The Lost Daughter

Ch 2

Jake's POV

The clock strikes midnight as I prepare my papers for the alpha summit tomorrow. I lean back in my chair at my desk and scratch my head. I never look forward to these damn summits. All the old alphas and elders talking nonsense and never-ending peace treaties. The one pack I'll never be at peace with is the Ripper Pack. Their alpha is the scum of the earth who does not need to be leader of anything.

Every alpha within 100 miles and their betas will be in attendance. I wish I didn't have to go at all, I only want to find my mate and get this slut Bella off my s**t. I slept with her one time and now she thinks she deserves to be my Luna because I don't have a mate yet.

A knock at the door brings me out of my head. The pungent smell of rose and jasmine tells me exactly who is knocking. I rub my hands down my face while cursing under my breath.

"Go away Bella. I don't have time to deal with you right now." I yell.

"Oh Jake, you can't keep denying that we belong together. Sooner than later, you'll get your head out of your ass and start planning my Luna ceremony. Just you wait and see." Bella snaps at me.

If I weren't so tired, I'd have her thrown in the cells for speaking to her alpha like that. As she storms away down the hall, I finish putting my papers and supplies into my case and place it next to my suitcase on the couch. I lock the door and go across the hall to my suite and lock the door behind me.

In the morning, Devin already has our luggage in the car and is leaning against it waiting for me to come out. Devin is my best friend and second in command. I don't know where our pack would be without him, but he can be the biggest joker and dumbass around. But when it comes to the safety of our pack, he takes it seriously.

"Alright Dev, is everything loaded up?" I ask.

"Yup. Everything's all set!" he says with a salute.

I shake my head at him, I swear if he wasn't a damn good beta, he'd be the village i***t. I climb into the passenger seat as Devin climbs into the driver's side. As we start to drive off, I look up into one of the windows of the packhouse, I see a very angry Bella staring down at us. Just to be a smartass, I smile and wave. I'm sure that just drove her wild. Ha! Serves her right for assuming she would be my Luna.

After 3 hours of driving and listening to Devin prattle on about some new video game coming out next month and girls, we finally arrive at the Rippers Pack. As we approach the pack house, I'm hit by the most delightful scent of peppermint and chocolate. Heading up the driveway, I see a figure on the front lawn. Just as we get right up to the pack house, I see a small figure chained to a stake, my inner wolf Jasper starts pacing and yelling 'Mate' over and over.

'Hey man, what's up?' Devin mind-links me.

'Jasper says that girl right there is my mate.'

Now my only question is, who the f**k did this to my mate? I would never ever question the moon goddess in who my mate is. If Jasper says this girl is my mate, I would walk through fire for her. No questions asked. Now I just want to free her from her chains and dress her. No future Luna of mine is going to sit chained up, nude for every alpha to see.

I step from the car, run over to her grab her face, and see the most beautiful hazel eyes, curly brown faded hair and freckles. I mind-link Devin,

'Hey, grab the biggest sweater from my bag you can find.'

'You got it.' he responds while running to the trunk of the car.

I get to work on releasing her from her bonds, once I start touching the collar, I realize that it's made of silver. Then I see the burns on her neck, I can't help but to suppress a low growl. Who could be so cruel to this beauty? So innocent and sweet looking. She has to be only 17, and a small petite frame. One of my sweaters should cover her small body up nicely so no one else sees her. She's suffered enough by the looks of her faded bruises and scars. I notice that they're all below the neck. Nothing on her face. That's strange, that whoever did this avoided her face.

Finally, I'm able to get the lock broken and free her from the collar, just as I do, Devin runs up with a gray sweater, concern deep in his eyes as if a strong loyalty to this girl is already forming deep inside of him. That's my favorite thing about him, he's loyal to the death.

"Dude, what the f**k?" Devin says with a blank expression.

"Who could do this?" I ask through gritted teeth as I slip the sweater over the girls small, sleeping figure.

As I finish putting the sweater on her, she looks up at me with the saddest expression, gives me a small smile, and whispers "Thank you moon goddess for ending my suffering. I'm coming home mom, dad, Renny.". As she finished her sentence, her head fell on my chest from sheer exhaustion. Using little effort, I scooped her up in my arms, with Devin hot on my heels, we head into the pack house.

As soon as we enter the door, the worthless alpha, Damon Black stepped up to me, emitting his alpha aura at me. Jokes on him, I don't back down to anyone.

"Alpha Jacob, may I ask why you have released the girl?" Damon asks in an aggressive tone.

"Step down Black, this girl is my mate and I demand you show us to our rooms so I can lay her down."

"This girl is property of my pack. Release her to me, now." Damon tries to demand.

"Even you cannot deny a man the bond of his mate, so unless you want my alpha here to rip you to shreds, I suggest that you show us to our rooms and be gone. For your health of course, Alpha Damon." Devin interjects before I really do rip this asshole to shreds.

Damon huffs and commands an omega girl to show us to our rooms on the 3rd floor. My room is the third room on the right, right next to Devins. Devin drops our luggage in the rooms and joins me in mine as I lay the unconscious girl on the bed. The dark blue sheets on the bed are hardly disturbed with her weight.

