Chapter 72

Luara's POV
Maxwell and Lucas had both arrived along with a few wolves they brought with them and we were all currently sitting in my father's dining hall as his office was too small to hold the meeting due to the amount of wolves who had arrived with each Alpha.
The atmosphere felt extremely tense, and with so many Alphas in the same room, it was almost too overwhelming.
Maxwell took a seat next to Bryan, with me to the left of him. My mom and dad had both sat on the same side of us while Prince, Elena and Lucas sat on the opposite side facing us.
Bryan informed me this morning that he had phoned Maxwell last night and had explained the situation we have regarding Melvin.
Maxwell was cautious and made it very clear.
"So I've heard that a certain young Alpha is my granddaughters mate." It sounded like a question but came out like a statement and it was aimed at Prince, his eyes glowing.
Like Bryan, he was concerned that this could be a trick and it wasn't something they were going to accept lightly. There was a possibility that Prince had encouraged his son into this.
Prince looked towards us all, his answer aimed at everyone.
"We wasn't expecting this as much as you." His tone was stern, I could see his wolf flickering through his eyes. It was clear that his wolf was feeling insulted at the insinuation.
His attention suddenly landed on Bryan's, his question aimed at him. "You honestly believe that I would encourage and force my son to be mated to your daughter?" His voice was low and sounded harsh. "Especially if I have to deal with you." He added.
Bryan growled darkly, feeling disrespected by his question and from the dark look on his face I knew his wolf was lurking just below his control, ready to take over the minute he gave in.
His jaw clenched as his eyes switched to black indicating his anger.
"Did you?" Bryan's tone sounded deadly as he raised his eyebrow at Prince.
Prince rolled his eyes, as he glared back just as cold.
"No Bryan, and I think my last comment said it all."
"We are both as shocked as you are, this was completely unexpected." Elena quickly added as she leaned into slightly, wanting comfort as the tension in the room intensified.
"We came here for one reason and that was to discuss this ridiculous plan of yours." Prince said, his voice sounding nonchalant.
Bryan abruptly stood up, his wolf still fully in control. His breathing was heavy and profound; rage was filling up his chest as he glared down at Peirce who remained calm.
His jaw clenched as he spits out, "And what makes you think that I haven't got wolves minutes away from your territory prepared to attack the moment I give them my command?"
I felt my heart beat quicker as if all my blood had run from my cheeks, I knew what my mate was capable of, and I was concerned by his words. I looked up questionably towards Bryan who continued to stare at Prince with a teasing smirk plastered on his face.
Prince instantly stood up growling menacingly at Bryan, his own wolf taking control. Both their bodies were shaking with anger; it looked as if they were both in mid shift.
They stood only a few meters away from each other, only a table situated between them keeping them apart. Bryan had his hands curled into fists as Prince clenched his jaw.
I reached up, grabbing Bryan's hand which he gripped back but refused to look at me as he stared back at princet just as fierce as before.
In the corner of my eye I could see Elena doing the same thing, attempting to calm her mate down but neither Alpha was willing to back down.
"Look," My father stepped in, his own Alpha tone spilling through. "This conversation is for our humans only. This is a conversation not a fight."
I watched as Prince slowly sat down agreeing, and Bryan followed but neither of them was letting their eyes sway anywhere but each other.
I didn't think Bryan was being serious, he was teasing in a threatening way, something he did often to enrage other wolves but in the back of my mind, I wondered.
"So, now what?" Prince growled lowly at Bryan.
"I'm not going to sit here and argue with you Bryan. You're either going to attempt to take my territory and start a war or you're not. So what's it going to be?"
Bryan ignored Prince and continued to smirk at him. I was beginning to worry that his teasing threat earlier might be true.
"Bryan?" I questioned, my voice showing my concern but I didn't care.
He took his eyes off of Prince, and looked down at me and said nothing but gripped my hand tighter.
Lucas breathed in deeply and sighed, "Why don't we move this outside. Maybe showing you Melvin in his wolf form will change your mind?" He questioned.
"After all he is your daughters mate." It was his turn to smirk back at Bryan.
Before Bryan could say anything, I interrupted him before his temper would flare. He had been trying so hard over the past few weeks to control his temper and I didn't want this situation to turn it around. I didn't want him to go back to the cold ruthless Alpha he was a few months ago.
"I think that's a really good idea." I was slightly sceptical about the whole situation but Melvin had showed me a few signs which could mean it really was possible and true.
Elena nodded and smiled,
"I'll quickly go get him."
We all moved outside, everyone waiting patiently as Elena brought Melvin outside and he ran immediately outside and stood next to me to Bryan's dismay.
"Melvin," His father called, bending down next to his son.
"I need you to shift to your wolf." He used his Alpha tone on him, and within a few seconds his clothes ripped off and he stood there on all fours.
I was shocked, yet amazed that he could actually shift. I felt Bryan go stiff next to me, his muscles going tight as he stared down at him questionably.
