Chapter 28
Hope
It was late when we got to our territory, Zayn dropped me off at home and came in for a little while. A sense of relief washed over me when mom and dad didn’t ask too many questions about what happened, but they both kept insisting that after I turned 18 we wouldn’t fight as much because of the mate bond. Mom told me that I will be able to feel everything Zayn feels. I already knew that but I couldn’t wait to experience it with him. “Have you two had dinner?” mom asks us smiling, “Yes we have, thank you”, Zayn answered as he puts his arm around me. I wonder if Zayn’s possessive side will ever simmer down? I thought to myself.
We were sitting in the living room when we heard loud knock and I knew who it is right away. Dad opened the front door and Emily came in and attacked me with a hug. “I was so worried about you!” She cries out Luna came in after her and she hugged me lovingly.
“Hope my dear, I missed you so much” she hugged me tight again.
“Mom your suffocating her” Zayn said and pulled me towards him. His mom rolled her eyes at him,
“I’m sorry Hope but we missed our soon to be Luna” she wore the most affectionate smile on her face.
I knew Zayn still had work to take care of tonight but I didn’t want him to leave. I felt like my heart was going to break if he left tonight. I felt so clingy and needy right now and it scared me a little because I was usually very independent.
I keep holding his hand or grabbing onto his shirt every time he got up.
“Baby, I’ll come back before you sleep” he said when he stood up to leave and I grabbed his shirt, he bent down and gave me a k**s on my head.
I felt so embarrassed I wasn’t not used to feeling like this. He took me aside, my parents and his mom looking at us in admiration.
“You don’t know how happy I am that you want me to stay but I have to see my father, it’s important.”
He cupped my face a gave me a quick k**s.
“Come with me, I won’t be able to sleep without you.” I took his hand in mine
“I probably won’t be able to sleep without you either and I don’t want to sleep without you, but I think I should stay here tonight.”
He smiled I think he’s enjoyed my sudden insatiable desire to be with him. I wanted to tell him to come back and sleep next to me but I didn’t want to sound so needy. He said goodnight to my parents and left. Luna didn’t stay too long after. We talked about the twin mates, school and before leaving she asked me if I’d like to meet her for breakfast before school tomorrow which of course I agreed to.
Emily and I hang out in my room, “Gavin asked me about you today”
I was a little surprised and cannot believe his audacity. “I keep telling him I’m not interested.”
“He’s persistent I’ll give him that.” Emily said and shrugged her shoulders. She mind linked April and Amy and they came over with Eric and Derek also.
“Where’s Jason” I asked, I thought he would come see me.
“I don’t know he’s been out all day” Eric said looking down at his phone.
“I’m kind of worried about him he doesn’t seem like himself recently, has anyone else noticed?” Amy asked and I couldn’t help but feel like this had something to do with me.
“He’s just being a sore loser” Derek laughed and looked over at me.
Before things turned into a awkward conversation I intervened “What did I miss in school?”
Derek looked at me “Nice save, but not much really and you probably have every assignment already aced.” My friends knew me way too well.
“So what do you guys think of Matt and Kyle’s Mates?” I asked
“I haven’t really had a chance to get to know them hopefully Friday night at their welcome party we can spend some time with them.” Amy replied.
“Who wants to go to the mall tomorrow I need to pick up something for the party?”
“I’ll go, let’s all go and we can have lunch there”, April said and stood up to leave, Eric stood up right after her. They are too cute together I couldn’t help but smile at them.
When they all left I start a bath and made sure to pour in a lot of bubble bath, then slipped into the lavender scented foam and felt myself relax right away, the hot water felt so good against my skin. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. when all of a sudden I heard howling and and load chaotic roaring then the sound of our packs alarm…oh my goddess we were under attack.
Zayn
Security called from the Northern border and I immediately notified Matt and Kyle and told them to alert all the warriors and fighters, it’s been a long time since we were attacked. Who the f**k would dare attack us unless they had a death wish. I sounded the alarm and before I left the pack house, sent Alex to get Hope and bring her to the pack house so she was safe. I can’t risk anything happening to her and her father was probably already at the borders so I didn’t want her and her mom alone at their house.
Dad and I ran out and shifted at the same time Hunter was roaring with excitement as his adrenaline shot up a thousand times a minute, he was raging today I know he loves a good battle but today he is even more furious in fear of anything happening to Hope. We couldn’t bear the thought of any breach or attack or any kind of danger now that we had our mate.
The sound of snarls and howls become closer “Zayn, Brian is outnumbered” dad mind linked me as we approached and I lunged at a group of rogues attacking Brian, gripping and ripping them apart one by one.. He was hurt but he was also strong, teeth bared and with a loud howl he continued to attack.
Hope
“Where is he?” I ask Alex my voice trembling with fear at the thought of anything happening to Zayn,
“He’ll be fine, he sent me to make sure you didn’t stay here alone.”
Mom and I hastily walked to the pack house where several warriors stood outside guarding, they bowed as mom and I passed by.
