The Protector

Chapter 47

"Neither of you are coming." Jonathan said firmly, allowing a tinge of his Alpha's command to leech into his voice.

Jack and Carla bowed their heads in submission, before Jack tried again, "But-"

"I need you to stay here." Jonathan said cutting off further protest, "I will be taking Eric with me. You carry Alpha blood and have been trained to lead as I have. Your mate is one of my Betas. If something happens then the pack will have a leader that can fight or raise an army."

"Is it going to be that bad?" Reilly asked uncharacteristically serious for once.

"We don't know. Council Grey said that there was a number of Alphas that were unhappy with what we have been doing." Jonathan said, "We have the Protector, a position granted by the Creator, as a Luna. I very much doubt that anything untoward would surface in terms of a physical fight."

"When do we leave?" Tracy asked.

"The letter says the date for our appointment in two weeks. We'll leave the night before." Jonathan replied.

Gideon cleared his throat and shifted in his seat drawing everyone's attention.

"Speaking of leaving," he said, "I must be off but I will try to return before you leave for the Council Hall. After all two vampires in association with myself and my Coven as well as the protégé under my tutelage are being called into question. I am required to be present in case of an inquiry by our Royals."

Jonathan was silent a moment, not quite trusting of this vampire. Instinct told him that something has been off with Gideon, especially in regards to his mate. But until his suspicions were given grounds so he would have to tolerate the vampire's presence. With luck he would leave directly after.

"We leave at 5 am the day before."

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Early the next morning...

"I need to sneak out of here and see Jackson." Tracy whispered straddling the bench Carla sat watching the hand-to-hand combat practice. Sparring partners were constantly rotated so that no one became complacent because they've learned their partner's tricks. Landon and Jessie were matched for the day. Jessie growled angrily at the announcement while Landon simply watched her with adoring eyes.

Despite Jessie's constant rebuffs, Landon continued to pursue and woo his mate. The tension and frustration between them was getting harder and harder for them to bare so sparring was becoming more of a grope fest which Carla and Tracy ignored. With luck Jessie would finally accept him and save them all from Landon's constant whining.

"Normally, I'm all for the whole 'make him suffer for the hell he caused' but this is beyond annoying." Carla complained as Landon dropped by his mate's side after he had delivered a blow to her side. Jessie had pretended injury and as predictable as ants at a picnic, Landon bent down with concern and Jessie hooked her feet around his neck and flipped so now their positions were in reverse. Landon now lay on his back with the wind knocked out of him. Jessie rolled on top, straddling his waist and tried to land a few hits which Landon was able to deflect. Landon grabbed her hands, trapping them, before rolling them over again so that he was on top. Instead of trying to end the fight, Landon began kissing his mate.

"Y'all get a room where no one has to watch this!" Carla called out.

"I don't mind." Reilly said from across the field.

"Me neither." Firelight chimed in flying up to sit on Reilly's shoulder.

"Shut it, you pervs!" Landon suddenly growled menacingly as he glared at the males watching his mate. With his wolf in control, Landon jumped up and pulled his mate to stand before throwing her over his shoulder and hauling off caveman style.