Here it is guys. The entire chapter 18. Sorry about the teaser, but I figured y'all should get a little bit while waiting on me to finish the rest of it. Thanks for the ideas, I loved 'em all. :) Hope y'all enjoy this chapter. Only a few more to go before it's finished. Then it's onto the next book. The third and final Sealology. 

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Silence filled the office as Dean just sat in his chair staring at me. “Are you sure Tami?”

“I haven’t been surer of anything in my life Dean. Jubal is one of the wolves that is planning on your demise.” Looking him in the eye, I feel ice running through my veins. “I told the Council that I would protect you at all costs. And if Jubal makes me, I will kill him to keep you alive.” Dean looks at me in concern. He’s in love with you Tami.

What makes you say that Lilly?

His wolf just told me. Surely you couldn’t have been blind this whole time girl.

I won’t do that to his future mate Lill. He’s been looking for her for years. I refuse to put another femme through that pain.

There’s something you should know Tami. Dell, he wasn’t our true second mate.

WHAT!?!

We both were under a spell from that warlock. But I do know who are second true mate is.

Who is it Lilly? Have we met him?

We have, and it’s… Suddenly, someone started shaking me. Jumping to my feet ready to defend myself, I look around. Spying only Dean in the room, I stand up and slowly relax. “Are you alright Tami? You sorta spaced out there for a bit.”

“Yeah, no. I’m fine Dean. Lilly was just explaining something to me. Trust me Dean, I will do anything and everything in my power to keep you alive and safe. And I’m sure that Ghost would do the same as well.” Dean was about to say something, but he was stopped by the ringing of his phone. He sighed and answered. “Hello.” I stand up and walk to the bay windows.

“Beta Hale. To what do I owe for your call?” I could hear the sarcasm in his voice but I just smirked. “Just a second please.” He said and I felt his hand on my shoulder. “Your father wishes to know if you’d like to speak to him.”

“I guess I can.” The second the words are out of my mouth, Dean lays his cell in my hand and starts walking towards the door. “I’ll give you some privacy. If you need me, just yell.” I nod and wait for the door to close. “This is Hale.” I speak into the phone and I couldn’t help but notice that my voice sounded a little cold.

“Tamar! Thank the goddess. We were staring to get worried about you sweetheart.”

“What do you want Father?” I cringe softly at the formal title. “Your mother and I want you back home. If you come back to your mate, then nothing will happen…”

“What do you mean, nothing will happen?” But I knew, deep down inside of my heart I knew that not only was Jubal behind the threat on Dean’s life, my parents were as well. My dad sighs softly before speaking again. “If you come home to Jubal and us Tamar, then he will call off the others and Dean will live.” I growl threateningly at him. I faintly heard the door open behind me but I didn’t pay any attention to it.

“Listen here Father, I told the Council this and the King as well. I will do everything in my power to make sure he stays alive. And that means if I have to kill you or Mom or Jubal to ensure his safety, then so be it. My loyalties lie with King Colt and the Council. I cut all ties with the Lotus Rock pack the day Jubal rejected me as his mate.”

“Tamar, you will come back to us. Jubal left the woman he marked because he only wants you…” I cut him off by laughing. My laughter sounded so cold that even my blood turned to ice. “Beta Hale, I regret to inform you of this, but since you’re paying no heed to my words, I feel I must. If I see anyone from Jubal Hill’s pack within ten feet of my King, I will kill them. Is that understood?”

My dad growls at me. “You will regret this decision pup.”

“No I won’t, you will.” With that, I hang up and turn around to find both Dean and Ghost staring at me. “What?” I ask as I step towards Dean and hand him his phone. Both of them were having a hard time trying to speak, so I sigh. “As it turns out, not only is my ex-mate behind the death threat on you Dean, but so are my parents. If they think that this will make me come back to that stupid excuse of a pack, well, they’re wrong.

“I swore to protect you with my life and that’s what I’m going to do.”

“Tami, they’re your parents.” Ghost and Dean spoke at the same time. I shrug and look back out the window. “Be that as it may, but they knew the consequences of this choice. So, trust me Sire, I will not hesitate to protect you against either one of them.” As I gazed into Dean’s eyes, I saw that he was battling his wolf on what he thought of the news. I knew that he was proud of my dedication to him, but he was angry that my parents would commit treason just to bring me back to heartache and pain.

Looking in Ghost’s eyes, I found what I knew would be there; nothing. “…and Dell asked me what you were doing here.”

“And what did you tell him Sir?” Dean shrugs as he slides into his leather chair. “Nothing as of yet. But I’m running out of ideas on how to keep stalling him Tami. What do you propose I should tell him?”

“You should tell him the truth; I’m here at the request of the Council. Anything else and you could tell him that the information is a need to know bases.” I knew from the twinkling of his eyes that Ghost thought my idea was a little funny as well. Hale, we should head out to the warrior training arena. Oh, and tell the King that he needs to double up on guard patrol as well. You can never be too careful.

Why can’t you tell him G-man? It’s your idea.

