Chapter Three

I woke up to a rather loud bang as my door hit my wall. I jolted upright as the same time Michael and Ezekiel were on their feet snarling at the intruder.

"Is this how I am treated?" Azrael's voice was icy and booming and I rubbed at my eyes. It was too early in the morning to deal with a tantrum.

"What? Did I over-sleep and miss breakfast?" My tone was tired but mocking as I waved at my two guardians. They pulled themselves from their defensive positions to sit at the foot of my bed, their eyes on the large mountain alpha.

"You brought a Baiter!" He hissed the words out and I paused. That was a word I had never heard before.

"I did what now?" I looked over at him as he crossed his arms over his bulky chest. He radiated an icy fury that set my wolf immediately to pounding against his cage. I sighed and shoved him away forcefully before sliding out of bed and grabbing a pair of pants.

"You brought a Baiter in to test me." The words were clipped and heavy with that icy fury. He was watching me and I could feel disgust mixing in with his anger.

I let out another confused breath. "A what now?" It was really too early in the morning to play the guessing game with the large mountain Alpha. Besides, he had given me a rather rude wake up call and I wasn't entirely appreciative of that.

"A Baiter!" He practically snarled the word and Ezekiel immediately growled and Michael's hackles raised down to his tail as he echoed the sound.

"I heard you but what the fuck is a Baiter?" I pulled on the pants but didn't bother with a shirt. I held up my hand as he opened his mouth. It was easier for him to show me the problem. "Okay, you know what? Just show me what has got you so riled up you disturbed my sleep." I walked towards the door and did my best to ignore his cold fury as he stalked away from my door and down the hall.

I didn't have to motion for my two guardians to follow, they were immediately at my sides the moment I moved. Their hackles were raised high and I patted their backs, trying to soothe their tempers. I followed Azrael down the stairs and he pointed as a very pissed off looking Bennett and a rather frightened looking Maricella who was trying her best to hide behind her mate. "That is a Baiter! You have brought a Baiter into test me. Is this what our friendship was? You not trusting me, Luka?" He was glowering at me and I blinked in surprise at his words.

"To be honest, I didn't really think you did friends." I watched as his face darkened and he took a step towards me that had Michael lunging forward. I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and yanked him back, a move I had done many times on him when he had gotten too exuberant with his prey. I shook him slightly in warning and he went limp in my grasp and I released him. "I don't know what you are talking about, Azrael. I don't know what a Baiter is. This is Bennett and Maricella. Part of my family." I looked at him and he narrowed his eyes.

I rolled mine and crossed my arms over my chest. "I invited them to stay for a week. Bennett is helping me with my little problem and I figured Maricella needed a break from Oblitus for a few days." I gestured to them before smiling at Maricella who gave me a rather timid one in return. Her eyes glanced to Azrael before she seemed to pull herself closer to her mate. Bennett shifted, making sure he was completely blocking her from the large Alpha's view.

"She's a Baiter, Luka." Azrael spat the words out and I ran a hand through my hair in agitation.

"What the hell is a Baiter, Azrael? You better tell me because obviously I have no fucking clue what you are talking about." I stared at him expectantly and he seemed actually surprised at my admission before he scowled again.

"A Baiter is a testing shifter. They can sense when another shifter is hiding their power and they test the personalities. There are two reactions when confronted by a Baiter, an urge to protect or an urge to attack. There is no in between. They are used by Alphas in negotiations to see who can be trusted and who can't." He looked at me expectantly and I glanced at Maricella. Well that certainly explained a few things. She fit the description. Hell, there were many times when she asked me when I would stop hiding my wolf, not to mention the urge I had to protect her that seemed to be a common theme of the people she stuck around.

