Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Warm arms wake me from my apparent slumber, cold air meeting my skin causing me to shrink into the warmth holding me.

“We’re home Amberle. You can go back to sleep.” I nod, the familiar scent of my house wrapping around me. The sweet embrace of sleep mixed with the familiarity of home relaxes my sore body, lulling me into dream land once again.

…

Morning light passes through and onto my eyes, waking me from my dreams as I meet the gaze of ice blue eyes. Dominic smiles at me, placing a kiss on my forehead as I let out a yawn. My warm bed felt like heaven under me, the familiar smell of lavender and vanilla from the fabric softener I use reminding me that I am safe in Blood Moon.

“Good morning.” I mumble out through another yawn, snuggling into Dominic’s arms and resting my head on his chest, finding comfort in his steady heart beat.

“Good morning beautiful.” Warm hands run through my hair, my eyes closing with content when a light kiss is placed on the top of my head. We spent the morning in bed, deciding that cuddling is needed. I ask about the wolves from Forest Paw, wondering if they have been settled in yet. Sidney, Avery and Camile were asked to organize housing for the many wolves, some being settled into our dormitories, others moving into vacant houses around the pack and the rest inside our own guest cabin. I sigh, realizing we will have to expand our pack in order to accommodate our new members and that we will have to call some witches in to reinforce and extend our territory protection to help hide our packs presence from the world. There will be a lot of work and ceremonies in the next few days for our pack, another month of getting the new members up to par with the rest of Blood Moon.

“We should go to lunch at the pack house and see everyone.” Dominic suggests, my stomach growling in agreement at the thought of food. My mate chuckles at me, giving me a quick peck on the cheek before climbing out of the bed and disappearing into the closet, returning dressed with a hand full of clothes for me; cotton under garments, leggings and a baggy sweater I stole from him a while ago.

“I’ve been looking for this.” He laughs out, handing me the bundle of clothes. I smirk, quickly changing as the blue sweater engulfs my body, the hemline falling to my knees.

“Yeah I think I have four more somewhere in the house that belongs to you.” I admit, taking Dominic’s outstretched hand. He just chuckles at me, shaking his head as we head down the stairs and into the garage, Dominic offering to drive us to the pack house. I felt like a pup on Christmas day, excitement at seeing my pack mates after a good month away from everyone. The drive felt like an eternity when the four-story building finally came into view, a grin spreading across my face as I rush out just as Dominic turns off the car, spotting Avery and tackling her in a hug. I missed my best friend, hearing her chuckle as we land in the snow, a very worried and over protective Dominic hovering near me.

“Amberle, you’re pregnant and with a concussion so don’t throw yourself at people.” He cries out in frustration, helping me up and dusting the snow off of me.

“Wait, what?” A look of confusion and shock is plastered on my friends face, causing me to chuckle and wink at her as I help her to her feet.

“Call everyone into the dinning hall, Dominic and I have a lot to explain.” I retort with instead, walking away from Avery as Dominic leads me into the pack house and out of the cold. I spy Zack and Blue talking with Christian just inside the pack house, the three of them sitting on the stairs laughing away.

“Think you can link the wolves from Forest Paw and tell them to come to the dining all in the pack house?” I ask my brother, getting a nod as my reply. Wolves were filing into the pack house, many welcoming Dominic and I back home while giving questioning gazes to the multiple new wolves. They will get their answers later when everyone is here. Christian and Blue excuse themselves, wanting to take a head count on all the wolves and make sure everyone is here, not before I notice Christian slip something into Dominic’s hand. Our dining hall is also our meeting hall, the room having to be expanded earlier this year in order to accommodate our growing pack, so I had no worries with wolves not being able to squeeze in, we even added a stage to make announcements on that has come in handy as it made it a lot easier to address the pack.

After twenty minutes of waiting, talking with Zack, Camile exits the dining hall, explaining that everyone is situated and we can enter. Zack excuses himself to find his mate as Dominic and I make our way through the crowd and onto the stage, Camile, our Beta Female, taking the time to stand beside Christian, giving her mate a peck on the cheek.

“Yesterday we did not have a chance to explain what happened at Forest Paw as it was to late at night.” Dominic begins, motioning for me to take the lead as I was the main trainer. I sigh, stepping up to the podium and look over at the crowd.

“The trip was a success to a degree.” I begin, wincing slightly when I accidentally bump my stomach into the wooden structure before me. Some of my pack mates send a concern look and I smile, trying my best to reassure them.

