Chapter 6

The walk to my brother's office seemed interminable. I led the way, feeling his eyes on my backside. Just the feeling, made me shudder. I knew he could sense my uneasiness.

Going inside the office, he closed the door behind us. Suddenly, I felt like a trapped animal. "You don't have to be afraid of me." He looked me up and down, and his eyes changed color. "I don't think that dress is appropriate."

Looking at myself, I wasn't sure what he meant. "Why's that?" I shakily said.

"It shows too much of you. You're only for me," he purred. I hadn't even realized that he backed me into a bookcase, with nowhere to go. Dipping his head down, he took in my scent. "You smell so good, mate."

Worming away from him, I was seriously uncomfortable. "Please don't call me that!"

"Why? Why not?" he yelled. I recoiled in fear. "I'm sorry, Dakota. I don't mean to get this way, but you have to accept that you are my mate."

Sitting down on the bay window ledge, I didn't know what to do. Teary eyed, I looked straight at him. "There are so many more deserving females out there. Why me?"

Coming towards me, he knelt down. Even kneeling, he was still taller than I was. He took my face in both hands. "Because you, only you, are who I want. You are the female that I want in my life, in my bed, and by my side." He wiped my tears away with his thumb. When he touched me, I felt sparks all over my skin. I could clearly see the sincerity in his eyes. Nodding, he kissed my forehead. "Come on, let's go back to the party." We stood, and he towered over me, but I felt safe.

"Oh, hey, I need to check my face. Pretty sure I cried off my make-up," I joked.

"I'll go with you," he purred.

"You don't have to. It's girl stuff."

Putting a strong hand on my hip, he squeezed slightly. "I want to."

Rather than going upstairs to my bathroom, I went to the downstairs guest bathroom. Jason was hot on my heels, watching every move I made. Looking at myself in the mirror, I didn't look as bad as I thought I did. Taking a tissue, I wet it slightly, dabbing under my eyes. Only some of my mascara ran down.

"You know you don't need all that on your face," Jason remarked. He took a seat on the closed toilet, watching me. I didn't respond. "Did you think you had to impress me?"

"Honestly," I started, "I didn't know what to do. I've known about your pack for a long time. Known you've been with countless women--"

"How?" he asked.

"Girls at school talk," I answered. There was a low rumble in his chest. "Do you understand why I would think that I'm not worthy of an Alpha of your caliber?"

"Of course you are. You are a gorgeous woman, and any man who would have been your mate would have been lucky. Thankfully, I'm your man."  I smiled at him, gently. "You still aren't sure, are you?"

"I don't know how I feel," I confessed.

"Come, sweetheart," he said, extending his hand to me, "let's go back to the party."

Taking his hand, I felt the sparks goall the way up my arm. What is this feeling I keep having? Is it supposed to feel this way? He makes me feel safe, but I know what will happen if I go with him. I'll have to leave my pack, my family. I'm not prepared for that.

Going back outside, I saw Devon and Ashley dancing a slow dance. Erika and Mandy weren't too far off dancing with their warrior mates, Brian and Alexander. Their pairing always made me laugh. Twins that were mated to the Beta and Third.

I caught sight of both my parents; my Mom started to tear up seeing me with Jason.

"Will you dance with me?" Jason asked.

"Sure," I answered.

Walking out onto the dance floor, he twirled me around catching me in the right moment; our bodies were pressed to each other. I could feel his breath on my skin; Jason was having trouble controlling himself. He brought my right hand to his shoulder so we could be closer. Pressing his forehead to mine, I felt something I hadn't in a long time. Happy.

Suddenly, Jason froze, sniffing the air. "What's wrong?" His eyes shifted, and he put me behind him.

"Devon," Jason growled.

"I smell it too," he responded.

Sniffing the air, the smell hit me. What is it?

My mother came to me, ushering the children, and some of the women inside. "Dakota, get the kids inside. Now!"

Devon, my father, and the other wolves stood ready to fight.

"Jason!" I called.

He came jogging up to me, "Go inside," he said, "don't worry. I'll be okay." He kissed my forehead in reassurance.

He jogged back to my brother, and the others waiting by the tree line. They were all ready to fight.

"Mom, what's going on?" I asked.

"It's the Blood Pack," she answered.

"Who?"

"Their Alpha is Drake Bacchus. His pack is about causing mayhem, and destruction. They care nothing for the ways packs should run. They'll take in anyone, rogues, murderers. When your father was Alpha, he managed to keep them at bay. We have strength in numbers, but since Devon took over, I think he wants to try to overthrow him." Mom was shaking as she spoke. Though she was a Luna, she could see that this wolf was dangerous.

From the treeline, came a group of wolves. Their leader, Drake, was in front. He nowhere near had the physique of Jason, or even my brother; there was something else more sinister about him. He had jet black hair, pale skin, his eyes had a red ring around the iris. All of the wolves had that; all rogues.

"Where's your brother?" Mom asked, panicked. "Ronnie?" she called out.

Ashley came up, "He's not here, Mrs. Mayfield."

"Oh my god. Where is he?" she screamed.

'Devon,' I mind linked.

'A little busy,' he replied.

'We can't find Ronnie,' I responded.

Mom and I saw Devon, and my father tense up. There was nothing they could do at this moment.

"He must be outside," I said.

Going for the side door out of the kitchen, I could be hidden as I looked for him. My Mom grabbed my arm, "Don't you go out there," she begged.

