My Mate, My Mystery

A War Stricten Home

~Connor's P.O.V~

My heart rips out of my chest everytime I walk through our pack lands. Many leaders do not ever see the devastation of war first hand, but as I walk through our war stricten home, all I see is the broken down houses and businesses that are barely standing anymore. Tears fill my eyes as I watch under weight children playing in the streets with tattered clothes and bare feet, as their parents look on with eyes filled of sorrow and shame, for the things they can no longer offer their children.

If only I could find the words to comfort them and show them the plans I have to make it all better, for everyone, not just the powerful. We will build and grow as a community, reaping the rewards as a whole. Our pack will become independently sustainable as well as thriving with the neighbors who surround us.

Now, unfortunately, is not the time. Our neighbors see us as weak and can only think of how to overthrow us. So, first we have to show them we will not back down and will fight to stay our own pack! With my second in command finally coming back home, he will help me to implement my plan to fortify our beloved pack as well continue to help us repair the damage and strengthen so we can grow again.

As I watch their plane start to make its decent, I think about how Anthony became part of our pack. Originally signed on as a ruthless mercenary from a lethal pack in Italy, out for who ever's blood he could spill. We were lucky to be the ones whose side he chose, his anger and ability would have made him a worthy adversery. Instead of dodging his wrath I got to watch him take his pain out on our enemies and slowly healing, becoming a man who is still feared but also loved and admired by many. His bloodlust has subsided and he is more about strategies, logic and peace, protecting this pack that he has grown to love. He is also about planning and has a need to control every aspect of his life, which makes me chuckle at he irony of the Moon Goddess blessing him with a independent spitfire second chance mate.

It will take nothing short of a miracle to thaw out the cage he has built around his heart, not that I blame him. Although I have yet to find my fated mate, I can only imagine the intense feeling of joy at finding them and then the incredible devastation when they cold heartedly betray you with the very Alpha you swore an oath to protect. I never knew a fated mate who had completed he bonding ritual and could be capable of such betrayal, but I have seen what happens to those who lose their mates, most die from heart break or loose their wolf counterparts.

I am not surprised neither of those things happened to Anthony or Enzo, they are some of the strongest counterparts I have ever come across. Fighting next to them, in either form, showed their true power. When they overcame there pain and anger and let heir true self shine through it showed how truly brilliant, powerful and how much of a force to be reckoned with they truly were.

As the plane door opens I hear a low dangerous growl from Enzo as the Pilot of the plane stumbles out the door unable to get away fast enough. I chuckle thinking how the pilots eyes must have wandered over Xena, Anthony may not be ready to claim his mate but Enzo has already staked claimed over of her. I try to hide my smirk thinking of how interesting this will be to watch it play out. Apparently Anothony's glare tells me how much I failed at concealing my amusement, which only turns my chuckle into a full blown laugh.

I compose myself as they get closer, taking Anothy's hand to welcome him home, my smirk still very evident. He always stoic face slipping away to show a murderous glare telling me to cut my s**t. Xena sensing the tension bounces between us, she takes my hand shaky too eagerly, as I watch Anthony's eyes follow our every move. As much as I understand his past and all the emotions going through his head I can't help but laugh. Although he trys his hardest to conceal his feelings, his eyes betray him by showing just how much he cares.

I shake my head and slap him on his shoulder and tell them to follow me to mess hall, we prepared a welcome home dinner for them. There is so much he needs to get caught up on. As we walk to the hall I tell him how are neighbors are getting antsy, itching to try to take control over us. A pack without a designated leader is viewed as an easy target. I tell him about the scouts from different packs that have been spotting circling us, testing our defenses.

Whatever Alleys we had in the past were destroyed with the Rogue King's ridiculous acts of love for his delusional mate. We are fighting this battle alone and it is going to be the biggest battle we have ever fought.

Xena listens intently and it is sweet to see the concern in her eyes for a pack she doesn't even know. I see her looking around processing all of the devastation we have already been through as tears well up in hers eyes while she watches the children play. I can see how big her heart is and how much she just wants to grab each one of them to give them a hug. I see Anthony watching her to, his eyes soften the moment they land on her with the sense of pride, love and passion, but you can also see him fighting his demons trying not to show any kind of emotion and remain stone on the outside. This is going to be a long journey for my friend, but I will be here to smirk at him every step of the way.