An Unusual Mate

chapter Six

Lucius’s POV

Home, I was ready to get home. After having spent two weeks traveling to sign and oversee projects I was happy to be heading back to my pack. After the private jet landed in LaGuardia airport, I was happy to see Shawn waiting with one of the pack cars. "Hey man, it's good to have you back!" He says slapping me across the back. "It's great to be back!" I agree. "I'm not looking forward to this summit though." I frown remembering the summit that was happening the following weekend. It was a weekend long gathering of surrounding packs where information about threats and alliances were exchanged. It was usual a simply gathering but with Mitchell still out there somewhere, Grey Moon and Silver Lake had both been uneasy. I sigh and nod in agreement. "Hopefully, it will all go smoothly." "Oh, by the way, Alpha Mather’s is bringing Tanya." "Why?" Shawn shrugged and continued driving. It was unusual for Alphas to bring others outside of beta, or a gamma. Even Delta's rarely came to the summits. I put it in the back of my mind as we pulled up to the pack house. I entered to the smell of my favorite dish, Lasagna and smile at head Omega, Shelia Jackson. "Welcome home, Alpha." She nods. "Thanks, that smells wonderful, Shelia." I yawn and head upstairs to unwind before dinner. As I pass the third floor I decide to look in on Keisha and Frank. Keisha was now about two months pregnant and had calm down a lot since the attack. I knock on their door only to be met with silence. I shrug and continue to my room. As I lay across the bed, I smile thinking of one day having my mate and kids. The thought makes me smile as I fall asleep dreaming of peaches and vanilla ice cream.

I wake up to find myself back on the beach. I look around and see two women, one, the younger one inside a circle of candles, the older one yelling at her. Sebastian growls loudly as the scent of peaches brushes us. "Watch child, the time is coming near." The voice from before states. The older one says to the younger one, "What are you so scared of?" "I don't know!" The younger one replies. My focus is suddenly totally on her as she tossed her head back. She's young maybe twenty with long Auburn hair and a milk chocolate complexion. Her hands begin to glow a soft silver. I instantly know she's my mate. "I don't know isn't an answer! What are you afraid of?" Sebastian growls again.

Hush Sebastian I can't focus with you growling.

I turn my attention back as my mate begins to glow all over her wings fully extended. I'm in awe at her beauty and I want to stop the woman yelling at her. "Focus sweet girl, you're getting mad. Can you tell me why?" The woman voice suddenly becomes gentle. "I-i don't.." Out of nowhere she strikes the woman with magic. My mate gasp, "I'm sorry, Abigail!" Abigail appears to stumble for a sec before getting her footing. "Kaila, stop apologizing! Why did you strike me? What made you mad! And if you tell me you don't know one more time, I going to throw you into the sand!" Kaila...my mate's name is Kaila. Such a beautiful name for a gorgeous girl. I think. "FOCUS!" I gulp as the voice yells at me. I watch as Kaila's chest heaves..she appears tired as her hands begin to glow again. "I'm scared of hurting others!" She yells at Abigail. "You will hurt people more if you don't control you emotions. So why are you mad!" "I'm not mad, i-i..." Suddenly she begins shaking her body exploding into a silver glow. "Abigail!" She gasp out. Abigail grabs her hands. "Breath sweet girl, I got you. Focus on your center." Kaila begins gasping as she seems to be losing control. "Kaila, breath!" Suddenly Kaila shakes her head and her teeth are gritted as she gasp out, "MOVE ABIGAIL, I CANT CONTROL IT!!" Abigail's eyes widened and she suddenly shimmers away for Kaila as a bright light burst from her. I blink my vision clear as she falls backwards into the sand. Abigail appears and begins shaking her gently. "Kaila? Kaila, you're okay. I got you." She pulls Kaila's head into her lap as the voice enters my head again, "Without control and her mate, she will never live up to her full potential. She needs you and you have the information to find her."

