Becoming a Leader

Chapter Three - Mated to a Stranger

Skylla's POV

I'm taking painful steps back to the bunker when I feel like someone is watching me so I turn around to see a huge black wolf slowly stalking towards me. I feel light headed and my heart squeezes. The wolf smells of fresh cut grass and coffee. I know what is happening, that's my mate. Why now? I have people to take care of. I watch as he transforms into a handsome young man with a strong jawline and short black hair. I look into his dazzling blue eyes and see nothing but love. He has a perfect nose and strong arms, he has celtic tattoos running from his broad shoulders to his elbows. His perfectly toned body stands naked in front of me. He has no shame standing before me with his manhood on perfect display, I wouldn't either if I was a male with something that large in between my legs. I don't mean to stare at this god of a man before me, but it's hard to take my eyes off of him. 

"Mate." I hear him growl out and watch as he starts walking towards me. Tears burn my eyes, but I stop them from coming.

"I won't hurt you. My name is Merrick Rivers, I'm Alpha of the Evercrown Pack. I heard of the attack and came to help." He says and takes a slow step to me.

"I'm Skylla Layton," I say and I feel a lump in my throat, "Alpha to The NIghtwalker Pack. Thank you for coming, I am gathering what is left of my pack and taking them to an allie pack 80 miles away."

"You don't have to do that. You may bring them to my home, we have plenty of space and if any of them are hurt we have wonderful doctors to help." I hear him reply.

"How far away is your territory?" I ask, I know I won't be able to stay away from him for long, seeing how he is my mate.

"We are about 200 miles south of here. Don't worry I have men coming with SUVs as we speak. We will be happy to help." Merrick tells me.

"Okay, let me gather my people." I say with my head held high.

"Sydney, please bring our people up." I link the Omega.

"Yes ma'am." Sydney says, "Is there anyone left?"

"No, everyone is dead. We have some new allies here to help, so please don't be scared." I reply.

It took a few minutes but Sydney and the others I helped hide just a few hours ago started to slowly come out of the bunker. They're eyes squinting trying to adjust to the late afternoon sun. I looked over at Merrick realizing that he stood before us naked. I cleared my throat and gave him a pointed look. He nodded his head and shifted back to his extremely large black wolf. I could feel his powerful aura radiating off of him as he stood nearby. More women, elderly, and children came pouring out. Many of the kids clung to the legs of the adults. A couple of the kids saw the enormous black wolf and whimpered.

"It's okay sweeties, this is Alpha Merrick. He's come to help us." I say as I crouch down to them. One little girl puts her arms around my neck, shaking a bit out of fear.

"I want my mommy." She says in my ear, her tiny voice shaking.

"What's your name baby?" I ask her while standing up and holding her in my arms.

"Nova." She answers.

"I know it's scary right now Nova, but I promise you it'll get better." I try to comfort her. I walk us over to the back steps of the burnt down pack house and sit us down. "Sydney please make a head count of children and don't let them go to the front area."

Sydney slightly bows her head and does as I order. I begin to sway side to side with the young girl in my arms and close my eyes to focus.

"From what I was able to see there is no one left from our pack except for us. Please stay calm, I don't  want the children to be anymore scared than they already are at this time. The Evercrown Pack has come to aid us in this time of need. They will be taking us back with them so we may be tended to and decide what our next step will be." I say through our pack mindlink.

I hear a few, "Yes Alpha'' or whimpers but they follow directions. I look down at Nova and see that she is sleeping comfortably in my arms. I hear cars approaching and look over at Merrick and he sprints to the front of the pack house. After a few moments I see him returning in his human form, fully dressed with a first aid kit in hand. He walks up to me and kneels down on one of his knees and looks me in the eyes.

"May I?" He asks, pointing to my wounded leg.

I nod to him and stop swaying in order for him to be able to bandage my leg. He uses the scissors in the kit to cut off the leg of my pants right above the bite. He gently cleans the area and puts a little ointment on with a light bandage. Seeing how we are wolves and we heal quicker than humans I don’t need stitches or much gauze. I'm surprised that this strong mountain of a man can move so gracefully, with such gentle movement in order not to hurt me. I feel my heart swell a bit and tingles on my skin as he lightly brushes his fingers on the back of my thigh. My heart races a bit. I know this is all part of the mate bond. How do I let myself be happy at a time like this? How can I love with a broken heart when most of the people I've ever loved are dead? How do I go on without my parents? What am I supposed to do?