Chapter 2 - Logan

I probably shouldn’t have come to Camp Okwaho'kenha. I have a pack to run, which a lesser pack member could have handled, or if I wanted, I could have asked John to come. But I can’t help myself. This property has always held a special place in my heart.

It was by the lake that I made love to Suzu for the first time. It was here that I first showed her what I am. It was here that she accepted my wolf. This place will always hold a special place in my heart, just as she will.

And now I’m here because someone is daring to come onto my land, into my territory, and hunt the native natural wolves that call this home. I will have none of it.

My brother, Charles, and Silvercloud all told me not to do anything drastic and not take matters into my own hands. They know all too well that I would kill these poachers without a second thought. I promised, on Hana's life, I wouldn’t kill anyone. 

I haven’t been here in seven years, not since Siegfried took Suzu from me. My return to my old cabin by the lake was bittersweet—so many memories of her and the good times we had here. On the bright side, the current camp director, Rowan Moors, doesn’t know my face, so I had introduced myself as James Logan and got hired as the new groundskeeper.

I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m some lowlife drifter that was just looking for a temporary job and a place to stay. My gut tells me not to trust that prick. And my gut is rarely wrong.

I’d spent most of my time since arriving, getting the camp ready for this summer's campers to arrive and then at night running as my wolf trying to find these poachers.

Today the campers arrived. I did my best to stay away. But while I was patrolling in my wolf form, I picked up the most heavenly scent I’ve ever smelled. It was a combination of rose and lavender. It drew me in yet somehow calmed my inner beast and me. 

‘Mate.’ Jericho growled at the scent. 

While Jericho wanted me to rush forward, I froze. ‘Mate?’ I questioned in fear. I knew Suzu wasn’t my mate, but I loved her. What is the moon goddess thinking by bringing me my mate now? Here of all places? I don’t even want a mate. I’m content as I am.

Yet here, I found myself lurking at the edge of the forest, watching the campers pass by. I wasn’t sure which girl it was, then I saw her. The source of the smell was soothing while also making me crazy with want and need. Long thick locks of fire-red hair swing over her shoulder from the high ponytail she kept it in, captured my attention.

Her emerald, green eyes were looking around at the camp, taking it all in. The adorable dotting of freckles across the bridge of her nose highlighted her cheekbones caught my attention. As did the cupid bow lips pulled into a smile. Fuck she’s beautiful.

‘Mate!’ Jericho shouted in my head. He wanted to rush to her, to claim her. ‘No.’ I said sternly, keeping him in his place. We couldn’t just run out there to her. I tried to look away, to walk away, but I was frozen in place. I took in more of her as she got closer.

I think the camp needs to rethink its uniform because those shorts sit at mid-thigh and show more of her long creamy legs than I like. Okay, so I enjoy how much it is showing but not that other males can see them. 

‘Mine.’ I found myself thinking. Jericho snickered in my mind, please at my possessive thought. ‘Shut up.’ I growled at him. I realized that she was probably taller than me. It’s always entertaining when there is a meeting with another Alpha.

They see my brother and assume he’s the Alpha, given his height and formal style. I guess that’s how they expect an Alpha of one of the largest packs in North America to look. They always look surprised when I’m introduced as Alpha. 

I’m barely 5’5” and am stocky in build, but all muscle and prefer casual clothes like jeans and tees or flannel and my leather jacket. People underestimate me because of my size, but I’ve never lost a fight.

In my time as Alpha, I’ve killed three other alphas and absorbed their packs when their alphas foolishly challenged me. Their underestimation always works in my favor. 

As I watched my mate, I started to wonder if she’d even want me. If she’s at this camp and the fact that I can smell her as my mate means she’s between 16 and 18 years old. And, strangely, a werewolf would be sent to this camp, especially without me being informed beforehand.

It is a punishable offense to cross into another pack’s territory without the permission of the Alpha. But she doesn’t smell like a rogue either. They always have this nasty scent of warm decomposing garbage hanging on them.

As I ponder this, I start to wonder if maybe she’s not yet had her first shift. Next week is the first full moon of the month. If she’s only recently turned 16, she’ll turn on that full moon. How could her parents send her away for her first shift?

That was utterly irresponsible—even more than crossing into my territory without permission. I found myself getting angry, Jericho getting mad at the idea that our mate would have to go through her first shift alone if we hadn’t been here. 

