The Unmarked Mate

Chapter 41

James

I reckoned she was at the Willow Tree. I walked quickly toward the forest. Good thing Arthur kept me away from Oswald, what was up with that contempt for werewolves? I couldn't stand it anymore. Malcolm was right not to make him chief of the elite guard, having a man like that in charge... he brought nothing but shame to the Northern Territory Lycans. Beta Oliver and Cat had given us an account of the things he had said. He had spent a couple of days making smart ass comments about her weight, but she never mentioned anything to me. The Beta said she was used to that and that wasn't what made her lose it. I hated people sometimes. He said that what brought her to lose it was actually several things: the insult on Cat, the insult on her pack and the werewolves and the comment he made about us. Dammit! She was starting to trust me, perhaps even starting to love me, and not be afraid I'd leave and he just told her I would.

Was I lost? I was sure the clearing was there but it was so dark. I could hear the river but what side was I supposed to go? Shit. Then a small brise brought the smell of her hair to my nose, I sniffed and followed the perfect fragrance. I found the clearing. She was sitting next to the weeping willow, at the edge of the highest point above the river, her feet dangling in the air. She stayed there, not acknowledging my presence. I decided to slowly walk up to her and sit by her side. I put my arm around her shoulders, she intertwined her fingers in mine and leaned on me. We stayed there, silently, enjoying the sound of the running water. After some time, she spoke, in a low rasping voice.

"We should go back, it's getting late." She stood up and offered me a helping hand, I took it and held on to it. It was close to midnight and we started walking back toward her house. She did not follow the path and led me through the woods. I was sure we were getting deeper into the forest but I said nothing, she could lead me wherever she pleased. But very soon, we arrived next to her street. She did know her way around the forest.

Something was strange. It was calm, too calm, there was no noise anymore in the forest. We both stopped and looked at each other as we felt uneasiness wash over us. Then we heard shuffling, a banged opened door and screams. We ran as if our lives depended on it right to the dead-end street. As we approached the beginning of the streets, there were two unknown wolves leaving her house and three other fighting in the Jenkins' garden.

"I can't catch a break, can I?" she muttered sarcastically. Before we arrived, the situation was being handled. Jack and Serena had actually pushed the two wolves outside Elestren's house and they both shifted once they went through the front door. In a smooth bite they killed the wolves. In the garden Cat and Tom were fighting with the others. They were still in human forms as it was easier for them to fight in the small garden. A rough looking wolf tried to attack Tom by behind but George caught him by the back and managed to put his arms around his throat. Each of his hand was holding the opposite forearm, and he squeezed. We heard a crack and the wolf turned back into his human form while falling to the floor. During that time Cat and Tom had also killed their opponents.

"That's Elestren's move!" she admired the old man's technique.

"No, that is my move that I taught her many years ago." He corrected her and gave Elestren a fatherly smile. Elizabeth Jenkins ran to him and he hugged her tightly.

"What happened? Are you okay?" asked Elestren right away.

"We heard noises from your house we got out to see if you had come back and we saw three rogues in our garden." George Jenkins answered.

"James contact the lycans and raise the alarm, I'll tell the pack and keep you in the loop."

Elestren