Page 104 of Mating at Midnight: Book 1

Nyah stands, then interlaces her fingers with mine to show a union of solidarity. Ballian, who could easily with one strong jerk of his jaw remove the bones from Fenrir’s neck. With his teeth embedded into Fenrir’s skin he withdraws his canines. Skia follows her mate’s movements by letting go of Fenrir’s hip. The others looked up at us and did the same.

Fenrir is barely hanging on as his mangled, bloodied body lays distorted on the ground.

“Lord Odin, we wish for our Pack members to take part,” I say. “We’ve lost so many lives and for the ones who remain, they have earned the right to be a part of this. And that also goes for the Bruin Bear Pack. Alpha Lennox and his Pack have shown that they are true allies. They deserve to partake as well.”

Odin smiles, nodding his head before addressing the Pack members. “This is what true leadership is about. A true Alpha never takes away from those who helped him.” His expression turns dark before he adds, “Make sure the heart is saved for me and my son.”

I bow my head then give the okay to the Pack members along with the bears. Fenrir’s muffled wails quickly go silent as thewolves, bears, and some still in human form relentlessly attack him. I don’t know who it did, but at one point Fenrir’s heart was tossed to Odin. He caught it, then split the organ into and passed one half of it to Vidar. They ceremoniously consumed the heart.

When it was all said and done, the bones of Fenrir were left bare. Now, I’m not a bone specialist by any means, but I’m willing to bet there were more than a few of Fenrir’s bones missing.

“Alpha Lightfeather, what do you wish to do now that this is over?” Odin asks.

Like the esteemed Alpha that he is, Alpha Lightfeather replies, “I wish to gather the fallen members of our Packs and properly bury them. The ones of our enemies should be tossed in a pile and burned.”

Odin bows his head in agreement.

“Also,” Alpha Lightfeather continues. “I would like more time with my mate, and for Nyah and her mate with their destined wolves.” He looked up at the sky as dawn was beginning to break through the clouds. Time had left us as we had been tirelessly fighting through the night.

“In less than two hours, Skia and Ballian will have to merge back with Nyah and Braxton. With the four of them being mated in different forms, I’m sure they would like some one-on-one time together with their prospective mates before coming together to figure out their steps.”

Before Odin could respond a high-pitched squeal came through the forest. Nylah drops down to her knees. Crown clears the trees and runs straight into her embrace. He squirms in her arms while ecstatically licking her face. Nyah sheds tears of bliss as she picks him up, accepting all of his displays of love. She stands as Crown settles down in her arms.

Odin points to Nyah and Crown. “What we are witnessing is the display of undeniable love. The predator shows love toits once prey. We are not savages but will those prey or not.” He then turns to Alpha Lightfeather again. “Not only will I give you and your family more time, but I think we should end this victory with a celebration. How would you and your Pack commemorate this triumphant experience?”

Alpha Lightfeather chuckled, barely getting the words out as we all replied with him, “A barbeque.”

Chapter 57

Nyah

From the loud laughter and fellowship amongst the Pack members along with the Bruin Pack, you knew it was one of daddy’s over the top barbeque celebrations.

That day may not have been one the humans would never know about or recognize but for the rest of us, it will always be the day our Packs defeated Fenrir. Shit, my future children wouldn’t attend school on that day because it meant so much to us, like Christmas to humans.

I found it amusing and thoughtful as Lord Odin sat Indian style with the children of the Pack sitting around him. They were hanging on to his every word as he animatedly retold stories of the battles he had fought with daddy and the others. If I didn’t have to help with getting things together, I would have sat with them because Lord Odin was a very good storyteller.

Ballian and Skia had disappeared into the forest before daddy threw the first log of hickory on the grill. I guess they wanted to spend their last hours together away from us and I couldn’t blame them. If Braxton and I were in the same situation they were, then there was no doubt we would’ve done the same thing.

I was beyond ecstatic, Kenia too. It had been years since we had the pleasure of having both of our parents with us. I admired the way the two of them doted on each other. You could tell the love they had for one another was just as strong as ever. Before heading to his grills, daddy passionately kissed momma which had Kenia and I giggling like we used to do as little girls.

We waved Braxton and Levi over to properly introduce them to momma. She gave them a motherly hug, accepting them into our family. And did the same with Bryant.

Daddy wrapped his arm around her waist as she moved back towards him. Momma gleefully smiled, saying, “I am so proud that the God’s selected strong mates for my daughters. Men who my husband and I know will protect them at any cost. As I’m sure the two of you have learned, our daughters weren’t raised to be docile mates...and there’s nothing against that, but with their father being an Alpha and me a Shield Maiden, the combination of our blood lines will have them sometimes, challenging you. They are, of course, Alpha females. My advice to you is listen to your mates and give them some time to calm down before reacting. Noah did that with me and as you can see, even through death, our bond remains strong.” Momma winked at them. “Trust me, it will put a lot of peace in your household.”

Braxton laughed. “I don’t know about Levi, but I’m learning that day by day.”

Levi chuckled, joining Braxton’s laughter. “Trust me, I know.” He points to Kenia. “She ran from me, only by the ways of the Gods so I was able to find her again.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Kenia and I have come to the conclusion that it’s destined. We are destined mates, and no one can tell us otherwise,” Levi declared. “And if a motherfucker thinks otherwise...excuse me Mrs. Lightfeather, Alpha Lightfeather, Bryant, Uncle James, and Lord Odin.... I mean no disrespect,” Levi apologized before adding, “but I will kill anyone who disagrees.”

A graceful smile slowly spread against momma’s beautiful face. “There’s no need to apologize, son. I hope you don’t take offense to me calling you son since you are my Kenia’s destined mate.”

Levi never broke his eye contact with her as he replied, “None taken.”

Momma pulled him into a tight hug. Levi probably won’t admit to it, but we observed the shudder in his shoulders. Hewas finally feeling the warm embrace of a mother. He never had the opportunity to receive it from his own.

Momma pulled back, whispering words to Levi before embracing him once again before letting him go.

Elder Nelah approached them, then placed her right hand on the middle of Levi’s back.

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