Mated Before Love

Prologue - Chase

When I was 11 years old my father, the current Alpha Grayson, told me the story of one our packs most devastating rouge attack. Few of our warriors had died that day including my mothers best friend Harriet, one of our elite warriors. Her mate was in battle and was out numbered by rouges much to his displeasure she had left her two twins in hiding by themselves and she fought along valiantly beside him. Alas one rouge had attacked her slicing her from her neck to her stomach, as she was pregnant with a pup her body wasn’t working to heal herself rather to protect the pup inside her. As my father and the pack doctor arrive to the scene it was evident that it was the pup or Harriet, my father the Alpha had mink linked the doctor and asked for her opinion of which will survive the best. The doctor had informed my father that even if they removed the baby and fixed the wound she would die shortly as her body would have sustained too much damage. With this information my father had decided not to inform her mate that either way she was dead, he had however informed my mother the Luna who was rushing to be with her friend in her final moments. Distraught her mate, I believe his name was Tyson another elite warrior, refused to take the baby at the time unwilling to do anything but be with his mate. My mother took the baby into her arms and rushed her to the pack hospital due to how early she had been born. My mother cared for her for a week in the hospital, our pack was blessed with two true healers and my mother was one of them, until her father stormed in and ripped the baby from her arms. I was told he was ravenous and disgusted with the child but told my mother she was his burden to keep. My mother had ensured while the girl was in her care, that she had given the name her best friend had told her to keep her memory alive, her father was not interested in the child and told the Luna his two one year old twins will now have to adjust without a mother while he cared for the baby. Although she was pregnant herself and also had me at one year old at home she had told him she would give him aid where needed, he had simply told her to that he had a plan and would be fine. The pack took years to recover from this battle as no one knew why the rouges had originally came on to our territory, they had only attacked at the warriors and left the pack house untouched.

4 years later

I woke up this morning around 7am as I was to meet with my father, apparently some of the elders were visiting today to discuss my taking over the pack, although this was at least 6 years away. I knocked in his door already knowing he knew I was there “Come in boy” as instructed I walked into his large office, as a young boy this office used to intimidate me the dark wooden features mixed with gold trimmings. A large wooden bookcase that was displayed to the right hand side wall taking up the entire length, to the left we had Alpha, Beta and Gamma family portraits for the current running generation to show off our strength and greatness to any visitors. My father sat behind his large desk in a throne like chair and offered me a seat in front of him, the soft leather welcoming for this type of meeting. “Good morning father” as I say I never forgot to greet him, he was a first impressions man “Good morning son, I trust you slept well” “I did thank you” “Now son, the elders will be here at 4pm. I need you to keep all the kids in line during the day. Can you manage this” I sat there while he was listing stuff off that needed to be done as if I didn’t know already next year I get my wolf and in two years I can shift I’m no longer a child. I’m ready to do the alphas part.

“You need to officially announce to the elders that Alex and Reece will be your Gamma and Beta” as if the pack doesn’t already know and tempest them with the respect those roles entail. He went on like this for about 15 minutes. “Now son you have to remember a good Alpha is only as strong as his pack and Luna, if your mate is anything less than of Elite status you are to reject her and take a chosen mate” This was a first that I had ever heard, rejecting your goddess given mate weakens you and is considered unholy. I wish to love and cherish her no matter what. “If you take an Omega as a mate you will never take over the pack and I will pass the pack onto your sisters mate whom ever they be” At this point I was filled with an undying rage towards my father, this pack is my birth right and mine alone. “Yes father” was the only acceptable response to this outrageous idea. “Right, now off you go have some breakfast and head to school”.

In the pack dining hall I found my Gamma and Beta waiting patiently for me at the head of the table, with the adults haven’t already eaten the children of the house are expected to get used to there positions in the pack. My Gamma, Alex was stuffing his face as always goddess have strength for the she-wolf he’s mated to. Whilst my Beta, Reece was finishing an assignment at the table, for some reason he refused to let an Omega touch any of his work. I quickly sat in my place watching over everyone as the acknowledged me for the morning and quickly ate a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon and fruit then stormed out of the dining hall.

