Claiming My Wolf
Chapter 51

~~Aaron’s PoV~~

Laurel’s k**s makes me feel drunk as we make out in the trees behind the pack house. Ever since we marked each other, every sensation is stronger, every touch better.

Our parents weren’t entirely pleased about us taking matters into our own hands, of course. We had to meet with them and the Alpha the morning after it happened to explain ourselves. But I told them all that I loved Laurel, that I’d loved her for years, and that I knew in my heart she was meant to be my mate. Maybe the mix-up with the mate bonds would be fixed and maybe it wouldn’t, but I couldn’t put my life on hold when all I had ever wanted was to be with this amazing woman for the rest of my life.

There was nothing they could say about that.

A movement in the trees catches my attention from the corner of my eyes, and I look over to see Sadie and what looks like Micah Geary running off into the forest. That’s more than a little strange. Micah’s left the pack, everyone knows that. Why would he be back here now?

I’m just about to link to my dad to let him know what I think I saw when suddenly a loud howl sounds, drowning out the music of the party and everything else.

It sounds like a call to attack.

We immediately received a mind-link, to the whole pack, from Logan. I’m impressed he can link the whole pack on his first night as wolf. It took me a good week before I could consistently do it with even one person.

But his message is not a good one. In fact, it’s alarming.

Westbridge is under attack. Beta Aldric has betrayed us all. Warriors, to your positions; everyone else, find shelter.

Laurel and I look at each other in shock. The Beta? That can’t be true. He’s the pack’s staunchest defender. What would he have to gain from betraying us?

More howls fill the air, along with some shouts as people scramble for shelter. I k**s Laurel one last time, hard and then we run back to the party. “Go with the others,” I tell her. “Get somewhere safe.”

She shakes her head at me furiously. “No way, I’m fighting too.”

“Laurel…”

“I’m a warrior too,” she reminds me. “Not just your mate.”

I know she’s right, but the idea of her fighting fills me with fear.

Then another link comes through, this time from the Beta himself.

Logan has been fed false information. I assure you, there’s no danger. Remain calm and return to your homes. There’s no need to assemble.

Everyone looks at each other in confusion. What are we supposed to believe?

Logan is quickly back in our heads again.

Ignore everything he just said. Secure the house and yourselves. Don’t let the Beta leave. If anyone finds him, link me immediately.

When the Beta links again, he sounds frustrated.

Apparently gaining his wolf has affected Logan’s mental state. If you see him, secure him for me. I don’t want him to hurt himself. I repeat, there is no danger.

This is completely unprecedented and no one knows how to behave. Whose word bears more weight, the Beta or the son of the Alpha? Where is the Alpha himself?

Confusion ripples through the whole party, but people do start to disperse, heading for their homes.

“Should we go too?” Laurel asks.

On the surface it’s a good idea, but something makes me hesitate.

“There’s something very odd going on,” I tell her. “I need to find Logan. Could you take Ava home?”

I almost expect an argument, but to my surprise, Laurel agrees. She goes to find my sister and I head into the house.

Logan? I reach out to him in my head. It’s Aaron. Where are you?

He must be dealing with a lot of links at once because he doesn’t immediately answer me. I keep trying to reach him as I search the ground floor. Lots of other people are doing the same, but whether they’re looking for Logan or for the Beta, I can’t be sure.

Finally he answers me. Do you have him? Beta Aldric?

No, I apologize. I haven’t seen him. What’s going on? Where are you?

It takes him another minute to reply. I’m just getting back to my room. Have you seen my dad?

I haven’t, of course, but I run up the stairs to Logan’s room just as he opens the door and comes out.

“What’s going on?” is the first question out of my mouth, repeating what I already asked him through the link. “It’s chaos downstairs.”

“I don’t know where the Alpha is,” Logan replies grimly. “He’s not answering my link.”

He heads further down the hall, to his father’s office.

“I need him to cut off the Beta’s link,” he says as he opens the door. “He needs to tell everyone that…”

He trails off as he looks into the room, his face turning white as a sheet, and I quickly go in to look over his shoulder.

The lights are all on and the Alpha is sitting in his chair, his head back and his eyes closed.

His chest is covered in b***d.