I’m not going to tell him that because you have a better rapport with him. So, please tell him for me?  Mentally rolling my eyes, I turn to face Dean. The first thing I notice is a look of pain in his eyes which he quickly hides. Sadness fills my heart and I couldn’t help but wish that his mate would hurry up and find his or her way to him. “Dean, I, that is we, think it would be best if you double the guard patrol on the borders.” I pause before asking, “Do you still have the Watchers?”

“I do, and their numbers have almost tripled since you were last here.”

“That’s good news. I would suggest you have at least fifty in the air at all times. And you should have at least fifty more on alert should the need arise.”

“I’ll make sure of it Tami. Anything else I should do?” He asked, but I could tell he was joking, but I pretended to take it seriously. Tilting my head left a little, I act as if I was thinking. “If I were you, I’d keep at least six or seven guards or shields with you at all times…”

“I was just joking Tami, gosh. Do you ever have any fun anymore?” Shrugging, I step back towards Ghost. “Sometimes I do sir, but it doesn’t happen that often. We need to go.” I say and point towards the door. He nods and we leave. What in the world was that Hale?

The King is a really good friend to me but I fear that his feelings towards me run deeper than that.

So what’s holding you up? Sighing, I step out the door and we head towards the training field. What’s holding me up is that fact that one day he’ll meet his mate, the one he’s meant for. And I refuse to put another woman through the pain I’ve dealt with knowing that he was with or wants another. I will not do that to my future Queen.

Do you feel the same way about him? I look at Ghost confused. What’s the interrogation G-man?

I’m just…curious is all Hale. So, do you?

No Ghost I do not. Dean is a great friend and to me that’s all he is. It pains me to know that he feels something more than that towards me, but I know that when he meets his soul mate, that will change. You could say that I’m waiting on my second mate to make his appearance.

Wait, I thought Dell was your second mate.

As did I, but according to Lilly…

And who’s that?

She’s my wolf. According to her, the feelings that Dell and I felt were part of a spell that the warlock who wanted Belle placed on us. The two of us weren’t and ever will be second mates. And I’m ok with that. Lilly knows who our mate is, but she won’t tell me. Ghost chuckled, pulling the attention of the warriors to us. I watched as Rivers turned to glare at whoever was interrupting them, but when he saw it was me, his whole face lite up.

“Tamar, it’s good to see you. How’ve you been?”

“Busy Rivers, very busy. This is my partner, G-man. G-man this is my successor, Captain Rivers.” They shook hands and looked at me. “We’re here because of the rumors flying around.”

“I heard of them. The King told me last week, though I’m not sure how many of the pack know the truth.”

“Rivers, when did he receive the letter?” I ask softly so only he would hear. He thought for a few seconds and then he looked at me. What I saw in his eyes made my already chilly blood turn to pure ice. “I believe that he received the letter almost three months ago. Yeah, Friday will make three months.” It dawned on him and his face turned ghastly white.

“Rivers, I want you to call every single warrior, guard, shield and watcher that is able to fight here now. I want ten shields and five guards placed on King Protection.”

 “Right away Tamar.” He spins around and takes off running. Ghost calls my name and I look at him. “What’s going on?”

“In two days’ time, the death threat against my friend will be acted upon. We have a lot of things to get into place before Friday gets here. We have to act quickly.”

“Alright, just one question.”

“Shoot.”

“What in the blue blazes is a ‘watcher’?”

“Do you remember the stories about what the first were’s were able to do?”

“Sure, who doesn’t?”

“Well, we didn’t lose the ability to shift into anything we want like history would want us to believe. All weres can shift into any living thing with enough time and practice. That’s how we have the watchers. They’re wolves who shift into birds to give us an advantage on the field. They let us know what the enemy is doing so we can counter attack or prevent it.”

“And who discovered this?” I could hear the curiosity in his voice. “I did Ghost. It was during my years in Rollins when I was alone. And when I became part of the King’s warriors, I shared my knowledge with my pack and we formed the watchers.”

“Do you think when this is all over, you can teach me how to shift?”

“Yeah, we’ll have time for that if everything goes right.” Movement to my right draws my attention, and I turn to see that every available pack member standing before us. Rivers stood in front of them smiling grimly. Stepping towards them just a bit, I speak. “Listen up because I’m only going to repeat this once. Everyone here is aware of the threat our King received a few months ago. Well, I’m here to let you know that the rumors going around are true.

“Some idiots are after what rightfully belong to King Colt and we need to put a stop to their plans. First of all, their leader appears to be one Jubal Hill from the Lotus Rock pack. Secondly, they plan on making their move this Friday. We will not let them touch a hair of our King’s head, nor will we allow them to take what is ours. Watchers, I want at least fifty of you in the air at all times. But the rest of you need to be able to join them at a moment’s notice.

“The guards and warriors will form five rings around the territory. Place the strongest and fastest in the ring that is closest to the house and bunker. And then go from there. Training starts in thirty minutes so I suggest that you get ready. This won’t be a walk in the park.” I nod to Rivers who takes over. Muttering under my breath, I look towards the sky. “Your move Jubal.”