Page 2 of Destined Mate

“We’re under attack!” Jerome shouted to his mate. “What in the hell is happening?”

Li Li threw on clothes. “I have no idea but—”

“Don’t. Just don’t. I might be an omega, but I’m just as capable of fighting as any other wolf here.” Jerome pulled on night pants. He tried not to let his annoyance show in his tone, but he was tired of being considered less because of what he was.

Li Li stepped up to Jerome and rested her hand against his cheek. “I know, my dear. All I was going to say was to be careful. Yes, I’d rather you not get involved, but you know that.”

Jerome gritted his teeth but didn’t say another word because to do so would be to disrespect his alpha. And he would never do that. What she left unsaid was she didn’t want him to get involved because he was an omega.

Because of how he was born, he wasn’t as big as a beta in height or weight, but he had fangs and claws just like the rest of them, and he knew how to use them.

“I’ll be careful, my Alpha. Please, do the same.” Jerome hurried after Li Li as they left their bedroom.

With a quick kiss to his cheek, Li Li disappeared into the chaos.

As he rushed from their cabin, Jerome’s heightened senses took over. The smell of the intruders filled his nostrils—bitter and sharp against the backdrop of damp earth and pine. The sounds of battle filled the air. Growls and shouts echoed through the pack’s stronghold.

The scent of smoke hinted at fire.

He saw several pack members emerging from their cabins in various states of dress, eyes wide with confusion and fear—or hardened by determination.

“Jerome!”

Marcia suddenly appeared in front of him. She was one of the senior fighters among them and huge for a female beta. “Where is Alpha Li Li?”

Jerome waved his hand toward the darkness.

“Right.” Marcia moved swiftly to his side.

“What’s happening?” Jerome asked. Now that she’d spotted him, she wouldn’t leave, and he knew it was pointless to suggest it.

“We’ve got intruders,” Marcia said tersely. “I don’t know how many, but I know what they are.”

Jerome opened his mouth to ask what when the answer smacked him in the face. Hunters. He’d never met one, but he’d heard in the many meetings that the San DeLain leaders held that there was no mistaking that scent. They were right.

“Fuck.”

“Got a whiff of them, I take it?”

“Yes.”

“This was coordinated.”

“This is insane, that’s what it is. They’ve never outright attacked our pack before! Why now?”

“And are we the only ones?”

Jerome gulped. He hadn’t stopped to consider that. What if they were the only pack attacked? In fact, what if they were the only paranormalgroupattacked?

“Alpha mate!” a young wolf gasped, out of breath as she stumbled in front of Jerome. “Mom said it’s hunters and they came from the eastern side of our territory and—”

Jerome dropped to his knees in front of the young wolf. What was she doing outside, all alone? “Where are your parents?”

“I-I don’t know. Dad left to help, and Mom was fighting a hunter and, and she then told me to run, and, and—”

Oh gods. “Mary Sue? That’s your name, isn’t it? I need you to go to the safe room. Try to gather as many pups as you—oh hell, I can’t let you go alone. Never mind, we’ll go together.” There was too much that could happen to her out there in the darkness.

Standing, Jerome held his hand out to the young wolf. Mary Alex immediately grasped his hand, and he guided the pup toward their destination, Marcia covering their rear.

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