The sun had barely risen when the sound of Maddox's old car pulled up. The cage in the back was opened and a year old lab bounced out.

"Everybody ready?" Maddox asked.

Ezekiel threw a bag into the back seat before taking the leash from Maddox's hand.

"Yeah. You want Baloo with the others?" Ezekiel asked nodding to the large black lab.

"Yeah. He's so young he'd get stressed out up there," Maddox said with an unusually soft look at the pup.

Ezekiel's grin widened.

"You're not even training him, are you?" He chuckled.

Maddox scrunched his face guiltily before shaking his head.

"I'm retiring, Zeke. I just couldn't bear giving another one away..." he shrugged.

Around the corner, Akela emerged with a yawn.

"You ready, sweetheart?" Maddox asked.

She nodded before noticing the bag in the back seat and her Alpha's presence.

"I'll be running up, but I figured you can ride with Maddox?" He said.

Akela's eyes flickered between the car and the two men.

"It's a long run, Akela. And I know you are nervous, so it's up to you, but Maddox's car is warm, the wood trail is cold," Ezekiel smiled.

Akela nodded and walked to the passenger side of the car just in time to see another greying blonde wolf appear.

"Ah. Sammy! Ready to go?" Ezekiel grinned at his Delta Prime.

On the front steps, luna Allie was leaning on the bannister to see them off. Akela still felt a strange need to turn away as she Alpha gave his Luna a gentle kiss goodbye. Something about the two of them gave her the impression of a couple who had just fallen in love even with their 20-year long relationship.

"They are terrible," Maddox chuckled quietly.

Akela lifted her eyes to see the smirk on his face.

"He still thinks he's her seeing eye dog! Devoted for life!" Maddox grinned.

"Oh shut it!" Ezekiel laughed.

"But it's true," Maddox teased again.

The Alpha shook his head with a sigh before shifting.

"Be careful!" Allie called as the two wolves ran up towards the mountain.

"They will be!" Maddox chuckled and jumped into the car, waving at Allie with one hand while starting the engine with the other.

Akela was busy trying to attach the safety harness thing when the Lunas steps crunched across the frozen gravel an a knitted jumper landed on her lap.

"It will be cold up there. Probably snow," Allie told her. Akela could feel her worry through the pack connection and looked up to see the worry in the Luna's eyes.

"Don't hold back on your own emotions and opinions, Akela. They are grown men. They can handle it," Allie smiled.

"I just want my sister," Akela said, her voice thick again from the emotional overload.

Allie nodded in sympathy. Ever since the wedding, Akela had been feeling the thinnest fragment of a silk thread stretch into the air. It hurt to think about, like a bruise you cannot stop touching. But Akela had still refused to hope that it could be Kira on the other end. What if she was wrong. Or even worse. What if it had appeared because Kira was dead?

Luna Allie understood.

The car worked its way slowly up along the rough mountain roads. Maddox was too focused on the road to comment on Akela's thoughtful expression or the way she would nervously drum her fingers on her thighs, but eventually, they pulled up next to the medical hut and Maddox cut the engine.

"Listen... I might just be human. and I sure as hell don't understand your bonds. But I am a vet and responsible for your health," the old man said.

Akela turned and met a friendly pair of eyes.

"You shouldn't be nervous about meeting your mate. Not now. Not ever. If you're scared, he's probably not the one for you. But you have to make that decision. not anybody else," Maddox smiled and opened the door.

Akela watched him walk off into the medical building while she stood there in the snow, wondering where to go.

Suddenly a sweet scent washed over her and her heart didn't even have time to give a beat before her soul heated with joy. She turned and couldn't stop her smile at the sight of Zion, looking ridiculous in a beanie over his dog-ears, a thick scarf and a puffy jacket to ward off the cold. In his hands was a similarly snug looking coat.

"I... wasn't sure if you had warm clothes," he said and held the coat out for her.

"Yes, please! Allie gave me this but that looks even better," Akela said, tugging at the knitted jumper.

Zion took a step closer holding the coat out for her like a true gentleman while she slipped her arms into it.

