The Alpha’s Hidden Mate

Chapter 6 Liam

Echo was running around in the back of my mind, begging me to go back to Mae in the parking lot.

“Echo, we have to tread lightly here. We don’t even know for sure that she is a wolf. And even if she is, I don’t think she knows she is. There is something happening here that we have to figure out first.” I was trying to remind myself just as much as my wolf. I had never felt this way with anyone before, so I had to make sure that I did this correctly.

“I think this is our mate! We have to get that pendant off her and release her wolf!”

I could tell that if it were up to my wolf, I would turn around and just yank the necklace right off her neck.

I got in my car and could see in the distance that Mae had gotten in hers and was pulling out. The thought crossed my mind to follow her home, but I needed to get back to the pack house and start some research. I dialed Garrett’s phone.

“Hey boss, how was you business meeting,” said Garrett. I could tell he was air quoting business meeting. I chose to ignore it.

“Informative. Mae is adopted. And she was left with a leopard skin jasper pendant that she wears all the time.” I tried to keep my tone even and not lead on that I was kind of freaking out.

“I’m not sure I follow,” said Garret.

“Mae doesn’t know her bloodline, so she could be related to anyone. And that type of jasper is known to be a protection stone, specifically from wolves. The irony of it being a cat related stone. I don’t think it would be too far of a stretch for a witch or warlock to use it to suppress a wolf in someone.” The words were tumbling out now.

“Wow, you think Mae’s wolf has been suppressed her entire life?” Garrett asked.

“I’m not ruling it out. I’m feeling a connection with her that I’ve never felt before. And I think it means something.” I said. “I’m headed back right now, can you call Sera and get her to meet with us when I get back. Tell her I know it’s late but this is important.”

“No problem. I’ll look into any adoptions records from ours and other wolf packs that might be tied to her,” said Garrett, keyboard clacking away.

We said goodbye and hung up. I was trying not to speed too quickly but I wanted to get back to get some answers. Echo was pouting, mad that we had left her behind.

I pulled into the pack house and walked in. A few people were finishing the last of the dinner clean up but for the most part it was fairly empty. I went up to the second floor where my office was. Garrett and Sera were waiting for me.

“Sera, thank you for coming so late and on short notice,” I said as I sat at my desk.

“Of course Alpha, not a problem. Garrett tells me you have some questions about a protection stone?” Sera was our resident magic expert. She had studied with witches and warlocks around the world, and she had a bit of magic in her, since her great grandmother had been a formidable witch.

“Yes. I’ve met someone that I think could be a wolf, but it’s like her wolf is being suppressed. I can barely sense her, but it’s there. And she is always wearing a leopard skin jasper stone. I’ve heard about jasper being a protection stone and I was thinking if it were magically enhanced it could keep someone’s wolf away.” I was trying to keep my voice calm but I was on pins and needles waiting for the answer.

Sera ran a hand through her long white hair with a pensive look.

“Well if someone were to do it, that would be the stone. It would take some serious magic to make it strong enough to fully suppress a wolf, and for years for that matter, but it certainly isn’t unheard of. Why would she do that though?” Sera asked.

“I don’t think she did. She was adopted by a human family. I think someone gave her the necklace to make sure her wolf didn’t come out,” I said. I could feel Echo getting restless again. This was promising information.

“So someone is trying to hide her. Which is why she wouldn’t come up in any adoption records,” said Garrett, rubbing his chin. “That’s going to make it harder to figure out who she is.”

“Sera, how would I get the pendant to stop working?” I asked. This was the information I really wanted. If I could release her wolf I would know for sure if she were my mate. If she were, everything else would be a nonissue.

“I think just getting it away from her would work. It’s probably quite powerful so it would work if it were in the same small room. But putting some distance between her and the stone would probably weaken it’s hold so her wolf could come forward.”

“Why doesn’t it suppress Liam’s wolf? If it were that powerful, wouldn’t Echo feel it too?” Garrett asked. We both looked at Sera.

“A lot of magic is about intent. So whoever put this spell on the necklace wanted to suppress her wolf, and only hers. They probably didn’t want to have her accidentally run into a wolf who suddenly realized their wolf was being suppressed, and then tip her off. I believe the only reason you are even able to sense her at all is because you are an Alpha, and perhaps something stronger,” said Sera as she gave me a knowing smile.

So Sera had caught on that I had suspicions of being her mate. I was really hoping I was right. I was 28 years old, it was almost unheard to be this old and not have a mate, especially for an Alpha. The Moon Goddess always has a plan, but it was hard to remember when year after year I didn’t find her.

“So what’s the plan? Obviously we have to get the necklace away from her, but how? And how do you explain to her about werewolves, and her wolf, if you’re right?” Garret asked.

Yeah, great question.

“I’m supposed to meet up with her tomorrow to look over building plans. I think it makes the most sense to try and get her on our pack land. That way if removing her necklace does reveal her wolf, we have a pack doctor if anything goes wrong. I may need to recruit some help from Jed’s daughter. She didn’t know anything about werewolves either, and she stayed. Getting her necklace off may take a bit of finessing,” I told them. This was a vague plan at best.

I needed her to trust me enough to leave town and drive 45 minutes away, and also remove a very precious item, and I couldn’t really give her a good reason.

Ok, it’s time to be an Alpha.