to make sure that I was taken care of. Mother told me it’s very traditional for the male wolf to provide and coddle the female wolves. They like to make sure their mates never want for anything. Often the shewolves are kept like china dolls on a shelf. I had never thought that I would enjoy being treated like I was so breakable. But the way Lucas hung on my every word and need was kind of a major turn on. Who would have thought that such a powerful wolf would bend over backwards to try and make me happy. He would put the average gentleman to shame. Lucas went above and beyond in everything he did for me. I’d finished feeding and thanked Lucas who still looked upset with himself. I kissed him several times, and promised he could make it up to me once we could officially bond. That seemed to perk him up. He ran in and grabbed some burgers and we got back on the road. We arrived back in pack territory by mid day. Lucas said he was going to take me to mothers while he went to the main pack house to speak with his father. He promised not to be gone longer than a few hours and told me not to leave the house until he returned for me. I was so scared worrying about what was going to happen. Would he have to issue a challenge to his father? What if he didn’t win? What if he was seriously injured? What if he did win and the pack still rejected him? I couldn’t stop my heart sinking. By the time I got through my front door I was a nervous wreck. I felt like I was falling apart from the inside out. I started crying the moment I saw my mom. The next several hours were very strained while mom and I sat on pins and needles waiting to hear what was going on. Mom kept telling me not to worry that Lucas had thought of everything. Turns out that Lucas had given my mom specific instructions on what to do with and for me in his absence. Worse, he had given her orders in the event of several outcomes on where and how she was to take me to safety. She wasn’t able to tell me much of anything since the alpha ordered her. Apparently he also forced several weaker wolves to also do his bidding. There were currently four wolves standing guard in the front and back of the house. I was a little upset that Lucas hadn’t told me about it, and that he used his alpha on my mom, but mom kept saying that I should be happy that he cares enough about me to protect me anyway he can. I guess I could sort of agree with her, but it still bothered me a little. Finally Lucas called, “Hey baby, I don’t have much time to talk but I needed to hear your voice and know that you are fine.” I told him that I was fine but wanted to know what was going on. He used a lot of words but really didn’t tell me anything concrete. I pushed a bit harder for some solid answers when he finally said “Well, babe honestly it could have gone a lot worse. Dad isn’t accepting this graciously but he has accepted my official alpha challenge. We agreed to fight tomorrow at sundown. I am going to spend a little time here with my mom then go over and talk to a few of my closer friends. I need to find out how many of the pack will support me as alpha. I’m not sure how much longer I am going to be, but I promise I will come to you as soon as I can.” Hearing his words sent me back into a panic. I was crying and begging him not to fight his dad for me. I wasn’t worth it. “Please Lucas, don’t do this. You need your pack. Let me go Lucas so that you can have a good life” Lucas growled into the phone at me. “Kalli, don’t say that. You are my life. Without you I can never be happy. I should have told you before we came back here but I was afraid, I love you Kalli! You are the only thing that makes me happy. I am never giving you up. My father and this pack mean nothing without you in my life.” I wanted so badly to tell him I loved him back, but something wouldn’t let me, instead I cried harder and he just assumed that’s what I meant. We spoke a little