Run Of The Wolves

Zions' P.O.V.

After our dance, we decide to go to the bar to get some champagne, and we ran into my cousin, who I hadn't seen in years. He is a very knowledgeable and popular Alpha and keeps up with all the rumors that spread around, so I decide that now would be a good time to introduce Rain and maybe even get some information regarding Alpha Max and his pack.

"Let me introduce you to my mate and the future Queen, Rain," I say as I turn her to Mathew. "This is Alpha Mathew of the Silver Crest Pack. His pack is close to the border of our kingdoms' territory."

"It is nice to meet you, Alpha. I hope your trip here went well. I know it was short notice." She says as he bows to her.

"She doesn't need to be so polite to him." Ryker jokes.

"She is a proper Queen. The Queen should always be polite to everyone in public, even if he is family." I remind him.

"Do you plan on telling her that he is your cousin?" He asks me.

"Of course, I'm just waiting for the right time," I answer him, and he laughs.

"You know not everything has a right time." He tells me, but I tune him out to rejoin the conversation.

"It is an honor, your Majesty. It was a nice trip since I don't get to leave my land as often lately, but I've gotten used to the King doing things on short notice." He says as he and I laugh.

"It comes with the job, unfortunately," I say while grabbing two glasses of champagne and handing one to Rain. She starts looking around the room as Mathew and I talk about different packs and their attributes and weaknesses. Suddenly her body goes ridged beside me, and I can tell that something is wrong.

She links me to tell me she's getting an uncomfortable feeling and that we're being watched. I turn to look at who she's talking about and see the group staring at us, Raising my glass to them with my signature, half-cocked smile. But in all honesty, I'm ready to rip them apart.

"How dare they make our mate uncomfortable! Can we handle them now?" Ryker asks while growling in my head.

"Not yet. We have to wait for Rains' crowning ceremony. I don't want her feeling like I won't back her up or that she needs my permission to make her move on them." I tell him. He finally agrees but isn't happy about it at all.

"Fine, but once she's finished with them, Alpha Ian is mine!" He says with a huff.

"I'm not sure there will be anything left of them once she's finished," I say as I laugh.

"Forgive me, my King, But I noticed Alpha Max and his son were here with their mates as well. Have you heard the rumors of them keeping slaves?" Alpha Mathew asks me, and I nods

"My Queen and I have plans to handle the issues of them breaking our laws. We're simply waiting for the right time to execute our plans." I say, and Alpha Mathew smiles as he nods his understanding of the situation.

"Now might be the time to tell her who Mathew is. Don't you think?" Ryker asks, and I agree.

"Alpha Mathew is my cousin. His father was my mothers' youngest brother. We used to spend every summer together until the accident." I explain to Rain, and she nods in understanding like something just clicked for her.

"Yes, those were much more simple times. Unfortunately, we no longer have the time to spend together like we used to." Mathew replies, and I nod in agreement. "Well, if you need assistance with those pathetic Alphas, just holler for me."

"Actually, There is something I would like your assistance with. I'd like you to accompany the Queen and me to the next council meeting." I tell him. He looks at me in confusion, and I continue. "Meet us in my office tomorrow morning before Rains' crowning ceremony. I will explain everything to you then."

"Of course, my King. It would be an honor to assist in any way possible." He says with a smile on his face.

"Mathew is incredibly intelligent and knowledgeable of rumors, he also has a good standing with the council, and it would be better to have more people on our side when we address the council tomorrow." I link Rain, and she nods her understanding.

As it gets closer to midnight, I'm beginning to grow anxious about the run after seeing the Alphas and Luna staring Rain down like that. I wonder if I should call off the run, but almost as if she could read my mind, Rain looks up at me and says she can handle it.

"Some of the witches have volunteered to watch over the young pups so the parents can all attend the run." Lady Ezmerelda says as she approaches us, making Rain smile and hug her.

"That is very thoughtful. I'm sure the parents will appreciate that." Mathew says as he smiles at her.

"This is Lady Ezmerelda, Rains' mother and Head Witch of the Silver Nyx Coven," I say, introducing them. "Alpha Mathew is my cousin from the Silver Crest Pack."

"How does a werewolf have a witch for a mother, if you don't mind me asking?" He says.

"Her father was Alpha Christian of the Crimson Creek Pack." Lady Ezmerelda answers, and Mathew has a look of pure shock on his face. "She is the first hybrid. Their daughter Odett is also a hybrid."

"How is that possible? I knew of Alpha Christian. His pack was annihilated almost twenty years ago. They say he went mad and attacked another Alpha a year later." Mathew says, and I notice a few people staring at us.

"We will explain everything tomorrow in my office. There are too many eyes and ears here that I do not want to know about everything yet." I say, and they both nod.

After about an hour, it's time for the run of the wolves. The young pups and witches are guided inside by the coven witches, Stephanie and Ms.Blanch. Rain and I walk to the middle of the room, and everyone turns their attention to us. "It's time for the traditional Run of the Wolves. The coven witches have volunteered to watch over the pups so that every wolf can participate in the run as well. Changing tents have been set up for those that want privacy as they shift. Please join my mate and me in the courtyard and begin our run." I say, and everyone starts to make their way toward the double doors. Rain tells Odett that we will be back soon, and we both give her a kiss on her forehead, and she runs off to Rains' mother, and we make our way to the courtyard.

Once we reach the courtyard, I help Rain up the stairs of the stage left here after our mating ceremony after the other decorations were put away. After we reach the top of the stage, we look around at all the wolves howling, and the crowd becomes quiet when they see us. "Thank you, everyone, for joining us in this tradition. Now without further ado, Let the run begin." I say as I look at Rain, and she nods. We walk behind the divider placed on the stage. I help Rain out of her gown and take off my clothes, and we both shift into our wolves.

We walk out from behind the divider, and everyone becomes quiet as they see us. They seem to be amazed by the size and color of Rains' wolf. After a moment, she lets out a loud earth-shattering howl, showing her strength and dominance, and everyone follows with their own howl in acceptance of their future Queen.

"Goddess, she's amazing," Ryker says, and I agree. He walks to Dosha, nudging her side with his snout. We both jump from the stage, landing gracefully on the ground and take off for the trails. We make sure not to run at our top speed so we don't lose everyone else following us. Orion, Sam, Jessica, James, Evan, and Mathew join us at the front as Dosha beams with happiness.

After 45 minutes, we decide that it's time to return to the castle and end the run. Before we were able to make it to the courtyard and shift back, we were alerted to an attack at the border. I tell the guards to get all the women back to the castle to collect their kids and down to the basement and lock it down until they're informed it's safe to come out. I then turn to Dosha to tell her that she needs to return to the castle as well, but she's already running towards the border, ready to defend her home alongside our warriors.