"Could this be the same poison that is in Savannah's blood?" Dax mind-linked both my father and me.

"Sounds like it. Your mother can handle the external wounds, but the poison will be difficult for her to heal. Blood transfusions may be our only hope if it gets in the bloodstream,” dad mentioned.

Dax hummed, listening to our conversation. "We could ask nearby covens." Dax and I stopped in our tracks, watching father continue to walk back to the back house.

"What are you saying? Borrow some blood from some Vampires in this realm?" Father shrugged his shoulders. His large paws trudged through the lowering river as many continued to carry our wounded, and father had the barely conscious human bear.

"Doesn't hurt to ask; it is better to be safe than sorry when we have that many Wolves at stake to be poisoned. We also need to brief the rest of the pack that they cannot ingest any rogue blood. It could prove fatal if we didn't pump their stomachs."

Dad externally growled, "Your mother and I will head north; there is a blood bank that will most likely be fully stocked. Shit," Dad stood two hundred feet from the packhouse.

"What is it?" Dax stood beside dad in an attack position.

"Looks like we got another mated couple, and this one will be epic for how long she has looked for her mate."

Seraphina

"Everyone inside, come on, let's go!" Tua was not stepping up to do her Luna duties; she was staring off into space with a golden look in her eyes. Her baby was wrapped up tightly around her body, shielding it from anything that could harm it. Not only that, her body was levitating, making it easier for me to pull her along with us, but it was strange nonetheless.

"Tua, please wake up," I hissed, trying to wrangle all the women and children. I swear some of these pups were like squirrels at a rave. I'd lead them one way, but they go to another. Sighing heavily, I gripped hold of Tua around my arm and pushed her inside the bunker.

Zoey was staring around helpless until several Wolves began putting babies in her arms. Even though there were women warriors of the pack, it did not mean they were excused from their duties when they had babies of their own. Zoey was now the official baby holder, and her smile brightened. "Looks like you are the official baby wearer, huh?" I joked.

"Yeah, I suppose I am," she giggled. "It will keep my mind off of some things." One of the babies nuzzled into her chest, falling into a deeper sleep.

"There's my girl!" Soren walked up and pecked Zoey gently on the head. It wasn't awkward; Soren made it flow effortlessly like a real couple. Lonato stood in front of the bunker doors, glaring at Soren like this head should be on a skillet. Zoey smiled back, blushing as she wrestled the babies back in a comfortable position in her arms. "I have to say, you look amazing. Holding the pups in your arms like that makes me want to put a pup in you." Zoey's face grew bright red, giggles left her mouth. She tried to cover her face, but to no avail; she was the brightest one in the room.

I snorted, thinking how cheesy it sounded, but it was working, and it was working really well. Lonato had steam coming out of his ears, and it only made me surer that Lonato was indeed her mate. So did the other Wolves; several of the seasoned women were giggling and cackling, watching how Lonato was losing his damn mind.

The first time I met Lonato, I knew he was stubborn. He was stoic, had no funny business, and rarely talked to other humans. Now he is over here, gripping the cement door and crumbling it like it was Styrofoam.

"Look over there Z, looks like you've got Mr. Head Warrior all in a huff…" Soren kissed her forehead again, waving at both of us while he walked away. "I will get at least two Bears for the both of you, my ladies, to cover your floors with their delicate furs." One elaborate bow later, Soren turned only to have Lonato's claws around Soren's neck. It was so fast no one saw it coming. Soren flipped over Lonato, whose grip only tightened around Soren's neck. Lonato's black eyes bore into Soren.

"Fuck!" Soren gasped for air, clawing Lonato's hands. The back of Soren's head hit the cement bunker wall; the smell of blood filled the air while the rest of the women and children looked on in horror. These Wolves were supposed to be protecting outside of the bunker to ensure there wasn't another ambush coming inside. Now the top warriors were fighting each other. The bunker was a haven, but now it was filled with raging testosterone. No one dared intervene as Soren finally broke free, using his knee to ram right into Lonato's stomach. In the brief moment of recovery, Soren grabbed Lonato behind the head, only to be flipped over by Lonato's overwhelming strength. There was no doubt that Lonato was the more experienced fighter.

"What did I say about Zoey? You stay the fuck away from her! You hear me?!" Lonato growled, his eyes were now red, claws pinching Soren's neck.

"What?" Zoey's whisper was barely heard, but the room full of Wolves heard it loud and clear. The babies were immediately taken from her since she was involved in the scuffle. No one wanted their child near a woman where Wolves fought dominance over.

Lonato and Soren stood up; the small cut on Soren's eye was already healing. Lonato looked down at Zoey, as she took a few timid steps towards Lonato. Lonato didn't move; the heavy breathing of Lonato's Wolf breathed heavily into the room. A pin could be dropped, and everyone could hear it.

"Why can't Soren be around me?" Zoey's voice was meek, not the usual snarky attitude she likes to hit with men she likes. Lonato's eyes didn't leave Zoey's. His voice wavered, and his eyes softened.

"He just can't," the deep velvet voice painted the room red. Women gasped; some disappointed teenagers snapped their fingers, waiting for money to be put in their hands.

Both my fingers crossed, babies now being handed to me as other warriors rushed out of the room. Was this it? Was this the final straw to let Lonato get over himself and have Zoey as his mate?

"No, he can't." Lonato spat. "No Wolf can have you." Lonato turned, stomping away. Zoey held her chest like her heart was ripped straight from the rib cage. A silent sob heaved from her chest, and her head rested on my shoulder. So much for that brilliant plan.

The cement doors at the top of the stairs were slowly closed, Wolves heading into their positions in the bunker. Making food, starting water preparations, and keeping the little ones occupied and not afraid. Petting Zoey's hair, I kissed the side of her forehead, hugging her close. We both looked up, just a few feet between the two cement doors to close.

"Except me. I am the only Wolf that can have you," Lonato yelled across the room. Zoey and I stood stunned until the doors closed, and every woman in the room screamed out like a bunch of teenagers that had too much pop on a movie night.

That is, until we heard a joyous scream and howls as the bunker shook like thunder all around us.

Chapter Fifty-Two

Seraphina