23 hours.

23 hours, from when Aislinn conceded to their demands and now here she was standing in the cool brisk morning air watching as a convoy of vehicles pulled onto her land.

She stood back a bit. Kio cuddled in her arms. Kaiden with Austin and Blair stood at the top of the front stairs watching as the mismatch of cars, trucks, vans and SUV's pulled to a stop in a massive winding line. Clayton and Richard stood just in front of her each on high alert.

They all watched stiffly as the air stilled, the dust clouds thrown into the air by screeching tires settling and the smell of exhaust fading. Then the silence was broken as wolves began to pour out of the vehicles.

Richard called it the first wave. The first responders to his calls, those most loyal and trusted, closest to them and the strongest.

Their families where being shipped to 3 of her different properties. Olivia, Ethan and Michael had been coordinating the moves all night. Hiding phone calls, GPS signals and electronic trails.

Only those willing to fight. Those willing to die were being brought here.

Kaiden and Richard had personally looked over each one. Digging through files upon files, searching into everything they could get or that Michael could hack and uncover for them.

49 wolves now stood awkwardly and tensely in a loose group before them.

It was easy to see they weren't comfortable.

30 from Heims. They were stiff. All in black. Their boots and heavy camo pants, loaded with weapons backing up Richard's claim that they all hailed from the guard class. They stood in precise lines their faces dark and menacing. Their eyes looked past Kaiden and laid heavily on the visible marks covering Richard's bare chest.

12 warriors from Bellator. Unlike Heims they all weren't older wolves but a mix with some looking around Kaiden's age if not younger. They watched their former heir with trepidation. Their eyes continuously scanning their surroundings.

The smallest group was from Pack Lux. 3 runners and 4 enforcers stood awkwardly together and yet separate. It was easy to pick out the runners with their slighter builds and lanky limbs. They all resembled Olivia in stature, their bodies poised as if to take flight at a moment's notice.

Kaiden cleared his throat drawing all eyes to him.

"Welcome. First let me introduce myself. My name is Kaiden Salvatori and I am Alpha of Pack Argentum Sanguinis." His words were met with hisses of disbelief and scoffs. Holding up his hand to call for silence he continued, "You came here at the request of Richard. You answered a call. It is a call some of you may know the meaning of while others do not"

Kaiden made sure to meet the eyes of every wolf standing before him, he needed to feel them out. He knew all of his pack were doing the same behind him. Aislinn was also watching them. Scanning through their thoughts and minds. Initially she had been opposed to the idea. Eventually he had been able to persuade her that it was the only way to know absolutely whether they could trust any of them.

"There will be a war. We will fight. We called you here because we want ... no we need you to fight at our side."

"Who are you fighting?"

"What war?"

Voices called out, demanding. Kaiden raised his hand again calling for quiet. "Pack Fraser has declared war, sanctioned by the council on no grounds. They say they will come against us tomorrow. But the real war, our real enemy are your former packs. The Alpha's who are corrupted by their power, whose abuses and cruelties cannot be tolerated anymore. We, my pack and I ask you to join us to stop turning a blind eye to everything wrong and twisted and fight to change it."

Taking a breath Kaiden glanced back at his mate before facing forward again, "We called you here but the choice is yours to make. Your families will still be safe, you may leave and go to them and we will protect you the best we can. We will offer you refuge of our pack even if you do not fight. But if you wish to try to fix what is broken, to bring justice upon those who deserve it then we ask you to stay."

They stayed. 7 she-wolves and 42 males, all 49 wolves decided to stay and fight. It wasn't easy getting to that decision. Fights broke out, blood was shed, insults spat and multiple challenges to Kaiden, Richard, Austin, Blair, Clayton and even Olivia's authority and dominance ensued first. Kaiden had to wade into 4 separate fist-fights to break up clashes as warriors, guards and enforces of competing packs tried to re-establish some sense of a pecking order.

It was exhausting but after three hours all of the new wolves had sworn themselves to Kaiden and his pack. For now none of them were told Aislinn's identity nor why Richard wore the marks he did. Olivia and Ethan worked quickly to get the new wolves settled in the 4 other houses on her property while Richard and Kaiden worked out a strategy. Michael was trying to get a handle on Pack Silva's movements and beginning research into the council and other packs.

Aislinn was sitting on the porch steps, the crisp fall breeze stirring her hair with the scent of falling leaves and pine. Kio curled at her hip his little body wrapped tightly around hers. She had her sketch pad out and resting against her legs, pencils scratching across the page when Richard, Kaiden and Austin rejoined her. Standing near her in the shade of the porch they watched as Clay and Blair now worked with the new wolves in the front yard. A few threw the occasional suspicious glance her way but most seemed to ignore her presence.

