Chapter 95

Oliver

I left Chase to watch my mate while she slept, so that I could go complete the second part of my plan… I never intended on ever using it, but it was insurance. If he tried anything I could cause her pain and by extension, him. He would feel it through their bond that she was afraid and in pain, and maybe it would get him to leave my mate alone.

I only did this because he tried taking my mate, but was too arrogant not to think I didn’t have any Shadows of my own… I still can’t believe it worked this far, but for the sake of being careful, I texted Saiyoken too…. He was out flying anyway, so flying over my packhouse stretching his wings wasn’t a problem. I wouldn’t have asked if he were busy, as I knew he was a father now. Those eggs would hatch soon, and he didn’t want to be too far away from his children or mate.

She was already knocked out from the drug they gave her, so all I had to do when I got there was the ritual. We should just kill her and be done with it. grumbled East. I denied him.

If I did that it would be all out war. He would eventually either find the body here, or something to lead him to me, and it would never end until we killed each other and our families. I had no doubt in my mind that if I killed him and his son took over, he would hate me for killing both his parents, and stop at nothing to hunt me.

The spell would work, and if he tried anything… I basically had a hostage. He wouldn’t be able to Prove I did anything to her, or even that I had her. She would be returned after he went mad from speculation and searching, but no harm would come of her. She would be delivered to him placed in his bed after a week or so. She would be well cared for until then, but mind muddled with magic so she couldn’t recall anything coherent.

East was silent, and I parked, getting on some gloves. The Shadows had a special mixture of deer scent to hide my own, and I could do what I needed to do without her knowing who I am if she did wake. I parked, and took a breath. This was it.

------Autumn-------

I rolled over looking at the medicine at my nightstand and groaned in the predawn darkness. Dr Hinds along with an entire team perfected an EpiPen that could be used in case I got exposed again to his power directly from him freaking out. Thankfully now, it wasn’t needed, but I would take a few just in case. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt, but Oliver had already told me that Ancient lines are immune to each other. I was basically a human with a wolf until I shifted, and that meant that I was still in danger from all the supernatural stuff that could happen to me. I gave Oliver a little kiss on the cheek, and took my shower

I was putting that life somewhat on hold today though, because I was going to see my family. I hadn’t seen them in what felt like forever. But Oliver wasn’t too keen on seeing Officer Frost again. He had found out about the failed kidnapping attempt…. I had slipped up by accident, and he was ready to fight Oliver about it.

I washed my hair and put a towel on my head, choosing to put on a thick black hoodie and jeans since it was probably much colder in Sapphire. I also got the giant puffy coat, hat and my mittens. That place was right under mountains, and as beautiful as the valley was, it could get really chilly even in the late spring. I wondered if that was why grandpa chose that area? I want to eat snow! Yipped my wolf loudly, and I almost had to hold my head. I tried shushing her, but her hyper excitement stirred Oliver.

“It’s morning already…? Damn it’s 5; We’ll leave at 6 so we can be there by lunch.” He said quietly, rolling out of bed, though he sounded like all it took was a gentle push and he would go back. He walked to me, hugging me behind my back before kissing me on my mark spot. It sent shivers down my spine… he had to support me. he slid his hands down my sides, digging his hands into my hips ever so slightly before kissing me on the cheek. He smelled my hair, and growled a little. Winter did too, but I had been practicing how to hold it in, so only a little came out.

“That’s not fair….” I tried pouting, but I was pretty much jelly in his hands.

“Oh, I know…but I have to get ready so I’ll have to stop teasing you.” He chuckled, slowly letting me go. I pouted, but he was right.

“And I can’t wait to see my family again.” I beamed happily, getting my bags, but he grunted.

“Hooray.” He said sarcastically taking them from me, “I get a week of getting my ass kicked… hopefully you’ll have a good time.” He grumbled. I gave him a peck on the cheek before we got to the elevator. The ride to the ground floor was nice, because holding his hand sent tingles through me.

“It won’t be That bad! And you’ll love the fresh air!” I beamed, but he smiled softly.

“You forget your family hates me, but I would like to just shift in town… ever since I saw wolves getting away with that shit, I’ve always wanted to try it.” He chuckled.

“Then my only request is that I get to ride you.” I smiled wide in the lobby, hearing snickers, but that wasn’t what I meant! “Oliver Shush!”

He laughed all the way to the car. “This is low hanging fruit Autumn…. Real low hanging fruit.” He snickered, and I slapped his shoulder.

“It is not!” I complained, but he thought it was hilarious. We got into a black SUV instead of his sports car, because honestly it was much more practical in the snow. We would drive this time too, since he wanted Warrior Gilbert, Maisa, and Angela to have time off. He argued with them that it would really be a vacation for them since technically he was their boss, plus his cousin was worried about her father’s pack.