"I'm going to find Ronnie. He's probably hiding in a bush so he can see what's going on." Hugging my mother, I knew this was a bad idea, but I had to find my brother. "I'll be fine."

Sneaking outside, I crept around quietly. "Ronnie," I whispered.  A bush, near the commotion moved a little. "Ronnie!" I whisper yelled.

A hand came from the bush, pulling me down. "Sorry, I wanted to see this."

"You see it from inside. Move your ass, mister."

"Wait," he urged. Huddling close to him, we saw the action from a distance.

We both honed our hearing so we could listen.

"Alpha Devon. Alpha Jason," Drake slithered out.

"Alpha Drake," Devon said.

"Funny finding you out here. Two packs together, having a good time. That can only mean one thing," he commented.

"Just two packs having a good time," Devon retorted.

"If I didn't know better, I would say that your packs are now in allegiance with each other to take me down," Drake said. His tone was so smooth, but dangerous. "I'm hurt you didn't invite me. I am the next closest pack."

"Must have slipped my mind," Devon responded.

"What about you Jason? Did it slip your mind?"

"It's not my land. Wouldn't be right of me to invite you," Jason sniped.

"Get going, Drake," my Dad said. "We don't want trouble here."

A maniacal laugh came from him. "Former Alpha Mayfield. How is it that your brat here got the title of Alpha? He's not even half the wolf you are."

Devon growled at him.

"Easy son," Dad urged. "Just leave, and no one gets hurt."

Shrugging his shoulders, Drake knew he was outnumbered. "Perhaps another time then."

"Come on, Ronnie," I urged. "Mom is worried." Practically dragging him from the bush, we scurried inside.

Making our way inside, Mom immediately jumped on Ronnie. "Oh, honey. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Mom," he said, trying to get her off him.

"What were you thinking?" she yelled. Silence. "I'm telling your father about this." He groaned in response.

Mom took him to the kitchen, but I went to the back door, just in time to see the Blood Pack pull out. Before Drake turned completely, he looked back, and I could swear he was looking at me, sniffing the air. My heart was pounding.

Our wolves remained where they were until the Blood Pack was out of scent range.

Devon, and the others filed into the house.

I went to the living room, plopped on the couch, and closed my eyes for a moment. That was intense.

"You okay?" a smooth voice asked.

Opening my eyes, it was Jason. "I'm alright. Where's Devon?"

"In his office. He's sending out patrols. My pack is going back to the pack house now."

"You are in so much trouble, young man." My father's voice made me giggle. Ronnie was in trouble. "What were you thinking? And your sister had to go outside and get you?"

Feeling bad, I went to my father as he scolded Ronnie. "Daddy, it's okay. He just wanted to see the action--"

"No, it's not okay, Dakota. Your brother put you, and himself in serious danger. The Blood Pack is no joke. Drake Bacchus is not a wolf you mess with." He used his Alpha voice, and I dropped my head. "I'm sorry, honey. But you must understand the seriousness of what he did."

"Yes, Daddy," I submitted.

"Dakota?" Devon called.

"What's up?"

He took a deep breath before he spoke again. "You have to leave with Jason, tonight."

"What? No!"

"I'm sorry, Dakota. He is your mate, and this is the way it has to be."

"But I don't know him," I responded.

I sat on his desk, next to him. He wrapped an arm around me. "You know, I'm not doing any of this to punish you. It's the way of things. I don't want you to go, neither do Mom and Dad, but you must."

Putting my head on Devon's shoulder, he kissed my hair. "I'm scared," I whispered. Devon kissed the side of my head in reassurance.

"Don't be. Jason won't harm you, and if he does, he deals with me!" He said loud enough for Jason to hear. An audible growl came from across the room.

"I'll go pack."

Walking upstairs, defeated, Ashley was in tow with the twins. Grabbing my bags, I started filling them with my clothes, and things. I heard small sobs come from Ashley. She didn't want me to go. We had always planned on me staying in the pack; we hoped my mate would be here. The twins were silent too.

After half an hour, Mom came up to check our progress. "Honey, are you ready? Jason is waiting."

"Yeah, here's my stuff." I had a few bags sitting on the bed.

"Don, honey, we need some help up here."

Dad came up in silence, grabbed a couple bags, and headed for downstairs. I put my backpack on, and grabbed the last bag. Jason took the bags from my Dad, putting them in the back of his truck. Opening the back door, I put the other two bags in the back seat.

When I turned back to the house, my parents, brothers, and friends were all standing, some crying, and others silent.

"Mom," I said, tears falling.

"Oh, honey. My sweet Dakota. I'll miss you," she sobbed.

"Daddy." I couldn't find anymore words. He bear hugged me, kissing my cheek.

"You be good, sweetheart."

I came to my brothers, and I could see that they were trying to be strong. Ronnie let a tear slip; he wiped it away quickly. "You be good, Ronnie." He just nodded at me. "Devon--"

"I know," he responded, knowing what I was going to say.

I hugged them both simultaneously. "You take care of Ashley, Dev. I'm counting on you."

"I promise."

Sniffling, I pulled away from my family, and friends. Jason was patiently waiting for me by the car. He helped me into the large SUV. As we drove away, they were waving. I could see my Mom sobbing into my fathers shirt.

Looking forward, I wondered what my new life had in store for me.