“Sweet fresh air.” Carson said as they stepped out of a side of the mountain.
“No argument there.” Vance said.
They could hear howls from the celebration a distance away.
“Why are they howling so much?” Keith asked.
“They’re wolves, and it’s a full moon.” Carson said sarcastically.
“Not like this, this feels different somehow. The howling I mean.” Raymond said.
“According to the elders, during this particular full moon, rare matings happen. Rejected wolves can find second chance mates, lost mate bonds can be remade, etc.” Thomas said.
“I can’t even imagine the pain of losing a mate, it must be so horrible.” Margaret said as she held Thomas.
“Yes it is.” Hayden said as he stared at the now moonless sky. They could all feel the sorrow from his wolf.
“I’m sorry Hayden, she doesn’t know.” Thomas said.
“It’s fine, she didn’t mean any harm. And it’s been a while now.” He replied.
“Did I say something wrong?” Margaret asked.
“No Margaret, you didn’t.” Hayden said the sighed. “My mate died years ago, she was killed by a rogue.”
“Oh my. I’m so sorry for bringing it up, that was so insensitive of me.”
“It’s not your fault, just forget about it.”
“All this magical bond thing seems fake to me, just an illusion.” Keith said.
“It’s not really magic, mating is stronger than magic. And just because you haven’t experienced it before, it doesn’t make it fake.” Thomas said.
“Maybe I have, and that’s why I say it’s fake.”
“If you have experienced a true mating, you would never say that. I’m one hundred percent positive.” Thomas said and he turned away from them.
“I’m heading back, I need food.” Keith said and shifted into a huge black wolf with red streaks in his fur. His wolf howled in anger and took off on a dead run. If only they knew that he had met his mate, but he had been rejected immediately. Maybe mating was real, but it wasnt for him, that he was sure of.
They all joined him, they returned, showered, changed and joined the celebration, taking their places at the head table.
The newly mated couples danced in a circle made by the rest of the pack, Thomas and Margaret included, a way of saying that their new union was blessed by them all.
Suddenly they heard shattering sounds and a bleeding guard ran up to their table where Thomas was now seated with Margaret on his laps.
“Alpha Thomas, one of the prisoners has escaped her cell. She’s fighting her way to the heart of the festival as we speak.”
“Which one?” He asked as he stood with his arms protectively wrapped around Margaret.
“Number nine.” The guard replied.
“Why wasn’t I informed immediately before she got this close?”
“Silver, she got us with silver. We couldn’t mindlink and we were trying to stop her progress.”
“The celebration is over for now. Everyone get your cubs and leave. We have a situation that needs to be dealt with. Only the warriors will stay.” Thomas said.
“It’s too late.” A voice said with a feral growl, then she came into view. A thin female wearing a torn bloody dress. Her dark skin was pale like she hadn’t seen sunlight in years and her long silver hair was tangled and also bloody. There were silver chains wrapped around her wrists and ankles that had previously been joined together but she had broken off.
“Let’s prevent more deaths, shall we Thomas? Give me Amanda and I will go back to my cell, we both know that’s the only way I’m going back in there.”
“I already told you, she’s dead, you have already killed her.” Thomas said to her and she growled.
“That’s a lie, I only hit her once then before you took her away. Where is she?” She yelled.
“Go back to your cell.” Thomas growled.
“Or what? Last time you were prepared, but now you’re not. What will defeat me now?”
“How about seven Alphas and a Luna.” Margaret growled.
“I heard you found your mate Thomas, is this her? She’s pretty. I will kill her. Maybe then you’ll understand what it feels like to lose my mate because of that incompetent bitch you keep hiding from me.” She said and attacked. She almost got to Margaret, but Thomas got in her way and she leaped across the table, quickly regaining her balance.
“How on earth does she move so fast?” Raymond said as he overturned the table to put some distance between them.
“I think your first question should be ‘how on earth is she still moving while wrapped in silver chains?’.”
“She was my best fighter till her mate died. He was injured in a rogue fight and she blames our former pack doctor for his death.” Thomas said and turned to Margaret.
“Run, find somewhere safe and hide.”
“No, I can fight, and I won’t leave you.” She said.
“Maggie, please. She’s targeting you specifically. I know you’re strong, but I won’t rest easy while you’re here. My wolf is irrational when your safety is concerned, I need to focus and I can’t do that while you’re so close to danger, please. And you need to conserve your energy because there will be a lot of people to heal after this. You’re the only healer we have, the pack doctors can only help them heal, but it may not be enough to save anyone in critical condition.”
“Okay, just because i’m a healer. Please be safe.” She said and turned to leave then ducked to avoid the object thrown at her.
“Stay there.” The female growled. The other Alphas had been holding her off while Thomas and Margaret talked but they were having trouble with the silver chains. Margaret tried to run again and the female went after her but hands lifted her and tossed her to the ground.
“Stay down.” He growled in her face as he pinned her to the ground. Then his eyes widened and he got off her like she was on fire.
“That’s impossible.” He whispered as he stood and she got up from the ground, staring at him with the same puzzled expression he had on his face. Everyone else froze and watched as the moon came out for a few seconds, both their eyes began to glow.
“No way.” Raymond said.
“Yes way.” Vance said.
“I can’t believe it.” Jerald said.
“Well you better believe it man. Crazy chain lady is his mate.” Carson said.