by Tamara White
“How the hell am I supposed to do that? My wolf is dominant, and, lately, it takes a lot of energy to stop her from taking over my mind. If I don’t react, she’ll rip it apart,” I say, not too sure what I’m supposed to do.
My wolf has been okay with not shifting since my 16th birthday. Though, judging by the way she reacted watching Cam take down Nate, she’s getting stronger and she won’t stand down for much longer. Maybe now that’s she’s met her mates, she’s ready to shift.
“Look, it’s not going to be easy, I know, but we’ll help you. That’s what we’re here for,” Jonnie says, crawling to my side.
It feels amazing to be surrounded by guys who are here to help me. I have my reservations about how it will all work out so I just have to take it one day at a time. When I’ve made it through the trials, then I’ll think about who I’ll have to choose.
“Dinner’s ready,” Laura calls, opening the door, pausing in her step to stare at us.
I can imagine how this looks and bolt upright. I’m sitting on a mattress on the floor, surrounded by six guys. Six guys that had been inching closer to me as we talked. My wolf isn’t too happy that I jumped up so abruptly, but she’ll have to deal. This is one of my mates’ mother. The last thing I want is to create a drama by being too forward with one of them that isn’t her son.
Tim is obviously okay with me being around the boys, and, hypothetically, Laura is too, I just don’t want to push my luck.
“Thanks, Laura. Can I come with you? I’m still not sure where everything is,” I say, hoping to leave with her. I need to judge the state of her mood on what happened, so I know what lines not to cross with her. I’d imagine she wants Nate as my mate, but who knows? She may not want me around any of them at all.
“Sure, honey. Boys, wash up and head down. None of you have had a shower since you got home. I can smell you from here,” she smirks, wrinkling her nose.
I don’t know what she’s smelling. All I can smell is their combined scent. It’s indescribable.
The smell of fresh rain, freshly squeezed citrus, the scent when you rip a mint leaf, pine leaves, the forest floor, sandalwood-but not the natural kind, more of an incense produced smell-and the aroma of fresh cinnamon. All of this combined, creates the scent of home. I don’t quite understand why. Separately, I smell what their scent is, however when we’re all together, it feels complete. As if each of their scents is part of a puzzle piece not complete until we’re together.
All the boys laugh, while Laura closes the door.
“How do you do that?” I ask. She offended them but turned it into a joke. If I were to say something like that, people would take offense.
“Oh, they’re easy to handle once you get to know them. Nate has been bringing those boys around for years. You get to know them when you have them annoying you constantly. Something that I’m sure you’ll find out very soon,” she laughs.
Her voice is so soft and sweet that, when she laughs, it’s what I imagine a fairy would sound like.
“I don’t know. They’re all pretty closed off. I’m not sure how much they’ll want to stay around once more mates show up. I don’t even know how many more mates could show up before the trials start. Dad explained that it all depends on how strong I’ll be, as to how many mates will come forward but I don’t know.”
“I’ll say. You’ve got the Alpha pack leaders already as mates. What are the chances you’d come here and they’d all be your mates? Tell me, have you thought about who you might choose?”
Her question, while innocent enough, is her way of seeing where my mind’s at. Unfortunately for her, I have no idea.
“Honestly, I have no idea. I like each of them, but being mates is a lifetime commitment. Liking them isn’t going to be enough. I hope that only one of them gets past the final trial so I won’t have to choose.”
“You really think only one will get through? If I had to put my money on it, I’d bet all six of those boys make it through. Their Alpha lineage makes them, like you, more powerful. The only difference is, while you may be infinitely stronger, and can’t shift, they have a strength of their own. Plus they are fully capable of shifting.”
I think about her words as she switches subjects, “You should get them to take you out on the pack lands for a run. I bet you’d give them a run for their money on a hunt. Even without your wolf,” she says, winking at me.
“I might just do that. How big are your pack lands? We’ve only really hunted in a national park,” I explain when she questions me with her eyebrow.
“You’ve really only hunted in the national parks?” Tim asks as I walk through the dining room doors.
My father and Tim are already seated at the table as are the boys.
“How the hell did you guys get here before we did?” I ask, staring at them, shocked. How could they beat us here and not run into us on the way?
“Mom took you the long way around so she could talk to you. We’ve been here at least three minutes,” Nate says, digging into the first of two giant steaks piled on his plate.
“Sorry honey, there was a short cut. I just wanted to get to know you a little more,” Laura says, completely unruffled by the fact she delayed us.
“It’s okay,” I say, taking a seat next to my father. In my place is a plate piled up with the same size steak as the others, and I ogle it completely dumbfounded. Did Dad not tell them? I can’t eat all this!
“So, sweetie, I have some news. Tim, Laura, and I called your grandparents. Not my parents, they passed away a couple of years back, but your mother’s parents. They were the last Alpha Pair before Luke claimed it for himself.
Anyway, they’ll be here tomorrow morning to meet you. Don’t worry, boys, they’ve agreed to keep it from Luke for the time being until they’ve confirmed your lineage.