My eyes fly open as I find myself back in my bed. I roll over, realizing I'd missed dinner but I don't care. I quickly mind link my dad and Frank, they were much better at finding people than I was. I run to my office to find Frank already there. "What's going on man, I was just about to go to sleep." "My dad's on his way. I need you two to find someone." My dad walks in and closes the door as they both sit in the chairs opposite my desk. "I know who my mate is, but I have to find her." "Whoa that's big, but how do you not know where she is?" Frank ask. I look at my dad, "I've had two dreams about her, both on a beach." My dad nods knowing where I'm going with this but Frank looks at me like I'm crazy. "You've dreamed of a girl who may be your mate?" "No maybe about it, she's my mate. Her name's Kaila, she's an Angel, and she's in trouble." "How do you know that?" Frank ask still not understanding. So I tell him about the first dream before launching into the latest one. "Ummm, if she can't control whatever this magic is, why would you even want her around your pack?" Frank questions. "Frank I just want to find her first! She's scared I could feel her fear, it wasn't just her magic she was scared of! Someone or something is after her, she was terrified of hurting the other angel who was helping her. She has a good heart, maybe more supportive people around her will help." "Or she could kill us all, but if you want to find her, I'll help, just don't expect me to be happy about it." He jumps up to leave but I stop him, "Frank no one can know about her yet." He rolls his eyes at me, "No s**t, you think I'm an i***t too?" With that he leaves slamming the door behind him. My dad looks at me hard, "He's right you know. Scared or not, if she can't control her magic she could end up hurting someone here." I had thought of that but I had faith that she could find a way to control it. "Also, it's best not to do anything about finding her until after this summit. The less people around here, the better." I growl at him but agree. I needed their help and the faster I found her, the safer she'd be.

Kaila's POV

I opened my eyes slowly to find myself laying on my bed. I go to sit up when someone stops me. "Don't move Kaila. You are going to feel drained and sore for a few hours." I turn to see Abigail frowning at me. "Did I do something bad?" I ask as memories of my train come rushing back. The magic had built up so fast and strong I couldn't focus enough to ever transfer it to her. I'd needed to release it and I did but I realize now that someone could have been seriously hurt or killed. "Abigail.. I'm so sorry. What is wrong with me?" I say tears falling as I turn my back to her and curl up. She rubs my back and I feel another presence. "James when did you get here?" I ask. "A few hours ago." Hours?!? I look around trying to find a clock. "Stop moving." "What time is it?" "It's after two in the afternoon. I jump up as it hits I've been out at least twelve hours. I instantly regret it as I become dizzy and my vision starts to go black. They help me lay back down as James says, "If you pass out again, I'm not cleaning your puke up this time." I see Abigail scowl at him before she starts rubbing my hair. I groan and ask, "What does that mean for my training Abigail?" She sighs, "It means I have to get a higher Angel to help. You're too strong and your power builds way too fast. You can't get a handle on you emotions before your magic becomes to much. When it builds to a point you force yourself to release it all at once rather than slowly and controlled." "So I can get control? Not live in fear?" She nods. "You can, you just need an extra teacher. Someone who can not only transfer faster but can help you get a handle on it. Once you do that your training will actually go faster. You know what emotions build it, you can direct it and you haven't severely harmed me. Once we get a handle on how fast and strong you build you magic, you can master it." I sigh in relief, not only because I want to not be a monster, but I also what to find my mate without fear of harming him. "So when do we start again?" "Tonight, we start again if you are up to it. If you tell me you are but Celeste takes one look and says you're not, then tomorrow. So don't lie if you aren't ready." I nod and curl up before falling back to sleep smiling.

