Chapter 57 - Help Arrives

A few days had passed since they learned about Patrick's betrayal, and everything in the pack was getting back on track with preparations for the upcoming fight. Kaleigh's belly was getting bigger by the day, so she was still overseeing training but not participating.

Noah received a call saying that the werebears would arrive later today. Alannah also spoke to Veronica and said their witch allies would be coming to the packhouse in two days. Alpha Randal, Allie's dad, said he was sending some of his warriors, including his son Riley, to help.

Kaleigh felt they had a better chance of success with all of their reinforcements. However, she was still scared that many would die and it would be her fault for bringing this curse to the White Raven Pack.

Kaleigh was sitting in the office with Nikki, going over things she wanted her to help with. They had gotten Nikki moved into the packhouse, and she began her new role of being Kaleigh's assistant. The arrangement has worked well and allowed Kaleigh more time to rest.

"Kaleigh, we need to figure out where we'll house all the extra help. Noah said the werebears will sleep outside because they don't mind being in their grizzly form. We will have the witches and those being sent from Pale Moon here. Will we have enough space for everyone?" Nikki was taking inventory of the extra rooms in the packhouse and the extra houses they had for visiting packs.

"I know the warriors being sent by Pale Moon won't mind sleeping outside as well if needed. The witches can share rooms. It's hard to figure out exactly how much space we'll need until everyone gets here and we see the numbers. It will all work out." Kaleigh smiled at Nikki.

"Okay, Kaleigh, I'll take your word for it. Is there anything else you need me to do before lunch?" Nikki looked over their list for the day, and other than waiting for the new arrivals, they had completed everything.

"No, you go ahead and eat. I will wait for Dominick. I'll meet you back up here in about two hours. We should be getting some of our guests by then." Nikki packed her things before waving at Kaleigh and heading for her room.

Kaleigh walked over to the large window and looked outside. It was cloudy and cool today. She loved the peacefulness of the forest. It was soothing to her. Skylar agreed. They had not shifted in a while to go for a run because the doctor was worried it would be hard on the twins. Kaleigh heard a knock on the door and turned around.

"Hi, Kaleigh, do you have a minute?" It was her cousin, Allie.

"For you, I have more than a minute." Kaleigh smiled at her cousin as she hugged her.

"I'm worried, Kaleigh. My brother is coming here to help, and it scares me that something will happen to him. I know he is a good warrior, but how will he fight black magic?" Allie had been terrified since her dad said Riley was joining the warriors he was sending. Her brother was only a year younger than her, but she still saw him as her baby brother.

"Allie, we know your brother will want to be active in the fighting, but I think we can have him help protect those who can't fight. That's what I'm having Nikki do as well. She is a fierce fighter but small, so maybe they can work together." Allie let out a sigh of relief.

"That's an excellent idea, Kaleigh. It will make him feel useful without putting him on the front line. He will be here today. Maybe he can meet with Nikki so they can strategize. Nikki is really great, by the way. I think she is the perfect assistant for you." Allie sat with Kaleigh on the couch in the office.

"I agree. Nikki has been a lifesaver, and she is so smart. It has only been a few days, but she already thinks of things we need to do before I do. She will be a great help when the twins get here." Kaleigh rubbed her belly absently. She was anxious to see her daughters and find out if they would also be hybrids.

There was suddenly a loud roar outside that startled Kaleigh and Allie. They both jumped up and ran downstairs to the front door. Kaleigh gasped at what she saw.

There were hundreds of werebears coming toward them. Kaleigh would have been terrified if she hadn't known they were there to help. They were all in their grizzly form and massive.

Kaleigh saw Noah coming her way with a smile and Celeste holding his hand.

"Kaleigh, as you can tell, the werebears have arrived. There are even more here than I had thought. My friend Will said they picked up some rogues on the way, so there are between four and five hundred. All of them are willing to help the witch that saved one of their own." Noah grinned before turning back to the bears.

