Chapter 1 - Darren

I didn’t know why Alpha Logan had called me to report for duty. I know my brothers have been called upon to guard Beta John’s mate. As I arrived at the packhouse, I saw almost two dozen others had been called up as well. 

“You got called too, I see. Any idea what this is about?” Collin Kearney called out, waving a hand when he saw me. I get along well enough with him. His twin sister Sadria is mated to my youngest brother Azriel. 

When Gamma Charles sent him, his sister, and their friend Alison to watch my brothers and me, we became friends. We were under suspicion as traitors to the pack as the then future Luna Aurelia’s life was in danger.

Given we had only recently returned from activity duty as Navy SEALs and pledged loyalty and that my identical twin Colby foolishly flirted with our future Luna, it was natural the Alpha would suspect us. 

Being spied on worked in my brothers’ favor as Sadira and Alison are their mates. So by default, that left Collin and me as the bachelors. Not that we still are.

Collin found his mate among the females from the old Fire Wolf pack that joined ours last year. Now it’s just me as the odd man out. 

“Hey, man. No idea why we’re here.” I shrugged. “But I count two dozen of us.” I furrowed my brow as I did a headcount. “It must be something big to require this many warriors.” Collin nodded. 

Everyone went silent as we felt the strong auras of the Kinsley brothers. All eyes turned to the doors of the packhouse as the brothers stepped out. It was still a jarring sight to see them together. 

Most assume that John, the eldest brother, was the Alpha by their appearances. John is tall, broad shoulders, clean-cut, and always dressed in at least business casual style. He certainly had the air you except of an Alpha. 

In sharp contrast stood Logan. He’s nearly a foot shorter than his brother, his hair wild with a scruffy beard that completed the mountain man look his love of jeans and flannel created.

He looks nothing like any Alpha I’ve ever seen. His enemies, including my former Alpha, underestimate him and quickly find that while short, he’s double the strength of your average Alpha. And he uses it to his advantage.

“Good morning.” John greeted us. “Thank you for arriving quickly.” He nodded his head as his cobalt-azure blue eyes scanned over us. He must have been satisfied with what he saw as he bowed his head to his brother and stepped back to give Logan center stage. 

“As you know, a group of our pack has been traveling in search of mates. They have run into trouble in Sicily.” Logan’s gruff voice boomed loud enough for us to all hear. 

I can’t say I’m friends with anyone that left to find their mates, but my ex-girlfriend is among those who left. We ended our relationship two months ago, and it was amicable.

We knew we weren’t mates but wanted some companionship. I wished her luck in her search and prayed to the Goddess Sheila would find a good and kind mate. 

I felt my heart stop and the air in my lungs freeze as I feared for Shelia’s safety. Murmurs started but quickly stopped as Logan held a hand up.

“Our pack members are safe, for now in Incubi territory. Yes, that Incubi. I have spoken with their Alpha and offered aid to ensure my people remain safe.” Logan explained.

I could see the questions in everyone around me’s eyes. But none dared to ask them. So I put my hand up. “Yes, Delaney?” Logan nodded to me.

“What are the parameters? What trouble has befallen our pack members? How will we be assisting?” I questioned, making sure I was clear and concise with my words. 

“A war has sprung up in Sicily between the three packs. The new Alpha of Mandonie attacked Nebrodi, leaving them without an Alpha or Alpha Heir. Currently, only the Beta daughters have survived, and the son of the Delta is in a coma.” Logan explained.

Holy shit! That’s insane. He massacred a pack hierarchy. “The eldest daughter of the Nebrodi Beta is the mate of the Incubi Alpha. This information is confidential as the Mandonie Alpha is unaware of why Incubi would protect the girls. You are all under Alpha command to speak of this to no one.” Logan continued.

Well, that explained why Incubi was involved. “You have thirty minutes to be ready to go and be at their airstrip to fly out.” Logan dismissed us.

I went to follow the others but stopped midstep. “Delaney, you come inside.” Logan’s command had me turning on my heel. “Yes, Alpha.” I bowed my head.

I followed the Kinsley brothers inside and into Alpha Logan’s office. Neither man spoke till after we entered, and John locked the door.  Whatever is going on, it’s serious. “John.” Logan nodded, leaning on his desk folding his arms across his chest.

Whatever reason they called me aside for, it deals with Beta John. I turned my attention to John, standing at attention the same as I had since basic training when I enlisted for the Navy.

John didn’t speak, not initially. No, the elder Kinsley was eyeing me. Not like how a she-wolf would. No, he’s weighing and measuring me, assessing me with critical eyes. 

And it wasn’t just him. There was a ring of gold to his blue eyes, telling me his wolf was assessing me too. ‘Why are they looking at us like that?’ Cardinal questioned shift g uneasy in my mind. I can’t blame him. 

We don’t exactly spend much time around the ranked wolves of the pack or in Mount Hood proper either. And now we are locked in the Alpha’s office with the two most powerful males watching us. “Darren, you will have a separate assignment in Sicily.” John finally spoke.

“Sir.” I nodded, waiting for more details. “As you know, your brothers are assigned to guard my mate. A job earned both for their skills learned in the SEALs and the unique gift your family possesses.” John continued.

“Yes, sir. Our family is honored to have been chosen to guard our Beta female.” I nodded. “You will still be expected to offer what support Alpha Alec of Incubi requires. But that will be secondary. Your primary role is to guard my mate’s niece, Isis Adio.” John explained.

