"More so he wants to take what James values most, his power. Its okay fair since he took you." Jessica mumbles in return, the howls of the Alphas breaking through the night.

"Holy shit." I whisper, the two men pacing around the fire with their eyes glazed.

"They are listening into the fight. The pack will be tuned into the event and ready to offer aid if the other cheats."

"You seem to know a ton about the wolves." I laugh starting on the second sandwich.

"He made me study the pack dynamics all week to have a better understanding on how to slip under James's radar. I had to learn the basic of practically everything to seem less suspicious."

"And he didn't notice your mark?"

"I wore a high collared shirt, and blamed the scent on a couple nights I enjoyed in my last pack. He wasn't the wiser."

I go in for another hug, wrapping my arms around her so violently that she screams a little. Her laugh is contagious when she hugs back once more. We hold against one another watching the males circle us, a couple growls leaving at random moments.

Tusk yells towards the fire pit, Jessica and I dropping to the ground. Gerald knocks the fire out as a wolf barrels through the clearing. His eyes set on me, mist from its snot flying out in pure rage. Jessica grabs my arms tossing me on her back like one would a child dodging us from the blonde wolf.

"HOLY FUCK!" I can't help the pure fear that fills ny veins at the sight of his teeth snapping at our necks. Jessica turns to the friendlies running at them. Her commands don't reach my ears, but Tusk and Gerald shift taking on the wolf as he charges for us once more.

"I am going to run, and you better fucking hold on. Their Alpha's been beaten, and some refuse to submit."

"You just know this?" I call out when the trees whip by us. Her speed is incredible compared to earlier, "And why didn't we do this sooner?"

"Mind-link dumbass. And we needed to be undetected. Human speeds are harder for wolves to spot compared to a wolf. Also, I need you to listen and not freak the fuck out."

"Well I'm freaking the fuck out."

She huffs taking a sharp left. I scream as a branch comes over my head. The wolves are tight behind us, their yelps and growls getting closer by the minute.

"We need to get into a tree."

"What?"

"Wolves can't climb. Its the safest place for us. And if they want us, they'll have to shift for it. Tusk and Gerald will be ready for it."

We stop at the closet tree. She throws me off her back, both of us taking a side to start scaling. I watch in awe as Jessica scales it easily, me being drug up from the top when she holds down a hand, "You need some weight, I barely felt you!"

"Now you're just showing off."

"And so what if I am?" She laughs taking us out of this hell for just a moment, "They've scented us. However, Alpha has handled most of the difficulties, he's heading this way."

Ares. My heart aches at the thought of seeing him. When did I start missing him? When did I start giving a fuck about him beyond myself?

"Hey, it's okay to be afraid." Jessica whispers to me.

"Am I that easy to read?"

"Your face is telling me enough. I know its hard to imagine, but he loves you and just wants to take care of you."

The wolves slam into the bottom of the tree, Jessica grabbing me to keep me in place. Tusk and Geralds wolves drag him back, there teeth clamping into his hind legs.

I cover my mouth in disgust, Jessica grabbing my face to look towards her, "Focus on me. Tell me whats on your mind about Ares."

"I love him, I do. But fuck, this side of him? This side of the wolves, its hard to swallow all at once."

"Did he show you his wolf before he marked you?"

"No, it was more of a 'you can never leave me' mark instead of a loving one. I hadn't seen a wolf till now, and this is some first impression. In some ways, I thought it was total bullshit."

"I am sorry to hear that, look. I know this isn't the best time, but Ares can't hurt you. His wolf is going to be a little more dominant that his human counterpart, and when he sees you he will need to make contact. Don't be alarmed by the approach, and just scratch his ear or something."

I smile at her trying to make this feel normal. Ares is always working, or at pack events, and sometimes dealing with the random fights at his borders. I haven't been introduced, or really accustomed to the life that Jessica seems so sure in. Radiates beautifully in.

"I guess he was just taking it slow." I mumble. We look down to see Tusk and Gerald planting their wolf asses at the base of the tree, both pointing an opposite direction.

"They are taking point. The other wolf is dead." She fills in for me, letting me take a moment to process, "Josh told me that Ares is very busy, always has been. He hoped finding his mate would change that. You could change that. After all of this, demand his time, demand his focus, and ask to be taught. He can't expect you to react correctly when he is keeping you holed up. No matter how territorial and wolfy he is compared to others."

"Do you like the pack? The wolves? Even after everything we've been through?"

"Sadly, call it Stockholm if you must. I love Josh with my entire being. Nothing could take me away from him. Just the thought of him fighting on the front lines is tearing me apart. While I wasn't always about this, or even wanted this, I couldn't imagine anything else. The pack loves me, and I love them. They are kind, supportive, and so damn fun. I think you'll love it to, after the Lunar Ball of course." She rolls her eyes, "Ares is one for tradition you'll learn."

I peak down another wolf reaching the base with shimmery grey fur. Bright honey eyes look up towards me, a howl that send my heart into overdrive.

"Go on, he's here for you."