15. Attack

The beautiful cover above was made for me by kaylynnamosx

Thank you so much!

Author note:

I am so unbelievably happy so many of you are enjoying this story! I hadnt written on it for a while but expect weekly updates. Twice or 3 times a week. Ive already established the entire plot.

And im happy to say it has made #123 on the whats hot list! I know its a long way down but i made it! In 14 chapters! Im so happy you all love it.

Thank you for all your support!

Xoxo chilee.

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Nova

I could feel hands on me, shaking me. The electricity that sparked in them sent those familiar waves of pleasure coursing inside every nerve ending.

Mate.

Our mate's hands are on us.

"Nova. Wake up.. come on open your eyes." His voice gave me the will to go on... to abide by his command.

Slowly my eyes fluttered open. Standing above me were blurs .. i could make out a set of celestial blue eyes that i have come to know so well.. engrained into my memory.

"W-what happened" my voice sounded weak.. raspy. I felt those electric hands move to my shoulders, hauling me up slowly as my vision cleared.

"I got it." Nic's harsh words came from behind me before he shoved Zaryn out of the way, sitting me up steady. Low growls from Zaryn went on deaf ears, Nic ignoring him as he tended to me. Deacon shoved his brother out of the way to get a look at me.. biting his lip with worry. Everyone is worried for not.

I felt like a damsel in distress.

Weak.

Im anything but weak. Im a fighter.

"You ok little sis? You had us scared. You blacked out, fell right out of your seat and into the floor." I managed to smile at the fact he seemed so distressed.. my brother loved me so much.. the only male I have aside from my dad that wants nothing from me.

Zaryn stood behind Nic, worried eyes on me the entire time along with my parents. He began biting his thumb nail, pacing around with electric blue eyes that stayed on me when they weren't staring at the ground.

"I- im ok. It was my wolf.." i trailed off as Nic pulled me back into my seat, embarassed that she got the better of me this time. I was so proud that I jad gotten her under control in my first shift.

But mates can make your wolf do crazy things I hear.

The air in the room filled with tension more malevolent than the unease it pulsed with a moment ago.

"See!?!?" Zaryn shouted at his father. "This is what happens when you intervene dad. Shit like this is going to happen to the both of us.. its going to get to the point where the both of us are wolfing out .. going for blood! You are doing the wrong thing. My wolf already hates you right now.. the fact your the alpha is the only reason he hasnt come after you!" His anger rippled through his skin.. muscles shaking beneath. His eyes cut to a panic stricken Grace. "And you... don't think for a moment that you are safe from me. Pregnant or not, my wolf is going to become distressed without Nova. And who do you think he will take out first? And you cant even shift.. it would be so easy..." his laugh was manic. The seriousness of pur situation was unfolding.

Deacon turned on his brother with his own version of anger. "Are you kidding me!? This is all your fault Zaryn!!! All of it! That bitch over there comes home with you because you cant hold out for your mate and its all your fault!" He screamed. "Not anyone elses!"

Zaryn's teeth elongated. Sharp canines flashed his brothers way in warning as both brothers squared up with each other.. Zaryn's wolf on complete edge.

Then i remembered what we were here for..

What we had been discussing.

The reason why my wolf ascended in my skin. Because of my intense emotions that were too much for me to handle. I felt them piling back up on my shoulders.. heavy burdens that i would carry. My sadness seeped out of my pours, fouling the room with it.

Before i could even feel the tears blur my vision, Zaryn turned in a mad rage, clearing the table, throwing everything in the floor as his roar rumbled through the air, shocking us all. Even his father. Alpha Blake was at a loss for the first time.

"I wont stay away from her! She is my mate! I dont want Grace! We can work around the pup but i wont be with her! Whats wrong with you dad!?!" His rage excited me.. so primal. "Youre talking about retribution.. giving up pack lands amd females!?! Lets go to war!! Our pack is larger and stronger than his. If he wants a war lets give him one!  Dont turn tail ,dad... because your causing the pack to turn against us. Me. When i become alpha, ill have to kill most of my pack for challenging me and who is to say one of them wont win!?!? " He growled low, the wolf surfacing to greet his Alpha father.

Sniffling came from across the room and i noticed Grace crying to herself at the harsh words from Zaryn. She was finally realizing he really doesn't want her.

No sympathy.

"Back down!" Alpha Blake roared, his teeth coming out as he shook in his skin ready to burst. Luna Penelope scurried up, trying to pull Zaryn away from his father but he wouldn't budge.

