be frustrating.” | say, watching in awe at Rik’s uncanny ability to soothe his

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daughter.

Cara laughs. “You'd think so, but it’s great in the middle of the night when she’s fussy. She doesn’t want me, only her daddy.” Rik takes Lily from my arms, holding her against his chest. “Daddy doesn’t mind, does he Princess?”

My heart aches with the sudden desire to have a baby. To feel Eli’s pup growing inside me. | feel tears of longing prick at my eyes before | swallow the lump in my throat and pull myself together. “Where do they have your pack staying?” | ask them, trying to divert the conversation.

“Uh...” Cara pulls the map out and points to where the dot is circled. “Here.”

| pull out our map and compare. “We're close, that’s good. How many warriors do you have battling tomorrow?” “Fourteen tomorrow. | know Angel and Liam have sixteen. How about you?”

“We have sixteen as well. But we don’t have anyone battling on day two. We don’t have a Lead Warrior yet and we left Noah and Sirona in charge of the pack.” | lower my voice. “We've had several individuals coming to us who needed medical attention. | know some of the problem packs and | can’t wait to meet their Alphas. | hope | have all of them in battles.”

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