**Rhian's POV**
Several ideas were discussed about what our next steps should be. Erick was strongly against using me as a lure to force Eliza to make a move but I thought it was our chance.
The thought was if she thought she had captured me and was using me as bait for Erick, it would catch her off guard. She would think because she had kidnapped me, she had the upper hand. I could give Erick the rundown of where she kept me previously and all of the security measures my pack used.
We would need to make sure we had gone through with the mating ceremony in order to strengthen our bond. Erick would be able to mind link me over a greater distance and even be able to be drawn to my location. I understood his apprehension that he didn't want to take a chance on my safety.
I had been lost in my own thoughts when Erick squeezed my hand to get my attention. "What do you think? I think it is a safer plan."
"Sorry, I wasn't actually paying attention. I was lost in thought. Would you mind going over it again?" I said sheepishly, embarrassed that I was caught off in my own world.
Samuel spoke up, "No problem, we had suggested beginning to sneak trusted pack members into your old pack. Spies that would be able to feed us information so we could lay out an attack."
"Don't you think she would be suspicious of that right now? Remember this is something she has had a lot of experience with. She probably assumes we are just inept and reactionary. Responding without actually understanding things on the grand scale. Our failed attack plan plays right into that. She wouldn't question us retaliating in a rash poorly devised attack because she doesn't see us as a true threat."
Erick's pressure on my hand increased and I could sense the anger growing. "I said No! I do not want to use you as a pawn. What happens if something goes wrong? I refuse to allow you to get hurt. She's after me if anyone is going to be captured and, at that woman's mercy, it's going to be me!"
He was not going to back down, although previously the idea of him being captured was not brought up. Doc was the first to speak after his rant.
"That, son, may not be such a bad idea. With her ultimate target in hand, she may let down her guard. Similarly to Rhian being taken, we would have the same advantages of coming after you with her connection to you."
I interrupted, "No, he is the target. Who's to say we would even have a chance to rescue him and she wouldn't just kill him outright."
Erick moved closer so his hand was on my neck, turning my face towards his. "I understand, neither of us wants to risk the other. However, if we do nothing, we are both at risk. Everything you have said and learned about your stepmother leads me to believe she wouldn't want to immediately dispose of me. She would want to gloat and savor the situation and slowly torture me."
"Exactly, torture, I can't allow you to do this. We need to find another way."
"You were right before, this is the plan with the best chance of working. I am stronger. I can withstand whatever she tries on me as long as I know you are coming after me."
Samuel clapped his hands together, "Well it's settled then, over the next week we will get the supplies together and inform the pack of the plan."
"Ahem," Elijah interjected, "There is another pressing matter to discuss. The young man needs to accept his fate."
"What do you mean accepting my fate?"
"I see good old Doc didn't tell you the prophecy in its entirety, did he." He shot a scowl at Doc. "You do have a choice of whether or not to accept your destiny. Your decision is time-sensitive because it is reliant on the cycle of the moon. Specifically, the super blue moon eclipse. It typically occurs every twenty years or so and it just so happens it should occur two nights from now."
"We don't know for sure it wouldn't work during other Lunar eclipses. Translations of the ancient texts can be a little blurry," Gabriel added. "Don't rush the boy."
"Excuse me, old man, I personally think the timing is important. We shouldn't waste the opportunity now if it could be another twenty years." Elijah snapped back.
"You're always so impatient, what if he doesn't want to accept the prophecy?"
"What kind of fool wouldn't want to unite the packs?" The old men argued back and forth.
"Enough," Samuel growled. "The point these two are trying to make is, in order for you to accept your title, we need to perform your mating ceremony under the light of the super-blue moon eclipse. It is very lucky that your mate came crashing into your life or we would have had to wait."
I was watching Erick's face as he took in this news. I couldn't make out what his expression meant as he began to speak. "Listen," he ran his hand along his chin then through his hair, sighing, struggling to find the right words. "What if it isn't me? I mean I am more than OK being mated to Rhian," He looked at me with a smile.
"But, what if this is all for nothing and, despite an awful lot of coincidences, I am just not as special as everyone believes I am? Hell, I didn't even have any knowledge of this world a few months ago, and now what? Am I supposed to take over Samuel's position and lead a pack? I wouldn't even know where to begin."
"Ha, ha, slow down," Samuel chuckled before walking over and putting a hand on Erik's shoulder. "First off, while I don't have any doubt, your right, there is always a chance we got it wrong. Secondly, no, you wouldn't take my position. How can I explain this," he paused, taking a moment to speak.
