After a cheerful breakfast with Josh, James and his men, Nick and many of his family, we began to prepare to leave out. Josh and his father had to leave back home to tend to their grieving family. Nick had decided that showing up at their gates to get the boys back wouldn't be the worst idea, which meant Matthew and I had to make sure we packed enough supplies for the trek.

"I'm sure it'll take us days to get there," Matthew muttered, reaching for bandages.

Nick chuckled and said, "Not really, champ."

Matthew and I exchanged confused looks before looking at him. Nick smirked and said, "Don't worry, you'll see later." We didn't know what he meant by that, and instead continued to pack.

Just as it hit somewhere close to noon, Josh and I were hugging each other tightly. "I wish you could come with us. One more friend would make this easier to deal with."

Josh hummed happily before pulling back and saying, "Nah, you have all the support you need right here."

I turned and looked at Nick and his brother, as well as my own, smiling at me. I grinned softly and looked back at Josh. "I know. I have more friends waiting for me too. I just wish you were standing there with them."

Josh smiled wide. "D'aww, you're too cute for ya own good." He then ruffled my hair. "Take good care, Lyra."

I sighed and smiled. "I'll do my best."

Satisfied with my answer, Josh turned and ran to catch up with his father and neighbors. I felt my throat close up a little, but shook it off as I turned to the three behind me. "Okay, so how are we getting there faster than a few days?"

Jericho chuckled and said, "I thought you'd never ask." He then punched Nick's shoulder lightly before backing away from us.

I frowned but quickly my face twisted into utter shock as he rippled before me. His skin seemed to rip and what shocked me more was that he didn't feel pain from it. Fur bore itself for Matthew and I to see; his face shifted and morphed into that of a black cat. By the time he had finished shifting, he was not a werewolf like I thought he'd be, but instead something along the lines of a really large black cat.

Nick watched my and Matthew's reaction with glee before saying, "Jericho, and most of my family, are werepanthers."

"Panthers?" Matthew echoed, looking at Nick in disbelief and confusion.

Nick chuckled and said, "Our origins aren't from here, but rather from across seas. But no time to talk!"

I exhaled sharply, admiring the large cat before me. Jericho stared at me with violet eyes before getting close and lowering his head.

"Uh," I muttered, "I guess you want me to pet you."

He chuffed in response and I tilted my head. Why couldn't I hear him?

"There are many types of us, not just werewolves or werepanthers," Nick stated, grabbing his bag from off the porch. "You can only hear werewolves, although how is a mystery in and of itself."

I nodded a little before pausing. "Why aren't you shifting?"

He grinned sheepishly. "Bad genes is all. Now come on, I have a pretty kitty waiting for me at home. Let's get this adventure over with!"

I smiled, turning and watching as the rest of Nick's family shifted; two women and five men, all shifting into huge cats! It was incredible and shocking and eye opening all at once!

As one nudged at Matthew, Jericho nudged his nose up against my hand, glancing at his back before looking at me expectantly. I stared at him in confusion before gasping in realization. "Oh, sorry!" I made sure my knapsack was secure on my back before sitting on top of him. I felt out of balance and a bit uncomfortable, deciding on where to grab as he stood.

Nick passed me a rope and said, "Wrap it around his waist and hold on, but not too tight!" I nodded, wrapping the rope around Jericho's waist tenderly before holding onto the ends.

Matthew had done the same while Nick had gotten on a cousin's back without any rope. Before I could question it, The werepanther holding Nick took off faster than I remember any werewolf being. Jericho followed suit so fast that I almost dropped the rope. Instead, I held on tight as the group of panthers ran through the snow.

The wind was fast enough to where it hurt to keep my eyes open, so I shut them and tried my hardest to keep calm. I could hear Matthew yelping and groaning in nervousness, and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at him. Nick didn't hold back though, almost cackling as he hooted and hollered.

When I cracked my eyes open, Nick didn't have any problems staying balanced, and I wondered if he still had cat-like balance in him somewhere.

When the werepanthers made a sharp turn, I went back to closing my eyes and focusing on my balance, taking deep breaths when I could.

Now I understood what they meant when they said it wouldn't take us days to get there. With the speed they were going, we might make it in less than a day!

It was foolish hope to think the brothers would be okay, but I was hoping for it regardless.

Whether they knew it or not, their mate was coming for them.

