Bear Shifters (Book 4)

Chapter 10-Minho

"So our four different patrol groups are going out to the borders in groups of five, switching every two hours to keep from one group getting too bored and careless. We need to keep this up for now, we can't let any other soldiers get through the borders. They have found a way to mask their scent, so everyone needs to keep a sharp eye out for those bastards," Ava snarls, glaring at every warrior and pack member present in this meeting.

I couldn't help but admire her, even as she was scaring the shit out of everyone. She was worse than Bo at the moment, which was sexy as hell.

No, not right now! I scold myself for thinking like that and tune in to the meeting at present.

"So how will we make sure the patrols are on every edge of the border? What leaks will there be in the borders, because there are bound to be some," Celine asks from the corner of the room.

I look over at her tucked into Adam's side as he looks down at her with a small smile. I look over at Ava expectantly, only to find her scowling at Celine and giving her a suspicious look. I elbowed her, causing her to snap out of her thoughts and look up at me. I motioned with my eyes towards Celine, telling her to answer the girl's question.

"Well..." she starts, almost hesitantly. "The patrols groups are going to be spread out and watch their assigned sections of the borders. So one will take the North, Another the South, and East, and West, that way we have a group on every side of the territory," Ava explains, glaring at Celine almost as if in a challenge.

Celine returns the look, causing Ava's wolf to nearly come out. I wrap and arm around her waist and tug her into my side, making her calm down and look away from Celine.

"Alright, everyone is dismissed," I call out. "We start the patrols now. Groups A, B, C, and D, you guys are up first, start immediately," I order, causing everyone to nod and leave, except Adam and Celine.

"Why do you think they are attacking us all of the sudden. I mean they have left us alone for years with only the occasionally ambush, but never like this, what caused it?" Ava asked, almost in a suggestive manner.

"I don't know, but whatever it is, we need to figure it out and stop it before it gets too out of hand," I say to all of them.

"Oh, trust me. I'm on it," I hear Ava mutters, though I don't think I was supposed to hear

"Alright, get some rest guys we can have another meeting tomorrow to make sure everything is going according to plan. We also have to boost up training," I tell everyone, kissing the top of Ava's head to calm her down.

"Okay, see you guys tomorrow," Adam calls, dragging Celine out of the room.

I notice how Ava's eyes follow Celine out of the room all the way until she disappears behind the hallway wall. I don't say anything as I scoop Ava up into my arms and carry her out of the office and up the steps. She doesn't speak either, instead she wraps her arms around my neck and leans her head against my chest, lost in thought.

As soon as we reach my room, I lock the door behind me and move over to the bed, dropping down with my back against the headboard and Ava in my lap. I pull her away from me just enough to look into her beautiful hazel eyes.

"What's going on with you?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing, it's just... I..."

"Come on we've never kept secrets from each other before," I prod.

"Oh really! So your nightly terrors don't count?" she snaps, then her eyes widen. "I'm sorry...I'm just... I'm frustrated," she sighs

"No, you're right. I haven't told you what my nightmares are about. We have known each other for twelve years and I haven't told you," I sigh, running a hand through my hair.

"It's okay babe. You don't have to tell me yet if you're not ready, just don't ask me to tell you what's wrong with my now and what I'm thinking, because I'm honestly a hundred percent sure if it's true or not," she says, placing a kiss to my chest.

"No, I am ready to tell you..." I say, sucking in a deep breath. "I was only five when I lost my mother. We were a werewolf pack in China and we lived in a very violent area. We lost her to another pack and that's when my father and I were enslaved. That is how my nightmares start. I see her being murdered right in front of me, then the chains get snapped onto my wrist and ankles, along with my crying father. We were dragged away from our home, and forced to walk a hundred miles to their pack dungeon. My father became an empty shell of himself and we were treated like property. A year later when I was six, a couple of wolves from my old pack managed to escape and tried to take my father and I with them. My father was killed, though he really didn't try to escape, but they managed to get me out. we fled to America, but the other's didn't make it far before their pack hunters found them. I managed to escape and ran right into Bo and Tommy's pack. They took me in and let me live there with them. They adopted me. then I met you..." I pause, allowing a smile to come across my face as I brush away Ava's hair. 'And everything was instantly better. I was only seven at the time, but I think deep down I knew we were mates. When I finally shifted at Max and Kai's wedding and saw you, I instantly knew and...well you know the rest," I finish.

Ava brings her hand up to my face and brushes away a tear from my eye. I hadn't even realized I was crying. She then scoots up and places a gentle kiss to my lips—well it was meant to be a gentle kiss—but I grab the back of her head and deepen the kiss.

After a few moments she pulls away and leans her forehead against mine, panting for breath. Her face lights up with a small smile.

"Thank you for telling me. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that. I won't let anything happen to you as long as I'm alive, you know that right?"

"Yes, I know, and I won't let anything happen to you either."

"I love you," she smiles even brighter before pecking my lips.

"I love you too, Ava," I say before crashing my lips against hers and lowering her down to the mattress.

It felt good to have finally told her. It felt like the burden I have been carrying on my shoulders had finally lifted off and it's now weightless. She was the only person that knew of my past and that was perfectly fine. She was my mate. The only person I will ever love. She's mine and I am keeping her forever.