Chapter 6
890 Words
Alpha Damien's POV
I fought back a sigh as another Alpha droned on about yet another problem plaguing his pack.
Honestly, why did I have to sit through these meetings every year?
Because you're one of the strongest Alphas on the continent, and every Alpha in this room wants your opinion.
James's sarcastic voice echoed through my mind.
I rolled my eyes internally.
That doesn't mean I enjoy it.
If I wasn't trapped in this building listening to grown men complain for hours, I could be handling actual pack business. Or better yet, we could be out looking for our mate.
At the mention of a mate, James immediately became alert.
Now you're talking.
I smirked.
Unfortunately, our Beta was currently running the pack, and leaving him in charge for too long tended to inflate his ego.
The last time I returned from one of these meetings, he'd spent three days reminding everyone how well he'd handled things without me.
The memory alone gave me a headache.
"So what do you think, Alpha Damien?"
The question pulled me back to reality.
I blinked and found Alpha Samuel staring directly at me.
Several other Alphas turned in my direction as well.
Wonderful.
I cleared my throat.
"My apologies. I was thinking about something else. Could you repeat the question?"
A few of the Alphas chuckled.
Samuel sighed dramatically.
"As I was saying, I found my mate about a year ago. Unfortunately, her mother is... unstable. She took my mate and disappeared before I could properly bring her home."
Something about the way he said it immediately rubbed me the wrong way.
Samuel continued.
"I've sent my best trackers after them. Six months ago, we found the mother, but she refused to tell us where my mate was hiding. Since then, every trail has gone cold."
He shook his head.
"I've been worried sick."
Beside me, James let out a low growl.
I frowned.
Why are you growling?
Instead of answering, he growled again.
Louder this time.
Something felt off.
I couldn't explain it, but Samuel's words didn't match the emotions I was sensing from him.
The concern sounded rehearsed.
Forced.
"Does your mate know she's your mate?" I asked.
Samuel blinked.
"Of course she does."
"Then it's possible she's staying away for a reason."
Several Alphas shifted uncomfortably.
Samuel's jaw tightened.
"I think her mother filled her head with lies. She's probably afraid of me."
Murmurs immediately spread through the room.
I knew exactly what the others were thinking.
If someone convinced their mates to leave them, they'd be furious too.
Still...
Something wasn't right.
James's growling intensified.
We won't know until we find her.
The anger in his voice startled me.
He'd never reacted this strongly to a stranger before.
"Tell us about her," I said. "If we're supposed to help, we need to know who we're looking for."
Samuel's expression softened.
Almost instantly.
Too instantly.
It was like someone had flipped a switch.
"Where do I begin?" he murmured.
His eyes glazed over slightly as if he were reliving a memory.
"She's about five-foot-five. Tanned skin. Eyes the color of a cloudy summer sky."
For some reason, my chest tightened.
James went completely silent.
Samuel continued.
"Her hair is dark brown, but the sun catches parts of it and makes it look lighter. She's beautiful."
Another growl rumbled through my wolf.
"Her body is toned like a warrior's. Strong. Fast. Even before she began training."
The longer Samuel spoke, the more uncomfortable I became.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
I wasn't sensing love.
I wasn't sensing concern.
I wasn't sensing the desperate devotion that every mated male carried for his mate.
Instead...
I sensed possession.
Obsession.
Control.
Samuel paused, and when I looked into his eyes, I saw something that sent a chill through me.
Lust.
Power.
Ownership.
But not love.
James exploded.
GET ME OUT OF HERE!
I nearly flinched.
What is wrong with you?
I DON'T LIKE HIM!
His growl rattled through my mind.
I don't trust him.
Truthfully, neither did I.
Not anymore.
"Perhaps we should take a short break," Samuel's Beta suggested.
Finally.
I was already on my feet before anyone could object.
The fresh air hit me the moment I stepped outside, and I immediately felt better.
For the first time all day, I could breathe.
James paced restlessly inside my mind.
Damien...
Can we go for a run?
I raised an eyebrow.
A run?
Please.
The desperation in his voice caught me off guard.
James never begged.
Ever.
I stopped walking.
Why are you acting like this?
A long silence followed.
Finally, he answered.
I don't know.
Another pause.
I just need to get away from him.
I nodded.
For some reason, I felt exactly the same way.
Walking deeper into the woods, I found a secluded area hidden behind a cluster of trees.
Without hesitation, I stripped out of my clothes and shifted.
The familiar sensation rolled through my body as bones reshaped and fur burst through my skin.
A moment later, James stood where I had been.
He grabbed our clothes in his mouth and took off into the forest.
The cool evening wind rushed through our fur.
For the first time all day, we felt free.
Neither of us realized that this run was about to change our lives forever.
- Writer
