What Once Was Mine

Prologue

*Unknown*

I'm sitting at my desk going over some files. It's times like this that I wish my luna, my mate, and I had a pup. I could be getting ready to step down from leadership, but nope. I’m in the thick of paperwork.

My ass is getting old and tired. We have discussed leaving the pack to my cousin's son. Even though my cousin is my Beta, my second in command is an Alpha by birth.

I rub my temples in hopes of relieving this damn migraine I’ve. I push the files back and reach for the bottle of twenty-one-year-old Jameson, but I’m frozen in place when I see a massive flash of light from outside my office window.

"What the f**k was that?"

The floor beneath my feet starts to rumble. I watch as a few pictures fall from the walls and some books crash to the floor.

Then, leaping to my feet, I throw my office door open and run out of the packhouse. All available warriors are running from their posts, frantically trying to get to the scene.

Smoke is billowing up from the home of my Beta, Owen. "Alpha, are we under attack?" Someone calls out to me.

"Gary, get the elderly and pups in the bunkers just in case," I yell to one of my warriors. I call out a few more orders as panic starts to race through me as I get closer to the scene.

The one thing I notice is no rogues or wolves are fighting, just flames and fear. I pray hard to the Moon Goddess that whatever just happened is just a freak accident.

Running into their front yard, I take in the horror before me. I can't help the string of curse words that come from my mouth. The whole front of their home is in ruins, and I'm overwhelmed. A few warriors try to manage the fire coming from the giant oak tree in their front yard.

"Owen... Owen?" I yell out as loud as I can. "OWEN?"

We all start moving debris, trying to see if anyone is in the house. I don't know if it’s the heat or the emotions, but I feel sick to my stomach. Even my wolf is feeling the effects.

"Alpha over here!" I push through my disorientation, desperately trying not to show weakness in front of my pack.

I step into the house and see Renee, Owen's mate, being helped up by a warrior. She had a big gash across her cheek, and her lip was split open. Owen is bent over their daughter Rebecca.

She’s just lying there, not moving. I look over at her, and she has a black eye. Blood is running from her nose, and what I can only assume is a big gash on her head with the amount of blood around her. Owen is holding something to help stop the bleeding. The sobs that are coming from him are positively heartbreaking.

Everyone is standing by, looking on, not sure what to do. "Alpha, the doc is on his way." I nod my head in acknowledgment. My warriors look lost, unsure what the next step is, and it’s starting to piss me off.

"Try to look through the wreckage. See if you can try and get a grasp on what the f**k just happened."

I get on my knees next to Owen and put my hand on his shoulder. "Owen, I can hear her heartbeat. She’s going to be fine... I just know it."

Owen looks up at me, blood running down his face from the big gash on his forehead. "She’s my wee babe. f**k, Aaron, it happened so fast. I just don't understand."

I look down at my best friend and pull him into my arms. "I don't know, but we are going to f*****g find out."