Alastor POV - The pout hadn’t left his lips since leaving Blood Mountain. Mina had barely given them ten minutes to recover from the fight, and get their bearings, before she called him and all the Lynns for a meeting. Alastor knew they had promised to help Blake find his sister, but after hearing she was already off territory, he hadn’t realised they’d act so soon. He was covered in blood, his nose ached from when that bastard busted it for their little performance, and his back was scratched to shit by the little Issacs wolf trying to avenge his family. Still, she was his mate and his Luna and, more importantly, he never went back on his word. It was odd running beside a wolf he had considered an enemy less than a day ago. Blake was the only wolf among their little group of five that kept pace with him. Even when Alastor pushed a little harder to intimidate the Issacs wolf, he kept up with ease. If it wasn’t for the three wolves accompanying them, Alastor would’ve kicked it up
Alastor POV-Alastor cursed and shoved Blake away from him. The bastard had given away their position.As he shifted, a call to arms shouted across the escort. The three men shifted, planting themselves between him and Taylor. However, she wasn’t his target. Ronnie and Callum would secure her.The anger bubbling under his flesh pumped a thick spike of adrenaline through his blood, propelling him forward. In five bounds he was upon the enemy, a snarl on his lips. Blake was a step behind him, his black wolf locked onto the largest of the three men. Alastor didn’t care. He just wanted someone to sink his teeth
Alastor POV - “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Taylor’s lip worried between her teeth, her eyes flickering to Alastor. He tried to reassure her with a smile, but it only served to narrow her gaze on him. He huffed. It would take some work to warm her to him, but Mina called her a friend so he would do it. “I’ll be fine.” Blake smiled, though his eyes also flickered to the Lynn twins. “Are you sure you’ll be okay.” A heavy sigh heaved at Alastor’s chest. He had never known siblings to be so protective of each other. He had definitely never treated Owen as delicately. He swung an arm around Blake’s shoulder, his smile growing with the sudden tension of the Issacs wolf. “You’re in safe hands, Taylor, and so is he. Get going and we might catch up to you in a bit.” Though she didn't look convinced by him, Ronnie took her hand, while Callum coaxed her to go with them. They watched the trio as they began their climb up the mountain, only a few hours from reaching the pack. As soon as
Blake POV - It was the question he had been waiting for since Alastor suggested letting the others go ahead. It had been clear he wanted to talk on the walk home, trying to draw Blake into conversation but he shut him down for as long as he could. He even guided them to the water so he could delay talking just a few more minutes, but it had finally come. The ‘why’ question. Blake wasn’t sure he could answer without making excuses for his behaviour or cracking open a part of himself he wasn’t sure he was ready to show. It wasn’t going to be easy telling this stranger all the ways he had been wrong in the past year, but somehow it felt like the only option. Though Blake had rejected Williamina, and any hope for a future place in her unit, just knowing Alastor would’ve been a wolf the Moon Goddess chose for his unit meant something. He hated how Alastor’s smile put him at ease, always averting his gaze to cling to the sour storm brewing within him. Hours ago, he had killed the last of
Mina POV - She had found it in the Alpha’s office, sitting atop a pile of folders as if Castriel had planted it there to spite her. It caught her eye immediately, the thick blue card adorned with white accents, and beautiful calligraphy. She had had to sign her fair few of these cards before. It was the formal design used for Clear blue for all of their announcements and invitations sent to other packs. The last one she had signed was her confirmation to attend the Luna court at the Diamond Ridge pack. Though that had only been a month ago, she picked up the invitation by the tips of her fingers, as if it was a treasure that would disintegrate at her touch. ‘To Alpha Castriel of the Blood Mountain pack, You are invited to attend the inauguration of Chloe Skye as the next Clear Blue Luna.’ Mina didn’t read further, the words blurring as tears bunched in her eyes. Roman was at her side in a moment, his arm wrapping around her waist, drawing her into his body. He plucked the invite
Mina POV - “So, somehow you managed to win over Alastor in an afternoon? You know that took me twenty-five years and the Moon Goddess’ blessing to do? You have to tell me your secrets.” She smiled and bumped again Blake, who was sat beside her on the ledge. The height still made Mina’s stomach feel lighter than it should, but the peace of the view was worth the fear. She had spent too many days in a room deep in the packhouse or the cell, where she couldn’t feel the fresh air. Now she couldn’t get enough of it, even the wispy air at the high altitude. Inside the heart of Blood Mountain gave her the same feeling, but she did miss the blue expanse above her. Maybe she should suggest they paint the inner walls. With her legs dangling over the sheer rock wall that formed the hidden path to the pack’s entrance, the rock biting into the back of her thighs was a comfort. It was a reminder that she was safe and grounded. Mina shifted on the ledge, settling into a comfier position. She winc
Blake POV - “You’re holding back.” Roman growled as he landed another punch to Blake’s gut. The wind burst from his lungs, his abdomen tensing just in time to catch the blow and stop it sucker punching his internal organs. The force carried him back a few steps, but he let the momentum take him, rolling into it to put more distance between him and his sparring partner. Though, Roman was less like a sparring partner and more like a force of nature. He had happily accepted the sparring invitation, as had Alastor, but had been quick to step up for the first match and was quick to begin. He had come at Blake with singular focus, his attacks strong, his purpose clear. Though Williamina may have forgiven Blake for his choices, and Alastor was beginning to understand why he made them, the Lynn wolf had not. Blake could see it now, burning in his steely glare. Anger. Distrust. Pain. They battered him with each blow, and he let them, taking the force of each one. “Take it easy.” Alastor
Roman POV - He chose his wolf form to sit atop the mountain path and wait. Though Roman had trained his senses to stay heightened in his human form, he felt more comfortable on enemy territory in his wolf. He had tried to encourage Mini to leave, to go back to the Lynn village, but she decided to stay. There was a light in her eyes he hadn’t seen before, and he couldn’t deny the way she seemed so relaxed in Blood Mountain. However, he didn’t like it. This pack had taken his mate, had tried to force her into being Castriel’s Luna, had hurt her. Roman’s jaw clenched. He supposed it wasn’t the pack who had done that, but Blake. A low growl built in his chest. He couldn’t understand why Alastor and Mini had seemingly forgiven the Issacs wolf so quick. Does a mate bond brush away all previous misdeeds in their eyes? It didn’t for him. Roman didn’t trust him, playing the victim now after so long being Castriel’s dog. A few good deeds wouldn’t change that. Especially ones done for all to