The Alpha's Unexpected Mate
CHAPTER 1
Lucas
The wars for territory are getting fiercer by the day, not just for packs but for humans too. Packs are fighting each other, rogues are becoming more savage, killing anyone who gets in their way. Farmers are shooting first, asking questions later. Right now, Montana, USA is not a very nice place to live. the rumours’ are that its gang violence. Many humans and werewolf packs have abandoned their lands and homes in fear of their lives and livelihood. Even though my family, pack is the richest in Montana I Lucas Lankford am feeling the toll and strain. My family business, cattle ranching is even becoming dangerous with all these attacks.
I wasn’t supposed to be Alpha. Even though my brother and I had both been groomed to be Alphas, I never wanted it. I wanted to enjoy my life, travel, finish my archology degree, be the free-spirited brother. Jericho was the serous one and a good Alpha, with friends, a mate and a beautiful daughter. I wasn’t really the social bug, I had a few friends, not even best friends – shocking I know but I was never the typical ego static werewolf – but the pack still respected me. Some had doubts when I became Alpha, when my father and elder brother were killed not so long ago by rogues while out on one of the cattle ranches.
The Moon Shadow pack got revenge for them. How dare they think can attack and kill a former Alpha and Alpha? They called themselves Rogue Nation! Fifty wolves against 2, cowards that’s what they are. I growled angry! I could feel my wolf wanting to take control from the hurt and anger but I had to keep him calm and be strong for the pack now.
“Uncle Lucas!” A little voice squealed running.
I turned around just in time to catch my 6-year-old niece Lucy. She wrapped her arms around me in a chock hold. I hugged her back. She was all that I had left. Both my mother my and sister-in-law died when their mates died. If a mate dies so does the other mate. Its almost instant as if the were there themselves getting torn to pieces. Once you have a mate, your life becomes tied to that person. Their strength, their weakness, everything. When my mother and Lucille collapsed dead in front of me, blood coming out of their mouths and noses. I knew then and there that my father and brother were gone. After that I decided that I didn’t want a mate, not if that meant dying. Stupid werewolf mate bond. That’s the only thing that sucks about being a werewolf My wolf whined at my thoughts.
“Alpha.” Gloria panted entering my office bowing.
Gloria was Lucy’s governess. She was a 50-year-old lady with grey hair pulled back into a tight bun and had a limp from fighting rogues when she was younger. Lucy pulled away from and stared at Gloria before sticking her tongue out at her, she quickly hid her face into my neck.
“Lucy!” I scolded. She dug her face deeper into my neck.
I let out a sigh, Lucy had been acting up badly ever since the funerals. Now that I paid attention to Gloria’s appearance, I saw that she was covered in dirt and by the smell of it horse dung as well.
“I’ll handle her Gloria, why don’t you take the rest of the day off.” I said feeling guilty for what Lucy had done to her.
“Yes, Alpha.” Gloria replied with sadness. She bowed then limped away.
“I’m sorry.” Lucy whispered with a sniffle.
I went to sit down on the couch still cradling Lucy. “You shouldn’t be apologizing to me.” I said firmly looking down at her.
She had beautiful long black hair, pale skin with rosy cheeks and lips with green eyes. She looked like her parents and grandparents. I only the other hand had light brown hair and blue eyes and didn’t look anything close to my parents. Not even personality wise, I preferred to stay out of the lime light unlike my brother. It happened once every 4th generation in my family and often the men accused their mates of cheating, but werewolves can’t cheat because of the mate bond. It supposedly feels like getting stabbed in the heart. It was just some genetic glitch.
I glanced down are Lucy who had gotten very still and quiet. She had fallen asleep. Lucy had been having such horrid nightmares and refused to sleep, that’s usually when she would act out. I held her tightly, rocking back and forth even though she was fast asleep already. It was more to comfort me and my wolf.
Emma
I’m sitting in my father’s New York office waiting to hear if he’ll let me work at his bank in Montana City, Montana as the new manager. The current manager Morgan is doing a horrible job. Our bank is losing money fast and loans were not been paid back. It was rich land despite the rumour’ of gang violence going on there.
“Miss Barclay.” His secretary called to me.
“Yes.” I answered looking up from my newspaper.
“Mr Barclay said to meet him at home.” She said with regret and sadness.
I felt my heart sink. The only reason why he ever wanted to talk to me at home was to avoid a scene which I most likely cause. I was too out spoken and strong willed and was always frowned upon by men even by some women too.
“Thank you.” I said getting up to leave.
I walked out onto the busy streets of New York when a cab pulled up. An elderly couple got out; the driver helped them with their luggage. There was a hotel about two building away from the bank.
“I’ll be right back.” The driver said in acknowledgement.
I nodded climbing into the cab to wait for him. My father had been against me going to college to study finance and follow in my mother’s footsteps. She had been auditing our one branch in Manthan when it was robbed and she was shot dead, but I ignored him and got my masters in accounting. I just had a knack for figures. I felt my face grow red with anger as we continued to the Barclay condo. My father wanted me to marry young. He still believed women had to stay, sit, fetch the slippers.
“Like Hell!” I spat kicking the seat in front of me.
“Everything alright ma’am?” The driver called back to me.
“Yes, thank you” I answered in a tight voice.
If my father wasn’t going to give me that job then I would go and take it. And prove to him and everyone else that I can run a bank at 18 years old – almost 19 years old – better than Mr Henry Barclay himself. The taxi pulled up to our condo apartment which was on the top floor. We had luxury apartments all over.
