Knives and forks scraped the plates as everyone began to eat. Tia sat next to me while Markus and his family sat at the head table. Luna permitted me to sit where I was, thankfully. My ability to remain composed was hanging by a thread. I didn't think I could keep my food down if I sat front and center, surrounded by hopeful wolves. I could feel Markus' eyes glance at me every once in a while. Instead of meeting his, I took another nibble of food not tasting anything while looking around.

I could see one of our males glare and shake his head disappointingly at River. She lowered her head even more as silent tears fell in her lap. Her food, like mine, was relatively untouched. Luna was been surprised to see River in her condition when she presented us to the males but did not bring up the matter. I'm sure she will have words with me about it once the visitors went home. Unfortunately for us, River was destined to be a Mountain Rise member. "She insulted you. I doubt they'll go easy on her in training. Even the elders want a piece of her," Tia said with a sneer towards River. She had clung to me the entire meeting, I think the other males could sense she was not ready and left her alone.

Every female learned basic homemaking, self-defense, and child rearing from the elders, at least she would be the best if what Tia said was true. If they were going to be hard on her, then she would have many late nights perfecting each stitch and dinner recipe until they were satisfied. When a female has a male member as their mate within the pack, they are taught defense. Rarely did females learn to be true warriors. They were the final line of defense and would defend the pups. When she learned to fight, I had little faith in her being able to walk back to her mate. The elders would make sure she will have to crawl back to her mate with something broken and bleeding.

"Who told them," I asked as I saw a juvenile wolf peak into the banquet hall. Tia shrugged in answer. "You know how it is here," she answered with a sly smile. She motioned towards the entryway to the main hall. Gossip seemed to spread like wildfire in this pack. Just my being here had a few of the more mischievous juveniles braving Luna's punishments to see me at an inter-pack meeting. Hearing that I had shown a visiting pack member their place had even more show up. I had seen at least seven different ones peaking inside.

I saw a few males look in the direction of the hallway longingly. I could tell they could smell their mate's scent and would likely be back at the next gathering. At least they did not demand to see their mate like some males did when they came to these visits. Derrick and I had to settle that chaos between seven males once for females that had barely had their first shift. I swallowed hard at the memory, thanking the moon that these wolves were well-behaved. River seemed to be the exception when it came to discipline.

I made a note of the females to report to Luna for future reference. If Markus did not find his mate soon, then it would be up to us to plan an "accidental" meeting between the young pairs with Alpha Witherstone. She would only punish them if she caught them in the act of disobeying anyway, so discretion was key. "As future Luna, you need to know when to strike with your hammer and when to show compassion," she would tell me during our lessons. I missed them and I could tell she did too.

"Why isn't the Alpha of Witherstone here," I asked, taking the smallest bite of food. "He is running late. One of our males had a family emergency right before we left," one of them said. The answer was vague but polite, these wolves were indeed disciplined. "Gamma Daniel's sister went into labor and her mate is a doctor in a human ER department," another said which earned her a glare from the other females. I guess I was wrong about their discipline. It wasn't wise to give out a lot of information to wolves outside your own pack. If I had done that during my younger years, the pack would have beaten me to the ground. Secrecy kept us safe from wolf and human invasion. It was one of the few lessons Luna allowed the pack to enforce without restriction. I didn't blame her or was angry for it, it was necessary to ensure the safety of everyone.

"Beta said he was five minutes out," the first one said before continuing to eat. She looked in the direction of the door with a longing look I recognized. Eye contact was made with one of the males who quickly ducked back. The female's breath caught in her throat before she turned back around, a light blush on her cheeks. I could see tears of frustration and sadness make her eyes glassy. I'd seen the look before on wolves who weren't not old enough to declare their mate from another pack. I smiled behind my glass as I contemplated my choices. Each pack had their age restrictions but the Alpha pair could bend the rules as they saw fit. Witherstone's rule was whenever both wolves shift. Ours was when they turned 18, it helped reduce young mother's. Control was learned but hormones weaken the mind.

