“You’re telling me my mate is around here somewhere? And it feels like this? This is not how it feels to meet your mate. I’ve heard the stories. I’ve seen it.”
Brett gave me a pointed look. “How do you think we escaped the lycans that held us captive?”
Of course, this would happen to me. After losing Gabby, I thought I’d never have to lose anyone important to me again. I tried to prevent myself from caring for people. This was the reason I didn’t want a pack. Fate was a cruel monster. I was now paired with a lycan, and I’d likely never be able to be with him. My face must’ve been overcome with fear because Brett rushed to make me feel better. “Don’t worry, you two will figure it out. As your reaper, I will not let anything happen to your mate.” I glanced at Maverick, assuming he told Brett about what had happened in my past. I rolled my eyes but found that I didn’t really care.
“Where is he, then? And why the hell am I in pain because of it? I’ve never heard of the mate pull feeling like this.”
Brett and Maverick looked at each other intently, as though trying to decide if they should tell me or not. I narrowed my eyes at them, not enjoying the secrecy. “The werewolf pull isn’t like this at all, but apparently lycan mates are different.” Maverick said cautiously, watching my face closely.
Lucky me! I get to suffer just because I was part lycan. “Where is he? He’d make this go away, right? I can’t think like this.” The room had felt like it was getting smaller, and I was struggling to speak. I needed this to end, and however that happened, I would do it.
Brett gave Maverick a smug look and crossed his arms, “Tell her.”
Maverick looked down, “I didn’t know if you’d be ready to see him so I may have told him to stay away.”
“What could you possibly have said to him to keep him away from his mate?” Unless he didn’t want me, then he would have no issue leaving me alone. But if he didn’t want me, why save me in the first place? His wolf could’ve made him. I sighed as I realized that I was looking for a reason to run.
“I may have told him you’d reject him.” He avoided my eyes. “Before you get angry, think about it. After what happened with your parents, you probably would attempt to reject him… to save him or whatever.”
I wasn’t angry with him, because I wasn’t convinced that I wouldn’t reject him. I also knew that most mates would’ve come to check on their female, despite what Maverick said. “So, he’s going to avoid me, so I don’t reject him? Why would he even believe you? Why would he listen?”
“He wouldn’t.” My door had opened without my notice, and in the doorway stood the most beautiful man I’d ever laid eyes on. He had thick dark hair that fell in messy waves down to his shoulders, that same dark hair forming along his jaw. My eyes moved from his beard up his face to see thick eyebrows arched so sharply it almost made me jealous. His right eyebrow held a scar down the middle of it, and my wolf growled at the thought of someone hurting him. His eyes were a dark green, staring at me as intensely as I was looking at him. His full lips left no trace of a smile, as his massive arms were crossed over his chest. “Leave.” He commanded softly to Maverick and Brett.
They both turned to me, hesitating. I smirked, knowing that as their alpha what I said would win out, despite this man being big enough to crush them with his hands. He watched me as well; curious about whether I would challenge him. Luckily for him, I was in no mood to play games. I nodded at them to leave. “I’m sure there’s a guard outside the door. I’ll send them to get you if I need you.” They nodded at me before they exited the room.
As soon as the door closed, the man moved toward me. His steps were slow and deliberate, making me feel like I was his prey as he stalked toward me for capture. I took this time to admire his body. He was massive. He was definitely over six feet tall, broad chested and all muscle. I wanted nothing more than to leap at him and claim him as mine. As he made it to the bed, I sat up to get a better look at him. He stared down at me, his scent turning my brain to mush. His eyes moved over my face as if he was trying to burn my face into his memory forever. One of his hands reached out to touch my face, and I felt my heart rate increase. I practically begged to have his hand on me. The electricity in the air sparked, foreshadowing the tingles I knew would come when our skin met. It hovered against my cheek, teasing. Before I moved to lean into his hand, he pulled it away and stepped back. My wolf whined in disappointment but did nothing.