"Wow, Noah, I can't believe this. When those witches get here, they will have more than they bargained for. Make sure you thank all of them for me and let me know if there is anything I can get for them." Kaleigh was still looking at the grizzlies in front of her.

"They should be good. We are used to staying in bear form for long periods, and they can hunt or catch fish in the lake. Keep us posted on when and where you need us. They will be spread out, so it doesn't look like you are under attack." Noah gave a wave before jumping down the steps. Celeste hung back.

"Kaleigh, I wanted to let you know that Noah marked me, and it appears that I am transitioning into a hybrid werebear witch. My bear's name is Anna, but she said it will take some time for the full transformation, and I won't be able to shift for at least another month." Celeste smiled shyly. She was excited about experiencing her first shift.

"That's great news, Celeste." Kaleigh hugged her friend before she ran down the steps to her mate.

Kaleigh felt strong arms come from behind her, and she smiled. She put her hands over his hands that were on her belly.

"I missed you, my love." Kaleigh said to Dominick.

"I missed you too. When I heard the arrival of the bears, I came running down. It looks like it's all under control, though." Dominick held Kaleigh close to him while he rubbed her swollen belly.

Kaleigh was getting ready to suggest that they go back inside when she heard a lot of cars coming down the road towards the packhouse. She looked to see who it was and immediately recognized Riley's big blue jeep. The Pale Moon pack had arrived.

"It looks like the extra warriors have arrived." Kaleigh waved at Riley as he jumped out of his jeep. Allie ran up to her brother, giving him a big hug before leading him up to the packhouse.

"Hi, Kaleigh and Dominick. I hear you have a serious fight on your hands and need my expertise." Riley gave Kaleigh a goofy smile, and she busted out laughing.

Just as she was about to invite him inside for lunch, she saw him freeze. Riley started sniffing the air and looking all around.

"Riley, what's wrong?" Allie asked her brother, worried. Riley froze and was staring behind Kaleigh at someone. Everyone turned around and saw Nikki. She was frozen as well, staring at Riley.

Riley suddenly ran up the porch steps to Nikki and stuck his nose in her neck, sniffing. He raised his head up, and he had a huge smile on his face.

"You're my mate." Riley said softly, but everyone heard him.

Nikki smiled brightly at him and nodded. Riley wrapped his arms around her, and they stood there for a few minutes hugging each other. Kaleigh and Allie looked at each other, smiling. Riley and Nikki were a perfect match.

"What's your name?" Riley asked Nikki while still holding on to her.

"Nikki, what's yours?" Nikki asked quietly with tears in her eyes. She couldn't believe she had found her mate.

"My name is Riley. I'm the next Alpha of the Pale Moon Pack, so you will be my Luna." Nikki gasped and felt tears pooling in her eyes. She couldn't be a Luna. She was only an Omega. Riley saw her tears and frowned.

"What's wrong, Nikki? Do you not want to be my mate?" Riley felt his heart begin to hurt at the thought of his mate rejecting him.

"Yes, I want to be your mate, but I am only an Omega. I can't be a Luna. I'm a nobody." Nikki cried in her mate's arms while he stroked her hair.

"Nikki, you being an Omega doesn't matter to me or anyone in my pack. They will love you because you're my mate. We don't care about rank or titles. You are my fated mate, and that's all that matters. So from this day forward, consider yourself a future Luna, and I never want to hear you say you are a nobody again." Riley looked into Nikki's eyes; she almost lost her balance when her knees went weak. How could the Moon Goddess give her this perfect man as a mate? She nodded at him and smiled.

Riley smiled before leaning down to kiss Nikki right in front of everyone, watching the entire interaction. Kaleigh and Allie were crying, knowing all that Nikki had been through. She would make an amazing Luna for the Pale Moon pack. Everyone walked into the packhouse, leaving the young couple alone.

Nobody noticed the figure high up in the redwoods watching the scene below. They grinned wickedly, knowing that Josephine would love this news. The figure took off without being seen.