  ---

  

      "Skylar."

  

      Hearing that deep, husky voice speak my name sent shivers down my spine and made me tremble in a way I never would have anticipated before. My Wolf purred deep within me and I had to bite my lip to keep myself from making a similar sound. The moonlight made Gabriel look ethereal, bringing definition to the strong bone structure on his face and his sculpted muscles. Once again, I simply couldn't believe that fate had given me such a physically perfect other half.

  

      Although I felt lust stir within me my rapid heartbeat could be partially attributed to nervousness. I could not forget my dislike for him and I was unsure how to act or respond.

  

      Gabriel had made no move to further approach me and was simply standing several yards away, studying me. His deep black eyes and facial expression were unfathomable as he examined me. I felt hea

  I was saved from responding by Gabriel, who swiveled his head back to face me. "There is a pack emergency. I'm going back."

  

      I blinked in surprise and felt a mild surge of frustration. I still had no idea what I was supposed to do next. In a traditional relationship the female would join the male's pack and live with him after they Mated, but I was nowhere close to ready for such a thing. In fact, the thought of living in the Black Mountains Pack territory was horrifying. I needed some more time to figure things out. To make matters worse, our conversation had only served to muddle my emotions even more.

  

      Truthfully, a large part of me didn't want him to go. There was still so much left to discuss, and on top of that my Wolf would pine after him the second he left, I knew. But if Gabriel thought the emergency was important enough to return to his pack I was going to

  What did you want me to do? Before we saw him, you HATED him! I snapped in reply.

  

      But he's ours. His Wolf too....we can't abandon our Mate.

  

      We can't abandon our pack or our family, either! I replied angrily. My Wolf huffed in frustration, knowing how stubborn I could be once I made a decision. She knew that I wouldn't be returning to the Meeting tonight.

  

      I entered the cool waters of the stream, grateful that I was barefoot as my toes sank into the mud. It was crisp but refreshing, and I hoped it would throw anyone off of the trail. I couldn't have anyone coming to retrieve me until I was ready, especially not HIM. I wouldn't know how to handle myself if I saw Gabriel again.

  

      I began to walk downstream, attempting to avoid the rocks that jutted out from the bottom. I knew I couldn't stay out here. Technically, it was near the border of the two packs' territory, but it wouldn't exactly be safe sleeping this close to the Black Mountains Pack's land. They were known to attack without provocation.

  

      Then again, I was their Alpha's Mate now. I shuddered thinking about it. What would Gabriel do if his Mate was attacked? Will had said that the Alpha had no soul, partially because he didn't have a mate.

  

      Now that he found me, would he act differently?、

  

      I brushed the question aside. I hadn't even decided what to do about that yet. If I accepted him as my Mate I would go live with him and become the Luna. The thought of that made me snort. Me? A Luna? I was a pretty decent fighter, but I didn't have the authoritative nature for that sort of thing.

  

      Nature deemed us worthy of being his Mate. You don't know what you're capable of, my Wolf replied. I ignored her.

  

      I glanced around the moonlit forest and sniffed the air a few times. I had never been to this part of the woods before. I knew now that I needed to get back to familiar territory, but I wasn't quite sure which direction I was heading.

  

      My pack's territory and home was set in an ideal location, a circular valley almost completely surrounded by some of the largest and most formidable of the Rocky Mountains. At the south end of the valley was a break between mountains, the main exit in and out of the valley. Our territory had once stretched beyond the valley but now was constrained. The Meeting was held in the dense forest between the mountains at the valley's entrance.

  

      If one continued on out of the valley, the forested terrain became rockier and much harder to traverse. Further on were high cliffs with rolling hills interspersed. This area was partly inset with some of the highest mountains in the range, which we werewolves had deemed the Black Mountains. This gigantic area was the territory of our worst enemies. Past the rock crags, the ground gently sloped down into rolling plains as one approached human territory. The Black Mountains Pack had captured this area, too.

  

      There was supposedly a smaller werewolf pack as one continued south past the ridge of Black Mountains, but from what we understood, the pack was also under the dominion of the Black Mountains pack. Like us, they were forced to give up their land, and did not fight back because it was home. Werewolf packs clustered together, but the clusters themselves were far apart. I didn't know of any other werewolf packs within hundreds of miles.

  

      And of course, our valley was our perfect home. We had mountains at our back to defend us from invasion, and there was only one way in. That's why the Black Mountain Pack wanted our land so badly.

  

      I scowled, kicking a pebble as I continued down the stream. My Mate was the same wolf trying to take away our home. Just my luck. I attempted to focus on the task at hand instead of moping; getting home was more important.

  

      My Wolf senses had told me that I was currently heading west, and I knew I would need to exit the stream and head north soon to get back to the valley. If the terrain grew too rough, I knew I was dangerously close to leaving the valley.

  

      As I continued my trek I couldn't help but notice a growing pressure on my mental barrier. I knew it was my other pack members attempting to speak to me. If I were in Wolf form, the Alpha would have no trouble breaking down my mental barriers, but in human form at this great of a distance, Alpha Brett would have to use a considerably powerful Alpha command to do so. I assumed that because it was still silent in my head they were at least making some attempt to respect my space.

