Chapter 2- Altair

 "Here are the latest rogue reports," Corbin stated, adding another sheet to the overgrown tower on the corner of my desk. "There's been an increase of activity in the southern boundaries, so I increased the patrol there." 

"Very well," I dismissed, my gaze shifting to the window. Beyond the glass, the son hung high in the sky, casting its bright rays across the room. 'Anything else?"

Corbin hesitated, then revealed another layer of intrigue- the invitations from higher-ranking daughters of other packs, newly of age, seeking mates. I nodded. "I assume you sent out the proper response?"

"Yes, my Alpha," Corbin affirmed. "But I worry. The longer the Luna position remains empty, the sooner we will appear vulnerable to others- "

My fist came down in a primal echo of frustration. The tower of reports crumpled; papers scattered like leaves. "That is ENOUGH. Corbin," I growled. "The Luna position remains vacant till I see fit." 

"Of course, Altair. I'm sorry for speaking out of turn," Corbin bowed his neck in submission. "That is everything I have to report on pack matters. Nicole's birthday is tonight, though. It would be nice if our best friend would come out." 

"If I agree, will you leave me in peace?" My patience was starting to fray. 

"Yes, I've got patrol duty anyways. I'll see you at seven. Howl's Bar. Don't be late." 

With Corbin's leave and his concerns echoing in the quiet office lingering like shadows, I abandoned my desk for the west-facing window of my office. The weight of leadership pressed down on me. I watched members of the Blue Stone pack. The members went about their day; their lives interwind with duty and loyalty. But within these walls, chaos reigned as a storm of reports, budget analyses, and rouges incidents. Lupin, my inner wolf, growled in protest. He knew the truth we both tried to evade- the hunting nightmare that clung to our hearts after the loss of our Luna, Kimberly. Her absence left an ache, a void that no amount of paperwork could fill. 

I turned away from the bustling pack members, their lives fulfilled with responsibility. I turned my attention to my desk buried under the weight of neglected reports. Each paper represents a thread of the fabric of my pack's existence, woven together by my duty to them. I gathered the forgotten reports and returned them to their initial home on the corner of my desk. In defeat, I sank into my chair. The exhaustion seeped into my bones, pulling me to sleep. Just a few seconds, I promised myself a few seconds, and I will start on the budget reports. Darkness enveloped me as my head rested against the chilled leather, and I surrendered to its embrace. 

The meadows and distanced memory unfolded once more. The meadows were where Kimberly and I sought peace together from our never-ending duties. It had become our sanctuary after her 18th birthday when the moon goddess weaved our destinies together as fated mated. I rolled on top of her, my stone eyes locked into her indigo gaze, and everything was as it should be for a fleeting moment. 

But then darkness descended- a disruption of shadows materialized around us. Rouges appeared, their presence starkly contrasted with the tranquillity we once knew. Lupin, my unwavering, fearless wolf, stood tall in his blue-black fur, ready to defend what was ours. There was nothing but emptiness to the right where Kimberly's white wolf should have stood.

A scream pierced the forest's heart, and we lunged at the danger. Lightning speed carried us, instincts a flamed. A rouge threatened Kimberly's wolf, teeth barred in aggression. Lupin leaped, fierce and unyielding, saving our mate from him. The rouge fell to the forest floor in defeat. 

But when we turned, ready to face our mate and rejoice in our reunion. Instead of Kimberly's familiar eyes, we faced a dark-haired stranger trembling in fear. Her indigo gaze held secrets, and she whispered, "You saved me."

I jerked awake, tearing away from the dream's embrace. Those vivid and hunting indigo eyes faded from my vision, leaving an ache in their wake. A shadow slanted over through my office, signalling the shift in the day from the light outside. The computer screen glowed with its digital clock, proclaiming it was just after six in the evening. Annoyance prickled my skin; what should have been a brief nap had stretched into most of the day. 

On days like this, when my failed battle with sleep consumed the precious hours of the day, I often worked into the midnight hours to catch up on my duties. But tonight was different. I had a promise to keep tonight- the commitment to Corbin to attend Nicole's birthday. The fog clung in my mind as I ascended to my apartment on the upper level of the pack house. The shower warmth washed over me, cleansing my body and mine. 

Yet questions lingered like shadows in the back of my mind., Who was that dark-haired girl who had invaded my dreams? Why did she appear in Kimberly's place instead of our dying mate, who was usually the subject of our dreams? Instead of my golden-haired mate, this stranger only shared our mate's indigo eyes that hunted my every waking and sleeping hour. I shooed off the lingering thoughts, clothed in a linen button-down and a pair of jeans I was preparing for the long night ahead. 

The Howler's Bar stood on unclaimed territory just outside of my territory. To an ordinary human, it appeared as just another local bar nestled in a town frequented by weary travellers. To us of supernatural species, it was a haven. Where an unwritten oath held sway- a promise of peace among those who stayed here, some who came here were rogues just passing through, not looking to make any trouble; others were pack members from all around seeking their fated mate. 

Tonight, the bar pulsed with life. Bodies swayed on the dance floor, laughter and music filled the air. Nicole and Corbin occupied the seats across from me; while I nursed my beer, the cool glass sat against the palm of my hand.  

"Altair, it's so good to see you out. We rarely pry you from that office anymore," Nicole's excitement spilled forward.

"Being an Alpha isn't a walk in the moonlight," I replied, feeling the weight of my responsibilities as I savoured a sip of the bitter amber liquid.

Before Kimberly's death, I was different- outgoing and reckless. Even though Kimberly was a few years younger than Nicole, Corbin and I were a mischievous quartet as thick as thieves. It was no surprise to anyone when the moon goddess had paired us off. Since the three of us had turned eighteen before Kimberly, I watched the moon goddess pair us up individually. Corbin and Nicole were first, which meant that Kimberly would be mine. So, I waited patiently, watching Corbin and Nicole's love story unfold. Till that joyous day that Kimberly had recognized me as her fate. After the loss of Kimberly, everything had changed. I retreated into my duties, locking my heart away. 

"Enough about work. 

Tonight, my friend, you are going to forget about Alpha duties. Go ask a girl to dance with you. Loosen up a little," Corbin nudged me on. 

I rolled my eyes at the thought, dismissing it as a fantasy. Yet, Corbin's words hung in the air, refusing to dissipate. And then, as summoned by some unseen force, a scent enveloped me- a blend of spiced peaches. Lupin's presence stirred my consciousness as he had awakened from a deep slumber. And from my lips, against all odds, escaped one word. "Mate". 

"You're shitting me? Your second chance is here?" Corbin questioned in concern. His eyes scanned the crowded bar, seeking who it might be. Lupin caught the scent again- a trail of spiced peaches leading us to the back of the bar. And there she sat, a dark-haired girl, hidden within the shadows of the bar. Her hair, a midnight curtain, hid her face for the world to see. 

I waved through the crowd, drawn by the scent that got stronger the closer we made our way to the back of the bar. When I was close enough for our breaths to mingle, with my mate's back turned towards me- I leaned down and whispered into her ear. "Hi there." 

She jerked around, her indigo eyes open wide. There she was, the dark-haired girl from my dream.