CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

The air dissipated from Taylor's lungs as she saw the scene before her. Her pack members who she had bonded with, her blood had healed them and she had formed the first genuine relationship with, five of them lay dead at the pack border.

She couldn't hold it anymore, the tears of the past month poured out in angry waves, her heart broken, even her soul could not bear the weight.

This was obviously a warning from Jethro but she couldn't fathom how he got access to the pack. Maybe her blood wasn't enough and their protection barrier was thinned as a result of it.

Dante ordered for them to be arranged for a proper burial to be conducted.

“We need to leave immediately” she told him when he came to hold her, her tears pouring on his shirt.

“I know we need to go but we can't just drop everything and leave, baby, we have so many things to handle right now. Let's give the pack at least one week's notice.” He replied

“One week? I see what's happening here. You've gotten back to your own pack and decided they are not worth your time. You have been unable to communicate with them for months since we left them and you have done absolutely nothing about it” she shouted at him.

“But..”

“No buts, I'm packing my bags and going with Jake and the rest. If you want to stay, that's your decision but don't you dare try to stop me.”

She angrily left, Dante staring at her retreating form with confusion.

“You really want to do this again? Don't you understand the importance of that pack to her? She explained her past to you. She had no one and no matter what she did, she was left unappreciated. These people have been her first real connection especially for her wolf. Do you expect her to abandon them to their deaths?” Black chided his human, getting antsy from the incoming disaster he could see.

Dante sighed, giving in to his wolf's words.

“Honey, wait. Let's go to your office and sort out the Beta situation and we can proceed from there okay?” He said, rushing to catch up with her angry form.

“I've only attended to 4 people so I don't know if that's enough.” She answered while sniffling because of all the anger and tears, her eyes puffy and red.

“I'll call the pack together and we can do it in their presence. That'll even be better as they can see its transparency. The Alpha position is the only nepotic one, every other seat has to be influenced by the pack.” He answered her, cleaning her tear stained face.

“I'm sorry for the way I reacted earlier. I realize now I came across as uncaring to your relationship with them. They are my pack too and we will merge them immediately. No more delays. I've been trying to send them a message so we won't need to go get them but each time, I get pulled into that weird vortex I told you about and I just got so busy with repairing the pack I totally forgot to do something about it. Please forgive me?” He pleaded with her.

This brought fresh tears to Taylor's face as she was obviously tired from all the ups and downs with little time to rest.

“We'll get a Beta and run to Blood Stone Pack first thing tomorrow okay?” He told her.

She nodded and they proceeded to the Meeting Hall.

Dante took the podium to address the pack.

“Good day everyone. Today has been quite eventful. Dorita, I hope you have understood that my mate is not weak, in fact, as many are aware, she's a pure blood” he informed the shewolf and blood visibly drained from her face as she realized she had been trying to kill the last of the nearly extinct species

She quickly fell on knees, begging for forgiveness.

Taylor was definitely not in the mood for all of this.

“It's alright, honey please proceed. My blood is important but it should not be the basis on which respect is given, it should be a bonus. If you still believe I'm not worthy of being a Luna, keep your opinions on a downlow for now. We have more important things to attend to.” She told the room, irritation leaking into her tone.

“Well, what she's talking about is related to the major reason we are gathered here. During my time as a feral, all I did was bite people and roam about aimlessly until my mate found me and cured me. I was the first person she sacrificed her blood and went through pain for. Our fearless Luna not only healed me, she bled for over five thousand wolves.”

“Wow” everyone gasped.

“She brought many of them under our leadership and we formed the Blood Stone Pack a few months before my memory came back and I remembered home. Now, five of those wolves were murdered. Our promise before leaving them was to come here and create a place for them. I was planning on starting a building project so the pack can integrate with them on their own and not be forced to accept them immediately but we do not have that choice anymore. Jethro has gotten access to them and we need to go bring them back.” He stated.

The pack went up in disarray.

He let them carry on for a few minutes before he raised his hand and everyone kept quiet.

“It'll be a two week journey if there are no hitches and as usual, we will be needing volunteers. Meanwhile, I won't leave you without protection. Today, we will choose our Beta right in front of you. If you have wanted to apply or if you have already, please step to the side over here”

When they filed out, there were eight of them.

“Great number and I hope you understand that not being chosen doesn't mean you are not a good pack member. The first and second person will be given the Beta and Delta position. I've created an obstacle course that will test your intelligence, speed and strength. I've gone through it myself and it's safe so let's get to it. Everyone, you are welcome to watch or come back in two hours to accept your leaders.” He concluded and everyone followed them to the bigger training ground used for tournaments.

“How did you come up with this so fast?” Taylor asked him.

“It's always been here but it's something only the Alpha and older generation know about. Once a winner is chosen, we'll hide all the instruments and it won't be used again in at least thirty years.” He explained.

When they got to the huge ground, everyone got situated, the pack sitting in the bleachers and the elders and the Alpha pair sitting at a raised dais which gave them a higher vantage point.

In about thirty minutes, everyone settled down and the games began.

The first test was to determine their intelligence. A small maze presented itself. But the catch was they had to answer a question correctly to be able to find an exit. To make it worse, five rogues were in different parts of the maze.

Considering that timing was the most important factor, they definitely couldn't afford to spend time defeating a rogue.

Taylor saw the full picture and was confused on how they got five rogues in such a short time.

“They've been in the dungeons. We don't kill rogues, we try to help them recover if they have gone over and if we can't, we try to feed them while locking them up.” He explained.

“Oh, I didn't know that”

“Yea, they have been in there for almost a decade now. Most of them were good people But there are rogues who have committed serious crimes and are slated for death. I got five of them to fight for a chance to live.”

“Wait, they are allowed to kill?”

“If a rogue with no real strength and coordination can kill someone who decided they are fit to be a Beta, I don't see how that's my fault,” He shrugged.

“Don't worry Luna, they are all strong wolves. See, Jake and Kristen have made it out already” elder Mack pointed to the arena and Taylor saw that the first two were indeed familiar faces.

The next trial was speed as a gazelle was released from its cage each time someone made it out of the maze.

These were fresh and fed properly, their strength in full and their desire to live high as they realized they were surrounded by wolves. The adrenaline made the gazelles very fast. But the wolves had to be faster.

The chase began.

By this time, five people had made it out of the maze and they each started chasing the gazelles that had been given a minute head start.

Jake had been feral before and was more lite and agile. His wolf caught on the escaping gazelle a few minutes after. This made everyone cheer in excitement.

Other wolves caught theirs with more difficulty.

Then the matter of strength came.

Five wolves faced each contender. Immediately, four people checked out of the competition.

The pack laughed at this, giving a dramatic effect to the competition.

The battle began, each contestant putting every effort into winning but with different tactics.

Jake focused on one person at a time. When the others came at him, he deflected, avoiding any serious injuries. When they saw what he was doing, they changed into their wolf forms, forcing him to do the same.

But it was obvious his communication with his wolf was strong as his wolf continued in the same way.

The other three engaged in a fierce battle right from the onset with their wolves taking control.

Kristan was tired by the time he made his third opponent bleed so much he didn't even know how to signify his surrender.

But he kept at it. He knew his father did right by him instead of leaving him with his mother who never cared to ask about him, not even once. From what he learnt, her new mate was an Alpha and he didn't want any reminder that his mate had already been with another man.

He kept fighting, making sure he wasn't hit too hard.

When he finally threw the last wolf down, his foot on its neck, he turned to look around.

But he discovered someone else had already finished. It was the new guy, Jake.