A Worthy Wolf?

Chapter 5 - Brayden

The wedding arrangements were sorted. Raven was to be my bride. Seemed her father and her Alpha were not about to settle easily, but eventually, after some hard bargaining, I managed to convince Leon to have some decency. The plus side of being friends with the Alpha, I suppose. He actually listened to me, and when I told him that I saw potential for the marriage to work, he gave a little leniency with his compromises. And, thankfully, them, seeing that we had shown leniency, they then agreed to compromise until the arrangement was settled. I may have also had to use my family business as an additional bargaining tool, one I would have to deal with once I broke the news to my parents...

We walked from the packhouse with our heads held high. Further contact would be made to finalize the details and I would become a married man. My wolf snarled at the idea. He wanted our fated mate. Traditional to the core. He had been pushing for me to search for her, even through our specialized training. But fated mates were harder to come across, and I had simply not been interested. As things were now, he was going to have to grow used to the idea of a chosen mate, and do as our pack were demanding of us. So long as we had a decent and faithful wife and mate, I could see no issue...

‘Is she faithful though?’ My wolf questioned, sparking a debate within my mind. Loyalty, devotion and honesty were all traits I expected in a mate. I had only met Raven a handful of times, and she appeared to be all those things. Young and naive, meaning she was easily pliable to what I needed her to be...

‘That does not make her faithful though.’ My wolf argued, clearly doing what he did best and listening into my thoughts before using them against me.

Doubt flickered within me. Could he be right? I mean, was she being forced into the marriage as much as me? Would there be a way to test her? I turned to my friends. “I may go and find Raven. You guys head back; I will come back once I have spent some time with her.” I told them, earning myself a knowing grin from my Alpha, Leon.

I did not allow the suggestive cheers from my friends to put me off. I was just glad they would finally be off my back. I finally had a mate. Or would have, in a matter of weeks, once everything was arranged. Thoughts of the only relationship I had had flashed through my mind. The way that it had ended... my wolf's words...

Instead of following the path toward the home that I knew belonged to Raven and her family, I walked toward my car, reaching for my phone. I had no intention of meeting with Raven now, as I had first suggested. My mind running away with itself had meant my plans had changed. I needed to wait for my friends to leave, as I knew neither one would agree with my next plan of action. I sat with my head down and scanned through my phone for the contact that I needed.

As the pack Gamma, we were often in charge of working with the warriors and their training. This was a role I had taken seriously from a young age, having seen my father being so skilled in it. A role I trained intensely for, and prepared well for. I was one off the most skilled Gammas within our region. The warrior squads within my pack were some of the best. And, we attended multiple inter-pack training events across the country to compete.

At one of these events, I recalled talking to a senior warrior from the very pack I was currently sitting within. A warrior that I now planned to ask for his assistance. A warrior to a warrior. And, as such, we held a code...

I scanned my contacts until I found his name: Niko. And clicked dial. After only a few short rings, he answered, sounding confused. “Gamma Brayden? Hi. How are you? Is there something I can help with?”

Just what I needed, a willingness to be of service. I just hoped my odd request would not be too much. Yet, I found myself smiling, as this was a genius plan to ensure I did not get hurt. "Hey there, Niko." I quickly greeted the man I had not seen for some time. Taking a deep breath before I began. "Well, it may seem a little strange, but there is something you can be of help with..."