Ash

Zane is laughing his ass off but I just stare at Frost, trying to figure out if he is telling the truth or not. He seems to completely believe that he is half Mura, but I want to know why. They can't have children with anyone other than another Mura. So how would Frost be born? Zane's laughter dies down and he wipes imaginary tears from his eyes.

"That was a good one Frost, now tell us the truth."

Both Frost and I look at Zane with serious stares. This causes his smile to wipe off his face and look at the both of us as if we are nuts.

"Don't tell me you believe him Ash, this has to be some kind of joke. Mura's haven't been seen in ages. Well, except for..." he then stops talking, remembering what I did back at the ballroom.

"That doesn't mean they aren't real Zane, you have to keep an open mind," I scold him and turn to Frost, "I read about them, how did you get conceived if Mura's cannot have children with someone outside of their race?"

"That's the thing, the books are wrong. It's not that they cannot conceive a child, it's that the woman dies during childbirth. Every single time," Frost replies, sadness is laced in his tone.

"I'm sorry Frost, I didn't know."

"Prove it," Zane demands.

Frost takes a deep breath and unveils his scent to the both of us. The sweet scent that I have fills my nose as well as a faint scent of sandalwood, the scent that all vampires have in common. He wasn't lying at all. He is half Mura. This is amazing! I can finally have someone to talk to who may understand at least some of what I deal with. I can't hold it back as I grab Frost and bring him into a bone crushing hug. Frost is unsure of what to do so he remains still as I let him go.

"Are you okay Ash?" Frost wonders.

"Uh, yeah. I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me," I straighten my back and regain my composure.

Zane goes to say something but my ringtone cuts him off. I fish it out from my back pocket and see Jax's name pop up. I swipe the screen to answer the call.

"Jax, what's going on?" I ask right off the bat.

"You need to come back right now Ash, there is something brewing and it isn't good. We need you back ASAP," Jax rushes out and I can tell he is anxious.

"I will be there as soon as I can. If anything happens, get someone to call me to update."

"10-4 rubber ducky," Jax replies with a chuckle and hangs up the phone.

"What's going on?" Zane asks.

"I need to go back to the White Stone Pack immediately. Thank you for your hospitality and I hope you will give the King and Queen my apologies for leaving without seeing them."

Zane nods his head and I walk towards the tree line. Frost is following beside me into the woods. I guess I am stuck with him now, I could use the company.

"What's your gift?" I ask Frost.

"I can manipulate the earth," he replies like it is no big deal.

"That's awesome, Frost! Let me see," I insist. I haven't seen anyone use the earth element before.

"Okay, I usually just use it to make a comfortable spot to sleep at night. Let's see when else though..." Frost thinks and taps his chin before a light bulb goes off in his head.

Rocks begin shifting in the earth and create a suspended path in the air. Frost smooths and flattens one end of the rock to make room for his foot. Then he climbs. The rocks hold him up in the air as he climbs higher and higher before stopping to look down at me. He flashes a million dollar smile before he loses his balance. I catch him midair out of habit even though he would have easily survived the fall being a vampire and all. I guide him towards the ground slowly.

"Thanks," Frost smiles and we continue walking. "How are you so strong. I don't just mean physically either, but with your powers. You held back a hybrid. One that is half werewolf and half vampire. They are extremely strong and it takes a lot to keep them down. You did it like it was nothing at all. As if you were holding a grape in the air."

"Frost, there is a lot about me that you will know one day but I have a feeling that today isn't that day. In time, you will know," I tell him and I am surprised by the wisdom my words seem to have.

"Okay, I can deal with that. In the mean time, do you want to tell me what I am getting myself into?"

I chuckle, "I guess you should know, shouldn't you? We are headed to the White Stone Pack, that is where I have been staying. They are having some troubles with rogues recently and my friend there thinks something is going to happen and soon. We are going to help fight if that is what it comes to."

"Okay, helping the good guys. That is all I have been wanting to do for years and now I finally have a chance!" The excitement in his voice is contagious and makes me smile. He may have had a hard life in the beginning but now? Now he is doing what is good for the world.

***

We get to the boarder of the White Stone Pack and wait for the guard to show up. He steps out of his hiding spot and shifts back. I recognize him from training.

"Ash, you're back. Who's this?" Harry asks.

"Hi Harry, this is Frost. I picked him up on my way to the Royal Pack. He is staying to help fight," I explain.

Harry nods and steps aside to let us into the territory. We walk through and I nod my head in appreciation when he shifts back to his wolf and hides once more.

We make it to the pack house and I walk in seeing Hayden, Sam, Braden, Cal, Jax, and Cress sitting in the living room, conversing with each other. They all look like they don't have a care in the world. It's nice seeing them looking like this. It doesn't last long because all of their heads whip in our direction at the new people in the room. Jax immediately jumps up and runs into me, giving me a big hug which I return. I hear a threatening growl and see Cress looking shocked at herself. I can understand her wolf, I am a female and I am unmated. She is just protective.

