Chasing A Runaway Mate

Chapter 2

Black

"Everything all right, boss?" Dimitri asked as he reentered the workspace he and Black had been using at the Council. Now that relations with the Council were stable, the men from the Renegade Pack had taken up residence at the Council's headquarters while the final arrangements were made.

"It will be once this s**t-show is over and we can go back home," Black answered.

"You know things will never go back to the way they were, right? Too much has happened."

Black looked at his Beta and friend, slightly surprised that he wanted to talk about this. He wondered if the big guy was reevaluating his life now that Black and Katina had found their mates. Black knew the battle back home and his father's death had had a greater effect on Dimitri than he would like to admit.

"I know, D. It just feels like while I'm here my life is still happening back home, but I'm not a part of it. Know what I mean?"

"Uhhh... No. But I guess you'd much rather be where Rose is," Dimitri said as he plopped down on a couch.

"I would never give her up for anything, and don't you dare repeat this to her, but life was so much simpler when it was just us three," Black confessed, referring to him, Dimitri and Alex.

"Oh you shouldn't have said that, boss. I'll just store that bit of information for future use," Dimitri chuckled and tapped the side of his head.

"Don't you f*****g dare. My sister is giving me enough s**t; I don't need it from you too," Black said threateningly, which only made his friend laugh more.

"Any idea what is up with Kat?"

"Not really, no. My mother and Rose seem to understand why she hasn't accepted Wren yet, but I'm not sure if I understand what they're saying."

"Yeah, makes no sense. It's one thing that is simpler for us, you know?"

"Really, D? You telling me you want to settle down now?" Black asked, amused.

"Well I ain't getting younger, you know," Dimitri answered, slightly uncomfortable. Black threw his head back as he laughed, which only made his friend scowl more.

"You could always attend one of the Council's mating balls," Black grinned.

"Not a chance. I can't imagine anything worse. Stuck in a suit in a ballroom with a bunch of idiots, not to mention all the giggling! No, thank you. If the goddess wants me to find my mate, she'll have to think of another way to have our paths cross," Dimitri huffed.

Black had always refused to go to the annual mating ball the Council held, and perfectly understood Dimitri's reluctance. He was never against finding his mate, but getting trussed up like a pig at the fair and parading in front of strangers was too much. Black was ashamed to think it, but secretly he felt Dimitri was lucky not have a mother breathing down his neck. He was sure his friend would prefer to have an overbearing mother to not one at all.

"Everything set with Wren?" Black changed the topic to something a bit safer.

"Yeah, Wren will leave tomorrow morning with Callum and some other guys. Sean and Gideon will go with you, me and Scot."

"I still think he is bonkers."

"Maybe, but that's what he's good at. He will lead a small team and infiltrate Cold Moon secretly. You know it would be better if they could take Ivan out from the inside. Will save a lot of unnecessary bloodshed."

Black knew this and had agreed with Wren when he suggested this plan. However, that was before he had promised his little sister to keep an eye on her mate. It was too late to make any changes to the plans now. Besides, it didn't make sense for Wren and Black to be in the same squad. Wren might not be an Alpha, but he is strong and a good leader.

"I just hope, for my sake, he comes back alive," Black gave Dimitri a meaningful look.

The night had been long, and Black was relieved when the time came for him to get up. He had spoken with Rose as he lay in bed, but it hadn't been enough to ease his mind and allow him to sleep much. After a quick shower, Black dressed and grabbed his bag before heading downstairs for breakfast.

There was nothing wrong with the food, but it all tasted like saw dust to Black. He was not afraid of the battle to come. It was the idea of going to his homeland, to the pack where his parents were from and attacking them that was not sitting well with him. Sure, most of the Cold Moon pack had sided with Ivan when his father and mother fought for their freedom and right to love one another. But Black knew most of these people were stuck, forced to be loyal to an Alpha who is cruel.

They knew that Ivan had suffered a great loss when he had attacked the Renegade Pack. The Council was unsure, however, how many wolves Ivan still had at his disposal. The Council members who had been in cahoots with Ivan, had resigned their posts when they realized Ivan would be found guilty of the charges raised against him.

They also weren't entirely sure where Ivan was. It made sense, though, for him to have gone back home. There he would be the safest. Most of the Council's Enforcers had made the slow journey to Russia already, and it was only Wren's and Black's two teams who needed to arrive.

They took a jet and would arrive within a few hours. All the maneuvers of the troops and strategies had already been discussed in detail, so the men sat mostly in silence. Black had taken a seat at the back of the plane somewhat away from the rest and was observing everyone, his finger stroking his chin.

Wren got up from his seat and walked to the back of the plane where the bathroom was. He gave Black a curt nod as he passed him. A few minutes later, he exited the bathroom.

"Wren, hold up," Black stopped Wren.

"What's up?" the red-head asked.

"Umm... Could I have a word?" Black asked tentatively.

"By the sound of it, it's got something to do with your sister," Wren said knowingly as he took a seat across from Black.

"Have you two talked at all?"

"No," Wren admitted and shifted uncomfortably.

"And you're OK with that?"

"Where are you going with this?"

"Look, neither you nor I want to talk about this, but she's my little sister -"

"She might be your sister, but this has nothing to do with you," Wren interrupted.

"I know," Black sighed and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I've long since given up on trying to tell my sister what to do. Just... just don't give up on her."

"I won't force my company on anyone, mate or not, Black," Wren said with a straight face, but Black knew the man must be hurting.

"Don't you dare tell Kat I said this, but she's asked me to watch out for you. She might be scared and kicking against this, but she does care, man."

Wren looked at Black, but said nothing. Black hoped if Wren knew Kat was concerned about him, he would be careful. After a long moment, Wren nodded at Black again and got up to return to his seat.