“We trained the wolves as promised and even defeated an army of Soulless. But there seems to be trouble brewing. If our suspicions are correct, there is a Soulless working on building a bigger army. For what, we have no idea. Everyone will be training, even the pups, to learn some measures of self-defence and we will have monthly meetings to update you on any leads. You may see leaders of ally packs coming every so often but other than that I believe our pack is one hundred percent safe.” I can see the questions in each and every members gaze, some reaching out to pull their pups closer. I learned that unlike most Alphas that prefer to hide things from their pack, Dominic informed everyone on any threats or concerns, wanting his pack members to be safe and prepared for anything. This had gained more respect from me as I continue to work and get to know everyone, being privy to information and also giving the power to speak about these concerns on many occasions to the pack. Dominic steps up beside me, a smile in his eyes as he wraps his arm around my waist, careful not to move to quickly while taking a spot in front of the micro phone.

“Many of you have noticed at lease two-hundred new wolves. They will be initiated into the pack this Saturday as new members. As of yesterday, Blood Moon and Forest Paw are no longer allies.” A gasps sounds collectively in the room, the Forest Paw wolves receiving glares from the Blood Moon, causing me to growl a warning at my pack mates. Technically these two-hundred wolves are rogues right now. It isn’t their fault their Alpha is a piece of shit. My growl silences the crowd, some hanging their head in shame at their behavior and I motion for Dominic to continue.

“As many of you may know, my mate rejected me when I turned nineteen after betraying our pack. Well the Moon Goddess blessed me on birthday and Amberle and I became each other’s second chance mate.” He continues, many hoots, cheers, and a few “final-fucking-lees” were heard throughout the crowd. This time Dominic had to growl to silence everyone before we can continue.

“Leo decided that yesterday he would try and rape Amberle, wanting to claim the mate bond that is already broken. The worst part of this is that he was drunk on moon shine and Amberle is pregnant with my pup. This is why we are no longer allies.” Shocked gasps follow suit, growls of anger towards Leo being directed at the innocent wolves from Forest Paw. Anger swells inside me at how disrespectful everyone is behaving, releasing a growl that promised hell to those who continued. I can already see Avery and Silver writing a list of those who will be punished. They had no right to treat innocents this way especially since pups are in the crowd.

“I gave an option to Forest Paw wolves, letting them know they are welcomed to join us or be enemies to us. I forgot to also offer them a chance to join an ally pack of ours if they wish to join another pack, Blood Moon will gladly offer them support. I do not want any of you to discriminate them as they are also wolves who grew up with Alpha Amberle and they will not be treated any less than anyone else of Blood Moon.” Dominic finishes, his eyes also glaring angrily at his wolves. Dominic goes to say something, his eyes staring at a particular group of wolves that continue to glare at our soon to be new members, catching a look of fear in Lilly-Ann’s eyes as my niece clings closer to her mother.

“Avery, Silver, bring me the list of those who will be having special training for being rude to our new pack members. I have a new training idea in mind.” I state, seeing the fear in many eyes. I may have an easy-going personality, but I also had a bottom line, and that line has been crossed.

“Just so you all know, my brother, his mate and his pups are here. If any of you lay a hand on them, consider yourself rogues.” I add the threat. I seen some wolves looking at Zack, a challenge in their eyes that quickly diminish with I motion from Zack and his family to come on stage. If anyone hurt my brother, there will be hell to pay.

“This concludes our announcement. If you have any questions or concern feel free to come talk to us.” Dominic finishes, indicating for everyone to go about their day. Many wolves leave the dinning hall, some having patrols, others having business to attend too. My focus now is leaving the stage and making a beeline for the buffet table. I want food and orange juice and I want it now. With a full plate and a large glass of the citrus drink, I make my way around the hall towards a table where Zack, Abby, Lease, Avery and Camile sat with Dominic following behind me.

“How does it feel to be home?” Camile asks as I sit down.

“Relieved and happy. I gained a lot of closure at Forest Paw, but I was home sick missing Blood Moon.” I answer honestly. The smell of the forest here is sweeter, the evergreen pines spreading its scent everywhere. The air is fresher, the water sweeter and the way nature takes over away from civilization always brings a sense of ease. Forest Paw was too close to towns for me. Laughter from behind me catches my attention and I spot Lilly-Ann and Claira running around with other pups, their faces full of smiles.

