Travis POV
I was fast asleep in an abandoned bear den I found when out of nowhere I heard, "Travis, Travis!" a faint voice kept echoing in the distance but there was no way it could be who I think it is. If it was one of the pack members they would just use the mind link and be in their wolf form to venture out this far on the land in these conditions.
I got up and went out into the sunlight, squinting as my eyes adjusted to the light and surveyed the landscape. I heard the voice call out my name one last time, confirming that it was Nia. Why would my mate risk her health and safety coming out here? I guess this was her way of showing how dedicated she was to becoming a proper mate unlike me who almost attacked and killed her, not to mention turning against my warriors and abandoning my pack in the process. I had to get to her before any other animals did, so I took off in the direction of her voice with happy anticipation of seeing her while also being nervous and a bit ashamed facing her knowing what happened the last time we were together.
All of my nervousness was quickly gone when I stopped in my tracks picking up the strong scent of another wolf in the direction I was going, "Garrett!", I growled knowing that he was out here close to Nia with God only knows what evil intentions he had planned. I picked up my pace faster through the deep snow as I came down the path full speed beholding the sight of my brother wolf stalking my mate whom I could see was injured and that lit a rage within me that I had never felt before.
Garrett quickly turned facing me with a cocky snarl on his face, not at all fearful of fighting his brother but most importantly, his Alpha. I made the first move and leaped at him teeth barred and front claws slashing the side of his face as he snapped up at me trying to go for my throat but I've learned my lesson from past battles to not leave my throat exposed and lowered myself quick enough to the side so I could grab the scruff on the side of his neck and throw him off balance with a quick hard jerk. He still tried kicking up with his back paws to try slashing my belly but slowly realized he was trying to fight a losing battle against me.
"How dare you attack the Luna and challenge your Alpha!", I roared at him through the mind link.
"I was doing it for the good of the pack, our bloodline won't continue to be strong if we let human DNA into it", Garrett replied losing strength from me biting down harder on his neck.
"Save your final words for your final moments here on this earth, for you, Garrett Hagen is sentenced to death for treason against your Alpha, Luna, and pack!" I said before letting go of him as he laid there catching his breath with a fearful look on his face after hearing his fate but it was soon replaced with a look of silent hatred towards me before he said,
"Who knew it would take an action stronger than drugging my brother to go wild and kill his mate to make me Alpha and have you put to death".
Never in my life did I think my brother would confess to being the one that poisoned me and put my mate and pack in danger for his selfish purpose of becoming Alpha to lead the pack down a road of isolation from the world, while also possibly cutting ties with the few human allies we have trusted over the years to keep our secret.
At this point, I wanted nothing more than to just go straight for his jugular, rip out his throat and end his life right here but instead I'm going to make him suffer in pain properly like the traitor he is.
"Go back to the pack and I'll have the warriors meet you there to be placed in the dungeon. If I hear that you don't comply, injure someone or even try to escape, then it will be death on site the next time I see you," I warned him before he limped off in the direction of the packhouse and disappeared out of view. I made sure to tell Jesse to have his strongest fighters waiting for him in wolf and human forms chains ready to fasten him to the walls of his waiting cell.
After allowing my adrenaline to calm down, my attention was caught by a small whimper and I looked over to see Nia lying on her side in pain but luckily with a slight smile from seeing me. I slowly walked up to her as she reached out her hand to touch my nose, sending a wave of calmness through me at feeling her slight touch.
"I knew I'd find you Travis. Hakon was, right about a wolf always finding their mate wherever they are".
My poor Nia, I could tell that she was putting on a brave face for me but I could sense that she was in pain and knew I had to get her help immediately. The only way to do that was to get her to the packhouse where I could have the doctor tend to her while I also kept a close eye on her. The only way to get her back there was to let her ride me back and I just hope she has enough strength to hold one.
I got closer to her and laid down flat hoping she would take the hint to get on since I can't speak to her in this form.
"You want me to get on?" she asked a bit confused, so I wagged my tail and she slowly leaned over onto me and pulled herself up on my back. I carefully got up so she wouldn't slide off and headed in the direction of home.
"Travis, my house is in the other direction", she said concerned. I stopped then looked back at her and barked before continuing back to the pack. She understood what I meant and tightened her grip on my fur as she settled in for the long ride back.
*, Later on, that Evening*
Nia POV
The last thing I remember was riding on Travis's back in the direction of the packhouse before the pain started settling in along with my exhaustion and I eventually leaned forward and fell asleep on his back, which was easy to do because of his size and thick fur.