There was no war… at least not with a council member backing Alpha Max, but just to be safe, Oliver had left Angela with a shirt he worked out in. They’d put it in a Zippy-lock back to hold the scent and sweat… so that if they got wind Oliver was gone, Alpha Max could put it around his border so they would think that he was visiting his uncle.

The trees were slightly snow-covered, the streets were still busy, and once we left New Apple, the roads got smaller and smaller… I was reminded of home the closer we got, and I loved every second of it… I could smell even with the windows up wolf, and other scents like pine and wood…

“I also smell cougar, bear, and rabbit, but that’s nothing compared to the local legend around here. Legend says that there’s a minitour with glittering white fur in there deep in those mountains.” Said Oliver with a small smile. I stared hard… I knew he wouldn’t be by the road but I kind of wanted to see that.

“Do you think it’s true?” I asked, and he nodded.

“With all the crazy shit that’s happened to me, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was half fea or something. Legend says that his fur sparkles like glitter… meaning he’d be a hybrid of a hybrid creature. Minitours are almost all male, and some shade of blonde, black, or brown. He’d be an outcast to them, and also an outcast to whatever his mother was too…”

“Woa… then for his sake... I hope he finds a friend.” I told him and he kind of snorted.

“I kind of hope not for the sake of his ‘friend.’… minitours are creatures of pure rage Autumn. So much so they can’t even get mates. You don’t talk to them; you run. If you ever see one, even in human form, you Run. As fast as you can. Don’t even wait to link me; run while you’re linking.” He warned, and I nodded.

“Wow…. Sorry.” I said sheepishly, and he pulled into a gas station.

“Don’t be. No one has this stuff written down, it’s something we learn through word of mouth.” He said kissing me on the forehead. He went inside and got coffee, but paid at the pump. I quietly sipped, and we were on the road in no time.

There were few cars out on the roads, since they didn’t want to drive in the snow, and for that I was a little thankful. We kind of had it all to ourselves for about an hour, and Oliver happily told me about other supernatural creatures.

“Oh, and there’s boars called stoneskins, they aren’t shifters, and Lady do they taste good…. it’s like. Their meat is bacon, but the outer layer is tough as stone. They’re big too… about the size of a shifter.” He smiled.

“So bigger than a bear?” I asked with a raised eyebrow… I was a little skeptical, but he nodded.

“Trust me… they’re rare but I could bet money you were told not to play in the woods.” He interrogated.

“Yeah, because of bears.” I said a little defensively.

“Autumn trust me! Werewolves don’t give two fucks about grizzlies; they leave us alone… but boars will try and attack if they get scared enough. Especially the males… but Lady damn is it worth it… I have to ask Officer Icepop if he’s seen some.” He grinned, and I elbowed him. “Sorry.” He sighed. “Officer FROST.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “You know he would get really pissed at you if you called him that by accident.” I warned him this time, and he looked at me with concern.

“You’re right… but I swear he’s always pissed at me.” He complained. “Especially after you turned.”

“You’ll be fine.” I rubbed his shoulder and he grunted, getting off the interstate. The rest of it was back road.

“A fine Rug maybe.” He joked, and I swear I smelled home… I couldn’t explain it any other way. Winter perked up, wagging her tail, and Oliver rolled down the windows with a loud howl.

It was responded to by other wolves, and honestly, it made me want to. He elbowed me a little, and I looked down. “What if I don’t sound right?” I asked, but he laughed rubbing my back.

“No one cares! They would want to hear their grandpup’s first real howl.” He howled out the window, and I guess I could try… I could always just blame it on the cold.

I tried, but I sounded human. “Try again Autumn!” He encouraged, and I saw wolves wagging their tails. Most of them were white, and I could only assume the one who was twice their size was Grandpa Phillip…

Oliver slowed the car to a stop, and pulled over in the snow. He got my new…. Fluffier blue marshmallow coat out the trunk, and helped me put it on so I could get out. I was grateful if not for the waddle it gave me, since it would get down to 5F tonight, but they seemed completely unphased. Oliver was in just a black hoodie and jeans, and I could see my breath.

Cousin! Linked what sounded like Martin. I didn’t know he was a werewolf too! I was flooded with wolves and naked family who picked me up, and hoisted me high in the air.

“Put me down!” I yelled laughing, but my Cousin Edna had other plans. She ran with me on her shoulders, while Oliver tried catching her.

“Give me back my mate!” He yelled, growling something in wolf, and I heard my family laugh….

“She can ride you later!” She giggled, and I regretted ever saying it. I knew I wouldn’t live it down now!

“Oliver you bastard!” I screamed.