Chapter Five

Jax

I ran my fingers through my hair, a common gesture for me when I was stressed, as I thumped my knuckles against the sturdy wooden door. I was feeling antsy all of a sudden. I had been traveling over the last month to meet with Asher, Alpha of the Eastern Province, and Reese, Alpha of the Western Province.

After we had finally driven the bears from our lands, we took some time to assess the overall damage caused to our people by the war before making our next move. Most of the homesteads could and would be rebuilt and were already in the process, but our warriors seemed to have one overarching need throughout all of our territories: mates.

Our men were looking to rebuild their lives after the devastating losses we suffered early on during the war. We simply were not prepared for the onslaught of the bears' full force attack that soon. We thought we had time to get our loved ones to safety and gather our troops. We were wrong.

We lost a lot of good wolves during that time, my parents included, but we regrouped swiftly, and we finally drove the remnants of the bears from all our lands, without the elders’ help I might add.

Our hold remained strong, so we decided to withdraw to the Southern Province to recover our loved ones and seek new beginnings.

As we continued to wait for Zeke, the coward who stayed behind the lines while we ensured the wolves' victory, I considered the best way to introduce our warriors to the many eligible she-wolves who sought sanctuary in the South during the war. I was anxious to meet them myself. Nearly every wolf wanted to find their fated mate, and my warriors and I were no different. The best way to accomplish that would be to introduce them to as many women as possible.

Wolves knew when they were around their mates. I never learned what that sign was that tells someone who their other half was, but I had been told that you just knew.

Besides the fact that my sister was supposed to be here. I tasked my second in command, Ryker, with ensuring she safely made it to the safe haven and that she was situated. He reported back that Zeke swore he would see to her comfort personally, whatever the hell that meant.

Zeke better have taken care of her, or he would not like the consequences. She was all I had left now, and I was going to make damn sure nothing happened to her on my watch.

"Where the fuck is he?" I growled, rapping my knuckles against the door again.

Asher put a hand on my shoulder, "Calm down man, I hear him coming now," he soothed.

I looked around at the front of the huge pack house to distract myself. The house itself looked impeccable, and awfully expensive, but that was not what drew my eye.

No, that would be the gorgeous array of flowers that decorated the flowerbeds tucked neatly up by the front door. I did not have a clue what any of them were named, but their bright colors and fragrant scent provided a temporary moment of respite against my growing anxiety.

Zeke finally opened the door, all smiles, after another minute or two. Probably because of that pretty little mate his warriors could not shut up about. Where was she anyway?

We got to bust our asses clearing out our territories and rebuilding after the mess caused by the war, and he spent the past two years with women flocking towards him.

Of course, he had found his mate. I was shocked he did not have little ones running around by now to be honest. Must have been nice living the high life all this time, I thought angrily.

Luna, what was with me tonight?

I felt fine when I was meeting with Asher and Reese earlier, but there was something about being here that was grating on my nerves. I could feel the blood rushing through my system, preparing me for something, though I had no idea what.

Zeke boomed out, "Welcome! I am so happy you have all returned safely! Come in. Come in. I have prepared a delicious feast for us, just through here to the dining hall. We can relax and discuss our many bright futures."

I looked at Asher and Reese when Zeke turned his back to walk down the hall. They were both wearing the same expression, but they followed him down the hall, nonetheless. Seeing no better option, I walked in, closing the door behind me and wondering again where this mate of his was.

I followed the others into the dining room, smelling the most delicious scent I have ever encountered, but it was not coming from the food, though that did smell amazing as well.

My eyes darted around the room, searching for the source of the delectable smell. It smelled like a mixture of honeysuckle, vanilla, and something else that I could not quite put a name to.

I continued surreptitiously searching for the smell as we took our seats and dug into the feast; however, the smell continued to fade, until it was completely gone. I would never forget that smell though. I do not know what it was, but one way or another, I vowed that I would find out.

As our appetites began to wane, I looked at the other alphas, while I ran my fingers through the soft strands of my hair, wondering who was going to speak first. I noticed there was not much food left. No way that fucker made all of this food by himself, or at all for that matter, I thought to myself. It was just too good. I bet his mate made it.

Speaking of mates, I casually glanced towards where his neck met his shoulder. Huh, no bite? Maybe he was not mated after all.

I could not relax all throughout dinner, and I really needed someone to just get this shit over with so I could get the fuck out of this house.

But, oh my Luna, these brownies were amazing, and I was not ashamed to admit that I had eaten nearly all of them. The rich chocolatey goodness just melted in my mouth, providing at least a temporary distraction from the feeling of formication.

I ran my hands through my hair for the hundredth time, looking at Asher, only to notice that he was already staring at me. I wondered what that was about? Fuck it.

I watched Zeke’s reaction as I started, "Well, this has been great. I was hoping to meet your lovely mate so that I could thank her for this delicious meal. Your warriors had nothing but good things to say about her of course."

I fished for more information about this elusive mate of his. Something just was not adding up. He visibly stiffened and his tone came out anxious when he responded, "I had not realized that news of my mating had spread. Unfortunately, she was feeling under the weather tonight and needed to retire early. I will be sure to pass on the sentiments. I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities to meet her in the near future."

Zeke glanced around at the other alphas, presumably to judge their reaction to his sudden change in behavior, and launched into another monologue, "I assumed that your victory would mean you would be returning to retrieve your sister. I assure you, Jax, I have taken the utmost care to ensure she has been well provided for during her time in the South."

"Alpha Jax," I roughly corrected, not bothering to hide my growing discontent any longer.

Zeke's face seemed to pale even further as he stammered out, "M... My apologies, Alpha Jax, as I said before, your sister's every need has been taken care of while she has been here." Zeke finished in almost a whisper; his voice having gotten quieter with each word he had spoken.

His reaction intrigued me, but not enough to pry any further tonight. Whatever was bothering me had not faded. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse the longer I sat in this house. I needed to get out of here. I saw Asher and Reese had both taken notice that I was on edge.

I turned and looked directly into Zeke's eyes when I responded, "Yes, I have come to gather my sister and take her home. I will be back first thing in the morning for her whereabouts, but right now, we need to discuss our returning warrior's need for mates. It was my understanding that there was a large population of unmated she-wolves within your territory."

Zeke seemed relieved at the topic change and, a little too excitedly if you had asked me, launched into his great idea to throw a ball.

He started yammering on about one detail or another, but I drowned him out. As much as I disliked the prick, it was not a bad idea. Girls liked that kind of shit, right?

"Awesome," I interrupted, "Let's say one month from now, in the large clearing to the north of Forest Glen. You manage all the details, and we’ll make sure our warriors are there. Great, well, if there's nothing else then tonight..."

I continued talking as I got up, snagging the last brownie on my way and pushing my chair in, "We’ll be heading out. I’ll be by in the morning for my sister. Thanks for everything," I finished as I corralled Asher and Reese down the hallway and out the door.