Bloom slides into the seat beside me and says loud enough for the room to hear. "Yes."
With that one word she has every eye drawn to her. "What, Darlin'?"
She sets her juice on the table, and instead of looking at me, she looks directly at Forrest and says with authority only born in a true alpha. "Forrest Savage, you and all the wolves under your protection are welcome to join our pack. My mate, myself, and your new pack will do everything in our power to continue giving you all the protection you seek and deserve."
Forrest turns his head, revealing his neck in submission, and his eyes flutter shut in clear relief. "Thank you."
Bloom moves to stand at his side. Everyone is watching her in awe, even myself. Power is rolling off her, blanketing everyone in the room with the feeling of protection she's conveying. With a hand placed gently to his face she makes him look at her. "It's our honor."
He covers her hand with his, pulls it to his mouth, and kisses the back. Releasing her he says. "You're a very special woman, Bloom Daniels."
"Masterson." I correct.
"Daniels. Masterson. Whichever! If you all keep throwing around words like special, gifted, brilliant, and unique, you're going to cause my bestie's head to inflate to uncontrollable proportions." Bonnie teases as she comes walking in with Tucker hot on her heels.
"I think I'm safe, Bon, the admiration goes in one ear and right out the other. But feel free to build a shrine in my honor." Bloom jokes, once again taking the seat beside me.
Bonnie bows. "I'll start construction as soon as we get back to Tennessee."
"If you must wait that long." My mate sighs.
Chapter 20 - Bloom
The log mansion the pack calls home comes into sight and I let out a sigh of relief. I can't say if it's because this place has become home or because I'm relieved to see the people standing outside waiting for us are safe. Either way I'm relieved.
As we climb out of the luxury RV, Hayden and the Savage boys are climbing out of the truck they used to follow us. The other former members of the savage pack rode with us so they'd be more comfortable, and so there'd be more room in the truck for the belongings they packed. Emily, Kit, and the Elders are standing outside to greet us. Pike instantly pulls his sister into his arms, picking her up, and swirling her around. She's giggling when he finally puts her feet back on the ground.
"It's good to see you too. But I'm not a little girl anymore." She points to the mating mark on her neck.
He snags the back of her head, pulling her to him, and placing a kiss to the top of her raven colored hair. "Congratulations!" Then he releases her and grabs Kit into a hug. "Welcome to the family." He turns his attention back to Emily. "I'm sorry we couldn't..."
"Don't even. You had to be there for Bloom."
"Well, once all the drama is behind us we're going to have a blow out of a party to celebrate all the newly mated pairs."
"Who else got mated?"
"Those nuts behind me." He responds while pointing over his shoulder at Tucker and Bonnie. Emily's eyes grow wide in surprise. "You caught her."
"I am not prey. If anything I'm the hunter in this relationship." Bonnie declares as she crosses her arms stubbornly.
Tucker arches one brow. "You barely reach my chest."
"I'm a Guardian." She shoots back with a glare.
"I'm an almost 300 pound wolf."
"Don't piss me off, wolf. I'm a trained hunter."
"Your little guns don't scare me. I heal quickly."
She pulls out the dagger Tillie and Heath gave her, and taps it against his chest. "Let's see how quickly you heal when I skin your wolf and put his hide in front of my fire place."
He grabs her at the waist, pulling her closer, all the while smashing the dagger between them. His head dips to her ear, and he whispers something only she can hear. Whatever he's saying has her melting against him, and a smile tugging at her lips.
Elder Fina, who along with everyone else had been watching the Tucker and Bonnie show, shakes her finger in their direction, declaring. "She may be human, but she's fierce like a wolf. I like her!"
Her declaration causes a ripple of chuckles to go through the group. All except Elder Cathal, whose brow is pinched in confusion. "Guardian?"
Pike moves towards him and pats him on the shoulder. "Let's go inside. We have a lot to tell you."