Rising from my seat, I went to the Warren's table. I bowed low in respect. "Luna, may I have a word," I whispered as she nodded. "It seems Henry O'Connell has a mate present. He is only a week away from being seen as a true male," I said excitedly in her ear. "Retrieve him and confirm," the Alpha spoke as his Luna playfully pouted at him. "Yes, Alpha," I said quietly. Alpha Warren winced at his title, I used to not be so formal. I used to be his mate's successor.

Walking into the hallway I found Henry quickly, he was huddled in a group of other juveniles. His hand crumpling his shirt where his heart was as he sat on the ground. A sweet male that would be a loving mate, my wolf was happy he had someone to call his own. Brown eyes were wide and a sheen of sweat coated his skin that made his wave of blonde hair stick to his forehead. "O'Connell, what's going on," I asked with a sly smile. The other juveniles took one look at me before scattering in all directions, leaving their friend to his fate. "She said your name. Ya already caught," one shouted back as they turned the corner. I could hear the hallway closets shut quietly as they tried to stay quiet. I shook my head with a laugh.

"She's in there," he whispered with a disheartened tone. "Most wolves are usually happy when they find their one," I said squeezing his shoulder. He is not ours, my wolf grumbled and I removed my hand. "Well most wolves won't have to wait three years for the next meeting," he barked before realizing what he did. Bowing his head low with a babbling apology. Gingerly I sat next to him. His head rested on my shoulder.

"You know, when you're seen as a male, you can't do this," I said. "I'm not an adult yet. I'm still a week away. A stupid, stupid week," he mumbled. "What about today," I stated. The young juvenile jumped back with surprise in his eyes. I could hear his heart flutter. "You mean, I can declare her today," he whispered. I nodded my head. "Thank you Ms. Warren," he exclaimed before enveloping me in a hug.

I was torn away from O'Connell as someone pulled me by my shoulder in a grip none of our males would have dared to use against a female. The juvenile was slammed against the wall when he tried to stand up in my defense. My shoulder resented the force. The grip would certainly leave a bruise. My teeth snapped at the arm attached to the hand that was manhandling me. Blood hit my tongue and his grip released. Blue eyes of a male I have never met glared at me. This male was large, just one sniff and I knew this was the Winterstone alpha. Down the hall, I heard the creak of a door as the juveniles peaked from their hiding spot. "What is the meaning of this," I demanded, shoving him away from me when he grabbed for my wrist. Not. Ours.

O'Connell growled out at this male with the rough hand, rubbing his head from where Witherstone shoved him into the wall. The smell of iron had my wolf snarl within me. The wolf had spilt the blood of one of our pups. "Leave her alone. She isn't yours," O'Connell said with a nervous note in his voice. I was impressed he could stand against an alpha. The shift was instant for Henry as he jumped at the wolf beginning to drag me towards the door when he grasped my wrist. My sandy colored pup snarled at the alpha who was hurting his pack mate. Pack protects pack.

A sharp yelp and a sickening crunch echoed through the hallway as O'Connell crumpled to the ground. My mouth opened in shock while my wolf growled at the intruding male. One of the female juveniles screamed for our Alpha and ran into the banquet hall. My sandy wolf's breathing labored as he whined. My wolf did not care if he was a visiting Alpha. She wanted his blood to run down her throat and soak the floor.

"You're mine. You will return to my pack. Forget about any of the wolves here," he stated as if his word was law. Not our mate. Not our Alpha. I growled at him with my fangs on full display. "I'll break you of that habit. You'll learn how to act like a proper female. A proper Luna," he said with a chuckle that had my wolf want his tongue in her stomach. My juveniles crept up behind me. Their puppy growls filling the hallway.

My wolf did not want our pups in this mess. Coyotes and moose were fine but a full grown alpha male was too much. He could easily kill them all within seconds. They had little training and their wolves were still in their awkward growing stage. Many were barely able to run a trail without stumbling or falling over their own feet. "Pack protects pack. She says she isn't yours," they said in unison. "She comes back with me. Willing or not. I will have what is mine," he growled out with a smile that made my stomach turn. Not. Ours.

I did not want this wolf to mark me. I did not want his pups inside me. He was not mine. My wolf snarled and snapped in agreement. Her mouth began frothing. She was not scared of this intruder. She would allow many things but she would rather be dead than allow a liar inside of us. Never. Defend yourself!

