The Alpha's Queen

Terry's POV

I’ve finally found her, after waiting for so long. I finally found her. And to think, she’s been right here in my own backyard this whole time. We’ve grown up as neighbors and didn’t even know it. I contracted her dad to complete some IT work for the pack, but last month I met with him in the small town close to the pack lands. Since we’ve only communicated via emails and phone call, a few weeks ago was my first time meeting him in person. We arranged to meet at the coffee shop in town, so that we could finalize his work and payment. But I didn’t expect him to bring his daughter with him. Nor did I expect him to be a shifter. I don’t believe he was expecting me to be one either. Having just taken over the pack from my dad less than a year ago, I’m sure he is familiar with my dad's name as the local pack Alpha. 

That doesn’t explain why I have a rogue on my lands, let alone a family of rogues. I’m going to have my work cut out for me trying to find out who he is and where he and his family came from.

Walking into the coffee shop, I looked around for William. He said that he’d be sitting in the corner working on his laptop. But I must have arrived before him since I don’t see him. I decided to order my coffee and just wait in the car for him. I don’t like being indoors much, even more so when it’s such a small space. Being a shifter, Iwant room to be able to move around at all times. Walking back to my car “MATE” my wolf screamed inside my head. 

Stopping in my tracks, I immediately started looking around to see if I could locate her. Leaning on the car, I kept scanning the area. But I’m not seeing anyone that I haven’t met or seen before. Who could possibly be new in this town? Because it’s such a small town, many people at least know of each other, if not know each other. I’m sure there are some people who have some idea about the shifters that reside in my pack. But of course, it’s never been asked, and it will never be concerned if someone did ask. 

I finally spotted her, instantly I had to clamp my mouth shut to keep myself from growling out to her, and the man that has the gall to have his hands all over my mate. They both smell like shifters, but something is off with her smell, I can’t put my finger on it. 

I watched them while I waited for William to arrive. While both of them walked up to the counter, they separated after receiving their orders. My mate came back outside to sit in the truck they arrived in,  while the guy went to sit in the corner and pulled two laptops out of his bag. ‘Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me? This guy who had his paws all over my mate, is the same person that I’m meeting? I can’t believe this. So many questions running through my head, I need answers for all of them. First and foremost being who is this man and what is he doing with my mate? 

I walked back into the café, with one last look back at my mate. Walking straight up to who I assumed was William, I grabbed him by his shirt collar, pulling him up out of his seat. “What are you doing with my mate and where did you come from? I don’t know of any rogues that have been authorized to live in my territory. You need to start giving me the answers that I need and fast.” Without so much as a flinch, he pushed me off him and sat back down.

“I have no idea who you think your mate is, and as for being a rouge in your territory, that’s something that we can discuss calmly. But, you won’t be putting your hands on me again. Let’s act like MEN and not BOYS here, respect is always given where it’s deserved.” Slightly taken aback, I started growling lowly in the back of my throat. “I’m sure these nice people here have no idea that shifters exist, do you really want to expose the whole community because of some perceived threat, that’s only in your mind? Now again I say, let’s handle this as men. Sit, let’s talk. I’m sure you would like to

know exactly who I am and what I’m doing here.”

Throughout the whole encounter, William remained calm, never raising his voice. I knew I could kill him right now and I would be completely justified in my actions. My mate aside, this man was an undeclared rouge living in my territory. That alone made him a dangerous wolf. The fact that I can feel the power of an alpha rolling off him, was another reason for me to watch him carefully. Nobody, unless they’re an alpha themselves, has the strength to stand up to another alpha. So, I sat down. More so because I wanted to know more about how he knew my mate than anything else. At 26, I’ve been waiting for my mate a long time. Most shifters find their mates by the time they’re 19, I on the other hand haven’t. I’d already spoken with my betas and parents about taking a trip this upcoming summer to visit other packs. An alpha without his mate will never be at his strongest. Which means that he would be failing his pack. Although my mother is still ‘acting Luna’ my parents retired and handed over the pack to me last year. Not wanting to wait anymore for me to find my mate, it was said that I needed to take my position regardless. That I would be stronger because I had to work harder to view things from both positions until I was able to find my mate. Sitting down across from him, I waited impatiently for him to start talking. 