~
*
~

We had stopped a small distance from the gate that led to the other tribe. Nick had told me that they called themselves the Silver Cliffs pack; they were a smaller pack than the one the brothers' came from, but there were still a lot of wolves regardless.

Nick, Matthew and I got off the panthers' backs and slowly approached the gate. The werepanthers padded behind us, although Jericho had shifted back and walked beside me. He didn't say anything, but after a gentle grip on my shoulder, I glanced up at him and what features I could see on his face were gentle and friendly.

I smiled softly before looking up at the gate as we got closer. I could see werewolves standing at the gate, growling at us as ones from their posts above aimed bows at us.

Nick nudged me forward and I gulped. We talked about getting here, but we never talked about how we'd get in. Matthew gripped my hand firmly, reminding me that he was here for me now.

Smiling a little, I took a deep breath and said, "My name is Lyra Stan and I come from East Mount. Your Alpha is holding my mates captive and I need to speak with him!"

The guards glanced at each other before one disappeared. I tensed up in nervousness, trying to see if I could glimpse through the cracks of the gates. Were they going to send us away?

When the gates started to open, I almost jumped out of my skin. Ahead of me was a trail that eventually split separate ways. Houses weren't exactly lined up, but instead seemed to sit on small hills, and lamps seemed to light up the village.

A guard approached me, frowning in confusion as he said, "Where is your chief?"

"He isn't coming," I said, feeling very nervous. He seemed to stare at me, as if looking for any trace of a lie.

Instead he jerked his head and said, "Follow me." Gripping Matthew's hand tightly, we followed him hesitantly. I felt more relaxed when I found that Nick and his family were allowed to follow as well, and noticed that the guard was taking us uphill.

Hardly anyone was out and about, even though it was an early night, and it seemed as if the only werewolves that could be seen were guards. We began to approach a house that was a bit larger than the rest, and I figured that to be where the alpha stayed. I didn't know much about the pack, and I knew even less about their leader.

A part of me was concerned that he wouldn't hear me out or be friendly with me at all.

By the time we made it to his doorstep, I wanted to retreat. Not even Jericho's encouraging nudges or Matthew's hand holding helped me to calm down. When the door cracked open, I held my breath, expecting something close to a monster.

Instead, I found a pale gentle face with an unshaven jaw and green eyes looking at me. His hair looked in disarray and he looked...well, handsome. He tilted his head as he studied us, frowning somewhat before saying, "You can only bring in one other with you. The rest will be taken to our guest house."

While I wanted to complain, I was in no shape or form of power to say otherwise. I opened my mouth, but Nick said, "Matthew, you stay, we'll go. I'm pretty sure my family needs to rest anyway."

I turned to look at Nick and saw him and Jericho giving me encouraging smiles. I then gave a small smile to them in return before looking back at the alpha. "I'll bring my brother with me."

He nodded before opening his door wider. "Then please come in. It's cold out and I'd rather neither of you get sick."

I tried to turn around to see if Nick and the others had left, but the guard had gently nudged me toward the door. Taking a shaky breath, Matthew walked in with me, probably feeling more overwhelmed than I was.

When we walked in, I had expected something shiny and grand like Miles' home, but this chief's home was simple and smelled of cinnamon and apple. The floor was soft, the walls were firm wood, and the furniture looked so comfy, I got sleepy just looking at them.

The man cleared his throat, bringing our attention back to him. I shivered and asked, "Uh...sir? About the brothers-"

"Nathaniel," he interrupted with a sincere smile. "My name is Nathaniel, or Nate if you'd like."

I smiled a little, somewhat caught off guard. "Oh, okay. Um, Nate? I came here to ask about my mates. About Connor and Xain?" I let go of Matthew's hand, playing with the ends of my shirt. "I need to know what exactly they're being accused of."

Nate looked at me, confused and amused. "You're a human, yet they're your soulmates? I'm sure that's an interesting story in itself, but right now that's the least of my worries." He then waved his hand towards one of the couches in his living room and said, "Sit."

Matthew and I did what we were told. I looked at Matthew and noticed how uneasy he looked. I smiled and patted his back gently, remembering how I felt when I first came across so many powerful beings at one time.

Nate sat down on a chair across from us, crossing his legs as he crossed his arms. "Those two were a handful. Abruptly coming to our gates, demanding to speak with me; it was amusing to be honest. The Wilson Brothers are determined young men."