****************************
Our whole group, having moved into one of the conference rooms on the ground floor of the mansion, is sitting around an absurdly large mahogany table in butter soft brown leather office chairs. Pike has just relayed all the news not only about Oracles and Guardians, but also about Kyran's plan to attack. The attack has seemed to slip their notice because they've all latched onto the idea of our gifts. I'm feeling like a rare bug under a microscope as they're all looking at Amelia, Tillie, Bonnie, and myself in awe.
"Oracles and Guardian's? I thought they were a myth." Lilith Cade, Elder Andrew's mate, says not taking her eyes off me.
"So says the shifter." Bonnie shoots back. I can feel the tension coming off her through our connection. It's something I'm not use to. Bon and I have always been close but to know we have something that will always connect us is going to take some getting used to. Not to mention this crazy protective side. She's kind of turned into a miniature more lethal secret service agent. With a ton more fire power and skill.
"You've heard of them?" Elder Andrew questions his mate.
"My nana use to tell me a story when I was little about an Oracle and Guardian who saved their pack. It was my favorite bedtime story. I never believed they could be real."
"I don't know if the people from the story were real but Oracles and Guardians are, seeing that we now have four sitting in our presence." Pike responds.
"And Bloom has had a vision about Kyran leading this other pack to attack us?" Elder Cathal asks, finally moving onto the most important piece of information. It's about time!
I ignore my wolf and answer. "I have, though I can't say when they'll strike. I'm new to my gifts, so I can't control them."
Amelia taps the table to get my attention. "You'll eventually be able to with practice. But it'll take time."
"Can you see when the attack will happen?" Cathal asks her.
"For our gifts to work on that level we have to be connected to the person somehow. By pack, close friends, or blood. I'm new to this pack and though you may still consider him pack, the magic that binds me to you does not. So I have no way of searching out the future that's a direct result of his doing."
"So what do we do? We don't know who he has coming with him or even when to expect the attack." Elder Isla asks.
"We prepare. Bloom and Bonnie are going to work on their gifts. And the rest of the pack needs to brush up on their fighting skills." Pike states from his position at the head of the table.
"But..." Isla starts.
"No." Pike cuts her off. "I'm not forcing anyone. They'll volunteer and we'll need more than just fighters. We'll need people to protect the children and weaker wolves. And though we heal we'll still need people for medical just in case an injury needs some assistance while healing."
"I'll start the volunteer list as soon as you address the pack."
Pike nods. "I'm addressing them tonight." His face gets serious as he takes in everyone sitting around the table. I reach over and take his hand. He gives mine a squeeze but doesn’t take his eyes off his audience. "It's time to prepare for the war."
Chapter 21 - Bonnie
"Get up." Tillie commands, from her spot standing above me. Her hands are relaxing on her hips, and she's not even sweating. I on the other hand am dripping with it from the three hours of training she just put me through. It kicked my ass. Which is obvious by the fact that I'm lying like a limp noodle on the workout mat.
"You're trying to kill me." I whine.
"I'm trying to train you not to be killed." She shoots back.
"I have my guns. I'll be fine."
"Those toys will only get you so far. If you're going to protect your Oracle you need to be prepared for hand to hand combat."
"Don't you mean hand to paw?" She rolls her eyes at my sad attempt at a joke. Then she holds out her hand. "Come on. We'll get you some water and you can rest for a minute, but then we're going at it again."
Taking her offered hand I pull myself to my feet (with a lot of help from her). "Fine. But only because I don't want the people I love to die. If I didn't have to you know, save the pack, my cute ass would be shopping right now. Maybe sipping sweet tea on a porch swing. Anything, but having it kicked by you."
She tosses a bottle of water to me. "Noted."
I down half the bottle in one deep drink. Then I allow myself to crash in one of the chairs resting along the wall of the gym. Others are spread out around the large room, doing their own training. Pike's declaration of a coming war to the pack was taken seriously with every able body shifter volunteering for one of the positions needed. Now this gym is seeing a steady stream of action with people coming in shifts to prepare. A shooting range has even been erected on the back part of the property near the woods for the mates who aren't shifters, like myself. It's where I obviously excel. I'm a thousand times better with a gun in my hand. I've even taught a few classes to the mates who don't have firearm experience. But Tillie's right I need to be prepared for hand to hand combat. I can only carry so much ammo with me before I'll run out and have to find other means to fulfill my duty.
