Hidden Secret

Chapter thirteen: Ace

I stand in the crowd and watch Manya get accepted into the pack. Something isn't right. I don't feel a connection to her anymore. I figure I need to talk to Mike about it later. I start to walk up to them when I smell something, a wolf, and not one of ours. I look at Mike and he smelled it too. We lock eyes and both nod. We don't want to interrupt the party so Mike sends Manya up to her room, then walks over to me. “He is to close this time.” I nod in agreement. “Let's go get him.” I say with determination in my voice, and we head out. 

We walk out away from the party so we don't scare anyone, then shifted. We ran until we come to a clearing. In the middle is the largest wolf I have ever seen. I look at Mike. “Who is this?” I send through the pack bond. “No clue.” Mike says and stands up to his full height. Mike is a huge wolf, but he looks like a pup next to this monster. The strange wolf walks right up to Mike and I could tell, they were having a conversation. Mike turns and looks at me then motions for me to come forward. “Shall we shift to human form to continue this conversation?” The wolf ask and his voice is deep. We can tell he hasn't shifted in a long time so we are shocked by this. Also how did he talk to both of us at the same time? No wolf can do this. Mike and I both nod then shift and he does the same. He, by himself is huge standing around 6’7 he makes Mike and I look small. Mike looks at me, “He claims Manya is his mate.” I look at him. I should feel jealous but I don't. “Mike I've been meaning to talk to you about this, but I just noticed before we came looking for him. I don't feel for her like I did, the feeling is gone. I don't understand.” Mike's eyes grow large. “Maybe I can explains this”, the other wolf says. “Wolves can sometimes want to meet their mate so bad they can pretend the bond is there, they will even feel the feeling for the other wolf but it won't last.” We both look at him. “Who are you?” Mike asks. “My name is Kade Novikoff, I am the prince of the Ancient wolves of the mountain.” “Shit.” I say under my breath. Kade smiles. “We do not usually leave the mountain, because we have enough trouble with wolves attacking us because they think we are fake, but once a male turns 18 he is sent down in search of his mate. We do not find mates within our pack.” He keeps talking. I'm in shock and I look at Mike, he looks calm on the outside but I can tell on the inside he is freaking out. “You're sister. As soon as she stepped foot on your grounds I couldn't go away. I was scoping out your undated females when I saw her.” He growled , and I fell to my knees and Mike did too. Oh damn.  Mike had never kneeled to anyone. We both stand back up. “You have not asked permission to be on my land, so you are trespassing.” Mike growls and it does nothing to Kade. “This is punishable by death, you know.” Mike finishes. “I do beg your forgiveness. That is why I had you follow me here, I would like to stay with you awhile. Court Manya.” He says and stands a little taller. “You have been in your wolf form a long time can you control yourself?” Mike seem to believe him. “I have during our meeting, and you have tried to challenge me more than once.” I look at Mike and he looks ashamed. “I may not be Manya’s real mate but you cannot just come in here and claim you are.” I say and he turns his stare on me. His eyes are a bright yellow. I look away. “When the ancient wolves mate we get a mark on us. It looks like a tattoo, but it is more. It is a marking showing I am hers, as she is mine. If I get to see her, and touch her and our marks show up it will be proof enough for you?” I look at him. “I want a call from your alpha, to prove you are who you say.” Mike says and he nods. “Manya is a very strong wolf, stronger than I. Have you seen her shift?” Mike asks Kade. “I have, I followed her to make sure she was safe when she ran yesterday. She is so strong because her mate is of Ancient blood, and she has some in her too,” he looks to Mike, “meaning you have some in you also.” Mike looks shocked. “You may follow us back to the house you have ten minutes to prove you are her mate with these marks you speak of. If they don't show you will leave.” Mike tries to use his alpha voice but it has no effect. Kade shows his neck as a sign of respect, then we shift and head to the house.