Chapter 28

Chapter 28

“So. The rumors are indeed true. It is a pleasure to be in your presence, Elder Queen Timber.” a very tall handsome looking man said. He was a powerful creature as he oozed with authority. They all did. Reaching out his hand introducing himself as Elder Keenan.

Handing the uniforms to Andrew gesturing him towards the packhouse saying, “take these inside to Alpha’s office please.” giving a slight nod as he did what he was asked without question. ‘Then, come back.’ I mindlinked him the second part.

“I apologize, Elder Keenan is it? I do not know what you are speaking of?” my own confusion setting in as I compose myself to be confident in the situation.

“All apologies are all ours Royal Elder Timber. We have not properly introduced ourselves to you. I am Elder Rani of the Dragon Shifters. This is Elder Petroff of the Fae kingdom.” gesturing to the man to her right as she introduced him to us. “And this is Elder Keenan of the Vampires as he already said.” nodding towards the lady and each man she introduced with a small smile.

“You seem to already know who I am. I assume you know my mate then? Alpha Johnathon?” taking a step backwards resting my hand on his arm as I spoke. “And this… is our Beta Andrew.” introducing Andrea just as he came back. Although skeptical, a smile played on her face before she held out her hand to shake his, and nodded sideways as she spoke, “A pleasure I’m sure.”

“What exactly has brought you all here to see us?” Johnathan asked, shaking their hands cordially.

“The impending war of wars.” Elder Keenan spoke up. Vampires must be blunt and to the point kind of creatures because he just blurted it out like he was saying the sky was blue. Johnathan and I looked over at each other before he said, “Let’s take the rest of this conversation in my office.” Johnathon took my hand leading us into the packhouse upstairs to his office. The unexpected visitors followed closely behind us.

“Apologies for my rudeness, but I thought you would have others with you when you travel out of your kingdoms?” I asked, looking over my shoulder to them.

“We do, and they will be here shortly. We cannot just leave our kingdoms unprotected incase we are attacked again. I am sure you understand?” Elder Petroff said making me stop at the top of the stairs I stared at all of them shocked. “Again? What do you mean, again?” needing more information.

“That is why we are here. Did Elder Selene not speak with you about our involvements?” Elder Rani spoke up this time. Johnathon nudged me towards the office door walking inside sitting behind his desk pulling onto his lap. He gestured at the seats in front of him for them to sit, which all but Elder Keenan did. Andrew standing by the door as a guard.

“I do not believe that came up in our conversations. No matter how brief or infrequent.” now intrigued as to how and why they would be involved.

~~~~

After a rather lengthy conversation with the three Elders we have all come to a better understanding of what is to come. Shamira is not only building an army of wolves, but of Vampires, Dragon Shifters and Faes. Only the Goddess knows who else. After their attacks, each Elder decided to join this upcoming war for more personal reasons than to just keep the peace among the supernatural communities.

“Do we want to share the new technology we created for our defenses?” I asked Johnathon after we saw the Elders out as they left our territory from the front door.

“No. Not yet. The Vampires and Dragon Shifters have their own magical means of protection as well as the Faes. If we need to assist them later with your essence, but I have a feeling they won’t need it.” I nodded at his response, closing my eyes as he placed a kiss on my temple.

I turned, walking into the kitchen Johnathon in tow. “What are you thinking baby?” he says in my neck, inhaling deeply. Leaning back into his embrace I sigh audibly, closing my eyes. “I just wish this would be over. We’ve been preparing our men. Ourselves and the boys for this impending war. Now? Other supernatural Elders have shown up.”

Grabbing my waist, he turned me around, holding me in place by my hips he said, “I know it’s been a lot on you Timber over the past months or so, but you are the strongest person I know.” closing my eyes as he places little kisses on my forehead.

“Where are the boys?” I whisper, my eyes still closed deeply inhaling his scent as it calms me.

“Andrew said he was going to take swimming by the lake when we saw the Elders out. He said, and I quote, ‘the boys needed a real treat after training today with the warriors like they did.’. I couldn’t help but laugh at that comment. No matter how true it was… it was still funny.

“I think Andrew wanted to go to the lake himself but didn’t want to go alone.”

“You’re probably right about that one. It’s not like the boys will say no to their Uncle Andrew.” Johnathon said as we continued laughing at Andrew’s attempt.

“Do you think Andrew is concerned about not finding his mate yet?” I asked Johnathon.

“What do you mean love?” He questioned where I was going with this.

“Well. Aren’t you two the same age?” he nodded. “You found me a little less than ten years ago, and I’m your second chance mate…?” he looked at me like he still wasn’t getting my prompting. “He still hasn’t found his destined first mate? Isn’t it starting to get a little late for him?” his eyes gave way to his understanding at that comment.

“He is… but don’t worry Timber he and Rusty will find their mate soon. They still have about another five years before Rusty starts to go a little coo-coo.” rolling eyes and head at the latter making me laugh.

Pulling into his chest, he kisses me intently as I wrap my arms around the nape of his neck, fisting my hands around his hair and pulling. He moans in my mouth at the movement before pulling me tighter against him letting out a slight growl in the process.

