Past Sins

Chapter 4: Matteo

The clearing was littered with the bodies of rogue wolves and more still coming. I emerged out of the woods and into the clearing ready to sink my teeth into the rogues threatening my territory. The rogues spotted me and stopped short for a moment. My wolf is over 7 feet tall with jet black fur and crystal blue eyes. I am the biggest, strongest, and fastest wolf in my pack which is not uncommon since I’m an Alpha. A howl pierced through the night and the rogues launched forward again. I ran towards the closest one and locked my jaw around its neck, biting down as hard as I could. I tossed it’s lifeless body away after snapping his neck and continued my attack. It had been what felt like hours before the rogues stopped advancing and it came just in time because all of my warriors were starting to feel it. Once we were sure the rogues had gone I decided to check on the progress at the west end then I'd find a way to find out how Enzo and David did.  

“Barr. The rogues have stopped advancing at the Northern end. What about the West?”

“Same here.” he responded. 

I sighed in relief that it seemed to be ending. My warriors fought fiercely to protect their pack and their families and it showed. The battle field was littered with the bodies of rogues- those already dead and on the brink of death, unable to move. Though they were unmatched the rogues got some good hits in on my team as well. A few of my warriors were injured and only one or two badly enough where their speed healing would actually work against them. We needed to treat the wounded and take care of the bodies of the deceased. “You all have fought bravely to protect Autumn Moon. Your bravery will be rewarded. Anyone who isn’t injured please help those who are to the hospital for treatment.”  A warrior came  I didn’t recognize came out of the wood-  walked up to me and shifted into human form. “Alpha Matteo?” I nodded in response as I was still in wolf form and could not mindlink him. “I’m Noah from Silver Fang. Alpha David and Beta Enzo would like for me to inform you that the South and East ends are fine- minimal injuries at both sides. The rogues have disappeared.” I nodded again to let him know I understood and he bowed before shifting back and heading back towards Autumn Moon with his fellow wolves. I’ll have to get a team out to the South and East to clear those lands before any of the visiting families leave. Would hate for them to see the m******e that happened under their noses. All the wolves were clearing the land either helping their teammates get to the hospital or getting rid of the bodies. Seeing as they seemed to have everything in control I think I'll make sure no stragglers were left behind. 

After a quick perimeter search I ran into the woods to meet up with Barret where we discarded our clothes, shifted back, and changed before heading home. He looked as beat and ready for a hot shower as I did. Clapping him on the back I said, “Good job man. Let’s go the hell home.” Back at the pack house I heard a commotion coming from the conference room. I groaned- as much as I wanted to take a shower and go to bed I knew I needed to see what was going on. The party was well beyond over and the guests have gone to their respective rooms in the pack house or houses. Other than the omegas running around picking up what they could- no one else should be here or awake. Barrett turned in the direction of the conference room to see what was going on. I stuck my arm out stopping him short, “Go to bed. I’ll handle this.” he stuck his hands up in surrender and turned towards the staircase. He bolted up the steps two at a time as if he was afraid I'd change my mind. 

“Blake! Where is she? You were supposed to keep her in the courtyard! You had one job!” David roared.

“I know Alpha. She said she needed to use the restroom and never came back out. I searched the entire house and the perimeter around it for her.”  he said cautiously.

Looks like David and Enzo made it back way before we did and by the sounds of it things something was up. The person who was missing is female and it dawned on me, His wife must have gone missing from the party! I had no reason to doubt my gammas abilities to protect and watch over the guests but I would kill him if this was true. We have an alliance with David’s pack and I didn’t want to obliterate it by losing his wife. I’ll speak to Asher about this personally once I confirm that it’s his wife that is missing. Until then I'll offer David the full resources of my trackers and warriors to help find whoever it is that’s missing. She must be important to him if he’s this upset. Other than my pack Silver Fang is the largest pack on this side of the globe and I won’t have our alliance shattered over this. Our great grandfathers worked hard to build this alliance and our grandfathers and fathers maintained it throughout the years. My mother is actually from Silver Fang so our parents have been friends for years. It would break their hearts to hear that our alliance was broken. 

“Enzo, get every single warrior out there looking for her. I want her found and I want her found NOW!”

“Yes Alpha.” he responded. 