"You think Maricella is a Baiter and that I brought her here to test your personality to see if I could trust you. Is that right?" I said it slowly and Azrael gave a short nod. "You are a fucking idiot. Like you can be very intelligent when you want to be but you are a moron of the highest order." I watched as his eyes went wide. I lifted a finger, "First of all, if I had known Maricella was a Baiter, I would have never placed her in a situation where she would become hurt in anyway." I lifted a second. "Secondly, I would never use anyone's judgment but my own when it comes to my negotiations." I lifted up a third finger with a slight smirk. "And last of all, it's good to know we're friends." I dropped my hand and scratched at my jaw, hating the slight stubble I found. I preferred to be clean shaven but when life got in the way, shaving usually fell towards the bottom of the list.

"So you didn't wish to test me?" He stared at me, his dark blue eyes hard and I shook my head. He really was dense.

"No. I wouldn't insult you like that. Fuck, Azrael, I'm not fucking stupid. I know how vicious you can get." I let out a low chuckle before walking over to Bennett. I gave him a small smirk before I grabbed Maricella around the waist and spun her around as I hugged her to my chest. Her gleeful giggles made me relax and I stopped spinning. "Hey kiddo!" I set her down and she smiled at me brightly.

"Hi, Luka." She gave a wary glance to Azrael who was watching us with an unreadable expression. I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to him. Michael and Ezekiel were so close to her they were nearly tripping her. Their need to protect her was strong against the male who scared her so early in the morning.

"Kiddo, this fucking idiot is Alpha Thorn, better known as Azrael." I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and looked between the two of them.

"The Mountain Alpha you told Bailey and I about?" She tucked herself close to my side, her small hand clutching at me as she took in his rather intimidating bulk.

"Yes." I nodded quickly before gesturing to him. "Azrael, this is Maricella. She is like the little sister I never had." I glanced over my shoulder to look at Bennett. I jerked my head and he was immediately by Mari's side carefully pulling her stiff arms from around me. She immediately clung to him instead. "This is Bennett, her mate." I looked at Azrael as he narrowed his eyes at Maricella as if studying her. There was a flash of something in his eyes before he crouched down to her height.

"Old Way Omega, right?" He asked it softly and she gave a small nod before tightening her grip on Bennett. I watched as he shifted his feet, placing himself in a position where he could defend her if necessary. I could feel his wariness even from where I stood. Azrael pulled something from his shirt and over his head. He let it dangle from his hand and I raised an eyebrow. He didn't seem like a person who wore hand crafted jewellery. The stone that hung on the leather strip was thin and had various shades of blue and grey around it. "This is banded agate. It is said to keep away stress, nightmares and brings strength. It had been in my possession for a long time. The stone came from my mountain. I would like you to have it as an apology for frightening you." He held it out and I blinked. That was unexpected and almost sweet of the rough and savage looking Alpha.

"Thank you." Maricella gave him a small smile as she reached out and took it from him. She held it up, tracing her finger around the outside. She looked surprised for a moment before a bright smile lit up her face as she looked up at Bennett. "This colour matches your eyes." She lifted it to show him and Bennett's cold expression shifted as he looked between the stone and her.

He pointed at the stone. "This one matches yours." He smiled down at her before wrapping his arms around her tightly, pressing his face into her hair as he closed his eyes. The display was strangely intimate and I looked away. Azrael was looking at them with a strange softness on his face.

He looked at me before gesturing to them. "That is how it's done on the mountains." He didn't elaborate and I smiled slightly.

"Are you going to stay for breakfast? You can't say no, Gamgam would murder you." I watched as he shook his head in slight amusement.

"I'll stay because I wish to remain breathing. That old female is tenacious at times." He turned towards Bennett and Maricella. "Will you be joining us for breakfast?" The smooth politeness was soft. I was fairly certain it was for Maricella's sake more than formality's sake. Azrael despised how the Old Ways had Omegas but he was well aware of how timid they could be so I appreciated him restraining himself in front of Maricella.

"That would be nice." Maricella's voice was soft and sweet like it always was. I gestured to Michael and Ezekiel and they took positions around Maricella and Bennett. It wasn't that I didn't trust Azrael. It was that I knew my guardians wanted to spend time with their pack member.