“Stay here!” I ordered climbing out and racing up the entrance stairs.
Leaving him looking very confused. I raced to the elevator which would open up to the apartment which had an entertainment floor for parties alone and a roof top pool.
“Hi Alfred.” I greeted racing past our butler as soon as the elevators doors opened.
“Mary!” I yelled out racing up the stairs to my bedroom.
I started grabbing my clothes out of my walk-in closet which was as big as my room and the bathroom was just as big. I found it unnecessary and wasteful.
“Yes, ma’am.” She answered staring at the commotion.
“I need my suitcase please.” I said going to my draws.
She still stood there with confusion and concern.
“Now Mary!” I raised my voice to get her moving.
She snapped out of it and went to fetch my suitcase. I could see that she wanted to know what was happening but she knew better than to say anything. I let her pack while I sat down at my desk to write my father a letter. When Mary was done, I called for Alfred to help take the bags down stairs to the waiting taxi. I could see the protest and pleading in their eyes but they knew very well not to try and stop me. I stopped at the front door sighing before turning to Mary and hugged her.
“Please give this to my father.” I said pulling away to give her the letter. “And take care of yourself.” “Ma’am please.” She pleaded. “I’ll let you know once I’m in Montana.” I reassured her with a small smile.
I turned to Alfred and pulled him into an unexpected hug. “Take care big old bear.” I mumbled before pulling away.
I climbed into the taxi and waved goodbye to them then settled back into my seat.
“Where to ma’am?” The driver asked. “Grand Central Station.” I said seeing his surprise.
He nodded and pulled into the traffic. It was unusual, well almost unheard of for a rich woman or someone so young like me to travel via train and alone. But I didn’t want to struggle with flights and baggage check-ins, besides I liked traveling, seeing nature all around me. I had backpacked through Europe last year. My father almost had a heart attack because for one I was alone and second according to his standards women don’t do such things. I should be home, married and pregnant with my 1st or 3rd child by now. I completely disagree with him at every corner and aspect that I am able to. A women should be independent and at least have done something significant in her life and alone, it builds charter and prepares you for life. After buying my ticket for a private first-class compartment, I settled into my seat for the long journey.
Lucas
“Alpha?” Boone my Beta called pulling my attention away from the window.
I had been staring out of it watching Lucy sit on her swing looking sad and refusing for anyone to push her. I frowned at Boone and my open office door.
“I did knock.” He defended quickly.
“My apologies.” I said feeling a little guilty for my behavior.
It seams Lucy’s temper is rubbing more off on me or was it mine rubbing off one her.
I motioned for Boone to continue. “Alpha, there’s been another attack. We lost another pack and ally. The Blue Moon pack in Wyoming, Jackson.”
His eyes shifted from blue to black. He is, was my brother’s best friend and Beta but now he is mine. To be honest we aren’t very close, never were.
“Was it Rogues?” I asked feeling his anger and pain which was as raw as mine.
He nodded unable to answer shaking with rage.
“Boone!” I warned in my Alpha voice.
He shook and cringed before relaxing a bit breathing hard. “Forgive me.”
“It’s ok”
“Should we retaliate?” he asked clinching his fists.
“No, not with them being in a different state. Are there any survivors?” I asked feeling sad for the loss of a pack.
But I couldn’t afford to stretch my warriors so far and thin.
“Yes Alpha. About 20 wolves.” He answered hanging his head.
“Send aid to them. I will go with to accept them into our pack and home.” I ordered firmly.
Boone bowed and left my office to make travel arrangements. I as Alpha had to personally offer sanctuary otherwise, they would be torn apart without an Alpha and be cast as loners. And a loner or lost wolf is more feral and dangerous than rogues as they are confused and disoriented. As to where rogues choose to become feral but they don’t, well mostly don’t go rabid.
We are going to have to stock up on medical and food supplies if we are going to take in 20 new members. I think a pack barbeque will help everyone to meet and mingle and maybe take some stress off.
‘Gloria, Abigale, Charlotte, Andrew, Carson, Louise please come to my office.’ I mind linked the groundskeepers and housekeepers.
A few minutes later I heard a screaming Lucy coming from the hallway, clearly throwing another tantrum. As everyone piled into my office Gloria had a kicking and screaming Lucy in her arms.
“Lucy!” I growled making her stop with a fist full of Gloria’s grey hair. “Apologize now!” I said in a stern tone.
Gloria put her down and Lucy looked up at Gloria seeming ashamed of her behavior. Its as though she gets possessed and blacks out.
“I’m sorry.” She said in thick voice before going to sit in the corner.
I sighed before turning my attention back to the housekeep. “We are going to be accepting 20 members from The Blue Moon as tragedy has struck them.” I said taking in their shocked and sad faces. “Please prepare rooms on the third floor. I am not sure how many are families or unmated wolves. I was also thinking of having a barbeque to welcome our new members.” They all nodded in understanding.
“Excuse me Alpha.” Gloria said bowing her head.
“Yes Gloria.” I acknowledge her.
“Lucy’s clothes are getting too small for her; she only has dress clothes left.” She said bowing her head again.
I looked at Lucy and realized that Gloria was right. Lucy had been a bit too fancy dressed lately and now that I come to think of it, she’s grown at least 3 inches.
“Very well, all of you are to go to town and shop for your preparations. Gloria get Lucy some clothes.” I said with a nod. “Gloria as much as I don’t want her to leave this estate, I feel that you will have to take Lucy with you to get her new sizes. Maybe get some bigger sizes too.”
Gloria nodded in understanding, I hated that my niece was to leave in the middle of all these wars and fighting.
