Page 88 of One True Mate

Kyle glared at me.Do not do it, Kelsey.

Why? Kyle why?

He didn't respond and I submitted to the testing only realizing in hindsight that they distracted me before I could fully heed the warning. And with my blood in hand they left as they had said they would.

“What have you done? I told you not to give it to them.”

“Why wouldn't I? I just wanted them gone.” I was still freaked out and shaking from the encounter with the Grand Council and now my home felt violated too.

“Because now, they have their proof,” he whispered.

“What?!?!”

“Your alpha line will run strong through your blood.”

“Why did you let me do it then?”

“Kels, they silenced me. I tried to tell you, but you wouldn't listen.”

“Silenced you?”

“Yes, they are very powerful Alphas, they can even silence a bond. We need to call my dad and prepare our pack. Once they know what you are, they will come after us. It's only a matter of when now.”

I began sobbing. What had I done? How could I have been so stupid? But how could I possibly have known they could tell all that from a drop of blood? Our pack would be forced into war and it would be all my fault. What could I do now? Run? It's what's always kept me alive. I would run, on my own. They wouldn't hurt Kyle if I weren't here, would they?

“Babe, stop thinking like that. You aren't running away. Not without me. And apparently not without the entire pack from the sounds of things last night. We are strong together. They will not defeat us. And to answer your question, no. If you ran they would simply kill me knowing it would also kill you, remember.”

“They wouldn't dare! Would they?”

“It's possible. But we aren't going to find out. You hear me?”

He pulled me close to his body, still warm and naked from his transition from wolf. I clung to him, taking in as much of his scent as I physically could breathe in while fighting back hysterics.

“It's going to be okay, Kels, but I have to call and warn Dad. They came at us in the middle of the night while we were most vulnerable. They will not hesitate to do that again.”

It took several phone calls, but within the hour the entire Pack Council and a few other notable wolves from the Westin Pack filled our living room and dining room areas. Each had been informed on what the Grand Council had done and were furious. Strategies and ideas were flying all around from each of them.

Elise hugged me tight and kept telling me it was going to be okay.

“Maybe they won't find anything out from your blood and it'll all blow over,” Lily encouraged with little faith.

Jason had the phone glued to his ear making calls to allies outside the pack. He called in every favor possible as he set up alliances.

“Collier, Longhorn, and Central Pack of New York are onboard. They are each sending an elite team of representatives to stand and fight with us should it come to it. Alaska and the Virginians are staying neutral for the time being. They want to see what, if anything, arises before choosing a side. And unfortunately, Dermot, Patrick's father, is still a bit miffed over his refusal to fight in the challenges, but not enough to go against his son either. Since Patrick has allied with us, the Irish Clan will neither fight against or for us.”

“How many packs are there anyway?” I asked aloud. The room went quiet as all eyes glued on me.

“Well, my dear, there are many packs around the world, but only eleven that we know of big enough to cause a war.”

“The Grand Council recognizes fifty-seven packs worldwide, last I heard confirmed,” Cole Anderson added.

I couldn't believe there could possibly be that many wolf shifters in the world.

“The Westin Pack is amongst the largest in numbers, Kelsey. Some of the recognized packs could have as few as four members.” Cole added seeming to read my mind. “The top eleven packs each have more than five hundred shifters and comprise the majority of known wolf shifters in the world.”

“So, Collier, Longhorn, Central, Alaska, Virginia, and the Irish Clan are all part of the top eleven too?”

“Yes,” Kyle joined in. “We have four confirmed, including our pack, willing to fight if it comes to it and three more currently staying neutral. That still leaves four packs that could potentially ally against us. But hopefully that will bring an even match, or best we have the slight advantage because of the size of our pack and the fact that they will have to bring the fight to us.”

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