When I woke up, I was in less pain than I was in before but still felt my body aching from hiking through the snow all day and my back was still hurting some from being thrown into the rocks. It seemed weird that one of the pack wolves would attack their Luna but given the way Travis tackled, slashed, and growled at him, I'm guessing he was giving him his punishment. Part of me wanted to know who it was but the other part would rather not, so I don't feel uncomfortable around them if Travis decides to let them stay in the pack which would be very unlikely.
After pulling myself out of my thoughts, I looked around the room I was in. I could tell it must be in the main house since it was way bigger than a regular room. It had a nice cabin theme to it with wooden floors, beams, and warm earth tones that were highlighted by a small antler chandelier hanging from the ceiling. There was also a small sitting area in the corner with a couch right in front of a fireplace and off to the side from what I could see looked like a bathroom. To my right, there was a large window with curtains in front of it that led out to a balcony. By now I could tell it was nighttime since the sun was setting on our way back here but what I wanted to know now was, where was Travis so I could thank him for bringing me here. Of course, I was his mate and naturally, he would make sure that I was taken care of and safe but it's just common courtesy to thank someone for letting you stay in their home.
Slowly I eased myself out of the bed until my feet touched the soft fur rug on the floor. I just now noticed that I was in my long sleeve top, thermal bottoms, and barefoot, which means someone partially undressed me while I was unconscious. I just really hope it was a female pack member that was well-trusted by Travis and not just a random volunteer but before I got too lost in my thoughts, the door opened and Stacy walked in with a smile and a cup of what looked like some hot tea.
"Hi Nia, I'm so glad you're ok. Alpha told us about what happened out there and I'm just relieved he found you in time before that scum wolf Garr… I mean, here have this tea," she said handing me the cup with a nervous look on her face knowing that she had just let a secret slip out.
"Stacy, what do you mean Garrett, was he the black wolf that attacked me out there?" I asked seriously wanting an answer.
"Nia I'm not supposed to be the one to talk to you about that, so I'm just gonna let Travis discuss this with you".
I know Stacy means well trying to protect my feelings and keeping me from feeling like I'm in danger but within the past week I've had my date reveal that he's a werewolf and I'm his mate, then almost got attacked by him at the Pack's banquet and then narrowly escaped death when another wolf tried to kill me, so holding any secrets from me know is only going to make me feel more uneasy but I know who I can most likely get to tell me the truth.
"Ok then since you won't tell me who that wolf was then I know who will."
At first, Stacy had a confused look on her face, but then I could see her realization of what I was about to do.
I took a sip of my tea before looking Stacy in her eyes and saying, "Ida, come forth, your Luna needs to speak with you", in a commanding tone as Stacy's eyes shut and her body slightly trembled as her eyes opened up to show they were now golden. I wouldn't normally be demanding like this but this was the best way to find out what was going on.
"Yes, Luna", Ida responded.
"I know that Alpha has probably told you that whatever happened out there is something he wants you to keep secret from me for my good but I just can't feel comfortable knowing that there is someone in this pack that's trying to harm me. I know Alpha doesn't want me to worry but keeping the truth from me is making me more worried than knowing who it is, so I'm asking you, who was the black wolf?".
Ida looked down and hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath and looking back up at me saying, "The black wolf was Garrett".
Just that statement made my heart sink, I knew that Garrett didn't particularly like me being in this pack but I never thought he would go so far as to kill me.
"I'm sorry Luna but that's all I can tell you", Ida said before her eyes quickly changed and Stacy took over.
"I have to go now Nia, one of the servants will bring your dinner up for you in a bit", she said before exiting the room and leaving me to sit there alone to process this but after a while, I accepted the fact that I was an outsider coming into a close-knit community of wolves and I should've expected not to be welcomed by everyone and to keep an eye at for those that are willing to jeopardize their position in the pack and life to make sure the bloodline stays pure wolf.
A little later the servant brought up my dinner of roast chicken with potatoes and green beans that filled me up for the night. After I got ready for bed and changed into some pajamas that were folded up for me in the dresser drawers, I got back in bed, turned off the light, and drifted back to sleep.
After letting myself relax, I felt my spirit get whisked away quickly to the spirit realm. It felt different this time since I wasn't looking for Hakon and Travis was most likely down the hall if I really needed him and I had just spoken to Ida and Stacy, so I didn't understand why I was back here again. I looked around and saw nothing but the blue lights with no wolves running around, so I was confused about why I was there until I was pushed down from behind.
I looked up to see who or what did it and was shocked when I looked up to see not a glowing light wolf but a full-formed black wolf looking down at me snarling and I knew it was Garrett.