Sheepishly they stood there, looking at each other. Akela didn't know what to say. She had missed him, but he knew that. Just as she knew through the link that he had missed her.

"So... wanna build a snowman?" Zion finally asked.

Akela frowned in amused disbelief.

"Or... ride a sledge?" he smiled wider.

Akela's smile widened to match his. She had nearly forgotten his weird doggie smile. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she was trying to imagine what he would look like with a human face, but all she could come up with was a furry Abel.

"Kids games?" she asked.

Zion shrugged.

You're never too old for some fun," he said.

Akela tilted her head.

"You know... I haven't built a snowman in years! One year Dad built us an igloo..." she replied and took a step closer to him, meaning she had to tilt her head up.

Zion straightened in surprise at the almost physical contact.

"I bet I can build a bigger one than you," she grinned.

Zion's head slowly shook from side to side as his grin emerged.

"Not a chance!" he chuckled.

"The old training ground?" Akela asked, remembering the big field from staying in this pack.

"You're on!" Zion nodded a second before Akela turned and sprinted towards the field beyond the trees.

"What are you doing?" Zion hollered behind her.

"Getting a head start!" Akela shouted back and heard him run to catch her.

Running through the copse of trees, Akela felt Zion chase close behind her. Her heart pounded from the exertion, but Ameer's exercise schedule had built her stamina. Zion's soft laughter told her he wasn't running at top speed either.

She reached the edge of the field and wasted no time in gathering a tight snowball that she carefully rolled along to make it grow. She placed it and rolled the second snowball to go on top of the first. Akela went to make a start on her third one when she saw Zion lifting his second snowball into place.

With a frustrated grunt, Akela took up a handful of snow and threw it. To her surprise, it landed smack in the middle of Zion's face.

He shook it off, staring at her in surprise. Suddenly a playful smirk appeared and he grabbed a handful of snow.

"So that's how you wanna play?" he laughed and threw it in her direction, missing by several meters.

"Oh, that was poor!" Akela taunted and threw another one, hitting the beanie on top of Zion's head.

Suddenly the air was full of snowballs being thrown in both directions. Most of Akela's hit him, but Zion turned out to be terrible at aiming.

Somehow, Zion managed to manoeuvre the battle into the woods and without warning he shook a nearby tree, sending a load of wet, late winter snow straight on top of Akela. In less than a heartbeat, she went from undisputed snowball champion to buried in snow.

Carefully, Zion grabbed her hand to drag her from the pile of melting, icy water that was drifting down Akela's neck.

"I think I won!" he chuckled at the way she squirmed to avoid an especially wet bit from running down her back.

"You cheated!" She laughed.

"I'll make you a hot cup of tea to make up for it?" He suggested innocently.

"Seduction by drink? You go easy there," Akela said with an eyebrow raised.

Zion grinned back.

"Well... You never know what tickles a girl's fancy," He laughed and started dragging her along to the Connor family home.

The loud laughter filled the hallway as Akela stepped through the front door, shaking snow from her hair.

"Dammit, Zion! That was cold," she giggled at the tall wolf following her. Cold snow was still dripping into her clothes, making her shiver.

He just twisted his snout up in what she recognised as a smirk. His eyes sparkled with amusement.

Holding his hand out he hung her coat before taking his own off.

"Zion!" An angry voice growled.

The two laughing people went serious and exchanged an "oh shit!" Look before they both walked into the living area of the Alpha family's home.

Inside, Abel was stood, his bottom resting on the sofa and his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"Are you done occupying my mate?" Abel snarled.

"You could have joined us. We've built a snowman... or tried to until Akela threw snow at me..." Zion shrugged.

"A snowman?" Abel frowned.

"Yep. And had the best snowball fight ever!" Akela grinned, her cheeks still rosy from the cold and her eyes sparkling with laughter.

Abel walked over to her with a forceful look on his face.

"Did he touch you?" Abel asked.

"Well... yeah... we brushed the snow off before coming in," she responded.

"What did I tell you? No other male touches you! You are mine!" Abel growled, clutching her upper arms in tight grips.

Akela's body tensed. Zion saw the terror in her eyes.

"Let go, Abel," he said, placing a hand on his brother's hand.

