My rebound is an Alpha?!

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Markus POV

I finished up training and headed to my father's office again when I was done. The deafening silence from yesterday afternoon seemed to have hung around in the room like a new coat of paint. I knew I wouldn’t get an enthusiastic response but I’d at least expected something. Instead, I’d been dismissed with curt instructions to go and train with the warriors I’d left for the last few years. What should have been one of my primary duties.

Nonetheless, I thought maybe, during the evening, my father might have come up with a plan or some useful advice for me. I certainly had no idea how to handle the reality of having a human mate. But instead, it seemed like we would be picking up where we’d left off yesterday.

”You know the implications.” father eventually broke the silence between us.

”I do.” I replied simply.

Stefan sighed, and Werner shot him an accusing glance. ”You knew.”

"I merely suspected.” Stefan replied, tactful as ever.

Behind the large desk my father paced back and forth a few steps, apparently weighing the options in his mind.

"Does she know?”

”Not yet.”

A slightly relieved expression crossed Werner’s face. ”Then it’s not too late.”

”Father.” I objected, feeling a slight panic rising in my chest. I knew where this was going ”I’ve been searching so long.”

”Maybe it wasn’t meant to be, Markus. You can make adjustments. Take a chosen mate instead.”

”No father. The moon goddess chose her for me for a reason. I believe that.”

Now was not the time to cave in easily. I had to stand my ground. From the moment I’d seen her, I just knew. She was the one. My mate. Mine. Human or not, I couldn’t imagine anyone else.

”Don’t rush into things so fast, boy.” father snapped back ”It’s not just about you. It will be hard on the pack. Hard on her. Dangerous. It’s your responsibility to put the pack first.”

”I know, I just – ”

I stopped speaking suddenly. Something was wrong. A dark and ominous feeling filled every bone in my body and it seemed like father noticed immediately. ”What is it?”

”Something… feels wrong.”

”Ah. She may not know, may not feel it. But you do?” he raised one eyebrow, apparently surprised that his son was feeling the mate bond in full.

”The bond?!” I leapt to my feet instantly. If it was the bond making me feel this bad, that meant something was wrong. Lana was in danger.

”I have to go!” I rushed out of my father's office without making an apology as he called out to my retreating back, frustration in his voice.

”Act with your head! You are the future Alpha!”

I knew my father wouldn’t be thrilled about me having a human mate, but I still couldn’t believe the man would stand there so calmly, knowing that the feeling of danger causing my hair to stand on end was due to the mate bond! Lana!

Shit s**t s**t. I muttered internally to myself. I had been incredibly stupid, I realised. HOW could I be so stupid as to leave her there when we’d been together for days!

Idiot! Of course she’s covered in your scent!

I might as well have painted a target on her back. Any supernatural she crossed paths with would immediately be curious as to why a human would be covered in an Alpha's scent, and she was completely unsuspecting and unprepared. This had to have been the stupidest thing I had ever done in my life.

This is your fault, you stupid wolf! If you hadn't distracted me with inappropriate thoughts all the time I might have been able to think clearly!

Hey, don't blame me! I would never have left our mate unattended if it were up to me! Abel snarled back in my mind.

I practically leaped into my car and pressed the pedal down to the floor, taking off the way I'd come less than 24 hours before. The chill I’d felt raising the hair on the back of my neck and down my arms came and went several times.

What was happening? Where was Lana?

In my mind, Abel was going half crazy.

As I pulled into the town the bad feeling came back tenfold, and I felt a wave of terror wash over me.

No, not my fear. Lana’s.

Please, please don’t be too late.

I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to her. This was all my fault.