I smiled weakly in hearing that, knowing very well how determined they could be. "I know they are. What happened?"

Nate's face softened, looking at me pitifully. "Some women approached me and one of them accused Connor of assaulting her in the woods. I would have figured her to be lying, but he admitted to it. Xain stepped up and was pointed out as well. I couldn't very well let them run around, so I had them detained."

I bit my lip, balling up my hands. I knew that Connor and Xain were honest people, and it only made sense that they wouldn't lie about assaulting a woman. But in the darkest corners of my mind, I wish they had lied. At least then, they could have come back home to me.

Matthew rubbed my back a little, and when I glanced at him, I noticed how unsure he looked. I smiled at him, making a mental note to tell him all about my lovers later on.

"I'm mildly surprised that Miles did not show up to defend the boys," Nate noted, not at all looking surprised. I wouldn't put it past him to know what kind of beast Miles truly was. "But either way, my council is trying to decide their fates, and without anyone here to properly testify for them, there's nothing I can do."

I stared at him in shock and opened my mouth, but Nate held up a hand, as if he knew what I was going to ask. "A lover's say means nothing. A woman or man who is bound to another could be considered clouded with emotion for their mates, and is therefore ignored. Unless Miles shows up, the brothers' fates are out of my hands, as well as yours."

I could hear my knuckles cracking from how hard my fists were balled. I came all the way here, only to be shut down?!

"Is there nothing I can do?" I whispered, fighting back tears. "Are they going to kill them?"

"I don't know," Nate finally said, looking at me pitifully. "I wish I did, but I don't. My apologizes..."

"Lyra," I muttered, feeling completely disheartened. "And my brother Matthew."

Matthew could tell I was in despair and wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. I blinked back tears, practically clinging to my brother. What was going to happen to me if they died? Would I die? Would I have to deal with the heartache?

I didn't want to think about it. The mere thought of being without them ripped me apart inside and made me feel an emptiness I was terrified of. I just wanted my wolves back.

Nathaniel sighed softly and stood. "Come, I won't push you back into the cold. I have a guest room with a lock that you both can share, if you're willing.

Matthew said, "Thank you, sir. I want to apologize as well." I turned my head a little, looking up at my brother. He looked scared but resolved. "Werewolves aren't beasts like I thought they were. Humans and werewolves aren't so different and...I just wish I could've seen it sooner. That's all I wanted to say."

Nate smiled warmly at this. "Of course, Matthew. I hope our kind can one day reveal and live among humans as equals. For now, it is an honor for such a rare race as yourself to think of us that way."

I smiled softly, leaning up against Matthew as Nathaniel led us to a room down the hall. When he opened the door, the bedroom had its own table, three small chairs around it, a large bed and a personal fireplace. The room was so comfy that I didn't even hear when Nathaniel said goodnight to us.

I quickly turned and opened the door. "Nate, sir, wait-!"

He hadn't left as quickly as I thought, as I slammed into his seemingly rock hard body. He let out a deep chuckle as he gripped my shoulders carefully to keep me upright. "You don't have to call me sir."

I was grateful for that, but that wasn't what I opened my mouth for. "Nate, please, can I see my mates tomorrow?"

Nate frowned as if he didn't approve, and I quickly said, "Please, I haven't seen them in a while and it's hurting me. I miss them dearly and I want to see them in case they're.." I lost my wording, finding myself unable to say it out loud.

It didn't occur to me until just then that I truly hadn't seen my mates in over a month. I could feel my soul screaming for them in realization. Could they feel me now from being so close?

Nate pondered for a moment before saying, "I will have to approach my council about it first, but I don't see the harm in it. Give me until tomorrow afternoon."

That wasn't the answer I needed or wanted, but it was the only one I'd be getting. I smiled weakly and said, "Thank you."

He sighed softly, looking distant before saying, "Do not thank me yet, child."

I knew he had a point, but even so. He didn't even have to give me a place to sleep, but he did.

Even if it was misplaced, I still had hope that Nathaniel could help me. All I could do was wait and see. 

~

By the by, no picture reference, but if you know who Jared Padalecki is, then well there you go. XDD

Sorry for the late update, I'm still going through some things.

Until the Next Update!

Nimo~ #JaredIsBae #CanIBeHisWife