Chapter 5

Phoenix

Of course she showed up on the doorstep. It was too late for her to go back to her house while this thing was out here, so she had to stay in the house. What made it even worse was it was the full moon tonight. My pack had to hunt.

*Quincy, meet me in the living room please.* I watched Rochella lead Lauren up to her room while I debated what the best course of action was. Soon all the mates of the wolves and the wolves themselves would be here, along with the pups of the pack. This was a major problem.

"Alpha." I briefly filled him in on the situation, his brow getting increasingly darker as I spoke. There was no denying neither of us were happy about how this turned out.

"I say we put her to sleep for the night. Arielle can put her into a deep dreamless sleep that she won't wake from until she releases her. She's safe here in the house for tonight, and let's be completely honest it's probably the safest place for her to be." I nodded and left him to call Arielle. I walked up to the guest room.

Knocking on the door gently, I opened it to reveal Lauren and Rochella talking.

"Hey, we have dinner ready if y'all want to get some." They both smiled at each other and headed down. A pang of sadness washed over me as I realized it wasn't me she felt comfortable with yet and that it was another member of the pack. Part of me knew Rochella was mated and this was just a friendship, but the other part of me - my wolf - was going crazy protective.

Rochella must've noticed this as she stepped away quickly and led the way back down the stairs. With Lauren following behind. I took a deep breath trying to center myself and my wolf from being even more possessive.

The smell of the food was amazing, and while my wolves would be feasting on this as well as the hunt from tonight, we would be well famished. Almost everyone was there, only Blaze and Blake were missing, but I knew they'd come as soon as they heard the word "food".

*DINNER IS SERVED.* Axel yelled through the mind link causing every person in the room to wince. I saw Lauren look around wondering why 12 people would flinch at the exact same time but she shook her head as though she didn't want to know.

*Shut up, and don't yell in the mind link, we've talked about this before.* Axel felt no remorse as Artemis reprimanded him in our minds. Soon everyone's plate was heaping with food, even Lauren's. She seemed content, not too scared of us yet. A few of the guys went into the living room to feast while the rest of us sat around the table.

"Man, Evelyn needs to make dinner every night, this is delicious." Quincy pronounced with his mouth full. Casual conversation started around the table after that, and I turned to Lauren who was sitting on my right.

"So, why did you come up here today, may I ask?" Her cheeks flushed red and her heartbeat quickened. I smiled inwardly knowing she had no clue I could hear her heartbeat.

"Well my friends they were talking about you and I was curious. They said you lived close to the woods and when I heard the news...something didn't feel right I guess, I'm not sure. I found myself on your doorstep as if by magic. I can't even remember why I was drawn to come here."

*Y'all are so cute*

*Take it to another room love birds*

*You belong with me*

Came rushing through the mind link from my pack.

*Be quiet.* I commanded and the mind link fell silent. I meant it jokingly but realized it had come off as more of a command.

*You can talk just shut up about me and my mate.* Everyone relaxed again and the conversations flowed once more.

"Interesting story, Lauren. But do tell, why would you run toward the danger?" She shifted in her seat looking unable to answer the question.

"I just felt like I had to." My watch buzzed and I realized it was almost 7:30, the time of sunset. The rest of the pack felt it as well. I nodded to Arielle and she walked up behind Lauren placing her hands on her temples. Two seconds later, Lauren slumped over in her chair. Gently, I picked her up. She seemed weightless in my arms as I carried her up to the guest room.

She was beautiful as I set her down and tucked the covers around her. Lightly I kissed the top of her forehead before shutting the door quietly behind me. Walking down the stairs, the entire pack was assembled. Blake and Blaze's mates were sitting on the couch, both with a toddler in their lap. A second, older child sat next to them.

"Tonight we hunt, but first let us be clear. There is something out there, something that could destroy us all if we aren't careful. None of you are to branch off from the pack, we are staying close and tight knit all tonight. Four of you will stay behind to guard the house while the rest hunt, then when we return, three of us will join you four on your hunt as well.