We tried to get them to not come here until you were ready, unfortunately though some new information has come to light. Luke’s wife is pregnant again. If they find out it’s a girl before you start the trials, you won’t be able to. Their daughter will take the position and Luke will be able to groom her to be his perfect little pawn.
We need you to learn everything as quickly as you can. From now on, no more school. You’ll be on pack lands learning how to fight the enforcers of Tim’s pack, learning how to interact with other packs and Alphas without causing disrespect, and getting to know your mates.
You may have more, but these boys are friends. That will be the ultimate advantage in winning the trials. They will each look out for you and make sure you stay safe.”
I can’t believe it. Does Dad really think that’s the bombshell to throw on someone during a dinner with practical strangers?
My grandparents. I get to meet the people that raised my mother. While it scares me, I’m hopeful I’ll get to see what she was like through their eyes.
“Okay,” I answer after a moment of silence. I’ll talk to him after dinner. I will be respectful, and rip my dad a new one before I go to bed. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do.
“Alright enough of the serious talk. So, Dani you’ve only hunted in the national parks? How was it?” Tim asks, steering the conversation back to where he wants it. He’s already halfway through his second steak while I’ve barely touched my first piece.
“Well, we stayed in areas with national parks for Dad’s work. I barely hunted by myself because dear old Dad was afraid I couldn’t defend myself. Considering I took down all the boys here, I bet I would have been fine, but, no, I hunted with Dad’s wolf.
Seriously though, it was fine. I’ve never had a problem with not being able to shift. My wolf is there, she doesn’t seem to mind being locked in my mind though, I’ve never really up front asked her. The only thing she has ever really gotten angry about, was when Cam tackled Nate. She threw herself against my mind and took over my emotions. That’s why I attacked Cam more viciously than I did the others,” I explain, pushing my plate away.
I only ate half a steak before pushing m
y plate away. By the looks on everyone’s face but my father’s, I’ve committed an atrocious crime.
“Is that seriously all you’re going to eat?!” Pete asks, clearly shocked.
I laugh at their facial expressions and my dad starts too.
“That’s normal, boys. She barely eats. I think it’s because her wolf is hidden away. I look forward to the day she shifts. She’ll probably eat a dozen steaks in the first hour,” he says with a grin thrown my way.
“Whatever you say, Dad,” I smirk. He’s probably right, but I won’t tell him that. He’ll probably rub it in the day I shift.
***
“Dad, how could you?!”
We finished dinner about an hour ago, and once I’d finished my shower, I stormed straight over. Jason saw me and went to say something, but I just kept on walking. I need to talk about this.
“Why didn’t you ask me first? I have no idea who they are, and they’re coming to meet me. What if they just expect me to be a replica of mom? I can’t live up to that,” I sigh, sinking into a chair.
“You need them. I know this is going to be hard for you, but if they can help you start the trials sooner, then we need you to meet them. They’re our only real chance.
I’m sure they think Tim and I are lying about you being your mother’s daughter, so they need proof. With Luke’s mate pregnant again, the race is on to make sure they can’t take over. If they find out they’re having a girl, you won’t be able to face the trials.”
“What if I don’t want to do the trials? What if it’s too hard? I can’t choose between them. I want a chance to go out on my own and meet my mate, emphasis on my, because, while they all seem to smell me as their mate, I don’t feel the same connection they obviously do!”
I’m so worked up that I don’t register the gasp until I finish my tirade.
“You don’t feel it?” Laura asks softly. I spin facing her, feeling horrible at the look of devastation on her face.
How did I not hear her come in? “Laura, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I just meant, I don’t feel the connection they do. That’s all.
I like them well enough, but Dad has told me a mate is for life. Then I’m thrown in with six of them. They are each special, so how can I choose just one?”
“What if you didn’t have to choose?” Dad asks.
“Then that would leave me with six mates. I can barely handle my own wolf, I couldn’t handle six!” I’m aghast at where this conversation is going.
“Maybe you can’t. Or, maybe it’s what you need. Anyway, I just dropped by to tell your father, we’ve received word that a group of wolves from each pack have been asked to meet Monique and Walter here. I think they’re preparing in case you didn’t have mates. We didn’t tell them about the others yet,” Laura explains when I open my mouth to ask why they thought I didn’t have any.
“Shit! I should have known they would do this. Sorry, Dani but looks like you’re going to get more mates. Maybe we should keep the others quiet, though, until the day they announce the trials. That way, we have a bit of an advantage.”
“Okay, well, for now, we should tell the boys to act as Dani’s friends. I would also suggest that you stay within eye sight of one of them in case this is a strategic move on Luke’s part. There’s every chance he overheard Monique and Walter’s phone call.
Don’t leave the house by yourself tomorrow. I’ll tell the boys to stay home until this all sorts itself out,” Laura says, with a compassionate smile.
“Look this is a lot for me to handle, guys. I’ve been here two days and it’s like my life has changed. We’re no longer on the run, but now I’m in a different kind of danger. I think I need to go to bed and think things over.”
Dad may think he’s done well by bringing me here to start the trials, but he should have told me from the start instead of just thrusting me into this. I thought I’d never meet a mate. Now I have more than I could dream of.
“Okay, sweetheart, go to bed and we’ll talk tomorrow. I’m sorry if I upset you,” Dad says drawing me in for a hug.
