Unbroken

Respect.

*Danes POV*

After seeing those pictures of my mate taken by someone clearly watching her, my stomach sank. I needed her here safe with me as soon as possible. Emmitt searched every camera around her apartment but only caught a short moment where a hooded man stood out front right after Emmaline ran inside. She clearly looked uncomfortable but she never said anything to me.

Maybe he was homeless and trying to sneak in the lobby for shelter from the cold. It would be hard to know considering we could only see his black hooded outline. He didn’t stay long after she entered, clearly missing his opportunity if he was looking to get in.

It had been about 20 minutes since my last text from Emmaline and I was tired of waiting. I grab the keys to our SUV and head out the door. Elliott follows behind me but I wave him off. I don’t need protection for a 5 minute car ride.

As I reach the outside of her apartment building, I am thoroughly unimpressed. There is no way I am going to let my mate stay one more day in this run down place. I can’t wait to take her back to the palace and show her what her life is meant to be like. I can’t wait to give her everything and more, she deserves it.

I walk towards the front and decide I am going to check around the building for possible access points someone could be slipping in and out of. As I go around the side of the building I notice a rather run down fire exit. Without much effort I pry open the door and am immediately in the staircase.

Well that was easy, way too easy. I walk up to the floor I know Emmaline’s apartment is on and look around for any cameras or any thing out of the ordinary. Nothing. As soon as I reach her floor I notice her hallways seems darker than the others. There are quite a few light bulbs burnt out in the hall making it a little ominous to walk down. I can’t believe I let my mate come back to this place.

Outside her apartment door I shoot her a text letting her know I’m here. No response right away, she must still be in the shower. I turn to put my back against the door while I wait for my perfect mate.

I send a message to Emmitt’s mate Cora to let her know we only had one more weeks away as long as all remained civil with the Bloodvane pack. I also let her know I would hopefully be bringing my mate home to meet her by the end of our time here.

Cora was my childhood best friend and I couldn’t imagine a better mate for my Beta. She was one of the strongest warriors in my pack and normally I would have brought her along instead of Heidi but she just gave birth to two perfect twin girls.

She let me know everything was going well and that she had just spoken to Emmitt a few hours before I messaged her.

I noticed the door across from Emmalines begin to open. A tall well built man appeared. I recognized him from one of the photos taken of Em.

He’s immediately defensive.

“Can I help you?’ He asked gruffly with a piercing stare.

“I’m waiting on Emmaline, are you Colby?” I don’t need to get off on the wrong foot with her neighbor.

“Yeah who are you? Is she expecting you?” He puffs out his chest. While I was quite a bit taller I could tell he was in protection mode.

“I’m Dane Owen, I met Emmaline the other day. She knows I’m coming, I’m just a few minutes early and didn’t want to rush her.”

His eyes change from angry to submissive.

“I apologize your highness, I didn’t realize the Royal pack was in town. I’ve never actually seen you in person please forgive me.”

He lowers his head to bow as he takes a knee.

“I am Colby O’Conner, formally with the Bloodvane pack.” His eyes never left the ground.

“I left a little over 2 years ago when the former alphas health started to decline.”

Interesting.

“Any particular reason?” I question.

“My mother passed 3 years prior and without her the pack never felt like family. I knew the type of alpha Hawk would eventually become and I didn’t want to be associated with someone like him.” He explained his eyes finally meeting mine as he rose from his knee.

“Have you tried to become a part of any of the local packs? Your still so young I’m sure the Alpha of TimberTrails or the Alpha of the Amber Moon pack could surely make room for you.” I never liked to see quality wolves out running rogue in my territory. With his size and build I’m sure he was trained well.

“I haven’t your highness. I don’t know if I’m ready to be part of a pack again. I only want to follow an Alpha who is worthy.”

A respectable answer.

“Please call me Dane, I commend your standards. Have you seen anything suspicious going on around here?”

I could sense his tension.

“Your highness I have been noticing dark figures outside late at night. This morning I smelled something off in the hallway, but whatever it was left before I could find out what it was. I have a bad feeling it’s here for her.”

He looked towards Emmaline’s door. I could see a flicker of fear in his eyes.

“My wolf knew from the day I met her that there was something special about her. Something different. I promised myself I’d look after her. She’s not weak but she is trusting. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

He stood tall and placed his hands behind his back as he looked directly at me.

“With all due respect Alpha, if you’re intentions with Emmaline are less than admirable, I will step in to protect her. I will lay down my life for hers.”

I knew he meant every word. I didn’t know whether to be jealous of his love for my mate or to respect his willingness to sacrifice himself for her.

“Emmaline is my mate Colby, I would never do anything to hurt her or put her in harms way.”

The tension in his neck muscles released as he kneeled again.

“My king, if you intend to take Emmaline to Soleil, I would ask permission for myself to come as well.”

He stood again meeting my gaze. There was desperation in his eyes.

“I respect she is your mate but I still feel this undeniable urge to protect her from anything that tries to harm her and I have this gut feeling something is coming.”

“Emmaline has not chosen to come with me yet. If she chooses to accept me, I will make arrangements to have you moved to Soleil. At that time you will swear your loyalty to me, my pack and my Queen.”

He bowed his head to show his agreement and turned to head towards the staircase. As he turned out of sight I heard the locks shift on the other side of Emmaline’s door.

“Dane?”