Be alert for anything, we don't know what that threat is out there but we know it has no honor or loyalty to other than itself. Jax, Axel, Arielle, and Blake will stay behind to guard the house for now until we get back." The group started breaking off, but I caught the guarding four before they could move.

"Be aware, my mate sleeps in the guest room, if anything happens to her, even if a strand of hair is out of place, mark my words, you will be sorry." I let my eyes flash gold before letting them go.

"Dad, why can't I hunt?" I heard Luke, the young boy sitting next to his mother ask Blaze.

"Son, you are not of age, and you have not shifted."

"I'm ten dad! I'm almost of age." Blaze smiled.

"Yes, you are growing, my boy, but I cannot take you yet. Will you guard the house for me? Protect your mother and your younger sister, protect your nephew as well." Luke nodded solemnly to his father. Blaze smiled and ruffled the top of his head.

As soon as the pack had left the house, they shifted waiting for my command. I let the familiar ripple of my muscles changing overtake me as I went down on all fours. In a few seconds I, along with everyone else, was shaking out my coat.

We were all pretty big, but I was the biggest. I had pure white fur with scars down my forelegs and my back. They were reminders of my past.

*Remember, we don't get too far away from each other. Make it a quick hunt, and make sure you stay safe. We will be running in the middle of the forest, there was a group of deer there I saw yesterday. Be careful.*

Everyone dipped their heads in respect. Quincy let out a small bark and everyone took off. The most powerful wolves on earth running through the forest had to be a sight. I could imagine the spectacle; a pure white wolf the size of a miniature horse followed by eleven other huge wolves ranging from rustic red to midnight black. Thoughts were running wild through the group but none could be distinguished.

My thoughts trailed back to my mate sleeping in the spare room. She was everything I could ask for, yet what would she think of me? I wasn't the ideal mate, I wasn't the one she would want to be with. What if she was disappointed in having me as her mate?

*Deer.* Suddenly we became a well oiled machine. Eleven powerful wolves moving as one, leaping over each other, rolling, and diving together. The deer stood no chance as the herd scattered. We had already picked the one in the back, leaving the two bucks so the herd could continue to reproduce. Rochella dived in for the kill and snapped the deer's neck with ease.

Two other deer were taken down by Quinlian and Quincy both who drug them over to where we were waiting. The rest of the pack gathered around in a rough circle.

*We thank the great Earth for providing this meal for us. We thank these deer who gave their lives so we may continue to live.* As soon as the last word was said the pack went to work on the deer. Close to the end of the feast a cold shiver went down my body. Lauren.

In two seconds I had begun to sprint back to the house pushing my body to its limits. I could hear my pack trying to talk to me but all I could think of was protecting my mate from whatever harm was close. She was the only thing on my mind.

I couldn't get to the house fast enough, it seemed like every step I took it was like I was three steps further away from my mate. I howled in frustration and finally the house came into view. I could feel there was something wrong.

I slowed my run trying to survey the area. Where were the protectors? None of them were patrolling like they should've been. Another cold shiver ran down my spine as I swung my big head toward an area that seemed devoid of life. Something spoke to me.

"So you're the great Alpha. I have heard much about you, but I wanted to see if you lived up to your reputation. There is great power in you, yes, almost greater than even my own but not quite. Your mate, she lies in this house does she not?" I let out a low growl as he mentioned her.

"Keep your temper, wolf." He was taunting me. "I mean no harm...yet. As long as you and I are on the same side, there will be no harm to come to you, your pack, or your mate. However, if you refuse to join me, you will only know destruction. Those two worthless humans were your first warning. Beware I will return, I just wanted to see if the legends were true." With that, it seemed as if this thing vanished. I could feel it no longer. I shifted back and ran to my mates room who was still sleeping quietly in her room.

"Do not fear, my beautiful mate, I will never let any harm come to you."