Guard the Beta’s niece? How did she get mixed up in this? Why is a human in werewolf territory? “Permission to speak.” I requested. I had many questions, but I’m not the sort to ask without permission. 

“Granted.” John nodded. “Forgive me if this is out of line. But why is a human hunter in werewolf territory?” I inquired. John sighed, casting a look to his brother.

If their eyes had glazed, I would think they were using the link. But being the eldest of triplets, I know close siblings can speak with just a look.

“Isis is a hybrid. Her mother is Sakina, but her birth father was a werewolf. As a result, to keep her vile indiscretion from her husband, Sakina had Isis’s wolf bound as an infant.” John explained. If not for the subtle tick in his jaw and flex of his fingers, I wouldn’t guess he was angry.  

A hybrid!? With a bound wolf!? ‘That’s horrid! What kind of monster would do that to their child!?’ Cardinal growled. ‘A hunter.’ I shrugged. “I see. How did she end up in Incubi?” I questioned.  “Kurt Adler is her mate.” John sighed. “Oh. That certainly explains it.” I nodded. 

“If you have no further questions, go pack and get to the airfield.” Logan dismissed me. “Yes, Alpha.” I bowed to Logan. “I will protect your niece with my life, Beta John.” I turned to John before taking my leave. 

I barely had time to mind link my brothers to tell them I was shipping out and would try to keep in touch when possible while on assignment. They, of course, understood how it goes.

I didn’t disclose any details about my work. Even if I wasn’t under Alpha’s command about Isis, the fact we spoke in a locked room told me it wasn’t a subject to discuss openly. 

“What did Alpha want?” Collin questioned as we sat next to each other on the plane. “Nothing of note.” I shrugged.

“Checking if you would be okay since Sheila is there? Are you worried about her? Think things might heat up between you if she’s still unmated?” Collin arched a black brow at me.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m worried for all our pack members. They have ended up in a war zone.” I stated, ignoring his question about what may happen if she’s still without a mate.

He’s as bad as Azriel some days. “Mhm. And I heard during wars; passions can run high.” Collin waffles his eyebrows. 

“Sheila and I ended things. We both want to find our mates. Our wolves weren’t happy with our relationship anyways. And if Cardinal isn’t on board with a relationship, I can’t be either.” I sighed. 

‘Damn right, my feelings matter. I haven’t given up on finding our mate. They are out there.’ Cardinal snorted. I sighed. I’m already twenty-five and have traveled the world and not found her.

‘You traveled in the military. We weren’t looking for our mate then. I have a good feeling about this mission. We will find them.’ Cardinal rolled his eyes.

The subject of if I would get back together with Sheila was dropped. The rest of the flight people were sleeping, or some talked about what we may be facing when we arrive in Sicily. At least these wolves have seen battle, and I’m glad Alpha Logan didn’t send any young wolves who are wet behind the ears. 

Once we landed, we divided into four vehicles to drive from the airport to the Incubi pack. “Is it bad that I’m looking forward to this?” Clement questioned, leaning forward from his seat in the back. “Why are you looking forward to this?” I asked, glancing back in the rearview mirror at him. 

“I just like fighting.” Clement smirked, a gleam in his eyes. Great one of those guys. I met my share of them while I was in the military.

Assholes that look for any chance to fight. The assholes who joined for the opportunity to be given a gun and kill people. I can’t stand people like that. 

“That’s great, but keep it in check. You don’t want to get out of line and piss off this Alpha. I’ve heard stories about him. He’s known as the Mad Alpha. Feared across all of Europe. So watch your step while we are in his territory.” I warned. 

Clement snorted but didn’t try to argue. While taking a turn, I slammed the breaks, a familiar wolf standing in the road. “What the fuck Delaney!?” Everyone in my vehicle shouted.

I’m sure the three behind me weren’t thrilled at stopping so suddenly. “Adler is in the road.” I stated, climbing out of the driver’s seat.

‘Kurt? What’s going on?’ I questioned through pack-link. ‘There’s a fight going on not far from here. A clash between Incubi and Mandonie. They need backup.’ Kurt explained.

I nodded, turning to the vehicles. ‘I want three people to stay in each vehicle and continue to the Incubi capital. Everyone else, undress and shift. We are going with Kurt to battle.’ I instructed, already starting to undress.

I shifted to Cardinal. He shook his brown fur running his tongue across the white around his muzzle. ‘We’re close.’ Cardinal said an odd eagerness in his words.

‘To battle? Yes.’ I agreed, not sure what he meant. ‘No, to mate.’ Cardinal corrected, and without waiting for the others, even Kurt, he took off in a run following some internal compass.

‘What do you mean by mate?’ I questioned, but I got my answer as we reached the battle. People were fighting in wolf and human form on both sides.

But it wasn’t the sight and smells of battle that caught my attention. The strong scent of sea salt and orchids filled my nose. ‘Mate.’ Cardinal and I both growled. 

She’s here! She’s on this battlefield! ‘We need to find them.’ Cardinal insisted. Suddenly a streak of blue lightning zoomed around the field, taking down enemies in wolf and human form, leaving them a shaking mess like they were just struck by lightning. 

‘Mate! They are the source of the scent!’ Cardinal exclaimed as he watched the black wolf zooming around the field like lightning.