"Devin, I want you to stand guard tonight. I want no interruptions whatsoever. Poor thing needs rest and I need to think about what to say to the elders and other alphas at tomorrow's meeting. I do not want to stay in this pack longer than needed. I'm going to find out about her from the kitchen staff while she sleeps and see about getting the doc in here to look her over."

"You got it. You know you can count on me Jake. I just want you to know, I'm happy you found your mate, just wish it was under better circumstances." he says as he places a hand on my shoulder before leaving to guard the door.

Taking a calming breath, I look over at the girl on the bed, thinking about what she said. Renny, where have I heard that name before? I make a mental note to call dad later tonight after I find the doctor to look her over. Standing up, I walk over and stroke her cheek, making her turn her head. I see a single tear fall from her face. Not much can harm an alpha, but that just broke my heart. Even in her sleep, she's in pain. Damon will pay for this; I will see to his downfall personally.

I walk out into the hall; I see an elderly woman with white hair approach me.

"Pardon me Alpha, I would like to speak with you about the girl." she says in a hushed tone.

"Devin, I'm going to use your room for a few. Don't leave your post."

"Yes Alpha." Devin nods.

"Please follow me, Ms." I say as I enter Devins room.

"Thank you, Alpha Glass." the woman said.

As I close the door, I gesture for her to have a seat on the chair across from the couch.

"My name is Mrs. White, I'm the head of the kitchen and household. The girl, I understand is your mate?" she asks.

"Yes, how did you know my name? And word travels fast around here, doesn't it?"

"Yes, all the omegas are horrible gossips I'm afraid. I met your father at a summit many years ago and I must say you resemble him entirely." she explains.

"Oh alright, now that that's cleared up, what can you tell me about the girl?"

"Well, I don't know much, but I do know that her name is Riley, she's turning 18 on Saturday. She is the pack slave and when Damon doesn't get his way, he lets his slut beat on her. She was brought here 10 years ago when Damon's father was still in power, before Damon killed him to earn the title."

I clench my fist at this new information. Trying to contain my anger.

"What did she do to deserve the punishment I released her from? She looks like she's been starved for years and beat almost daily." I say.

"To my understanding, Alpha Black demanded to take her as his chosen mate, and she declined him. So, after she finished her chores, he chained her up naked like a dog he said, his father was never this cruel, he needs to be taken down from power. A new alpha put in his place, or this pack dismantled, please do you think you can help us?"

"I plan on exposing him at tomorrow's meeting, don't worry Mrs. White. It seems like you are a true friend to Riley, and I'd like you to know that you will always have a place at my pack.".

"Thank you, Alpha Glass." she bows her head to me in respect.

"Please, call me Jake or Jacob. Any friend of my mate is a fried to me." I say as we stand to leave the room. Before we do leave, she turns to me and says, "I know our doctor on a personal level, I will send him up to you, so you don't need to leave Riley for too long."

"Thank you, again. I truly will not forget this Mrs. White." I say as we step into the hall.

I mind-link Devin, 'Hey man, I got some details. Come in and I'll fill you in while we wait on the doctor.'

'You got it.'

We head into the room to discuss what Mrs. White had just told me. When we walk in, Riley is sitting in the far corner of the room, curled up into a ball, eyes wide with fear and confusion.

"Shit." I mutter under my breath. I go over to sit in front of her at a safe distance, so she doesn't feel cornered.

"Hi. My name is Jacob Glass. I'm the alpha of the Crystal Lake Pack. That goober over there is my beta, Devin Rivers." I say in a very gentle voice. She begins to lose her look of fear, hearing that I know her name.

"H..How do you know my name?" she asks in a timid and scared voice.

"I spoke with Mrs. White from the kitchen not too long ago. She told me what she knew about you. I want you to know you are safe from Damon when you're with me and Devin. No harm will ever come to you again. I swear by the moon goddess."

Riley looks down at her feet that are curled up under her. I can see she's full of shame and embarrassed.

"Why did you release me?" she asked in a flat tone. It was almost as if she felt that she owed me something.

I scratch the back of my head, "Well, you are my mate, little one. I felt it as soon as we pulled into the driveway of this place. Do you not feel the pull?"

"Uh, no. I'm not 18 yet. My birthday is this Saturday." she explained.

Before I could reply, there was a quick knock at the door. Devin turned to answer it and there stood Mrs. White and the doctor of the pack.

Riley perked up at the sight of her only friend. "Mrs. White! I thought I'd never see you again." Riley ran over to her and Mrs. White wrapped her in a motherly embrace.

"My dear, I'm very glad to see you awake. I brought the doctor as requested, Alpha Glass." said Mrs. White.

"Riley, I want the doc to look you over, I've seen your bruises and scars. I want to make sure you'll heal. Do you consent?"

"I suppose so. I've never been given medical attention before." she explains.

"Well, you don't need to worry about that anymore. I will care for you. I promise."

"Alright, I want everyone to step out so I can examine Riley alone." the doctor orders.

As we head out the door, I get an uneasy feeling that something just isn't right. Jasper feels the same way. I'll be standing by the door to be sure all is well. I swore to protect her, and I will with my last dying breath.