Gorgeous moved over to the chair Maverick had been sitting in, and I felt more disappointment. Why was he being so distant? My headache had lessened considerably, the masculine scent of my mate creating a soothing feeling over my body. “I’m sure you have questions for me.” His deep voice sent shivers all over my body, lighting a fire inside of me. I wanted to keep him talking. I needed to keep him talking.
“Who are you?” I couldn’t stop myself. I didn’t care about anything other than him at the moment. I wanted to know what to call him. I wanted to know everything about him immediately.
He looked down almost sadly. “Let’s answer the important questions right now; we can talk about the rest later.”
I frowned, thinking it was important to know who he was. I understood what he meant, though. Talking about us being mates wasn’t as important as who had kidnapped us. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that I would be an alpha when I went home. It was time I act like one. “Okay, let’s start with who kidnapped us and how did you know?”
He nodded, pleased that I chose to get straight to the issue. “There are lycans who have grown tired of the arrangement with the werewolves. They want the exile to end, and they don’t care how they achieve it. Some want peace, they want to be able to find their mates and live life somewhere other than this island. Whether or not they want peace, rebellions tend to be violent.”
“Are lycan-werewolf mates common?” I interrupted, thinking lycans wouldn’t want to find a mate that was weaker than them. I cursed in my head, disappointed in myself. My own mother didn’t care, and yet here I was judging. I’d grown up stereotyping lycans, and now I was mated to one.
“It wasn’t uncommon from what I remember before Lord Drakov tried to wipe the wolves out.” I frowned, realizing he was way older than me. He tried to hide his smile, no doubt guessing what I had realized. “As you know, with lycans being immortal, they often wait a long time to find their mates. The idea of joining the two beings will increase the likelihood of finding your mate. Others, however, are upset with the way things turned out with the war. They want to dominate the wolves and show them who’s superior.”
I shook my head, “The Deserter would never allow it.”
He shrugged, “What makes you so certain he doesn’t want the two beings to mix?”
“I never said that. I said he wouldn’t let the lycans dominate the wolves. If he would betray his own father, why wouldn’t he betray his people’s wishes, too?”
I saw a flash of anger in his eyes before he spoke again, and it seemed like he was considering what to say. “I don’t believe him ending a rebellion would betray his people’s wishes.”
“You’re right. I know nothing about him, anyway. Continue, please.” I couldn’t believe myself. Was I really out here offending my mate our first conversation? Forget me rejecting him; he would probably reject me first!
His face softened, and I got the feeling that he knew what I was thinking. “Don’t trouble yourself over it. The lycans who captured you weren’t the kind who wanted peace. They sensed your lycan side but smelled the werewolf. They weren’t happy. As for how I knew how to find you, I felt your pain.”
“What happened to the lycans who kidnapped us?”
“I killed them.”
I stared at him, unsure how to feel about how casually he spoke about killing them. He felt no remorse at all. My wolf loved it, knowing that it was all for us. He would kill to protect me. “Thank you.” His brows rose, surprised I was okay with it. I just shrugged back in response. “Why was I in pa
in because of the mate bond?”
“Your lycan side isn’t fully grown. She’s been pushed down and denied.”
“What does that mean?”
“You have more lycan in you than you were led to believe. It’s very strong, and it needs to be unleashed. How much training did you receive growing up?”
“They trained me as pack warrior.” I spoke proudly. I was a strong wolf and a skilled fighter, and I didn’t appreciate him hinting otherwise. Gabby had been the one who would be Alpha. I wanted nothing more than to protect the pack.
“No one worthy of your strength, I’m sure. You should train with your kind. It’ll only hurt you more in the end otherwise.” He stood up and began pacing. “You’ll train with a lycan warrior.”
I knew that would never happen. I was leaving and wouldn’t be able to. Another thought crept into my mind. “Did you know I was here the whole time?”
He stopped pacing and looked at me, and then nodded slowly. “I felt you close by, but I couldn’t come. I had some business I had to deal with and had been away from home for a while.”