“Take guards with you.” I ordered dismissing them.
They bowed then left. As soon as the door closed, I went to where Lucy was sitting with her head against the wall tracing patterns with her fingers. I slid down onto the floor sitting next to her with my back against the wall.
“Lucy. I know you are sad and angry but you can’t hurt Gloria like that. It’s wrong, rude and not very lady like, young lady.” I scolded in a gentle voice.
“I’m sorry.” She said with a sniff.
She wiped her nose roughly on her dress’s sleeve. I now could see how tight her dress was pulling across her back and arms. Alpha children do grow slightly faster and shift at 13 years old before normal wolf children at 16. Her hair was longer and her small frame seemed to be gaining mussel but Lucy was too young to even going through these changes. She started screaming and crying, kicking the wall. I jumped a little at her sudden outburst.
“My legs burn!” She screamed out in pain.
Growing pains, I realized and being a wolf, it was more intense.
‘Gloria, get something for growing pains as well.’ I linked her as I started rubbing Lucy’s legs
‘Yes, Alpha.’ She replied.
Lucy’s screaming lessened a little but she still sobbed, eyes red and checks puffy.
‘Boone, when is James due back from North Dakota?’ I asked still rubbing Lucy’s legs.
‘He should be back soon, Alpha.’
‘Ok, he needs to go with me. I need you to stay here and take charge.’ I ordered.
‘Yes Alpha.’ Boone answered.
I cut off the mind link. James had gone to a human college friend’s funeral a few days ago. Lucy had had finally calmed down and started drifting off to sleep. Her poor face was red and tear streaked. Oh, poor child I thought with a heavy heart as I gently picked her up to go and put her into bed. I had no idea how to a father. An uncle that spoiled his niece, yes but to be a parent to her after losing both parents and grandparents all at once. I was just as lost as a loner would be. Gloria met me half way down the stairs.
“Don’t worry, I’ll put her down.” I said with a small smile.
“We’ll leave straight after her nap.” Gloria informed me bowing stepping aside.
I nodded then headed upstairs.
Emma
After the train stopped, I collected my bags and hailed for a taxi. I was about to climb in the waiting taxi when a man tried to jack my cab.
“Hey! I hailed him first.” I yelled in anger. “Get the next one.”
He snared at me trying to open the door. I pushed myself in front of and slammed the door shut.
“I’m from New York. So, I know how to hold my ground and cab Jackass!” I spat staring daggers at him.
“Please, no fight.” The driver pleaded. “Where you go?”
The blonde man and I had a stare off glaring at each other.
“Montana City.” He snared.
“Same.” I spat.
“Maybe you can share?” The driver pleaded.
“Fine we can share.” He hissed pushing past me.
I wanted to protest to sharing a cab with the jackass but the vibe was getting from my travel companion told me to zip it. He was slightly too intimidating and scary even for me. We travelled in silence as I was replying back to my so many texts from my father. He had tried to phone me. He had tried to call me many times and left angry voice mails. I deleted all the voice mails not even listing to rest of them then turned my phone off again. After that I got my newspaper out and checked the financial pages. The stock figures had me mumbling in discontent while the man closed his eyes with nostrils flaring.
“Stop!” The man shouted all of a sudden making me jump a little with fright.
The taxi slammed on breaks. I frowned in annoyance at the blonde-haired man as my purse went flying off onto the ground and the safety belt hurting me with the jerky stop.
“Goodbye miss.” He hissed getting out of the cab grabbing his bags.
Good riddance I thought as relief washed over me as he left. Even though he was very hansom with chiseled jaw and blonde curls and blue-green eyes. I just didn’t like him, he’s just too tense, he has a darkness to him.
“I need to back, need gas.” The driver announced nervously.
“What?!” I growled angrily. “Can’t you just refuel after you dropped me off at the hotel?”
“No, will not make it.” Hi said in a high-pitched voice.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Clearly he’s not getting a tip from me.” I grumbled crossing my arms over my chest.
I stretched out onto the seat, resting my head against the window staring out the other one. It was no where near lady like but I didn’t care I would act the way I wanted to and no one could tell me otherwise. It wasn’t long after the cab was back on the road when two SUVs came up behind us and slowly over took us. There was a little girl with a pink hat and her head out of the window and huge grin waving at me. I couldn’t help but wave and smile back at her.
Her governess pulled her back in scolding her for not behaving like a lady. She grumpily crossed her arms over her chest puffing her cheeks up and I couldn’t help but giggle. Seams like they are going on a shopping spree I thought as the other SUV passed with more staff, they all had uniforms on. Must be one hell of a rich family and one hell of a party being planned.
Lucas
I saw James get out of the taxi and caught a whiff of strawberries and fresh rain. My wolf stirred from the scent. I saw someone else sitting in the taxi, a blonde woman but the cab pulled away before I had a chance to see her face.
“Alpha.” James greeted bowing his head.
James smelt of the scent but it was fading and my wolf was becoming jealous for some reason.
“Who was your travel companion?” I asked in a tight voice.
“Some woman New York.” He answered a little irritated as he stared off after the cab.
I just nodded as he made his way to greet everyone.
“How was it and your trip?” Boone asked shaking his hand.
“As good as you can expect and tiring, thought I would get some sleep in the cab but the kept me up half the time grumbling about figures in the paper.” He explained frowning.
I shook my head somehow amazed at the information. Lucy came running out to escape Gloria who was trying to put a hat on her.
“Alpha.” Gloria bowed panting, out of breath.