Kiel whined at me and I held up a finger. "No back talk from you, pup." I smirked at the images he gave me that pretty much told me to go fuck myself. "I'm just going to see how my mum is doing. I'll head to the kitchen in a few minutes." I nodded to them before I turned and made my way to my mother's room. I knocked on the door slightly, it was early enough that I didn't want to barge in and wake her up if she was still sleeping.

May opened the door after a few moments. Dark bags rested under her eyes and I felt my heart sink. "How was she?" I stepped back, letting her step out of the room.

She closed the door softly behind her before letting out a heavy sigh, rubbing at her forehead. "She wasn't good. Barely slept and grew more and more confused as the night wore on." She shook her head slowly. "I called the doctor to come in. She's asleep right now so if you wouldn't mind waiting for a few hours until the doctor comes." She looked like she didn't truly want to ask it of me but I smiled at her in reassurance.

"I understand, May. She needs her sleep." I crossed my arms over my chest and stifled a yawn.

"It seems she isn't the only one that needs sleep. Alpha Sterling, you need to make sure you are properly taking care of yourself." May gave me a stern and knowing look. I sighed and scratched at my slight scruff.

"No need to worry about me, May, just a late night last night. Do you need me to bring you and mum breakfast?" I watched as she shook her head again.

"That is alright. I'll get her something to eat when she wakes. You go and get some food into you and perhaps have a nap." She reached up and pressed the back of her hand to my forehead. "You are feeling a bit chilled. You need to take care of your health, Alpha." She gave me another stern look.

I pressed my hand to my chest and winked at her. "I always take care of myself, May." I laughed as she smacked my chest with the back of her hand while fighting back a smile from crossing her face.

"No flirting with the old females to change the subject, young male. Now go eat." She shooed me away and I nodded before turning and headed towards the kitchen. I stopped by a random room and grabbed a t-shirt from the dresser. We always made sure to have spares in all of the closets and dressers in the house. They may have been used thrift store clothes but they served their purpose. I pulled on the t-shirt as I pushed open the door to the kitchen.

"It's true. We have a slight and continued rivalry with the lowlanders packs." Azrael's voice was more gentle than I had ever heard it. I looked around and saw them at the eating nook. I could hear Gamgam banging pots and pans around further into the kitchen.

"Luka told me you guys have actually created a completely different culture to spite the Old Ways." Maricella was leaning on her elbows. All her previous fear was gone as she seemed intently focused on his words. Bennett was lazily rubbing her back as he watched the interaction, his face was still an icy mask but I figured he would never quite lose it. I was just happy his entire demeanour softened whenever he looked at Mari.

"It might have been like when our ancestors first settled in the mountains but the mountains we inhabit are very inhospitable. Only the strong survive and so our culture is born out of a necessity to remain that way. In our culture we respect strength, nothing more, nothing less." Azrael pondered it for a moment. "There are a few of our customs that do go against what the Old Ways teach so I can see where one might get the idea that we have our culture as a way to piss off the Old Way lowlander packs." I leaned against the counter and watched them.

Maricella looked positively in awe of the male sitting across from her. The waves of his power were diluted and he seemed almost a tad uncomfortable with her stares. I didn't blame him, the first time Maricella had given me that particular look I felt like I had been given the most precious thing on the planet and if I broke it the world would never be the same. It had made both me and my wolf uneasy and almost panicky.

"But that's a good thing. Not discriminating on people based on their skin or their birthright. Letting everyone have a chance at power, a chance to lead." Maricella leaned her chin on her hand as she tapped her other hand on the table, her fingers drumming a faint rhythm.

"Not everyone will challenge the Alpha." Azrael shook his head and his waves of power grew more diminished.

Maricella made a face. "Now that I know what that is, can you please stop hiding your power. It's weird to feel for me." She wrinkled her nose and I could hear Bennett's faint chuckle as he leaned over and kissed the side of her head. Azrael's power started to come back in the familiar oppressiveness it always had. "So about that whole Baiter thing. What made you think I am one?" She tilted her head and I could feel her genuine curiosity for what he had to say on the subject.

