Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2022 03:11:59 -0800
From: Nell Bas <helledon12@gmail.com>
Subject: the last feres / the feri war 22

Happy reading!
				The Feri War
				 Chapter 22

That night I went to sleep alone and woke up the next morning in Wren's
arms. Silas had a sleepover with a few friends at Trash's place, so we had
the wagon to ourselves.

It was still early and I could sense only a few people walking about.

Wren was fast asleep. His face was right up to mine. Snoring softly, he
looked peaceful and cute. His mane of curls which he normally kept tied up
was loose. It often got loose after a shift back to human form. Smiling, I
pushed a lock of curls out of his face. His long eyelashes fluttered
causing me to pause. He didn't wake though. I didn't want to wake him but
his head was on my arm and I kind of had to pee.

I kissed his eyelids, his nose, and then move down to lick his lips. His
mouth pulled into a smile.

'What are you doing?' He said in a cracky voice.

'What does it look like I'm doing?'

'You're taking advantage of me,' he said grinning.

'Hmm! That isn't such a bad idea,' I said palming his nakedness with my
free hand. I squeezed it.

He moaned. Although, his eyes remained closed. 'Do that again.'

I complied and he grew in my hand. I tugged and teased him. His hips jerked
to match my movements. He moaned louder. He took possession of my lips and
sucked on them while reaching for me. He rubbed my length with long gentle
strokes. Breathing hard in each other's mouths, he thrust faster into my
hand. After a time, his eyes rolled back in his sockets and he shot four
thick ropes of his essence all over my hand and thigh. To reach my climax,
I pushed his hand away and furiously jerked off. He chuckled and try to
take back what I'd denied him. Alas, I was beyond the point of no return to
let him reclaim it. I came a few seconds later with laboured breath.  He
chuckled. 'I wanted to do that.'

'You were too slow,' I said releasing my tense muscles. Then my bladder
began protesting. 'Oh shit!  Got to pee! Got to pee! Got to pee!' I rushed
outside naked and sighed as the stream of warm liquid gushed out of me.

Ah! It felt so good.

I ran into a group of guys on my way back.

'Wow!'

'Sweet feri!'

'Nice ass.'

There were more catcalls, whistles and laughs.

All that didn't bother me. I know they were only teasing. Like a true targ,
I throw them an award- winning smile and strutted.

I told Wren about the vision about the dragon core. He didn't interrupt me
and waited patiently for me to be done.

'You did right not to say anything. Besides, the knowledge of the stone
isn't relevant for our mission, so yeah, let's keep it to ourselves for
now.'

I nodded yes.

Silas joined us for breakfast at the pole barn. 'How are you feeling this
morning?' I said washing down some oats with tea. I reached for a handful
of berries.

'I'm still sad but Trash has been good company.'

Wren placed his spoon down, messed the little guy's hair and tucked him to
his side. 'Hey. You're allowed to feel sad. I would be worried if you
didn't. Just remember that we're here for you no matter what.'

Silas flushed and smiled. 'Thanks.'

I felt warm inside watching those two. Silas was sixteen but he was still a
teenager. He needed to know that he wasn't alone anymore. Wren kissed him
on the head. 'Eat your breakfast. You'll need your strength to do your
chores later.'

Silas nodded yes and took a spoonful of oats with a radiant smile.

There was a commotion at the front gates. However, we didn't budge. We
didn't have to wait long to know what it was all about when Rhett, Ferard
and Russell joined us.

'What's going on over there?' Wren said.

'My cousin's men is finally here,' Russell said taking a bowl of oats from
Ferard.

'Looks like Eric and Doug are going to draw out the welcoming mat,' Rhett
said with a grin.

I turned to see them crossing the courtyard in long strides. Doug has been
a good host. We've practically taken over his fort and still, he hasn't
complained once. Not that I would know since I couldn't read his
thoughts. But action speaks louder than words. He has done nothing but made
us feel welcome and try to be of help. Eric today looked like someone on a
mission. I noticed for the last two days he'd been more tense than usual. I
knew and understood how he feels. The more time passes the heavier the
anxiety. We were a bunch of kids to him to confide in us. At least he had
Malik.

Wait! Where's Malik?

'Wren, I can't feel Malik.'

'He's in Valpak. He'll be back soon,' Ferard said.

Malik was a warlock who mated Charlie's sister. Warrick, the Blacknell
alpha is technically also his brother in-law. Of course, they worry about
Charlie too and would want to know what was going on.

'How do you know?' Wren asked.

'Our cabin is next to theirs. The wall is thin so we heard them talking.'

'Did you happen to hear why?' I said.

Ferard glanced at Russell. His partner shrugged. 'We didn't hear
everything. We were kind of uh...  busy.'

All of us laughed, including Silas. Ferard didn't have to censor anything
for us because we all knew they had been fucking like rabbits since we left
Soren.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of ferilight energy. The lumiums I sent yesterday
were finally back.

Excitedly, I jumped to my feet. 'They're here!'

'Who's here?' Rhett said.

