Page 14 of Destined Mate

They listened intently, their tails flicking occasionally as they absorbed his silent words. Merrick eventually brushed againstWesley. It was a firm but loving contact that told Wesley clearly of the trust and confidence his dad had in him. He’d needed that.

Elaina followed suit with an encouraging lick across his ear before pulling back to gaze deeply into Wesley’s eyes. He felt her pride wrapping around him. And yes, he’d needed that also.

Merrick then led them in a quick run around the clearing—a ritual meant to fortify their bond before facing tough times. They sprinted as one entity: three shades of silver cutting through the darkness effortlessly.

As they returned, panting lightly, Merrick sat on his haunches, looking toward San Delain. Following Merrick’s gaze, Wesley understood Merrick considered not just the geographical distance, but also the space between the known and unknown.

Standing there amid family in their primal form under mother moon, a grounding sense of purpose solidified within Wesley. This wasn’t just about challenging or winning.

It was about answering a call that resonated deep within his bloodline—honoring past generations by bravely facing whatever the future may hold.

Resolved now more than ever, he spent several moments in silent communion with the land and moon before following his parents through the woods.

Wesley stopped at the tree where he’d left his clothes, but they kept going as he shifted back into his human form and dressed. He walked the rest of the way to his cabin to wait for them. A few moments later, his parents joined him, also dressed.

“You’ve made your decision, then?” his mother asked as they sat around the patio table on his back deck.

Wesley took a seat across from her, watching as she adjusted her shawl around her shoulders—a habitual motion when she was worried. “I have. I have to answer the summons, but I intend to win.”

“Are you prepared for what this means?”

Wesley glanced at his father. There were grays in that blond hair of his—each likely earned from years of leading their pack through challenges unspoken outside their close circle.

“It means I might lead my own pack. That I will shoulder the responsibility for those wolves. It means making hard decisions,” Wesley replied. “And yes, I am prepared to do whatever I must.”

Silence lingered before his mother reached across to squeeze his hand. “And we have prepared you as best we can. Just remember, leadership is not just about strength and authority, but wisdom and compassion.”

Wesley felt the weight of her words settle on his shoulders. “I will,” he promised. “I’ll remember everything you’ve taught me.”

“And remember, Son, that true strength comes from within. It’s about knowing when to fight and when to listen, when to lead and when to follow.”

The three of them stood together for a moment longer. Finally breaking the solemn atmosphere, Elaina smiled warmly. “You should get some rest. You have a long journey ahead.”

Wesley nodded and hugged both of his parents tightly, feeling the firm reassurance of his father’s pat on his back and smelling the familiar scent of home in his mother’s hair.

Wesley knew she wasn’t talking about travel time. As he turned toward his cabin, a mix of excitement and apprehension churned within him. A new path lay before him, one that would test everything he’d learned and his self-belief.

He decided to do some research on the Cross Creek pack. Hopefully, he could find some pictures of Alpha Li Li and the rest of her pack. Knowledge was power.

Chapter Five

Jerome

“A WEEK?” Jerome squeaked. That would be next Wednesday evening.

“I tried to impress upon them the urgency—even told them about your vision—but they said they needed time to contact everyone and get the RSVPs,” Henry said. “Plus, the alphas need to make arrangements and get here.”

Jerome wrung his hands. “I don’t like it.”

“I don’t either, but according to the email I received, some of these alphas are coming from quite a distance,” Henry said. “Ittakes time to organize something like this. I’m impressed they gave the alphas only a week.”

“A lot can happen in a week.”

“Have you seen anything else?”

Jerome shook his head. “No.”

“That’s good, I guess.”

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