"You are one. The blood may be diluted but it's still there. Your turn as an Omega must have made it come closer to the surface. A survival instinct you could say. It would call the shifters around you to protect you from further harm." Azrael shifted on his chair with a faint frown. "That was how I knew. I should not feel an urge to protect you. I don't know you so it was easy enough to figure out."

Maricella nodded before looking at Bennett. "Bailey must be one as well then." She stared at her mate as if waiting patiently for his response.

"It makes sense but it would be best to not worry about it now. This is your week of relaxation, I don't want you worrying needlessly about things." Bennett slipped his arm around her waist and slid her along the bench to be closer to him. I could see Maricella's cheek flush bright red at the action.

"Băiețel! If you think I am going to make breakfast for you and your troop alone, you have another thing coming!" At Gamgam's harsh kitchen voice I pushed off of the counter.

I winked at Maricella as her eyes landed on me. "Duty calls." I quickly made my way over to Gamgam who was furiously mixing what looked to be pancake batter. Her grey hair was flopping into her face and she had a dark scowl on.

"Get to flipping and if you do not send someone to fix the roof on my house I am going to strangle you with your own intestines!" Her blue eyes were sharp and I wisely kept my mouth shut as I grabbed a flipper and moved over to where she had poured evenly shaped pancakes onto the large flat top grill.

"May I help?" At the soft question Gamgam froze in surprise before whirling around, whisk held straight in the air. Maricella clasped her hands behind her back, a small, tentative smile on her face.

"Would you look at that? Such manners, Luka. You could learn a few things from this sweet pui de lup." She glowered at me over her shoulder and I rolled my eyes before turning back to the grill. "Yes, dearie, you are more than welcome to help." I flipped several pancakes before Mari started to crack eggs onto the grill. She grabbed another flipper and started to scramble them expertly.

"You are good at that, kiddo." I flipped several pancakes, grimacing when I noticed the bottoms were almost too brown.

"Yah, well when you are stuck in the house twenty-four seven you pick up some hobbies." Her smile took all the bite from the words and I nodded. I couldn't argue with the logic. It was why I wanted her to come for a visit, she was stuck in that house like it was a prison. I never thought it was okay, I knew she needed some freedom. I understood she didn't like change or being overwhelmed but the sheer amount of time that she spent locked up in those four walls was insane, she needed a break.

"So how are you and Jace doing?" I glanced at her and she shrugged slightly.

"Still scared of him a bit. It's better when I'm around Bennett or Amber though." She sprinkled some salt and pepper over the eggs before quickly moving them around the grill.

"So how is she by the way? Still fighting the bond I imagine." I let out a small chuckle that was not returned. I glanced at Mari again and she had a silly little grin on her face.

"Actually no. Dad came to Oblitus." She looked at me and the absolute happiness that shone from the cloud grey depths was amazing but her words registered and I dropped my spatula. It bounced off the grill and I managed to catch it before it hit the floor.

"What?" I looked at her in disbelief. I had never heard of an Alpha willingly giving up his position for a mate who had all but rejected him.

"Yah. He gave it up. The pack, the title, the territory. Everything. He did it for her." She let out a delighted sound. "My parents are together. I get to be with my dad. It's nice." Despite how happy I was for her, a slight pang of pain went through me at the words. She glanced at me before moving over and giving me a small hug from the side. She rubbed at my side firmly before leaning her head against me. After a moment she moved back into her previous position.

"What was that for?" I quickly flipped some more pancakes before taking some off.

"You looked like you needed a hug." She shrugged before she quickly scooped the eggs up and placed them in a ceramic bowl that I noticed was beside her. She turned around, "Carri-"

"Call me Gamgam, dearie." Gamgam moved gracefully into the small area, pushing me out of the way and placing more dollops of pancake batter onto the grill. "You aren't paying attention and have nearly burned a few." She smacked the back of my head with her trusty spoon and I winced before rubbing at the spot.