I nodded, realizing that he probably gave up that work to come save me. “I’m sorry you had to come back and rescue me. I promise I’m not usually that helpless.” I wanted him to think I was strong and capable.
He walked over to the bed and sat down on it, moving closer to me. His eyes sucked me in as he got closer. Like before, his hand reached out toward my face. My breath hitched as his hand came up to my cheek. I wasn’t expecting it to be gentle, but his rough hands touched me as if he was afraid I’d break. Sparks lit up along my skin as his hand moved carefully toward my hair, tucking some of it behind my ear. “I was afraid I’d lose you before I even got to meet you.” His eyes showed how vulnerable he felt as he whispered those words to me. My heart skipped at the thought he had been that worried without even knowing me. “I’ve never felt so afraid in my life. I felt the pain you went through. That never should’ve happened. Selene, I am so sorry.” His eyes turned hard as I felt his anger, believing he let me down.
I loved the sound of my name coming from his mouth. I smiled, reaching out to touch his face. “You have nothing to apologize for. It’s not like it’s your fault. You don’t control them.”
He pulled away from my touch, upset. “I’m supposed to be able to. At the very least I should be able to protect my mate.” My heart hurt seeing how sad he looked.
“You did protect me.” I held his face in my hands, forcing him to look at me. I needed him to believe me. “Who knows what would’ve happened if you hadn’t gotten there. When Lord Drakov comes home I’m sure you’ll deal with it then."
He cringed. “Lord Drakov. I think of Nikolaj whenever I hear that.” I frowned, unsure how to address the king any other way.
The door slammed open and a wild looking Maverick barged in. “Something’s happened. Rogues attacked. Diana got hurt. We need to go.”
I let go of Gorgeous and went to Maverick. I grabbed the back of his neck and forced him to look at me. “Breathe. She is alive. She will be fine. If Clyde hasn’t called me, it will be okay. We will go home.” Maverick’s eyes had been turning black before they went back to his original color. His breathing slowed down as he reined in his beast
I heard a growl from behind me and remembered that my mate might not like the thought of me leaving him. When I turned around, he didn’t look angry. He just looked at me and nodded. “You should go. I will find a warrior to travel with you. He can help you train and will offer extra protection until I am able to join you.”
I turned to Maverick, “Get Brett and anything you’re taking. I’ll meet you downstairs in five.” He nodded once and walked out.
Gorgeous grabbed my arm and turned me around to look at him. He was at least a foot taller than me standing up and I almost laughed at the size difference. “How can you be sure someone will travel with us?” I asked.
He smiled softly, “Let’s just say the people love me?
I smiled, not sure where his joke came from. He had been so serious this whole time. “I’m sure that’s what it is, Gorgeous.”
One of his eyebrows raised, a teasing smile crossing his lips. “Gorgeous?”
I felt my face heat up as I realized my mental nickname had slipped out. “That’s what I’ve been calling you since I don’t know your name, which you should tell me, by the way.”
He pushed my hair behind my ear, “I think I prefer the nickname.”
I growled, “You really won’t tell me?”
“You should go, your beta will be waiting for you.” He looked sad, no doubt wanting me to stay with him.
I narrowed my eyes at him, very displeased that I wouldn’t even know his name, let alone when I would see my mate again. If I stayed, I’d probably figure it out. Oh, well. He walked me down to where I told Maverick to wait for me. Brett was with him, and so was an unknown man. He had black hair and a moon tattoo on his shoulder. He bowed to me, making me think back to when I’d met Lucian. “My lady,” he said, kissing my hand and earning himself a growl from my mate. The warrior jumped back quickly.
“Don’t worry about Grumpy,” I waved it off. “Call me Selene. I’m assuming you’re the warrior I’m not leaving without?”
