Braden

It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, leaving her there. I know in my mind that it was the most logical thing to do. Lives of the many outweigh the lives of the few, but what if the few included your mate. Your one true chance at happiness? I gather Hayden, Sam, Jax, Cress, and Cal to bring them into the pack house. I glance one last time at my beautiful mate, hoping to the Moon Goddess that this won't be the last time I lay my eyes on her. We see panicked faces of the pack members in the foyer where Hayden asked them to all meet. Hayden explained the urgency of the situation and told them to grab a few belongings that fit into a backpack as we would be leaving almost immediately. I can hear the whimpers of small children who are scared and don't understand what is going on. We step out into the front yard and those who can shift, shift. The pups sit on the back of their mothers and we all set off into the woods. Running at a decent speed to ensure everyone can keep up, we leave the territory.

Minutes turn to hours before we take a quick stop at a lake to have some water and a snack from the bags we brought. Mothers are trying to calm down their children who are sobbing quietly while the fathers are standing on guard to make sure no one harms their family. Everyone shifts into their wolf forms and head off. Cal, Hayden, Sam and I are jogging at the front of the group with warriors positioned at the sides and back. I don't know where Jax is, but I can still smell him so he hasn't strayed far. Soon enough Jax runs up next to me in his wolf, Max, who gives me a nod, reassuring me that everything will be alright.

Hours pass with no problems. We haven't run into any Wilds and we are all very thankful for that. I have been on autopilot the whole run so far as my mind wanders to Ash. I haven't felt anything through the bond so she must still be alive. I won't feel her emotions or pain until I mark her, but at least I know she isn't dead which means there is still hope.

I hadn't realized we stopped running until I hit into Jax. He turns his head to give me a look of 'what the hell, man?' I just then notice that we are at the border of the Royal Pack and it is dark outside. I must have spaced out for quite a while. Two wolves meet us at the boarder.

"You must be from the White Stone Pack. My name is Nova and this is Drake. We will escort you to the pack house."

The group of us follow the two wolves through the trees and emerge into a clearing with a grand castle. I hear some of the children gasp in awe at the sight in front of them. We shift back into our human forms, putting on our clothes, and walk into the mansion. We are lead down a hall into a wing of the castle that looks vacant. This must be the guest ward in the castle for packs who have gone to war and came here in refuge. We will probably have to double up on rooms considering we didn't loose any members of the pack and still have quite a large number. I help people start getting settled in in the rooms and I then head out back to make a phone call to Mom.

"Braden, it's good to hear from you," Mom greets.

"Mom, something happened at the White Stone Pack. We have moved the members to the Royal Pack temporarily until the threat is no longer."

"What happened," her tone turns serious.

"Rogues, at least fifteen hundred, came and tried to take Ash. When Ash said she wouldn't go willingly with them, they attacked her. She held off the rogues long enough for Hayden to get his entire pack out of the territory."

"I am on my way," Mom states, no room for argument.

"Okay, I will see you soon."

She says she loves me and then hangs up the phone, ceasing any conversation as she goes to pack. I turn around quickly when I hear an exaggerated sigh come from behind me. It's Jax.

"Do you know how long I have been looking for you?" Jax exclaims.

I look down at my watch, "No more than five minutes."

Jax rolls his eyes, "Okay, maybe not very long, but I have great news." My ears perk up at this. "Ash and Frost are alright. They should be here in an hour or two. They were just leaving when we took our break at the lak..."

I growl, "You knew she was okay for hours and only thought to tell me now?!"

"Sorry Braden, we were running and trying to get to the safety of the Royal Pack as quickly as we could. We didn't really have time for me to stop, shift, then tell you. Then you just ran off once people were settled in and I couldn't find you. So here we are," Jax explains.

I huff, "Okay, thank you for telling me, Jax. I was just calling my mother to inform her on what has happened and she is on her way here now."

Jax nods and heads back inside, probably to find Cress. I plop down on the porch and put my head in my hands. I am so relieved that Ash is okay. I was so worried that she was going to die or be taken away where I would never see her again. I have to do something to show her how much I care about her. This war is coming and coming fast, I don't want to lose her or her lose myself before I get a chance to tell her how much I love her. The beauty of the mate bond. Feelings develop so quickly even without being marked yet. I hope that she feels the same way for me as I do for her.

