Capturing My Mate

*Reid's Pov* I pulled out the calendar that was tucked under several documents on my desk. I looked at today's date, the only date not scratched out in a red X. It was August 6, and I had been here for a month. And to think, when I first broke into the base, along with my cousins, I thought we'd surely be found out and killed. We had assumed three other rouges' identities. Someone was bound to realize that they had never seen us before. We took it day by day, fearing that at any moment, we'd be ratted out. But now, one entire month has passed, and I could finally take a deep breath. Our covers would not be blown. Working here for a month reinforced my need to find my mate and liberate these girls from the base. The way they treated the girls at Blood Lust was abominable. Some of them never even saw the light outside of their cells, except from the flashlights the guards shone in their eyes to make sure they weren't dead. I still didn't know the use for the girls and why they were keeping them. All I know was that every month the rouges would go on a raid and take out packs but keep the girls. Some girls had to be transferred to other smaller bases since we had a surplus of women. But I was here for my mate. A month ago, two of my cousins and I went on a road trip. They had this stupid idea in their heads that if they went traveling; they were bound to meet their mates, or at least have fun trying. I was never looking for my mate. My reasons for the trip were entirely my own. It just so happened that we stumbled upon the largest rogue network in North America, and it just so happened that the very scent of my mate and that of my cousin Matt's were coming from within. From then on, my cousins and I posed as three sub guards. Sub guards were a step below actual guards. We hacked into the computer system and gave ourselves these titles. We figured it was less risky than to assume a higher position. I couldn't wait to see her for the first time. I had never actually seen her face-to-face, only briefly when she was once escorted back to her cell. But I knew she was my mate because I knew her smell. It was so intoxicating, so enticing. If I closed my eyes, it came back to me. Ever since then, I had been determined to get her out. She didn't deserve this life; none of them had. The first step was to get my father, Alpha of Blue Moon pack involved. I made sure to mindlink him and brief him on all the things that were going on in here. My father and I had always had a non-existent relationship, but I knew he couldn't resist liberating the girls. It would look good for his reputation. First, he had to call in other packs and get them to risk their lives fighting a serious rogue threat. But the other packs needed proof that they were planning to do something sinister before they could intervene. Now I have two jobs, keeping my mate safe, which I was currently failing at, and gathering info without being caught. "Great, just great, talk about the entire world being placed on one shoulder," I thought to myself. I stopped in my room and found a letter on my desk. I skimmed through it and almost shouted out of happiness. This was it, my chance. The letter said: Guard 412: As of today, you will be promoted and relocated to the West Wing of our base. There you will be in charge of nightly paroles, and watches of the prisoners. Please receive your new badge from commander Steven. "Yes." I grinned. I hacked into the base's main computer and programmed it so that my promotion was imminent. Being promoted meant I did not have to do raids anymore. It meant I could be closer to the commander, so I was one step closer to finding the info I needed to get my mate out. My mate, I got to be closer to my mate. That thought alone got my feet moving to the west wing of the base. I bet I must have looked so damn stupid with a big smile plastered on my face. I stood outside his door and despite myself; I entered the room without knocking. I almost shifted upon sight of the events taking place in the room. I saw my mate, bruised and afraid, and the so-called "commander" trying to force himself on her. "Calm down, "I told myself. I would not risk this entire operation because I could not reign in my wolf. If I attacked him now, we'd never make it past the door before other rogues would come to his aide. I promised myself I'd take care of him in due time. Immediately, I felt my eyes revert to their original color. "Hello, boss," I said, seeping in as much venom as I could muster into those two words. "It's nice to see how well you treat the captives." Steven jumped up, but noticing who he was speaking to, a look of annoyance replaced his frightened expression. "Tell me you have a good reason for interrupting something so important." His gaze rested on my mate. I seethed from the lustful look he held in his eyes for her. He was lucky I did not kill him now. He should be thankful. Though he was older, I could easily take him out. I had Alpha blood in me. I