His Breath of Fire

Chapter Twenty-Two

    The rest of the day was spent checking up on the remaining pack members and helping them come to terms with the fact that some of their mates, children, and family are no longer here with us.

    We had been training for this exact type of attack, yet the first moment of trouble, we dispersed and lost a majority of our pack.  Granted, if Alpha Robert had been here the pack may have had a chance, so they obviously had scouts or an inside source letting them know when the Alpha would be out.

    Honestly, it was a coward’s way out; attacking when the Alpha wasn’t there to protect and direct.  But from the little that I’ve gleaned about my father is that he will take the easy way out in order to get what he wants.  And he’s made it very clear what he wants.

    I’m just grateful my father didn’t find my mother, because who knows what would have happened if he found her, especially since she’s pregnant with another man’s pup.

    Easton, Alpha Robert, Paul, and Lucas are trying to brainstorm any ideas on how to get the pack back from my father without having to give him my mother and I.  They aren’t coming up with anything.

    I’m lost in my own worlds, surrounded by my thoughts.  I could give myself up, willingly give myself up to my father in exchange for the pack members.  I know that my mother—and especially Easton—will be against this.  So if this is the way it must be, I need to do it without their knowledge.

    What do you guys think I should do?  I ask Blaidd and Blaise.

    Sacrificing yourself is a very “Luna” move, Blaidd offered, causing me to shake my head.  However, then you are giving him exactly what he wants—an unstoppable weapon.

    But if I give myself up, the pack will be together again and then they can plan a counterattack, I counter, knowing that Luke will do unspeakable things with me knowing I’m exactly what he wants.

    If they can find where he will take you, Blaise responds, Knowing they will try and get you back, he may move you somewhere we don’t know yet.

    What if there’s a way to let them know where I am once I’m moved?  I asked.

    We’re powerful, but not that powerful.  You’ll have to mate with Easton so he can know where you are at all times.  Blaidd says.

    Plus with being a hybrid, there may be more perks to completing the mating process than we’re aware of, Blaise offers.

    “Penny for your thoughts?” Easton interrupts my conversation with my other forms, and I glance up at him in time to see him sit down next to me.  He looks incredibly stressed.  His long hair is a mess, and his body sags from exhaustion.

    “Just trying to come up with a solution that wasn’t already suggested,” I answered, scooting closer to my mate and his arm wrapped around my shoulders, bringing me that much closer to him.

    “Come up with anything?”

    “None that you’ll like.”

    His body tensed, his grip becoming that much tighter on my arm.  If I wasn’t a hybrid—or a werewolf for that matter—he would have left a bruise where he was holding me.  “Don’t tell me you were thinking of giving yourself up.”

    “I told you you wouldn’t like it.”

    “Bren, you cannot think that giving him exactly what he wants is going to solve this issue!  Who even knows if he will give us back the pack members even with you in his custody?”

    “And if the members were returned before I gave myself up?”

    “I can’t believe we’re even discussing this!” He got up and started pacing, seeming even more stressed than he was when he sat down.  I felt bad about adding to his problems, but as a future Luna, I need to think about the pack before myself.

    My mind wanders back to who we recovered from the panic rooms and different areas on the territory, and I realized we were missing one person.  “Was Mara here when my father attacked?”

    Easton stopped pacing, seeming frozen in time since it didn’t even look like he was breathing.  Without sparing me a glance, he turned on his heel and started walking out the room.  Confused, I quickly got up and followed my mate, finding him talking to one of the pack members who was by the lake when they fled.

    “Did you happen to see Mara today?”

    “No,” the member said, shaking his head.  “She left a little after all the high schoolers left.  We thought she was just running a little late to school.”

    She didn’t come to school today, Easton.

    I know, he growled, but thanked the member and they scurried off.

    “Do you really think she is a traitor?” Easton asked me, eyes fiery in barely controlled rage.

    “All I know is that her aura has been dark since we announced to the pack we are the new future Alpha and Luna.”

    “Since then?  That was almost two months ago,” he shook his head, seeming to dismiss the idea immediately.

    “Do you remember what she said in front of the pack?  ‘I do not accept this mixed breed as my future Luna’?  Not to mention she’s tried to get people to turn against me,” I pointed out and he stiffened again.

    “She what?!” he yelled, and I hadn’t realized he didn’t know about her trying to undermine me.  His eyes shifted from his golden gaze to black, telling me that Gabriel is trying to take control.  To do what, I don’t think anyone wants to find out.

    “You didn’t know?”

    “No!”

    “I thought you did, I’m sorry,” I soothed, putting my hands on his chest and rubbing in slight circles.  Soon enough Easton started to calm down, and his gaze returned to the golden hazel color I love so much.

    “We need to work on our communication,” he murmurs against my neck, and I inwardly shake my head.  I know he’s just upset that he didn’t suspect Mara trying to get me out of the picture, but how could he?  He still thought that she silently stepped aside, waiting for her true mate rather.

    “Easton?”

    “Hmm?”

    “Let’s complete the bond.”

    Easton pulled back, shock evident in his beautiful features as well as his eyes turning black at the prospect of mating.  I know he’s been wanting to complete the bond for a while now, but it was always me that hit the brakes.  With the threat of my father, at the time, I didn’t feel that it was the best option.  I mean, what if I died?  There are so many ways that my father could ruin not just my life, but Easton’s as well.  At the time, I couldn’t convince myself that it was a good time to allow ourselves to be selfish and just be mates.

    But now, I don’t want anything to happen without knowing what it meant to be with my mate—to be one.  To honor the pairing not one, but two goddesses deemed worthy, and to be honest, just become a woman.  There’s no one else I’d rather be with than him.

    “Are you sure?” he asked, as his eyes stared into mine, looking for any sense of uncertainty.

    “Yes,” I answered, smiling at him.  “I love you,” and he pulled me into a searing kiss.