Page 26 of The Alpha's Bullied Pregnant Mate

Next on his list was a drive to Twin Moon to meet up with his friends. He’d initially planned to miss the meeting tonight, but with his thoughts a raging storm in his mind, he needed their help now more than ever.

It would be the first time that the boys would have to help him with woman problems, and the thought of that irritated him somewhat. But there was no avoiding that. It had taken supernatural effort to ignore thoughts of Isla and that burning sensation.

He didn’t know how much longer he could survive, or how much longer he could control his thoughts and stay on top of the situation. More than anything, he needed to understand exactly what was going on with him. As it was, he was flying blind, and he hated that.

True to Erik’s warning, the snow started falling thick and fast even before Fannar could clear the mountain. The roads would be impassable tonight. He’d need a room at the motel at Twin Moon tonight. The alternative was to miss the meeting with his friends, and that was not something he was willing to do.

His tires churned through the ice and visibility reduced to just a few yards ahead of him, despite his massive flood lights. For a stranger, it would have been suicide to drive under such conditions, but he’d been in Frost Peak his life, and he was much a part of the town as the town was a part of him.

He knew the roads, knew the cliffs, knew the ice. It was a difficult place to live in, but the frost wolves had learned to make it home, and they survived. Beyond that, they thrived.

The roads became better the further he descended from the mountain, until finally he reached the base, and saw signs of thriving vegetation, a sight that always amazed him.

He sometimes wondered at the conditions that drove his ancestors into the mountains. Every Frost Peak wolf heard the story as a cub. It had always been about safety. What did you do when you were feared and hated by the world? You found the only place willing to accommodate you, and you made it your home.

It must have been torture at first, but Fannar imagined it was a splendid bargain. It was survival in ice or death. The Frost Peak wolves had survived, and were currently some of the strongest, and oldest packs still alive in the world.

This fact was a point of pride to Fannar and members of his pack. They were feared and respected by one and all, a respect that had been earned in blood and carnage. The other packs could have their warmer weather and softer lands. The Frost Peak wolves were content in their ice fortress.

There was little traffic out from and towards the mountains, and Fannar was used to long drives alone on the highway. The sun peeked through the clouds, and he enjoyed the serenity of dusk, the breath taking colors of the horizon beyond the valley.

The pub at Twin Moon was not half as festive as it had been on Fannar’s previous visit. He parked beside one of Callahan’s sports cars, and wondered how his friend managed to drive those things in the mountains without flying over the edge.

Asher’s vehicle was visible as well, surprisingly, as were Rowan’s and Articus. He could sense each of the four men even before stepping out of his car. Powerful, feared, and respected, they all were, but here, in Frank’s bar, they were just friends.

He stepped into the bar and walked to their usual table. He settled into a spare seat beside Callahan, who was engaged in a heated argument with Articus.

“Well, that’s just stupid isn’t it?” Callahan asked, raising his hands.

“Not really, no. It depends on how you look at it.” Articus grinned wickedly. “I need you to think some more, Callahan.You still know how to do that, right?”

Callahan jumped to his feet and showed his teeth. “I dare you to say it to my face. Huh? Come on. I dare you.” His hackles were raised and his eyes glittered brightly in anger.

Articus was about to spring to his feet but a firm hand from Asher on his shoulder kept him in his seat. “That’s enough, you two. You’re embarrassing yourselves, and me too.”

Callahan spun at him. “You have some shit to say, tough guy?”

Asher rolled his eyes. “If I wanted to spend my night listening to people bickering, I would have stayed back home and listened to the ghosts of witches arguing in their barrows.”

Rowan laughed and so did Fannar. Asher regarded Callahan coolly, his hand still on Articus’ shoulder. “Sit down already, Callahan. You look silly.”

Callahan really did look silly, but it would look even sillier for him to sit down then, and everyone knew it. Instead, he stalked off towards the bar, and returned a few moments later with drinks for everyone. He passed the bottles around—glaring at Articus as he handed him one—before settling into his seat.

“Now that that ugliness is behind us,” Rowan said after taking a sip from his bottle, “welcome, Yeti. Too bad you missed the most drama we’ve had here in months.”

“I think I saw enough,” Fannar teased. He turned to Callahan. “What got your panties in a bunch? Wait, I don’t even want to know. Listen, I have a problem guys…”

The attention of the four men focused sharply on Fannar at that. While they played around, they took each other’s problems seriously. No matter the conflict that existed between any of them, it was always secondary when any of them needed help.

“What sort of problem?” Articus asked seriously.

Fannar focused on a black spot on the table. “How do I say this? I think I have woman problems…”

There was a shared silence as the four men watched him. And then all as one, they exploded into laughter. It lasted a few moments and Fannar watched them with irritation in his eyes, waiting for them to settle down. He waited a little while longer.

“Honestly, fuck you guys,” he said. “I don’t know why I thought you could help me.”

Callahan blinked. “Wait… you’re serious…” He turned to Articus and his lips quavered. “He’s actually serious!” The two men erupted into laughter again, with Callahan laughing so hard, tears poured out of his eyes.

---