Chapter 37

-Nathan's POV-

"This is bad. Elder John Tucker had returned to the council. He killed the other Elders." Elder Olivia whispered out. Hastie gasped in shock.

"Call Ray. We will teleport to the council as we did before." Dad instructed me. I quickly whipped out my phone and dialled for Ray. Hastie called Hallie as well to let her in on the situation. Philip quickly took off to get Druid, who was working in his field. I could sense Alex's facial feature darkening. He was trying his best to keep his wolf at bay, and if Philip's reaction earlier was anything to go by, it is probably not a good idea to let his wolf run rampage now. I grabbed his bicep in an attempt to calm him down. His body jolted and let out a purr(?) in content. It was only for a moment, but I thought that his eyes were an icy blue. The frightful anger that was bubbling on the surface of our connection had calmed down significantly. Alex gave me a shaky smile and heaved out a breath.

"Hey, what's up?" Ray's voice rang out from my phone. I quickly explained to him the problem and that we need his mum's teleportation. Ray kept quiet for a bit before replying that he will try his best. Kalen has been very distant from us since the attack we launched on Darkvale. After I cut the call, I walked Alex to the side and looked up at him. He was biting his lips, desperately trying not to make much eye contact.

"What's wrong?" I asked. Alex quickly shook his head, but he knows that it wasn't going to fool anyone.

"My wolf has been on edge. He hasn't been like this in a long time." Alex relented with a sigh. "I'm worried."

"It'll be fine," I assured. "I can protect myself."

"I know that. It's just…"

"Will you be coming with me?"

"Of course!"

"Then all will be fine. You can protect me if you're worried.

"Right. You're right, I just need to make sure that you're okay." Alex smiled. We pulled each other into a tight hug, assuring ourselves that things will be okay. I'm not that confident about the entire situation, but it's always better not to be alone.

"Everything okay?" Dad interrupted our couple time.

"Yeah, we are now," Alex replied with a short laugh.

"Good. Nathan, can we have a word?" Dad asked with a stern look on his face. I nodded meekly and shot Alex a worried smile before heading up. I wonder what is making Dad like this. We headed to the second floor, well out of a normal wolf's hearing range.

"Nathan, I think you already know this, but I've lived for quite a long time," Dad spoke. I nodded my head. It was one of the first things I've learnt. Dad has lived for slightly over a hundred years. It was why he knew how to avoid hunter and wolf packs, and how to take care of me when he found me.

"Yeah."

"Take care of Alex." Dad warned. Alex? There isn't anything wrong with him. Is there?

"Why?" I was slightly agitated, and it was showing in my voice.

"Calm down." Dad quickly said. "I'm not suggesting that he has a demon or something like that. Earlier, I sensed an unnatural fluctuation of power within him. My guess is that his wolf is far too strong, and Alex is trying his best to control it."

"His wolf?"

"Yes. Although rare, wolf spirits may sometimes be reincarnated as is. In most cases, the wolf would dominate the human spirit. I've only seen one other in my lifetime, although, the wolf happens to be an omega." Dad drifted off, his eyes veering off to the sides. "In any case, it seems that having you close is helping him keep his wolf in check."

"Do I?" I doubted. I'm not sure how emotions work, but I don't think being close by helps to keep a wolf calm.

"You didn't know?" Dad asked curiously. "You basically seduced his wolf earlier when you touched him."

"What!" I exclaimed in shock. Alex let out a growl from downstairs and stormed his way towards us.

"Well then, that's my cue to leave. Remember to use a condom, I don't intend to be a grandpa this soon." Dad commented before fleeing downstairs. Alex completely ignored dad and made a beeline towards me. Before I had a chance to even get a word out, he was feeling all over my body, inspecting to make sure that there wasn't a single scratch or bruise visible on my already scarred body.

I tried calling out to him, but he was too absorbed in feeling me up to hear anything. After he was satisfied with his inspection, he finally decides to ask me what was wrong.

"Is everything okay?" He asked seriously. I giggled and wrapped my arms around his neck. Maybe being fawned over isn't so bad after all.

"No. I'm not going to do it." Kalen shouted from the living room. We gathered only to find Kalen and Milo having a stare-off.

"Come on darling, you know that the man needs to be stopped." Milo tried reasoning but the scowl on his face was fiercely contradicting his own words.

"Have you seen what that man did! There is no way I'm going to send them there!" Kalen screamed. "We should have never involved the kids! This is not just a simple war, and you know it! As a Sage Mother, As a mother, I cannot allow children to participate in such a dangerous war!"

Slap!

Everyone gasped in shock when Elder Olivia smacked her palm across Kalen's face.

"Have some fucking faith!" She boomed. Hastie whistled. This was probably the first time Elder Olivia ever swore out loud. "Did you think this is our war? Why are you even here?"

"I almost lost my child once. I'm not going to risk it again." Kalen cried out. No one was surprised, but…

"Are you kidding me?" Hallie whispered. It was soft, but all heads turned to her. I didn't expect her to be here. Neither did Hastie, judging from the look on her face. Ray was tugging at her sleeves but she shrugged him off.

"Hallie…"

"You are THE Sage Mother, the strongest wizard. Ray is your son. He came here in order to help Nathan. We all did." Hallie stressed. "Everyone here is stronger than I am, but I had thought I could help with something, anything! We had underestimated Elder John. Because of him, I now know how helpless I am. I can't even save my own mate."

No one could say anything. No one wanted to admit to it, but we can't deny what she said.

"Ray gained divinity. Hastie gained a blessing. Mr Milo is a specialized defender. Sir Druid is from an honourable lineage. Not to mention the others who are already well known for their combat prowess. What am I supposed to do?" Hallie cries. "I'm barely even relevant in this war. No matter how much I cry, how much I care, how much I worry, it doesn't change the fact that I'm weak."

"Kalen, this war was not ours to fight. We are all here to support the people we care." Elder Olivia reprimanded. "Or is your son so weak that he needs constant protection?"

Kalen stayed silent for a while, she looked like she really wants to refute Elder Olivia. Milo interlocked his fingers and gave her a knowing nod.

"He is the most talented student I've ever had the honour of teaching." Kalen smiled weakly. "I'm sorry Olivia, I apologise for the way I've been acting."

"Well then, so what are we going to do?" Philip piped up at the most impeccable timing.