Between Two Worlds

Chapter Five

Logan

As Liora and I walked side by side, my mind was working at full speed. And that was for more than one reason.

I was being bombarded with questions via mind-link from my pack members. First were the ones who were on patrol when Liora appeared. Initially, they thought I was getting her inside as a prisoner of some sort, but when they noticed it wasn’t the case, since she wasn't acting like a person who was being hauled against her will, all of them started sending me mind-links at the same time, asking what I was doing by letting her inside our borders and what my plans were.

If only they knew that even I have no idea what I am doing. Or what I will do.

After shaking them off, telling them to go back to patrol the borders and be sure no one else was lurking around (and of course, they obeyed me without a second doubt, after all, I am their Alpha), it was the turn for the other pack members — who were walking by and sensed she was not one of us — to bother me too.

''Alpha, what is happening? Do you need to assemble the Warrior's Squad?'' one of the newest recruits asked amidst all the other inquiries thrown at me. I quickly denied needing help and asked him to calm down and get back to training.

''Alpha Logan, is she a Siren?'' a random pack member I couldn't identify asked in the mind-link too. I just breathed loudly and kept ignoring all the queries and nosy wolves.

''Sir, are you sure it's a good idea not to restrain this freak before dragging her to the dungeons?'' asked one of the patrol guards, and that threw me a little off balance... I knew we were natural enemies, but why would they so rapidly assume she was a prisoner even though she did nothing against us? Was I just like them too? Was this how Liora saw me and my pack? A constant threat? Is she scared to trust us as much as I am wary of trusting her?

All of these questions were swirling in my mind so fast that I was sure to get dizzy from them.

''Why is there a Siren in our land... I feel like I know her!''

''THAT'S ENOUGH!'' I all but screamed at all of them throughout the link. Shutting up everyone in an instant. ''Liora is a temporary guest in this pack and should be treated as such. I don't want to hear any questions about this decision until I can explain the reason for it. Did I make myself clear enough, pack?''

The answer came fast and in unison. Everyone saying ''Yes, Alpha'' at the same time. And I was satisfied again.

But asking them to stop questioning me wasn’t the same as asking them to act naturally around her... that I couldn’t do.

I could see with my peripheral vision some of the pack members, who were walking close to us or by us from the opposite direction, squirming out of the way as if they were being burned.

Well, they weren't being burned for real, but they were being affected by her freaking Siren's commanding energy. It wasn't like mine that intimidated them in an authority and leader figure way... as if commanding their respect, since I was exactly that — a leader.

Her energy was terrifying and strong, almost in an antagonistic way. I bet it's a protective thing. Or another Siren shenanigan.

Call it instinct.

She was trying to suppress it... and failing miserably. The scene was almost comical. And spiked my curiosity too. I could sense the fluctuations in her energy and the changes in her aura, as if she was using a lot of self-restraint to conceal most of her powers.

And why was she doing that? It's not like she needed the approval of my pack or something. She didn't need to go easy on them or try to make them feel comfortable. We were natural enemies. It is supposed to be this way. Hell, if I was her, I would be doing the exact opposite, since every single member of my pack always hated her guts and never tried to hide that fact.

As we walked in silence, my mind a turmoil, getting worse with every passing second since I encountered her in the woods, I caught myself thinking more and more about her. Trying to decipher her early spoken words, to understand her actions, her expressions... all about her.

It wasn't just because I was intrigued by her sudden return. It was more like a need. A necessity I didn't know I had until she appeared in front of me again.

In the past, I was so used to her constant presence, that I got accustomed to her aura and energy, it was so different from the aura of werewolves, something I was familiar with. After all, I exhaled the same energy as my kind, just on a whole different level.

But after so many years apart, although it doesn't bother me being close to her now (as it seems to trouble my pack members), I can sense her power even if I don't actively want to.

It is how our world works.

Every supernatural can sense the powers of other supernaturals, whether they are the same kind or not. Sometimes, the truly powerful ones can hide their energy, and for others to sense it, they must be as powerful as the ones being assessed, or stronger.

For instance, a weak Omega wolf cannot survey the amount of power of an Alpha. They inherently know Alphas are more powerful, therefore they inevitably obey. If it was an Omega trying to size the power of a strong witch, they would only be able to do so if the witch allowed them to.

