Oh For Mates Sake
Chapter 48

Sion wasn't an expert in traveling between the realms. It seemed like he naturally gravitated to the da my body wanted to go.

"Sion." I whispered, interlacing my fingers with his. "Think about who is on the other side. Your friends "You are right beside me. My mind naturally goes to you. It's where I want to be. Wherever you are. Wh His voice was a bit edgier with an almost growling tone. Sion is touchier and more possessive as a lup

once.

I smiled and squeezed our fingers together, looking at them for a moment. I could feel the warmth cre "We are going to have a wonderful family. We will have a home that you love. We are going to figure ev know you are close with the officers and Denny, but right now, it is best to assume the worst and hope "I just worry about the danger they are in. Without them knowing they are at a disadvantage." His eyes "My concern is for you. Until we have more information, we have to be cautious." His eyes flickered wi "Destroy their souls?" I asked seeing the dark amber of his eyes holding color.

"Once we kill them, I will pop over to the spirit realm and destroy their souls. For the crimes, they com "You don't believe in second chances? And maybe them doing better in the next life." I chewed on my He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against mine. His amber eyes glowed though his expression benevolent when it comes to you."

it realm. It was harder for him to go back to the living realm. However, I was being pulled back to the other side. I could feel the connection and it was where amily. Let that feeling guide you."

you thinking of?"

r maybe it is Anubis? In either case, is it weird that I kind of like it? I guess it comes from no one ever wanting me. I didn't mind a bit of possessiveness for

over my face as I lifted my gaze to him. "I think of our home. Our future. Our children.."

ng out and we are going to come out on top. Remember, we can't tell anyone in your old pack about Taylor. I know." His eyes softened as he looked at me. "I e best"

d over my face as a small smile reached his l!ps.

rk amber and hazel coloring. "And once we find out who our enemies are we will destroy them including their souls."

ainst my mate and my pack. they won't get a second chance at life.

l!p as I stared at him.

ofter. "Anyone who has malicious plans against you... will not get another chance. For messing with my queen, the penalty is annihilation. I can't be

I guess I could see where he was coming from. If someone was trying to cause Sion harm. I don't think me, they can have a second chance. I never realized the mental number the Sulfur pack did on me. I s "I understand... however, if any of them are being manipulated, it is different. Right?" I raised my eyebrows "As you wish, my queen. If they are being manipulated and they end up dying, I will spare their soul. T My lips parted in shock as I moved my head away from Sion's. The whole time, I had been thinking about eliminating the 'bad guys'. I didn't think about those who were being manipulated. If we end up fighting against them, we might have to take their lives in order to survive.

d be for them having a second chance either. I only felt that way because it was myself. I guess I have some scars that still affect me. I feel like because it is ieve in second chances.. but I understood. If someone hurt Sion... I could feel my blood beginning to boil just thinking about it. pressing into his forehead. He chuckled and kissed the tip of my nose. will be up to Reapus what happens to it."

It felt like my throat was constricting as I tried to breathe.

We might have to kill innocent people I just realized how vital it was for me to be able to use my powers. And even then, there could be casualties of the innocent. It was disgusting. How could they use people like that? How could they waste their lives so senselessly?!

Sion's hand moved and gripped around my back. He pulled me back into him as his other hand cupped my chin. His head came back to mine and his eyes pierced into me.

"We may have to kill innocent people. What if I can't get my powers under control? The casualties will be even worse." My voice trembled as his thumb tightened on my chin.

"If we do nothing, the casualties will be astronomical. It will spread through the packs like a plague. They will become mindless zombies doing someone else's bidding." His eyes softened as he looked into mine. "We will do what we have to.

Innocent lives may be lost, but that is with all wars. Innocent people are always casualties. Don't put so much pressure on yourself, Clover. It is going to be okay no matter what."

"I have to be able to help. There will be way more lives lost."

I felt like I needed to become an expert in my powers, yesterday.

How long would it take me to be able to cleanse a pack from mind control? Can I master this in just a couple of days? We didn't have much time. We couldn't hold off forever.

His soft lips were suddenly locked onto mine. His hot tongue plunged into my mouth as he held me captive. He caressed my back as his other hand cupped my cheek. "Don't do this to yourself. We are not the ones who caused this. The deaths are not our burden to bear. We will do everything we can, but we have to stop what is happening."

"What even is happening? What is the point of all of this?" I whispered against his lips.

"Right now, we don't have an answer to that... but does it matter? Whatever their reasoning is, they are hurting and manipulating others."

"Maybe if we know why we can stop it..." I looked up at Sion's golden eyes. He smiled at me and shook his head.

"We can only work with what we know Clover and the things we can do." Sion was right. There was only so much we could do on our own. This was why we needed help.

"We need to get back. We need to go to the Nova pack and get in touch with the Diamond pack. We need to prepare to fight." I could see the sadness in his eyes as his l!ps curled down some.

"I wish you didn't have to fight."

I snorted and gave him a crooked smile. "Do you think I want you fighting?"

"I can't wait until this is all over so we can Concentrate on us" I nodded my head up at him. It was sad that we were new mates, and we hadn't gotten to enjoy the honeymoon phase. It has been nonstop chaos and danger. I looked forward to living my life with Sion quietly. learning to be parents together. It was like the dream was being dangled in front of me but just out of reach.

"Soon, my love... soon." Sion cooed to me as if reading my mind. He pressed his l!ps against my forehead, holding me close. I felt the shift in the atmosphere as the colors began to swirl around us. The heavy, stagnant air was lifting, and color was beginning to flicker in. Sion was doing it.. he was transporting us between realms.