A while later I'm back on the beach as Abigail and another angel, Celeste, discussing my training. Celeste has determined I can continue tonight but she won't step in right away. She has decided to see what she's working with first. Finally, they step apart and Abigail walks to me. "Okay no candles, no circles, just me and you sweet girl. Are you ready?" I nod and focus on my magic letting it build. "That's it, keep going." My eyes widen as I begin to feel it overwhelming me. I step back away from her as my lungs and chest begin burning from the intensity. "Abigail... I..." I'm trying to call out for help as my head begins pounding and I become light headed. I feel like it's pressing against me when suddenly someone grabs my hands. Slowly my breathing steadies and I'm back in control. I open my eyes to see Celeste holding tightly to me her face scrunched up in concentration. After a minute she relaxes and steps back. She drops to her knees panting. "Celeste?" Abigail calls to her. She holds up a hand, "Give me a sec." she gasp out. She stands up and looks at me. "You are one powerful angel for someone who still isn't at full power. I wasn't going to step in tonight I only did it because you passing out again is only going to set us back further. Abigail, you would have never been able to train her by yourself. Not only is she powerful, her magic isn't containable by one angel, I was almost forced to stop myself. Luckily you can handle more than you think." I stare at her trying to make sure I understand her. "Yes young angel, the way your power is set right now, you could easily overpower a high level archangel. Now we go again." Nearly three hours later and once again Celeste is pulling my magic to a manageable level. Now however, I fall to my knees exhausted beyond belief. "You're getting better, you may not believe it but you are." She says as she wipes the sweat from her forehead. I feel Abigail's arms wrap around my chest and she nods. "You really are, you are realizing the moment you are no longer in control of your magic, that's a big step. The next step is learning to pull yourself back once you reach that point, without the transfer." Celeste says, "I know you're tired, but I want you to go one more time. Can you do that for me?" I nod and push myself to my feet. Celeste steps back behind Abigail and nods at us both. I take a breath as I close my eyes, I slowly let my magic build until I feel it on my skin. When I open my eyes, I look at Abigail who starts taunting me again. Apparently anger is the hardest to master so she chose to start there. "Why are you mad at the world?" "I'm not, I'm only mad that I can't get this!" "Why can't you get this?" "I don't know!! It's not like I'm not..." I trail off as my chest begins burning. I'm starting to lose control fast and I know it's because I'm tired and frustrated. I try to shut my emotions down as I begin crying. I can hear my heart racing and I know I'm hyperventilating. I feel more than see Celeste step in front of Abigail but I am determined to hold on as long as I can. Instead of it dying down, I feel my magic build even more. Celeste is there talking to me without touching me, "you've got this, find your center and relax. Don't think about anything just relax." I’m trying to relax when suddenly my magic leaves me and I drop to my knees swaying before falling forward. Celeste is there and holding me. "Good job, that was successful." I would laugh if I could because I feel the opposite of good. "Wow, I've never seen that before." Abigail says rubbing my back. Celeste holds me against her as she presses her hand against my sore chest. "Breath, hun, you're okay just breath. I'm proud of you. You've come far in this little time." I try to slow my breathing and pray for the spots playing across my eyes to stop. I feel a small spark through my chest and I gasp as my eyes fly open. "Good, there you are." I look up in Abigail's face. "I'm proud of you too sweet girl. Now the next step is to be able to do that without nearly passing out."

A week later

Lucius's POV

I groan as I read threw more emails and paperwork. It was Thursday and since I'd be out of the office until Monday thanks to the summit, I'd been working late trying to get everything caught up. My dad had stuck to his word and not begin looking for my mate so I was beyond ready for this summit to be over. All in all, there would be nineteen other packs at the house this week. Two bear packs besides Crystal Moon, six cat pack besides Silver Lake, and the rest were wolf packs. I sigh as I sign the last permit just as my dad poked his head in my office. "I'm heading out for the day, just wanted to check on you." I smile at him, "For my first time as host, I'm good dad, I watched you growing up. It also helps that mom and Cameron's mom stepped in to take care of Luna and female beta duties." Our moms had taking to tasks of meeting with Sheila to go over menus, made sure the omegas got the guest rooms and houses together to hold everyone, and were taking care of finally details before everyone arrived tomorrow. Most would start arriving early with Crystal Moon and Silver Lake arriving right before dinner. Since the three packs are within 45 minutes of each other, it really was annoying that we still had to stay on each other's lands during summits. The former Alphas of the packs had been trying for years to get the Elders to realize this but they wanted things done by the book.

