Chapter Three - TO PROTECT YOU

Lucian's POV:

"Damn!" My wolf is howling with mirth. He finds it hilarious that a scary and ferocious alpha king like me fell down from an old tree because it cannot hold my weight.

'Human, you amuse me sometimes.'

"Oh, shut up!" I muttered.

I heard my mate's sexy voice as I saw her looking down from her balcony as I hid. Wait, why's the fuck am I hiding for?' I asked myself.

'Right, you're being a buffoon. Go and introduce us to our mate! My wolf demanded.

'It's not the right time yet. We have so many enemies right now, we need to protect her first."

My wolf remained silent for once.

But it doesn't mean we cannot check on her. My wolf brightened with that. With a powerful leap, this time choosing a sturdier branch, I jumped to her balcony, fiddled at the window lock at the side, the same way she did and looked around her room, inhaling my mate's unique scent calms us down.

Until I saw a photograph at her bedside table!

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Allona's POV:

'What's going on? As I wondered about the falling sound I heard a few minutes ago.

I saw no one but I was able to sense the same familiar feeling from earlier. No way, was I followed?" I whispered.

I will deal with it later after dinner. No need to stir the grass and startle the snake. 'Whoever you are, I don't appreciate this. You better cover your tracks.' I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth with annoyance.

I went down to the pack's huge kitchen lounge to join my pack. I opened my mind as a rush of familiar buzz rushed to me. I have the ability to cut off and reconnect the mind linking with the pack at will without being bombarded with severe headache, and a feeling of being "adrift" as what most werewolves experience once they cut off the mid link or if they are far from the pack.

I saw my parents outside the kitchen lounge as if waiting for someone. They are talking in a hushed voice. When they saw me, my Mom couldn't hide the worry in her gaze before it turned stern while my Dad looked at me indulgently.

My Dad opened his arms and I ran into it. I feel the familiar, comforting warmth of my father as I nestled in his embrace.

"Dad, I'm sorry I worried about you and Mom. I mumbled as I peek to check my mother's reaction.

"As long as you're safe." He muttered back as I saw him give a meaningful glance to my mother.

I went out from my Dad's arms and went to hug my Mom. "Don't be mad, Mom. I will tell you every time I go outside the pack's territory from now on, okay?

After a moment of silence, my mother sighed and hugged me back.

"You'd better be." she admonished firmly.

"Come, let's go inside. Your brother is already there. After dinner, we have a big announcement to make."

"Okay, Mom."

I smiled and went with my parents. I feel happy, this is the first time I was treated like a young adult not as a mischievous child. But I feel that something is off. I've got a premonition that something big is going to happen and it makes me uneasy.

Marja's POV:

The princess arrives home safe and sound, huh?! I don't have anything against her, it just so happens that she got everything in life that I ever wanted. A family that loves and spoils her, an Alpha and Luna parents, a hunk of a brother and a beautiful and seductive body. Well, she always acts innocent and cute, but who knows? She's always been close to Ronnie and George. She already has George as her adoring dog, why does she need to take Ronnie from me? What's so special about her anyway, she can't even shift! Well, Princess Allona, you better keep your paws from Ronnie. I don't like him since he's dirt poor but he's mine! "She thought murderously."

Ronnie's POV:

I saw her walking inside the kitchen with Alpha and Luna. She is like a ray of sunshine to my darkness. From the moment she saved me from my abusive stepfather when I was six years old and shields me with her small five year old frame, she stole my heart and my eyes never wandered from her.

She treats me like a son, like a brother, like a best friend but I know I will never be more than that. I don't deserve someone as great as her. She is somebody that I truly love and adore but untouchable. I can't help feeling sorry for whoever my mate is because my heart and soul is no longer mine to give.

She saw me and smiled brightly. Her smile is like a ray of sunshine to my cold heart. She waved at me and I couldn't help but waved back. My heart jolted and my whole body burned with longing and all I can hear is the loud sound of my heart beating wildly for her. It's getting harder to control my emotions as my wolf and I longed for someone that can never be ours. I may need to leave this pack because I know she will be hurt once she sees me so broken once she finds her mate. But I can't help staying a bit more... Just a bit more...

George POV:

You fool! As he saw Ronnie's love and devotion written all over his face for all to see. You will only be hurt, buddy. She's not yours to keep nor mine. We can only be her friends. I've long accepted the fact that my first love can never be mine.

But my eyes are helplessly drawn to the vision walking towards us. She is magnificent, a flaming she-wolf Goddess that leaves a trail of broken hearted werewolves wherever she goes and she's not even aware of it.

I clenched my fist as I raised the walls up in my heart for protection or I might die earlier than Ronnie...

Allona's POV:

I can't help but wonder about my parent's solemn expression. As my thoughts wandered around for all the possibilities, somebody quickly hugged me from behind and ruffled my hair. Without turning around, I know it's my older brother Brent.

"Kiddo, you sent all of us a wild chase, huh?" he reprimanded lightly.

I looked at him pleadingly while looking furtively at our parents if they heard Brent. For sure, they did. Werewolves have sharp hearing, much more an Alpha and a Luna.

"My gosh, dear brother! Will you please shut your mouth and stop reminding Mom and Dad about it." I whispered.

He chuckled. "As if they will forget about it easily." He knocked on my forehead and wisely strode away grinning ear to ear.

I massaged my forehead while glaring at my Brother gleefully running away. My parents turned around and I suddenly arranged my features to look like a "well-behaved daughter who doesn't do any wrong" look. They smirked with amusement and pretended they did not hear anything as we proceeded to our designated dining table.

I saw my best pals and waved at them and they waved back. After the pack's dinner, my father made an announcement that the Ashwood Pack declared war on us whether we accept it or not. Everyone was shocked because we are a peaceful pack who wants to live peacefully with other packs. But the Redwood pack is no pushover.

If we need to shed our blood and give away our life to protect our family and pack, then we will until our last breath.

"Tonight, is the Goddess Moon, the Redwood Pack will hunt! Prepare yourselves. Let's all gather in Stadium 2 in the PineReek Woods after three hours."

"After the hunt, we will have another Pack's Meeting tomorrow to discuss our strategy as we fight the enemy wolves. Dismissed."

—End of Chapter Three—