"Zaryn" Alpha gritted out. "I know you are upset but this is what has to be done. Its not my not wanting a war that is an issue.. its the fact that YOU messed up and its YOUR responsibility to fix it now. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You just cant. If that baby is born, you have a responsibility. end of story." He glared harshly letting Zaryn know he wasnt about to let his eldest son challenge him.

Zaryn held in his rage, pulling it back in with all his effort but i didnt miss the sharp glare he sent to Grace. "I will kill her after the pup is born if anyone even tries to force her on me. Mark my word." His threatening words held promise. He would do as he said. Grace sobbed quietly in her chair. Nic growled lowly in warning which surprised us all. His eyes clashed with Zaryn's in anger but no words were said.

Nic wouldn't let harm come to her despite what she has brought.

"Blake.. Zaryn is right. You are starting a war with our own pack over this." My dad's clipped voice spoke for the first time since he has been hoding in his anger.

My family were on edge with these commands Alpha had given. My mother couldnt stop glaring at him and i felt like dad was going to jump up at any moment. Deacon sighed iritably, "dad it is not wise, i admit. It is also not wise to bring Grace's healer here. Dont you think?"

Grace's eyes widened and a whimper followed as she shook her head, begging the alpha with her actions.

As though she needed her aunt the healer.

Alpha Blake glanced at us all. "She is coming here by Alpha Conrads demands. I dont want her here but i need to remain accomodating. This is called strategy. Nothing is ever final!"

"Dad! That witch is going to make it so Grace doesn't miscarry by the Moon's own will. Shes a witch! Then our entire pack will turn against us when it comes time for you to step down!" Deacon pointed out. "As much as Zaryn's wolf is feeling paternal right now, he wont hesitate to kill Grace if he is being held from his mate.. not that im complaining.. but i dont want a war within our own pack!" He tried to reason.

I felt like i was going to be sick. So many bad things will happen no matter which route is taken. My happiness compromised.

Alpha let out a puff of air, eyes scanning us all. "I know that. Dont you think i know!? We can speak privately.. later.. Alpha and Beta family only. Individually...  but i cant say much while Grace sits here because we know she will run to her father." Alpha Blake glared at Grace sending her huddling further in her chair, whimpering. She seemed far from alpha blood.

"What about me" Nic spoke up, silencing everyone around us. Grace wouldn't look up at him. "What about the fact that this turn tail is my mate? Sure, now i don't want her because she is tainted but shouldnt i get the right to speak to her about the matter?" He looked as if he would break.

"Grace! Look at me!" He pounded his fists on the table, mossy green eyes outlined with red. Grace jumped at the sound, silently crying more.

"Why is she even my mate!?" He continued, looking up to Alpha Blake. "I am no alpha! Or either she isnt.."

Grace peered up at him for the first time, with wide brown eyes. Her lips parted slightly as she shook her head. "I am" her whisper was barely audible.

"She sure doesn't act like an alpha female..." he trailed off.

He had a point.

Alpha Blake rubbed his temples before speaking. "I havent figured that part out yet. Grace, have you told your father about this?" He turned his question on her. She wouldnt meet his stare, just shook her head no.

Zaryn was cackling manically. "So you run and tell your dad about me and Nova but dont even mention the fact you are mated to a beta wolf? Oh! Let me be the first to call him dad, please!" He laughed in an angry way.

"No please!" Grace begged with pleading  murky eyes as her blonde strands fell in her face. But those eyes.. even pleading, they were The kind that will lie.. trap you.. pull you in where you cant get out.

"Enough" alpha bellowed. "He will be alerted about this matter once i have investigated it thoroughly. We dont know any why or hows yet. But yes. I agree with Nic.. Grace, you will talk to Nic and answer the questions he has. Understood?" Alpha eyed her, letting her know it wasnt up for discussion. She nodded siently as the tears built up even more. Her shirt was covered with them.

"Meeting adjourned. Zaryn. Nova. No more meetings. Stay away from each other for now. Zaryn.. stay away from Grace as well. Since you feel strongly that your wolf will attack her, i dont want you going near her until this is solved." Alpha Blake stood, letting the rest of us know we could go. Nic was beside me, tense as could be as he anticipated the talk with Grace. I just wanted to get the hell out of there. Mo and dad watched with sadness in their eyes for their two betrayed pups..

My soul hurt.

I stared at Grace.. watching her sob and whimper. My wolf paced inside.. snapping her jaws, while outside, my lip curled in disgust.

One moment.

I had just one fraction of a second where I thought about tearing her to bits...

And thats all it took.

One moment of my mind to slip.. allowing my angry savage wolf to throw me into the back of our mind.. looking out with her wolf's eyes at Grace.