“She’s getting faster.” Boone noted with a frown.
“So she is.” I said a little anxious.
“Lucy, put your hat on.” I ordered in a stern voice.
She growled a little making everyone stop dead in their tracks and making my heart skip a few beats. She’s too young I thought with panic in my eyes. A transformation at this age could kill her. She let go of my leg and went to Gloria who with shaky hands put her hat on.
‘We need a pack doctor’ I linked Boone and James.
They nodded; our pack doctor had died a year ago from a heart attack when he learned his son had died in one of the battles. Werewolves might be strong and fast but we’re not invincible. Sliver and wolfsbane are just a few things that can kill us and pack doctors were being killed like crazy as to weaken a pack. So most just upped and left Montana or were kept hidden so well away that it near impossible to find them, that or they just stop practicing medicine completely.
After the two SUVS were full with guards and staff I kissed Lucy in the forehead before the driver pulled away gently. The 3rd SUV pulled up for me, James and two guards. I didn’t want to stretch my warriors too thin.
“Boone is in charge while James and I go to the aid of The Blue Moon pack. We should be back later today or tomorrow depending on what we find.” I explained to everyone gather around. “Make preparations and be safe.”
I climbed into the back seat of the SUV with everyone bowing before getting to work. I nodded and we pulled away two extra 4X4 Double Cabs following us.
“I hope not too man are injured.” James said staring out of the window.
He was Boone’s cousin and was my brother’s best friend too.
“Sorry to spring this onto you straight after your loss” I apologized feeling bad for the poor guy.
“I need the distraction. Ben was a great roommate and friend. He’ll be missed.” James replied sorrowfully.
“Me too.” I agreed in a tight voice.
CHAPTER 2
Emma
“How much further?” I asked the driver sticking my head out of the smelling the fresh air, trees and flowers.
“Soon.” He replied rolling his eyes.
I frowned at his tone. I just didn’t like this feeling that I was getting all of a sudden as we were passing the outer edge of some forest. I felt anxious. I sighed closing my eyes trying to push this uneasiness away by imagining a hot bath, a soft bed and soft pillows.
My eyes snapped open when I heard gun shots. I sat upright eyes wide open staring around me.
“Driver?!” I cried out scared.
He didn’t reply instead the car sped up throwing me back into my seat roughly. I stared at him in disbelief banging on the glass between us screaming at him. Then I saw his head limp and bleeding pulsing from a hole in the back of his head. Dead! I realized.
A man jumped on the hood and punched a hole through the window making me scream in fright instinctively covering my face. He grabbed the steering wheel yanking the car side to side with such force that I was been thrown around in the back seat. Hitting my head and body against the doors and glass. I cried out in pain as my head cracked the window making my head spin with dizziness.
Something flew past me spraying the glass all over the place and in my face. They shooting at me I thought diving down behind the seat again. I hear laughing, growling and howling. What the…?! The man pulled the dead driver out through the windscreen and jumped into his seat. He grinned at me with evil eyes and dirty yellow teeth. I looked up when there was another thud on the roof denting it. I reached for my handbag and pulled out my pocket pistol.
“Here piggie, piggie!” He sang out licking his lips.
I aimed and squeezed the trigger. He stopped smiling and started to gargling. I had shot him in the throat. A howl ripped through the air making me cringe in fear as the denting on the roof moved about. Then a huge bloodied grey wolf crashed through the back window making me scream and fall dropping my gun in between the seats. It tried to bite and scratch me but I managed to wedge myself further in between the seat and floor. I managed to dodge his claws and snapping jaws and grab my bag shoved into his moth while trying to kick him off of me but his claws got me digging into me 7and I screamed out in pain.
The taxi hit something hard causing us to flip and with that the wolf was flung out. I heard the horrible crashing sound as I was thrown around the car. Everything went black.
I opened eyes seeing spots with blue sky above me, my ears blocked. I glazed around and saw that I too had been flung out of the car. And realised that I wasn’t breathing. The next thing I felt someone on top of me. My eyes cleared and my breath returned with his weight smashing into me. I saw and heard the man trying to cut open my jacket. I started to fight back.
I felt around the me, my hand finding a rock, I wrapped my fingers around it and sung hard hitting the man as hard as I could against his head. He fell on top of me blood pouring from his wound. The rock had sharp edges which somehow punctured his skull.
I used all my strength to push the brute off of me coughing, trying to breathe holding my aching ribs when I got him off. Glancing around I see wolves, huge wolves! And men fighting, clawing, biting, stabbing and shooting each other. Then I see the two SUVs that had passed us full of claw marks and bullet holes!
The little girl I thought in horror and forced myself up onto my feet. I staggered a bit but then found my balance and ran to the SUV while dodging bullets. I checked in the one on its roof, there were dead bodies but no little girl. As I ran to the next SUV one bullet grazed by my ear with a deafening raw that had me diving for the ground closing my watery eyes from the pain. I couldn’t hear anything. I felt myself get picked up the back of my neck. I just kept my eyes shut hoping that they would think I’m dead but no such luck as I felt a hard slap across my face.
My head sang in pain as my eyes snapped open only to be met by a wolf - man with glowing red eyes. It freaked me out! Am I hallucinating? No, his eyes are brown, I’m sure of it. His lips were moving but I couldn’t hear a thing.
“What?!” I shouted, or I think I did.
I must have because it earned me another hard slap. I could taste blood in my mouth. Oh, you bastard I thought staring at him with enough anger that I spat a mouthful of blood in his face. He growled loudly showing his teeth with his red eyes shifting to red. I wasn’t hallucinating! What on earth is that, he?! My heart raced in with fear and adrenaline.