“Blake, you go with them and find her. Don’t even think about coming back until she is found. Do you understand me?” David threatened.

“Yes Alpha.” Blake responded. Worry etched in his voice. I would be worried too if I were him. David doesn't sound like he's in a forgiving mood.

They both left the conference room and headed out the door to meet their warriors, passing me on the way out. I noticed the man with Enzo was the one dancing with my mate. I could hear David pacing back and forth in the conference room. Inside David was in his vest and tie with his suit jacket thrown across the back of one of the chairs. His wife and father are sitting at the table silently. I walked in and David turned to look at me clearly thinking someone had found the girl.  My curiosity peaked even more considering the amount of effort he was putting into this had me thinking his Luna was missing but there she is sitting quietly at the table. 

“David. I couldn’t help but overhear that someone from your pack has gone missing.?”

“Yes but it’s nothing to worry about. I have my warriors out looking for her now.”

Nothing to worry about? That was clearly a lie considering he was wearing a hole in the floor from pacing and his hair looked as if he had run his hands through it a million times. The amount of anger and fear radiating off of him only further proved that it was definitely something to worry about. 

“Either way I would like to extend the services of my wolves since they know every inch of the pack lands they could assist in finding… I’m sorry, who is it we’re looking for exactly” 

“My sister, Valerie. She attended the party with us and apparently slipped out of the house.” He pulled out his phone to show me a picture of her and my heart dropped. There she was, my mate, smiling from ear to ear with her brother's arm wrapped around her. She is absolutely gorgeous...and missing. Rage was threatening to consume me, Blake would lose more than his limbs if she’s been harmed for his idiocy. Taking some deep breaths I tried to slow down my heart. I was never any good about controlling my temper and the fact that my mate was missing because of that i***t made my blood boil. I don’t want them to find out she’s my mate this way so I attempted to control my facial expressions and the tone of my voice. “Out of curiosity, how old is your sister?” 

He furrowed his eyebrows clearly confused by my question and tucked his phone into his pocket, “She’s four months shy of 18, why?”

That’s why she can’t feel the mate bond, she isn’t of age yet which also means she doesn’t have her wolf. I’m sure she’s powerful with Alpha blood flowing through her veins but without her wolf she’s in danger. The rogue attack was out of random and we have no reason to believe they won’t attack again. The fear and anger radiating off of David makes complete sense now. He was worried that she would be attacked or taken since she wouldn’t have the full strength of her wolf. “I have a ton to explain but right now we need to find her. I’ll contact my warriors to assist your wolves.” I was about to mindlink Barrett to get a search party going when David stopped me. “It seems that Enzo has already found her. They are on their way back.”

Needing to see that she was okay for myself I turned to leave but again David stopped me. “Matteo, you said you had something to explain.?”

I stopped with my hand on the door handle. “Yes I do.” turning to face them. “It appears that your sister is my mate. Which I discovered earlier this evening.” I paused to let them soak in the information. They are extremely protective of her and a life with me isn’t exactly going to be a calm one.  “I was curious about her age because while I noticed that we were fated it was obvious she didn’t.”

“Because she’s 17. You said you found out earlier this evening that she’s your mate. Why didn’t you say something to us then?” 

“Regrettably, I never spoke to her and I wanted to do that first. She was on the arm of someone that now I know is from your pack and then the rogue attack drew my attention elsewhere.”

“I understand.”

“I would like to speak with her now. Could you please ask your beta to escort her here?”

David and Robert chuckled. “I’ve already done so and in her fashion she’s said no.” 

I laughed at the realization that the moon goddess gave me a feisty mate. I wouldn’t have it any other way honestly. I’ve seen Luna’s who are complacent to their Alphas and that’s not the kind of woman I want. I want someone who challenges me when appropriate and makes me think things through differently. I don’t want someone who just does and says what I want all the time. “I’ll go to her then. I know you would like to speak with her yourself as well. I only ask that you give me a few moments alone with her.”

He looked at Robert who nodded his agreement. “We can talk to her in the morning. Have tonight to speak with her.”  I bid them all a good night and headed up to the guest rooms directly above us. Every ounce of sleepiness I had disappeared- being able to speak to her face to face sent a shock of electricity through my body.