"Hey guys, missed me?" I ask with a goofy smile.

"Of course, how are you doing?" Hayden wonders.

"I'm good, I found what I needed and someone who can help us in this war," I step aside so everyone can see Frost. "This is Frost, I met him on my travels and he wishes to aide us in this war against the rogues."

Hayden holds out a hand, "Alpha Stone, but everyone just calls me Hayden."

Frost hesitantly shakes his hand, "It's good to meet you Hayden," he carefully says just incase if Hayden was trying to trick him.

"I'm Sam, Next in line for Alpha," Sam does a small wave and smiles. Frost smiles back.

"I'm Braden, next in line for Alpha at the Blood Paw Pack, I'm here visiting with the current Beta of my pack, Cal," Braden gestures to Cal.

"I remember you, didn't Noctis take you in for a while?" Cal asks.

"Yes, she did. You were all so kind. Thank you," Frost grins and Cal nods.

"I'm Jax, the one you will be competing with for best friend," Jax says with a playful smirk on his lips.

"Hey! I was her best friend first," Cress defends.

"She is right," I agree.

Jax throws his hand dramatically over his heart and gasps loudly, "After all we have been through?" We all break out laughing around the room.

"Hey, do you guys have any food, I'm starving," Frost wonders. Does he mean food food or blood? I don't know what he eats. Awkward.

"Uh," Hayden looks around the room, the same with everyone else. They all look at each other with unsure gazes. Just because werewolves have come to accept vampires doesn't mean they like their diet.

"Oh, I should have specified. I mean food food. Like a burger or salad or fruit. Something like that." Their gazes change to that of complete shock. Vampires can't eat normal human food. "I'm a hybrid," Frost clarifies and everyone understands now. Well, everyone but Cress who looks confused until Gwen fills her in.

"Well, we can definitely help you out with that," Hayden chuckles and takes Frost into the kitchen with Sam following behind, hoping for some food as well.

"Hey, can I talk to you?" Braden asks me and I nod. Here goes nothing.

We walk out into the woods to find some privacy. No one is around here so it is safe for me to find out if he is my Lamara or not.

"So um..." Braden trails off looking nervous. "I'm not quite sure how to say this," he chuckles nervously.

"I think I know what you are going to say," I speak up.

"Really?" He asks.

"Yeah," I reply and double check no one else is around. I release my scent and that is when his scent fills my nose. He smells like Shea butter and strawberries.

"I was right?" Braden says with a huge grin on his lips. "Wait, your a Mura?!" He almost yells.

"Shshsh, yes Braden, I am. Can we keep this between us though. Not many people know," I explain and hide my scent.

"Of course, I'm so glad I found you!" Braden smiles once more and pulls me into a bone crushing hug which I return.

"I'm glad I found you as well," I whisper into his shoulder but I know he heard me.

"We will have to talk about this whole Mura thing again later okay?" Braden asks and I just nod.

Braden shifts into his auburn wolf that I have only seen once back when I was terrified of werewolves. I wonder what his name is.

I'm Mark, Braden's wolf, Mark tells me through our newly developed mindlink. A werewolf trait.

Hi Mark, it's nice to officially meet you, I smile.

He takes a step forward and licks my face causing me to laugh and wipe it off with my sleeve.

"Hey! What was that for?" I ask aloud.

Sorry, I forgot you weren't a wolf. We have different ways of showing affection, Mark explains to me.

I nod and he trots a bit ahead of me before looking back, telling me to follow him back to the pack house. I do as he asks and follow him. He runs upstairs in wolf form still to go get some clothes on. Cal looks at me with a cocked eyebrow.

"We're mates," I tell him and he looks all excited.

"That's great! I'm so glad to hear it!" Cal grins and does a little happy dance. "Noctis will be so happy."

I smile and walk into the kitchen. Frost and Sam at at the breakfast counter eating a burger and some fruits. They are both almost done their food.

"Frost, when you are finished, can you come with me?"

"Sure, almost done," he says with a bit piece of the burger in his mouth. Gross. What is with guys and talking with their mouths full?

Cress comes in from the backyard, arguing with Jax.

"I don't want to Jax," Cress growls.

"But it is amazing Cress! You need to try it," Jax insists.

"I did try it and it hurt like fucking hell," Cress shouts.

"It won't this time," Jax promises.

"TMI," Sam groans.

Cress smacks him upside Sam's head, "Get your head out of the gutter you idiot! We are talking about shifting."

"Oh," Sam whispers, he shrugs his shoulders and goes back to eating.

"Cress, he is telling the truth and I bet Gwen is itching to get out and run. It isn't healthy for her to be pent up for so long," I tell her.

Cress sighs, "I'm scared Ash."

"I know you are, but you will have your mate by your side and he will help you through it."

She takes a deep breath, "Okay, I will do it."

Jax looks at my triumphant face with complete shock, "How did you do that? We have be arguing about this for a whole day and you have one short conversation that gets her to agree?"

I shrug, "I am her best friend Jax."