  

      Still, my father must be worried sick. I could at least inform him where I was. Sighing, I tentatively lowered by mental barrier. Instantly, I felt the Alpha's and my father's mental presence slam into my brain and I winced.

  

      SKYLAR WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? My father spoke first, surprisingly. I could sense Alpha Brett, too, although his presence wasn't simmering with anger like my father's.

  

      I had to get out of there, Dad. I had to think.

  

      YOU DIDN'T THINK TO AT LEAST WARN US FIRST? He was still shouting.

  

      Alexander, calm down, we were all surprised at the events. That was Alpha Brett, attempting to soothe my father.

  

      That's putting it lightly, my father snapped. It wasn't your daughter that found out that Alpha is her Mate! What the hell do we do now?

  

      It isn't completely up to us. That's Skylar's decision. I'm assuming you ran off to clear your mind?

  

      I ran into the woods. I'm in a stream now. I didn't want to be...followed. I quickly added before my father could retort.

  

      Skylar... Alpha Brett began, and there was something in his tone I didn't like.

  

      What? I replied tentatively.

  

      There's a reason we've been trying to get your attention, my father replied, speaking over Alpha Brett. If it were any other situation, it would be considered especially rude to treat an Alpha like that, but I figured these were extenuating circumstances.

  

      If you hadn't ignored us for so long we could have warned you sooner.

  

      Warned me about what? I replied with a tinge of irritation, growing impatient.

  

      He's coming after you. Gabriel. He told his Beta to take over the meeting and left a few minutes after you. I'm assuming he hasn't found you yet because you're hiding your scent, but....

  

      I didn't hear anything he said after that. My blood had gone cold, and my stomach was churching in a mixture of dread and anticipation. My Wolf was making her presence known again through triumphant yips, but I could only freeze mid-step as the water of the stream rushed around me.

  

      I....what do I do? I replied weakly, my voice thick with conflicting emotions.

  

      That's up to you. We can't help you, Skylar. Gabriel Commanded us to stay here. Not even I can ignore his Alpha Command. Brett's voice was thick with worry and shame. I was abruptly confused; how could an Alpha use a Command on another Alpha? It shouldn't be possible. I had never heard of such a thing. I thought all along that Brett was being polite by obeying Gabriel...but it appeared he had no choice.

  

      I couldn't dwell on it. Shit! I swore, not caring that my father was listening. I left because I don't know what to do! My Wolf already wants him! I practically wailed, panic rising in my chest.

  

      Skylar, calm down. I know the situation isn't ideal but you can't panic. He knows where to find you so it wouldn't matter if you got away. Alpha Brett said, and he still sounded tense.

  

      He's your Mate...my father's voice seemed very strained when he said that, and Mates don't hurt each other. You must talk with him sometime. You can't ignore your Mate, no matter how horrible he is.

  

      I felt my Wolf snarl in anger at the insult to her Mate, but I was too distracted to notice. I tilted my head into the air and took a deep whiff, digging through all of the scents. Sure enough, I caught a faint trace of Gabriel's intriguing aroma. He was hot on my trail.

  

      I knew I couldn't run. Not again. I wasn't ready to deal with this now, but better here than in front of the pack. I couldn't let Gabriel know just how terrified I was of this whole situation even though my heart was threatening to burst out of my chest.

  

      Okay. I can do this...but I have to talk with him alone. It's too confusing with other voices in my head, I finally said after a minute of silence.

  

      Are you sure?

  

      I swallowed, feeling my father's reluctance but Alpha Brett's reassurance. I have to be sure of it. I can't make him angry, or others could be hurt. Before they could reply, I blocked them out with my mental barriers once again. Then I stepped out of the stream; there was no point in hiding. I took another deep inhale. The scent was much stronger now and it made me weak at the knees. Hopefully I could look at Gabriel without wanting to jump him or run away. My Wolf's excited noises were definitely not helping the situation. I mentally shushed her, although it did little good.

  

      A minute trickled by, and then another. The scent was nearly overpowering now but I stood my ground. After a few more seconds, I heard rustling to my left and I sensed Gabriel's emergence from the undergrowth as my nerves caught on fire and my heartbeat increased tenfold.

  

      Slowly, I turned to face him as he spoke one word.

  

      "Skylar."

---
  
      "Skylar."
  
      Hearing that deep, husky voice speak my name sent shivers down my spine and made me tremble in a way I never would have anticipated before. My Wolf purred deep within me and I had to bite my lip to keep myself from making a similar sound. The moonlight made Gabriel look ethereal, bringing definition to the strong bone structure on his face and his sculpted muscles. Once again, I simply couldn't believe that fate had given me such a physically perfect other half.
  
      Although I felt lust stir within me my rapid heartbeat could be partially attributed to nervousness. I could not forget my dislike for him and I was unsure how to act or respond.
  
      Gabriel had made no move to further approach me and was simply standing several yards away, studying me. His deep black eyes and facial expression were unfathomable as he examined me. I felt heat rise on my skin as our eyes met again. Was I passing his inspection? Was I good enough? The 

Chapter 7