~~~~

~Andrew POV~

“Boys ready for a swim in the lake?” I said, helping the boys get their swimsuits and each a towel.

“Are mommy and daddy coming too, Uncle Andrew?” Myles questioned as we finished getting his swimsuit on.

“Not today. It’s just going to be us guys. Magda left some sandwiches in the fridge, so we’re going to have a little picnic there this afternoon. How does that sound?” smiling at them hoping I was making it sound more fun by the passing minute, although I don’t know why I wasn’t really feeling it like I should.

Rusty has been bothering a lot more lately about our mate. I know we’re getting closer to never finding her, but I still have hope. I see how the Moon Goddess blessed Alpha with a second chance mate and if I stay honest with myself, jealousy is starting to creep in watching them together. He deserves Timber as does she, him.

The Moon Goddess couldn’t have paired a better set, but… we are the same age he and I. I haven’t had one mate yet and he’s on his second. Jealousy is getting to Rusty and all he does lately is whine over it. I need to clear my head with this lake trip, and thought if I took the boys there would be less questions my way. Since patrolling a lot more over the past months, I needed a different kind of mind clearing. Taking on extra patrol shifts doesn’t raise as much suspicion as wanting to always go to the lake, though.

Shifting into Rusty, the boys climbed on our back holding tight to his fur while we carried the bag of things in his mouth. Pushing his large brown paws into the ground feeling the earth beneath. ‘Ready boys?’ I mind-linked to them. Thankfully with them being Alpha pups and having elemental gifts, they can mind-link high ranking wolves like myself. This comes in handy in emergencies.

“Yeah! Let’s go!” they said happily as they bounced on Rusty’s back. He looked back at them, turned around and took off running through the forest trees. I could hear the boys laughing and squealing, calling for faster and faster. He obliged by pushing it out… running harder and faster. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched through Rusty’s eyes.

The lake is technically on the Eastern side of our territory, but sometimes we allow others to swim here without hassle, as part of the lake is right on the edge of the border where our terrain ends.

When we reached the lake’s clearing he started to slow down before stopping at the bank of the lake. The boys hopped off as Rusty put the bag down he was carrying. We transformed back and I pulled my swim trunks on to go jump in the water with the boys who have already gotten in and started splashing about.

“Be careful boys. Remember to stay closer to this side of the lakes bank, not wandering off. OK?” I warned

“OK Uncle Andrew!” They laughed out loud as they continued to play in the water.

Walking over I noticed their energies swirling around them. It’s very similar to Timber’s, but with them it seemed more innocent like. Playful really. Watching them play always makes my heart swell with pride. I couldn’t help but smile and laugh with them. Jumping into the lake, swimming around them, they would tickle me with their energies. It’s weird how it reacts to them and the boys to it.

We had been out here for about a good hour when Rusty started to get restless. It’s not like he’s not already always restless, but this was a new level of restlessness. ‘What is it, Rusty?’ I asked through our link as I went on high alert stopping what I was doing with the boys.

‘I don’t know. But something’s out there. I can smell it.’ looking intently through the trees I saw nothing. I could barely smell whatever it was he thought he was smelling either. ‘Poor wolf is starting to get the crazies early.’ I thought to myself. ‘I am not!’ he protested at my thoughts with a growl.

“Uncle Andrew? Are you ok?” Marcus asked when I stopped playing with them and looked around.

“Yes boys, I think so. You don’t sense anything…. Weird? DO you?” I asked them because they have that same sixth sense their mother has. I have learned to trust those senses over the last year.

“No Uncle Andrew. Just you being weird.” they said laughing at my alert stance in the lake. Looking down at myself and back at them I started laughing too. ‘What are you laughing at? I’m telling you something is out there.’ Rusty says with a huff as I ignore his ranting and pacing in my mind.

“Ok boys, how about we start heading back since Rusty is being a party pooper. What do you say?” I stated, while still laughing at the situation. They nodded in unison climbing out of the lake back to the bank where our dry clothes were.

The boys quickly changed, placing theirs and my wet swim trunks in an empty bag before putting in the other bag so everything didn’t get wet from them. As I was doing our double check to make sure we didn’t leave anything, something interesting hit my nostrils at the same time a rustling was heard in the forest on the other side of the lake.

“Uncle Andrew? What was that?” Myles asked, a little frightened at the sudden sound. The boys ran up to me holding tightly each of my legs.

“I don’t know. Do you smell that?” I asked them hoping they did too and I wasn't going crazy.

“Smell what?” they said in unison, looking up to me as I peered down into their wide eyes.

‘MATE!’ Rusty yelled out in my mind.