Though there were still many wounded, he forced her to take a break and have a meal. The kitchen staff had already heard of her involvement in Julio’s demise as well as her extraordinary healing efforts. They quickly prepared chicken salad sandwiches for both of them.
She guzzled water as well.
He sat beside her, each on a stool, in the kitchen proper. The pack chef hovered nearby to make sure they had whatever they needed. Kiara leaned against him as she ate. She’d even closed her eyes.
Fergus and Mary found them there. Mary had also used her veterinarian expertise and had stitched up a number of the wolves. Chef served them as well.
Fergus, his clothes still damp, sat beside Warren and together they mapped out the future for the combined packs. It was decided not to break them up. They’d had months of bonding and would probably be fine so long as an alpha was found to take over within the next week or so.
The larger problem was getting all the wolves off emerald flame. Like any addictive substance, recovery wouldn’t be simple. But Five Bridges had a host of trained medical professionals that Warren would contact to bring in for assistance. Those dedicated to help addicted alter creatures, would be only too happy to help the pack. Julio’s heinous program of forcing the pack wolves to take the drugs was well known throughout all five territories.
When Warren finished his sandwich and with one arm still supporting Kiara, he called Alessandro. His second-in-command was in the training center with a number of Gordion warriors when Warren shared the news of the battle.
Warren smiled when he heard the cheer go up in the background that not only was Julio dead but Warren would be returning to the compound as soon as the wolves were cared for.
“What about the contingent outside Caldion?” Alessandro asked.
Warren’s smile broadened. “Take their asses down.”
When Alessandro repeated Warren’s command, another cheer rang out. Alessandro said he’d report back when they’d gotten the job done. “And we’ll have chef and his crew get the grills fired up. We’re celebrating as soon as you’re back on Caldion soil.”
Chapter Eleven
Kiara sat on Warren’s lap, her arm resting across his shoulders. She hadn’t stopped smiling since she and Warren had arrived at the Caldion compound.
The wolves were in a state of mad celebration because Julio was dead. Once word of his death had been sent to the entire pack, Alessandro had led a large contingent of warriors out of the compound to round up the last of the El Lobo Grande force. Their efforts put an end to Julio’s campaign against Savage.
Bonfires had been lit in several controlled pits on the patio, beer kegs had made an appearance and the night roared with howling.
More than once, Kiara’s wolfness had her neck arching. She held back because she was embarrassed until Warren howled, then she couldn’t help herself. She opened her voice in a howl to match the wolves around her.
I love that you can do that. His resonant voice in her mind sent a shiver through her body.
When he squeezed her waist, she turned into him and for about the hundredth time kissed him on the lips.
A trio of wolves drew close. Warren extended his hand to each. The wolves smiled and shook his hand, dipping their heads slowly as an acknowledgement of his status. At least a hundred of the pack wolves had already done this. By instinct, Kiara knew similar greetings would continue until every member of the pack essentially welcomed their alpha home.
At first, she hadn’t wanted to perch on his thigh, but he’d needed the closeness and didn’t seem to mind that his wolves eyed her curiously. Warren was her priority, though, and she wouldn’t have left him for the world right now. He needed her and as she examined her own heart, she needed the contact as much as he did.
She doubted she would ever understand the na
ture of their relationship. For the present, however, she chose to go with the flow.
When a long line of wolves arrived from the kitchens, each bearing tables and chairs, the pack of three hundred went to work. It was like watching a ballet as the massive outdoor entertaining area was transformed into a banquet hall.
Food and more beer followed next.
Warren kept her close throughout the meal, though she now sat beside him. He ate with his left hand and kept his right planted on her thigh. The connection kept her heart warmed up and her body on fire. What they’d achieved, especially removing a cruel, dangerous man from Savage, had left her with a fierce longing to be alone with him.
At last, Alessandro began quietly encouraging the pack to close out the night. Kiara watched in some amusement as several very drunk wolves had to be hauled out in protest. Even then, there was a sense of goodwill and nothing but general amusement.
Warren waited until most of the pack had gone to bed before ushering her in the direction of his apartment. Those that remained were on clean-up duty.
Once at his rooms, she moved just inside the doorway to take it all in. Her brows rose. “Your place is amazing.”
She hadn’t known what to expect, but his home was massive with tall, twenty-foot ceilings which made her wonder if he often shifted in this space. The colors were a warm brown, beige and rust with dark royal blue accents. A massive fireplace sat opposite the entrance, laid with rough, brownish stones all the way to the ceiling.
There were many large leather chairs scattered throughout the room, along with accent tables and two large couches facing each other in front of the fireplace. A large credenza sat in front of window on the south side of the space, with long panels of blue, woven fabric on either side.