1 - MATE

I stand here frozen as thoughts run through my mind, it’s taken my parents years to track down this disgusting person on top of this shit pile of pedophiles and now the top 3 suspects stand in front of me.  The person that now heads this very lucrative pup/child abduction ring, selling pups/children to the highest bidder to do with whatever they want.  My mother’s body adorns the scars of this sick and twisted world, each scar shows her strength and resilience to overcome what has happened to her.  My wolf now whimpers in my head, “but he’s, our mate.”

 I scoff, “if he’s the one that heads this up, I will kill him with our power, I will make him suffer as he has allowed countless children to suffer.”

My thoughts are interrupted by my Beta’s voice, “Alpha Abigail, are you alright.”

I shake my head, my black curls bouncing around me and a wicked smile crosses my face as I look out over the men that stand in front of me, “of course Beta Josh, let’s go meet our new business partners.”

I walk with purpose as I head down the stairs, my eyes rack over the tallest man standing with a female hanging off his arm, he’s taller than my father and bulkier with muscle, his long black hair is pulled back in a ponytail, he has high cheek bones, a chiseled jaw line that adorns black scruff.  I refuse to look into his eyes and allow this bond to snap into place, he could be the monster and I won’t allow myself to falter over a bond.

I approach the men and steel myself for their touch as I extend my hand to each one, one of these men already disgust me, but which one is he?

Alpha Sebastian speaks first, "it's a pleasure to meet you Alpha Abigail, I'm Alpha Sebastian," he offers his hand, and I shake it, earning a low growl from the large Alpha in the middle.  I arch a brow and look at the girl attached to his side, like an accessory.  I roll my eyes inwardly at his blatant disrespect for her. 

The Alpha on his other side extends his hand, "Alpha Terrance, nice to finally meet you in person Alpha Abigail.”

I took his hand and gave it a firm handshake, "pleasure is all mine, Alpha Terrance."  My statement earns a low menacing growl from who I now know is Alpha Christov. 

I stand with my legs slightly parted, my shoulders squared as I reach out my hand to this God like man, who now has a wide smile on his face, I feel his stare boring into me, but still refuse to look him in the eye.  My voice doesn’t falter as I address him as the others, "and you must be Alpha Christov." My heart pounds and my wolf is ready to howl "MATE," at any second. 

He gently removes the girl from his arm, looking at her kindly as she pouts.  He grips my hand gently and sparks ignite, shooting up my arm, his baritone voice comes out silky with a heavy Russian accent as he lifts my hand to his lips, "the pleasure is all mine MATE," he kisses the back of my hand and immediately my knees feel weak.

I feel all eyes on me, and I can’t help but laugh as I remove my hand from his, my eyes go to the female standing next to him, I tilt my head to her, “and you are?”

She smiles sweetly at me as her arm hooks back to Alpha Christov’s, she looks up at him, “Sasha, Alpha Christov’s future Luna,” she nods at me.

I take a step back, my voice is steady and calm, “very well, shall we all go inside and get this venture in motion,” I turn and begin to walk up the stairs, “I will have all the guards and future Luna Sasha tended to in the garden while we conduct our business.”

Gamma Gabe’s mind links me, “is that really your mate?”

I scoff, “yup, and we will talk after they all leave, I need to stay on top of my game here.”

He responds fast, “did the bond snap Alpha?”

I shake my head, “no, I didn’t look in his eyes yet, so help me out and stay close between us.”

He nods as he opens the pack house door and my mother is standing there, with my youngest brother Tyler on her hip, he’s covered in strawberry jam and giggling at her.

I clear my throat, and she turns, a smirk on her face as she assesses the men right behind me and bows her head in respect.  I know why she’s there, she can read wolves but unless they show themselves to her, she can’t do anything.  I smile at her, “Gentlemen, this is my mother, Luna Charlie.”

She gives them her award-winning smile, “Welcome to Crescent Moon pack, I hope your venture proves fruitful, now if you’ll all excuse me,” she giggles, “I have something very sticky to take care of.”

I stiffen as a low baritone voice speaks, “I see where my mate gets her beauty from now.”

I watch my mother stiffen on the steps and turn slowly, her eyes narrow at Alpha Christov and then dart to me.  I mind link her at once, “the bond is not snapped into place, and I won’t allow it to.”

She stands staring at him, “did you say MATE?”  Her eyes dart to the woman hanging off his arm.

I turn quickly, “follow me we need to get this meeting underway.”

I hurry my steps as Beta Josh and Gamma Gabe do to my office, once we are all inside and the door is shut, I inhale deeply only to be intoxicated by the scent of chocolate and mint.  I sit at the head of the conference table and Alpha Christov sits at the other end directly in front of me.  I stand and hold up the contracts, “we’ve all discussed every detail of this venture for months now, this contract has everything that has been discussed but there is one item that I added.”  I wave a dismissive hand around the table, “it shouldn’t be an issue for any of us at this table, but my father is a stickler for perfection and has had many dealings with a simple clause of protection to ensure a safety net for the other parties.”

Alpha Christov speaks and his voice sends chills throughout my body, “this clause, where is it in the contract?”

I turn a few pages, smiling at my wolf Storm who is over the moon swooning in my head for our mates voice and accent, “page 15, there is a red arrow pointing to it, by all means read it, but I doubt any of you will have issue with it, it simply states that if any of us are under scrutiny by the counsel or other authorities that this venture is not to be seized as an asset,” I shrug, “simple enough, like I said a safety net.” 

The room goes silent, and I observe their postures as they read over the contract, I have already signed them, so they just need to.  My father’s voice enters my head, “which one is your MATE.”