Her Alpha Mate 22

Zack and Freya trudged quickly down the path with the pack members following them as if expecting some sort of fight. She'd no idea what was going on near the border, but apparently it was serious enough that everyone joined in.

Zack had a grim look on his face, like a true alpha. She felt sorry for those who'd dared to cross the Wind Winder border, because as far as she could tell, they were toast.

Especially because they'd interrupted her moment.

After Zack withdrew, they walked out awkwardly because neither of them knew what to do or say. Now they were walking close to each other, but she sensed that Zack was doing so because he felt his 'protect-my-mate' instinct kicking in.

"I don't even see anyone," Zack muttered to himself, though she heard it. She followed his gaze into the crowd of pack warriors and frowned when she didn't see anyone herself. When they were close enough, the pack warriors moved aside so they could pass through to the front.

Chance and Reece stood there, staring at a young man standing in front of the row of trees. The man didn't look like he meant any harm, but anything was possible. It was best if they stayed on guard.

"State your name and the reason for your coming," Zack growled gruffly, getting straight to the point. The man gave him a small smile and raised his hands innocently as if to show he meant no harm, "Josh Connor. I come in peace."

Zack seemed unfazed by the man's gentle words, "Drop your hands. What're you? You're not a werewolf."

For the first time since they'd stepped outside the door, Freya really noticed the foul smell in the air. This man was definitely not a werewolf.

"I'm a griffin."

A chorus of gasps and growls rang out from the pack as Zack's gaze deepened.
He let out a growl and warned the griffin man to be careful.

"I come in peace," Josh repeated, "I can be trusted. I've left my griffin friends to join the werewolves."

Zack raised an eyebrow, "How can we trust you? You can't expect us to believe you just because you say something."

The man took a step forward, at which Reece growled and pushed him back. Freya believed that Zack must've made a mind connection with Reece, because the next time he tried, he let the man step forward again.

"I can swear with a blood oath," Josh said slowly, "so you'll trust me."

Zack said nothing, and only squinted his eyes to tempt the griffin into making a false move. But the man turned his attention to Freya and came closer, making Zack freeze. She glanced at him to reassure Zack that it was okay, and stared at the griffin expectantly.

"Let's make a blood oath," he muttered, pulling out a knife and handing it to her. She took it slowly in her hand and stared at it with narrowed eyes.

Freya thought: Something is wrong here. Why is this man making a blood oath with me? He has no idea who I'm, and even if he thought I was the Luna, why doesn't he swear allegiance to the Alpha instead?

She glanced at Josh and studied his face. He seemed calm, but she noticed the flare of uncertainty in his eyes. That was the moment it hit her.

He'd no intention of taking the oath at all. He'd first handed her the knife so she could cut her hand and let out her golden blood.

The blood they thirsted for.

Once Freya had cut her hand, he would know that she was the one they were looking for, and he'd run back to his little band of griffins and inform them of where she was.

This was a trick. And a clever one at that.

Freya looked at Zack, and he too seemed to be studying the griffin. When Zack noticed her stare, she tried to convey that this man wasn't loyal, but he didn't seem to understand her look.

"Luna, we don't have all day. Come on, do the blood oath with me," Josh said, chuckling as if her hesitation was funny. The hint of impatience in his tone confirmed her suspicions.

Freya raised the knife and stabbed him directly in the stomach.

He doubled over in pain and groaned loudly, while a few of the pack members groaned loudly. But Freya wasn't done yet. She kicked him in the balls so that he fell to the ground and held the knife to his neck.

"You don't come in peace. You're a spy," she said harshly, spitting in his face as he groaned in pain.

Suddenly he began to transform, wings growing out of his back and his hands turning into claws. Zack growled and rushed forward to stand protectively in front of Freya. Zack was already almost half transformed, and his claws and fur began to appear.

Like all the other pack members, she stood there in shock, staring at the eerily beautiful figure of the griffin. He wasn't big, maybe as big as Zack's wolf, but he was so intimidating that he seemed bigger. With his eagle head proudly raised, he eyed them as if they were his next meal, his wings fluttering gently behind him.

"You have two months to surrender to the griffins. Surrender to the blessed ones in the mountains and you will all be safe.
Choose wisely," he roared, croaking loudly at the end.

With that, he turned and flew away.

Obviously, he was just a messenger.

Freya noticed that Zack was shaking with anger and put a hand between his shoulder blades to calm him down.

"Calm down, Zack," she whispered gently, still trying to understand what had just happened. His trembling slowly stopped and he turned to the pack members gathered there, "I am going to call a pack meeting to discuss what just happened. Everyone needs to attend. Make sure no one is left uninformed. Dismissed."

Most of them nodded and turned to go back to the pack, while a few of them hesitated to leave. Freya saw them looking after her a little too long, but Zack's growl made them hurry down the path with the others.

"You should call your dad," Zack said,
"I am going to call some other alphas to discuss this. It's time we raised an army of werewolves."