Jason's POV

　　Running the pack borders with the wolves on patrol seemed to do Archer good; he had always bonded with Rafe Tommy's wolf, the pair constantly pushing the other to do better. 

　　We had been out here for hours, and I could feel him calming down with each mile we covered. I had been so preoccupied with Kayla. Lately, I hadn't let Archer stretch his legs and have some freedom; perhaps that's why he is acting so strangely today. He must have been feeling claustrophobic hulled up in my head.

　　We had run this route hundreds of times; the thick moss-covered trees felt like they touched the skies, the trickling stream that ran through the forest to the right, to the left, the wild ivy covered most of the fallen trees and ranches, hiding the natural wildlife that nestled within. I knew the land surrounding Blue Moon Creak like the back of my hand, yet running this particular part of the trail had never felt like it did tonight. Something had changed in the air. 

　　Those on duty tonight circled, staring and sniffing the air in confusion. Archer could sense it too; he seemed to switch from relaxed to erratic in seconds, his feet halting as if someone had just hit the emergency brakes, his nose lifted to the moon, breathing in the crisp air.

　　"What's happening?" I heard Tommy's mind link, Linking the whole group in.

　　"What's that… smell?" Archer shot through the link. "Can you smell it?" His eyes darted around manically, and without warning, he broke formation, bolting at lightning speed like a predator chasing its prey. 

　　"Where ya going?" Tommy mind linking me, panic clear in his voice, telling the other wolves to carry on and circle back while he followed me. With the succession secured, I was the next Alpha to the Blue Moon Pack; I had chosen Tommy to be my Beta. 

　　Being the next Beta was a job Tommy took exceedingly seriously! We spend hours each day learning from our Fathers, neither wanting to let them nor the pack down. So, he knew he was expected to stay close by as I darted through the forest with my nose in the air.

　　"I can smell her!" Archer roared through the link, making my heart race- I could smell her, too, that beautiful vanilla and coconut scent. How?

　　"Who? Slow down. I'm on your six." Tommy huffed through the link, trying to keep up. Usually, we were evenly paced with Rafe, but Archer had unquestionably been holding back on us, or adrenaline had taken over because we were a good six clicks in front.

　　"What's wrong, too fast for you?" Archer laughed, mocking Tommy and his wolf. I called feel Rafe through the link; he was up for the challenge, pushing himself harder to keep up with us. We had just passed the clearing on the east part of the border, the part of the neighbouring town that no one went to unless they wanted to score drugs or get laid- for a price!

　　"Why can we smell her here?" I asked Archer through our link.

　　"Why is the gorgeous vixen here? Something's off." He snarled, ignoring my question.

　　"It could be a trap, buddy." I tried to warn Archer, but he shook his head, getting closer to the outskirts of pack territory but still keeping to the dark confines of pack land. Feeling Rafe come up beside me, I relaxed, knowing he would try to control Archer if I needed him to. Hearing Rafe panting heavily, I grinned playfully.

　　"What's wrong, can't keep up?" Archer teased Rafe with a side look. Both wolves froze and lowered simultaneously, sensing something they didn't like, an evil they could not place up ahead.

　　Looking through Archer's eyes, I felt panic lick up my spine. It was Damien; he had some poor human by the throat, the aurora surrounding him one of murderous rage. I wanted to step in; Archer wanted to step in. Silently I moved forward only to find my path blocked by Rafe's grey and white wolf. His deep yellow eyes boring into me.

　　"Take another step, and you're no longer on pack territory." He linked his eyes brazenly challenged as he watched for movement. "Unless we are provoked, we have an agreement with THAT town.." He continued.

　　"That we will not set foot in this piss poor excuse of a town in wolf form. I Remember?" I finished, my tone edged with fierce anger at the situation.

　　"Then either change or Calm. The. Fuck. Down!" He proclaimed. No one spoke to Archer like that, and certainly, no one gave him an order. I would admit he had some pretty big balls.

　　"Are you giving me orders?" Archer challenged. I could sense both anger and pride washing over him, we both knew we had chosen wisely with Tommy, but it didn't sit well with Archer that he was being told what to do… by anyone!

　　"You're not Alpha yet, Archer. And if you breach the alliance, you never will be. So no, I am not giving you an order… you do you. I am just trying to protect my pack! And my best friend from an ass-kicking when we return to the pack house!"

　　Snarling in union, we turned to face Damien. He had spotted us and was heading closer. His aura had changed slightly. He wanted to mock and taunt us, provoke a reaction from me!! I could sense it; I just hoped Archer would stay calm and that he would not take the bait!

　　"If he steps over the border…." Rafe mind linked; Tommy, like me, had been silenced and demoted to observing only, "I will help you rip him apart… but until then… I need you to stay calm, boss," He declared through his mind link. I knew he meant every word! Like Tommy, Rafe's promise was his bond! He took that shit seriously. He didn't need to know why we wanted this motherfucker dead; he trusted I had a good reason! 

　　And I did… I didn't like him!