Kaiden and the others studied the new pack members critically, studying each of them intently. They needed to be broken up. Guardians, Warriors, Enforcers, Guards, Runners, trackers. All needed to know where they fit in. Each rank needed to bond and learn each other. If they were going to be fighting alongside one another they needed trust, loyalty, obedience.

"Pack Silva has just under 200 wolves. Most are women and children they don't have many enforcers, little if any of the warrior class." Austin said keeping his eyes on the training.

"Still they'll out number us." Kaiden remarked his voice low as he sent a glare at a wolf who was staring to long at where Aislinn sat. The wolf was quick to turn away at the deadly look from his new Alpha.

"They don't know about our numbers. Their pack is lazy and unorganized. They haven't seriously fought since the revolt. They're always hiding behind the council or your father." Austin said his face twisting in disgust.

"It is an advantage." Richard agreed.

"They are strong." Kaiden put in switching back to their own numbers as he eyed those now beginning to spar in partners.

"I can claim at least three to the Guardians." Richard said slowly. That was a surprise to them all.

"Clay says he can claim at least 10 to warrior."

Kaiden's eyes went blank with Austin's words, mind-linking to Clay. He flipped quickly through the faces Clay had picked out. Grunting Kaiden nodded his head in concession. "I agree, so he has ten. Olivia takes the three without question but I would send her the one-"

"The young pup from Bellator, yes I agree also." Austin cut in nodding his head to a black haired teen from their old pack.

"How many to you Aus?" Kaiden asked linking Blair to move the raven haired boy to the smallest group on the lawn where Olivia was working one on one with her team. She noticed him approaching before her eyes swung to the porch nodding her head, she had seen it as well.

"Of what's left? I'd send 7 to you Richard. Obvious guards." Richard nodded at this already knowing who he was wanting to point out. Blair and Clay had begun dividing the wolves up on the lawn as they listened to the others observations through the mind link. "So that leaves me and Blair with 25 for Enforcers."

"Any concerns?" Kaiden asked to each of his high ranks. Getting negative responses from all of them he turned to his mate.

Crouching down he waited until her head slowly rose and he was able to meet the spectacular grey of her eyes. "Any concerns love?" He asked lowly his chin nodding to those on the front lawn, and disappearing into the surrounding woods after Clay.

He watched as her eyes clouded over her face blank as her body froze completely.

It was still amazing that she could do this. His pride in his mate soared as he felt as she flipped effortlessly through mind after mind. It didn't matter if they were closed off, blocked, open, or hidden she saw it all. She didn't dig though, just skimmed the surface, 'tasted' their thoughts, their feelings for lack of a better word. Were they jealous? Vengeful? Angry? Suspicious? Nervous? Guilty? She scanned them all looking for anything that popped out.

Blinking slowly she focused back on the clear blue of her mate, his dark hair falling carelessly across his forehead. His black tee sculpted to the impressive muscles of his chest and shoulders. He still squatted before her, his hands resting loosely on his black fitted jean clad knees, his feet were bare as they rested near each of her own, his face shadowed by dark stubble. It all would have looked harsh and intimidating if not for the small smile he wore when he looked at her. It softened his whole face.

She shook her head at his question. He searched hers before giving her another smile and nodding once before pushing himself up.

.

.

"Aislinn you are not leaving this house." Kaiden bit out his eyes flashing.

His words were met by a blank stare.

"Aislinn." His voice warned as he watched her. His body standing in front of the door blocking the path. Austin knocked on the wood again, signaling their need to leave. They were moving to the edge of their territory to await Fraser's attack. Olivia and her people had already been out there for hours scouting the land and positioning themselves as lookouts. Blair was also out there with their new guards running a perimeter to make sure they didn't get blindsided. Aus, Clay, their Enforcers, Warriors and Guardians were geared from the armory and were now just waiting for him before moving out.

She didn't even blink at him. He ran a hand through his hair eyeing her skeptically. He had known it was a long shot to get her to stay behind but he had to try. He let out a long breath, before snorting at her. "Fine love." He said rolling his eyes even as worry and dread ate at his stomach at the thought of her being anywhere near the coming fight. "But you stay at Richards side and you do not ditch his Guardians. And please just stay safe." Not caring that he was practically begging her by the end.

Aislinn felt herself softening towards him again once he stopped trying to order her around. Kio was locked downstairs with Michael and Ethan in the security suite and she missed him already. She just wanted to get this nuisance over with. Cocking her head she decided she should at least answer him, "I will be fine."

Kaiden let out a growl which quickly turned into a groan. His head falling back as he closed his eyes. "Just please stay safe." He pleaded again before opening the door to meet his Beta. His Luna at his side.