Chapter 23

Flora’s P.O.V

Six months passed by in a blink of an eye. Everything seemed to be perfect. Clay and I had to go sneaking around everyone’s backs to date but there was also a sense of adventure in that.

Riley had stopped giving me disapproving glances and he hadn’t informed our parents either. He mostly stayed at the pack house, finishing up his training and he seemed to have given up on trying to break me and Clay apart. At least that how it seemed for now.

As for me and Clay, our bond seemed to only deepen as each day passed. I remember my conversation with Ruth and how she had told me to test things out and be in relationships until I find my mate, the one the Moon Goddess, Selene had decided for me to be with forever.

But how does one get out of this kind of a bond? It was unique and with each day, it pulled me even close to Clay; even deeper into this relationship. Will I ever be able to look at another man the way I looked at Clay? Will I ever be able to feel the way Clay made me feel? I knew the mating bond tied us to our mates in a pledge of eternal love. But I was starting to fear the day Clay would feel that bond first and I would be left behind.

Clay must have guessed that my insecurities were once again haunting me, which is why I suddenly found myself being whisked away to a romantic picnic date deep in the forest where Clay had found an open grassland next to a small waterfall. It was the perfect getaway spot and we had a great time together, especially since Clay had decided to cook all my favourite dishes.

It warmed my heart to see him put so much of effort into our relationship and all my worries were temporarily forgotten.

However, everything went downhill the very next day.

The day had started out great with my usual Sunday routine of helping my dad make breakfast and then we’d decide to invite Ruth and her family over for lunch to spend some quality time together since it was a pack holiday. Ruth left late in the evening and then we had all started working on dinner at once. Riley had come over to have dinner with us and we had all enjoyed our time together as a family with mom and dad teasing Riley about the soldier he’d been seen flirting with and then my mom and dad went into details about how they had been together before they mated. I didn’t mind that my dating life wasn't brought into the equation. As far as my family was concerned, it didn’t exist. The end.

It was halfway through our meal that Riley had gone very, very stiff, followed by my parents. Riley had been about to eat a spoonful of rice but the spoon paused just inches from his mouth and his entire being went predatory stiff. I was looking at my family with confusion when the warning from Alpha Nicholas hit my mind with the force of an avalanche.

Rough attack. All soldiers report immediately.

The warning howls went up a second later from the sentries on border patrol duty.

I was already staggering to a stand after the wave of power from Alpha Nicholas’s mental voice receded and Riley, along with my parents were instantly in battle mode.

“Be careful.” I called out as Riley went out the door first, but my parents halted and turned towards me.

“You’re coming to the pack house with us.” My father’s voice was a command.

“What?” I asked both in confusion and worry. “Why?”

“Rough’s don’t have any code of honour, Flora.” It was my mother’s gentle yet firm voice that made me understand the seriousness of the situation. “They won’t follow normal battle protocol. Someone might be ready to ambush our houses while the soldiers fight.”

“All the other submissives are being cleared out as well and you’re a healer.” My father added. “You’ll be of great use in the pack house to heal fallen soldiers.”

“Alright.” I headed out with my parents at that instant, but I made sure that the food was covered at least. I hated wasting food knowing that there were so many in the world that didn’t get the opportunity that we did.

I wasn't exactly dressed up for a visit to the pack house, but it was an emergency, normal dress codes didn’t apply at this instant. I was wearing my navy blue sweat pants and a peach coloured long sleeved tee, but I was able to throw on a jeans jacket on top of my outfit as we reached the pack house in my parent’s car, both of whom were dressed in black pants and full sleeved black shirts.

The pack house was bustling with activity and I was horrified to see that some packmates were already carrying in the wounded from the front line of defence.

“Stay inside the pack house.” My father ordered me as we all came out of the car at the same time. “Don’t leave no matter what.” His words might have been harsh, but the kiss he pressed to my forehead was tender.

Another kiss from my mother and they were both running towards the direction of the battle. My heart leapt into my throat when I saw their forms vanish into the darkness of the night. They were going to war and I couldn’t help them.

You’re far more valuable than you realize.

Clay!

Oh God! How could I have forgotten about him! He was the future alpha! There was no way he was inside the pack house when the pack was under attack. He was out there somewhere, probably in the front lines, fighting to keep us safe.

My heart pounded against my ribcage as another set of howls went up into the night sky. It was a warning howl. The enemy might just have tricked us or they might have led an ambush attack. But I didn’t have time to think anymore because at that instant, two big hands were on my shoulders and I was being hauled back with immense force towards the direction of the pack house. I hadn’t realized until I was inside and the huge iron doors had been shut in front of us that I wasn't able to move, my hands and legs frozen with shock and fear.

“What the hell do you think you were doing?” the growl was pointed towards me and it was a voice I recognized but my mind was taking too long to process.

“Garrick?” I shook my head, throwing aside the cloud of fear clogging my mind. This wasn't the time or place to be having a mental breakdown. I couldn’t let fear control me when my family and friends were out there fighting for our freedom. Clay was fighting for our freedom. “I’m sorry. I’m fine now. Take me to the infirmary.”