tossed the folded up note to him, and he caught it quickly. He read it carefully, his expression unaffected. He went to his drawer in search of something, my badge most likely. I took a good long look at my mate, trying to savor every last memory of her. But the longer my gaze lingered on her, the angrier I got. She did not deserve to be treated like this. She was shaking so badly; it took every ounce of control not to wrap my arms around her. I took an involuntary step towards her. Then two more, then another two more until I was right next to her. I touched the bruise on her temple and felt my temper flare. He did this to her. She looked up into my eyes and gasped. "W-w-what are you doing?" She stuttered. Her eyes were wide, and she pushed my hand away. I saw her trying to figure things out in her head. I smiled despite myself. She was wondering why my touch left a surge of electricity running through her. By the looks of it, she probably didn't know the term "mates" yet. Fear once again replaced her confused expression, and she stared back down into the sheets. Was she afraid of me? What was she thinking? All those questions had to go unanswered for now because Steven found the badge and was approaching me. He found me staring at her. "She's gorgeous, isn't she? "He kissed her forehead and she winced. I fought to urge to grimace. "Yeah, not bad to look at, but I've seen better." I tried to sound disinterested. Steven looked at me like I was crazy. His eyebrows drew together. "Not in this place for sure, but to each its own, I guess." He shrugged, placing the badge on my uniform. "Just remember, hands off this one, she's mine. Off-limits, compris?" Not anymore. I forced out a sarcastic chuckle. "Of course." I caught her staring at me a few times. When I looked back, she turned red and stared back down into the sheets. Steven's voice brought me back into focus. "Keep up the outstanding work. Hardly anyone gets promoted." He slapped me on the back lightly. He turned towards Cara. "Oh, and can you take her to the basement? I'm done with her." She looked up now, terror in her eyes. Cara cried and beg for him to reconsider. She would rather stay here and deal with Steven's abusiveness than go back down to the basement. Her cries grew louder, and Steven looked like he was preparing to hit her at any moment. If he touched her, I would kill him now. Screw my father and his wishes. Fortunately for both of us, he didn't. "I'll do it, sir." I barely made out. It hurt me to hear my mate crying. She slowly got out of the bed, and I grabbed her wrists, leading her out the room into the hall. As soon as I touched her, her cries stopped. She looked down curiously at my fingers around her wrists. The door slammed on our faces, and I let out a sigh of relief. The tingles I felt from touching her intensified, and she yanked away from her hand from my hold, gazing at it. I grabbed her again as we walked down the corridor. I was contemplating what I would say to her. It was too early to give her any form of reassurance. We were strangers at this point and she may relay the things I tell her to Steven. My attention refocused on her when I heard her soft whisper. "Don't hurt me. Please." She covered her face from me. I took her hands away from her face. "I could never hurt you. I swear." I whispered, leading her to the basement. "B-but you are a guard. You guys are all the same. You only want one thing. And if you can't get it, you will try to beat -." She winced as if she expected me to strike her at any moment for speaking out against the injustices of this place. "I am not like that Cara." "How do you know my name?" She stopped walking. Cara was literally trembling in fear. "I know a lot about you," I answered, not meeting her eyes. "But why?" "Because I do." I pulled her along, refusing to give her the real reason yet. Most likely, she didn't shift yet and wasn't aware that she was a werewolf. So if I tried to tell her anything, including that we were mates, she wouldn't understand. Even worse, it might freak her out . I would have to ease her into it eventually. I dropped her off in room 3b. It was a small room that she shared with at least 10 other girls. How could they force them all in such tight spaces? Inside, the girls yelled insults at her. Beside me, Cara cringed slightly. I wished I could take her back to my room so she could have a comfortable bed to lie on. I sighed in defeat; it was too risky. "It'll be okay. You won't be here for long." I said, hoping she'd understand what I meant. She just stared at me with confused eyes, entirely drained of hope. "What do you want from me? Why are you acting so nice? " Her head tilted to the side as she tried to figure me out. I wished I could respond to her, but not with the other girls listening. Who knows what they might tell Steven or any other guard. "Because one day I'll save you from this place, and you'll never have to expect a price for kindness." I thought to myself as I locked her in the room.