Her muddy brown eyes snapped up to meet mine as a fierce threatening wolf's  growl came from my human throat. I tried to reel her in but it wasn't working this time. She was angry... tormented by this she wolf in front of us. The hatred for her burned our veins like hot lava.

"Nova! Tame your wolf now!" Alpha commanded once he laid eyes on us.

But she wasnt having any of that. She used my body as if it were her own, leaping out of the chair with feral movements, shifting mid air as she pelted herself over the table. Claws shredding skin... jaws snapping, spittle flying all over Grace's face as my wolf's teeth found the soft flesh of her neck, digging into the skin.

Blood pooled in her mouth.. tasting so good. She wanted more and was about to take the final blow, ending Grace's life and her unborn pup's for good when suddenly a hand grabbed her scruff, throwing her across the room. Her body hit the wall as she fell, whimpering at the sudden impact.

"Get her out of here!" Alpha's voice seemed louder than ever. The smell of blood filled the air, captivating her senses. I felt mortified over my wolfs behavior, almost ending a pregnant female.. but satisfaction at the same time. Nic and my Dad picked a screaming grace up, carrying her out of the room as everyone else followed suit, Zaryn looking back with concern for me before closing the door behind him.

My wolf tried to stand on her four legs but Alpha was back on us quickly, hand holding her scruff, forcing her eyes to his own blackened orbs. He let his wolf out to see mine.. to detain her.

"Shift!" His command was one that my wolf could not ignore. She hurled herself back into our mind, throwing me to the front to take the punishment as my body shifted back into skin. His hand dropped from my neck as i huddled close to the floor, covering myself. My eyes stayed to ground, head bowed in submission.

I waited for his words of my punishment but they never came. Instead i was shocked when I felt a soft blanket be placed around my shoulders. Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, i managed to balance myself to a standing position, taking a seat in the chair.. settling myself down as well as my wolf.

Alpha was pacing, hands pulling at his hair. "Nova.. we cant let that happen again. I know you are a new shifter and its hard.. which is why I am not punishing you... because Grace isn't pack nor his mate but this is why you have to stay away from Zaryn.. and especially Grace.. look.." he sighed, blue eyes meeting mine. I noticed his eyes seemed tired.

"ill be honest since its just us. I dont think Grace will have the pup. So im playing a waiting game .. abiding by what Alpha Conrad wants.. waiting to see if this pregnancy even plays out. Theres a 90% chance you will have your mate. But until then.. its better not to be around him. Dont let yourself get attached. Just in case. If she does wind up having the pup, then ill figure something else out. We all will. I wont let my son take over a pack that wants to see him taken down. Just.. trust me ok? Trust that i know what im doing. I dont want you to hurt more than you already are but we cant have another instance like this. Do you understand? At all?" He pleaded with blue eyes, a bit darker than Zaryns.

I stifled my need to sniffle, nodding my head yes. I need to be strong. But the stinging in my eyes gave me away at the last second as i let my hearts emotions surface.

Sad eyes looked down on me ans without warning, he pulled me into a large hug, nose in my hair. "I hate to be the big bad alpha in this case.. i love you like my own family which is why i want to protect you. Just trust me please. Obey my orders. I dont want to punish you and I wont this time.. but I will have to if you don't listen because i ordered a direct command. Ok?" He was begging me to listen. To not go against his words for my own safety.

Finally. He told me what he thought.

He doesn't believe she will birth the pup but he has to play nice until he knows anything more. This is best. My staying away from Zaryn is the best. He is right. I can't sacrifice anymore emotion lost on something I may not have for a while. Even if i don't want it.

My heart will hurt less ...

But.. what if Grace grows on him?

"Blake.. what if he spends enough time with Grace that .. that he likes her?" I looked up at him with my tear filled eyes.

He shook his head. "He won't. Ill make sure of it. He wont spend much time with her okay?"

All i could do was nod. I needed out of here. I walked away, out of the room as fast as i could, down the stairs. Bursting through the mudroom door, i took off around the pack house, huddling the blanket around me. I crossed into the woods on the opposite side, away from the dirt road and let go. I burst, letting my wolf surge forward, the blanket flying off of me and onto the ground.

My wolf's paws hit the dirt ground covered in pine straw with a heavyness.. her whimpers broke my heart as she ran. The closest she had gotten to our mates wolf, while in her own form, was the morning in the tent when they took over in our skin. She won't get that chance again.

My human self, doesn't even want Zaryn because of the pain he has caused me.. giving whats mine to another female. But being near him makes the pain stop.. the pain HE caused. That makes me angry that the one who causes my pain is the one who eases it. But the wolf... she wants him no matter what he has done. She doesn't understand. She sees Grace as the threat..