My Gamma and Beta, following behind me startled by my sudden outburst. “Chase, what’s wrong?” Reece called after me trying to get me to stop. “What’s got you by the balls?” Alex asked between bites of his final pancake they were both met with silence. I was still fuming over my fathers words, eventually Reece caught up to me when were were on the wrap around porch and stopped me, demanding an answer, it was unlike me to ignore those two I told them everything, they were my confidants.

“Are you actually serious?!” This was definitely the reaction I expected from Alex “Does he not realise how taken a chosen will affect the role of a Gamma?!” He was right, a Gamma has a special connection to his Luna, although he’s apart of the Alphas aiding team a Gamma has more loyalties to the care of his Luna much like a Beta to an Alpha. To have a strong connection the Luna she must be with the destined mate of the Alpha, if the destined mate is rejected the Gamma will never be able to fully give himself to the Luna and will still have a connection to the previous destined mate of the Alpha. “What are your thoughts to the matter” Reece interrupted Alex’s rant knowing full well it wasn’t the whole issue. “I don’t know. Your mate shouldn’t depend on their status you should just love them. However a strong pedigree would make a stronger pack” I’d just finished the last word when Alex piped up again “STRONG PEDIGREE?! Do you really think that’s all that matters for a Luna?” Of course I didn’t believe that but there is no way my father would accept an Omega mate I’d be lucky if anyone else did either. I chose to reflect silently on their thoughts both still going on with their opinions and advice to the issue when a commotion caught our eyes.

We saw a young girl fall, I feel like I knew her but still couldn’t put a name to her face. She was quite small but everyone our age seemed to know her, even if they didn’t they weren’t too shy to laugh. Fortunately as myself, Alex and Reece are all connected to each other through our future ranks we can mink link each other. “What’s so funny about a young girl falling over” Reece was the first to give input on the situation and to open our link. The silence from Alex was rare with a quick glance I noticed the sympathetic look he gave her it was gone just as sudden as it was there “Are you okay Alex?” He kept staring at her but responded with a blunt “Sure”. I took a glance at Reece who was suddenly holding his shoulders ridged, something he does when he is hunting. However at this moment I believed he was just assessing the situation and trying to figure out the reasoning behind her fall. I watched her as Alex approached her gently, “Alex, what are you doing” “I don’t know how to explain it Chase. It feels like she needs me to help her” with that I watch the scene unfold before me, Alex went to reach his hand out to help her up and she flinched away hard and fast as if he was going to rip her throat out. All three of us not only shared a look but one thought “What the f**k was that?!” Alex leaned down again to help her up to her feet, the girl was practically idolising him for such a basic gesture one would think she’s desperate for attention. It was only when her siblings arrived that I noticed who it was. It was Haven. Her family had blamed her for her mothers death, my father had demoted her to an Omega because of this, rather than her have a warrior status like the rest of her family. Tessa the more annoying twin, always leaning on us three for attention, she hungers for power and status, practically shoved Haven back to the ground placing her perfectly in line with her brother Luke’s foot to stand on her arm. Although it didn’t look like the incident was too forceful her face held a degree of pain when his foot had landed on her, almost as though there was another injury on hand. “Oh no, I’m so sorry please forgive me. It was an accident don’t murder me” Tessa sobbed in a screeching voice to gather as much attention as possible, ensuring she added tears for effect “She murdered her own mother why would you be sis” Luke joined in, the two obviously aiming to get the crowd to go against her. A crowd had started to gather around Haven and Alex practically begging to defend Tessa’s honour, “Reece I need your help controlling this situation. My father wants the kids to be on the best behaviours, especially not allowing rumours of a young girl killing her mother and living still” without missing a beat Reece intervened “This is neither the time nor place to hold your family drama. Important guests are arriving soon and calling a lowly Omega a murderer will look harshly upon our Alphas for allowing her to live after the incident”. Although you could see relief on her face for the help she had just received the embarrassment was stronger in her eyes more than anything. She quickly ducked her head and ran towards the school, obviously doesn’t want to wait and catch the bus with everyone else, entitled Omega. “What was that Alex?” Reece being a bit of a s**t stirrer “Did you feel the mate pull?” None of us are old enough to feel a proper pull yet, it can start to happen once we get our wolves. “I have no idea, I just felt her need for help and couldn’t fight helping her.” It’s not uncommon for a Gamma to feel this way about she-wolves, generally because their duties are to aid their Luna and be their adviser. “Well if she is your mate you’d wanna wait until after I’m Alpha to make it official of my father will strip the title off you” I said veiling the truth with a joking tone. Alex just rolled his eyes at us, we knew he didn’t have answers but didn’t mean we weren’t going to have fun.

