From Rogue To Queen

Mason's Morning

—Mason’s POV—-

I never have trouble waking up, but of course, on the one day I needed to be up early, I overslept. Her sweet smell still lingered in the air, so she couldn't have been awake for long. Perhaps she's in the kitchen eating breakfast.

I rushed downstairs, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but the kitchen was empty. My heart sank as I realized she was gone. How could I have been so careless? I should have learned more about her when she was here, instead of letting her slip away so easily. Anger boiled inside me, directed not at her, but at myself for letting this happen. I needed to find her and make things right.

I demanded, "Where did she go?" My voice echoes through the halls, and I know that everyone can hear me. How could someone disappear from a three-story manor without anyone noticing? Unless, of course, they had the ability to transform into a bird and fly out the window.

Sophia snapped at me, "Logan took your trash out."

"Logan took my trash out?" I repeated quizzically.

"Packs shouldn't associate with rogues, big brother," Sophia's authoritative tone rang in my ears as she approached me.

I turned to face her, the frustration evident in my eyes. "She’s my mate, not a fling." My jaw clenched as I struggled to articulate my thoughts.

Sophia's eyes widened in surprise, a mix of shock and concern crossing her features before she composed herself. "Your mate?" Her voice softened, a hint of understanding creeping in. "Mason, I’m so sorry for calling her rouge-trash."

I could see the wheels turning in her head as she processed the information. Sophia was always quick to adapt, to strategize, and I knew she would find a way to help me.

"Did you learn anything about her while she was here?" Sophia asked.

I shook my head, regret gnawing at me. "I should have asked more questions, paid more attention. All I know is her name, Alexa."

“That’s seriously all you know about your mate?” Sophia let out a small chuckle at my incompetency. “wow”

I glared at Sophia, her teasing not helping my already swirling emotions. “I was distracted, okay? It’s not like I planned for this.” I sighed, running a hand through my hair in frustration.

Sophia’s expression softened as she realized the gravity of the situation. “Okay, okay, no need to get all defensive. Call Logan, maybe she’s still with him.”

I immediately reached for my phone and dialed Logan's number. The phone rang only two rings before he answered, his voice echoing through the line. "Yes, Alpha?"

"Logan, where’s Alexa?" I asked urgently, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice.

There was a pause on the other end before Logan responded, "I just dropped her off in town."

I clenched my jaw, frustration bubbling up as his words sunk in. Serenity Falls has a population of close to 50 thousand shifters, and finding one rogue in the middle of it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

“Why did you take her to town, Beta.”

Logan hesitated before answering, clearly feeling the weight of my disappointment. "She outranks me, Alpha. It was her decision, and I respected it."

I closed my eyes, trying to reign in the frustration and regret swirling inside me. She had left without a trace, leaving me with nothing but her name.

If she had given the order for Logan to take her to town, he would have been bound to comply.

“Thank you, Logan,” I muttered, ending the call before turning to Sophia. “She’s in town.”

“Well, that narrows it down,” Sophia remarked dryly, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

I glared at her, her playful tone grating on my nerves. “This is serious, Sophia.”

Her expression softened, realizing the gravity of the situation. “I know, but it’s not like you marked her or anything.”

“About that” my voice trailed off.

“You didn’t mark her yet, right?”

“I sort of bite her last night at the bar,” I paused, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me. My actions had been impulsive, driven by an instinct I couldn't control. But now, faced with the consequences of my reckless behavior, I wished I had handled things differently.

Sophia's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and disbelief crossing her features. "You what?!"

I winced at her reaction, knowing how foolish it sounded. "I couldn't help it. It just... happened."

Sophia shook her head in exasperation, her gaze piercing through me. "Mason, you know what this means, right? If she didn't want to be marked..."

A sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach as her words hung in the air. The implications of my actions weighed heavily on me. I had overstepped, crossing boundaries that should never have been crossed without consent.

"You have to find her and explain.” Sophia continued, her tone serious.

I nodded, the weight of my mistake pressing down on me like a heavy burden. I had to find Alexa, not just to explain myself but to apologize for my reckless behavior. She deserved more than a forced mark, more than being treated like property. My mate deserved respect and understanding.

I don’t even know her last name or what type of shifter she is. My only lead would be to go back to the bar and question the bartender. I started heading to the foyer, and answered my cell phone without even looking at the number that was calling.

“This is Mason,” I announced through my smart phone.

“Alpha King Mason, would you care to explain to me why my son has been revoked his alpha title?” the deep voice went straight to business.

Ah, s**t. I had already forgotten about the punk who was also there that night. He can provide me answers as well about my mate.

“Absolutely,” I answered in my customer service voice. “But this is a conversation best had in person. I will be at your pack house in an hour.”