21 - We Need Our Mate

LEON'S POV:

It had been four days since Lucy was put in the dungeon. I went to see her with Liam and Tricia, but she was gone when we arrived.

I tried to sniff out where she had gone, but her dull scent ended in the dungeon. It didn't make any sense, but none of this did.

She would have had to of gotten past the guards at the top of the staircase but the guards claim no one ever left.

My dad acted shocked when he found out that she had escaped the dungeons, but I had a gnawing feeling that he knew more than he had led on. Through my bond with Liam, I could feel that he sensed something similar.

Most people never second-guess my dad's words, but Liam and I knew him well enough to know he was hiding something.

My dad is a very honest and noble man. He is well respected and loved by our pack and many other packs. Wolves from other packs often jump at the opportunity to join our pack if their mates are here.

We also take in rogues. This type of acceptance isn't common. According to my father, who loves to talk about his 'mate story,' my mom is the reason we do this. My mom was a rogue when they found each other.

My mom escaped a tough life. The things that she went through... well, my father will not tell us about them.

I have never felt comfortable asking my mom directly, but I know she will talk about it with us if she ever feels comfortable doing so.

My dad stresses the importance of the mate bond and why the Moon Goddess gifts us our very own person, our other half.

He says that the bond strengthens our species in the best ways and that denying it would be a sin.

However, he has acknowledged that sometimes, the mate bond can be darkened or poisoned, so to speak. He hasn't divulged much about it, so I'm unsure what he means.

I'm still haunted by watching Seth go through what he did with his mate. I thought he was going to shrivel up and die after she rejected him.

What if my mate hates me?

What if she doesn't want the responsibility of being mated to me?

These types of questions plague me daily. I have "hardened" my heart, but I remain open to finding her. I pray the Moon Goddess gifts me with someone who will want me.

Someone who can handle me.

Tricia has stayed in one of our guest rooms for the last four days. We introduced her to both of my parents. I'm unsure how she got past Kragens Alpha command when he forced his pack back out of ours. I guess because she is a Fae, she wasn’t affected. I have no idea how that works.

How was a Fae even living amongst them? I'm so confused, and Tricia isn't one to share secrets. Neither Liam nor I told my mom or dad about her being Fae, and they seemed none the wiser. We were holding onto hope that she could help us find Lucy but so far, she was useless.

I've been annoyed.

It made me uncomfortable seeing his pack being submitted to leave. One of their wolves found their mate and was able to stay. Thanks to my dad, who nearly challenged Kragen over the she-wolf staying in our pack.

I was in my dad's office after doing my best to hold back the annoyance that was constantly radiating through my body. I had to talk to him. I had to find out what we were doing. Someone escaped our escape-proof dungeon. This could make us look weak.

"Why haven't we sent search parties to find Lucy?" I asked while staring directly into my father's eyes.

He ran his fingers through his hair slowly, looking back at me before responding. "Alpha Kragen already has people out looking for her." He opened his mouth to continue speaking before shutting it again.

"She is part of our pack; you promised to look after her!" My voice boomed throughout his office, making everything slightly tremble. His reaction was shock, but I didn't care.

I know I have been irrational, but I couldn't help myself. Bandit had been acting strange. I was going crazy with how quiet he had suddenly become.

"Son, Alpha Kragen will report to me when he finds her. She will be under our custody until he provides sufficient evidence of any claims. It is no use sending our pack out there when there are plenty of scouts looking for her already," my father said, taking a deep breath.

"You're hiding something. What is it?" I retorted, my eyes narrowing on him as if it would help me see the truth, but they didn't.

Before he could respond, I added to my thoughts. "You were adamant about Lucy being special. You tested her trust and abilities to make her your assistant. I can tell how much you care about her already, and you've barely known her a few months, and now all of a sudden, you don't even care that she is missing!?" I exclaim.

"I do care, Leon." I could hear the hurt in his voice as he responded but my irritation was overwhelming every other emotion.

"Well, you have a really funny way of showing it," I say clenching my fists at my sides.

I watch as my dad abruptly stands up in his chair. His anger is now palpable and I'm fully regretting challenging his words when a small knock draws his attention momentarily.

"Leave. Now." His words were sharp. His tone was deep and charged causing a cold shiver to creep down my back.

I didn't hesitate turning around and reaching for the door. When I opened it, Tricia's big brown eyes were staring up at me. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she stepped aside from me.

"Hi Leon!" she spoke sweetly while staring at me.

I didn't move from the doorway as I looked at her, my brows creasing together in confusion and never-ending irritation. 

Why the hell is she here?

"It's going to be okay Leon. Lucy is stronger than you know," Lucy said pursing her lips together before they curled into a half frown as if she pitied me.

How does she always know when I'm bothered over the ordeal with Lucy? She is so weird.

She reached her hand up and brushed my arm just below my shoulder. I raised an eyebrow at her and shook her hand off me. 

"You don't know what you're talking about. Why are you even still here?" I snap back at her. 

She sighs and shakes her head before brushing past me and into my dad's office.

"Alpha Leander, thank you for seeing me." Tricia's voice sang out softly behind me before I turned to look at them both in disbelief. 

My dad looked up at me, glaring. "You were dismissed, Leon. See yourself out," he said coldly, causing me to storm out of the room and slam the door shut. 

'Bandit, what's going on? Talk to me... please,' I say desperately as I strode down the hallway towards my room. I wanted nothing more than his comfort, wisdom, and connection, but I could barely get him to talk.

'Leon...' Bandit whispered in my head. His voice felt far away and weak. 

'What is wrong Bandit? How do I help you?' I begged for answers.

'We... need... our mate' Bandit spoke in a breathy, choppy tone.