One of his partner’s handed him a hunter’s knife. He held it to my throat while his other goons held my arms. I felt a small nick and hissed at the sting. He said something again looking around him at his friends. He was going to hurt me; it was clear as daylight written all over his face. I started to shiver, this time I wouldn’t be able to escape.
As he leaned in something happened because everyone scattered leaving me. Some wolves and men dropped dead. Whatever was happening I was going to stick around to find out what it was. I picked up a gun from the ground that one of the men had dropped and headed for the forest.
I just got into the tree lines when I was tackled hard to the ground. I wriggled and fought and kicked to get loose. I turned around to see who my attacker was. It was the same creep again, without a second thought I pointed the gun at him and squeezed the trigger but nothing happened. He just laughed at me and charged towards me again. I managed to doge his attack and hit his head from behind with the back of the gun. He dropped to his knees and I hit him again. He swung around with the knife in his hand.
I just a felt hot burning sensation and looked down. He had stabbed me in the stomach. I pointed the gun at his head again, closing my eyes I squeezed the trigger again. This time I felt the gun shoot and the knife pull out of me.
I opened my eyes and saw him laying on the ground blood pooling on the dirt and dripping from his forehead. I staggered and fell to me knees as the pain became too much. I was bleeding a lot too. I glanced around me scared that more of them would come. I grabbed his knife and pushed myself up and staggered a few feet deeper into the forest.
After I thought I was deep enough because the sun was barely breaking though the tree tops, I rested against a huge log. Some of my hearing was returning, I thought I heard sobbing and shook my head, regretting it instantly as the headache spiked with my ears ringing and black spots danced across my eyes.
I was about get up and move when I heard the sobbing again but louder this time. I looked around to make sure that I wasn’t just imagining it from a possible concussion. Then I saw a pink hat sticking out from behind a bush.
“Hello?!” I croaked, my throat sore and raw.
The crying became quicker and frightened. I got up and went to the bush that was now shaking. I pushed it away slowing only to see a small child scream and cringe in fear. It’s the little girl I thought in relief.
“Hay, hay.” I cooed. “It’s me. The lady from the taxi.”
I gently laid my hand on her back. She tensed up and growled but relaxed a little when I started rubbing her back. Did she just growl?! I must be imagining shit. She finally looked up at me with red puffy eyes and dirty tear-streaked face before jumping into my arms crying. I fell back on my butt and winced from the knife wound.
“Its ok sweety. Your ok.” I cooed rubbing her back ignoring my pain.
“What’s your name sweety?” I asked once the sobbing slowed.
She looked at me blinking and then tried to talk but no sound came out. She started to hyperventilate.
“Shhhh. Shhhh.” I cooed stroking her back.
It must be from the shock and trauma as she started to shiver.
“That’s ok sweety. My name is Emma.” I said with a smile.
She nodded with a small smile.
“Are you cold?” I asked feeling cold myself now.
I know I was going into shock and loosing too much blood. By right I should be dead now, or close to it. She nodded.
“Ok.” I said pulling my jacket off wincing.
I held it up and nodded for her to put it on. I helped her into my jacket and she smiled brightly at me. I know I should keep it on but she needed it more than me. I couldn’t let her freeze. I slowly managed to push myself up wincing in pain. I undid my belt then wrapped it around my waist and pulled tight. I gasped out in pain with a few tears spilling from my eyes. She looked up at me then at the blood from my wound and grabbed my hand pulling me behind he with a jerk.
“Slow down sweety.” I breathed staggering.
“Lu…Lucy.” She stuttered glancing back at me.
“Lucy. That’s a pretty name.” I said before she started leading me off deeper into the woods.
Lucas
We hadn’t even reached Boulder when my phone rang and Boone shouted for me to come back, that Lucy was in trouble.
“Turn around!” I shout in panic and anger.
The car did a 180-degree U-Turn and the rest followed and speed home. We pulled up to the estate. I all but kicked the door open as Boone came running up to us.
“Alpha. The SUVs have been attacked by rogues!” He growled breathlessly.
“Lucy.” Was all I could say as the colour drained from my face.
My precious Lucy! I growled loud in anger and everybody flinched submitting. I mounted my horse.
“James, go to Blue Moon Pack. I’m going to look for Lucy.” I ordered taking off.
I heard hooves and bikes behind me. Horseback and bikes were faster at this point and could cover rough terrain better than cars. And to phase now and run would unnecessarily exhaust me especially if I needed to fight.
“I sent warriors ahead!” Boone yelled as he raced off to the scene.
How did this happen? They were traveling on a busy road. We pushed our horses hard until we came up on the horrific scene. My trackers and warriors were already there searching. There were the two SUVs and a taxi that had flipped over a few times and was now on its roof, full of bullet holes and claw marks. The one SUV was on its roof and the other on its side, full of bullet holes, claw marks and dead bodies.
I tried to swallow the huge lump that was in my throat. I climbed down from horse and walked with shaky legs to the cars taking in the sight of naked and fully clothed men, wolves. Rogues! I growled in anger and then my heart sank at as I saw my men lying dead. One of the warriors came to me all pale.
“They all dead Alpha. Gloria too.” He croaked.
“Lucy?” I asked in a whisper.
“There’s no sign of her. We can’t pick up her sent with all the blood and silver.” He explained looking around us.
She has to be here somewhere; my Lucy can’t be gone.
“Look harder! Track harder!” I growled through clenched teeth.
