Lexie and the recruits cease their excavation of the feathered male when Krish’s mirthful chuckle fills the air. She shouts down into the crater in a click hissing language. Sigyn’s hackles vibrated as the foreign noises hit high decibels sending a swell of discomfort through her spine. The trapped male replies with a scowl in lower tones of the same language. Cungr’s dark auburn locks became visible just behind Krish as she leaps down into the impression, landing with cat-like grace next to the earthen ensconced male. Grasping his free hand firmly, Krish heaved him up. The remaining slag shattered as he pulled free. A set of massive metallic blue-grey wings flicked open raining dust and debris on all present. The male was startlingly tall with a lean unearthly build. Everything about him was an exaggerated elongation with sharp angles. The well-defined musculature of his arms and chest contrasted the razored edges of his collar bone, wrists, and massive yet elegantly structured hands. Krish stood just at 6 foot, Cungr 6 and a half. Krish’s brow barely crested the strange male's pectoral. He scowled down at her, the feathers on his crown and neck rising in echo of the expression on his visage. Flexing his shoulders and expanding his wings further the metallic colors of his wings shifted in the scant starlight. The feathers undulated individually, causing a ripple effect to roll across them, more bits of melted earth flicked out. Then his entire body, wings included, shook. The feathers ruffled then settled into place, slicking down into a smooth surface.

Cungr appeared next to his mate, warily observing the tall winged male. “Cungr, this is my brother Horus. Horus this…”

Horus, arms crossed over his chest, cuts Krish’s introduction off with a string of clicks and hisses delivered in an imperious manner. His now closely tucked wings vibrating in annoyance with the cadence of his words.

“Gods, I forgot what as ass you are Horus.” Krish laughs in amusement. “Cungr, this is my brother Horus; the distant one, Harpocrates; keeper of secrets, Wuotan; lord of knowledge. Horus this is…”

Horus interrupts with an angry whistling hiss followed by deep guttural clicks. His folded wings begin to unfurl.

“Gods’ bones! I am not repeating the entire litany Horus. Pull the log out of your tail. Allow me to finish.” Krish’s smile slides off her face replaced by a threatening glower. Horus raises a brow, but elects to remain silent. His wings pull tightly behind him, the bend of them forming a hood like pocket above his head.

“As I was explaining, this is Cungr Varlay. Arch Alpha of the North American territories and my mate.”

Horus makes a choking noise followed by a rapid succession of whistles clicks and hisses.

“No. I am not making a jest.” Krish states sternly. “And for the love of the unholy, switch to English. I know you speak the damn language.”

Horus looks at Krish again, studying her for any signs of a lie. When he does not detect her normal mischievous temper her turns to Cungr. “This is true? You are her mate?”

Cungr nods agreement.

Horus narrows his eyes at the Arch Alpha. “You know who she is?”

Cungr steps closer to Krish, sliding his arm about her waist. “I do.” The Arch does not back down under Horus's withering stare.

The stony-faced male’s deep red, golden rimmed eyes flick back and forth between Krish and Cungr. His head tosses back as he howls laughter into the night air. He laughs so hard tears stream down his face causing streaks to form in the dust still coating his skin. He buckles in half, hands grasping thighs as he gasps for air and laughs more.

“All the hells and a vestal virgin. How ironic. I am unsure if congratulations or condolences are in order.” Horus finally manages a reply through roughly drawn breaths and laughter. He wipes his eyes, achieving nothing more than to smear the dirt around on his hard angled face.

Addressing Krish, Lexie comments. “I thought you said he didn’t have a sense of humor.”

*

After introductions are made, with Krish repeatedly reminding Horus to speak English, Lexie and the recruits shift back to wolf form.

“Return to your patrol. We’ll escort Horus back to the complex.” Cungr instructs. As the wolves begin to move away Cungr calls out. “Sigyn, come with us.”

The she-wolf hesitates, flicking her attention to the receding forms of the patrol. She sends an image of Brice to Cungr through the link along with strong concern.

“We all want to find him. Lexie is one of our best trackers. At present, I need you at the complex.” Cungr’s words come out stilted as he battles to control his anger at her hesitance to obey. “Do not argue with me Sigyn.”

Sigyn sends a wave of blood-boiling anger coupled with an image of Alex standing on the manse steps to Cungr.

Cungr’s eyes flash with feral light then begin to bleed the dark colors of his wolfblood. Gritting his teeth, words woven with command. “You will do as I say.”

The silvered wolf flattens to the ground in submission.

Krish steps beside Cungr. Leaning into his side, placing a hand on his shoulder she whispers. “Go easy love. Life has been cruel to her. She's still partially feral.”

Cungr’s body relaxes, the dark warm grey of his eye color returns. He snorts. “If she continues to challenge me, I’ll show her feral.” Returning his attention to Sigyn. “Come.” He commands. His words cracking at Sigyn like the master of a dog who needs to heel. The she-wolf’s hackles rise, but she stands and follows several paces behind the group.

After walking in silence for a bit, Horus flexes his wings then settles them tightly behind him again and speaks. “Have Arch Alpha’s diminished so far over the time of my absence that their wolves no longer readily obey?”