Maricella ignored the action and held out the bowl. "Is this enough, Gamgam?" She looked carefree, it was one of the first times I had truly seen her with that relaxed before, it was almost strange.

Gamgam gave a quick nod. "Perfect, dearie. Now you can head to the table. I have the bacon already cooked and the pancakes are nearly completely done." She gently shooed Mari towards the table. "Băiețel, finish with those pancakes and bring the rest to table."

"Yes, ma'am!" I saluted her and she sent me a rather deadly look.

"Ma'am me again and I'll chop you up and feed you to the animals." She huffed in irritation before walking away to do something else. I chuckled to myself before quickly flipping the pancakes and removing the cooked ones. I could hear the clicking of nails on the tiles floor and glanced back to see Michael looking up at me expectantly. I chuckled but threw him a cooked pancake. He scarfed it down in what seemed to be half of an actual bite. I reached over and scratched his scalp.

The human side in my two guardians did not come out unless I demanded it but the wolf sides were more than enough most days. It would have been weird for me if they were normal shifters but the fact their wolves were always in control made the scratches and petting a bit less strange. They were wolves, not people, despite the fact they could be people if they truly wanted. I patted his head once more as I flipped the rest of the pancakes.

"Get that mongrel out of my kitchen!" Gamgam's voice made Michael try and squeeze between my legs and the grill. He was shaking slightly and I let out a guffaw at the ridiculousness of the nearly two hundred pound, perfectly evolved predator.

"Michael, come back to the table. Gamgam has a bone for you." At Maricella's words his ears perked up and he was bounding towards the table. I winced before I could even hear the skittering and faint crash as he lost his footing. Mari burst into peals of laughter and I felt a smile tug at my own mouth.

"Ungainly, clumsy, idiotic, overgrown puppy." I pulled the rest of the pancakes off of the stove and grabbed the full plate before heading back to the small nook. Once there I carefully set the plate on the table and took the empty spot beside Azrael. He nodded at me and I quickly grabbed the serving utensils before Gamgam could and started to dish up everyone's plate. I could hear the sounds of teeth on bone and gave a small smile. Gamgam spoiled them rotten. Once everyone was served I sat and began to eat.

"I will leave shortly after breakfast, Luka. So I will thank you in advance for your hospitality." Azrael nodded at me once more and I quickly swallowed the food in my mouth.

"As I have said before, Azrael. My house is your house. It's nothing to offer a roof and a meal to a friend." I smirked at him and he narrowed his eyes slightly. I hadn't forgotten his little slip earlier. Fearsome Alpha Azrael Thorn had a friend and that said friend was a weak third born son who had the misfortune of being an Alpha.

"I appreciate it regardless." He turned back to his plate and I turned back to mine. The Hunters would be invading the territory today based on the information on the forms I had signed yesterday. I hoped they would be done within at least twenty-four hours. I didn't like the thought of them taking any longer.

"So, Bennett, was it?" Gamgam's tone was conversational and I glanced between her and the large pack warrior. I watched as he gave a small nod. "Do you have any mountain blood in you?" She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in sharp scrutiny. He returned her look but his was significantly cooler.

"I am unaware if I do or not." The words were clipped but polite in a cool and detached way.

"I think you do. He carries himself just like a mountain warrior. Don't you agree, Azrael?" She turned to look at the large Alpha beside me and I glanced in his direction as well.

"He does. Not only that but he has some of the same cultural attitudes of my people and the others of the mountains. However I do not sense any mountain blood in him. It's quite peculiar." He shrugged and I took a bite of bacon before looking at Maricella. She was staring at her plate with what appeared to be a completely unfocused gaze. Her hands weren't moving and as if sensing her sudden stillness Bennett wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He brought his face close to her ear and whispered something that had the focus come back to Maricella's eyes.

She turned and smiled at him brightly before turning her attention once more to the large mountain alpha. "Azrael, do you have a mate yet?" Mari looked at him expectantly and he shook his head.

"I have yet to find a female who can pass the trials." He shook his head and Maricella stared at him intently once more.