"Sion, Clover!" I heard Conner's relieved voice, and I glanced around, seeing we were back in the living realm.

Taylor's father was gone, so that must have been handled while we were gone. I wonder if he knew his daughter was alive and he was just playing the part.

"What happened?" Denny asked, looking between the two of us.

"I'm still getting used to this new power I have. I just got svcked into the other realm and it took me a while to figure out how to come back." Sion said, looking down at me. His eyes were his usual warm hazel coloring.

We need to investigate Hazel's home and see if Taylor's scent is there. Sion mind linked to me. I hated this part. I hated lying to them. I was an officer of the Sulfur pack, and it feels so wrong to not trust Denny. Luckily, we would pass up Hazel's home on the way out. However, if someone sees us snooping around, it will get back to Denny. And I don't know what to say if he questions me.

I trust Denny and I want to believe in that trust. Maybe it was because we were mates, but I felt like I could believe in him. He came for me when I was being attacked. Jude told him I needed help and Joey always had my back. They wouldn't have ..right? If one of them was involved. I think something will break inside of me.

"Clover, are you alright?" Joey asked, looking at me intently. I swallowed and nodded my head. He tilted his head down and one side of his mouth twitched as he pursed his lips together. He raised his eyebrows at me as if to say I know you better than that. "She is fine," Sion growled, pulling me into his side. "It is a mental drain traveling between realms is all."

"If you need to stay another day-" Denny began to say, but Sion instantly cut him off.

"We appreciate that, but we need to get going. We don't know what type of damage is being done each day. This has to end as soon as possible. So, if you have those travel supplies.."

"Yes, of course. This way." Denny nodded his head towards the storage building. I could feel Joey's eyes on me, but I wouldn't make eye contact with him.

"What is it like over there, in the spirit realm?" Odell asked. I looked up at her and decided I would use it as a means to explain any weirdness Joey might be sensing.

"It's dark. It is as if the color has been drained from the world. The air is thick. It isn't at all what I expected. It is like a world of death."

"Are you worried about living there?" Odell asked and I wondered if she was just asking questions or if she was trying to help me out.

I opened my mouth and paused as my brows furrowed. "It will take some getting used to, but I'll be with Sion.
We will manage." I smiled up at him as he smiled down at me. "Here are the bags. Take several of them," Denny said.

"Okay, Demetri, this is where you come into play. Shift and be our pack horse" Logan grinned widely, looking back at him.

"What a clever puppy we have here." Demetri rolled his eyes grabbing a bag. "I'll carry Clover's." He winked at me with a smile. From the corner of my eye, I could see that Joey still looked concerned. "Thank you for the provisions," Sion said politely.

"You are more than welcome. Let us know what the plan is. We are here to help with whatever lies ahead." Denny's eyes met with mine. "And be careful out there."

"You be careful too." I smiled at him wishing I could say more. There was something going on in the Sulfur pack. I don't know what or who all was involved. I felt like I was doing him a disservice by not saying more. He could be in danger here. I felt Sion's hand squeeze my waist gently. I looked up at him and was met with his warm eyes.

"Ready?" He asked and I nodded my head.

"Ready." I made eye contact with Joey as we walked away. It looked like he had more he wanted to say. I watched as his lips parted and then he closed them.

This is necessary until we know who is involved.

Sion's voice echoed in my mind. Maybe it was necessary, but it still didn't sit right with me. Where is Hazel's house?

It will be the last house next to the tree line. I looked ahead and focused on the task at hand. I needed to see if I could pick up traces of Taylor. If she had stayed with Hazel, would she have left with her? Or would she try to hide in the house?

"So, what is going on?" Odell finally whispered when we were far enough away. So, she did pick up on something. By the looks of everyone else... they all did.

"We will talk about it later," Sion said, quickly shutting the conversation down. Odell nodded her head and trailed back slightly behind me.

I saw the tree line and my eyes focused on Hazel's house. The closer we got, I started to pick up traces of Hazel's scent. We walked right next to the building and stopped. I didn't smell anyone other than Hazel. I shook my head as I looked up at Sion. His l!ps pursed as we quietly walked away. We were both reeling in confusion. I think both of us were certain Taylor's scent would be there.

We were at the edge of the Sulfur pack territory when the wind swirled past us. I froze and looked up at Sion. On the breeze were two familiar scents. Hazels... and... it was Taylor's.

The scent wasn't fresh, but it was there.

Sion didn't know Taylor's scent, but he recognized Hazel's right away. We both started walking in the direction of the scent. We crossed the border and headed into a thick forest heavy with pine trees.

The scent was getting stronger and then my eyes focused on some pine limbs bent strangely.

"Sion..."I muttered and he nodded his head, his eyes focused on the same thing. We walked up to it to see a shelter had been made. The heavy scent of Taylor and Hazel were both present. They were working together.. but why? Why were they even involved to begin with? What was the connection? And the loaded question. who else from the Sulfur pack was involved?

"One answer... and a lot more questions." Sion sighed, looking back at the others.

"When we went to the spirit realm, we found out that Taylor wasn't killed in the fire. It looks like this is getting more complex. We need to be vigilant and trust no one in the Sulfur pack."

"Now that hardly seems fair." A voice called out from behind us, making me snap my head in shock. I squeezed my hands together and bit my inner l!p, feeling guilty as hell. His green eyes met directly with mine as I took in a shaky breath...

Joey.