“Yes, it is correct. She is a talented warrior in her own right. She has no duties for the summer andhas accepted the job of training the warriors for the tournament. Her father is the Beta, and he has taught her well,” Alpha Bennett lamented.
“Alright, now let’s discuss these rumors we’ve heard about. Do you have any idea who has been spreading them? How do you plan on addressing them? I’m not happy hearing how one of my pack members is the butt of these rumors,” Alpha Blaine stated with venom in his voice.
“Nor am I happy with how Bree is depicted in these rumors. She is not deserving of what is being said of her as well.I plan on having a pack meeting tonight to address these rumors. You, your Betas, and Andy are more than welcome to join us,” Alpha Bennett announced as he looked around the room.
As they were talking, Andy was holding my hand. The more they talked about the rumors, the more I began to shake with fury. He swiftly took me out of my chair and placed me on his lap. He’s rubbing circles on my back and shushing me. Both Alphas noticed how upset I’ve become and how Andy was calming me down.
“Bree, I told you, you must remain calm. You cannot let this upset you like this.I know it is easier said than done, but we must keep our cool. We cannot overreact,” Alpha Bennett reminded me.
“I know Alpha Bennett, but … but I… sigh … I’m sorry. Please forgive me. You are right,” I retorted. I was still trying to calm down. I inhaled his pine and musk scent. I placed my head against his shoulder, and it helped me to relax and calm down. Andy kissed my temple gently.
“Andy, I’m glad you were able to help her calm down. This has upset her and her family. I can just imagine how you and your family are dealing with it. This is a huge mess. It’s supposed to a happy occasion, not make people miserable,” Alpha Bennett concluded.
“I’m just glad that I met her. I’m happy that she’s, my mate. She’s everything I could have hoped for and more. I’m just sorry that people can’t be happy for her or for us. It’s a shame really,” Andy mewled.
“Yes, it is. Welcome to the family Andy,” my father announced in the conference room as he approached us.
“Thank you, sir,” Andy said as he shook my father’s hand.
CHAPTER 3
The Rogue Attack
Alpha Blaine and Beta Edward stood still for a few minutes with their eyes glazed over. They were mind linking with someone. We all looked at each other with confusion on our faces. Even Andy looked confused.
Alpha Blaine announced, “We have trouble at oneof our borders, we have a large concentration of rouges, around 40 to 50. Luna Sophia and Luna Yvonne, you need to go to the safe room until we have cleared the danger. Bree, you need to make sure no one gets to the Luna’s. Your job is to guard the pack house and secure the Lunas. Understood?”
“Understood,” I replied as I scrambled to my feet. “Where is your safe room, Luna Yvonne?”
“This way, Bree,” Luna Yvonne stated before she pulled her mate into a quick kiss. She told her mate to be safe and to come back.
Andy came over and kissed me before he exited. “Be safe and come back,” I blurted out as he ran out of the room towards the border.
“Lunas, we need to get you into the safe room. Where is it?” I askedwhile trying to remain calm.
“It is over here. Come with me.Here it is,” Luna Yvonne stated as she pulled open a door and entered a series of numbers on a keypad.
I gathered everyone who could not defend themselves intothe safe room. I locked it and kept guard over the room. About 30 minutes later, I felt a pain in my chest. I fell to the floor. The pain was excruciating. Luna Sophia came over to see if I was alright. I didn’t know what to tell her. Someone was hurt, hurt really bad. My chest hurt so bad for what seemed like a long time but was really about 10 minutes. I was gasping on the floor trying to regain my breath and strength. I was able to finally breath and take a deep breath. My chest no longer felt like it was being attacked. It just felt hollow.
Luna Sophia watched over mefor a while. When we heard someone outside the safe room, I told everyone to stay back. I got to the front of the room and got into a defensive position to protect everyone. When the door opened, Alpha Blaine stood before us. He was covered in blood. Luna Yvonne rushed into her mates arms happy to see him. I simply stood there waiting to see Andy or dad or anyone else. Alpha Bennett was next in the room. Luna Sophia rushed into his arms kissing him soundly. Dad and Tom entered the room looking sad. Beta Edward followed dad, but Andy was nowhere to be seen.
“Where’s Andy?” I asked looking around themto find Andy.
“Bree, I… I… I am so sorry. He … he saved my life. He tackled a wolf that … that was on me. He was … he was killed by that wolf, Bree. I’m so, so sorry,” Tom sobbed as he approached me.
“He’s … he’s dead,” Iwhispered as dad approached me.
“Yes Bree. He’s dead,” dadsighed as he tried to hold me.
“Don’t touch me please.Don’t …” was all I could say as tears ran down my cheeks. I looked at Beta Edward, Andy’s dad who had tears in his eyes as well.
“Bree, I’m very sorry. He died with honor. He died protecting your brother,” Beta Edward stated as he walked slowly towards me.
“I know… he died … with honor. Beta Edward … I am so sorry … for your loss. May I ask a favor of you?” I sniffled as I tried to as him my question.
“Yes, my dear what is it,” heasked me with confusion clear in his voice.
“May I please come to his funeral. We were not fully mated, butI would like to honor his memory by attending his funeral,” I asked as the tears started to pour down my cheeks.