After my dad left, I look over my schedule for the next three days. As much as the summit was important to pack life, it was putting my business on hold. I was in the middle of five projects that still had me traveling over the states to oversee. Not having this weekend to work, my schedule was going to be pushed back by a week. Then there was the Mitchell situation, or rather lack of, seeing as no one can seem to find him. After the battle, it seems that he just disappeared in thin air. Most people would just accept that Mitchell had probably given up, but I wasn't most and I refuse to let my guard down. When I get back to the pack house, it's buzzing with activity in preparation of our guest. My mom catches me as I try to sneak upstairs, "There you are! I wanted you to look over the menu for tomorrow." I shake my head, "Mom, whatever you've decided is fine with me. I’m not trying to give much input, in my opinion burgers are fine." My mom smacks me up side my head but her laugh takes the sting out of it. "Lucius Adam Smalls, that is no way to impress your guests!" I laugh before going upstairs to my office. I look over the guests list one last time before giving the final list to Cameron's mom. I was sitting there when Shawn walks in. We were still sitting there laughing over random things when Cameron and Frank walked in. I'm laughing when Frank throws a basketball at me, "How about a two on two game before the craziness of the weekend? It's been some time since I have beaten you." "You're on!!" I run to my room to change before heading to our indoor basketball court. The others are there and it's not long before we have a game going. With pack duties and work, it was hard to just sit back and have fun but it was so relaxing and necessary. After me and Cameron had beaten the others four games to two, we all headed to our rooms for a shower before dinner. As we sat at the table, we were still laughing as Frank insisted I had cheated. After dinner, we went for another round, this time with Frank's younger brothers Mike and George, as well as Cameron's younger twin brothers, Tyler and Tyson. My dad came out and refereed until we were all wrestling each other laughing. Finally we all headed to bed.

The next morning, after breakfast I was sitting in my office waiting for the packs to arrive. I looked over the pack list again and as I got to Alpha Mathers I was curious to see if he was really bringing Tanya and why. Finally, I got a mind link that the first guests had arrived. I spent the next several hours greeting the neighboring packs and by the time dinner was served I was over it. As we sat down, it was quiet as everyone looked around until Crystal Moon's Elder Mathew asked, "Elder John, where's your pack?" Elder John shrugged, "They should have been right behind me. I've called him several times with no answer." Before he can continue I get a mind link, "Alpha Mathers and daughter are here." I look at the table as I excuse myself, "They just got here." As I'm heading to greet them, I'm hit by this lovely scent of peaches and Sebastian is running around in my head shouting "she's here!" I walk towards Alpha Mathers as I see her. She's holding onto Tanya swaying slightly. Before I can stop myself the word slips from my mouth as I approach them, "Mate!" Before I can get to her, Robert stops me and I growl at him. "Alpha Lucius, we have a big issue that involves your pack as well as Crystal Moon. I'm not going to get in the way of the mate bond but we need to get Kaila away from everyone. I'll explain later." I look from him to her and I see her shaking slightly. I nod and we go to my office as the other Alphas look at us. "Give us a second please, and Elder John will you join us?" As I sit behind my desk, Tanya and Kaila sit on my couch with Tanya holding her against her. Elder John and Robert stand on the other side of my office. "So, what happened?" I ask and Tanya says, "My mom's missing, she was kidnapped by someone in our pack about two hours ago." John gasped, "Are you serious?" She nods and I look at Alpha Mathers whose teeth are gritted. "How do you know it's someone in your pack?" I ask glancing at my mate who hasn't moved. "Because she was taken from the pack house, someone slipped past our defenses to get to her. After we'd looked everywhere fore her, Kaila showed up crying. "My warning came to late." I hear her softly say and even with the seriousness of the situation, I feel myself hardening at the sound of her voice. "No girl, you told us, and we thought the pack house was safe! “Tanya reassures her. "The pack house is supposed to be safe!" Alpha Mathers bellows. "Alpha Lucius, your Luna is in danger as well as Crystal Lake's. I don't know who or why, I just know the target is to weaken the alphas of these packs." She says pushing herself away from Tanya. Then I look at her and her eyes floor me, and I know at that moment is rather die than be away from her any longer. Before I realize it I have her out of Tanya's arms and into mine. She wraps her legs around my waist and nuzzles her head into my neck sighing softly. The sparks flying over me where she touches my skin cause me to inhale deeply her scent of peaches and vanilla ice cream smell so much better with her in my arms.

