Chapter Three
Rafe stood in the clearing near the pavilion, watching as the pack gathered for their Saturday morning run. It was a tradition that his dad, Bjorn, had started many moons ago, and he was thankful that he’d continued on with the weekly tradition through the years.
Rafe loved seeing his pack together, loved watching the close bond all of the wolves seemed to enjoy. Happiness spread through his mind when he caught a glimpse of the young running and playing at the far edge of the clearing. With his own young on the way, it filled his heart to know they would be surrounded by a loving and supportive pack. That was…if he didn’t die of a heart attack before they were ever born.
Watching over his mate, Mina, as she carried their twins was more stressful than he could have ever imagined.
So damn stressful.
If it wasn’t for the stellar genes, and some major mystical mojo running through his veins, he probably would have aged twenty years in the last trimester alone. As it was, he would be lucky if he survived the remaining four weeks of Mina’s pregnancy.
With a small amount of effort, Rafe drew his attention away from his thoughts and the kids to the newcomer, Wade. “Good to see you with us today. I wasn’t sure you’d make it.”
Wade nodded and shifted back to his human form. “It’s too early to tell if it will be a good morning or not, but it’s morning none the less.”
“Still burning the candle at both ends?” Rafe asked, knowing damn well that Wade kept his shop open into the wee hours of the morning.
“I do my best work after sundown. What can I say?”
“That you do.” Rafe spun on his heel, his conversation with Wade coming to an abrupt halt. His wolf sprang to the front of his mind.
“Something is coming.”
Rafe’s heart pounded, the hair on his arms stood on end. The thought of an intruder on Black Paw lands sent adrenaline racing through his body. The fact that his wolf had saidsomethinginstead ofsomeonemade the threat even more ominous.
“What is it?”he asked.
“I’m not sure. I smell wolf. A familiar wolf, but the scent is wrong,”his animal replied.
Every warning and natural instinct in his head seemed to go off at the same time. Shouting in unison at him:Must protect the pack.
He simply couldn’t ignore the forewarnings he’d received as of late, the caution from the ancient volva about a profound threat to Black Paw, or the fact that Freyja, herself, showed up only a few short months ago and had warned of a great danger. A threat so dire the Gods began stacking insurmountable power within the ranks of his pack.
A sinking feeling formed in the pit of his stomach. Would today be the day his pack would have to fight for their lives? Would he live to see the birth of his children? Would his family, his mate, survive the onslaught?
The need to protect those he loved far outweighed everything else.
Rafe shifted to his wolf form, letting out a series of small yips, ordering those who had gathered to shift into their wolf forms, and quickly if they hadn’t already. Something was coming their way.Fast.
They needed to be prepared.
Whatever it was, they would take it on together, as a pack.
The children, who had been carelessly playing only moments ago, rushed back to their parent’s side, looking for direction and comfort in the face of an unknown danger.
“Gus, Lucas, Eddie, Reider, I want you up in front of the pack. Tanner, Wade, I want you beside me. Erin and Brenna, I want you beside me as well, but in human form. I have no idea who or what is coming, and I can’t seem to figure out the scent. It’s wrong. I don’t like it. Be prepared to stop the threat by any means necessary.”
Rafe shifted back to human form as his pack bolted to action, following the orders as swiftly as they’d left his mouth, taking their places where he demanded. The rest of the pack lined up rank and file, like they had done many times in the past. Everyone stood, collectively holding their breath, waiting for the threat to emerge from the thick forest surrounding them.
“Come on,”Rafe whispered silently to his wolf. The uncertainty of the situation driving him mad. If only he or his wolf knew what thesomethingwas.
Seconds later, a single female covered by a red cloak emerged from a line of trees just beyond the clearing.
“Who are you? State your business here,” Rafe demanded as the female approached his pack.
The female came to an abrupt halt. Her hands slowly rose to the hood of her cloak.
Rafe watched in stunned silence as the woman gently pulled back the material covering her head. Her fiery red hair twirled in the early morning breeze, but what stunned him the most were her hazel eyes, with golden flecks that stared back at him. He’d seen those eyes before.