I think I might have made a mistake when sending the lumiums. I should have
programmed them to return to me, but they appeared at the location Wren and
I were at when I sent them. No matter, they were heading towards the fort.

I stood in the courtyard and looked skyward. The guys had followed me
there. "What's going on, Rye. Is Seth coming?" Wren said through our link.

I didn't say anything since they were already here. So, I just grinned at
him and returned my gaze over the western wall.

Thirty seconds later, a little more than a dozen giant eagles screamed
above our heads. People gathered to marvel at the mesmerizing scene. The
birds circled above the fort a few times before landing safely in front of
us. Seth was the first eagle shifter to land with Dale on his back.

All the other eagles also carried people. 'You called everyone?!' Wren said
with a grin.

'We wouldn't miss this for the world,' Nicholas said hugging me after
Alessa.

Eric came running with the Malakai in tow. He greeted his brothers. The
twins, Reed and River, looked a bit more mature than the last time I saw
them. They hugged Wren and Rhett.

'Thank you for including us, Rye,' Reed said.

'Yeah, finally. Wain was driving us off the wall,' River added.

Bron came from behind them and hugged me. 'Nice to see you, Rye.'

'You too, my friend.'

Chase came too. Charlie was his father and I know he felt useless staying
home. 'Hey, dad,' he said to Eric. Eric teared up and drew him into a tight
hug.

'It's good to see you, son. Have you been eating right?' Eric said looking
at him at arm's length.

Chase was a tad taller than his father. Growing up in the human world such
affection would have been embarrassing for him. 'Dad!' He protested, yet
his action was the complete opposite. He never let go of his father.

'Enough of this kissy-kissy stuff. It's grossing me out,' Kaia said. 'You
guys, I'm starving. Robin and I hadn't had breakfast yet.'

'Yes. Me too,' Seth said pulling up the pants Dale handed to him.

Another spike in ferilight energy told me that two more guests had come. A
guy shrieked and ran to hide as two enormous tigers entered the fort.

'Caleb. Eva,' I said rushing to hug them. They morphed into their human
forms to greet me. Dale and Seth were right behind me. As soon as I
released his sister Dale was already in her arms.

'Looks like you invited all your friends,' Fiori said next to Doug, Ned and
her second in command whose name I couldn't remember.

'Wolves, eagles and tigers. This should be interesting,' Musa said behind
Fiori.

'And a cute little leopard too,' River said pointing at Bron with a grin.

Bron playfully punched him in the gut. He pretended it hurt.

More laughter erupted.

Eric introduced our group of friends to the Malakai and the people of
Dougsfort. Don't know who came up with the name but that's what we're
calling it from now on.

At the pole barn, Sylvia and some women served my friends some leftover
oats, bread and fruits with tea. I know they were used to better,
regardless, none of them showed any displeasure over the simple meal. Seth
even asked for seconds within minutes adding to Sylvia's joy.

'Guys,' I called for everyone's attention. 'I want you to meet a few new
friends of mine.' I introduced Trash, Ben, Zeek and some curious renegades
who I got the pleasure of meeting yesterday. When it came to Silas, I
grabbed his hand and pulled him to me on the mat.

'What going on, Rye. Did you get another boyfriend?' Seth said looking from
me to Wren.

'Shut your trap. Rye would never do that to Wren. They are in love,' Robin
said in a cute adoring girly voice.

A few people laughed.

Wren moved closer and put a hand over Silas' shoulder. 'This little guy is
Silas. I want you all to be nice to him,' Wren said with a serious
undertone. He was letting them know that we have an intimate claim to the
boy and that they should treat him as much.

"Did something happen to the boy? He's flashing some serious emotions."
Nick thought. He knew I would hear him.

"Silas has been through a lot." Since Nick was an empath, he would
understand better via imagery.  So I shared everything I know about Silas
through a thought montage.

"Wow, that's so sad," Alessa said in my head.

This wasn't just a thought I picked up from her, no. She was
projecting. She has telepathic abilities too. Awed, I gazed at her. "I'm a
feres too brother," she projected with a smile.

"I know that. I meant you can use telepathy as well now."

She beamed. "I've always been able to do that. Remember the Nereii, they
taught me but I wasn't good at it. However, after the ritual with grandma
Moira the other day, everything because clear and I found myself more
adept."

After breakfast, Wren and the guys joined the others to begin the
construction of the new community hall while I took Alessa and Eva to the
kitchen. They wanted to be useful too. But first, we dropped by Wes'
cabin. I wanted to check on him.

The young man was already up and about when we arrived at his place.

'Hey, Wes.'

'Your Majesty. Hi. If you came by to see me I'm feeling way better today.'

I smirked at him. 'Yes. I can see that.'

It looked like he was on his way out. 'You're not going to work, aren't
you?'

He grabbed his tunic over a chair and flung it over his shoulder causing a
tiny draft.

Eva stiffened next to me.

'I am,' he said sheepishly.

I gave him a stern look. It was useless to try and stop him though. If he
was a shifter, then he'd inherited their stubbornness as well. 'I won't
stop you. Just don't overdo it, ok.'

He gave me a big jovial smile as a thank you. We followed him out and
watched him leave.

