Chapter 003

Rage did not explain how I felt.  

I needed to commit murder - to tear heads off, to shed the blood of the bastard who dared to hurt my mate.

And I would do that. Right after I found a doctor to attend to her.  

Damn it, where on earth was Jay?

I walked into the room that I had been offered two hours ago and set her down gently on the bed, her groan only fueling my rage.

I would find out who did this and would relish every scream of pain as the lights die in their eyes. That was a promise.

I stood up and looked at the lady my wolf recognized as our mate the minute I saw her.

She looked so pale. The poison was spreading fast. But despite the lack of colour in her skin, she looked very ravishing and beautiful.

Deep black hair that had purple strands in them - just like the Alpha’s hair.

Hmm. 

I turned around when the door opened and Jay strolled in with an old man behind him.

“Is this the doctor?”

“Hello, Alpha Sky. My name is Dr Reynolds and do not worry. I will take good care of the young lady.” The man said with a slight bow and I nodded.

“I expect nothing less. Keep an eye out Jay. If anything happens to her, heads will roll - starting from yours. I have business to take care of.”

I left the room, and headed straight downstairs to the ball hall, my eyes scanning sharply through the busy hall until I saw who I was looking for.

Nina.

The Alpha's daughter.

Her scent was the only scent I picked up from the kitchen and it's no secret that she hates my mate.

I made my way to her but was stopped mid way by Luna.

“Hello, Alpha Sky” she greeted with a wide smile, “How are you doing? You were meant to be resting after such a long journey.”

I tamped down the urge to flip her off. 

“Pardon me. I have some quick errands to run.”

She chuckled, “I understand perfectly. I just wanted to let you know once again, just how delighted we are, to have you here. I would love you to meet me…”

“I'd rather focus on talking about the partnership with your Alpha and then be on my way. Excuse me.”

I bowed slightly and walked away - heading straight to Nina who was chattering away with three other girls by the corner.

I stopped behind them and cleared my throat - the moment she turned and saw me, her eyes widened dramatically and she puffed out her chest.

“Alpha Sky!” she called, moving a bit closer to me, “oh my god.”

Her friends were no better.

I faced her with a smile, “Hello Nina. You caught my attention. Decided I would drop by to officially introduce myself.”

“Oh. You do not need an introduction - I know who you are.” The tramp giggled.  

With a nod I took hold of her hand, “That is amazing. You ladies do not mind me joining you for a minute, right?”

They laughed and giggled, accepting me.

I could feel stares on me - tons of stares but I didn't care.

I was a man with a goal.

Nina grabbed a glass of wine for me and I took it, flashing her with a smile and her blush satisfied me.

“Nina. I couldn't help but hear you talking once about… what's her name again? I can't remember, she's just an Omega anyway. Let me commend how brave you are - standing up to inferior people and putting them in their places. I admire that, you are a true leader.”

The lies rolled off way too easily from my tongue, and Nina grinned obviously believing them.

“Thank you Alpha Sky. Yes her name is Hailey and I am impressed to see that you share the same mind.”

Now fully believing that I was on her side, Nina proceeded to tell me everything, how she had bullied my mate, how her brother played with and hurt her.

By the time she was done with her story, my rage had doubled over and turned into a full on internal volcano about to erupt.

But I still tried to maintain my composure with a smile which was getting harder to keep.

“You are one strong woman,” I commended and she smiled flinging her hair seductively, “now I'd love to talk to you in private. I hope you do not mind.”

“Mind? No! Of course I do not mind.” Nina said hurriedly, grabbing my outstretched arm.

She waved at her friends and led me down an empty hallway.

When I was convinced that we were out of ear shot, I turned around immediately, swiftly pinning her to the wall and wrapping my fingers around her frail neck.

Her eyes widened and her smile was quickly replaced with a horrified look.

Good.  

“Wh…what?!”

“Listen to me Bimbo,” I growled, tightening my hold around her neck, “I am only going to say this once - and I won't say it again. The reason your head is still attached to your neck is because of your father. But I will not be that merciful next time. Stay. Away. From. My. Mate.”