She takes the seat beside me with her own bottle of water. After taking a pull of the liquid goodness she swallows and then declares. "You're getting stronger."
"Really?" I ask in shock.
"Yes, really. And you're going to keep getting stronger. You're mated to a very powerful shifter."
"My big oaf is pretty bad ass. Isn't he?"
She laughs. "He is."
"Don't tell him I said that. I don't need his head getting any more inflated." I say taking another drink of water.
"Too late." Tucker responds through our bond.
"Damn." I reply, causing him to laugh.
"He picked it up didn't he?" Tillie laughs.
"Yes." I pretend to pout. "It's hard getting use to him being inside my head."
"You'll get accustomed to it." She tosses her empty bottle into a nearby trash can as she stands. "Now we just need to get you accustomed to doing a take down and you'll be set."
"I think there's a better chance of me getting use to another person talking inside my head."
****************************
Bloom
"Focus." Amelia, once again tells me. I feel like focusing on throwing something at her head. Okay, that isn't nice. She's being a patient teacher. I'm just being a not so good student. With my eyes closed I take a deep breath and try to draw in my focus.
"Do you have a pack member in your mind’s eye?"
"Yes." I reply. I've put all my energy on her son, Rex. During the training I've been cycling through the few people I've had a chance to connect with in the pack. Amelia said it would be easier to see their future if I've had some sort of interaction with them.
"Follow the pack connection to them. See what they're doing. What they're feeling." She continues to guide me.
I let my mind glide along the invisible ties that bind me to my pack, easily following it to Rex. He's in the gym with, surprise, surprise, Rhett and Hayden. Like the majority of the pack, they're training. He's nervous, which isn't a surprise. Most of the pack is with the war looming over head.
"I found him." I say quietly, afraid speaking any louder will make me lose the connection.
"Good. Now reach out in your mind and take hold of the ties that connect you to the person. It can be intense so try not to lose your hold on the connection."
I take in another deep breathe, release it, and then with my mind I latch onto Rex. I'm hit instantly with all his memories. It's dizzying. They're coming at me so quick I can't get much detail. It's like watching a movie on warp speed. Then all of a sudden it's as if the play button is pressed and I'm seeing what my gift wants, no, needs me to see.
Rex is still in the gym. I can tell it's still today because he's wearing the clothes he had on when I found him through the pack bond. But the room is darker. It's night. He's alone now, instead of goofing around with his brother and friend. He's focused, pounding a punching bag with every ounce of his strength.
Suddenly he grabs the bag, stopping it's movement, and spins around with his fists up. He drops them just as quickly and grumbles. "I thought I was alone."
"Didn't mean to interrupt the one man party." A feminine voice says on a tinkling laugh. "I can come back tomorrow morning if you don't want company."
Rex shakes his head. "I don't mind the company."
The girl walks further into the room. "Good. I'm usually too tired during the day to come fight the crowd to work out."
Rex gives her a questioning look, which she answers right away. "I work nights at the bar in town. Up all night. Sleep all day. Tonight's my night off so I thought I'd get some training in since I sure as heck won't be sleeping."
Rex nods, not taking his eyes off her as she gets down on a mat, pulls her dark strawberry blonde hair up into a knot on her head, and starts stretching. She looks up, sees his eye on her and smiles. "My name's Abby."
She extends her hand for him to shake. He moves to her, grasps her smaller hand in his own, and starts to introduce himself. "Re... Mine."
Her unique scent hits his nose. The smell of fresh lemonade and that's that. The mating call has taken hold.
She's his.
He's hers.
I pull out of the connection because I don't need to intrude on the special moment any further. My eyes flutter open and I'm grinning. "Rex is going to find his mate tonight."