He flinched submitting then bowed before leaving me. I walked around trying to find any clues. I came up on the SUV with Gloria in. She had been shot point blank in the head. I bowed my head and closed her dead hazel eyes.
There wasn’t much to go on. the rogues had attacked and used silver bullets and knives, no wonder the guards never stood a chance. The rogues didn’t play fair.
“Alpha, isn’t that taxi the one James was traveling in? Boone asked pointing over at the taxi.
It seemed as though it was, we both went to inspect it closer. Whoever was in here put up a hell of a fight I thought looking at all the claw marks and blood. Then I smelt it again, strawberries and fresh rain.
“Do you smell that?” I asked Boone my wolf stirring and my eyes changing colour.
“Smell what Alpha?” he asked confused.
“The scent of strawberries and fresh rain.” I replied taking in a deeper sniff.
He too did but shook his head.
“I smell a faint scent from James, a man, a woman and wolves.” He said eyes black.
“No, I tell you, strawberries and fresh rain.” I grumbled walking around the car.
We came to a slightly open suitcase with initials EB on. The smell was stronger here. I opened the bag it was women’s clothes and the scent was full blast up in my nostrils.
“Here, smell.” I told Boone point at the clothes.
He picked up a blue floral blouse, closed his eyes and inhaled deeply making my wolf growl and demand to rip his head off. His eyes snapped open all black again as he dropped the blouse and kept sniffing the air and slowly walked describing what probably had happened. Boone was a great tracker.
We came across one dead crushed wolf, a crushed man with a hole in his throat from a small pistol. A bloodied rock and dead man with blood pool around his head. The scent led us to Lucy’s SUV. There was so much blood but by now all the other trackers had smelled the clothes and could pick up bits of her by her blood on the ground.
They followed the scent past the forest tree line. There lay another man dead with a hole in his head but he had a lot of blood on his hand that was not his, the woman’s? Clearly there had been some kind of struggle here as the ground was dug into and flattened leaves and twigs. There were more blood drops leading deeper into the forest.
“I picked up Lucy’s scent!” Boone yelled not far from the dead man.
He stared into the dark forest and nodded.
“She went in there?” I breathed anxiously.
I looked at the dead man again, the woman must have put up a good fight but the blood. We have to find both of them. My wolf stirred in agreement.
“Take the dead back and the suitcase, send out more trackers. They’ll search the other part of the forest.” I ordered. “Boone you carry on searching the forest and I’ll lead the other search party.”
Everyone nodded and bowed their heads. I made my way out into the clearing and mounted my horse. We were in no-man’s land but if Lucy or the woman crossed into another territory. Oh, Moon goddess have mercy on us all I thought anxiously as we rode off in search of them.
Emma
After falling down again I couldn’t get back up. I was dizzy, cold, shivering violently and tired. Lucy tried to pull me up by my arm I was too weak. She drew waves in the sand and pointed.
“Water?” I coughed trying to swallow.
My throat was sore and mouth dry. She nodded pulling my arm again. Water would be good, water good I thought to myself. I pushed myself up with a grunt and followed her trying not to fall and faint, once or twice I vomited.
I could hear a faint rush of water and picked up the pace as did Lucy. It was a small stream with a little waterfall but the water was stagnant, moldy and muddy.
“We can’t drink it.” I said stopping her from getting closer to the water.
She stared at me in confusion then I pointed at the dead fish. She hissed and stepped back behind me holding my leg. There was a strange Sulphur smell.
“Let’s rest there.” I said pointing to a few trees away.
We would be away from the smell and bacteria but honestly, I was unable to carry on. she nodded and helped me to the trees. She sat down and I eased myself down next her. I needed to stop this bleeding I thought feeling very cold and tired. It was very cold and dark in the forest and getting harder to see and move.
“Sweety. I need your help.” I said in a shaky voice from shivering.
She looked at me with her big green eyes and nodded.
“Ok, we need to make a fire can you get some wood.” I said pointing to sticks and small branches around us.
She followed my finger then got up and started to pick up sticks. She looked at me waiting for my approval, I nodded and she carried on.
“Ok.” I said pushing myself up wincing.
I took the knife out and started digging a hole where I would build the fire. I knew how to make a fire from girl scouts, I just needed the right stones. Every time Lucy picked up a stick or branch, she looked back at me, probably to make sure that I was still there.
“I’m just going to look for stones by the water. You carry on getting wood.” I said slowly standing up.
I was about to leave when I heard twigs break nearby. Lucy dropped the wood and ran to me grabbing my leg shaking like a leaf with fear in those wide green eyes. I gripped the knife so hard that my knuckles turned white.
“Let’s go.” I whispered taking Lucy’s hand in mine.
We started to run hearing heavy footsteps echoing, branches scratched and tore at our clothes and bodies but we didn’t stop until I saw sunlight at the edge of the forest. Then I heard a man’s voice.
“Here little piggie, big wolf wants to play!” The one sang running faster.
I stopped and picked Lucy up and pushed her up into a tree just a gun shot echoed and Lucy screamed. I fell to the ground with a burning sensation in my shoulder with warm blood running down my arm. With in a second the man pinned me up against the tree. He was too bothered trying to kiss me that he didn’t pay any attention to Lucy in the tree above us.
She jumped down on his shoulders started hitting and scratching his face while growling the whole time. He growled and snared throwing her off of him. It was just the distraction I needed as I drove the knife deep into his chest and watched the life leave his cold red eyes before it turned back to dark brown.
“Lucy!” I cried rushing to her.