The same goes for two strong alphas sizing each other. Usually it is a power battle thing. They intentionally reveal their Alpha-power to intimidate the other Alpha. And vice-versa.

Or a Vampire Lord against an Alpha Wolf. They will always want to show who is the stronger one. ''The survival of the fittest'' thing.

However, I always knew Liora used to conceal her power when we were younger. And now I am more sure than ever. Even though she is still suppressing it, her power emanates from her in waves. And her aura? Let's just say that if I didn't know who she was, I would definitely be wary of her.

Hell, to be honest with myself... I am wary of her.

But not for the right reason, not because of her out-of-ordinary power. But because of the way she made me feel when we were talking in the forest borders. Because of how she was making me f*****g confused.

As more of my people were giving her the dirty look before securely moving out of her way, I noticed she was slowly releasing more of her Siren power. As if she was finally realizing that she had no reason to placate the apprehension of these wolves who looked at her as if she was a freak of nature.

And by the Moon Goddess, I was getting more stunned by the second. What the hell was this energy coming from her? Was it real? Was this woman the same Liora I knew 7 years ago?

And strangely, even though I am not used to how things are different around her now, I don't feel threatened or intimidated.

It's like a deep part of me knows she will never try to harm me or the people around me. It's a sense of security I only feel when I am close to my most trusted men, like Dominic and my father.

This strong feeling of safety coming from her is unknown and new to me. But well, what else related to this woman isn't new now? It's like I don't know who she is anymore and, at the same time, is as if I’ve known her deep parts my entire life.

I can feel my wolf stir to life, standing in attention to everything that is happening in the outside world. Everything related to Liora to be more specific. Another foreign feeling.

There's nothing unfamiliar about my wolf being on guard and attentive, but it's a first considering there's no imminent danger or threat. Usually, it's like the human part of our world is of no interest to him.

So why all the curious awareness now?

Could this indeed be related to our lack of a mate? Is her Siren power so strong that it's calling my wolf forward? Entrancing even him?

Truthfully, that is one of the powers Sirens possesses. The alluring ability, the deceitful words, and actions, the undeniable and breathtaking beauty... But all of this was not supposed to affect my wolf — since his only interest is in finding his mate, the other half of his soul, and well, the actual mating part —, Liora’s Siren shenanigan was supposed to work exclusively with its human counterpart. Human as being me.

So why is this happening now? Maybe it is because of our non-existent mate.

The thing is... it is crucial for werewolves to find their other halves. Their soulmates. It's like we were created for that purpose. And it's even worse and more vital for an Alpha to find his Luna. Not only to strengthen and unite the Pack and its members, but also to acquiesce the beast within the Alpha.

It makes no sense to me how a freaking powerful Alpha can go mad without a mate, but it can happen. It’s not common because most Alphas decide on a Chosen Mate if they reach a certain age without finding their Fated Mates. But not all of them choose the easy way out. We have in our history a few stubborn ones — like me I guess… — that chose to wait for their counterparts. Not everyone can conform to just a mere second-best alternative.

Me being one of them.

I truly love my pack and I am excellent at leading them. It’s not out of nothing we grew to be one of the three largest and strongest packs of the Land of Light. And I am proud of accomplishing this tough achievement in such a short period since I became their Alpha.

Regardless, I can’t, for the life out of me, accede to anything less than what is rightfully mine and give up a future with my Fated Mate, the soul that was made specially to complete mine — not even for the sake of this pack.

Fated Mates are bound to love and protect each other above anything else. They are two parts of the same soul. Regardless of any unforeseen circumstances, they are predestined to meet and be together. Hence, that's why I've decided to fight for it until my end. Or until the madness overcomes me. Nevertheless, a future with someone I will cherish and care for the rest of my life is worth it.

And deep down I know I will find her… since before I’d turned eighteen, I always had a strange feeling that she was close, but at the same time, far away from my grasp.

And if I don’t find her soon, I am no fool to think that the endless waiting won't affect me and drive me insane.

That is probably the reason why my wolf is doing things he was not supposed to. He is as tired of waiting as I am.

Or maybe I am just not aware that the madness has already arrived.

That would definitely explain a lot...