Ch. 3

Dane's P.O.V.

'We need to keep her safe,' Lucian's voice echoed in my head as a painful reminder.

'Isn't it your job to know whether she's our mate by just her scent?'

Raya was enticing, to say the least. Her scent of jasmine was like a potent drug, addicting and all-encompassing. There was an inexplicable pull to her that I had never felt before, but when Lucian said he wasn't sure if she was our mate or not, I pushed those thoughts aside. If your wolf doesn't immediately recognize their goddess-given other half upon scenting them, then it means nothing. While she may smell intoxicating and appear heavenly, it's most likely just an animalistic attraction. Perhaps she's been around my mate and, as such, smells like her. We'll find out once she's showered.

'It's like something is blocking me from being sure. Still, she could very well be our mate, or know her in some way. We need to get close to her so we can know with certainty,' he stated the obvious.

'No, shit.'

Lucian growled in response to my tone, clearly displeased with my attitude. But he could get over it. I was on edge, given Cruz's desire to abandon Raya in the deep woods, leaving her at the mercy of the dark creatures that roamed there. It was I who had suggested that she stay with us. Cruz was concerned that she might reveal the location of our pack lands, putting us all in danger simply by knowing our secret. I had never gone against one of Cruz's commands before. He was my alpha, and I was his beta, his right-hand man. I was supposed to be his most loyal supporter, second only to his Luna. Now, there was an awkward tension between us that I needed to resolve, all the while trying to understand why I felt drawn to Raya.

"Tell me about Roman." Cruz was worried that the vampire would try to seek revenge for having his meal stolen.

"He breaks rules often, usually draining his victims. He won't come for her without risking outing himself as a killer. You know the vampire queen doesn't take kindly to vampires that don't follow her laws. I don't think we have anything to worry about aside from him trying to attack me probably when I'm out again. Still, I can take care of him easily."

"Good, now tell me about the girl." He didn't glance back at me as he spoke, keeping his head held high and his gaze fixed forward as we strode down the long, white halls of the pack house. His black boots echoed loudly against the marbled floor, the sound reverberating off the white walls, creating the illusion that we were the only ones in the house, despite the hundreds of people milling about.

"Don't know much. Obviously, she's been Amaya's best friend since 2nd grade. They met when Raya was moved to a new foster home. According to Amaya, Raya was found in the woods in a silver blanket near the edge of the tree line. There was no one around, but there was blood on the blanket, so police believed it was some kind of animal attack. Raya recently graduated from college with a degree in graphic design. A reputable company hired her the moment she graduated. Thankfully, she can work from home, so no one will notice her absence at the office."

"So, no living relatives I need to worry about? Boyfriend? Husband?" Lucian wanted to growl at the thought of a man with Raya, but I was able to suppress it.

"According to Amaya, there is not. Raya was bounced around foster homes all her life. Finally being free of them when she turned 18 and started college. No boyfriend or husband."

"At least that's one less thing to worry about." His words were callus, but true. With Raya not having anyone, it would be easy to keep her here. Cruz sighed, and I noticed his shoulders fall just an inch before he picked them back up.

As the alpha, Cruz couldn't afford to show even the slightest hint of weakness. Cruz may come across as an asshole, but his primary concern was the safety of our pack, and he did an excellent job of ensuring it. After our rival pack killed his father last year, Cruz had to assume the role of alpha before he was ready. He had done an exceptional job, but the weight of the responsibility was taking its toll on him. I needed to remind him to let loose and take a break sometimes.

"Let's go for a run. You could use it." I told him, deciding to take my chances and walk beside him. He didn't huff, so I knew it was okay.

"I have to get things in order for the moon festival and the visiting packs that will be coming. There's no time for a run."

"There's always time for a run, and tonight is the best time with the full moon up. Let's go," I persuaded him with a smile. He sighed, but gave me a quick nod.

"Fine, one quick run around the perimeter."

We dashed outside, shedding our clothes as we sprinted towards the thicket of trees. Running under the full moon was an exhilarating experience, as it was when our powers were at their peak. Legend had it that a former alpha of our pack had once saved Selene, our goddess, when she had decided to live amongst the humans. In gratitude, she bestowed upon our pack the ability to harness the power of the moonlight. Our fur changed with the phases of the moon, and our strength waxed and waned accordingly. Mine, however, was different, never losing it's glow even in the darkest of new moons. Though we were a formidable pack at all times, we were at our most powerful during the full moon.

Cruz and I let out a fierce howl as we shifted mid-jump and took off running along the perimeter of our pack's lands. I knew he would enjoy a race, so I pushed myself to keep up with his massive wolf form. But, as expected, he was faster than me. His wolf was twice my size, and though it glowed in the moonlight, it was not silver like mine, but pure white. Only the alpha wolves of our pack boasted such a color, reflecting the moon's power so brilliantly.

We burst out of the woods, shifting back into our naked human forms. It was impossible to keep track of how many clothes we had shredded over the years. We were lucky to have shifter-owned businesses nearby that donated clothes to us, sparing us the expense of constantly replacing our torn garments.

We rummaged through one of the large chests we had stationed randomly throughout the pack lands, grabbing some sweatpants to cover our nakedness. Cruz tossed me a shirt, playfully smacking me in the face with it to break the tension between us. It was good to be back to our usual dynamic - best friends, alpha and beta. In our pack, the alpha and beta grew up together like brothers, forging an unbreakable bond long before the time came for one to take over. Of course, we still had our fair share of arguments and fits of anger, but our deep connection made reconciling a breeze.

"Wanna tell me why you were adamant about letting this human stay? Aside from not wanting an angry witch on our side," Cruz asked me, referring to Raya and Amaya. The question pulled from me the heaviest sigh I'd ever breathed.

"Blame Lucian. She has this intoxicating scent to us, but he can't tell if she's truly our mate or not. We think she may have been in contact with our true mate, which would explain her alluring smell. Regardless, he's fiercely protective of her," I explained, my gaze fixed on the swaying green grass beneath me. The whole situation was causing me more stress than I cared to admit - and I wasn't one to stress easily.

"Don't worry, you'll figure this out. I'll help anyway I can. There's no way the goddess gave a strong beta like you a feeble human mate to worry about," Cruz said, his large hand rested on my shoulder as he gave it a comforting squeeze.

"Thanks, but only time will tell."

"How about you come with me and help me plan out the moon festival? I think it'll help to get your mind focused on something else."

"Yeah, okay, because I definitely like to plan," I replied with a hint of sarcasm, struggling to suppress the urge to roll my eyes. I had to remind myself that he was only trying to help in his own unique way.

That's what sets us apart. Cruz is meticulous in his need to control every detail and ensure that everything turns out flawlessly, while I prefer to take things as they come. While he plans, I roll with the punches. That's why I could never be an alpha, even if I were strong enough to challenge and defeat one. Leadership just isn't my forte. Cruz was attempting to distract me in the same way he distracts himself, but I knew it wouldn't work for me. My thoughts would remain fixated on Raya.

"I was wondering where my sexy people had run off to," Garret, our Gamma, sauntered up the path leading to the pack house, his ever-present kind smile gracing his youthful face. I could tell he was up to something by the mischievous twinkle in his light brown eyes. You always had to keep an eye on Garret, as his favorite pastime was playing pranks on anyone and everyone - even Cruz. The guy had some serious balls to pull one over on our alpha the way he does.

"What do you need, Garret?" Cruz asked, clearly annoyed by Garret's interruption.

"I felt something odd earlier. My head began to throb, but then it vanished just as quickly as it had come. I think I was sensing her - our Luna." He astounded us by his revelation. Our Luna is near?