I was so distracted in my thoughts I hadn’t realized she had stopped and was looking directly at me. I was deep enough to be hidden in the shadows, but I had no way to hide my eyes. My heart felt like it would pound out of my chest as our eyes locked.

Jericho tried to take control to step closer, but I stopped him. Instead, she was coming closer to us. Until one of the other girls called out to her, I took her distraction and ran. 

After my run-in with my mate, I stayed on my side of the lake. My muscles tensed every time the wind shifted and brought her scent across the lake. “Alpha? Are you even listening to me?" Charles sighed on the video chat I had with him and John.

“Yes, sorry, Chuck,” I shook my head. I got up and closed the window to try and keep her scent from reaching me. “You’re distracted, little brother. What’s going on? Still no progress in finding who is poaching on our land?" John questioned.

I sighed, rubbing my hand over my face and the growing beard I’d stopped trying to shave. Opening my eyes, I looked at my brother’s face. He could be my double, if not for our height difference and that I don’t like to shave.

My eyes shifted to our best friend, Charles. He was like John in how he presents himself, a thing his mate Sybille greatly appreciated. I shuddered at the memory of walking in on them.

“Thinking about Charles and Sybille again?" John teased. I rolled my eyes. “You know, Alpha, eventually, you are going to need to look for your mate. The pack needs a Luna,” Charles sighed. 'You could just tell them.' Jericho not so helpfully reminds me. I frowned.

"Let's focus on what's important here. There is someone poaching wolves in our territory. I won’t tolerate that. Cause what happens if or when it's one of our pack running in their wolf form? Sure, they aren't using silver rounds, but a regular bullet can still hurt, and these bastards are skinning their kill,” I grimaced. 

Their expressions turned severe. "We know and understand the danger these poachers could pose to our pack. That doesn’t mean we like you being the one handling this, let alone solo,” Chuck frowned.

"That place holds many memories for you, brother. Perhaps you should return, and I'll investigate in your place. After all, isn't that what a Beta is for?" John offered. I shook my head. There was now no way I could leave, not after finding my mate. 

I may not be able to approach her yet, but I can't leave her unguarded. Just the thought of something happening to her riled Jericho. I realize he must have tried to come forward based on the wide-eyed expressions of my brother and Chuck. "Alpha?" Chuck tentatively questions. "Logan? Everything alright? Your eyes…" John asked. 

I closed my eyes and willed Jericho back. 'She's not in danger. She's safe and probably asleep in her bunk with the other girls.' I tried to soothe my wolf. He seems to listen as I open my eyes again, and relief is on their faces.

"What was that about?" John asked, folding his arms. "Nothing,” I assured him. Well, nothing I was going to tell him about. "I'll continue to investigate here. You just take care of the pack and keep Hana safe,” I ordered. 

My head jerked to the side as I picked up the sound of a gunshot. "Poachers,” I growled and rushed from my cabin without a goodbye or shutting down my laptop. As I leaped from the porch of my place, I shifted to my wolf.

The pain didn't bother me anymore as my bones cracked and reformed so quickly that I landed on all fours. 'Let's teach some humans a lesson.’ I growled. Jericho howled his approval as I sprinted into the forest. I was following where I heard the gunshot as well as the scents of four drunk humans. 

The scent of the poachers was fading. They were leaving. I turned to follow their scents, hoping to find their vehicle maybe. But I came to a complete stop when I smelled her. This wasn't just her scent wafting from the camp. She’s in the forest. Then the smell of fresh blood, of wolf's blood.

'Fuck' I groaned, realizing she had found the body. I was torn between chasing down the poachers and making sure she was okay. The pull of my mate won, and I quickly changed directions.

I stopped at the edge of a small clearing. There Aurelia was looking at the wolf's lifeless body in horror and anger. How I wish I could have kept her from seeing such a thing. How I wished I could comfort her. Her eyes moved away from the body and connected with mine.

I tried to fight the pull as the clouds parted and moonlight shined down. Aurelia seemed to glow bathed in the moon's light. The shadows I had been hiding in were gone, and there was no fear in those emerald eyes.

Every step forward she took, I matched till we were almost close enough to touch. She reached out to me, and Jericho was practically jumping with joy wanting to be touched by her. 

I was still unsure, yet I went to extend my head out to her, caving to this need. "AURELIA!?" voices called out, startling both of us. "Fuck..,” my mate cursed.

I could smell several humans approaching. One I recognized as the camp director. While she was distracted, I ran. And I didn’t stop till I reached my cabin.