He suddenly moved a few steps away before shifting into his own wolf. Melvin moved, going slightly behind me, his wolf struggling from the intimating aura that Bryan radiated in his wolf form.
I scowled at Bryan irritably, "Bryan, stop doing that." I knew he was purposely not holding back his authority from anyone especially not to Melvin.
Prince glared at Bryan, coming to stand in front of him and to the side of me.
"He's too young for you to be staring at him like that." Prince growled at Bryan.
Bryan once again completely ignored him and rolled his eyes, but this time he was focused on me.
'It's amusing to see Prince get so wound up.' Bryan's comment appeared through our mind link meaning no one else could hear.
"Bryan," I repeated unimpressed but I accidently replied out loud.
Within a second, I felt Melvin's small head squeeze through my legs as he began glaring at Bryan. He attempted to growl but it sounded more like a weak bark which made me bring my hand up to my mouth while I laughed.
"Melvin, get here." Elena commanded but instead Melvin pushed the rest of his small wolf form through my legs and run over to Bryan who sat there on his hind legs, clearly entertained.
Melvin continued to bark as he approached Bryan. The gesture was warning Bryan away from me which I found adorable and made many of us chuckle.
Prince and Elena were telling the truth and deep down I always knew from the moment Melvin touched my belly.
Bryan suddenly stood up on all fours, Melvin's little body was tiny compared to Bryan and he jerked forward attempting to frighten him but Melvin didn't flinch and stood his ground.
Bryan looked at me and I knew exactly what he was thinking, he was impressed not that he would ever admit that out loud but even in his wolf form I could see his smirk.
Melvin began running around trying to tempt Bryan into a game of chase but he wasn't having any of it. He just watched on amused at the young pup until he got too close and Bryan purposely pushed his paw on Melvin causing him to fall over on his side causing everyone to chuckle as Melvin growled weakly at him.
We all stood there for a while discussing Melvin and his gift and how it would affect my daughter.
Bryan stayed in his wolf form listening intently to our conversation but continued to watch Melvin, he was interested in what the pup could do.
Not long later both Bryan and Melvin must of felt my gaze, as they both turned around, giving me their full attention. I smiled at my mate,
'I know you hate the thought of it but he is clearly our daughters mate and you can't take him away from her. You can't jeopardise her mate bond, you know you can't.' I said through our mind link.
He didn't reply, instead he looked at me and then drifted his gaze to Melvin.
Bryan was standing still when Melvin came bundling across the clearing towards me. Bryan let out a loud warning growl, telling him to slow down.
Melvin slowed immediately and came to a heavy halt, he looked back to my mate as if asking for permission to approach before he stopped right next to my feet.
He laid his head and his belly on my toes, the warmth of his fur keeping my feet warm through my socks as my feet were getting too swollen to wear trainers.
"He looks exhausted." I commented, looking down at him.
Elena suddenly appeared.
"Sorry about Melvin." She said as she leaned down, pulling her son up into her arms while he was in his wolf form.
I smiled and waved off her comment before reaching my hand out while he was in Elena's arms, gently stroking the fur behind ear.
Bryan must have shifted and changed before I could notice. He approached us and looked towards Prince.
"I will just have to take over the east territory." Bryan said, his voice coming out tense.
Prince looked taken back and shocked including my father who frowned as if he had heard Bryan incorrectly.
I stood there quietly, grinning at my mate who sent me back a small smile. I knew it took him everything to say and to accept that Melvin was his daughters mate. Starting a war would only hurt his family which was one thing Bryan had always promised not to do.
This wasn't the same Bryan as before and I couldn't be more proud of how much he has changed over the past few months and his pup definitely had everything to do with it.
Prince didn't say anything but nodded and held out his hand which Bryan accepted.
Monday arrived quickly and it was time for everyone to go back to their territories.
Last night, we had agreed with Prince and Elena that Melvin had permission to be on our territory a couple of days a week where we would look after him. Elena looked a little worried but her mate helped calm her as it was clear she didn't want to leave her pup in an unknown territory.
It was the best thing for Melvin as his wolf would only be restless and it was important for him to bond with our daughter. With him being so young, he's not able to fully control his wolf properly and being around me would help control him.
Melvin didn't want to let go of me when it was time for us both to leave and go to our separate territories but I promised him that I would see him soon and he begrudgingly got in his father's car.
We were close to our territory and I watched closely, staring into the woodlands. I could see a few of our pack wolves chasing our car through the woods, making me smile.
The moment we crossed our border, I suddenly felt an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety. I could feel that the hairs on my arms had raised and I quickly brushed my hand up and down my arms to stop the goose bumps.
Bryan looked at me from the driving seat, his eyebrows frowning in concern but I brushed it off and sent him a small smile which seemed to satisfy him.
I wasn't sure what was making me feel so afraid but deep down in the back of my mind, I knew I would find out soon.j