Chapter 10 - Excitement

Erik’s P.O.V

Kaelb and I were in our wolf form running in the forest, absolute joy filled our very being. Tomorrow, Rodrik was collecting my Luna and their daughter finally bring them home. Finally, my family would be complete, my life would be complete. The past years had been hard on both my wolf and myself. After my mistake all those years ago that forced Freya to flee, Kaelb had retreated into the deeps of my mind. He refused to come out and after I had let that wretched woman take control of me, oh the pain we endured. It was a miracle we had survived. My mother regretted ordering that spell on me as soon as she saw my weak form but it was already too late. The pain from Freya breaking our bound took a toll on my soul. It had left me thin, begging for death. I drowned in my own hatred and disgust for a long time, never leaving my room trying to die of starvation. Kaelb growled not wanting to let the memories of our past take over this joyous moment I sighed focusing on the feeling of the forest floor on my paws. The thrill of the wind racing by my fur as the night sky lit up in front of my wolf’s eyes. I stopped in the meadow, my Luna’s meadow. A beautiful clearing filled with night jasmine and herbs that Freya had planted in our first year together. All this time I maintained it, sometimes I would just sit here with my eyes closed reliving those glorious first few years.

“Alpha, you have been requested for an immediate meeting with Alpha Darren from Blood Moon pack”

Rodrik interrupted as Kaelb let out a frustrated growl. We had not been out on a run in over a week due to our responsibilities of alpha and now with more packs arriving for the coming festivities, I just had no time to let him roam. I ignored the request for Kaelb’s sake for a while, just taking in the night jasmine’s aroma and joyfully imagining tomorrow when she would be here. I had received her last letter earlier thankfully. I did not realize just how under-educated Sera was of her heritage and of pack life. It made sense as Freya was not included in the pack thanks to my parents but for some reason, I thought she would have been taught. I paused a moment, thinking about Emily. No. Emma? The other girl, her other daughter. I wondered who her father was, I wondered if he loved Freya as I did. Kaelb growled in protest hating the idea anyone else would have the chance to touch what is ours.

Rodrik’s reddish-brown wolf caught up to me, he huffed and stared into my eyes pleading. I sighed as Kaelb pouted internally knowing we had to shift and deal with this. After grabbing some of the clothes we had stashed around the forest and getting dressed I turned to my beta annoyed. I opened the pack link as he had not shifted from his beast form.

“What is so important that he cannot wait till morning?”

 Rodrik grimaced at my tone, a pang of regret-filled me not meaning to take out my frustration on him.

“My apologies Alpha but he is claiming his son has found his mate…”

Rodrik paused waiting for my response, I rolled my eyes, and of course, he wanted to shove it in my face. His son had just celebrated his 18^th birthday last month and Darren was super excited for his son to locate his mate so he could take over. I suspected he called this meeting to request to hold the ceremony in my lands while they were here.

“Umm Alpha.”

Rodrik looked nervous, which was unlike him.

“Is there more?”

I asked impatiently as I began walking back through the forest to the meeting hall.

“Yes, well his mate…”

He stopped and looked at me, trying to gauge my mood. I let out a frustrated growl

“Beta get it out will you”

“Alpha, he is claiming his son’s mate is Sera…”

I stopped as cold anger filled me.

“Excuse me?”

I glared, Kaelb was ready to seize control

“Surely you don’t mean my daughter?”

I laughed as Kaelb started to think of all the ways he could rip Darren’s boy’s throat out.

“That’s precisely what I am saying”

Rodrik’s tone was cautious, his eyes glued to me making sure I wasn’t to lose control.

“He wants to begin discussions on a ceremony right away, and pack structure as Sera is your only daughter”

I knew Rodrik was just informing me of what was requested but I was losing control over Kaelb, we were not losing our family before we even got the chance to have it. Darren was making a ploy, his and my packs were the largest in the country. He just wanted what was mine.

“Alpha, remain in control. Darren will not wait for us much longer, the man is short on patience”

I snarled feeling my body shake violently.

“How can his boy be sure? She has not even arrived yet?”

I sneered through my teeth, he must be mistaken. He has to be mistaken.

“I do not know Alpha, I’m sure you can ask Alpha Darren”

His tone was short, obviously, his patience with me was waning. I nodded and continued walking, Rodrik did not deserve my attitude, and he was only the messenger. I fought the urge to let Kaelb out, part of me nervous he would challenge Darren. I would straighten this out tonight. No way was anyone getting in between me and mine.

“She’s too young Rodrik”

“Alpha, she’s almost 18 herself. Most pups find their mate at 16”

I snarled again deep in thought

“How could he even have met her?”

“Sir again I do not know, you should be talking to Alpha Darren”

“Oh I won’t be talking”

I chuckled darkly, Kaelb in agreement with the thought of killing him.

“Alpha please, what if he is telling the truth? Hurting Alpha Darren or his son would hurt your daughter. Besides, do you really want a war?”

 Kaelb snarled again, but I sighed in defeat. He was right, if they were true mates I would be unable to harm Darren’s son without harming my daughter. I would not allow a discussion until I could ask her myself, I would tell Darren to fuck off until she claimed him and if she was anything like her mother… Well, that might take some time. I smirked at Rodrik thinking about the frustration that boy would face trying to claim a daughter mixed of myself and Freya. Kaelb whined at the thought of Freya encouraging memories of her breathtaking smile to the forefront of my mind. I focused on her. I could get through this and retreat back to my bedroom to re-live all those precious memories again.