“I’m Leith. I am,” He glanced at Gorgeous for a second, “the head guardian. It is truly an honor to meet you.” My brows creased, slightly confused by his attitude. An honor to meet me. They must really love my mate. How the hell did my mate get the head warrior to leave with me, anyway? I narrowed my eyes at him for a second but dropped it. I followed them out the door.
As I went to walk out with them, he pulled me back. I looked up at him slowly, anticipating his beautiful eyes. We were closer than I was expecting us to be, my chest brushing against him as I breathed heavily. I felt butterflies in my stomach at the feeling of touching him and being this close. If he leaned down, I would be able to feel his lips against mine. I pushed back those thoughts. If he wouldn’t even tell me his name, he didn’t deserve my kisses.
“I’ll come for you when I can.” He vowed, holding my hand in his. Our eyes never left the other’s face, each of us trying to memorize their features. We didn’t know how long it would be until we saw each other again. I sighed sadly before pulling my hand out of his and walking away.
CHAPTER 6
I sat in my office chair, staring at the envelopes on my desk. I was scared to be disappointed by what I probably wouldn’t find. It’s been six years since I went to Lunar Island to register my pack and a lot had changed. Every once in a while, my elusive mate would write to me, although he never told me his name or any other information that would help me figure out who he was. I flipped through the envelopes and sighed in disappointment; they were only letters from Old Moon. I shook my head and left my office, refusing to waste any more time on a mate who didn’t want me to know him. What could he have possibly been doing for the past six years? Did he not care about me?
“Stop worrying about him,” Leith said in the kitchen. He was leaning against the counter munching on an apple.
“What?”
“I can tell when you think about him, your mood changes. I can practically feel your sadness.”
I rolled my eyes, “Then tell your buddy to get off his ass or his mate is gonna’ move on.”
Leith smirked at me, “Right, I’ll be sure to spread that rumor along to him.”
“So, you’ll listen to that order, but you won’t tell me his name?”
“Sorry, Princess. He doesn’t want you to know who he is, and I’m not about to disobey him.”
We’d had this argument more times than I could count over the past six years, but today felt different. My wolf felt betrayed. Sure, my mate was his friend first, but I had given him everything since he’d come with us. I had acted as his alpha, giving him a home and supporting him. I acted as a friend, mother and everything else he needed since he joined us. I listened when he needed things, helped him deal with the changes
of being around humans. We trained together for hours until I had tapped into my lycan strength. He had been there to pull me back when my wolf went too far. My wolf and I were not happy to hear that he had allegiance only to my mate.
“As far as you are concerned, I am an alpha.” I started, feeling the alpha blood light up beneath my skin. “If you want to make it back to your former alpha alive, you will respect me.”
One of Leith’s eyebrows rose in a silent challenge. “Did you just threaten me?”
“It won’t be a threat unless you force me to act on it.”
“Don’t make threats you can’t finish, Selene.”
My eyebrows rose in shock. Was Leith actually fighting me on this? I didn’t know why, but my wolf was convinced she could take him. She was itching to make him submit. Before I could take a step toward him, Clyde mind-linked and alerted me that alpha Drake had entered my territory. I had called a meeting with him because his pack was the only one near mine I was not on friendly terms with.
After becoming the alpha, I had gone around meeting the four packs surrounding my area. One loved me, all for the idea of a female alpha. Another one challenged me, only to get beaten and submit. I had no want for more land or a bigger pack, so I forgave the challenge and agreed for peace. The third one didn’t care either way; they didn’t want me to cause a problem. Drake, however, was very much against a pack run by a woman. He thought I was incapable of running a pack and refused me entrance to his land.
Clyde had recently seen a group of freshly bitten wendigos somewhere between my territory and Drake’s. I called him out here to see what he planned to do about it, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t go very well. I gave Leith a long look, letting him know that I wouldn’t be forgetting his disrespect, then went to my office to greet Drake.
He was an ugly man, prominent frown lines surrounding his mouth. His gray eyes were cold and judging as he looked at me. “I assume you have a reason for summoning me here?”
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