“My family is originally from Africa; our pack was attacked, and most were killed. Before he was killed himself, my dad instructed me to take my mate and siblings to South America where we had family. We didn’t stay long with my family’s pack, not wanting to bring any unwanted attention and harm to their packs, we stayed long enough to get our feet back under us and try to get some understanding as to why our pack was eliminated the way it was. Eventually, we made our way into the United States. After a few years of constant moving around, we finally settled here. I did reach out to whom I’m assuming is your father to let him know that we’re here, where exactly we

settled and also that we had no desire to be part of a pack. Not because we don’t want to, but because we’re running from the very people who killed our own back in Africa. After meeting and explaining everything to your dad, he agreed to allow my family to live in his territory under the radar. The deal was that my family was to contribute 5% of our yearly income to the pack. This would be to help train extra warriors and keep them close to my house and land without becoming suspicious. We also bought the property that butts up to yours, that way we would be able to communicate with each other without being traced, such as with phones or letters. Instead, we would each go out on a walk the first of every month, meeting at a designated spot that was arranged the month before. This is how we kept in contact with each other and shared any news that we may have learned. Over the years, our arrangement has worked very well for the both of us. I’m sure your father never expected you to call me for any computer work. But I’m sure that’s the reason why we’re meeting now. I just spoke with your father not too long ago, and he never told me that you're now Alpha of the pack. That being said, I believe the only reason we came in contact with each other is because you needed some IT work down, and I was the person you decided to hire for the job.

Now, let’s talk about the person who you feel is your mate. The only person that came to town with me was my daughter. If she’s your mate, I ask that you please give me time to explain things to her

Now, let’s talk about the person who you feel is your mate. The only person that came to town with me was my daughter. If she’s your mate, I ask that you please give me time to explain things to her before you lay claim to her. You have to understand, because my family has to run from our home, we haven’t been living as shifters. Our family is big and none of the children know anything of the shifter world. They’ve never shifted, nor have they seen us adults shift. My wife and daughter are both very special, and we felt that the choices we made were the best for our family. Don’t judge us without knowing the full story, but don’t fault her for her lack of knowledge either.

When you think you’re able to control your wolf in front of my daughter, I’ll take you outside to meet her. Just remember, she knows nothing of the shifter world. So, she’ll only think that you’re just someone that I’ve done work for.”

Listening to him talk, I felt nothing but honesty in his words. We completed the business that was the reasoning behind our meeting to start with. Keeping in mind that I’ve finally found my mate, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to just take her home with me and start our life together, I went for a compromise. “What if I give you a month’s time to talk with your family and my mate. Let the children know what and who they are.” Patients have never been my strongest asset, but for the wellbeing of my mate, I must show and have some restraint where she is concerned. “So, I will show some restraint, but I want as well as need to meet my mate, I also need her to be close so that I know she’s well cared for and protected. What’s her name at least? I know nothing about her other than the fact that she has absolutely no idea who she really is.” 

“Come in, let’s go out to my car and I’ll introduce you to her.” William said while gathering his stuff together.

Walking around to the passenger side of the car, William opened the door and held his hand out to her. Sweetheart I want you to meet someone, this is Terry, I just finished some work for his family. But coincidentally, he doesn’t stay far from us. Terry, this is my oldest Marizta. She barely gave me a look of acknowledgement before looking back down at her tablet. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you. Sorry if I’m being rude, but I really need to finish this assignment for school. Dad, do you think we’ll be here much longer? I promised Brandon and Juan that we’d spar this afternoon.” With that, she closed the car door and proceeded to tap away on her tablet. I guess she’s really serious about her grades. 

Soon my Queen, soon you’ll be at home with me where you belong. I thought to myself as I walked away. Just one month, I won’t wait any longer than that. I’ve waited for my other half too long to wait anymore.

Thinking back to that first encounter with William and Marizta, I should have known then that he would have tried something. His deadline was last weekend. I’ve received a few emails asking to prolong our meetings. I see now that I’m going to have to take matters into my own hands. William might think that he’s able to hide from me, but I’m not about to lose my mate because someone’s past has them running and living in hiding.