Chapter 0003

FEYRE

I don’t look up when I hear his retreating footsteps, my shaky fingers trace Cami’s bloody cheeks.

“Let me help you,” before I can argue, large arms cover mine and pick Cami up off the floor and from my thighs. He turns over his shoulder and nods at me. “I’m Dylan by the way, I’m the beta.” I nod, though it was already obvious from his aura. “That was our alpha, Zade.”

Zade. I test the name on my tongue. Like the man, there is no warmth there.

“We should get her to the infirmary, I’m guessing you want to stay with her?” I nod and quickly follow behind him.

There’s a car waiting when we reach the end of a trail. I climb into the backseat and he lays Cami beside me, her head on my thigh.

Dylan hops in the front seat, one of the other men he first came with settles in the driver’s seat. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, feeling grateful that they are at least helping us. Even though their alpha is a big douche.

I can’t think of one excuse why he would refuse to acknowledge that we’re mates, I tried to convince myself that I probably just confused the feelings for something else. But I know it, he is my mate!

Dylan gets off first when we reach their pack’s hospital, two nurses and a doctor are already waiting for us out front with a stretcher. The process of rushing her in and checking her vitals is quick.

“Why isn’t she healing?” Beta Dylan asks after she is taken into the emergency room and we’re settled in the reception.

I look down at my fingers that still have Cami’s blood on them. I think of telling him she is a healer and thus can’t heal herself.

“She has a slow metabolism,” the lie easily rolls past my tongue. He looks sceptical but only nods.

He knows the pack I come from and it’s not exactly a secret, but I choose to rather be safe than sorry.

The doctor comes out to tell us that Cami is fine and she is currently sleeping, I ask if I can see her. The yes doesn’t make it past his lips before I’m up on my feet and running toward her room. Dylan is hot on my heels and he steers me in the right direction.

My heart breaks when I find Cami looking frail on the bed, with a bandage wrapped around her hair.

“You’ll be fine,” I whisper quietly, low enough that the man behind me doesn’t hear.

“The rogue got caught.” Beta Dylan says a few seconds later, he nods toward the door. I quietly follow him, thoughts of possibly seeing my mate has the hairs on the back of my arms rising.

He suggested we walk. The fresh air might just be what I need after all that happened today..

We walk silently, I’m not even in the right space of mind to look around the pack. I’ve heard of its beauty, it is one of the biggest and strongest packs around America. Which makes a thought come to my head and I frown.

“Everything okay?” Dylan notices and asks.

“How did a rogue get past your security if you so easily caught up to us?” I ask the one question that is bugging me.

Rogues are wolves that have been severed from their pack link, they have a terrible and rotting stench. To be exiled, you must have done something terrible and unforgivable. Not all rogues are bad since some are exiled because they lose control to their wolf, mostly when their mate dies.They usually travel alone,

“Oh, he wasn’t trespassing. His link hasn't been severed from the pack,” I stare at him, waiting for him to elaborate because that doesn’t make any sense. “He attacked a teenage girl a few days ago, he didn’t hurt her, thankfully. So to avoid a repeat, the alpha banished him this morning after a trial.”

“Well, now he is definitely not just getting off with banishment.” Alpha Zade cocks his head to the side, my eyes follow him.

There is a small crowd gathered, and my heart skips a beat when I find the alpha—Zade—my mate, standing on a podium in front of about a hundred or more people. He is speaking to them in the same voice he’d used earlier.

“On his third offence, the verdict has changed from banishment to execution, as he poses a threat to our families and pack.” 

I watch him take out a silver knife and walk toward the man on his knees. There is a cold calculated look in his eyes and I hold my breath.

He slits the man’s throat, without even blinking. There is no gasp of surprise or shriek of horror, the whole place is as silent as a graveyard as the man’s choking stops. He wipes the blood off the knife with a rag handed to him by one of his warriors. He turns and addresses his people.

“This should serve as a warning to you all. Disobedience and any act or insubordination will not be taken lightly.” He walks off, they part as he passes, his steps gentle and unbothered, like he didn’t just kill a man. A terrible man, but still.

“Why are you still standing?” he says to Dylan, not even looking at me. His beta nudges me to follow. “Escort her and her friend back to their pack. I want them off my land as soon as possible.”

I glare at his back, feeling anger burning up my throat.

“A car is ready, and I’ll drive you back to your pack once the doctor is sure your friend is safe to travel.” It won’t be good for Cami to get in a car without proper care, so I don’t argue.

“Are you ready to go back?” Beta Dylan asks, sticking his thumb out and pointing behind him. 

We headed back to the hospital. Cami is already tucked into a hospital van and they ask if I want to join her, I nod eagerly. I’m surprised when the beta slips in after but I don’t say anything. There are cars waiting for us when we get there.

“Guess your alpha is here,” I hum in response as the doors get opened and he steps out first. He gives me his hand which I take gratefully.

Asher is getting out of his SUV at the same time. His footsteps are hurried when he sees me. I throw my arms around him the moment he comes close enough.

After making sure I'm fine and asking ten times, he thanks Beta Dylan for his help. 

“The alpha sends his apologies for the unfortunate event. The guilty party has been punished accordingly.”.

A shiver rolls through me at the mention of Alpha Zade.

“It was great meeting you, beta.” He finishes with a slight tilt of his lips and I muster a smile.

“Thank you for everything,” I climb into Asher’s car, while Cami is carried by one of the other pack members. 

I just look out the window, even when Asher climbs into the driver’s seat, I don't turn or acknowledge him.

He notices it of course and I feel his hand on my thigh.

“Are you okay, Feyre?” 

“Yes,” I replied absentmindedly. My attention outside but nothing in particular catches my eyes.

Asher doesn't give up and he keeps bugging me until I snap.

“Fine, I found my mate!” 

His eyes widened before he started laughing and he gripped my shoulder, giving it a little excited shake.

“In the darkmoon pack?” I nod and he chuckles. “That’s amazing, Fey. I’m so happy for you.” His eyes return to the road but only for a second..

“It’s not exactly something to be happy about.” I explain everything that happened to him and he looks confused by the time I’m done.

“Damn, he is an ass.” I nod in agreement. He returns his attention to the road again before speaking. “But you need to figure out why he did that, he has to have a reason.”

“No way, if he wants to act like I don’t exist, then two can play that game.” The anger and slight embarrassment creep back in.

“I think it is best if you at least ask him, you can’t judge a person by just one interaction,” I cock a brow and he sighs. “I know it’s not the best way to go about things, but you’ll regret this forever if you don’t try.”

“Fine, I’ll consider it.” I mumble, he nods and smiles. 

“That’s all I want to hear.” He faces me. “You can rest tonight, think things through.”

We spend the rest of the car ride in silence while I mull over all Asher said. It’s not anything I didn’t know already but maybe it is the push I need.

What’s the worst that can happen?