"Are you alright?" I hear a man ask and I look up from my spot on the ground to see King Ash. I stand up quickly and bow to him to show my respect. "There is no need for that Braden, as I understand, you are the mate to Asherah. You both do not have to worry about bowing to me or my wife."

I give him a funny look, but brush it off and stand straight, "What can I do for you, King Ash?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to do something to get your mind off things? We could spar if you would like. I feel like you would be a good challenge."

I chuckle, "I would love to, but be careful, I am known as quite the fighter in my pack."

"Oh trust me, I have heard Braden. Your mother speaks very highly of you."

"You know my mom?" I question. I thought they were just acquaintances, not friends who talk about their children to others.

"Her and I go way back. Her and Amara go back even farther. Has she never told you?" He wonders and I shake my head. "Well, I mustn't say anything that may upset her then," King Ash looks hurt as he says this.

We soon go onto the practice field where a few wolves from the Royal Pack are sparing already. They all look in our direction and bow their heads to their King before standing back up and continuing what they were doing. I remove my shirt and King Ash remove his as well. His stance is strong as is expected for the King. This will be the most challenging fight I have done in practice yet. I jab at his stomach, but he turns out of the way, sending a swift roundhouse kick to my side that I wasn't expecting. An humpht leaves my mouth from the blow which I shake off. I charge and put my shoulder to his gut and lean my whole body weight into him and successfully knock him to the ground. King Ash gets his feet under my stomach and kicks hard which sends me flying across the field. Man, he is good and fast. This is going to be testing my skills.

I stand up quickly and see Ash running my way and he lunges at me to which I drop and roll out of the way, sticking my foot out in the process to trip him. I climb on top of him and give him a hard punch to his nose. It starts bleeding profusely. King Ash grabs my wrists and head butts me in the forehead causing me to become dizzy. He flips us over, sending a punch to my jaw and then grabs my throat before I have time to react. He's got me in a position I can't get out of without dying. I double tap his hand and he lets go, standing up.

King Ash offers a hand and I take it. "That was exhilarating, thank you Braden. You are a mighty fighter, your mother taught you well." King Ash is smiling sadly at the mention of Mom. I wonder what their past is? I will have to ask Mom about it.

"Thank you King Ash, that was the best spar I have had in a long time," I shoot him a warm smile and he claps me on the shoulder.

He suggests we go grab something to eat and head towards the massive kitchen. King Ash grabs out everything needed to make turkey sandwiches. I'm surprised he even knows how to make sandwiches in the first place. Don't they have cooks to do all this for them? He hands me a sandwich and takes a bite of his own. I dig into the delicious sandwich, he is pretty good at this. I mean, for a guy who lives in a castle with people to do everything for them.

"Thank you," I thank once I finish.

"It's not much, but turkey sandwiches were always my favourite. Back as a rogue, I couldn't afford much and it kinda stuck when I rejoined the Red Flame Pack."

"Wait, what?" I ask, astonished.

"I thought that was all common knowledge, no? I wasn't born into the Royal Pack. I was anything but royalty. I was a spy in my pack ages ago before I met your mot...before I met Amara."

I keep my poker face, but in the inside my mind is racing with questions. Why was he about to say my mother? What changed when they met? Why did he correct himself? What's he hiding? What's my mom hiding? When will I get my answers? Is Ash okay and will she be here soon?

"There Red Flame Pack, as in the one in England?"

"The one and only. It was my home for most of my life. All of my friends live there still, but I haven't spoken to them in a very long time," a sad look covers his features.

"I never knew. I don't really detect much of an accent."

"Ah yes, I have adapted quite well to the American accent. When I get upset or get into a heated argument, my English accent tends to show still."

I nod and we fall into an awkward silence. I can tell he is holding back what happened all those years ago and he is feeling awkward trying to make conversation around me as he has to walk on eggshells. I know it wouldn't be fair to ask anymore information from him and I need to wait for Mom to get here which should be soon as well as Ash. Footsteps ring throughout the first floor and the squeaking of the front door to the castle follows. Someone has arrived. Both King Ash and I make our way to the front door. I start to feel excited as I can smell the scent of my mate, cinnamon buns and chocolate. A wide grin is on my lips as I walk through the doorway into the main entry hall. The smile immediate drops as I see the state of my mate and Frost. Ash is covered in dirt, soot, and I can smell blood on her. Frost looks to be in similar shape with dried blood on his clothing. Probably his own.

"What happened?" I all but shout.