A short while later Reece’s dad drove us into the school, for us three school was mostly about keeping appearances as we had already completed tasks for the next few year levels, this is purely about building relationships within our generation which will shape the packs future. The two boys were in by the time the bell went, I took my time entering as I know there’ll be a she-wolf waiting for me close by to get some attention. Sure enough Dianna, some random warriors daughter was waiting by my locker first thing, we wouldn’t be having s*x but we had plenty of other things to do. As I neared her, her smile appeared sinful and hungry she knew she was going to get some attention, slinking her arm around me she pulled me into the nearest closet for a steamy make out session and to give my d**k some special oral attention. After about 20 minutes I was finished with her, board of her attention and late for a meeting with the principal about an Alpha course I would be starting soon. As I rounded the corner a young she-wolf barrelled into me then fell to the floor, I looked down only to notice it was Haven, the girl loved to be on her ass that was for sure. “Please forgive me Alpha I wasn’t looking” she had spoke barely above a whisper, could this girl get any less pathetic. “Your a clumsy, pathetic Omega barely anything above human-“ I had stopped quickly mid-sentence when I noticed blood smeared on my pristine white shirt, why was there suddenly blood on me, why was she bleeding. Before I could ask further questions she got up and ran like her life depended on it, so not only did she wrecked my shirt, she ran away from me without receiving any punishment for what she had done. “Alex, Reece do either of you have a spare shirt?” I opened a quick mind link to them, I couldn’t walk around in something tainted with Omega blood. “I do in my locker I’ll get it for you in a minute” Reece, being prepared for everything, (as a good Beta should) responded within a minute and soon enough was standing outside our lockers with me. “What happened to you?!” Shock clearly seeping through his words “It’s not my blood, a she-wolf ran into me. As soon as I noticed she was bleeding and it was on me she ran” I left out her name, save one embarrassment of knowing it was her blood. He would also want to settle it straight away, but I believed taking the time would be better. Perhaps having her do all the pack house laundry for a month will get her to realise the value of proper attire, I have only ever seen her in raggedy old clothing with either holes or patches over them.

It was the last I had seen her for the week she hadn’t appeared at school the next day and then it was the weekend.

As organised the elders arrived just after 4pm my father, my mother, his Beta and Gamma as well as my own Beta and Gamma were all present for the meeting regarding my taking over the pack. “You three young gentlemen will need to do a year at the Alpha training academy, this is essential for building relations with other packs and becoming the best for your pack you can be” the oldest of the elders spoke with a wisdom. “You gotta be able to behave accordingly with other packs” another spoke. This went on for about 30minutes, my father and his company joining in conversation with the elders and giving their own advices. “Finally, you need a strong Luna” the elders all agreed “We’ll tell you a secret young man, the strongest Luna is your true mate” one of the younger of the elders added, my father scoffed his displeasure at their statement and added with his own “The ‘strongest’ Luna is one that can lead her pack and hold her own in battle” the elders shared a grimace at this remark disapproval was evident in their features. “Son” my mother had started cautiously “Your mate and Luna are the other half of your soul, no matter who it is they will be able to lead this pack as you would”. With that statement I had a bit more ease, at least my mother would always accept my mate, who ever she would be.

