Mated To An Enemy

As soon as Fiona realized something was happening, she started making her way to the central command station. From there, she could monitor all of Summer and have an easier time directing the soldiers where they needed to be.

But she and Landon had barely made it out of her building when they ran into trouble. A group of wolves, seven in total, were walking down the street with weapons in hand.

Fiona stopped and stood up straight.

“Only those assigned security duty within the residential district are allowed to carry weapons,” she called out to them.

“I don’t think they have much of a mind for following the rules right now,” Landon whispered.

The group stopped. They looked at each other and back at Fiona. The one that walked at the front took another step forward.

“Luna Ashleigh is here,” he called back, “she is the one that our Alpha chose to lead with him. She is the one the Goddess chose! We won’t let you chase her away again!”

Fiona growled softly.

“I have never prevented Ashleigh from being Luna if she desired it,” Fiona replied. “And I have always put the needs of Summer above my own.”

“Then prove it,” he said. “Luna Ashleigh will lead us if you step aside.”

Fiona took a deep breath.

“No matter what Ashleigh chooses, Summer needs an Alpha,” she said. “That is something she simply cannot be.”

The man growled in response.

“Well, we don’t need an outsider!” he shouted, looking at Landon. “Go back to your rock!”

The group all turned their eyes on Landon and let out low growls.

Landon grinned back at them.

“Alpha Landon has his own pack!” Fiona growled back. “He doesn’t want to deal with you pathetic wolves!”

The group turned back toward Fiona, snarling and growling.

She sighed with irritation. She was tired of the fighting, tired of the whispers. Her heart ached with the loss of her son, but she had enough of all the childish selfishness around her.

“Yes, yes… sad, pathetic pups, clinging to an idea without merit…” she said through gritted teeth. “Turning on your own pack when you don’t get your way.”

Two of them shifted into their wolves, letting out angry growls and barks, baring their teeth at her.

“We are protecting our pack!” the man at the front shouted. “The Goddess is punishing us for allowing you to chase away the one that should be leading us! If you had let Ashleigh be our Luna as was intended, the Goddess would have sent Alpha Caleb back to us! Everything would be fine now!”

Fiona clenched her jaw, her hands curled into tight fists. Landon stepped forward.

“Ridiculous, unfounded garbage!” Landon spat.

“You have no right to comment on our pack!” the man shouted angrily, pointing his hatchet toward Landon.

“I don’t care about your pack,” Landon growled. “But I will not allow you or any other to doubt Luna Fiona’s loyalty and commitment to her people!”

Fiona looked up at the man beside her. She knew he meant every word, and it touched her heart to hear it.

The man growled in frustration and looked back at the two that had already shifted.

“What are you waiting for?” he asked. “Get him!”

The two wolves sprung forward, snarling as they ran toward Fiona and Landon.

Landon stepped in front of Fiona, determined to keep her safe no matter who or how many came for them. He stared at the charging wolves and gathered his will.

The powers bestowed on the Alphas of Summer, Autumn, Spring, and Winter had never been shared among the smaller packs. They could not force a group to submit through some mystical bond with the Goddess. Instead, they relied on their own strengths and abilities, on their own strong wills.

Alpha Axel was strong and well-loved. His people were devoted, and even the wolves of other packs felt a certain devotion and loyalty for him. He also still possessed some gifts from his bloodline, an affinity for the cold. All of this made him a force to be reckoned with.

Landon had no such power, and though he was respected by his people and many others, he was not held with an affection that would classify him as well-loved.

But, he had the blood of the mountain in his veins. Jonas had trained him personally since he was a child. Silver and iron were his playthings, and physical pain was a soothing song that helped him sleep.

Landon didn’t need any help from the Goddess. His will was stronger than any other. His fierce determination and confidence radiated off him in an aura rivaling even Caleb’s.

He never wondered if he was faster, stronger, or a better fighter than any wolf he came up against. He knew he was.

And at his moment, he didn’t question whether the wolves that charged at him could somehow overtake him and hurt Fiona. He knew they wouldn’t.

Because he knew he wouldn’t allow them to.

Landon moved one foot forward. He let out a growl that was low and threatening.

The charging wolves stopped. They cried and whimpered, lowering their heads and ears. Landon snarled, and the two wolves cried out before running away.

Even Fiona felt the effects of Landon's growl. She swallowed, as deep within her body and mind, the wolf in her longed to submit to him.

“Cowards!” the man leading the group shouted.

He looked back at the others and motioned for them to go forward. The remaining five men lifted their weapons and shouted as they ran toward Landon and Fiona.

Landon changed his position, preparing to fight.

He felt Fiona’s hand on his arm and looked back at her. She stared at the men coming toward them. There was a mixture of anger and concern in her expression.

“Remember,” she said. “They have lost their minds, but it is temporary. These are still my people.”

Landon touched her hand briefly.

“I won’t kill them,” he said, then turned back to the approaching enemy. He removed his hand from hers and added. “As long as they don’t try to hurt you.”