Chapter Fifty-Three

Demetria

The tension in the pack house was thick considering everyone that stood around chatting. It was casual, as if they didn't plan to fight a warlock and witch in mere hours. Demetria twisted her fingers around Sabrina's diary, which held Sabrina's suspicion of Ivory loving her brother as more than just a friend.

She wasn't sure if Ike knew about Ivory's feelings or not, but he would know Sabrina's suspicion once she showed him the diary. Then there was the issue of getting Kitty, or whatever his real name was, to talk with Ivory there. She should probably ask his name.

Demetria tried not to think about it, because her nerves were already all over the place. Kerry rested his palm against her lower back and whispered in her ear, "I can feel your nerves, love. Calm down."

Easier said than done. Demetria kept replaying Ike cutting off her finger and the cruel stare in his eyes, the ghoulish look that took over him at any given moment. She didn't want the pack to deal with that, or see that kind of dark magic.

She was their Beta's mate, and being associated with magic was a big leap already. She didn't want the pack to suffer because of her. "I'm trying," she whispered back to him.

He rested his chin on her shoulder and inhaled her scent. "It's not working. Maybe you need to go take a hot shower, or read a book?"

"Read a book, Kerry, seriously?" she asked. "We are going to fight these lunatics in a few hours, and you want me to relax. You're off your rocker."

"I'm joking. Calm your tits, girl," he said, turning her around to face him. "I'm here. I'm not leaving your side once the fight starts. We're giving any wolf or shewolf with pups a chance to sit back, and any of the ones that want to fight are protected first. You're always protected. Ike wants you, and he'll do anything to get to you. I won't let him."

Demetria smiled and rested her head against Kerry as he palmed her face. The tears threatening her eyes burned, but she fought them back. "I trust you."

Kerry leaned forward and placed his forehead against her.

The conference room door opened, and Alpha Davers walked inside. Silence fell over the room. "Thank you for all coming so early," he said, sitting down in his chair and gesturing for everyone to get comfortable. "As you all know, we're expecting our company to arrive tonight as the moon rises," he said with a small smile. "And I hope to have them gone shortly after their arrival. We've been practicing this week, and Cynthia and Demetria have given us some great pointers on how to defend ourselves and our pack from them. But we can't let our guard down, not for one moment. They are old, into dark magic, and cunning. They will do anything to get Demetria. We are to protect her at all costs. We are to protect Cynthia. They are the only ones that can end the twins." He stood up and glanced around the room. "The protocol is the same— any shewolf or wolf that has a pup can sit out. but if they want to fight, we watch out for them. The pups will be sent to a neighboring pack several miles away for protection. We will meet at sunset outside, where they originally sent the hellhounds. We do not know what they will bring with them, so we need to be prepared. Today, eat well, rest up, and stay together in case they're able to get in earlier than we expect." He looked over the room once more before leaving abruptly.

Demetria turned to look up at Kerry. "Is he okay?"

"Yeah, he gets this way before every fight. Don't worry about it. I want you to come see something with me."

"I'm not taking a nap or a shower, Kerry."

He chuckled. "No, it's not that. Come on." The wolves began to leave the room; most were quiet, some almost excited at the idea of a fight.

Kerry led Demetria away from the pack house, through the woods, and toward his house. Kitty sat on the porch swing when they made it there, but Kerry tugged Demetria around the house. "Where are we going, Kerry? I need to mentally prepare for today."

"I was serious when I said you needed to relax your mind. I want you to do something with me."

She chuckled. "I think we can do that back at the house for more privacy."

"We'll save that for after the battle, this is for you and me only. I want you to see me."

Demetria lifted a brow. "I see you right now. My eyesight is fine out here."

Kerry smiled and cupped her face. "I want you to see me as a wolf, and ride with me."

Demetria glanced around the wooded area. "You want me to ride with you how? Believe it or not, I don't ride on a broom."

"No," he said, slowly slipping out of his clothes.

Demetria didn't move as she watched as the handsome man in front of her stripped. "I want you to get to know my wolf."

Demetria stood still while he stepped back and shifted in front of her. She'd seen his wolf before, but she'd never ridden him. She didn't think that was a thing, since he wasn't a horse or a bull.

You didn't ride wolves in real life.

But in real life they didn't shift into super hot men, either.

Kerry bowed his head slowly and lay down in front of her. It looked as if he wanted her to know he trusted her.

Slowly, because this was all new, she walked around and climbed on top of his back. His fur was soft and silky between her fingers. She could feel his heartbeat as she rubbed his sides and caressed him like a child.

Part of her knew his first mate had been a wolf. He shared this side of himself with her; Demetria didn't have that type of connection, so if he wanted her to see him this way, accept him this way, she would do it.

She was his for a reason. She needed to appreciate every part of the man God had given her.

Like a bolt of lightning, he shot off into the wooded area, the breeze brushing her skin. It activated adrenaline she didn't know existed down deep within her. The minutes ticked by, her clinging to him like a scared child, until they burst into an open field.

The wild flowers were tall, a purple color, and a stream trickled close by. Kerry bent down to let Demetria down, then shifted back. Demetria closed her eyes and let the wind caress her. Maybe Kerry was right. She did need to relax. She hadn't realized how tight her shoulders were before.

Kerry pulled her into a tight embrace.

"You're scaring me," she whispered.

He pulled back. "There is no need to be scared, D. I just want to spend this time with you, away from the pack."

She cupped his face. "That sounds good. What do you want to do?"

He smiled. "Lie down with me."