Oops… I Went Into Heat and My Alpha Daddies Claimed Me

Author’s POV

Callum had been standing over the large table in the main hall for nearly an hour, studying the maps spread across it while several marked papers sat around the edges.

The map showed Ashveil’s borders, the surrounding territories, the roads that connected the different packs, and the areas where Duskfen warriors had recently been seen. He had already marked several possible positions for his warriors and had been going over the numbers again because they were still dealing with the problem of having many inexperienced fighters in their ranks.

Callum moved one of the markers farther south and looked at the route leading toward the eastern border, trying to determine where Duskfen would have the easiest opportunity to attack.

A guard entered the hall and stopped several feet away from him. "Alpha, we have guests at the main gates. They are from Ashveil, and there are quite a number of them. Alpha Riven is with them."

Callum immediately looked up from the map. He had been expecting Riven eventually, especially after receiving his letter offering support, but he had not expected him to arrive so soon or with a large group of warriors. He placed the marker back on the table and straightened. "How many?"

"Dozens, Alpha. They are waiting outside."

Callum nodded and walked toward the entrance. "Open the gates. I’ll receive them myself."

By the time Callum reached the front of the estate, the gates were already opening. The sight waiting beyond them made it clear that Riven had not been exaggerating when he said he was coming to help. Dozens of Ashveil warriors stood behind him, most of them carrying their own weapons and wearing the dark uniforms used by Riven’s pack.

Riven stood at the front with his usual confidence, looking entirely too pleased with himself as he approached Callum.

Callum shook his hand. "Thank you for coming. I appreciate the support, especially with everything happening at the borders."

Riven gave him a smug smile. "You sound surprised."

"I am. I did not expect this much."

"That’s disappointing. I thought my letter made it clear that Ashveil wasn’t going to sit around while Duskfen prepared for war."

Callum looked past him at the warriors entering the estate. "I understood the letter. I just didn’t expect you to bring this many."

Riven shrugged. "You helped my pack when we had problems of our own years ago. I remember favors, Callum."

Callum gave him a brief nod. "Then I’m glad you’re here."

Riven stepped farther into the estate, but his attention did not remain on Callum for long. His eyes moved across the courtyard, then toward the mansion, as if he were looking for someone.

Callum noticed immediately and he folded his arms. "You’re looking for Keisha."

Riven’s eyes returned to him. For a moment, he said nothing. Then he smiled. "Was it that obvious?"

"Yes."

Riven glanced toward the mansion again. "I haven’t seen her in a while."

"You don’t need to."

The smugness on Riven’s face disappeared slightly. "What exactly does that mean?"

"It means you shouldn’t approach her." Callum’s voice was stiff.

Riven studied Callum for a moment, clearly trying to understand why he was being so direct.

Callum did not move or soften his expression. "Keisha is my mate," Callum said. "Whatever history you have with her, whatever you think about her, leave it where it belongs. Don’t approach her with any intentions beyond what is appropriate."

Riven’s eyebrows lifted. "Your mate?"

Callum nodded once. "Yes."

Riven looked toward the mansion again before turning back to him. "And let me guess, Dane?"

Callum’s expression remained firm. "Yes, Dane is her mate too."

That answer seemed to surprise him even more. Riven stared at Callum for several seconds before letting out a quiet breath. "That’s complicated. The pack is aware of...this?"

"Yes." Callum turned toward the hall. "Come. We have more important things to discuss."

They walked inside together, leaving the warriors to be directed toward the areas prepared for them. Callum led Riven toward the large table where the war maps were still spread out. Riven pulled a chair back and sat while Callum remained standing, placing both hands against the edge of the table.

"The situation with Duskfen doesn’t make sense," Riven said after studying the map. "They agreed to peace. I heard about the treaty."

"They did," Callum replied. "Then they started moving warriors toward our borders. They never intended to honor it."

Riven leaned forward, studying the marked locations. "How long ago before you noticed their movements?"

