Alpha's Little Human Mate

Chapter 5: Jason's POV: Messy Fights and Clear Decisions

I ran all the way back to the pack territory. My heart pounded in sync with my paws hitting the damp forest floor. Moonlight filtered through the towering trees, casting elongated shadows that danced with my every move.

All the while, every fiber of my being was screaming to go back and protect the girl.

Thoughts whirled in my mind, each one circling back to her. Her face appeared in my mind's eye, unbidden. Hair the color of old gold. A soft scent of lavender and wild berries clung to her, burrowing deep into my senses. Her eyes, brimming with fear and uncertainty, echoed in my mind, followed by a pull unlike any other.

My wolf stirred restlessly within, pushing against my resolve. There was a spark, a tether yanking me back to her.

But I was the Alpha of the Blood Fang wolves, and I had a duty to my pack. That meant my little mate would have to wait until morning.

My warriors had already taken care of the dead bodies, but now I had to plan and consult with my inner circle about what to do next.

I was dirty, bloodied, and sweaty by the time I reached the pack house. It was nestled amidst a thick copse of trees and held centuries of tradition, values, and stories. This place was a beacon, our fortress against the world.

My office, an annex of the grand structure, mirrored the rugged elegance of the pack house, lined with ancestral portraits and weathered books. The scent of old pine and parchment hung heavy in the air, grounding me, reminding me of the lineage of strength I hailed from.

Striding through the darkened corridors, I slipped into my office, my sanctuary. Shaking off my wolf form, the shift sent a familiar tingle down my spine. I washed off the grime and the taste of battle from my skin, wincing slightly as the cold water hit fresh wounds, and put on a pair of sweats.

It was all I had time for before the door creaked open, the familiar, comforting scents of my friends wafting in. Shane, Blake, and Jasmine took their designated seats while I slumped into a chair behind my desk and looked at Shane, silently ordering him to start debriefing us.

***

In werewolf packs, the Alpha was the leader, the protector, and the source of physical and mental strength every wolf could rely on. The Beta, on the other hand, was the brain, the politician, and the most trusted advisor to the Alpha. He made sure the pack ran smoothly and acted as PR when we had to interact with human officials.

In my pack, that role belonged to Shane - my best friend. We grew up together, and he was something of a brother to me. So, when I took over as Alpha, my first decision was to appoint him as Beta.

Jasmine was the pack Omega, which meant her job was to deal with the pack members and their needs. For this role, Omegas usually had to be wise, emphatic, approachable, good listeners, and patient. Alphas tended to be wild, impulsive, and angry, and if a pack didn't have enough Omegas to balance them out, they became brutes and tyrants. That's why Omegas are highly appreciated in most werewolf communities.

With long blond hair, baby blue eyes, and a friendly but shrewd gaze, Jasmine was all that and more. I have known her my whole life, and I have been drawn to her calming energy from day one.

As a gangly teenager, I fancied myself in love with Jasmine. What's more, for two years, I firmly believed she would turn out to be my mate. But as my Alpha powers started showing, her Omega abilities did as well. And it was like a veil had come off my face. Although she was a beauty, and it felt good to be around her, her scent remained only mildly pleasant, nothing more. So, instead of trying to deepen our relationship, we became good friends.

The Enforcer was the head warrior, delivering raw strength and dealing with the unpleasant side of the werewolf life — fighting, punishments, killing, and getting rid of dead bodies. And with short, jet-black hair, a huge, muscled body, and a deep scar on his face, Blake was the perfect fit for the job. He was Jasmine's mate and her opposite in every sense.

But unlike Shane and Jasmine, Blake wasn't always a part of our pack. He was actually a lone wolf on the run from his abusive Alpha. He entered our territory and found Jasmine bathing in the lake. The moment they laid eyes on each other, their bond snapped into place, and he asked to join the pack the same day.

Of course, I granted him permission but kept a watchful eye on him, not trusting him fully. But it turned out that accepting him into my pack was one of the best decisions I ever made. He was tough, honest, loyal, and skilled. He quickly gained my trust and, a year later, became my Enforcer.

These three people were my inner circle, and together, we made sure the Blood Fang pack remained safe and well. And now, we were debating what to do next. Tonight's breach was the third in as many months, and it was time to do something about it.

***

The tension in the room thickened as we huddled over maps, plans, and strategies. Voices clashed, bounced, and melded into a cacophony of concern and determination. The weight of our responsibility as protectors heavier than ever.

Generally speaking, territory breaches where no one was attacked, and nothing was taken weren't officially an act of war. But after tonight, we couldn't say they were accidental or innocent. The Dark Wolf pack wanted something, but we had no idea what.

***

As the only two packs in the Monongahela National Forest, we had to tolerate each other. However, it wasn't an easy truce. Dark Wolves were violent, unpredictable, and greedy. And their leader, Damien, was ruthless. It's not like he and I had a quarrel; it's just that our ways didn't align.

That said, there was some bad blood between my family and his, but I wasn't directly involved in the conflict, and I made that point obvious every time I met with him. Still, I couldn't blame him for hating my entire kin. Not when my father was the one who killed his destined mate.

It was one of the last things my father did as an Alpha. He was always ruthless and unforgiving, so when he found eighteen-year-old Damien and his mate in our territory, he captured them and decided to have some fun. Unfortunately, it turned out the "fun" was too much for Damien's mate, and he was forced to watch her die in a cell next to him. My father released him soon after and pretended it never happened.

Damien challenged my father right then and there and killed him in a brutal fight, almost dying himself in the process. I became an Alpha, but instead of challenging me as well, Damien just turned around and walked away.

So, although he didn't have a problem with me, he hated my family and my pack with the intensity of a man who had lost a part of his soul.

***

My pack, the Blood Fang wolves, strived towards a secluded, peaceful life. We had everything we needed — a vast land, enough money for everyone, and good relationships throughout the hierarchy. Therefore, we never started quarrels with the Darks; we had no reason to.

Too bad the Dark assholes didn't offer the same courtesy. I had no idea what they wanted now, but I was going to find out.

Our discussion turned heated, ideas and strategies clashing in a tempest of debate. We considered every possible angle, every potential pitfall, the unknowns weighing heavily on our minds.

It took us some time, but in the end, we'd reached a decision. As per Shane's suggestion, tomorrow, I am to request a meeting with Damien and ask for an explanation.

Not that was going to get one.

The bastard had no respect for anyone. However, I hoped to rile him up enough for him to make a slip-up so I could get an inclination of his true motives.

***

The meeting was officially over, having come to a decision, but before my friends departed, I dropped the M-bomb.

"I met your Luna tonight."

Then I had the pleasure of watching their mouths drop open as one.