Kane's POV:
Ever since we stepped foot into the Moonlight Pack, sothing had been off with Ash, my wolf. Normally, he was calm and collected, especially when it ca to business matters like this. But today, he had been pacing restlessly in the back of my mind, a low growl vibrating through every ti we moved closer to the Moonlight territory. It was like he was on edge, anxious about sothing, but no matter how many tis I tried to reach out to him, he wouldn't tell what it was.
"Relax," I muttered under my breath as I entered the Moonlight Pack's main hall, straightening my jacket. "We'll be out of here soon enough."
Ash didn't respond, but I could feel his frustration simring beneath the surface. His restlessness was starting to get to , too. I wasn't usually one to get rattled, especially not when it ca to dealing with other packs. I had been in countless etings like this one, negotiating contracts, asserting my dominance, and making sure everything ran smoothly. But today was different. Sothing was in the air, and it had Ash on high alert.
"Alpha Kane," a voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to see the Moonlight Pack's Alpha, Samuel walking toward with a wide, but forced, smile on his face.
"Alpha Samuel" I greeted him, extending my hand. We shook, but I could feel the unease radiating from him, too. He wasn't exactly thrilled about renewing our contract, but he had no choice. His pack depended on —for protection, for financial support, for everything. And he knew it.
I couldn't deny that there was a part of that relished in that power. It ca with being an Alpha. Hell, it was in my nature to dominate, to be in control. It was one of the reasons I had built my empire the way I had. The Moonlight Pack needed , and as long as they kept up their end of the deal, I was happy to provide what they needed. But make no mistake—betray , or even try to back out of our agreent, and I'd take what was mine without hesitation. I had no rcy for those who crossed .
"We're ready for you," Victor said, gesturing toward the eting room. "Everything's in order for the renewal."
I nodded and followed him into the room, my Beta, Luke, close at my side. As we settled into the eting, I noticed Ash's agitation hadn't lessened. If anything, it was getting worse. His growls were becoming more insistent, louder, like he was sensing sothing I wasn't. I tried to focus on the task at hand, discussing the terms of the contract, but Ash's anxiety was starting to bleed into my own thoughts.
As the hours dragged on, I found myself getting increasingly irritated. I wanted to finish up and get out of here. Sothing was wrong, and I needed to figure out what. Shifting into my wolf form would help, but I had to be patient. Once we left, I'd shift and let Ash sort out whatever was bothering him.
"Is there anything else we need to discuss?" Samuel asked, looking more than a little uncomfortable. He had been fidgeting the entire ti, like he was afraid I might spring so new demand on him. I couldn't bla him. That's exactly what I usually did—keep them on their toes, make sure they knew who was in charge.
But today, I didn't have the energy for that. Ash was too distracted, and it was starting to affect . "No," I said curtly, signing the last docunt in front of . "We're done here."
Samuel visibly relaxed, though he tried to hide it. I stood up, Luke following suit, and I made my way toward the door. But as I stepped into the hallway, Ash suddenly let out a fierce growl in my mind, almost making stumble.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I growled back, pushing open the door to the outside. The fresh air hit , but it did nothing to calm Ash down. His agitation was growing stronger, more insistent.
Mate, he suddenly growled.
My entire body went rigid.
What? I asked, stunned. That couldn't be right. Ash was mistaken. We had searched for our mate for years, coming up with nothing. I had stopped believing she existed a long ti ago. At 28, I had accepted that the mate bond wasn't in the cards for . There was no way my mate was suddenly here, in this pack, after all these years.
But Ash's growl wasn't filled with doubt. It was filled with certainty.
Mate, he repeated, and I could feel him straining against my control, wanting to break free, to shift.
My pulse quickened, my heart pounding in my chest. I glanced around, half-expecting soone to jump out from behind a tree or building, but there was nothing. No one. I scanned the area, my senses heightened. There was sothing... sothing faint, almost imperceptible in the air. A scent. Sweet, intoxicating. My mouth watered, my instincts kicking in before I could stop them.
There. Find her, Ash urged, his voice thick with need.
I swallowed hard, trying to push back the surge of emotions rushing through . This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not here.
But as I inhaled again, the scent hit full force, and my knees almost buckled.
She was here. My mate. After all these years, she was here, in the Moonlight Pack.
I turned to Luke, my jaw tight. "Stay here," I ordered, my voice harsher than I intended. I didn't wait for his response before I stord off in the direction of the scent. I couldn't stop myself, couldn't control the magnetic pull that was dragging forward.
Every step I took brought closer to her. My heart was pounding in my ears, my wolf clawing at the surface, desperate to find her, to claim her.
I rounded a corner, and that's when I saw her.
She was walking toward one of the cabins, her long, rich dark brown hair cascading down her back, her shoulders slightly hunched like she was trying to make herself smaller. She hadn't noticed yet, but the mont my eyes locked onto her, my entire world shifted.
She was stunning. Beautiful in a way that made my chest tighten painfully. But there was sothing more—sothing innocent and pure about her that made my dominant side bristle with conflict.
She wasn't like the won I'd been with. No, she was the opposite. Too pure, too... untouched.
Ash growled possessively, his desire to mark her overwhelming. But a part of hesitated. Could she handle the darkness that ca with ? Would she even want soone like ?
But it was too late. She was mine.
Reviews
All reviews (0)