When she whimpered it was all I could do to not punch the nurse in his face. Then on top of that she healed so fast that he had to pull the needle out a little harsher than he meant. I growled at him and he ran out of the room pale faced. So here I am sulking because not only do I have to apologize to the kid but I also have to look official at dinner. Most of the pack will be here, as Samantha sent out a notice that an official announcement will be made. The two dates were blacked out on the calendar and many wolves were thinking the announcement had something to do with me and her. Call me a little selfish but I kind of wished it was. I passed Jess in the hall and she looked a little pale, I tried not to smile at her, and I couldn’t help but notice Greg was also a little sickly; no doubt a little nervous as well. I have no idea what he is going though, to have his first mate die in childbirth and his second chance mate come up pregnant too? Stumbling into our room I flop on the bed, gripping my mate’s pillow tightly. Her scent starts to calm me and I drift into a restless sleep. Soon, the comforting sparks dance across my face and I open my eyes to Samantha’s worried gaze. “Are you okay?” I nod and sit up, I can feel my mate send her strength through our bond and soon my arm is a forgotten memory. “Better?” “Yeah. But, don’t overdo yourself, please.” I smile. “What? That was nothing.” She smiled and stood up. “I don’t know...but I am feeling stronger too. I don’t know how to explain it, but its like... I could walk into an army of rogues and not be afraid...” That thought flashed through my mind and I glared at her, I could feel my aura flare slightly and she gasped. She looked in my eyes wide-eyed and I slowly calmed down. “No... no. Do that again...” “Do what again?” “Well, you used to let your aura out and your eyes used to turn brown, like your wolf’s eyes....” She started. “Of course, just like you; yours turn silver mine turn a dark brown....” What was she talking about? She started to shake her head. “They aren’t brown anymore...” “What are you talking about?” I am not in the best mood today and I can feel my aura flare again slightly. She reached for her phone and took my picture, turning it to face me. I gasped and ran to the mirror in the bathroom. In my reflection my bright blue eyes were all but gone.... now they were flashing gold. “You are getting stronger...” Samantha gasped. “Come on!” She ran out of the door, and I could hear her open a mind link to Violet, Greg, and Daren to meet us in the titled training area. I raced out with her, as soon as she hit the door she bolted towards our private grounds; the others coming behind us, Lily and Jake was running with us looking just as confused as I am. “What the hell is going on?!” Violet yelled out as we reached the area, we were hidden by trees here and I could notice now that her hair was slightly disheveled. I almost wondered what we interrupted. “Everyone shift. And let out all of your power.” Greg and Daren looked at each other slightly confused. “But, Alpha, why?” “Just do it!” She commanded, stronger than ever before. She gasped, surprised as we all stared at her gaping. “How did I do that???” I stood there wide eyed as first Daren then Greg let out their full power, it was stronger! Then Violet let out hers and my knees went weak. Was she always this strong?! Everyone looked at each other in awe. “How is this possible?” Violet whispered. “Vi, you are almost as strong as my dad...” My mate whispered. “The bonds of the true mates....it makes us stronger...” “And the bonds from the pack leaders boost us all up...” Greg added. He looked at me and Samantha. “How are you two feeling?” I glanced back to my mate who was just standing there looking at her hands, “I feel...” She started. “Fine... but weird...” “What’s changed since yesterday?” Daren mused. “I got a shot this morning.” I started... Violet shook her head. “No, that can’t be it...” “Ben, shift please.” Violet started, “I can feel you are stronger... can you see it Greg?” Greg nodded. “Ben, you are stronger than me and Daren now. I doubt our commands will even work on you anymore.” I closed my eyes and focused on my wolf, in my ears I can hear the others shifting too, only Lily and Jake staying in their human forms. Slowly I open my eyes and the first thing I notice is I am taller. I glance over at my mate and even though I am still smaller I am closer to her shoulder. Lily gasps out loud and I turn to look at her, when did Daren and Greg get so small?! Violet is now only a little taller than me and everyone is staring deep in my eyes. Violet started. Greg answered. Daren mused. She started. Violet’s legs went out from under her and she laid on the ground. Jake rushed over to her, and sat with her. Greg started. Violet started. My mate sounded dejected and I walked over to her and nuzzled her lovingly. Comforting her as best I could. She sighed. She huffed. She stood and walked up to me. I nodded, leaning closer to my mate. Just how strong are we destined to be? ~~~~~ That night we settled down to sleep, I was still reeling from our discovery of our power leveling up. The party downstairs was finally starting to quiet down, and we retired early. I chuckled at the cute way Jess and Greg announced the baby. They got Penny to stand on the titled members table after dinner and take off her jacket, showing off her “I’m going to be a big sister” shirt. Lily shrieked and Daren slapped Greg on the back. Jake looked at Violet with a knowing smile and she just punched him playfully. The other pack members cheered and started sending texts and mindlinks to others not at the dinner and Samantha announced that she would be selecting another elite to be Jess’ second bodyguard. Now that shifting would be dangerous for her she needed extra protection. My mate is already fast asleep by the time I turn off the light and I cuddle in behind her and drift off to sleep. We are awakened late in the night, by my phone going off. Groggily I picked it up, did something happen downstairs? My mate stirs beside me as I answer it without looking at the ID. “Hello?” “BEN HELP!!!” I shoot up in the bed. My heart is going crazy. “Nick?! What’s wrong?!” My mate is listening in now and she is grabbing for her phone. He screams on the other end. I hear angry yelling, a woman’s voice...a crash... “MOM! STOP!!! I WON’T TELL!!!” The line goes dead.

Chapter 83