CHAPTER 3

JAKE POV

The hum of the V16 engine of my sleek SUV filled the air as Ryan maneuvered through the winding road that cut through howling hills. Damien, my beta, sat beside me, scrolling through his iPad with his typical intensity.

“Do you think life has a way of playing tricks on us?” I asked in a half-joking manner peering out the window and adjusting my collar.

“You mean like having us drive out here for a meeting that could have been sorted out over a ten-minute phone call?” Damien, my beta, responded with a smirk on his face, his face laced with irritation as he scrolled through his iPad, sorting out the business proposal for the meeting.

“The Alpha Council wants face-to-face negotiations. Without this treaty, we risk losing the eastern borders to Draven’s pack. We need this alliance!”. I rolled my shoulders, trying to ease the tension that had been building for weeks.

Damien's expression softened though with a wry smile. “ I hope their hospitality includes some good bottles of whiskey”.

I nudged him with my shoulder followed by a wink, “I hear ladies of the Red Keep are a work of art. That should complement your stress”. I leaned back in my seat with a sly grin spreading across my face.

Damien raised an eyebrow, chuckling and shaking his head. “you're such a bad influence, Jake...I'm already married to an amazing woman”, he added. “Speaking of which, You're an Alpha, you really should be considering getting a Luna after…….”

My face darkened, my eyes flashing with anger. “Do not bring that up!..ever!”, I thundered. My palm curled into a fist as I burned with rage from the inside.

Damien’s eyes widened as he hastily held his hand up in a calming gesture. “ Whoa…whoa! Jake.. Slow down!..I'm sorry!. I didn't mean to push any buttons”. Damien pleaded. His voice was laced with concern but I was already on the edge

The mere mention, or the thought of finding a mate always struck a nerve, reminding me of this curse that haunted me. I already lost one mate because of it, her death was a stain on my soul I could never wash away.

The thought of finding another mate was repulsing but my bloodline was at stake and my mother's constant bickering over finding a mate only made matters worse. I never asked to be an unfortunate heir from a cursed lineage.

“Let's just focus on the meeting”, I snapped, redressing my well-tailored tuxedo before dragging in a long puff of my Cuban cigar. “How long before we get to Red Keep?”. I glanced at Ryan, my chauffeur, through the rearview mirror.

“About half an hour Sir!”. He answered.

“Huh!” I snorted, dressing back into my seat. 

I shifted my gaze on Damien who was already focused on his screen again. “Any update on the recent attack on our border?”. I asked, breaking the silence in the air. 

“None yet” Damien nodded. His tone matched the tension in the air.

“Hmm.. something's not right about this. Ensure the borders are guarded, we need to be ready for any surprises”, I instructed, my guts, warning me of potential trouble. My Wolf, Lucio, had been restless since we began driving down this lane.

“Jake,” Damien called out, his voice edged with concern, “you’ve been on edge all day. What’s going on?”

I shook my head, trying to dismiss the gnawing sensation in my chest. “It’s nothing”.

Before he could press further, the SUV jolted to a sudden stop, throwing us both forward.

“Ryan!” I barked, gripping the edge of my seat. “What the hell—”

“I’m sorry, Alpha,” Ryan called back, his voice tight. “Something is blocking the road.”

Damien and I leaned forward to peer through the windshield. A massive tree trunk lay across the road.

“This is strange, there hasn't been any storm recently. The tree doesn’t look uprooted or broken by the wind. It’s like it was deliberately placed here.” Damien muttered, his tone grim.

“Clear it quickly. We can’t afford delays.” I ordered, already unbuckling my seatbelt. The unease in my chest grew sharper. 

Ryan quickly stepped out of the vehicle and reached for the lever in the trunk. While he tried to clear the road, I decided to take a walk around the surroundings, unable to ignore Lucio’s unease. 

“What is it, Lucio?” I asked.

“Do you feel that?.... something, someone is close”. Lucio's voice rumbled through me. His growl was low and insistent.

The wind turned unexpectedly, bearing an alluring scent - a sweet jasmine fragrance hit my nostrils, delicate and captivating yet tainted with a metallic smell of blood.

My senses heightened, and the hair on the back of my neck rose. “What the hell”, I muttered.

“Mate!, it's her!” Lucio roared.

 For a moment, I froze. My heart slammed against my ribs. “This can't be true,” I muttered, but what could I do, the scent was overwhelming and the pull, undeniable.

“Jake!” Damien's voice came from behind. “Everything all right?”. I ignored him, bolting straight into the woods.

The more I drew closer the stronger the scent. The rush of adrenaline overwhelmed my being. Then I saw her.

The rogue loomed over a figure sprawled on the floor. Her dark hair, scattered and tangled with twigs and leaves, fell over her face.

“Get the hell off her!” I roared, my voice thunderous with rage as I lunged into it.

It snarled, baring its teeth at me. Its sharp claw tore my arm, but I was faster, dragging it heart-first into a broken spike.

I didn't wait to watch life drain from its eyes. My focus shot back at her. Her body lay motionless, blood pooling beneath her. 

My breath hitched, and my hands shook as I carefully lifted her into my arms.

“Hey,” I murmured, brushing her hair from her face. Her dark hair strands fell to her back like that of a fallen angel. “Can you hear me?”.

She let out a faint whimper, her head slouched into my chest smearing my shirt with her blood. 

“Stay with me,” I said softly, my voice breaking through the tension in the air. “You’re safe now.”

Her lips moved, the words barely a breath. “Who… who are you?”

Before I could give a response, her eyes fluttered closed, and her body went limp against me.

“Damn it,” I muttered, holding her closer as her unconscious form grew heavier in my arms.

“Jake!” Damien's voice cut through the woods into the clearing, his expression sharp and alert. His gaze fell on the lifeless body on a spike before snapping to me and the girl in my arms.

“What happened? Who is she?” Damien demanded, his gaze narrowing.

“Arghh..my.. mate?”. I stuttered, not so sure I wanted that word to escape my lip.

“Your what?” Damien's eyes narrowed.

 I know mockery when I sense one. I'm sure his expression was one but right now all that matters is getting her to safety.

“There were others, they are closing in, we need to leave now”. Damien urged, his tone laced with urgency.

I lifted her carefully in my arms, afraid that any jostle would worsen her condition. Whoever she was, the rogues wanted her dead or worse.