"What are the trials exactly?" She tilted her head, her curls falling over her shoulder. Bennett used a large hand to pull them back over her shoulder, his gaze tender as he did so.

"Tests we ask the females to preform to test their resilience, fortitude, strength, adaptability, and their ability to kill if necessary. Every Alphas' trials are different. Mine are a bit more difficult than most but I have a very large pack and need an Alpha Female as strong as me." He shifted in his seat before crossing his arms over his chest. It was amusing to see a large mountain Alpha uncomfortable because of a tiny shifter.

"I met a female like that. Well not really like that, I couldn't gauge her power because she kept it very well hidden. But people don't get her scars without some strength." She shrugged as she said it but there was an edge of a frown to her mouth.

"Are you implying she was as strong as me?" Azrael sounded incredulous and Maricella frowned but gave a small nod.

"Yes. Well I think she was. She made it seem like her power was like mine but it was like my wolf and I could sense it around her anyway. Like a big oppressive cloud hanging just over her shoulders." Her frown deepened. "She wasn't very big though so you would probably beat her anyway. She looked like she could be thrown around easily. Only a few inches taller than me and about twenty pounds heavier." She shrugged again and I smirked.

"Likes sugar did she?" At my words Maricella simply shook her head, unconcerned with what I had said.

Her eyebrows pulled lower over her eyes. "More muscles, less fat. She would kick your ass without hesitation. Uncle Bruce said he wouldn't fuck with her." She looked at me and I nearly choked on my eggs.

"Alpha Bruce Linton admitted that to you?" That was the last thing I expected to hear. Out of all the Alphas admitting they could be beaten by a female, Linton was very close to the very bottom of my list.

"Yah." Mari nodded and took another bite of pancake.

"The Almighty Alpha Bruce fucking Linton, the one so full of himself that his shit probably looks like his face. That Bruce Linton?" Disbelief coated my voice heavily but I did not believe that Bruce Linton would admit anything like that.

"Don't be rude. Yes, that Bruce Linton. He's not full of himself. He's a very sweet male. He brings me chocolate." Mari muttered the last few words to herself and I would have smiled but the memory of the rather egotistical Alpha made soured me for a moment.

"You don't see him at the gatherings. He seriously said that?" I looked at her but Bennett coughed slightly.

"He mentioned that she was unstable. He said she doesn't fight, she kills and she will do everything she can to make sure her chosen target dies." The words actually made sense. If a shifter was unstable then their entire fight pattern was off and random, meaning you couldn't guess their moves.

"She doesn't protect herself?" To my surprise it was Azrael who spoke and I watched as Bennett shook his head.

"Alpha Linton stated that when he rescued her, she was in the process of tearing a shifter's throat out while she had one literally hanging off her shoulder, and the other two were attached to her legs. He said it was like she barely knew they were there, her entire focus was on the male she was attacking. I think it's less that she isn't protecting herself and more of a complete disregard for her own life." Bennett shook his head and I wanted to wince. That sort of attitude was just begging to end your life quickly.

"It will get her killed." Azrael stated it firmly and I had to agree with him. The female Maricella spoke of would get herself killed. No one could disregard their own lives in a fight and expect to live.

"Most likely." Bennett nodded in agreement and Maricella's face pinched as if she tasted something sour.

"She's very capable." She glowered at her plate and I resisted the urge to tell her she looked adorable when she was mad. I knew if I did it would only make her more upset but with me instead. I didn't particularly like that feeling so I refrained.

"Won't stop death." Azrael's voice rumbled slightly and I finished off my plate.

"Death only takes those who stop fighting. Is that still said on the mountains, Azrael?" Gamgam's voice was light, as if she were trying to brighten the suddenly dark mood that had descended around the table. Suicidal shifters weren't a very good topic of conversation for breakfast.

"Yes, it's still used." He nodded at her and she shrugged.

