The Missing Mate

Chapter 7: Respect

Just how Raiden planned it we were on the road in 30 minutes. There were 2 motorhomes. Raiden, Levi, Mave, Adi and I in one and the rest of the pack in the other. The plan was to stop every night to sleep. Right now it was Levi's turn driving. It was not going well. He seemed to be distracted to say the least. I kept catching him watching Mave through the rearview mirror. It's not that Mave was trying to be distracting either, all she was doing was playing a board game with the rest of us. When Adi asked Raiden to play a board game,I thought for sure he'd say no but instead he sat down and started playing. He was so good with her. He was patient and kind, and she adored him. Ryan never got to meet her. He died or I thought he was dead rather, before she was born. He always talked about having kids, wanting to teach them how to hunt and scavenge for food. Ryan was intelligent and his daughter took after him in that respect. He'd be so mad to know that our daughter had no idea what she was, but I did it to protect her from this world. Mave tried telling me once that I should teach Adira the ways of being a werewolf so one day she didn't freak out when she eventually shifted. I just couldn't bring myself to teach her, didn't want her in danger, until I could no longer avoid it. I guess that day came sooner then expected but hopefully nobody had to shift on this journey.

~hours later~

"Alright I think it's time we pull off and rest." Raiden announced. We pulled into the nearby campground just like Raiden had planned. "We leave first thing tomorrow morning. First watch you're up, the rest of you get some sleep, don't miss watch." He instructed his pack before walking back into the motorhome. "What the hell are you doing here?" Levi yelled from the back. Who was he talking about? We all looked at each other confused before making our way to the back. "You aren't supposed to be here." Raiden sounded pissed, but I still didn't know who the intruder was because Raiden was blocking my view. "I'm sorry. I just couldn't stay behind by myself." Then I recognized the voice. Tatum. "You're not alone, you have a whole pack." Raiden wasn't taking any of her excuses. "She'll help us fight, if we come across anything right honey?" Levi was trying to make peace but I could tell he wasn't pleased she was here either. "Right. I'm a good fighter, plus I can cook!" She was trying to undig the hole she dug. "Absolutely not, I'm not getting food poisoning." Raiden growled, shoved past her and climbed into his bunk. Tatum had a giant smile on her face, thinking she won but I had a feeling it was just the opposite. "You're on watch Tatum!" Raiden didn't bother to even look at her when he demanded. Tatums smile disappeared immediately and she started walking to the door. "Goodnight guys." She waved at Mave and I, Levi walked her out giving her a kiss. "Be safe baby, I love you." Mave looked sick with hurt. She crawled into her bunk without saying a word. I climbed in next to Adi who had been asleep for a while.

~morning~

I woke up to shouting outside and jumped out of the bed after making sure Adi was ok and still asleep. I ran outside and there stood Raiden yelling at two of his pack members. "What the hell were you two doing? This should have never happened!" I Was confused until I saw that we had flat tires, they were slashed. "We're sorry we didn't see anything!" The two members claimed. It seemed a little odd neither one of them saw anything. "Fix it now!" Raiden boomed, and the two immediately started changing out the tires. "Sorry for waking you. Apparently I have 2 imbeciles that I should have left home!" He yelled loud enough for them to hear. I wondered if this was how he always treated his pack. "I'm fine,but do you always treat them like that?" I could tell I hit a nerve. "I." He stopped himself and took a calming breath. "No." He claimed before walking away. A woman walked up to me after he went inside. "I don't know you but just so you know, we respect the hell out of that man and he treats us with respect, he's hell of a sight better than a lot of other alphas out there. Those two neglected their posts and put the pack in danger and that is one thing the alpha does not stand for. They needed reminding and he let them off easy. It's a warning." She told me before walking away to get breakfast. I stood there stunned. I walked in the motorhome passing Mave and Adi on the way. "Hey you gonna eat?" Mave asked me. "Yeah just a sec." I answered and kissed Adi on the top of the head before walking into the motorhome. Raiden was standing at the counter with a mug of coffee, I could tell he was stressed and contemplating things. "I'm sorry for what I said. I was out of line. You're the alpha and I'm just somebody who walked in here who you decided to help." I apologized. "I'm sorry for upsetting you. I Just want everyone safe. Those numskulls could have gotten someone killed. I look after my pack Scarlett. I'll look after you and your daughter too. It's what I do. Please remember that next time. I respect my pack because I'm only as strong as they are but I'm only as smart as them too. We can't afford to make mistakes." He put his mug in the sink and walked past me and out the door.