'Rye, that boy is a tiger shifter like me,' Eva said.

'You knew that,' Alessa said having read my thoughts. How is she getting
past my mental shield?

'I knew he was a shifter but not that he was a tiger.' Then I thought of
something. 'Why did he not react to you just now?  He's almost nineteen,
shouldn't he be able to recognise his own. Could he be a cambion?'

Eva rubbed her temples. 'We tigers transition later than other shifters. I
think it is a self-preservation thing.' Her sire told her that, that was
why her voice was laced with resentment and contempt towards him.

Alessa blinked but remained silent.

'How come?' I said.

'Female tiger shifters are rarer than males. So we depend on the women of
other species to survive.  The thing is, they don't look too kindly of our
males. Because of their overzealous reputation of being womanizers, they
are often villainized to the status of sex demons even.'

I understood now. 'So you guys transitioned later than other shifters to
throw off others' suspicions so you could survive?'

'Not just to throw off people's suspicion more like to be old enough to
defend ourselves. Rye, the boy is in danger, even more so his friends.'

'Why?'

'Tiger transition is five times more violent than other shifters. He
shouldn't be around people when it's happening because he would attack
them. It never ends well.'

'Another reason to be hated and feared by the others,' Alessa said with
understanding. 'How did it go for you?' Alessa asked.

'Our mother knew what we were from the beginning. She loved our father but
he just used her for breeding. When her family realized that they chased us
off. He abandoned us in the streets where Niall found us. He showed up only
a week before our transitions. He took us to a cave and guarded the
entrance preventing us from leaving. When the transition was over he
vanished again.'

Eva and Dale were twins! I always thought Eva was much older. Not that she
looked older but more mature, even more now that she had given birth to the
Redhurst triples.

We arrived at the kitchen where Sylvia was bossing everyone about. Agatha
was also there.

'Hey, Rye,' she said when she saw me coming. She was peeling peas with a
bowl and a stack of pods in front of her.

'We're making pea soup tonight and grill meat from the game your shifter
friends brought this morning.'

I'm not surprised they went hunting. They aren't too keen on eating
vegetables all the time.

'Who are those lovely ladies you brought to see me?'

'This is my sister Alessa and our friend Eva.'

Agatha smiled. 'Another feres. I'm so blessed to be in your presence. It's
nice to meet you, ladies.'

They responded in kind.

'I'm leaving them with you, so take care of them for me, will you.'

'Don't worry. This is going to be fun.'

The girls chortled.


Eric, Doug and Fiori were waiting for me in the cottage when I
entered. They were at the small table in the tight kitchen area.

'Ah. Rye. Come,' Eric said. 'We're going over our plan of attack.'

Spread in front of them was a map of the capital. It looked freshly
made. And the details...

'We spent all day yesterday making this with the help of Silas and his
pigeons,' Eric said.

I stared at the crosses which represent the different troops all over the
city and beyond. When we thought he had failed, Charlie did succeed in
getting them to react. Looking at it now, the painstaking task of going
back and forth to Pixan over the summer to get the witches on board with us
by gathering their forces and joining the war was certainly worth it. And
it was clear the council did listen to him. It's just that they're not
using this army to do what they were supposed to be doing in the first
place; which is to defend their borders and protect their citizens.

'Ok, how are we doing this?'

'We begin tonight,' Doug said.

'We'll attack in three phases. Phase one, Doug will lead his group and the
renegades to neutralize the Border guards,' Eric said.

'Most of the renegades are teenagers, why send them after the border
guards?' I asked.

It was Doug who answered. 'We have been trouble for them ever since they
expanded their patrolling ranges. They've never seen us as a threat, so
they won't expect us to be on the offensive.  We're counting that they
won't sound the alarm.  They will try to either drive us away or get rid of
us.'

'Besides, Doug's group isn't to engage them directly. Their orders are to
lead the border guards away and long enough to create an opening for phase
two to happen,' Eric continued.

'I will lead phase two,' Fiori said in a confident voice. 'I will have the
elementals, ground shifters and close-range combatants under my
command. Our goal is to create chaos and draw out the assembled army and
keep all eyes on us. I have orders to keep the level of casualties to the
minimum, if we could.' She added when she saw the worried look on my face.

I was worried for my friends too. They were a little less than a hundred
going against thousands of warlocks. How to keep them all alive?

'This is war, Rye. This is not the time to be soft-hearted. Every one of us
understands the risk and we're willing to take it,' Fiori said.

I sighed but said nothing.

Eric stared at me. "You ok?"

I was conflicted. Nonetheless, I nodded yes.

'Phase three is us. You, me, Wren, a few others and the eagle shifters.
We'll go with your plan, stealthily infiltrating the city by the seafront.
We won't be attacking at dawn. On the contrary, we should use the cover of
darkness to our advantage. If everything goes according to plan, it should
all be over by then. Phase one and two would take place at midnight tonight
and phase three after a signal from Fiori.'

I don't know why I shivered when I heard the plan. I played it as being
nervous but I felt there was something more to it but I chose to ignore it.

..................................................................


End of chapter 22