"There you go. You cannot stop death but death only takes you when you stop fighting. It seems to me she's still fighting. You may think it's wrong but when you are gripped with fury, gripped with the thought of death, you take them down with you. Much like the mundane viking stories." Gamgam looked thoughtful. "Viking Berserkers were given a drink that made them enraged and they fought with everything they had without thoughts of their own life. If they died they would die with glory and the blood of their enemies coating their skin. If they died, they would take as many as they could with them and be greeted at the gates of Valhalla as heroes." It was a rather interesting piece of information. I wondered where she had learned it.

"She will most likely survive for a long time. Most shifters expect you to try and protect yourself. If you have no regard for your own life, you have the upper hand because they will be defending without attacking and you can do so without mercy." She spoke as if she had personal experience with such things and Azrael shifted in his seat.

"You came from one of the Lower Ridge packs, didn't you?" There was a small edge of something like admiration in his voice.

"Yes. Fought like demons we did. We held onto what was ours through teeth, blood, and claws." She said it with conviction and confidence as she thumped her chest lightly with her fist. "We were born of warriors."

"And born of strength. Weakness is not allowed in the mountain packs." Azrael said the words reverently and Gamgam gave a sage nod at them. I always enjoyed the old female's interactions with the Mountain Alpha. It brought all of her old fire back to life. Her blue eyes sparkled with memories and elation whenever she spoke of her home.

"Weakness is not allowed in the mountain packs." She said the words wistfully, her chin cradled in her hand as she let out a small sigh of joy. Her eyes glazed over as if in remembrance. I always wondered if it had been hard for her to leave her home behind, to leave her family and pack behind to move over a thousand miles away just to be with her friend.

A large hand slapping my shoulder jolted me out of my thoughts. "I need to start my trip back to my territory. I will most likely see you at the next Alpha Gathering, Luka." Azrael gave my shoulder a quick squeeze before he let his hand drop. I nodded at him the gathering was in nearly eight months.

"Have a safe trip." I started stacking the empty plates as Azrael nodded at my words.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Maricella, you are enlightening company. I would invite you up to my territory but the cold is not agreeable to everyone and I'm afraid the trip might be too strenuous for you." He sounded sincere and I let my eyes widen. No one ever got even a half invitation to go up to the mountain territories. The Alphas kept outsiders away unless they were to be mated.

"It's alright, Azrael. If you get the chance, please come to Oblitus. I would love for you to meet the rest of Luka's extended family. We would be glad to have you." She smiled as she offered the invitation and Azrael looked shocked for a brief moment before he covered it quickly. He couldn't, however, stop the smile that tugged at his mouth.

"I will have to do that, Maricella, I thank you for the invitation. Bennett, it was a pleasure to meet you, despite the slight enigma you pose for me." He held out his hand and Bennett shook it firmly. The two males held grips for a touch longer, the waves of masculinity rolling off of them as they sized each other up. I watched as Maricella rolled her eyes before pressing herself to Bennett's side.

"I'm sorry, Azrael. He has this thing about me making friends with unmated males." She shot Bennett a warning look and he quickly let go of Azrael's hand, all previous aggression gone. "Silly male, his mark means I'm his till the moment I draw my last and there isn't anoher place I would rather be." She leaned her head against Bennett's shoulder and I glanced up to watch Azrael.

He looked at the two of them with a strange expression. "I wish to find a mating bond such as yours." He nodded to everyone individually and I gave a sharp salute.

"Have a good trip, Azrael, and I'll see you at the Gathering." I nodded at him in return and he turned and walked away.

Gamgam let out a large and agitated sigh that caught my attention "If my roof isn't fixed, I'm neutering you." She glowered at me. I could feel her eyes trying to burn into my skin and I smirked but nodded.

"Could you bring some more people into help make some quick picnic food? I am throwing a celebration for Jessie's return." I turned to look at her and she nodded without hesitation.

"I'll grab some of them young ones and put them to work. You go do the rest of your paperwork." She gave me a knowing look and I repressed the urge to groan at the reminder.

