That mind-link was all it took for me and Deene to leap into action.
We shifted into our wolves, our clothes shredding in the process. And we hurried toward the fight.
Two of our border guards were facing off against five rogues. They were holding their own, but the fight was hardly fair.
The element of surprise was on our side as we sprang at the two closest to us.
I jumped onto the rogue’s back, taking a bite out of the matted brown fur on his shoulder. He let out a yelp, followed by a snarl, before dropping to his side in an effort to dislodge me.
As I moved to get up, the rogue caught my leg with his teeth, leaving a sizable gash. It hurt. The pain was nothing I couldn’t handle, but now I was angry.
The rogue scrambled to his feet and charged at me, a crazed look in its feral eyes. I held my ground, waiting until he reared up to tackle me. I reared back, extending my claws and piercing deep into his chest before slicing them down his abdomen.
He stopped instantly, crumbling to the ground with a whimper.
He wasn’t dead. Merely subdued. But he would be out long enough to give me a chance to take care of some of his friends first.
Rogue attacks had always been a problem. But lately, they seemed to be growing in frequency and number.
I went after the last rogue who had been hanging at the back of the group.
He began snarling and snapping but made no effort to attack. He waited for me to come to him.
Every now and then he would make a strange sound—almost like a cough. I couldn’t remember hearing a wolf cough before.
As I approached, he began thrashing, his claws waving wildly in front of him. I tried my best to dodge his frantic movements, but he managed to catch me on my cheek.
I made my move and pinned him to the ground. He continued to struggle, swiping and snapping with abandon. But he collapsed easily under my weight.
I was surprised at his lack of strength. Rogues were known to be weaker, but this was something else.
He began hacking uncontrollably, spittle flying from his mouth. I pushed back, trying to put some space between us.
Having dispatched the rogues, we left the guards to dispose of their bodies.
I nodded my shaggy black head in agreement. Mates were important, but we were leaders of this pack, and that had to take priority.
I knew it was time. I couldn’t keep the truth from him any longer. Delaying this long already looked suspicious.
Deene always called me out on my shit. He was one of the few wolves who could keep me in line. He was also able to talk sense into me when no one else could. It was the reason my father had been so pleased to name him my beta.
We finally came up to the pack house and shifted out of our wolves.
“Mind-link Alessa and tell her that I need to speak with Mystique,” I demanded, making a snap decision before I had the chance to back out.
Deene grew quiet for a moment, and I knew he was doing what I’d asked.
“She said Mystique is willing to talk, but that she’s feeling a little intimidated at the thought of meeting you.”
“We’re mates. She’s going to have to get over that.”
“That’s probably not the best way to start,” he scolded with a roll of his eyes.
Once again, he was right. But I chose not to tell him. Instead, I simply grunted in response.
“Alessa talked her into coming. She said she wants to get it over with, so she’s bringing her here to meet with you now. But you need to be nice. She’s a bit shy, I guess.” Deene explained everything that Alessa had told him.
“Yeah.”
“Ah, man. I’ve got to clean myself up!” I exclaimed, looking at the blood and dirt smeared across my skin.
“You seem nervous.” He chuckled.
“Shut up!” I laughed. “I’m going to shower. Tell Alessa to bring her to my office.”