"No! I can touch my mate!" Abel snarled.

"But I will not let you frighten her. You know what she's been through!" Zion said firmly.

"And once she's claimed and mine, she will forget all of that!" Abel declared.

"Please let go of me," Akela asked quietly.

Abel released her and watched her instantly turn to Zion for a hug.

"It's okay," Zion soothed just as a fierce growl emitted from Abel.

"Don't you dare touch my mate!" Abel snarled again and ripped Zion's arms from around Akela's shoulders.

Firmly pushing Zion backwards, Abel's face turned three shades darker.

"My! Mate!" Abel snarled again.

"We're both bonded to her, Abel. And it's her choice!" Zion said.

Abel turned to Akela who stood there with tears filling her eyes.

"There really isn't a choice! I mean. Why would you go for a halfie like that when you can have me?" Abel asked.

Akela's eyes widened in surprise before she looked between the two.
Abel was staring straight at her. His eyes filled with hurt, anger and fear.
Zion was looking into the floor, his clenched fists betraying his emotions.

"Please," Abel said, his face suddenly soft and hopeful.

"Why do you want me, Abel?" Akela asked.

"You're my mate. You're made for me," replied Abel in confusion.

"So you want the bond?" She asked.

Abel frowned unsure of what she was asking.

"Zion?" She asked turning to face the man with the wolf face and his fluffy tail hanging limply at his back.

"He's right tho. I wouldn't even be able to kiss you," Zion mumbled, not even lifting his face to look at her.

Akela studied his clenching hands for a moment before turning to Abel.

"Kira always talked about her strong mate. I just wanted someone to love me," she said quietly.

"And you will... once we're mated!" Abel declared.

"Not now?" She followed up.

Abel frowned in question.

"You're wonderful and protective and funny, Abel... and I wish there was a way I could have both of you. But I can't accept two mates who hate each other," she said.

"We don't..." Abel objected.

"So tell me... If I say I want two. How would you feel about me spending nights in Zion's bed once I'm claimed?" She asked and heard a low, jealous growl in Abel's throat.

"How would you feel about me carrying Zion's pups?" She asked and Abel's growl deepened.

"Why are you not asking Zion these questions? I bet he's not happy to share either," Abel grumbled.

"Because Zion already told me he'll accept my choice. You. Him. Or both," she replied.

"Really?" Abel frowned doubtfully.

"Yep," Akela nodded as Abel turned to look at his brother with raging eyes.

"Mindgames... telling her what she wants to hear just to take her from me!" Abel frowned.

"No... I just want Akela to be happy, Abel," Zion mumbled.

"And she will with me so butt the hell out!" Abel snarled.
There was an edge of woundedness to his anger. A fear of losing this one. Of standing without a mate.

"I've never lost to you. I don't plan to start now!" Abel declared and turned to leave the room.
He passed the door before turning to fix Akela with a look.

"You may as well move your things to my room. You're mine!" He said and left the room only to return a minute later.

"I don't want you alone with him anymore," Abel said.

Zion exchanged a look with Akela before smiling at his brother.

"I'll leave. Akela and I had fun in the snow. Now it's your turn I guess," he said quietly.

"Well... I don't want to be with you right now! I'm going to find Diana!" Akela snapped at Abel, who was holding her hand, trying to drag her away. With a firm tug, Akela released her hand from Abel's and went towards the stairs.

"Akela... Wait," Abel begged from the bottom of the stairs as she ran up.

Akela turned, tears burning behind her eyes.

"I'm not your property, Abel! I have been in that situation and I do not want that again. I swear I will reject you, - true mate, or not - if you don't take a step back!" She nearly sobbed.

Abel gasped and ran up the stairs, three steps at the time, catching her at the top.

"Please don't do that! Akela. Please!" he begged with his arms around her.

Akela whacked her fists on his chest, pushing him half a step away.

"So stop being such an asshole!" she sobbed.

Through the link between them, she felt Abel's possessive anger diminish and a frightened worry emerge.

"I saw the car pull up and I saw Zion... and I thought... I thought you'd chosen..." Abel mumbled into her hair.

Akela whacked him again.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he whispered.