She grabbed my neck crying.
“Its ok. Good girl.” I said standing up with her legs wrapped around my waist.
I started walking to the tree line when I heard a growl from behind me and Lucy screamed. It was a huge brown wolf. I began to run but it caught up to me and knocked me to my feet sending both of us crashing to the ground hard.
I didn’t know how or where the strength came from but I was up on my feet just as the wolf lunged at me again. I ducked sliding underneath it and rammed the knife right into its chest above me, flipping it over my head all the while keeping the knife in the wolf as I landed on top of him with his guts spilling out.
I pushed myself up and grabbed Lucy’s hand to run but she cried out in pain reaching for her ankle. I picked her up like a sack of potatoes and started running when I heard the bikes and hooves. I looked to the clearing and there were at least 30 men or more on bikes and horses racing towards us. There was a dead hollowed tree ahead of me. I ran to it and pushed Lucy inside and stood in front of it just as the reached me. I held out the knife in front of me trying to keep Lucy hidden but I couldn’t stop her whimpering.
Lucas
I left Boone and the other two trackers to track through the forest while I went with the other group to try and pick up the scents or any tracks from the other side on horseback and bikes and wolf form. The sun was now high and beating down hard. I took a swig of water then handed it to Joseph.
“Are you picking up anything?” I asked as he drank.
“No Alpha.” He answered sadly swallowing.
‘Boone anything?’ I mind linked him.
‘There’s drops of blood. It’s the woman’s, I can’t pick up Lucy’s scent but there’s other wolf scents and sliver which is making it harder to track.’ He replied with anger.
It was more directed at himself for not been able to track them. Just then we heard a faint gun shot coming from the forest edge near us.
‘You hear that?!’ I asked Boone in panic.
‘Its loud and near us.’
‘Go!’ I ordered.
“Go!” I shouted before jumping off my horse and shifted into my big black wolf.
I took off in the direction of the gunfire then heard a scream. About 100 yards out I saw a huge wolf lunge for someone, a woman. She somehow managed to get under him and plunge something into it, flipping it over her head and landed on top of him then yanked it out of the wolf’s body. She picked something up and ran to a tree and stood in front of it just as we arrived hold a silver knife out in front of her.
She glanced to her left as Boone and the other trackers came out of the forest in wolf form and stared at the now naked man with a huge gash and his guts falling out of him. We came up to her circling her. She looked bewildered with her blonde hair all mattered, bloody and messy with blood dripping from her shoulder, a bullet hole. More blood soaked her shirt around her waist and was dripping too. Her face was all scratched up and bruised and her clothes torn.
We all shifted back to human form making the woman gasp as her eyes popped open in awe and fear. I pulled on shorts that was handed to me when I heard a whimpering sound coming from behind her. Lucy? There was the scent of strawberries and fresh rain again making my wolf stir again.
“Hand over the child!” Boone growled moving to my side.
“Go to Hell!” She spat gripping the knife tighter.
“She belongs to us!” He growled in a rough loud voice enough to make some of the wolves flinch slightly.
She narrowed her eyes and moved more in front of the tree
“Lucy?” I called out still unable to pick up her scent from all the blood coming from the woman.
I was stuck between trying to figure out what was going on with this strawberries and fresh rain thing and finding my niece. The whimpering stopped and the woman stood even more protectively holding the knife, like a pro ready for a fight.
“Lucy?” I called out again.
This time a little head pocked out from behind her.
“Lucy.” I breathed relieved.
Lucy ran out from behind the woman who tried to stop her but failed and fell to her knees. Lucy ran straight into my arms crying with joy. She was covered in dirt and a bloody jacket but it’s not hers, she had a few scratches but other than that she seemed ok. The jacket had a strong smell of strawberries and fresh rain. My wolf went crazy and my eyes blackened and my body went rigid.
‘MATE?!’ My wolf echoed just as confused as I was. ‘MATE! MATE!’ He howled in excitement. ‘What?! Lucy?!’ I asked disgusted and shocked. ‘Not Lucy! Mate jacket.’ He howled irritation.
“Lucy?” The woman called looking nervous and confused.
Lucy pulled out of my arms and ran back to the woman arms. She hugged Lucy but still kept the knife pointed at us.
“Uncle Lucas.” Lucy said pulling the woman’s face to hers.
“Uncle Lucas.” The woman repeated staring back at me then back to Lucy.
She then hugged again before kissing her forehead and gently brushed Lucy’s black hair from her face.
“Your safe now.” She said in a weak voice.
She nodded to Lucy to come to me. Lucy smiled and raced back to my arms. As soon as she reached me the woman fell to the ground out cold.
“Emma!” Lucy screamed trying to run back to her.
Boone took Lucy from me and I raced over to the woman. I turned her over feeling sparks course through me. I was about to pick her up when her eyes snapped open and she stuck the knife to my throat.
My warriors growled and moved closer to defend their Alpha but I held my hand up for them to yield. She stared at me with wariness. Those pale blue eyes stared into my eyes, my soul with confusion, joy, love, fear and anger flashing across her eyes. Her eyes fluttered closed and she lost consciousness.
‘MATE!’ My wolf cried out in fear and worry.
“We need a doctor!” I yelled picking her up.
Blood soaked her clothes and mine. How did this human, a woman stay alive and fight for so long?
How is she, my mate? Is she, my mate?! Human mates are almost unheard of especially to Alphas.
“She’s human and your mate.” Boone stated with wonder.
I stared at him in confusion.
“Your scents fussed with each other; she smells like you now.” He explained with a small smile.
