Oh For Mates Sake
Chapter 71

to be on edge. They were all confident that we would be successful.

Our army marched towards the Chance pack. I was surprised by how light the mood was. No one seem Sion and I decided to keep the news of our pregnancy to ourselves. We wanted to make an announcer things to resume to normalcy so I could enjoy this moment. Right now, I can't even take a breath to enjoy this. "What is he doing?" I heard Conner ask and I turned my head to see him looking at Sam. Sam was holding something in his hands and speaking quietly to it. Then it flew off at a blinding speed. "He was sending a messenger fairy." Gia said with a half shrug.

once our packs were united as one. It would be a great unifying message. The future leader, a mixture of both packs, is growing inside of me. I couldn't wait for

"He was talking to nothing. Nothing was there." I looked back at Conner's confused face as Gia burst into a fit of giggles.

"Of course, you can't see it. You don't have fairy blood or have been marked by a fairy mate." Gia said. ter last few words carried a sultry tone that had a loaded meaning.

"Could you see it?" Conner asked as our eyes met.

"Yes..." I said, nodding my head.

"Yep, I did too." Sion said casually as he snaked his arm around my waist.

"So when you mark me-" Conner began to say, but Gia cut him off quickly.

"IF... If I mark you, then yes, you will be able to see them."

I listened as Conner chuckled and he grabbed Gia's hand, lifting it to his lips. "I'm your Peter Pan, Tink

"Oh, I have a joke. What do you call a fairy that doesn't like to shower? Stinkerbell!" Logan started laughing and looked over at us. "Get it?!"

"You are so lame." Odell snorted as she walked ahead.

"Well, I actually have heard there is a fairy princess who knows quite a few dad jokes..." Logan said and tilted my head to look at him. "It is Ra-Pun-Zel." He began to snicker as we all groaned. "Wow, that is so bad," Gia said as she looked over at Conner.

"Sorry about him. We learn to put up with it." Conner leaned closer to Gia and then began to whisper "Whatever have your secrets. I'm thirsty... anyone have any Sprite to drink?" Logan grinned as we all b "You really should have more respect for the fairies of the world," Sam said as he walked beside us. "A

"I didn't mean any disrespect, but I mean... let's face it. When it comes to brute strength-"

"A fairy guardian can take out multiple lycans. Care to try again?" Sam said with a slight smirk.

ing in her ear.

walk faster to get away from him. "Come on now! Not even a smirk? That was a good one."

... it is because of the fairies that the packs will receive a level of protection from the nembrant glass."

"A guardian... wait a minute... are those bears? I remember hearing guardians were bears." Logan raised his brows as he looked over at Sam.

"Once they become a guardian, they are instilled with fairy magic. Making them part of the fairy world. A guardian isn't a guardian just because it is a bear. That power is fairy magic. A magic that... it is its own life. It decides on its own how much power a guardian gets." Sam said as he looked at me. "The magic decides?" Logan looked at Sion and raised his brows.

"It is complex..." Sam shrugged as he looked ahead. A small smile reached his lips as we approached the river. "Perfect. They got my message." I quickly looked forward to see what he was looking at. Near the river was a colossal black horse and next to it was a gray seal with dark eyes. A seal? What was a seal doing near the river?

"Now these fairies you can see." Gia laughed as she nudged Conner with her shoulder. "My cousin is part selkie too, his name is Kurt. I can't wait for you to meet him. He is Uncle Sam's son and can shift from a wolf to a seal. Honestly, he is amazing." I turned and looked back at the seal. So that wasn't just a seal, it was a selkie. So that would mean that the horse is a...

I watched as the horse transformed into a woman with raven black hair. Her arms were folded, and she looked agitated.

"I met that one before... she is the one who pulled me from the river. Epona, I think." Sion muttered to me.

"This is ridiculous. I can't believe I am being subjected to this. All because Rowan ordered it." The woman huffed as she stared at Sam. "I require bloodshed and death."

"Well, we are heading off to battle if you want to join us," Sam said, and I watched as the woman's eyes perked up.

"A battle? I'm listening." Epona said with new vitality in her eyes.

"We are-" Sam began to say as the woman waved him off.

"Actually, I don't care. Let's just do what needs done so I can leave." The woman's dark eyes moved to me and then rested on Sion. I watched as she grimaced and then she turned to the side and dry heaved. "Oh gosh... bad memories. Eeewww I can taste it again... damn mutt." She muttered as Sion shook his head.

"So why are they here?" Odell asked, looking at the dramatic kelpie.

"To give us a land bridge for crossing the river." Sam's voice was curt and precise. "With an army this size, swimming across is out of the question."

"So, you are familiar with the landscape?" Logan asked.

"Of course. I am the beta of the Alpha King. It is my job to know the landscape surrounding the packs." Sam then walked towards the seal, who transformed as soon as he got close. A woman with brown hair and blue eyes stood in front of him. "Mora." Sam said, nodding his head politely.

"How is Renee?" The woman asked.

"She is well. We are planning a visit to Elysium soon so we can meet up with your sister, Merida." Sam spoke to the woman, and they seemed close. It was obvious he knew her well.

"That is wonderful. I will plan to bring the family and visit also. You have heard that the powers are shifting to the new fairy queen, right? Her majesty Queen Lilly is stepping aside, and her daughter will be ruling in her place. The rumor is the queen has depleted much of her fairy magic to fight against the nembrant glass." The woman said and her blue eyes began to water.

"Yes, I was informed of this news. It is for the best. And Rhea will be a wonderful queen. Not to mention she has a deity by her side-" Sam was saying before Logan interrupted him.