As much as I hate this situation, Dad’s hugs are magic. They make me feel safe and loved.
“Goodnight,” I say as I walk past Laura on my way out.
Making my way through the halls, I go through everything that’s banging around in my mind. I have six mates, so far, that are all surprisingly nice. I’m about to meet my grandparents and more possible mates. Luke’s mate, Cam’s mother, is pregnant. If I don’t make it through the trials, my mother’s killer will be in charge of all werewolves.
And that’s the crux of the problem. If I don’t go through the trials, he wins. I can’t let someone so evil lead our people. I know hardly anything about them, but I will try my best to lead our people away from him.
On top of all that, the thought Laura put in my head has been swirling around over and over, constantly torturing me. When I met all my current mates, there was no jealousy as they thought they’d share me, but then the topic of having to choose one of them was mentioned and they haven’t mentioned it since.
I do remember a snippet of conversation with the boys after the movie where they said once I made it through the trials, the Elders and Alpha pair can’t choose for me. Does that mean I could choose all who make it through without repercussions?
I guess I’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out.
“Hey, Dani, can we talk for a minute?” Mitchell asks, startling me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah, sure. Do you want to come in?” I ask. Dad may disapprove, but hey, he wanted me to get to know them.
“Sure, thanks,” he follows me in, closing the door behind us.
“So, what’s up?”
“Laura told us about the others coming in tomorrow. How are you handling it?” he asks me, collapsing onto my bed. He rolls to his side, propping himself on his elbow.
I laugh and shake my head at his audacity, “What are you doing?”
“I’m making myself comfortable. Now, start talking,” he says, going serious all of a sudden.
Sighing, I sit on the bed beside him and wonder where to start. “Well, it sucks. I think that’s all I really have right now,” I tell him.
“You know you can talk to me. Anything you want to say, I’ll listen. Besides, it’s good practice as your mate,” he adds with a smile.
I study him and wonder why he cares so much. He’s way out of my league. All of them are.
“Thank you. I mean it. As much as I want to, though, I literally have no idea how to voice all of it. There’s just too much rattling around in my brain.”
“I know this is going to be hard. We all have to adjust to this, but we need you to trust us. These new wolves coming in, we don’t know if any of them will be your mate or not. Like it or not, with you not being able to feel the connection with us, that means any of them could say they’re your mate and you wouldn’t be able to deny it.
It makes it a very dangerous situation, and while we know you can handle yourself, just please be careful.”
He reaches for my hand, clasping it tightly. Holding his hand is making my wolf way too relaxed. She rests her head on her paws and closes her eyes, drifting to sleep. I find myself doing just the same.
Chapter 10
“Get away from her!”
If it weren’t for the feeling of being ripped from my soul, I probably would have stayed asleep, but my wolf is going crazy in my mind.
I try to make sense of my surroundings, but all I see is someone holding Mitchell by the throat, making a haze of red to descend over my eyes.
I don’t even think, acting on pure instinct, I grab his captor by the arm and kick out his knee, hearing the pop when it dislocates. His grip loosens, just not enough to free Mitchell from his grasp. My wolf bubbles up inside me, releasing a growl that sends shivers through my body. For once, we’re on the same page. If this guy doesn’t let go of Mitchell, we’ll kill him.
“I’ll give you
until the count of three to release him, or you’ll regret ever setting foot in my room,” I say through gritted teeth.
All the old man does is smirk, baring his teeth. My wolf’s hackles rise, sensing the challenge.
“One,” I say, tugging on Mitchell, trying to pull him away. I stop when he lets out a whimper of pain. I didn’t mean to hurt him.
“Two,” I growl, getting increasingly frustrated with his refusal to back down and release my mate.
“Let’s see what you’ve got, little she-wolf,” he says, throwing Mitchell back, causing me to stumble as I let him slip through my fingers. Next thing I feel is blinding pain in my cheek where the strange wolf has hit me.
I let the barrier down inside me and my wolf takes over. We match him punch for punch, kick for kick until the door bursts open with the rest of my mates pouring in. Cam takes a step towards me to help and my wolf swings up, punching the strange wolf with enough force to send him back into the wall.
In a burst of speed, I pound into the wolf not letting up, not even when I see blood fly. He falls back trying to protect himself, but my wolf won’t have that. He comes here, into our territory and tries to hurt my mate! He will die!
“Dani, stop! Please you’ll kill him,” I hear called through the room. My wolf has no idea who’s talking, not that we care.
Arms wrap around me and pull me back. I try to fight them off until the scent of fresh pine breaks through. Cam keeps his arms wrapped around me, pulling me back until the rest of my mates surround me.
After what seems like ages, my wolf recedes as I convince her I’m safe with them. She knows we’ll protect each other.
“Who is that?” I ask once I stop panting. Even though my wolf was in control, it takes a lot of adrenaline to keep up with a fight like that.
“That, is your grandfather.”
A woman walks through my door followed by my father, Tim, and Laura. The new woman looks remarkably like me, round face, off kilter nose but her hair is a deep burgundy, and her eyes are a vibrant green, whereas my own are a soft forest green.
