AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stand up slowly, cradling my mate to my chest as my Beta, Mack, moves along the outside of the room until he’s at my side. I’m tempted to hand my mate over to him to hold so I can have my hands free, but I can’t force my body to actually do it. I’ve waited for this moment for far too fucking long.
The sparks traveling over my arms and chest as I hold her are distracting, but the rage I feel at the people in front of me is helping to keep me focused. Someone has been harming my mate and the sniveling, poor excuse for a she-wolf whose mate is helping her stand up as she rubs her neck is not the only one.
My voice is deadly calm and cold, “What the fuck has been going on in this pack? Why do I see evidence of abuse on my mate?”
Mack is stiff next to me, and I have no doubt that his eyes are just as cold and deadly as mine. He knows how long I’ve been waiting for this moment. He knows how much Serenity has meant to me and how hard it’s been to stop myself from coming back here to get her.
I had to wait.
I had no fucking choice.
She was only ten when I saw her the first time. I had just turned 18 and was getting ready to take over my pack, the Blood Rising Pack, from my father. I was yearning for my mate, wanting her to stand at my side as I transitioned into the position I was born to have, the one I had trained for my entire life.
Waning Moon was the last pack we visited. I was hoping to meet my mate along the way, but nothing could have prepared me for meeting her and finding out she was only ten. Part of me was devastated when I caught her scent and found myself staring at her across one of the rooms of the packhouse. She was engrossed in the book she was reading but must have felt my eyes on her because she looked up at me.
She might have only been ten, but there was so much intelligence and understanding in her eyes. I felt a piece of our bond snap into place, even though she wouldn’t be able to feel it. In that moment, I understood why I met her when I did and would need to wait for her.
Some might have cursed the Moon Goddess for putting them in the position I found myself in. I could have, but as my heart grew as I looked at her, I felt a peace settle over me. A knowing.
I was being given a chance others were rarely given. I was shown my mate, one I would have to wait for, and with it I was given an opportunity. With the knowledge of where my mate was and that she was safe with her family, I could focus on making Blood Rising even more powerful, even safer. I could work to make sure my pack, the one she would stand at my side to help me lead, was worthy of her.
A lesser wolf would have lied and not told his father the small girl in the window seat was his mate. I did no such thing.
I mind-linked my father, “The young brunette girl is my mate.”
“Are you sure?” When I gave a small nod, not wanting to break my gaze with the girl, he sighed, “What do you want to do?”
“I’m going to wait for her. She’s worth it. The Goddess doesn’t make mistakes. I’ll wait for her and work my ass off to make sure that Blood Rising is worthy of her love and attention. When she turns 18, I’ll be back for her.”
I could feel my father’s pride for me, it rolled off him in waves. It felt like I had passed a test, but I also knew things would only get more difficult for me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to have any contact with her. The closer she came to maturity as she got older, the stronger the pull between us would become, but I would still be the only one to feel it until she turned 18. I wasn’t going to rob her of her childhood or all the experiences one should have in their teenage years.
I heard my father whispering with the girl’s parents. Later he told me they were informed of Serenity’s importance to me. They were surprised and worried that I would try and take her away. Considering Blood Rising has always been one of the strongest and largest packs in the country, I could have. But it would have been cruel to do and might make her resent me.
My father implored her parents to keep the identity of Serenity’s mate to themselves and to take care of her. They were informed I would be back for her on her 18thbirthday. I know I’m a week late right now, but it couldn’t be helped.
In the last eight years, I have done what I set out to do. My territory is larger than it was, we’ve grown in both might and wealth. The pack is worthy of the precious female in my arms.
I never strayed. I never even looked at another she-wolf. I couldn’t do it. Even if I had wanted to, my wolf would have revolted. He has been just as devoted and smitten as I am when it comes to our mate.
There have been many she-wolves who have tried to capture my attention. Before I met Serenity on that fateful day, I might have taken them up on their offers, but after? There was no fucking way I was going to betray our bond.
Mack has been at my side for the last eight years, helping me to make Blood Rising stronger and fiercer. Serenity is a beauty; the kind others will covet. I could only ensure she would be safe by making sure others fear me and don’t doubt my abilities just because I’ve been leading without a Luna at my side. I ensured they knew I’m as formidable as my father.
Alpha Nathan, my father, ruled with a just heart and an iron fist when it came to those outside of Blood Rising. There are only a few people who know how much of a softie he is. On the list of those who get to see who he is behind the strength are his mate, my mother, Lucy, and my sister, Cora, who is also Mack’s mate.
I was more than a little pissed when my best friend and Beta mated my sister, but I got over it quickly. Cora is two years younger than me. I couldn’t pick a better person for her to be paired with. Mack adores her and treats her like a queen.
It was difficult to see them so happy for the last six years knowing I was waiting for Serenity. It made me cold, but I feel myself thawing the longer I hold my precious mate in my arms. As much as I want to be able to take down those who have wronged my mate, I know Mack will be just as vicious. He’s fiercely loyal to Blood Rising and his Luna.
The front door bangs open and Beta Darwin and his mate Stacy, my mate’s parents, rush into the packhouse. I’m growling from deep in my chest as their wide eyes meet mine. I see relief flash across their features as they go pale.
I would take satisfaction in that, but I can’t. Not when my mate is laying in my arms limp and unconscious.
My voice holds deadly intent, “What have you done to my mate?”
“She can’t be your mate. She’s my mate and I rejected her a week ago,” a voice comes from behind me, and I whirl around to see Todd, the next Alpha of Waning Moon, strutting down the stairs like he really has the balls to back it up.
He doesn’t.
