My Secret, My Bully, My Mates

Hours later all of the fires are out and everyone is accounted for. There are several injuries to attend to and we are all getting a
crash course in coven healing. Field training was necessary for warriors, but this is a whole other level.
Since they don't have the enhancements that our wolves give us, many herbs and other remedies more common to humans are
used along with magic. All the injuries that our pack members sustained in the fight are strange. A bite that should have healed
in minutes is still oozing even now. Gentry said it's the magic that has encapsulated the rogue wolves. It's almost like their saliva
has a toxin in it.
"This is like what happened to you, Sky." Sierra has taken to helping with and is a natural at mixing the herbs and oils that Gentry
and Elena have introduced us to. It makes sense considering what her parents do for a living. I almost forget that she has a
whole other skill set in alchemy because of them.
"What do you mean? I was unconscious for that whole thing."
"We did so many tests and took so many samples. No one could figure out how you survived with everything that was running in
your system and at the levels you were given."
"I think my wolf and I decided that no matter what we would never die at the hands of Kaley and her meatheads."
I didn't even think about the words that I just let fall out of my face. All my mates, my brother and Sam stop what they are doing
and face us, not even pretending they aren't listening in now and move toward the table we are working at. I have never fully
confronted the situation with Kaley out loud to them. The girls know bits and pieces, but with her dead, there is no retaliation they
can do and I don't plan on mentioning it again. She was never worth the mental effort to even think about when she was alive,

now I just feel like her karma came back and smacked her in the best way possible. No one will talk about her, no one will
remember her, she died in such an unspectacular way, so many other exciting and scary things have happened, she became
unimportant. It was always her worst fear and she did it to herself. "So it was her?" Dakota whispers in a defeated tone, standing
next to me, hip propped on the table.
"It was always her in some way." I let all the implications sit in the air, thick and stale. Then I turn to Sierra, changing the
conversation. "You are really good at this Si, I think I am going to have you stay and make sure everyone here is cared for and
ready to join when Vincent comes back and Adrielle finally shows her face." I raise my hands to stop her protest. "You are the
best person. You know the formulas for all of these potions and salves. You understand the toxins and poisons that are being
used. You are quick on your feet, especially if the fight gets this far, and it will make every single one of us more calm and less
distracted to know you are here. And everyone here knows and trusts your knowledge of all this plant sh*t."

"Sierra, you have our future inside that wild bossy stomach of yours, please listen to Sky." My brother approaches her like a
skittish animal.
"Mateo, I can't just sit by waiting, that will be torture." I've never heard her desperate before.
"Look around you, do you really plan on being bored?" They both share a small smile
"I was going to ask if you would be able to duplicate this stuff on your own." Cam shakes one of the little vials with a green slime
looking substance. "With Adrielle in play, we are going to need Gentry and Elena with us, guiding our magic. I still have no idea
what the fu*ckam doing and I am sure I will have my ass handed to me. You can work with my mom and any other warriors
available to keep the healing supplies coming."
"I want all of you to know this is under absolute protest." She pouts, and Sam slides up behind her wrapping her in a hug.

She never would have stayed put if he had asked as her mate. She would have played it off as him being too protective and dug
her stubborn heels in. But, two of her alphas giving her operational orders that really will be helpful, she can work with.
Three warriors make it over to us. We have set up shop in the school's gym. It is the only place we have found in town that is
structurally sound. It works, for now.
"Alpha's the North side of the territory has been thoroughly investigated. The few houses that were up there cannot be salvaged.
The forest has been unharmed though, along with your shrines with the Belladonna and Wormwood."
"Thank you, Zayn. Make sure you all get food and rest. We will send out another patrol soon." Cam directs him. They thank us
and go on.
Lenny and Martha have been keeping supplies here for the warriors and the few rogues that we collected when we got Gentry
back It has been easier to keep everyone fed like this, similar to what the Elite Warriors do at the compound. These rogues have
been so helpful today. They know what we are going through, I'm sure many of them lost their packs this way, but we have one
thing they didn't. We have the power of knowing the war is coming.
Most can't fight, but that hasn't stopped them from asking to learn. Many of our warriors have gotten past the fact that they came
from the same rogues we are currently fighting and brought them into our folds. They have proven so far that they want to be
with us and side with us. I won't stop anyone who wants to help us get rid of this disease. They want a home, a pack to belong
to. I hope we can give them that too.

"Osiston and Nikolas should have been back by now. Has anyone heard from them?" I ask the group around me.
They went to check the Southern part of the pack lands where Charlene and Alpha Brecc threatened us. I hate that I feel jumpy
and anxious when I don't hear from someone every hour. I think I have been hard wired for check-ins since warrior training, but
these constant attacks are making it worse. I need to be in constant contact with everyone just to know they are safe.
"They are fortifying your pentagram. Adrielle was able to break through and obviously do damage to your pack." Elena begins.
"Gentry finishes. "We think she was able to get through because all four of you were outside the pack borders. That is something
we will have to research in the future. Your pack must be safe without the need to leave one of you behind. That sounds more
like a curse to me."