“No?” He shouted, staring back. I could feelthe hair rising on my arms. Sweat broke out on my upper lip.
“How long do you think she can hold hisgaze?” Jai asked as his mother swatted his head and shushed him.
“Aurora, you are MINE. If someone thinks theycan take you from me, there is only one response they deserve. Death.”
My breath was ragged now and even Kai lookedstrained. What was I doing?
I broke his gaze and stared at my feet. “I don’t want youhurt like that. Not ever again.” I sounded defeated, like a little girl.
Everyone at the table was deadly silent. Icollapsed back into my chair dreading the thought of ever seeing him hurt likethat again. Kai walked over and picked me up, carrying me to my room. Hestruggled to open the door as I laid my head on his chest. Tears fell down mycheek. When we got inside, he dropped me on the bed. He curled up next me andkissed my forehead.
“Believe it or not, I am a good fighter. Ihave been around so long because I have survived many, many fights. Fights ofdominance, fights for territory, fights for Alpha status and whatever else. Ican and will fight for my mate. If he sent vampires once, he will do it again.He is known for running a dirty pack. I have heard recent rumors that hisunmated women are treated like sex toys and his men fight to the death overdominance. They all live in poverty and steal from humans. I would be doing theworld a favor.”
I sighed. He was right.
“So you’re just going to barge in there andkill him? Won’t they smell you coming?” I ask.
“They will smell me coming. If I were tobarge in there in a rage, I would be torn apart by his pack. I’m going torequest a meeting and then I’m going to challenge him for Alpha status of hispack. It’s the only way to insure a clean fight. It’s a fight to the death andno one can intervene.”
“So, if you are tearing their Alpha apart, noone can jump in?” I queried.
“Correct. Pack law will make sure. My packwould report it and a werewolf from the council would come dispose of theperson who intervened.”
Dispose of? Geez.
“What if he is about to kill you? You expectme to stand there and watch you die?”
I twirled my hair around my finger in anervous gesture. He grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. “I’m not goingto die. I have too much to live for now.”
I left the room and said goodnight to his family.They all acted like we hadn’t just gotten in a big dominance fight. Maybe itwas common in werewolf culture. I went to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Iwas coming out of the bathroom when I noticed Kai in my bed.
“What are you doing in here?” I whispered.
He pouted. “Come on, we’re mates. My motherdoesn’t care.”
I put my hand out. “We are mates but we arenot yet mated. So no. You need to leave. I don’t want them thinking bad of me.”
Kai looked hurt but brushed it off. “Iforgot, I’m just your boyfriend,” he said before shutting the door.
I sighed. Great. I lay down and tried tosleep but it was hard. I tossed and turned thinking of the vampires, of beinghunted, of my argument with Kai. I thought of Sylvia saying I had witch powersthat she could activate. Finally I turned to look at the clock, 1 am. God, Ireally needed sleep. I chewed on my bottom lip, making a decision. I opened mydoor slowly and peeked out. All clear. I crept down the hall to Kai’s room. Thesecond I turned the handle, he sat up quickly and stared at the door. His hairwas ruffled and he looked adorable. He smiled. “What took you so long?”
I grinned, shut the door, and climbed intobed with him. The second his arms closed around me, my mind shut off and Islept.
The next morning was a mandatory weekly packbarbeque. Even the wolves that lived on the edge of our territory drove in forthe event. I took time to get to know each wolf. Sammy was fifteen and ouryoungest wolf; he was best friends with Akash. Besides Emma, Anna, and I, therewas only one other female and she was unmated. Her name was Oksana and she wasUkrainian. She lived on the edge of our territory with her boyfriend Dominicwho was also in our pack but they weren’t mates.
Diya and Trent were really getting alongwell. You could see the romance budding between them and she looked genuinelyhappy. Trent looked head over heels in love with her already. He looked at hera certain way; his look said he adored her. It reminded me of the way Kailooked at me.
After we had eaten, Kai cleared his throat.“As you all know we had some vampires trespass on our territory and try to takeone of our pack members. This deed cannot go unpunished!” He roared the lastsentence letting some of his Alpha power leak through. The pack roared theirapproval.
“We know the Portland pack is behind this andso I have decided to challenge Dane for Alpha status of his pack and take overhis territory.”
You could hear a pin drop. No one saidanything but the more submissive wolves looked scared and the dominant wolveslooked proud.
“I know merging our pack with new memberswill be hard at first. If you are currently fourth in the pack, you might beeighth after we merge. I have never been a wolf seeking out a big pack or alarge territory. Dane runs a dirty pack as you all have heard. When I kill himand take over, some of his pack mates won’t want to stay under my command. Somewill be relieved. I will run this new pack the same way I always have. Minimalfights, respect, and you will all still be family to me.”
I could see the packs facial expressionschange. They trusted Kai. They would do anything for him.
“Aurora is special,” Kai finished. “A biggerpack and more territory also means we can better protect her against futureenemies. The three vampires who came for her will not be the last. She has abeautiful gift that has already seen three of our pack members mated. Soon wewill have small pups running around this mountain. There will be weddings. Thispack will grow, but not because we are after numbers, because we want to growas a family.”
