I went back and grabbed Melanie, ready to get out of here. Of course I heard the growl signaling someone found their mate. I was stunned that it was Bradford and Karina. I knew Karina had been visiting her grandparents.
Aunt Katie was sending reports on her progress and what the spell was doing. Honestly, I was glad Patricia wasn’t here to ruin this moment for Bradford and Karina. Because I knew she’d have thrown a fit about it.
I knew Bradford had always wanted his mate. Before the most recent events in our pack, he might have believed he was above doing the work of an Omega. Lately, I’d heard him tell his friends he didn’t care what rank his mate was. He just wanted her.
Melanie and I congratulated them both. I popped my wife away to enjoy our wedding night, letting my mate know we’d be going somewhere the week after next. I had a lot of places I wanted to take her that I wanted her to see. I hadn’t picked where we’d go just yet.
Melanie started ranting about birth control and pups. I knew she needed time, and I was in no rush. If she wanted to, I was in. The truth was I didn’t mind keeping her to myself just for a while. I couldn’t deny I was looking forward to her heat, though.
We didn’t leave our bedroom the entire next day. EJ linked me, “So, certain people have been watching everyone come down the stairs like hawks. There are a lot of people who want to pounce on you guys. I just felt the need to warn you of that.”
I informed him, “They will have to wait because we aren’t leaving this room. I waited for her long enough. So, I’m going to enjoy the day after our Mating Ceremony.” I did just that, and I made sure Melanie enjoyed it too.
When I woke up for my morning run, I wasn't surprised Melanie was already gone. I knew the wolf less were running early. I snapped myself some shorts and popped outside. Wesley snorted, “That’s a powerful smell, big brother.” I shrugged, “I just got married so I hoped you expected this scent. I figured I’d give you guys a head start today.” Preston laughed.
They were about to leave when Melanie linked asking where I was. I yelled, “WAIT!” Everyone turned on a dime. I knewwhatever was coming was bad, and I might need them. My dad asked, “What’s going on?”
My mom popped outside announcing “Eric, I have a bad feeling.” My dad sighed, “Of course you do. Alexander?” I explained, “Melanie asked where I was. Hold on. I’ll get details.” Oden snarled, “Someone is coming for mate!” Probably.
Sierra ran outside with Phil, Gage, and Abigial. Phil linked me, “My mate’s special watch turned red, and she’s freaking out. She’s convinced an attack is somehow coming.” Gage linked, “My mate also agrees since she saw the alert.”
Melanie confirmed it. What was more surprising was I felt my mate’s utter shock that she didn’t recognize the smell on the north border. I told EJ, “An attack is coming. Melanie said whatever they are, she doesn’t recognize their scent.” Sierra gasped, “Are you serious?” I nodded.
Dylan skipped over saying, “An unknown supernatural? GOD! I pick the best nights to spend the night here, and no one can doubt my amazingness. Don’t worry, I linked Lacy who linked Lucas. Lacy is READY to fight, and my mate obviously spent the night with me here.”
My dad rolled his eyes. EJ ordered, “Wes and Max take the East and West borders. I’ll take the South, and Alexander will take north to his mate. The rest of you split up between us.” My other brothers nodded. Dylan grabbed my dad as mom popped away, guessing as I did exactly where she’d go. To my mate.
I popped in with Phil, Sierra, Gage and Sierra. I left them behind me as I went to stand by Melanie. I nodded to my Guard, and they nodded back. I knew they were excited, because the Hackura loved a good fight. I also knew they would never let anyone touch me or Melanie.
I saw flashes of orange and black. I linked EJ, “You’re not going to believe this, but Tigers are about to attack us.” EJ linked, “I’m sorry they are Weretigers? They exist?” I snorted,“According to my mate they are actually Werebengals, and they do in fact exist. I’m looking at them.”
EJ asked, “What’s the damn difference between a Tiger and a Bengal?” I laughed, “Many things apparently.” EJ warned, “They are on the East border too. I’ve left men on the North and West borders. Stay safe, little brother.” I replied, “Right back at you, big brother.”
EJ linked the pack, and I instructed the Warriors on where to go. I could already tell these Tigers weren’t coming here peacefully. Oden said, “Freya doesn’t find it fair she can’t shift, but she does understand.” I wanted to wince, because it wasn’t fair.
I saw Bradford and linked him, “Take a group and get past the Tigers. I want you to see if more of them are coming.” EJ linked me, “Emmett has people coming up behind them.” I relayed that to Bradford, “Alpha Emmett and his people are coming, but you have a keen sense for this. I trust you to sniff them out.”
Bradford smirked replying, “I bet you’d never thought you’d say that to me.” He was right, I didn’t. I shot him a look. The man wiggled his eyebrows at me. This was just a different side of Bradford I will ill-prepared for. Oden hummed, “His wolf is better now too.”
I stood with Melanie at my side. I yelled, “One of you shift back and explain the meaning of coming towards Black Mountain’s territory like this. Do so now, or we will show you no mercy.” Oden scoffed, “I have little mercy as things stand.”
One shifted back and I snapped clothes on him. The man said, “Your pack is powerful enough. The time of the Bengal’s is now. We have come for one thing and one thing only. Once we have it, we will leave. We do not want to hurt you all.” He was lying.
I snorted, “I don’t know what rock you live under, but you will not defeat us.” The guy laughed, “You didn’t even ask whatI wanted.” I admitted. “I don’t really care. You could’ve set up a meeting with us, but you didn’t.”
“You chose to be aggressive and sneaky about coming here. You intended to take us unaware and harm my pack. I can’t say I like you much. Your intentions don’t matter. We have many things in this pack, but I’m not inclined to give you anything. Particularly since I know you’re lying. Your motivations tell me that.”
The man smiled boasting, “Bengals are sneaky. We want the White Wolf.” I growled at him. Oden snarled, “MATE IS NOT A THING! SHE IS A PERSON!” My dad said, “You came here and want to die for a rumor?”
The man said, “We have believed and been taught the white wolf was coming. We have been ready to unite and bring her home the moment she appeared. With her by my side, I will be powerful.” Melanie gripped my hand tightly. How dare he call my mate a thing and then say he wants her at his side!
Oden took over declaring, “Leave or die.” The man smiled mockingly saying to me, “Bad call.” He shifted back into his Tiger. Oden chuckled telling him, “I have skills you wouldn't believe.” Oden linked me, “They know Mate is the white wolf.” No.
I asked my wolf, “How do you know that?’ Oden answered, “Because Freya knows and she told me” I linked Melanie, “Stay by my side.” I’d tell her to run back to the house, but she wouldn’t. My wife nodded to me.
I studied her noting didn’t look afraid. I knew Freya had to have told her they knew her identity. Oden said, “Mate knows.” I turned to my Guard saying, “Illa vulnus in ea non accipit. oppugnabunt eam. Incolumem serva. (She does not get a single scratch on her. They will target her. Keep her safe).” My mom asked, “Quare (Why)?”
Melanie answered, “Oppugnabunt me quia sciunt me lupum album. unus dentium remotus est. Ador est, ut lupum album agnoscat. Familia eius per generationes iain debet. Freya alica cognoscit. Est aliquid facere nosmetipsos incolumes servare. Scientes quod venturi sunt nobis. (They are going to target me because they know I am the white wolf. One of his teeth has been removed. It was spelled to recognize the white wolf. His family must have been doing it for generations. Freya recognizes the spell. It's something we can do to keep ourselves safe. Knowing when they are going to come for us).”