“All borders are secured keep the women inside the pack house Hall, Alpha’s orders”, Alex yelled out as he ran off and shifted into his wolf form.
Mom and I joined Luna and all the other women who couldn’t fight because of age. Mandy and Carrie were sitting by Luna’s side when mom and I walked in. She ran towards us embracing me.
“Don’t worry they will be fine” I whispered as she hugged me. I couldn’t blame her for feeling scared her mate and children were all in battle.
“If the rest of the women feel your fear they will get scared and we don’t want to do that.” She looked up at me and smiled. Emily and Amy were there too but April was either on the battle field right now or she was helping secure one of the other open borders.
The fact is when we are under attack all wolves of age and have had enough training have to do their part. whether they fight along side the warriors or they help secure borders.
Luna composed herself as she gained her strength “Thank Goddess for you Hope.” She said surprising me.
I walked over to Mandy and Carrie who were of age for sure but I they weren’t fighting because they hadn’t been here long enough to test their fighting skills. They look worried so I tried to help calm them down,
“We are the strongest pack known, they will be fine.” I reassured them, then took a look around at the older women who alos had their mates or children out their fighting to keep us safe. I felt a sense of responsibility take over me a feeling that I had to reassure them that everything would be fine.
I went around the hall talking to each and every one of them. A little boy came up to me,
“Luna will you be my mate? you’re beautiful”, I laughed and picked him up.
“I already have a mate but I wouldn’t mind giving you a k**s.” I pinched his cheek softly and gave him a k**s. His mom walked over smiling and he took her hand,
“She kissed me, the Luna kissed me!” I heard him say.
I walked over to Derek’s mom, I hugged her, “You are so precious Hope, you’re going to make a wonderful Luna.” I felt so proud when she said those words to me.
A few short hours and thankfully one of the guards came in and lets us know that the men were making their way back. I walked outside with mom and Luna,
“Please go check if the nurses and doctors need any kind assistance with the injured” I told a few guards as I walked outside, they nodded and ran towards the pack hospital. I stood outside with mom by my side and my heart leapt when I finally spott ed Zayn.
I ran towards him and jumped into his arms. He was shirtless and had b***d on his arms and chest, “Are you injured?”
“Nothing a k**s from you can’t heal.” I gave him a quick peck.
“Is everyone ok? Where’s dad?” I askd looking around at the rest
“Yes, everyone is ok, we didn’t lose anyone but your dad and a few others have been taken to the hospital but he is fine.”
“Damn! I wish I got that kind of welcome” Matt said and Mandy immediately hugged him.
Mom, Zayn and I drove over to the pack hospital, mom sat in the passenger seat by the driver and Zayn and I in the back he had his arm around me I felt so safe with him by my side. The doctor told us that dad was fine but he just had a deep claw cut on his side. I could hear dad’s voice talking to one of the warriors, thank Goddess he was fine.
He kissed mom and hugged me tight. “Zayn forced me to come here and get cleaned up, but I’m fine.” He sat up but winced in pain a little.
“Betta Brian, you should stay here tonight, I’d like to keep an eye on that wound. Tomorrow morning you can leave” One of the pack doctors said.
“Yes, of course he will stay and I’ll stay with him.” Mom said before dad could argue with the doctor. Dad wasn’t having it he wanted to go home,
“If the doctor said you should stay then you should please listen to him.” I demanded when dad tried to get up and leave again.
“Ok fine, I’ll stay for your sake princess but only for the night, even though I’m sure there’s no need, and tomorrow morning I will leave!” Dad finally agreed.
“Hope you’re staying with Zayn right?” Zayn answersrd for me, “Yes of course don’t worry.” I don’t want to keep Zayn here long, he needed to rest too. I kissed mom and dad and took Zayn’s hand as we left the hospital.
Inside the pack house the Alpha was still in the hall with most of the pack members. “We’re going to check on Brian” He said as Luna finished tending to a cut on his arm.
He and Luna started walking out of the hall but they both stopped and turned towards us. “Oh and Zayn, I think you should know that your mate is going to make the best Luna and she is by far ready to take on the position.” Luna said surprising me again.
“I know” Zayn smiled at me as his parents walked out towards the hospital. I checked on my friends real quick while Zayn checked on the warriors.
Emily and I were with Jason and his family. April and Eric came over too. I thankd the Goddess they were all fine. Zayn walked over and took my hand. He looked around “Jason you fought well. You’re very brave.”, Zayn said to Jason with a serious look on his face.
“You too Eric, I think you both will make great warriors.”
“Thank you” Jason and Eric both responded with beaming smiles. Zayn did not give out compliments often so saying that to them meant a lot to both them and their parents.
Soon the pack house was back to normal. We said good night to Matt and Kyle and their mates and headed upstairs to Zayn’s room.
“I’m going to run you a bath.” I told him as he walked in the bathroom started taking off his shorts.
Zayn got in the bath “Come in with me” I didn’t hesitate and I started to undress while he watched. I got in the tub behind him, took a cloth and started wiping his shoulders. until he relaxed.
“Are you ok?” I asked as I kissed his shoulder
“I am now”