I stood up and looked at Bennett then swung my gaze to Maricella. "Work never ends but would you like me to give you a quick tour around the territory before I started?" I gave Bennett a look and he gave a small, nearly imperceivable nod. The tour would help give him an idea of those who held ill-intent for me. I already had a list, I just needed his input on those he thought had any... unsavoury thoughts on their Alpha. My wolf snarled in the back of my head and I shoved him far away, making the cage smaller so he couldn't bother me.

"That sounds like a great idea, Luka." Maricella smiled up at me and I noticed the necklace Azrael had given her lay around her neck. I paused as I wondered how Bennett felt seeing his mate with the token of another around her neck. Regardless of why it was given, I figured he would still have issues with it. I knew, however, that he was smarter than to say anything about it.

Maricella was sweet, timid, and kind but if you started to order her around, she could turn into a little she-demon. Her silent treatment was damn near legendary. She went two months without talking to Collin after he had ordered her to stay inside because training 'was for the males only'. As I could recall Mari hadn't even wished to participate, she just wanted to go outside and read in the sun by her family. He had begged her for weeks to say anything to him but she held her ground and when she saw fit to speak to him she did but not a moment sooner. Collin never made any more highly sexist commands towards her.

I smiled back at her absently before moving through the doors. The scrambling of claws on tiles let me know that my two guardians were quickly following and the images in my head let me know they were upset I had started to leave without telling them. I rolled my eyes, they were like mother hens. I forced the image of a mother hen with her chicks over the mindlink and a deep smirk etched itself onto my mouth at their insulted growls. Insulting and insulted images battered my head and I sighed as I sorted through them.

We walked down the hall and towards the back door. From there I could take them to the village and then the training grounds. It was where a majority of the shifters stayed. The images were still a barrage and I forcefully shut down the mindlink. It was difficult, Michael and Ezekiel had always been allowed inside of my head when the need arose and so our mindlink was a strong one.

"No, I did not call you chickens. I called you mother hens." I stated it firmly and Maricella gave me a strange look and I gestured to the two puffed up wolves who were growling at themselves. "Are you going to stop giving me a headache so I can open the link back up?" I stared at them as I walked and they lowered their heads in a faint submission. I opened the link back up and tried to hide my amusement. Michael brushed against my leg hard enough I nearly stumbled. I could hear his faint huffing and I turned my head to give him shit when Ezekiel repeated the gesture to my other leg.

I scowled between the two of them. "I'll have you locked in the house if you continue that behaviour, boys." I scolded them lightly but they ignored me. It was an empty threat, they were wild animals and needed to be free, that and I needed them with me as I walked through the territory. It was safer that way.

"Stop hiding your wolf. I can feel him fighting you." Maricella's voice was soft but stern and I gave her a small smile but shook my head.

"He's been bad the last few days so he's being punished." I kept my tone gentle but it held an edge of finality and she frowned at me before looking away. She didn't believe me but she wouldn't push. Mari never pushed when I drew a line for a conversation. It was some of her omega tendencies showing through. As sad as it was, I doubted she would never be completely rid of them.

I pushed open the back door and stepped out into the morning sunlight. It was still slightly cool from the night but I knew that would change as the day went on. It could get oppressively warm in the summer. "Everything else aside. Let's get the tour started shall we?" I looked between the two of them as Michael and Ezekiel pushed past me and out into the sun. Maricella simply smiled at me, the previous interaction seemingly forgotten and Bennett looked around, his gaze sharp. I knew I had picked right when I had asked him to help me. He would be able to pick out all those who were plotting against me.

My wolf battered against the small cage once again and for once, I didn't push him away. I hated the thought of anyone plotting against me because it wasn't just against me. It was against my mother and it was against the memories of my father and brothers and that was something I refused to let happen. I would not let someone take my father and brother's pack from me because despite how I felt, I was still the Alpha and an Alpha didn't take disrespect lightly. My wolf's snarling anger filled me and I couldn't help the cold smile that crossed my face.

Traitorous blood would be spilled and I knew we would enjoy every drop that fell.