"Timeout! Timeout! Timeout!" Logan said, holding his hands up in a T formation. "I don't get it. A seal shifter is a fairy. A horse shifter is a fairy, and some bear shifters are fairies-" "So are some werewolf shifters," Gia said with a smirk, and Logan rubbed his temples.

"Is it just me... or is anyone seeing the bigger picture here?"

We all stared at him blankly as he gave us an exasperated expression.

"The fairies are taking over the world. Soon everyone will be part fairy. It is like one big conspiracy. You think 'Oh look at the sweet fairies. And then BAM! World domination."

"Okay... who gave Logan coffee?" Conner said in a slightly annoyed tone. My lips twitched up and I found a smile making itself to my face. It was the first time today that my worries vanished. In his own dorky way, Logan was helping me calm down.

"All this time I always thought it was an exaggeration that wolves were brain dead. Yet, Pluto here proves that some stories hold truth." Epona said as she waved her hand towards Logan.

"Who put your saddle on too tight?" Logan snickered at his own joke. I guess he found himself clever.

"Oh... such a clever puppy. It's a shame all those fleas and ticks have drained your commonsense... oops... you were actually born that way, huh?" Epona's lips curled upwards as Logan fixated his gaze on her.

"What did the horse say when she fell? I've fallen and I can't giddy up!" Logan chuckled and I could see Epona's eye twitching.

"You have no idea who you are talking to! I am a high-class fairy of the dark court!" Epona hissed at Logan, who let a small smirk rest on his lips.

Logan began a slow unimpressed clap, and I felt the tension thickening around us. "Well, unless you have won the Triple Crown... you are just another horse. It's okay. We can repurpose you. Anyone need some glue?" I swore Epona's eyes flickered black but then she composed herself. I watched as she glided over towards him with a small smile resting on her face. I watched as she looked him over and sighed loudly.

"I guess I shouldn't expect much. Not when someone hasn't been properly leash trained."

"You know..." Logan chuckled and stepped up to her. He was looking down at her as she stared back at him defiantly. I glanced at Sion for a moment to see he was watching the confrontation curiously. "I guess I could say the same thing about you. You could be a good horse... you just need to be broken in." The way his tone dropped slightly left a not so hidden message. One we could all read loud and clear.

My lips parted and I could see the dark energy swirling around Epona. There was raw fury brewing from the kelpie. I listened as Logan chuckled and grinned at her.

"We need to rein in your anger."

Her eyes burned black with flickering embers and her hands began to shake. Yet, Logan stood there with a calm demeanor. He just continued to stare at her with a smug smirk on his lips. I felt like this was going to blow up soon. I must not have been the only one since Conner stepped up next to Logan, placing his hand on his shoulder. Logan didn't seem to notice; he was too focused on Epona.

"You know what... mongrel?" Epona's voice was as smooth as silk, and I watched as Logan's lips twitched upwards. "I've always meant to have a pet. I see you need some training but nothing a few light slams can't fix."

"I've had better offers... but I'll take that one." Logan gave her a flirtatious wink which resulted in her face turning an angry shade of red.

"Okay now." Sam finally said as he stepped in between them. "Let's get the bridge underway so we can cross." Sam turned and looked at Epona, who snorted and glared at Logan. She continued to stare at him for a moment longer before she turned on her heels and dived into the raging river.

"Kelpies have such tempers." The selkie, Mora, said as she chuckled to herself. "Don't worry Sam. We have enough of us here to help. Go ahead and send your army across."

"Thank you, Mora." Sam said, and I watched as the woman dove into the water, turning into a seal the moment she met the river.

"Woooweee... I liked her." Logan grinned widely, as Conner slapped him behind the head. "Seriously, I bet she is a tiger in-" Nadine snarled loudly and Logan laughed. "No offense... but you know what I mean."

"Logan, your timing with these sort of things..." Sion muttered, and turned to look at me. "Are you okay? You've been really quiet." I nodded my head and forced a smile.

"I'm okay." I watched as he stared at me and then pulled me closer against his side. Then he looked up at Sam. "So, what is the plan?"

"They will form a bridge with their bodies we can walk across. This will be more efficient. Follow my lead." I watched as Sam walked ahead and stepped out on the river. He continued walking on top of the water, only he wasn't on top of the water. Just below the water's surface you could see the backs of creatures. Then horse heads popped up out of the water further down. A bridge of creatures was made for us.

I watched as the others swiftly followed and then Sion led me over the bridge. It felt odd. You could tell you were stepping on a creature, but some I wasn't even sure what they were. Only the kelpies had their heads above the water.

Sion kept his fingers interlaced with mine as he led me across. We just hit the other side when we heard Logan yell. I turned around to see Logan floating down the rapids. Then the next minute a wave of water threw him on the shore. I watched as a black horse lifted its head above the water, nickering to itself, as it swam back to the bridge.

I was going to say something to Logan, but Sion began to pull me off to the side. "Keep going. We will catch up." Sion pulled me behind him and behind the tree line. He walked up to a large tree and pulled me in front of him. My back was resting against the tree as his hands rested on either side of my head, imprisoning me against it. My eyes flashed up to his, only to see his lids close as his face came to mine. Then his lips were on mine, threatening to melt them with his heat. I was enjoying the kiss but I didn't understand what he was doing.

"Sion." I mumbled against his lips as he growled against mine. He didn't speak. He only continued to attack my lips. This time his hands moved down my sides and he gripped behind me. His tongue plunged into my mouth and my fingers gripped in his hair. Maybe he needed this? Maybe I really needed this? In either case, I gave in to the temptation to enjoy his kisses.

Just one small moment... one small blissful moment before we would meet chaos.