Chapter Four: Alpha Killian

Killian’s POV

“What of the women and children?” I asked Joe, playing the role of a concerned alpha when really, all I wanted to ask about were the young girls. Alek had been stirring and uncomfortable from the moment I had smelt that soul-stirring lavender and a mix of pinewood smell.

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It had felt so comfortable and at home at that very moment, yet, I didn’t want my mate to meet in the middle of a takeover of her hometown.

I didn’t want her to hold any grudge against me because I have waited more than ten years for her. Even if I could, I wasn’t sure Alek could handle rejection from her.

“They seemed to have even more young girls and children than the adult males, maybe that’s part of why Sebastian’s turnover has been lower.” Joe said with a thoughtful expression before he realized that wasn’t the question I had asked him.

“They have been taken to the decamping house. Orders have been passed down to prepare them for the mate selection tonight. For the ones that haven’t been marked by a mate.”

I nodded my head in satisfaction, I would get to meet her tonight. “I need to get some rest,” I told him as I walked off.

Having battled with Sebastian for more than an hour and then coming back on foot with Joe and the other generals, I needed a good bath and sleep.

After a soaking bath, I climbed into bed, my heart lurching with expectation. After now, I would not have to lay in bed alone.

***

I dressed up quickly, with how much Alek was stirring in me, I didn’t want to keep him waiting.

“Our mate isn’t going anywhere. You have to calm down.” I warned Alek as I pulled out one of my favorite shirts. I was done in less than five minutes and went into the big hall.

The moment I entered the hall, the sweet scent of my mate wafted toward me and I looked around to find where the pull was the strongest.

“Mate.” Alek growled threatening to leap out and I had to exert every bit of control to have him stay in place while my eyes searched the hall wildly.

There were close to eighty girls and one of them was my mate.

Joe stood beside me as we watched the whole process from the stage.

“There are still about fifty female children. At least, we know that 50 males that are still growing would have mates.” He said with a sigh.

I could understand the pressure, for a clan like mine, food, and resources were abundant and we needed females for our males to mate with.

Over the years, the turnover of female shifters had declined and some clans even had human slaves that were used as whores for their pleasure and release.

“We will find a way around it.” The confidence and authority in my voice made Joe nod his head as his shoulders relaxed.

“When would you be picking a mate? The elders are starting to complain.” He said after a while looking around to be sure no one was close enough to hear him.

If he had asked me this question two days ago, my mood would have gone downhill. But now that I could smell my mate, and feel her close, I didn’t even feel uncomfortable as I replied.

“Very soon.”

The moon goddess had at last decided to take pity on me.

I went back to scanning each girl and I could feel my being aching for her the moment I laid my eyes on her.

Even in an outfit that they were all putting on, she called out to me. Her head was lowered like she didn’t want to be noticed. She was probably uncomfortable with being stared at by everyone.

Having to look at her from a large crowd of people was torture to me. I wanted to talk to her, wrap my arms around her and have her talk to me.

Unable to bear it anymore, I closed the gap between Joe and me. “Can you bring that girl with the bright auburn hair to my suite later? She looks like someone I used to know.” I instructed him and he nodded in understanding while also looking at her.

Axel growled with disagreement. Clearly, he wanted me to go right there and claim my mate.

I didn’t want to do it the crude way. I wanted to know her and get her to feel comfortable around me before claiming her.

I cast one more look at her before striding out of the hall.