Page 16 of Moonlit Bonds

It’s the wrong thing to say. “Then if I can’t have you, I’ll take the pack.” Quickly, she shifts into a large, snarling wolf, and attacks me before I can shift in turn.

In the blink of an eye, I morph, my wolf much larger than Gloria’s, towering over her slighter form. I lower my head, growl at her, show her my teeth in an attempt to get her to back down. But she doesn’t listen to her instincts. Instead, with her sharp fangs bared at me, she leaps forward, snapping at my neck, my side, anywhere she might do me damage.

I whip my head to the side to dodge her next attack. In less than a few heartbeats, I find her neck and sink my teeth into it.

The fight goes out of her the moment I lock my jaw, using my superior strength to force her down to the ground on her belly. She whimpers.

I taste her blood on my tongue, smell her fear and hear her pleas. Clarity slams into me before I do any more damage to her. I will fight for those I love and protect mine, but I won’t kill without necessity.

I growl louder, more menacing, waiting for Gloria’s submission. She whimpers again loudly, tucking her tail between her legs and at last goes limp.

When I finally drop her to the ground, she turns over on her back, belly up, showing submission.

The echo of the cabin door slamming open sounds before Seraphina and Dad round the cabin. Sera stares at us, her eyes wide, but she doesn’t seem shocked or surprised at my wolf.

“Now what do we do with her?” Seraphina asks.

“He’ll take her back to the pack elders and they will have the final decision,” Dad answers for me.

So many unasked questions played in that space, but Gloria’s submission requires me to hurriedly proceed.

Shifting back to my human form, fully dressed, I yank up Gloria by her scruff. “It’s time for the pack to decide your fate.”

I only hope the elders might see reason. As I glance at my witnesses, my dad and Seraphina, I can’t help my lack of confidence, my victory slowly receding under a tide of concern and worry. The elders have certainly not instilled any confidence in me in regard to their bad decisions of late.

We head back to my truck in silence. My thoughts whirl together in a mess. My dad drives with Seraphina up front in the passenger seat, as I still hold on to Gloria in the back. Finally, pulling up in front of Mortimer’s place, I hop out, dragging Gloria with me.

Dad and Sera trail a few steps behind us, both of them wearing similar expressions of hesitation and concern.

“What is the meaning of this?” Mortimer cries out as I throw Gloria on the ground at his feet.

She curls up into a tight ball, tucking her back legs against her chest and refusing to look at anyone.

“Gloria has broken pack rules by assaulting my mate and myself. She has submitted to my rule and the elders must rule straightaway on her punishment.”

Mortimer works quickly to disguise his shock. He stares down at Gloria. “Is this true, girl?”He waits a beat, listening to her shivering silence, before barking out, “Speak!”

Gloria quickly rises in human form from the ground at the command in his tone. “I have read the books, the prophecies and believe that our Alpha, to truly rule, must have his mate.”

A crowd starts to gather around her as Gloria speaks, and the extra bodies only add to her confidence. Color blossoms on her cheeks.

“And only then will we be protected,” she continues. “The Alpha did subdue me, but all I did was for the good of the pack. The woman he brought to our lands is a witch, and such must not be trusted.”

Loud murmurs roll across those gathered here.

I feel them all staring at me. Rather than allowing Gloria the opportunity to sway them with her fanaticism, I say, “I am the Alpha. This is true. But it is also true that Fate determines when we bond and with whom. I am bound to Seraphina, but even more I love her.” I turn to stare at her. “This wasn’t planned, but I am happy to have her by my side. She will make us strong.” I broadly grin. It feels good to share the truth with everyone. This is the hard part, if they will accept us as the Alpha pair.

A murmur ripples over those gathered.

“A witch? You’ve chosen a witch?” Auntie McClellan moves to the front of the crowd. “My father would roll over in his grave. You’ll sully our line.” She moves to slap me, when my dad catches her hand mid swing.

His paleness is gone and some of the light has returned to his eyes. Auntie only gapes at him in shock.

“You will not break up another family, Katherine. The invisible strings of fate have bound them and there is nothing you can do.”

“You see how the alpha doesn’t even support our ways,” Gloria says. “How will he protect us when he chooses that of magic over us?”

Again, the crowd mumbles their concern.Through it all, Sera remains trembling at my side, our arms pressed together.

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