Hestia House Book One

Chapter Sixteen

~Arynn’s POV~

Morning number three after our mating ceremony, and the bliss had not worn off yet. I mean, I was still having slight headaches when the mindlink started, but those were fading every day. Leo had explained it to me, a telepathic connection between wolves of the same pack, and I wondered now why it had never been there in my old pack. But those thoughts soon fled as Leo came back to our bed, leaning over my bare back and trailing kisses down my spine. A moan escaped my lips, and I rolled so I could face him. Our lips came together in the sweet bliss I enjoyed with my mate, when Dakota’s voice came blaring through our mindlinks. I groaned and shut him out, my flash of a headache causing irritation to flare through me. The pack was allowing us three days of a semi-honeymoon, but there was obviously an emergency. Leo was up in a swoosh, at our wardrobe in a moment, and pulling clothes for us both. Sitting up, I slid off the edge of the bed and went to my dresser as Leo filled me in.

“Some of the Lone Claw pack just crossed our borders. They will be at the pack house in 10 minutes, so you better hurry if you want to brush your teeth. But in all seriousness, I’m concerned about this visit. If they try to take you away, it will be over my dead body.” Blue flames danced in his eyes, warning of the fire to come should something happen. I mindlinked him, pushing my love through our bond at the same time.

~I love you. I will follow your lead.~

His fiery gaze held mine for a moment longer before he nodded his head and slipped his shirt over his head. I entered the bathroom, trying to find my game face. My nerves were at high alert and I was starting to feel queasy. This encounter would set the tone for all future meetings with my former pack and I was not thrilled. But it was here, and I had less than ten minutes to steel myself for it.

Eight minutes later Leo and I were standing just inside the pack house, the front doors closed to the cold and our guests. They were just pulling up and so far I hadn’t seen Alpha Sean leave a vehicle. Leo’s plan was to exit the packhouse after they all exited their vehicles, to help show our distance. After a few more minutes, Alpha Sean finally showed his face. His scowl sent tremors through my stomach, proving to me that I hadn’t truly dealt with my past. Leo squeezed my hand, then pulled me in for a fierce kiss before opening the door and leading me onto the porch. We stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at the contingent from Lone Claw, before Leo spoke.

"Alpha Sean. State your business. You are trespassing on our pack grounds."

Alpha Sean glared at Leo for a moment before responding, his voice gravelly and sharp.

"You have an Omega that belongs to me and I want it back. It ran away over a year ago after killing two other pack members, and we need justice."

My stomach churned, and I felt Leo's anger rise, followed by every pack member within hearing range. Ice is what Leo’s voice felt like, the hand I wasn’t holding clenching and releasing over and over as he spoke.

“She is not an item, and she is not yours. She is our lady Luna, white wolf of the Shadow Fang pack. Her name is Arynn Winceter, and she will go nowhere.”

At the mention of white wolf, Alpha Sean’s gaze shifted to me, pining me to the spot with such [stronger than hatred?] that my stomach felt like it was being shredded. I wanted to vomit, run, and disappear all at once. I couldn’t breath, let alone move and spots were starting to form around the edges of my vision. All at once, Leo was in front of me, blocking my view of Alpha Sean and I heard as many of our pack members rushed to barricade the pack house from our visitors. Within seconds, I felt Dakota pulling me into the pack house and heard Leo’s voice again, this time yelling with such ferocity but my brain wasn’t comprehending anything he was saying. Dakota was bolting the door as rushed to my side and guided me upstairs. She locked us into a room, sitting me on the bed before getting me a glass of water. Helping me put the glass to my mouth, Hazel then stood by the door with her eyes distant.

The swallow of water I did get down my throat sat heavy in my turbulent stomach. I hated how weak I felt, how scared and powerless I was in front of him again. Hot tears streamed down my face as humiliation washed over me at my failure to stand up to him. Just as quickly as my tears started, Hazel had her arms around me, lending me her strength as I cried. At some point she tucked me into the bed, dimming the lights, and sat in the chair next to me, her hand on my arm. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew Leo was sliding into the bed with me, pulling me into his embrace. Breathing his scent in deeply, I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him gently. His return kiss was gentle and comforting, and neither of us wanted anything more for the night.

The next morning Leo was up first, ensconced in the offices with the pack leaders. That afternoon Leo came back to our house, pulling me into an embrace so similar to the one we had back in Oklahoma. My companions, composed of a couple of pack warriors and some of the leaders' wives, left quickly. I didn't let Leo lead me to bed, even though I desperately wanted to go there myself, but instead made him sit on the couch with me. Seeing our make out session wouldn't lead anywhere yet, Leo sighed, raking his hand through his hair. When he finally met my eyes, he said four words I dreaded but knew were inevitable.

"We are at war."