With the meeting over the elders left content with leaving the pack in my hands in future, they assured my father they would pop in for visits often which made him please at myself, Reece and Alex.

2 years later

“Is that all you got” I was teasing Reece in one of our early morning training sessions “You asked for it pretty boy” he taunted back “Be careful Reece, Hayley might not forgive you if you damage his face” Alex popped up from the sidelines “Hayley I thought it was Monica” Reece answered “No, Monica was before Kristy” again Alex answered “No, Jayne was before Kristy and Hayley was after Jasmine” whilst their distracted by names of random hookups I swiftly attacked Reece nocking him to his ass with a hard kick, I then made my way over to Alex, who was in recovery of his sparing, and done the same. “You two make it too easy, getting distracted by girls names” “Someone has to remember their names, considering you never do Alpha” Alex groaned out, I had got them both good. ‘Yes we did, but their right we shouldn’t be doing this we have a mate somewhere” my wolf Apollo decided to add ‘Stay out of it Apollo, I have needs and so do the women of my pack. I’m doing them a service’ he just huffed and blocked me off. Lately we’ve been fighting a bit about mates and stuff, we are a full year off finding our mate I’m not going without until then. “Is Apollo ripping your balls again” Reece asked as he was finally able to get words out “I’m not going without she-wolves for a year just because we’ll have a make” Reece and Alex both agreed with this statement but Alex also added “That’s fine but if your mate comes to me crying that you couldn’t wait for her as the Lunas Gamma I may have to kick your ass” Alex always made jokes regarding this. “Boys, coke inside and get cleaned up. You may be leaving tomorrow but you still have school today” my mother called from the porch “Yes Luna” Reece and Alex said in unison, they know they don’t need to be official with my mother but they’re respectful of her status.

We all got in my car a classic Dodge Charger, black inside and out and headed to school my sister Isla started going on about some big rumour going around about one of the Omega kids. I wasn’t listening to her at all, she’s always going on about gossip although if you tell her a secret she’s harder to crack then a bank vault. Alex joined in the conversation always following every word she says, I believe she may be his mate some day but we won’t know for years. As we walked into the school Isla ditched us for some of her friends, being a year younger she hung out with different people.

When we hit our first break of the day there was a large commotion starting in the middle of the hallway. A lot of the students were laughing and pointing at some she-wolf, whispers could be hear but with some many going on, plus being distracted by the red-head on my side I hardly heard anything. When the break was over Alex made us wait around, he wanted to check on the girl for some reason, so we started to approach her and stopped just in front of her. Her body was rigid and bowed in disgrace “Look up” I commanded her “Bro you didn’t need to Alpha commanded the poor thing” Alex’s voice came in my head. She did as commanded and looked shocked to find all three of us here. “She looks defeated” Reece was the first to comment on her face, I just stared at her, Haven, her full green eyes and lifeless ashy brown her made her look pitiful “f**k! Look at her shirt” Alex added to the link and we all did “Wolfless?” Was a throughly that escaped my mouth before I could process it, no Alpha wants a wolfless Omega in their pack, they’re useless and it means the Moon Goddess is angry at us. She looked up at Gamma Alex and then hung her head. I took a quick glance at my friend and sure enough like the rest of us he looked confused “I murdered my mother its what I deserve” was all she said barely audible, bowed and then left. “How could she be wolfless?” Alex was the first to ask although it sounded more to himself “You cannot lead someone who is wolfless, they have no connection to you or the pack” Reece added to the conversation “She must’ve gotten her birthday wrong, surely” Alex more sounded as though he was telling himself this so we left the through with that. We would not see how it turned out for another year and a half as we would soon be off to do specialised training so we could take over the pack.