Chapter 109

Natalie POV

It was time for us to make our way to the run. I couldn't keep my mind from wandering to what Ashlynn had told us just moments before about Alpha James. I wasn't sure what to make of it all, but did I think he was capable of such things? Yes I was. He had some secrets for sure, and he kept things from the pack more times than I could account for. Michael had said he wished that either Alpha James would retire or that his time to serve him was up soon. He never elaborated on the why of it, but I got the impression that he wasn't entirely happy in his duties. He revealed to me not long ago that he felt the only thing good to come from his time-serving Alpha James, besides his training, was meeting Shawna. My brother felt it deep in his soul that Shawna was his fated mate. He was angry about what had happened to her but he never once thought less of her for it. Many had asked him how he could stand to be with someone who was tainted the way she was. These words served to make him so angry that he had seriously injured some of our pack members. Shawna wasn't aware of this, and we would never disclose it to her. She had been through enough heartache for a lifetime. What she needed now was to get through this run, mate with my brother and move on with her life.

The three of us walked in relative silence to the Lone Wolf Pack House. Every once in a while Ashlynn would greet someone else on the path or point out things to us that she hadn't in the past. Overall, the night seemed unusually quiet considering the upcoming run. Finally, the silence was killing me and I couldn't stop myself from asking, "Why is it so quiet?"

Ashlynn laughed. "Oh just wait till we get around to the backside of the pack house. That's where almost everyone is gathered. It's why it seems quiet. The amount of trees surrounding that area muffle the sound pretty well, but you will see, there will be hundreds there waiting patiently."

True to what she said, she took us through the packhouse and down a long hallway that ended with a solid door. She smiled and winked at us before opening it. The door opened onto the wrap-around porch that hugged the back of the house. The chattering that was going on was loud enough to catch bits and pieces but there were so many conversations happening at once, I couldn't make out any on topic. Ashlynn's Uncle and the pack Alpha, stood to the side talking quietly with Cody, his Beta. They both gave us a wave and Ashlynn rushed us down the steps to the waiting crowd of single wolves, most of which were in human form.

"So you two will wait here. The Alpha will give a brief speech and the warriors who are not running will disperse to run patrols. After a few minutes, he will release all the females in to the woods, the males follow five minutes later. Remember the markings on the trees that I showed you. This is your best bet to stay on the right trail and not to get lost. I think that Carl showed Michael all of these markings too. If they made some sort of plan to meet you two someplace, I am unaware, and I don't want you to say. Someone else might hear it, and you know how these she-wolves can be." She said this last sentence with sarcasm in her voice, but also with a warning. We discussed what to do if they tried to interfere in any way. I was ready and so was Shawna.

With her words echoing in my ears, Ashlynn gave us both a tight hug and then bid us good luck. "I'm going home to rest, but I will be praying to the Goddess that you both meet your mates tonight. The mates your hearts and souls cry out for. Let me know tomorrow what happened." She waved goodbye, then ran up the steps to her uncle. She gave him a quick hug, whispered in his ear, and then she was gone.

I blew out a breath and turned to Shawna. "How do you feel?" I asked her.

"Actually, I thought I would be scared or nervous because of what I heard earlier today. I'm not though. Not the slightest. I know that Michael loves me and so whatever is meant to happen tonight, will. How about you?" she asked in return.

"I am good. Really good. I am worried about something else though," I admitted.

"What's that?" Shawna asked.

"Alpha James. What Ashlynn said has been swirling around in my head since. Unfortunately, I think she might be right and this concerns me on many levels. First, does this get Michael in any sort of trouble if it turns out to be true? I sure hope not and I can't help but think he must not know about it. It would kill him, especially knowing how he feels about you, if he found out that Alpha James was somehow involved in that mess." I watched as Shawna went slightly pale.

"I don't think Michael knows," she said quietly. "He can't possibly." Her hand flew up to her neck in a nervous gesture. "Right?"

"Absolutely not," I said resolutely. "I do want to help Ashlynn get the answers though, and I know Alpha James is itching to get back home. I think it's because of what was found and how things seem to be pointing to him in some cases." I thought about this for just another moment and then waved my hand in the air as if to wave it off. "No matter, we have a run to get through and mates to meet up with in the woods. Tonight should be about finding our happiness, not focusing on the assholes in the world."

"True," she said. At that moment, Alpha Gabe went to the podium that was set up on the porch at the top of the steps and called for attention. Every wolf barred their necks in submission, awaiting his further instruction. With his words, the thoughts of Alpha James left my mind completely. I was completely focused on my future and that hopefully, it would include my mate.