Page 30 of Becoming the Alpha
“She found us. Said that we would need her - never told us why. We thought she was crazy. We were prepared to defend ourselves against her, but it helped that she actually needed us when she arrived. She was hurt badly.”
“We as in your pack or we as in the wolf shifters?”
Luke shook his head. “She hasn’t given us any additional information on what she meant, no matter how hard we push.”
“How did you do that thing outside? What exactly was it?”
The door behind me swung open and I turned around to see Dean sticking his head inside. “Sorry guys, but I’m taking the girls to their cabin on the other side of the area. We only have a few hours before we need to head back out,” He said, staring at me for confirmation.
I nodded. “Come back here after you get them settled. You should be involved in this conversation, then we can head out from here.”
Dean gave me a tight nod, his eyes tightening as he realized we would be leaving Amara here alone. He closed the door and I listened as he walked away. I turned back to Luke again. “Alright, where were we?”
“You had questions about the pack wards,” Luke smirked. I blinked, trying to understand what Luke meant.
“What are pack wards?”
“Wards that protect our pack. In other words, it’s like a magical shield that keeps everyone out of our lands,” Luke explained. I straightened up, interested in how we could use this.
“How do you get those set up?” I asked, trying to keep myself from seeming too eager. Obviously I failed because Jake and Luke shared a long look. I sighed, letting my body relax and crossed my arms. “After going around and visiting the other packs throughout our kingdom, I know of a few who could use this type of protection. They are being targeted and need to protect their young ones and innocents. I’m interested in how it can help them.”
“It’s not something everyone can do. The only reason Luke can do it is because he’s half witch and I taught him. He’snotsupposed to be doing magic that intense though and he knows it,” Sam’s voice responded as she walked back into the room. I raised an eyebrow at Sam as she narrowed her eyes at Luke.
“He’s half witch? How come we didn’t know about this?”
Sam scoffed, looking at me like I was crazy. “Come now, boy. You can’t expect us to share these types of secrets with the King’s son, can you?”
I opened my mouth, ready to argue, but then snapped it shut. I chuckled, shaking my head. I shared a rueful grin with her. “Yeah, I guess I can’t fault you for that. My father isn’t the best at sharing, is he?”
Luke and Jake snorted and I rolled my eyes, smiling again. “Alright, there’s a lot more information you’re going to get, as long as you win the challenge tomorrow. Which means, you need to get some rest and start on your way back. Your bed is in the back room. Luke needs rest as well, so we can continue this conversation later,” Sam said. She pointed to the room she had walked in from and I nodded my thanks to her. I gave a small wave to Luke and Jake before walking into the other room.
I dropped heavily into the small cot that was tucked into the corner. I barely registered the opening and shutting of a door, the soft murmuring of voices from the kitchen, and then someone walked into the room and laid down on the cot next to mine. I sighed and turned over, lacing my hands behind my head. “How’s Amara?”
“She’s scared. They all are, but they’re putting on brave faces.”
“Well, they'll be safe here.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fighting my father to the death tomorrow, my mom and sister were forced from their home, and my mate has been ripped from my side and shoved into a dungeon with no way for me to contact her or ensure that she’s safe because we’re fucking miles away from each other and can’t speak to each other. No, Dean. I’m not okay.”
32
Lily
We had finally gotten Shaun and Nia to stay apart for the rest of the night. Miss Kitty practically had to drag Shaun away and Nia was almost inconsolable for most of the night. I wasn’t surprised when the guards came down in the morning and woke us up early, but it didn’t improve my mood at all.
As soon as the guards came down the stairs and knocked on the bars, the other prisoners jerked out of their cots, screaming and yelling. I groaned, rubbing my eyes with the heels of my hands. The guards swung the first of the bars open and shuffled the prisoners out. It took them several minutes to get to our cell and by that time, Nia and I had gotten up, done our business, and were waiting side by side for them to open the gate.
“No funny business. The King is ready for you all. The challenge is going to take place after the executions, so you better not make him wait,” A guard with a squinting eye sneered at us. My pulse jumped as I realized what he was saying. He reached for me and I twisted to the side, backing up a few steps. “What are you doing?” Nia hissed at me.
“Didn’t you hear him? They’re going to execute usfirst. There’s no point in having a challenge if your challenger is already dead!”
“Jason isn’t going to be dead. You are.”
“No, we both will because we’re mated. We’ve claimed each other.”
Nia’s face paled and she opened and closed her mouth a few times like a fish out of water. I would have thought it was amusing if the plan wasn’t going to shit. The guard lunged at me again, snapping his hand around my arm. He squeezed tightly, causing me to grit my teeth and snarl at him. I sighed, shaking my head at him. I shoved my arm up, causing the heel of my hand to hit and break his nose. He let go of me and grabbed his nose, stumbling back and screaming.