"We noticed unusual movement before they openly started appearing near the border. At first, I thought they were testing our patrols. Then they started setting up temporary camps."

"How many?"

Callum straightened for a second. "Let’s just say it’s obvious they’re not preparing for a small attack."

Riven nodded slowly. "Wouldn’t be like them."

Callum moved one of the markers on the map. "This is where we’ve seen most of their activity. They’ve avoided coming too close to the main roads, which tells me they don’t want us to know exactly where their main force is."

Riven looked at the marker. "So you think these are only advance groups?"

"Yes." Callum nodded.

"Then where do you think the main force is?"

Callum pointed toward another section of the map. "Here. If I were Cael, I wouldn’t move the majority of my warriors until I knew exactly how many people we had stationed here. He’ll let the smaller groups watch us first. They’ll learn how often our patrols change, where our weak points are and how quickly we respond when something happens."

"When do you estimate their attack?"

Callum looked down at the map again. "I believe they’ll attack sometime in the new week."

Riven’s expression became serious. "That’s soon."

"Inconvenient too." Callum moved another marker. "That’s why I’ve already started moving our warriors into positions that give us more control over these areas. We’re also keeping some reserves behind the main lines."

Riven pointed toward one of the marked areas. "What about this side?"

"We’ll have guards there. But not too much."

Riven leaned back. "Then we’ll cover it."

Callum looked at him. "You’re sure?"

"Yes. Ashveil didn’t come here to stand around and watch your warriors fight." Riven folded his arms. "I’ll put some of my men there and move the rest wherever you need them."

Callum studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then I accept your allegiance."

Riven gave him a small smile. "Good."

Callum looked down at the map again. "You know this could become more than a fight at the border."

"I am well aware of the risks."

"If Cael has decided to break the treaty, there’s no guarantee he’ll stop after one attack. Or at us" Callum finally looked at him. "I want you to understand that once we respond, my pack will be committed to whatever comes after."

Riven didn’t hesitate. "So will Ashveil."

Callum was silent and Riven continued, his voice more serious now. "You helped us when we needed it. You gave us resources, protection, and support when everything in my pack was falling apart. I haven’t forgotten that, Callum. This isn’t charity work. I’m here because I owe you." Riven looked back at the map. "Now tell me exactly where you want my warriors."

**********

Orin had made his way into the annex after getting inside the estate without being noticed. He had been convinced that Keisha was still there. The last information he had before leaving had pointed him toward the annex, and he had spent enough time imagining what he would do once he found her that he had stopped considering the possibility that she might have moved.

He checked the rooms one after another, keeping his movements quiet as he searched.

Keisha wasn’t there.

He moved toward the hallway and stopped when he heard movement nearby and Vera stepped into view.

Orin froze.

"Oh shit," He cursed under his breath as he deftly stepped out of view.

She couldn’t find him here. It would be a total disaster if she did.

He hurried out of the annex, his breathing uneven as he moved away from the building.

Keisha was not in the annex. If she wasn’t there, then she had to be in the mansion.

Orin slowed down near the edge of the estate and looked toward the main building. He could see guards around the entrance and several Ashveil warriors moving through the grounds.

He stayed out of sight and watched for several moments before deciding that entering the mansion immediately would be too risky.

Then he noticed movement inside the large hall.

Callum.

Orin watched from a distance as Callum stood over the war maps with Riven. The two Alphas were talking while guards moved around the estate.

Orin’s expression hardened. Callum was distracted and that gave him time.

He didn’t care about the impending war. The only thing that mattered to him was Keisha.

He had spent too long trying to find her, and now that he knew where she was, he wasn’t going to leave without her.

Orin turned away from the hall and moved farther from the main building, already thinking about the coming night. He would wait until the estate became quiet, then he would find Keisha and take her away from the pack before anyone could stop him.

He had already decided that he would take her somewhere far from Ashveil, somewhere nobody knew them, and make sure Callum and Dane could never reach her again.

For now, he only needed to wait until nightfall.