The Red Wolf's Mate

Chapter 69- Fighting....Reinforcements

Chieftain Ioan Mahoe, Brownie Realm

I know I'm in my office, which is near the entrance to my portal access room although my eyes are tightly shut due to the severe pain throbbing throughout my back. I can keenly sense the unique magical aura my portal radiates. My closed eyes seem to have a mind of their own and want to stay shut, like if they don't open the pain in my back will somehow not increase. But, I can't stay on the ground!! I have to push forward and seek help for my people. I force my tired eyes to open, focus on Alpha Maureen's portal access door, and crawl my way forward, all as warm liquid rolls down my back and agony shoots throughout my body. I know I need to save my magical strength so I can transport my urgent message in my protected orb directly to Alpha Maureen.

It feels like an eternity before I finally reach my desired destination. I quickly conjure my specific parchment paper and desperately communicate our dire situation within my kingdom, hoping not only my words are sent but my emotions as well. I request her immediate aid and urgently dispatch the letter. As soon as I complete my task my ears begin to ring, stars dance before my eyes, then everything goes black!

Alpha Maureen POV

I'm sitting at the pack house kitchen table with Wyatt, Ms. Debbie, her niece, Jax, Lucille, and Adam. We are relaxing, laughing, and just kicking back talking about everyday, regular stuff. It feels great to just hang out with friends and relax, especially with the current stressful situations which keep popping up. I love watching my fellow packmates horse around and just enjoying life. 

Everyone is roaring with laughter at a story Lucille is sharing about Jax, which seems to be centered around embarrassing him. His face is red, his arms folded across his chest with a scowl on his face! Adam and Wyatt are laughing so much they have tears  rolling down their faces while trying to stay in their seats!

**Something is wrong!- Shelia suddenly bellows

*Damn, you startled me Shelia! What's wrong?! Something on pack ground?!- I quickly question.

**No, I sense something magical at work......-she replies.

*Portal access upstairs?- I follow-up.

***What's wrong?! I can feel your anxiety through the bond.- Brutus ask.

My eyes quickly dart to meet Wyatt's serious face, intensity shining through his gorgeous blue eyes. 

*We need to excuse ourselves and check our portal access in our room. If the issue is not on pack grounds that is the most logical location. I will mind link Jax, Lucille, Dennis, and Garret with instructions. I don't want to create a panic. We need to gather information asap!- I hastily state to him.

I nonchalantly stand up and state, "I hate to laugh and run but Wyatt and I have some pack business left to finish up so we're going to head up. Talk to you guys later."

Wyatt stands up as well with a small smile, grabs my hand, and we make our way to our apartment. 

"Sure you have 'pack business' Alpha. Don't work too hard on that 'pack business'," I hear from a giggling Lucille as we leave the kitchen.  

For the most part I ignore her comment, knowing she means no harm and that I have bigger issues to deal with than her innuendo.

When we are halfway to our place I mind link the intended people with their instructions. They now have their orders and will await further directions. 

The closer we get to our flat the more concerned I become. I can sense the heaviness in the air. 

*Shelia, can you feel that?- I inquire.

**Yes.......it feels somewhat familiar.

*Brownie??- I ponder.

**I think so....but more intense than last time he sent a protected message. 

*Maybe something bad happened in his realm that changed the message's protected essence. We need to hurry!!- I urge

We finally reach the door to our private quarters and I all but burst through the entrance. 

I am instantly aware of the heightened magical aura and my entire body tenses up. 

"Can you feel that mate?" I hear Wyatt's voice cut through the air and immediately know Brutus is in control without having to look at his white and blue swirling orbs. 

"Yes, I can Brutus. Portal access room, hurry!" I urgently state while already on the move.

We can already see the  glow which radiates from Chieftain Maheo's protected message sphere.

There it is!

It's floating right outside the brownie portal access!

It normally glows a luminescent pearl-like color surrounded by a calm, purple mist. 

But this!

It's glowing alright! Glowing and pulsating such a brilliantly bright white one would think you were staring at lightening  caught inside a crystal ball!!

Turmoil! 

Bottled turmoil!

Turmoil caught inside a ball and fighting!

Turmoil and lightening, if that were even possible to catch and bottle up! That is what staring into this orb looks like!

The usual mellow purple mist surrounding the message orb is now a storming plum purple!

This is very different than what was sent with the informative letter Chieftain Maheo passed along last time!

I boldly extend my left arm toward the raging sphere and carefully lay my hand upon it. 

I can hear Wyatt's pounding heart and feel his stress through our bond. 

"Careful mate," Brutus sincerely cautions.

The protective globe performs its identification scan, releasing the familiar cracking sounds, and then it unlocks to expose a bloody piece of parchment paper.

It's not neatly rolled up like the last letter he sent to me. No, not this one! This one is badly crinkled like someone was frantic to get it inside the orb and send it off. 

I quickly grab the paper, careful to avoid the blood.

We both desperately read the message scrolled on the unique parchment paper.  

It is bad!

We read about the wolf invasion, the fighting, brownies being overwhelmed, exhausted, and the need for reinforcements. 

The more we read, the more we realize the abominable situation the brownies are currently in within their kingdom. 

We need to act swiftly!!