Gao called Mera once more.
Mera come back now!
she sent.
Mera replied,
Madam Gao, I'm sorry. Shawn needs me.
Then she muted the bond and left the forest.
Gao was upset. The she wolf blatantly disobeyed a direct order from her Madam Alpha. She had to deal with her. Then, Andrew entered. He reached for her hand. Gao thought.
If something happened to him, I'd go search for him and not give up until he came home. He's mine.
She found that she was not as upset with Mera as she should be. They'd talk, but in this situation she could understand.
Andrew squeezed her hand tightly. A fight was coming and he prayed they were strong enough to withstand it. Andrew alerted the pack and everyone went on high alert. The wolves closed rank, and the dragons, some of them, dispersed immediately.
Andrew knew they had guest visiting. He took a moment to speak with them and try and reassure them that they were safe. He was not surprised when the African wolves volunteered to fight with him. Baako joined the men, as the alpha called everyone to a meeting. He and his brothers went even though they were not members of the pack. His mate was going into a warzone and he was not letting her go out there without him. Being that they were guest and not pack members, Andrew asked that they not attend the pack meeting but to simply relax and give the pack members time to strategize. Baako and his brothers waited.
However, Baako's concern ratcheted up when dragons reappeared. He and his brothers talked. If they were home and someone attacked, their alpha would ask any guest to stand down also, but they were warriors and could help. They were just what this pack needed. His alpha was a lot like Alpha Parks. He did not keep secrets from his pack either. He also realized that here dragons were just as important to this pack as the Were creatures. Soon, his brothers had questions. "Baako, is it wise to say here? The alpha clearly does not want us involved. Are we going to go against his wishes? If there is trouble we need to go. Alpha did not send us here to fight." Apayo stated. He knew this was true, but he would not run. Gina was here and he was staying.
"Alpha would not be pleased if we ran like cowards. He considers this pack friend. I will contact Alpha for guidance." Baako stated.
His brothers nodded and waited as Baako sent to his alpha. His alpha told him, if Alpha Parks approved, join them. Baako smiled, and relayed the message to his brothers. The three brothers stood ready. If MacGregor thought they were going to war without them they were wrong. Baako and his brothers waited. As the pack met, the other guest joined them. Stork eyed the three dark Weres cautiously. Baako and his brothers moved away from the couple. Belinda was instantly annoyed. As she was about to speak Stork asked, "Why do you fear me? I have done you no harm."
Apayo answered, "You are evil, a demon. Nothing good will ever come from your kind."
"My husband has done you no harm. How can you judge him so harshly? You don't even know us." She stated.
Apayo eyed Stork. Disgust etched in his face. Stork was used to being watched warily, but here things were different. "That is true, madam, but I faced a Nemyra before. They are vicious monsters. They feed on life forces. I have been here and I have watched you. You are a decent man, but the demon sleeps within. If he is ever freed, I hope you can control him." Baako explained. Belinda gasped and held her husband's hand tighter.
The five chatted. Belinda looked around. Something was wrong. "Stork, we must help them." She whispered. Stork agreed. Baako heard her and he his brothers shared a look. It was obvious that this man was harmless, and would be a valuable ally to this pack.
Stork addressed the brothers, "This Nemyra demon, tell me about him?" Stork queried.
Apayo relayed the tale of their encounter. He and his brothers had encountered a Nemyra on their journey when they were younger, and the beast was very cunning. He wasn't as big as the guy here and he could disguise himself as human. Stork was fascinated. He knew of his kind, even though Matthias tried to shield him. For these three men to have survived an encounter spoke volumes of their prowess.
His respect for the dark weres grew exponentially at that moment. The brothers were curious. They had questions, but now was not the time to ask. It seemed their friends had issues and they were joining them in battle.
Apayo smiled,
Brother, this pack is strong. There is not a pack alive that stands a chance against them. The alpha, if he is smart has a plethora of resources at his fingertips. I agree with you now. We fight with them.
Baako nodded, and the five waked to the door. Before they could knock, a dragon opened the door and they walked inside. Baako joined the betas, while Stork and Belinda stood with the dragons. Alpha Andrew stood before his men and women. It was obvious the Aloha was angry. He thanked them and then gave his final statement.
"The others think we are weak. They think just because our pack is different, that we are vulnerable. They are wrong. I've had it. We are not weak little simps, simple minded-men, waiting to be rescued. We will take care of these attacks once and for all. Ladies and gentlemen, assume your positions, it's time to end this." Andrew faced each warrior and they cheered.
He noticed stork and Belinda. He nodded. Stork was ready. This pack accepted him and there was no way he would allow any harm to befall any of its members. Stork was with the wolves. He smiled. Not only was he with them, he'd make sure his coven joined them as well. Unbeknownst to Stork, Conor had already contacted Anton and Stuart. The vampires were on their way.
*****
Soon, the meeting ended. Baako saw Gina, and she looked dazed. He went to her. "Gina?" He questioned.
She faced him and tried to smile, but she couldn't quite pull it off. "Um, Baako, I have to go. Madam Alpha needs us." She walked off.
Stork went to Rayan, Brecken and Yuric immediately. Belinda went to Gao. She offered to help. Gao asked her to assist the omegas with the children. They needed to eat and their parents had to prep for the upcoming conflict. Belinda did not protest, but went straight to work.
As she helped the Omegas, she noticed that the Were children were well trained. The oldest ones looked after the smaller children. She smiled, wishing she and Stork could someday have a little one but she knew that would not happen. Her heart raced as she felt a love so strong, so breath-taking that she was scared to hope. Searching within, she found the tiniest miracle. Her Stork had given her his precious seed. She would find a way to tell him, and she prayed that he would change his mind and want to keep the baby.
"Mrs. Caspian, can you help my sister?" One of the dragon hybrids asked. Zara was struggling trying to get into her seat, but it was a bit tall.
"Of course sweetheart." Belinda replied, and then she and the few omegas made sure all of the children were well fed and content.
Stork and the brothers approached Andrew. "Alpha Parks, we are honored to join you in battle." Baako spoke. Before Andrew could protest, the brothers explained that their pack joined with him and his friends. Andrew graciously accepted their help.
As the alpha talked with them, Gao met with her closest female pack members. Suni, Mari, and Gao sat.
Closing her eyes, Gao allowed her vulnerability to show. "I'm sick of this. We have made our home. We have not threatened any other creatures. Our pack is unique to us. I can't understand why we are constantly being attacked." Suni and Mari just listened.
Mari spoke, "Back home, our friend Ms. Nancy told me once that you don't have to do anything for someone to hate you. They just do. Madam Gao, we are strong and we will overcome this threat."
Gao looked at her, "Mari, is this because I'm dragon? Andrew and my children mean everything to me. Never thought I'd have a family, but you all are my family." She began to pace. " Inuit said..." She paused and forced her thoughts to calm.
"She is the dragon that's at Castle MacLean?" Suni questioned.
"There is something about her." Mari whispered. "Gao, she is related to you in some way?" She asked.
"She was my brother's mistress. She blames me for his death." Gao explained. "Inuit isn't important. We need a plan in place. Andrew does not want us on the battle field. He's wrong, I fight by his side."
Suni and Mari shared a look. "Madam Gao, this dragon, Inuit, could she have something to do with this?" Suni asked. She remembered how things were at Jackson when Lavinia and Zena were plotting. Women could be vicious when they had an agenda. She had only seen the female once, but her mannerisms screamed that she was out for vengeance.