I didn't wait for her to process what just happened before I forcefully shoved her aside and left her.

When I went back to the bedroom, Hailey was awake and the doctor was already gone.

Although she still looked like a mess.

“Hey,” I walked over and sat on the bed beside her.

“Who are you?” She whispered weakly, with a sceptical look, “Where am I?”

“Calm down sweetheart, you are in safe hands. My name is Sky.”

She blinked. 

“As in Alpha Sky?” 

“Yes,” I replied, pulling at the covers. “You need to sleep, love.” 

She opened her mouth for what I assumed was a protest but instead shrugged and closed her eyes again.

I stood up and went out of the room to the kitchen where Jay was.

“What did the doctor find?”

Jay sighed, “she was shot with vervain and wolfsbane. It's a miracle that she's still alive.”

Wolfsbane and vervain? Those were the two most lethal poisons to werewolves.

Indeed, a miracle - that could have killed an ordinary werewolf on the spot and she's nothing but an Omega.

But that was the confusing thing. I've picked up her scent, and have felt her through our mate bond.

Her inner strength was much more than that of an Omega.

I turned to Jay, “I need you to go out right now and find out whatever you can about her and her family. Where she's from. Start from the Alpha's daughter.”

He nodded and left without a question while I walked back to the room and sat with Hailey who was now asleep.

A smile tugged at my lips.  

I had seen her when I stepped out of my car, carrying plates and flower vases. She looked so tiny and beautiful. Her face scrunched up in an adorable look of concentration. 

I had watched her. From the side, as she went about her job without minding anyone and I could swear I fell in love with her each second I saw her blue eyes light up and that blonde hair bounce.

Thirty five years - and the goddess finally decided to bless me with a mate.

I had no idea how long I sat there, just staring at her. Maybe one hour, maybe two.

Then she stirred and opened her eyes again.

What would have happened if I had been a second late? I would have lost her. I would have lost her before I had a chance to meet her at all. 

“What…” She croaked.  

“Shhh. Not a word,” I said, taking her hand in mine, “ I'm sorry, terribly sorry about what happened to you and what you have had to go through. 

But I swear to you Hailey, by my life, by the moon and by the earth on which we walk - I will make all those who dared to hurt you suffer. I will lay waste to everything they love, one by one until they are reduced to an existence worse than death. I will protect you, and you will be by my side, where you shall never taste any bitterness for the rest of your life.”

She said nothing. 

Instead she kept looking at me as if I had gone crazy.

Well maybe I had. 

“I know you are my mate.” She whispered, turning her head, “and it's an honour Alpha Sky but I do not know you and I won't accept it.”

“We can talk about that when you are okay?”

The door opened and Jay peeked in, motioning for me to come outside.

“What is it?” I asked closing the door behind me and stopped when I saw an old woman behind him. Her eyes were red like she had been crying.

“I did what you asked and I discovered some interesting things. She's the Pack's house wife. She birthed Hailey.”

There was more, I could see it in his eyes and I nodded, urging him to continue.

Jay turned to the woman, “Go on, talk.”

The woman fell on her knees before me, “I am very sorry Alpha Sky. Have mercy on me.”

“Tell me what you have to say and do not waste my time.”

“I was there, the day Hailey's mother gave birth to her. Un…unfortunately she was disappointed when the baby turned out to be a girl so she asked me for a favour before the father could find out. She asked me to find her a male child.”

The woman hiccuped and looked up at me but my expression remained blank and unfeeling then she continued.

“So I did. Fortunately another woman - an Omega had given birth the day before and all it took was the right amount of money to trade her son with Hailey.”

I shifted, something told me I would not like where this was headed. 

“So who's this male child and who was Hailey's mother?”

She bit her lip before she answered, “The woman who wanted me to trade her daughter, Hailey's birth mother - is Luna Angela.”

“What?”

Hailey was the Alpha's daughter?