“How are you settling into Blood Moon?” I direct my question to my brother and his mate, Abby preoccupied with eating a slice of toast with jam.

“It feels different. I think for once in a long time Abby and I were able to sleep without having to keep one eye open for once in our lives since becoming mates. I feel at ease here.” Zack answers, chuckling at Abby who moans with every bite of her toast.

“Babe you have to try this, the jam is incredible.” Abby states, spreading more of the strawberry jam in a very familiar jar. Zack complies to his mate’s demand, taking a bite of the offered morsel, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Holly fuck that’s good. Amberle where can we buy it?” Avery starts laughing, her eyes twinkling with mirth as she catches my gaze.

“Amberle grows the fruits and berries in her green house and her and Avery make the jam.” Dominic answers, my brother’s shocked gaze meets my eyes and I nod, stealing the sausage off of Dominic’s plate, scarfing it down. I watch as Abby tries the two other jams on the tables, a blueberry and a peach one, moaning with each bite and causing all of us to laugh at the she-wolf with amusement.

“Dominic, there’s a problem.” Christian states, coming up beside Dominic his lips a firm grim line.

“Zack you should come too, link Blue to meet us up on the second floor” He continues, a look of sympathy for my brother passing through my Betas eyes. Avery volunteers to look after Zack and Abby’s pups, Camile following behind us as the six of us head upstairs. Blue follows, a sigh on his lips when he sees us. Inside Dominic’s office, I take a seat in my favourite chair, everyone else finding a place to sit or a wall to lean on.

“What’s going on?” Zack asks, concern etched into his eyes.

“We had a distress call come in an hour ago. Forest Paw was attacked earlier today, and many were killed.” Christian answers, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. I see the look of panic in Blue’s eyes, no doubt thinking about his son and the wolves he left behind.

“Leo managed to free Mia and the two fled with a few strong wolves, leaving the others to fend for themselves.” A fist breaks through the wall, Blue letting out a growl that sends tendrils of fear into my heart. Zack takes deep breaths, Abby whispering soothing words to her mate, but I catch her skin ripples. I myself felt numb. We left a lot of wolves at Forest Paw, those who believed in Leo and gave him another chance. But that bastard ran away like a coward.

“What should we do?” Camile asks, her hand clutching mine with the shock of this news.

“We help them. If they want to join Blood Moon, we let them. If they want to find a new pack to join, we talk to that pack’s Alpha and bring them there safely.” Dominic answers. I agree with him. These wolves blindly followed a wolf that lead them to their ruin. Even if they were idiots for being sheep following the herd, they were innocent wolves left in a ruined pack. Zack and Blue finally settle down for us to come up with a plan, Blue looking like he aged another decade or so with shoulders slumped. A pack that his family had led for hundreds of years ruined at the hands of his son. Fate is cruel. Wolves will be leaving tonight with vans and supplies, heading towards Forest Paw to help them. What ever the rest of Forest Paw decides to do, Blood Moon will help as they were packless and Alphaless. Our meeting takes us well into dinner time when all is settled, Dominic deciding that dinner is a great idea.

Walking into the dinning hall, Dominic takes my hand and leads me away from the buffet table, determination in his eyes.

“What are you doing?” I question, irritated that he would take me away from the orange juice.

“You’ll see.” He chuckles out. The dining hall grows quiet, wolves noticing their Alphas on stage.

“Everyone I want you all to bear witness for a moment.” Dominic calls out, pulling me away from the podium where he falls to one knee, removing a box from his back pocket.

“Amberle, I have known for a while how much you mean to me. Even more so now that we are mated.” He begins, tears forming in my eyes. The box is open and inside is a gorgeous white gold ring, a sapphire imbedded into the top.

“I wanted to do this when we are home, with our family watching us.” He continues, the tears now falling down my cheeks as happiness surges inside me.

“Fire, will you marry me.” I nod, sticking out my left hand rather shakily as I wipe away the tears.

“What’s that?” He asks.

“Yes.” I whisper.

“I still can’t hear you.” He sighs out, a playful smile on his face. I roll my eyes, pulling Dominic up to stand and place my mouth near his ear.

“Yes” I yell out, watching my mate jump back and wince. Good. Werewolf hearing, both a blessing and a curse.

“Okay , you don’t need to yell.” Dominic chuckles out, placing the ring onto the fourth finger of my left hand before sealing our engagement with a kiss. We may not know what lies ahead with all that has happened in the past few weeks, but as long as we stay together there will always be hope.