"It's about time." Amelia chuckles. She reaches over, pats my hand, and then adds. "And good job. You're getting better."
"Let's go again!"
"Bloom." Amelia's voice takes on a warning tone.
"I need to get stronger."
"You shouldn't push yourself." She says, her voice softening.
"It's worth it. If something I see can prevent my pack from being harmed then it's worth the risk."
She gives in immediately on a sigh. "Fine. But don't even think about searching out Kyran. You aren't strong enough to handle that kind of mind, yet."
"I won't." I close my eyes, happy that I got my way. Not that I would've stopped practicing without her help, it's just nice to have it. "Let's go again."
****************************
Pike
"How'd Rose take the news about Kyran?" I ask, leaning on my forearms against my desk. Tucker's spread out on the sofa in my office like he doesn't have a care in the world. I know the posture isn't true to how he's really feeling. I can feel his anxiety just like I can the rest of the pack's. He's better at hiding it, is all.
"She's shut down from what Killian is telling me. She, of course, isn't talking to me at all." He answers, not looking at me but the ceiling.
"I hate to ask this, because she is your mom, but it has to be done."
"Shoot." He says, rolling to his side so he's facing my way.
"Kyran's her son, too. Can we trust that she's not still in contact with him?"
"A few weeks ago, I would've sworn my life on her loyalty to this pack." He heaves a sigh. "That was before I found out she abandoned her only daughter. Now, I can't be sure about anything she says or does."
I nod in understanding. What else can I do? I sure as hell am not going to going to lay all my issues with his relatives on his shoulder, as if it's his fault. Every man is responsible for their own faults in my eyes and those should not be thrown upon anyone else.
"How do we prepare for a battle when we don't even know our opponent?" Tucker asks.
"Kyran is the opponent."
"He may be guiding them to us, but he is not the leader of those w
olves. He's the instigator. Who's the leader?"
I lean back in my chair, forearms to the arms of the chair, nails digging into the leather. Tucker's right and I hadn't even let that sink in. "You're right. So what's this leader's motive for siding with Kyran?"
"More territory?" Tucker guesses.
"No, that doesn't feel right. There must be something else."
Chapter 22 - Rose
My feet carry me to her suite before I can back out of the decision. Grady's words echo through my head. "You don't have to do this alone." I push them quickly away, because I know I need to face this alone. Grady will want to protect me, but he can't this time. I deserve whatever punishment Pike and Bloom see fit to give me. I lift my hand and knock.
It's not long before the door swings open and my oldest son stands before me. His eyes take me in hesitantly. The distrust cuts like a knife, but I deserve that too. I lied to my boys and my pack for so long. I doubt I'll ever have their trust again. Especially, after my oldest deception comes to light.
"Something I can do for you, Mother?" His words sound forced, particularly around the last word. I ignore it for now, instead choosing to hide my disgrace by straightening my back and giving my request.
"I'd like to request an audience with my Alpha pair."
His eyes widen in shock, which he quickly covers. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Let her in." I hear a feminine voice call from inside the suite. My courage slips a little hearing her voice. She has so many reasons to hate me. I know that. Yet, it still hurts because whether she believes me or not, I do love her. I had my reasons for walking away like I did. And it's those reasons that have me walking into the room, even though I know I'm not wanted.
My eyes scan the room. I take in the Great-Aunt sitting beside her mate on one couch. Behind the opposite couch stands Billy. He's eyeing me with complete distrust. That's one more person to add to the list of people I love dearly that will never return the sentiment. I've made a true mess of my life. Sitting on the couch in front of Billy is Bloom. Her face is blank. That's better than the open hatred she's shown me before. Pike's to her right with his arms around her shoulder. His face is tight like he's trying to hide his dislike, ever the Alpha. To her right is my new daughter-in-law, the one people are referring to as a Guardian. I don't know what the term means, but if the rumors are true then the daggers she's shooting me with her eyes could easily turn into real ones embedded in my body. I'm happy to see my daughter inspires such loyalty, but it hurts knowing that I'm an outsider to that part of her life.
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