"May I?" David, who had been mostly quiet, spoke up, "You ran a business, right?"
"Yeah."
"OK well, it would be like my dad being in charge of finance, but you are CEO. You aren't taking the place of the alphas but assuming total control to lead the entirety. Does that make sense?"
"Hmm, I understand what your saying, but still not sure I am capable."
"You will never be alone, we are all here for you." Doc went and put his hand on Erick's other shoulder.
"So does that mean I get to plan a mating ceremony?" Susan's eyes lit up.
"That may be the only part I am a hundred percent on board with," Erick turned to me, grabbing my hands so I could stand face to face with him. "What do you say? Will you officially be mine?"
"Of course," I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him.
We must have got caught up in the moment I heard Samuel clearing his throat. "Well, it's settled we proceed with the ceremony under the super blue moon eclipse. Now, gentlemen, Susan, what do you say we give these two lovebirds some time alone to celebrate."
"But, I have so many questions about the reception. What color scheme? What kinds of food? What flavor cake?"
"Chocolate!" We both chimed in unison, causing us to both laugh.
"Would it be OK if I came by tomorrow and we could make plans?" I asked Susan.
"Wonderful, of course, dear! I am so excited." Susan was positively beaming. She engulfed us both in her arms, squeezing tight. "I am happy for you both."
"Doc laughed as he tried pulling Susan off of us, "Pardon her, she loves cooking for a crowd. Erick, while the ladies plan, would you like to come to the packhouse and do some training? Typically, everyone trains regularly within the pack but we haven't wanted to push you yet."
"Absolutely, I think that is a fantastic idea. See you tomorrow."
We all said goodbye and Erick and I headed back to his house. I didn't really like the idea of Erick being put in danger. I couldn't imagine what I would do if anything happened to him. I know it had only been a few days but we had fallen hard and fast. I suppose that is how the mate bond is supposed to work, but hearing about it and feeling it are two different things.
I was off in my own thoughts when we pulled down the driveway. "Everything OK?" Erick asked as he helped me out of the car.
I sighed, "when we are together everything is perfect. I'm just worried about what the future is going to bring. I don't want to imagine what it would be like if anything happened to you. I love you."
"Rhian, I love you too. I know this isn't what either of us anticipated in our lives. I can promise you one thing. I will never stop trying to get back to you. Eliza could never understand what strength and determination true love can bring."
I felt the hot tears sting my cheeks, overcome with all the emotions swirling through me.
"Hey," he lifted my chin. "What do you say tonight, we forget about everything else. Just be two people madly in love with each other with an entire house to themselves!"
"Oh really," I sniffled, trying to settle myself. "What exactly do you have in mind?"
"Want to go for a swim?" a devilish grin crept across his face.
"A swim?"
"Yup, race you there!" Next thing I knew, he had shifted and taken off in the direction of the woods.
"Cheater!" I shouted behind him as I shifted, taking off after him. He was magnificent, the red tint to his fur shining under the moonlight. He had the biggest wolf I had ever seen but was still agile and fast. I struggled to keep up with him and knew he was taking it easy so I could.
He ran straight off the dock into the water. By the time I reached the end of the dock, I saw that he had shifted back and was coming up out of the water. I followed suit and as soon as my fur hit the water I shifted. I came up out of the water with my head arched back so my hair fell down my back.
He swam over to me, "What do I get for winning?" there was that grin again.
"What do you get for cheating? This!" I took both my hands on his shoulders and shoved him down underwater. He came up sputtering, not expecting my sneak attack.
"Oh, two can play that game!" He came towards me but I thwarted his efforts but diving down and swimming below him popping up behind him.
"Missed me!"
He spun around, "I am going to get you!"
"Only if I let you!" Little did he know I loved the water and, as a human, I could likely outswim him. I teased him and let him chase me for a few minutes before disappearing under the water.
"Rhian!" I could hear him shouting while I was underwater. I hadn't come up yet and he seemed to start panicking. I was getting in position, quietly rising out of the water behind him. He had called out a few more times. I threw my arms around him, covering his eyes. "Guess who!"
He jerked me around so I was facing him so fast I barely registered what happened. "Don't scare me like that! I was worried."
Hugging his neck, I apologized, "I guess I forgot to mention I was an all-state swimmer and feel at home in the water."
"Uh-huh, forgot. I still think I deserve a prize for winning."
I pulled him in closer and kissed him. " It might be easier to give you your prize if we weren't treading water."
"That can be arranged!"