"My wolf does not recognize you as hers," I yelled, standing tall. The Alpha wolf glared at me with glacier blue eyes and a wildness that somehow lacked a wolf. "That's because you allowed that imposter wolf mark you. Claim you! Your wolf is confused," he sneered as if I was tainted. My wolf growled loudly through me to make her thoughts known on his assumption. The sound made Witherstone's eyes widen in surprise. "I knew who he was. And I know who marked me," I said, as my wolf burst through my body. Her fur stood on end as she glared into the alpha wolf's eyes in distain. The saliva dripping from her displayed fangs and the sound through her chest gave no question to her feelings towards this liar. Not. Ours. NOT. OURS!

Witherstone didn't hesitate as his grey wolf came forward and charged. We collided into a mass of fur and teeth. My juveniles leapt onto his back to tear into flesh and fur. Yelps and cries had my wolf fight harder as they were thrown off or smashed between adult wolves and the floor. Many jumped right back on. I could vaguely hear my Luna scream as the banquet party gathered in the hallway. Our Alpha and Markus were having trouble getting the juveniles to obey as our blood stained the walls and rug. This wolf had been trained well to fight as my wolf tore into his neck. Not in claim but to maim. My head shook violently as flesh gave out from razor sharp teeth. The alpha beneath my wolf cried out in apology while I growled. My Luna was not going to allow a weak wolf to take her place.

Before I could tear into the vein that held his life's blood, he was shoved away from me. The largest wolf I have ever known tore open Witherstone as he let out yelps and cries. Flesh was torn and shredded by my mate's father. Muscles were shown the open air as my Alpha defended a she wolf he considered his pup. My wolf stood back, ready to jump back into the fray. She could hear her juveniles whimper in pain but all of them were breathing. If the wolf had killed one of our pups, no one would have stopped her until Witherstone stopped breathing. My pups. My pack.

"Are you okay," Markus asked as he enveloped my wolf in a tablecloth. The shift back hurt as bruised muscles pulled me back into my smaller human body. "Yeah, I'm fine," I muttered, wrapping the cloth around me. One of the wolves handed me an oversized shirt. "What happened," Luna asked as she looked me over. I couldn't answer. I was staring at our Alpha throwing Witherstone around like a chew toy.

With a final cry, Witherstone lay on the ground. His neck firmly in our Alpha's jaws. His legs were limp at his side with his tail between them. My wolf licked her lips as his throat tempted her. A bark from the Alpha halted her thoughts and had Witherstone shift back. He seemed much weaker now as he averted his eyes from our Alpha. The shift to man was easy for our Alpha as he stood bearing it all. "Now Landon. Why did you attack my daughter," his tone demanding an answer.

"She's my mate. She's coming with me," Witherstone stated as if he hadn't just gotten the crap beaten out of him by two wolves. "She isn't his," all the juveniles yelled. "Quiet!" The tone of the alpha had several of my pups snap their jaws closed but their eyes continued to burn into the trespasser. "Landon. She isn't your mate. She is my son's. She won't go with you," he said evenly.

"How would Alpha Thorn feel when I tell him you are keeping his pup from her rightful place by my side," Witherstone said with a nasty smile. My wolf bristled at his threat but I was stuck on his words. "We don't know who her blood pack is," the Luna yelled. The tone in her voice was all I could hear. Lies. My head began to spin. A whine escaped my throat before I could push it down. Everyone gave me a look of pity that boiled the food I had swallowed.

"Bull. Her wolf looks just like him. She has the same color pattern and her build. Anyone can see she is a Thistlebrush wolf," Witherstone growled out, standing up. "No! She is our daughter. She has already been marked and mated by my son," Alpha roared as I tried to keep my knees from buckling. I had never been allowed to go to Thistlebrush. Alpha had always said he was a mean wolf that ran a strict pack. "You don't know all the rules and Mountain Rise isn't on good terms with Thistlebrush," his words echoed in my head. Doubt was being planted about my alphas real reason on why Thistlebrush pack was forbidden to me. "A male who is dead and with a mark that has healed," Witherstone shot back with a murderous glare towards Alpha before extending a hand towards me. "She isn't going," Markus roared extending his own hand. My stomach clenched. Breathing was hard. The room was getting dizzy.

I vomited.