The Healer's Mate

Chapter 26: I, Layla,...

"I agree."

I was shocked from Alpha Neal's answer and the pack too stilled from hearing him say those words.

"I believe by having the Shadows and White Thorn pack living together it will be more secure and worthwhile in the future. But a new treaty must be signed by the current Alphas and I hope Jayden will cooperating fully with us. I'll arrange for living quarters for your pack in the mean time and I'll see to a new pack house being built for Layla and Jayden. It will be neutral ground for both packs and the new home for the new Alphas for these two packs."

Alpha Neal finished and I felt Jayden grab my hand beside me.

"Thank you Angel. Let me introduce you my pack now." He said and looking at Alpha Neal one last time he spoke out to the crowd.

"Shadows! As your Alpha I officially present to you my mate and your Luna, Layla. From this point onwards she is linked to this pack through me and you all will respect her as an Alpha along with loving her as your Luna." Jayden said and following his words I heard howls begin to erupt from the wolves who stood in the back. One by one they shifted and kneeling down on their left leg they said.

"We the Shadows welcome you as our Luna and our Alpha Jayden Cairstay's mate. May we forever protect and fight for you and your wolves of the White Thorn Pack." Their voiced rung in the clearing and I saw some of the wolves from my pack follow their lead. One by one every wolf in the yard kneeled down and looking at me with respect and pride they said.

"We the wolves of the White Thorn pack accept and honour your title as our next Alpha and forever vow to stand by you and follow in your decisions once you claim the title as Alpha."

My pack stood up and looking at me they all smiled. There wasn't any doubt in their mind about me and knowing my pack had faith in me warmed my heart and encouraged me to lead these people when the time came.

"I, Layla, alongside my mate, Jayden Cairstay, vow to forever server and lead this pack once I am given the title of Alpha. I promise to lead this pack to a safe and bright future where the White Thorn pack and Shadows pack name will be thought of with respect and pride." I watched my pack cheer and clap for me as I finished and I looked out to see my brother and Kate standing and cheering along with the pack. I tilted my head towards the elders and returning my nod I looked over to Alpha Neal.

Thinking back to everything this man has done for me in these past seven years, I knew I owed everything I had in this moment to him and no amount of gratitude would suffice in telling him how thankful I was to him for finding me in that cave all those years ago.

"Thank you. I know I don't say it much but thank you. You were my father when my own was gone and I cannot ask for a better place to call home than this pack. Thank you." I said to Alpha Neal. I saw tears forming in his eyes and without a second thought he pulled me into his arms. My arms immediately wrapped around him and I rested my head on his shoulder. He held me like all the time I would come home and would be crying. Crying because the kids were being mean to me. Crying when school was hard. And crying because I missed my parents.

"You have been the most amazing thing that happened to stumble into my life. You may not know this but you brought happiness into Kate's and my life. I am so proud of you right now and I can tell you that if your parents could see you now. They too would be proud of what their little girl has grown up to become." Alpha Neal kissed me on my forehead and pulling away from me I saw the love in his eyes and I saw Kate and the twins come up behind him.

"Alright, stop with the tears. It's time for you my dear to lead this pack on a run." Kate said and wrapping her arm around Alpha Neal she smiled at me. Giving her a smile I looked over to Andrew and Tony smirking I turned to the pack and wearing the same smirk I yelled.

"Shift! And rendezvous in the forest!"

I saw the young wolf shift right away and I watched the adults walk to the forest with their children running in wolf form in front of them. I watched the wolves from Northern retreat into the forest and Jayden left to lead his wolves on the run as well. He gave me a light peck on the cheek and ran out to the trees.

Since no one was in the yard any longer I shifted right there and tucked my clothes away close to the tree line. The pack had collected in the forest and I saw some wolves nipping and biting at their friends playfully. They were running around wolves who stood in their spot and ducking behind their parents. I guess they had begun a game of man hunt because as I walked deeper into the forest I saw teams being formed and hunting tactics being used. I saw one slender brown wolf running past everyone. The wolf who was roughly seventeen and a girl judging from her bone structure ran into the crowd. She looked back over her shoulder but miscalculating her own speed she collided with another wolf.

The wolf she hit stumbled back but was of full strength. The young wolf got up and tilting her head down apologised through the link.

Sorry Ryan I really didn't see you there.

SORRY?! Are you kidding me?!

I heard their conversation through the link and remembering the voice from all the time Kegan hurt me I knew exactly who it was.

Ryan.

He growled at the girl and I saw his lips pull back flashing his canines. The rest of the pack wasn't paying attention and I was still hidden behind a few trees. I watched the two and I could see how the girl trembled in fear. She had her head turned down and her hind legs were bent bringing her entire body closer to the ground. She reminded me of myself when Kegan would hurt me and when I saw Ryan open his mouth and bare his teeth at the girl I ran into the field.

I knocked him off of the girl and before he could do anything to the girl I pinned him down. He bit at me and tried to overpower me. Like with Kegan I was fuelled with anger and all I wanted was to put an end to this hatred between wolves. My light brown wolf was holding him down and through the link I said.

I will not tolerate any violence among pack mates in my pack ever again!

Oh please, you saw her! She was the one who hit me! I was just going to return the favour and rough her up like we did you!

I had enough of this without giving it another thought I dug my claws into his fur and clamped down on his neck. I tasted blood and my wolf enjoyed the pain he was feeling. It didn't even come close to the pain he made me feel all those time. Every time he would break my hand or bruise my ribs came rushing back to me and all it made me do was bite down harder into his flesh.

If that his your excuse then here I'll just return the favour and rough you up. Uh? How about it?

Without waiting for an answer I ripped a chunk of fur out from his back and I heard the howls of pain erupt from deep within his throat.

That isn't even close to the pain you caused me!

I saw the pack watching me and I saw the wolves watching me in fear. Great, let them be afraid.

If anyone even tries to hurt anyone in this pack I will personally deal with him or her. There aren't any excused or justifications for hurting your own pack members! Is that clear?!

My eyes were focussed on the wolves from Northern and one by one all the wolves bowed their head.

I turned to Jayden and trotted to him and I said through the link to everyone.

We will circle back around to the east border! Let's head out!

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