Mated To The Gamma

Chase

CHASE POV

The moment Eden's hand touched mine I knew she was my mate. At 22 years old, I had climbed the ranks already to be one of Alpha Alex's most trusted personal bodyguards, if he had friends he might even consider me one of his closest but the man was anything but friendly and I immediately grew panic and concern for Eden's safety, especially now that she had a fated mate. If Alex found out we were likely both dead.

It took me fighting every instinct in my body not to stake my claim for her but her safety was my number one priority even if that meant pushing my need for her aside, but man did it hurt.

Watching him lock the door behind them to her room was one of the worst moments of my life so far. I prayed to the moon goddess he would show her his kinder side but knew it was possible he would be less than kind.

Seeing her at dinner after I finished my patrols confirmed my worries for her and it took every ounce of strength I had not to let my wolf out. Seeing her fall apart after the Alpha left the room broke me into a million little pieces. I had dreamed of the day I would find my mate for as long as I could remember and the mood goddess choosing the future Luna as my fated mate felt cruel.

I picked Eden up in my arms once I knew we were out of sight from anyone and quickly carried her back to her room. Once we entered and the door was locked I couldn't stop myself from needing her to calm my wolf down. I don't know what our future holds but I do know that right now I needed her more than I had ever needed anything in my life before.

I bent my nose into her neck to inhale her sweet scent, lavender, sage and cinnamon mixed into a delicious blend. I could feel her body start to relax when her nose went to my collar bone, and it sent chills down my spine. She was beautiful and I craved her desperately. After a few moments of us calming one another with our scent I pulled away.

"I'm so sorry love." I felt useless at my inability to protect her earlier.

"We need to talk..." I started.

"I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready for any of this" she cut in, tears starting to form in the corners of her eyes again. I instinctively moved my hand to her face and swiped at her tears with my thumb, careful not to hurt her bruised cheek.

"We have to be careful Eden. If Alex, I mean the Alpha, finds out about this we could both be in serious danger. The mating ceremony won't work properly if you have already found your fated mate. But Eden..." I trailed off a bit not sure how to say what needed said next, and her beautiful eyes looked at me puzzled. I sucked in a deep breath of her scent before I could continue.

"I cannot let you do this Eden. I will find a way to get you out of here. The mating ceremony is already bad enough but I know the Alphas appetite for cruelty and he will make it 10 times worse for you then it has to be just for the hell of it." A look of terror flashed across her face, her eyes widened.

"What do you mean? My parents never said anything to me about the ceremony being unpleasant, they have been preparing me for this my entire life..." she trailed off, not knowing what to ask, or say. As much as I didn't want to, I knew I would have to explain.

"To force a mate bond they must first sever the fated bond, if you haven't yet met your fated mate it will work, but it's painful, it feels like your heart is being ripped from your chest. But for you, the pain will be unimaginable because of me, and it's likely the ceremony won't take at all."

She looked more terrified than ever now and I felt a pang in my chest knowing I was the cause of her pain.

"I will not let this happen to you love, I will find a way to fix it, to get you out of here" I knew I couldn't let my mate endure this torture.

"Chase... I have a duty to this pack. I can't just leave them. And what will we do? Where will.we go? Live as rouge outlaws?" She was starting to pull herself together but I saw the war she was waging in her eyes.

"f**k the pack!" I snapped, a bit harder than I meant to because she recoiled a bit when I spoke.

"I'm so sorry love. I didn't mean to frighten you like that, I know you've had a hard day, I just mean, that you're safety is more important. And it's the Alphas own fault they're in this mess. They shouldn't rely on innocent women, and rip them from their fated mates to fix it." I spoke much softer now trying to calm her. I know the Alphas treatment of her earlier in the day had her on high alert now.

"Eden you should get some rest now. Let me get you into bed." I went to scoop her up off the ground but she stopped me.

"I can walk Chase. I'm not some weak damsel for you to save. I know I am your mate but I cannot allow this to happen right now. I cannot be the reason you get hurt, or punished or worse. I need to rest now, we can talk more later" Her words stung. Like hell was I going to lose her. But I respected her wishes, and watched her walk into her bathroom to get ready for bed.

I need to come up with a plan and I need to do it fast. I wasn't going to let Eden suffer, and I wasn't going anywhere either. I started to work up a plan in my head as I left her room and took my place outside her door to guard, hoping that the Alpha would keep his word from earlier and that he wouldn't disturb her again tonight.

I stood still by her bedroom door for the rest of the night, listening in with my enhanced hearing to the sounds of her sleeping breaths. Praying she was at least getting some restful sleep before her day to come tomorrow.