The Runt's Human Mate

Chapter 17: Daniel POV

Chapter 17: Daniel POV

Since my confrontation with Lily I have been an anxious mess. I literally pushed her to threaten suicide. Then she had to be hospitalized with her mate. I didn't realize how weak they were when separated. I hate myself. "Worse is coming." Rosie's voice rang in my head. "What could be worse than Lily almost dying?" I asked. "War." Her voice was strong yet laced with concern. It sent chills down my spine.

I immediately reported to my father and mother what Rosie's wolf was telling me. "She senses a war coming. Phillip's war." My parents exchanged a dark look. "What?" I asked. "Not even 10 minutes ago did we get word that Phillip's parents are dead. He is now Alpha of their pack." I felt my eyes bulge. Did he kill his own parents? "Do we know how?" I asked, my voice strained. I couldn't believe this was happening. "Slaughtered was the word Alpha Royce used," my mother said timidly. "We have other news." I stared. What more could there be? "We located Alec's family and reached out to a pack in that area. There is a definite possibility they are part of the hunter community, although it's only a few of them. It apparently goes way back in their family tree but Alec is oblivious and I believe him," my father said. I shook my head. This was too much. I excused myself and ran to my mate. She was resting in our bedroom. She hadn't left our bed since the attack. She wouldn't talk about why.

I approached Jeanie's resting form timidly. "Mate?" She reacted to my voice. "Yes?" She sounded so exhausted. "Baby, I have information that I need to share but first I need to know what is going on. Why won't you get out of bed? Please talk to me." She flinched. "I saw Alpha," she stuttered as she spoke. I knew she meant her abuser. She refused to name him beyond his alpha title. She called my dad "Father." Unlike Alec my mate had been accepted immediately. My dad had a soft spot for women like Jeanie. She reminds him of my mother I think.

I climbed into bed with her as I had done dozens of times and wrapped my arm around her waist. "When did you see him?" I asked, thinking I'd have to collect clues and piece together the mystery. "Party," she whispered. I thought hard on every alpha in attendance at the triplet's birthday party. I couldn't think of anyone. "So scary...I pity Lily." Her words struck me. Lily? I pulled her in tighter. "Baby, be honest, is it Phillip? Is he the one who hurt you?" She trembled, but did not answer. "Is Alpha's first name Phillip?" I asked, changing my wording. She nodded. A chill ran up my spine. Bastard.

I linked my father what I had just learned while cuddling my mate. I shared the news of all that had happened and what we predicted with Jeanie. She started to tremble. "Mate, I'm scared. What if he starts a war? What if he tries to hurt me and Lily?" I held her tight. "I won't let him or anyone hurt you, Love. I won't lose a war against him." She relaxed against my body and fell asleep.

Jeanie started getting out of bed and walking around the next day. That made me happy. Lily and Alec were discharged from the hospital just in time for Aunt Shawna to go into labor that same day. A lot was happening and we were expecting more in the coming days.

Aunt Shawna gave birth to a male pup they named Collin. The newest member of the pack was barely 24 hours old when we got the communication we had been expecting. A patrol member linked the whole pack. "The Southern border of the territory has been attacked. Alpha Phillip has been sighted." Seconds later my father linked to the whole pack. "Warriors report to your posts. All vulnerable members are to go to the safe room. Luna Willa will take a head count."

I immediately carried Jeanie to the safe room before running outside to shift. I joined my father and the other warriors. We ran until we found ourselves face to face with Phillip and his army. My father stood before us wolves in his human form. "Phillip, do you truly wish to break the treaty and start a war? Is this your intent?!" He asked, his voice strong. "Give me Lily or fight me!" Phillip screamed. His army howled behind him. "War it is!" My father declared, shifting as he stampeded towards Phillip. Our army followed suit and clashed with theirs.