“Strawberries and fresh rain.” I mumbled with a small smile.
I shook my head there would be time later to be or giddy right now my mate needed a hospital. We raced to the nearest hospital.
“I need a doctor!” I yelled as we ran into the emergency room with my mate’s lifeless body in my arms.
Nurses and doctors ran to us with a bed and I laid Emma down on it.
“What happened?” a doctor asked listening to her heart.
“Car accident, high jacking.” I answered him with a snare.
A nurse tried to get a look at Lucy in who was in Boone’s arms squirming and crying.
“She shouldn’t be alive.” He muttered. “Surgery!”
“Honey I need to have a look at you.” The nurse pleaded with a crying Lucy.
“What’s her name?” the doctor asked as they headed to the theatre doors.
“Emma. My niece called her Emma.” I said as I observed her grey, pale skin.
Her heart was slowing. He pushed me out of the way as they went through the doors and the more nurses followed. I wanted to follow but Lucy’s whimpering pulled me away. She was sitting on a bed while the nurse was talking to her in a soft voice cleaning the cuts.
“How is she?” I asked squeezing her hand which Boone handed to me and stepped aside.
“Minor bruises, scratches and shock but otherwise she’s very lucky.” The nurse answered with a small smile.
I sighed in relief. I couldn’t take any more if Lucy was hurt too. It was just too much my mate and Lucy hurt the same time. How would I even divide myself?!
‘The Sherriff wants to talk to you Alpha.’ Mind linked me from the waiting rooms.
“I’m just going to talk the Sherriff, sweety.” I said before kissing her on the top of her head.
Lucy was about to scream in protest when the nurse asked if she wanted a lolly. I smiled and tilted my head to say thank you.
“Stay with her.” I ordered Boone.
He nodded and went to stand next to Lucy holding her hand again.
“What the Hell Lucas?!” The Sherriff hissed as we stood by his cruiser. “I told you no wars in my town.”
“It was rogues! They attacked Lucy and my staff, killing all of them.” I hissed back shaking in anger.
He sighed in sadness. “I’m sorry. But why did they attack?” he asked confused.
“I don’t know but The Blue Moon Pack in Wyoming was attacked and almost wiped out. I’m taking in 20 lost wolves.” I said leaning against the car.
Its as though my body became too heavy for me to stand up straight.
“We’ll go check out and see what can be done.” He sighed shaking his head.
“Thank you, Sherriff.” I said shaking his hand.
“But put a warning out there, whoever thinks they can roll into my town and cause havoc have anther thing coming. It’s shoot first, ask questions later.” He warned getting into his cruiser.
“Yes Sherriff.” I answered feeling numb.
“I mean it Lucas.”
I nodded with a sigh as he started the cruiser and pulled away.
After talking to the Sherriff, he and his deputies took off to the bloody scene with Scully. Joseph had gone home to get fresh clothes for me, Lucy and Boone while I sat in the waiting room filling out papers.
After that was done, I sat anxiously for what felt like hours. If it wasn’t for Lucy who had fallen asleep in my lap, I would have paced a hole in the ground by now. Boone had been on the phone with James and the rest of the warriors setting up patrols ectara, refusing to leave his Alpha in case of another attack.
Finally, the ER doors opened and the doctor walked out stretching his back. I was about to get up when he waved for me to stay put and came to sit down next to me.
“Give it to me straight Doc.” I said my trembling.
My wolf was just as worried for our mate.
“She’s stable for now.” He said with a crease between his eyebrows. “But we almost lost her twice.”
My wolf howled in agony. I had all but fallen into a crippling ball of anguish. My heart stopped and my faced paled.
“She’s lost a lot of blood and quite frankly I don’t know or understand how she is still alive.” He said rubbing the back of his neck.
“She’s a fighter.” I whispered with a small smile.
“The next 24 hours are going to be critical. Why don’t you go home? There’s nothing more that can be done but wait.” He said getting up with a huff.
“I’ll stay! Can I see her?” I asked with determination and longing in my eyes.
He sighed but nodded.
“Joseph.” I called out.
“Yes Sir.” He said with a nod.
No one called me Alpha in public.
“Take Lucy home. Ryan and John will stay with me. The rest of you go home. Boone that includes you too.” I ordered handing a sleeping Lucy to him.
Boone frowned but nodded.
“Get everything prepared for the funerals and our guest for their return.” I instructed confident in Boone’s leadership.
“Yes Mr Lankford.” They said dipping their heads a bit.
To a normal person it would look like a nod but to us wolves we know it to be a bow.
“Go find rooms you and get some food.” I ordered Ryan and John before following the nurse to the ICU unit.
The nurse led me to Emma’s room. I gasped at the sight of her with all the machines that was hooked up to her. She was so pale and lifeless apart from the blue and black bruises on her face. She looked like the Frankenstein monster, full of stitches, band aids and grey in colour. I staggered into the chair next to her bed and gently picked up her hand. It was ice cold.
“She’s a fighter.” The nurse said checking her pulse before throwing another blanket over Emma.
“I guess she is.” I said remembering back at how she fought so bravely.
The wolf at the end and the other 2 dead wolves, and then how she stood ground against us with just a knife, out number to protect my Lucy.
“What are you?” I whispered amazed that a woman, a human of all things could survive such injuries.
Sparks of energy kept buzzing while I held her cold, rough hand. My wolf purred in content at the touch. I could still feel that he was scared for her and her survival as was I, but the Moon goddess wouldn’t pair me with someone who was on the brink of death, would she?!
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27 Chapters
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