Cungr halts, turning slowly towards Horus. His lips raise in a snarl, eyes begin to bleed into the darkened abyss of the shift.

Krish steps forward, a smirk on her face. “Why Horus. I am shocked that your previously sharp mind has slipped thus. Have your mental capacities degraded with age to the point you have missed the obvious problem here?”

Horus focuses his attention on his sister, ignoring the angry Arch inches from him. He cants his head stiffly to the side as if listening for something. His laser focus returns to Cungr. “I miss nothing. All is clear…” His gaze drifts over Sigyn for a moment, snapping back to Krish. The feathers on his head ruffle and settle back in annoyance. “You are playing a game with me. Krish…” His words come out in warning.

“You most certainly have lost your touch if this obvious issue has evaded you brother.” She stares at her brother’s face then asks. “What happened to your eye?”

Horus lifts his chin arrogantly.

“What did you do Horus?” Krish’s tone causes Cungr to pause and observe the siblings.

Horus cuts his eyes off into the treetops, jaw flexing. His words come a soft whisper. “Tried to bring our father back.”

“Excuse me? My hearing must be failing, because I did not just hear you say you tried to resurrect our father.” Krish’s tone takes on a deadly note.

Horus’s right eye gleams blood red-rimmed in a slow licking golden flame. The left eye remains pupil-less, its deep cornelian color dead still in the socket. His feathers rise and fall in agitation. “I needed him.” Horus grits out.

“He obviously did not throttle you. So either father has had a change of heart about resurrection magic, you have not finished the spell, or the incantation failed.”

“I believe the magic failed.” Horus’s pained voice comes out in soft syllables.

“Believe?” Krish’s brows raise, then furrow with concern. “This is not like you Horus. Does Isis know you tried a resurrection?”

“Mother is unaware. I would prefer it remain that way.” Straightening to his full height, Horus signals his desire to end the discussion. “Now tell me, what is it that you seem to believe I have overlooked here?”

Krish begins to chortle with laugher.

“Tell me.” Horus demands.

“I will explain nothing. Discern the issue for yourself.” Krish quips. “Would you care to wager how long it takes you to unravel the mystery?”

At this point, Cungr turns and begins to walk away wondering how he will survive a sibling rivalry between these two. Best to ignore them as long as they don’t destroy anything. Sigyn follows Cungr closely, leaving the siblings to bicker.

Behind them, Cungr hears Horus growl out angrily. “I will not wager with you. You cheat!”

“No, you are a sore loser.”

“I most definitely am not! You bend the spirit of the rules to fit your whims. Last time we had a bet you caused eruptions on the Asian continent that affected the flow of the Nile. Just to win, you caused insurrections! My mother is still angry with me about that stunt. Somehow, whatever you do ends up as my fault.”

“You made the terms for that bet. Not my fault you only set a 70-kilometer parameter on areas where I could use my magics.” Krish’s laugher fills the forest air as Horus Grumbles his discontent.

*

Salem sets on the cabin’s porch swing, one arm thrown over the back, fingers teasing through golden brown hair at the base of Gerritt’s neck. Kate is curled up between them, legs tucked up, a brightly covered afghan wound around her form. The three watch the night sky dance with streaks of light as a meteor shower plays out overhead.

“That is a big one.” Kate says as a white fiery ball flashes across their view. A low boom sounds in the distance.

Salem shifts beside Kate, his fingers cease caressing Gerritt. “I should go to the barracks, in case there is a forest fire.”

Kate’s hand squeezes Salem’s thigh affectionately. “Wait till they call you in. Please.”

Gerritt hums his agreement. “Relax, they will call if you are needed.” Moments later Salem’s phone vibrates in his pocket. Kate groans her disapproval as Salem rises to take the call in the cabin. Gerritt leans in, nuzzling right behind her ear, whispering to her.

Salem watches the two tenderly touching through the screen door before coming back out onto the covered porch. “That was Grinder. They want us at the manse in the morning. Providing our hormones are under control.”

Kate stretches up making a needy mewling sound. “I think I feel another pheromone spike coming on.” The words come out a sultry purr.

Gerritt grins. “Definitely. There is no way we can leave the cabin yet. It might be weeks before our biology calms enough.” Gerritt’s hand slides along Kate’s chest, pushing the afghan down, causing her nipples to draw up and push against the soft t-shirt she is wearing. Gerritt’s lips lower to her neck, dancing down her slender column to his mating mark. Kate emits a wanton moan. Her shapely legs unfold, revealing soft bare skin. The shirt she is wearing rides up past her hips, revealing her lack of underthings, as she drapes her arms around Gerritt’s neck inviting the touch of his lips.

“Screw it.” Salem grabs a hand of each of his mates pulling them out of the swing. His dark blue star dusted eyes heat with lust. “I’m owed so much leave I could be gone a month and still not be caught up.” Pushing Kate and Gerritt through the cabin door. “Get thee to bed wenches!” His phone rings again, Salem tosses the hated device onto the couch on his way to the bedroom.

It would take an act of the Fates to pull Salem out of this cabin.