The emotions she was feeling were too much for her. She needed blood... to feel the life snuffed out of something living, between her powerful jaws.

Running efforlessly through the forrest, She caught the scent of a wild rabbit. It wasnt big enough for the damage she wanted to do..

She paused, sniffing wildly, snout in the air. That's when the scent of a doe came through the wind current.. something large enoug to take both of our anger out on.. and yet small enough not to get hurt. It was close by.

She leaped through the brush, slowing her movements, nose to the ground as she came up on a white tail deer who was clueless to the danger that crouched behind her. My wolf sat silently, watching. Waiting for her moment.. snipets of the conversation at the meeting playing into our mind.. making her anger spur on.

Without another moment to think, she reared back on her haunches and sprung out of the brush, leaping high in the air, teeth snapping swiftly into the flesh of the unsuspecting doe.

It wasnt enough to hold on to.

The doe leaped away quickly without hesitation but my wolf was ready for a chase. She bounded through the forrest, right on her tail.

One faultering moment was all it took to slow the deer and allow my wolf to attack, jaws clamping down around the deers soft throat. Growls came out in ferocity as my wolf shook her head, teeth snapping through muscle and tendon. The blood filling her mouth was satisfying to the both of us... quenching the thirst for the liquid red life force.

The deer struggled hard but eventualy, she gave up. The light dying out of her eyes as her blood seeped out into my wolfs mouth, onto her fur before dripping to the ground. This was a trophy kill for a juvenile. Not many could take a doe this size a mere amount away from their first shift. Joy over her kill swelled her insides with pride.

She decided it was time to let the deer go and began licking the blood off her fur before sinking her teeth in the deers belly and devouring its flesh, taking her fill.

Once she had had enough, devouring most of the meat, she felt a little less angry but thats when the sadness set in. Her soul hurt because my soul hurt. She didn't like being kept away from her mate with order from her Alpha..

***

Running up the hillside to my favorite spot that overlooked the entire packland, the bonfire shining below while the other members enjoyed themselves. She stopped in the clearing under the full moon, head tilting backwards, letting out a long sorrowful howl. there was so much heart in that one action, the sound alone would make any human tear up. The sound of heart ache.. loneliness.. despair.

Our lement to the moon.

Mother moon was watching us.. feeling our pain.

Her howl was echoed by members of the pack below .

Females.

They had heard her cry and shifted just to give their response.  Letting us know that their hearts broke for us. It made us both swell with gratitude as we belted out one more howl, showing our thanks.

She collapsed on the ground next to the stream, lapping up the cool spring water that flowed beneath us before it ran down to the waterfall. It was refreshing letting her take over... taking the worries away for a while.

We were interrupted when a whine sounded from behind us. Turning her head, she sniffed the air as it blew.. the scent gave her a shiver of delight.

Mate.

The word was thought. This would be her first time seeing his wolf... her mate.

In the back of our mind, I was screaming 'No!' But she ignored me.

Oh my sweet other half.. you are only going to cause me more greif if you don't leave before he or I shift back into skin. I can't do this. Not anymore. Not to myself.

She can have her first meeting with her mate, but after that, im out of here. Zaryn can sway my decisions so easily when I was angry at him...  I didn't think any of this was his fault at first but now.. after talking to Nic about it.. Maybe he is at fault.

After her meeting we are out of here because i will be damned if i let him break my heart and further or get found out and take punishment for this.

Alright wolves, meet, greet, and lets hit the road.

I just pray she lets me take control again before something compromising happens.

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So! What do you guys think will happen?

Will the wolves have their run in and flee?

Will they get caught?

Will their human sides come out and want to talk one last time?

Will anyone know they are meeting?

Will......? Use your own ideas and let me hear what you think will happen!

Extended Authors Note:

Along with my gratitude, i want to point out a few comments i recieved.. just two. Went along the lines of..

"Man i was hoping this story wasnt cliche.. "

And

"if theres no rejection, im not reading the rest."

Well! Considering rejection is SO "cliche", no. This book does not contain rejections resulting in broken mate bonds. This book strictly relies on having mates but.. if you go off and mate someone else. That would be the "rejection". None of this "i, yadda yadda, reject you, yadda yadda."

And honestly, i am happy with the fans i DO have who take the time to vote! I thank you all for the awesome comments and messages in my inbox. Makes a girl feel special. And i have so many of my favorite authors reading as well amd that makes me feel so special!

So! If you dont like the story, dont read it. Because the last thing i will do is be "cliche" and rewrite MY story so ONE person will continue reading it. This is MY fantasy world people!!

To those of you who are supportve, i love you. The world will always be filled with haters sometimes!

Xoxo

Chilee.