Chapter 2 Mate

His eyes scanned the dark and settled on the king-sized bed, centered on the left side of the room. He didn’t switch the light on but he could make out the silhouette of a person lying there – his mate. She didn’t move, seemingly unaware of his presence.

His wolf wanted to go to her and make sure she was alright. His breath quickened at the thought of the state she was in. Images of the women he killed flashed in his mind – their will to live robbed from them. Would she ask him to do the same? Could he bring himself to take away his own mate?

No, did he even want a mate?

His wolf could hear where his thoughts were headed. “You’re not killing her!” he snapped.

“I didn’t say I will, Chase,” he replied, and his wolf growled.

He felt the wall for the switch and flipped it on, the bulb flickering before lighting a rather luxurious room. Alcohol bottles scattered on the floor and a life-sized painting torn to shreds hung on the wall facing the bed.

From the open doors leading to the balcony, a gust of wind blew past the white lace curtains and he shivered from the cold contact. It carried with it the smell of the dead, the supposed mark of his victory. For to him, it was but a mockery; his prey had slipped from him yet again.

A wandering cloud lazily passed by the silver orb overhead, allowing its moonlight rays to lighten the night. And as if carefully planned, a glint just before the opened door caught his eye.

Atop a coffee table on the balcony were a half-empty bottle of scotch and an unfinished glass, the condensation sliding down its smooth outside, and an unopened bottle of wine chilling on a bucket full of ice. But what drew his attention was the small piece of paper that was jammed into the bottle’s mouth.

He took the crumpled paper out and read its contents. Then it crumpled again in his fist. Hastily written on the note were the words ‘next time’. The bastard was openly taunting him!

Murderous thoughts ran through his mind and his chest let out a threatening rumble. Then a soft groan reached his ears, snapping his thoughts. He jerked his head back towards the direction it came from – the bed, its occupant hid from view by salmon-colored satin curtains.

The deep blue carpeting silenced his footsteps as he went to her side. Her scent soothed his troubled mind and he braced himself to see her. He lifted the curtain, and the sight of her was horrifying.

Her naked figure revealed everything. Hues from deep purple to blues and greens decorated her body, welts and cuts ran along her olive skin, and she was bleeding from her red and swollen center. Her face was unrecognizable, with a black eye and the lower half smeared thickly with dried blood. Her breathing was shallow, and when he checked for her pulse, she was barely alive.

Anger welled up inside him, the bastard almost killed his mate! His wolf snarled and fought to come out. Chase wanted to comfort his mate and make sure she would live, that he had to block him out to regain control of himself.

He carefully wrapped her in a blanket and carried her out the doors, bridal style. She weighed like a pebble, and looked lifeless in his bulky arms. He pressed her closer to him, ever so slowly like he was afraid she’d break if he applied the slightest pressure.

He went back downstairs to regroup with his already waiting men. She was covered from head to toe with the blanket, but there was no mistaking the stench of blood and sex on her. They understood, she was treated just like the rest. They gave him questioning looks, but none dared ask. After the number of raids, they’ve done, it was the first time he brought down a woman.

His gaze hardened and they looked away. He didn’t want them staring at her; although her body was hidden from them, she was still naked underneath the flimsy sheet. He didn’t answer them, instead continued out the door and his men followed behind.

The captives were huddled on the grounds, wailing as they reunited with the surviving members of their pack. Some were too overwhelmed that they fainted, and the medics were quick to assist.

He surveyed the surroundings, but he couldn’t find who he was looking for. So, he opened a mind-link and the other end immediately answered.

“Do you need anything, Alpha?”

“Get me a car, Luca,” he stated.

“You’re leaving? What, miss her already?” Luca mused and he frowned.

“Now!” he ordered then cut the link.

He looked down at the woman in his arms with a thoughtful expression. He didn’t expect to find a mate, after years of thinking he never would. He’d have a lot to prepare for her. But, first things first - she’d have to live.

He opened another mind-link, to contact the Head Healer of his pack.

“What do you need, Alpha?” came the voice on the other end. She sounded worried. Having been left behind, she was only contacted for emergencies that the medical unit couldn’t handle.

“Prepare for my arrival. I’m bringing in a new pet.”

“What pet?”

“My pet, Melanie,” said he and before she could reply, he cut the link.

The Head Gamma suddenly appeared beside him and reported on the status of the raid.

“Alpha, body count of seventy-eight and minor injuries on our side. The medics are treating them as we speak. Ninety-three captives and most of them asked for shelter.”

“Take them to the pack and make sure to give Melanie a heads up this time,” he replied.

“Yes, Alpha,” the Head Gamma replied and he was gone from his side.

While he waited, he questioned why no one came to him to ask of the woman he carried. It was possible she had been orphaned, but at least an elder should’ve approached him.

Luca came over within a few minutes and opened the car’s door for him.

“Would you like me to take her to the medics, Alpha?” Luca asked, extending his arms to take the woman from his. He growled, which made his Beta flinch and retract his arms.

“Nobody touches her but me,” he said then carefully laid her down on the backseat. Then he closed the door, went to the driver’s seat , and drove away, leaving behind a confused Beta who bowed slightly.

At a speed well above the limit, the engine roared in protest. But he didn’t care, he had to get back, fast.

When he got to the packhouse, a young woman was already waiting for him outside. He carried his mate again and the woman came over.

She gave a slight bow and said, “Everything’s been prepared for, Alpha. Please take the patient to the care unit.”

“This patient happens to be your Luna, Melanie,” he said in a matter of fact voice. Her eyes widened for a moment then bowed and apologized.

The Alpha nodded to acknowledge her words then she led him to the clinic. Melanie opened the doors for him. He laid his mate down on a hospital bed, cupped her face with a hand, and turned to leave. He stopped by the doorway. Then without turning back warned, “If she doesn’t live, two corpses will leave this room.”

“Understood, Alpha,” she answered, bowing to him as he left.

She turned her attention to the unconscious woman, her face placid as she bitterly said, “How will you turn out this time, Luna?”

She slowly removed the blanket off her body, revealing her face first and she gasped at the sight of her. In all her years of attending to numerous patients, from battered women and children to dying men, she had never seen such monstrosity afflicted upon another person until then. With shaking hands, she carefully removed the blanket and her stomach churned as her knees trembled.

Her chest constricted in pain as her heart reached out to the woman and she regretted her initial reaction towards her. Then she took deep breathes to calm herself and steady her shaking hands. When she was ready, she opened her eyes and looked at the Alpha’s mate with genuine concern.

“My… Luna,” she whispered, accepting the woman before her.

-----AUTHOR'S NOTE-----

Thank you everyone for reading this book. It makes me so happy to know that you're following their story.

I have to inform you, however, that this book is now signed! Yay!

And starting December 04, the chapters will be locked. 

I hope you continue to support me, and follow their stories. 

Thank you everyone. Y'all are really awesome. 

- Caine Casann (C. C.) -