Before I can completely lose myself however I return to my desk holding her. I reposition her so that she is sitting with her legs across my lap and her head buried in my neck. I mind link my dad and have him bring Crystal Moon's alpha. Then I mind link my ranked members and soon everyone is piled in my office. "Dad, Alpha King, we have an issue. About two hours ago, Luna Samantha was kidnapped from her pack house and there's reason to believe our Lunas are in danger." My dad says, "I assume you mean my wife and not the young lady on your lap." I look at him my eyes widening as I realize Kaila is the future Luna. Tanya however saves me, "Mr. Smalls, that's exactly who he's referring to. Whoever is doing this doesn't know he has his mate." I look down at her as Kaila moves, then stiffens. Her eyes suddenly roll back in her head and I'm about to freak out when Alpha Mathers says, "No, Alpha, leave her be, she's okay I assure you." I stare at her and watch her eyes begin darting under her lids.

She's so beautiful and she's all ours. Sebastian states.

I must agree Sebastian, I must agree.

Slowly she blinks and tears start falling but I can feel anger coming off her. Her breathing was raspy and her wings forced themselves from her back. "Tanya you know I love you like a sister right?" "Yes... What happened?" Tanya says hesitantly as she stands up in front of her dad as his eyes went black. "IM GOING TO KILL YOUR BROTHER!!!" she yells before disappearing from my arms. Sebastian whimpers at the Lost of his mate as everyone looks around confused. I hear everyone chatting before I yell, "Enough!" Everyone looks at me as my Alpha tone shakes the room. "We have to get the Lunas safe from whomever is trying to harm them. That is my concern right now."

My dad nods and we send Alpha Kings beta to get their Luna as we bring mom into the conference room. All the alphas are present and curious seeing as this isn't supposed to be a work day. "I called you all in here because you are all allies to Crystal Moon, Grey Moon and Silver Lake packs. Silver Lake's Luna has been kidnapped and our Lunas are suspected targets." Suddenly Tanya's phone rings getting attention. "Kaila, what the hell was that?!?!" Tanya's eyes go wide then she whispers to me if she can put the phone on speaker. I nod then hear my sweet angel's voice. "First Alpha Lucius, I didn't mean to leave like I did, I was angry. Tanya, your brother has allies inside of all three packs. That's how he got your mom, my parents are collateral damage for him. He took them about an hour after we left for Grey moon. Now I don't know where he's at, or where he took our parents but he has to pay. And Tanya, I'm sorry about earlier but if I get to him first, I may have to hold well on that promise. I went to my parents when I left, there's blood everywhere. I can only pray that they are alive. I need some time to myself Alpha, I'm sorry but if I could back now, I can't promise anything... Tanya will explain. Keep the Lunas safe that's all I know...oh and if you can get the other to grey moon, you may have a chance." With that she hangs up and I look at the shocked looks on everyone's face. Then Elder Mathew says, "Why do you believe her?" It wasn't a rude question just a curious one. Tanya steps up and says, "Look, Elder, I've known that girl my entire life, I've been with her through thick and thin. Now imma say this and say this once, you don't have to believe it, I don't care, but I respect her powers even before I saw them first hand." She was as respectful as bold as she walked out leaving everyone stunned.