Chapter 24: Alphas and Mates

Chapter 24

"Mom when are they going to be here?" I heard Teddy ask Anne.

We were all standing in the clearing near the pack house where I first met majority of the pack so many months back. It was miles of empty space that was surrounded by the forest and we were currently awaiting the arrival of the Alphas and their unmated pack members.

It honestly felt as if we were hosting some kind of matchmaking convention.

Thane and I stood front and center with his family to my left and Lucas, Beau and their mates to Thane's right. All the unmated wolves from our pack stood behind scattered behind us as we all waited.

Before I heard the rustling of the leaves in the forest in front of us or the howling of wolves, I felt Thane's hand on my waist pull me tighter against him and he angled his body in a way that he was almost shielding me.

The anxiousness that everyone held was almost palpable as the rushing of wind and the sound of the leaves crunching stopped and time stood still for a brief minute as the approaching wolves got changed in the forest.

The first person to exit the dark forest was a middle aged man with dark brown hair. He had a pleased smile on his face as he walked up to Thane and I and his pack members all exited the forest.

Thane had told me that there were four other packs spread around the country, so this was just the first of three Alphas to arrive. According to Thane, there used to be many more packs but due to the expanding human population into forest areas and the number of rogues, the wolf packs died out, much like the pack that Caroline originated from.

"Alpha Pete," Thane send a friendly smile to the man and shook his hand, "welcome to the Blood Moon Pack. This is my mate Emery," He introduced me, "and Emery, this is Alpha Pete of the Brave Paw Pack."

"It's nice to see you again boy, and it is nice to meet you Luna Emery." He pulled me into a hug but released me as Thane let out a loud growl, "I don't want her boy, put your canines away." He laughed as he looked back at me, "He's basically like a son to me so I'm happy he found you Luna."

I laughed at this, "It's nice to meet you too Alpha Pete and I hope you enjoy your time at our pack. If you and your pack need anything, then please feel free to inform me. Also you can call me Emery."

"Well Emery, I will make sure of it once your mate doesn't behead me." He chuckled as he moved onto Carson who gave each other a slap on the back like old friends, because they were.

Apparently, Carson and Pete fought off a pack of rogues that threatened to take over both their territories back in the day, and ever since they were best friends therefore Thane grew up with Pete as an uncle.

As soon as Alpha Pete and his entourage moved away, another man appeared out of the forest with his pack behind him.

He looked about twenty five with dark skin, one hazel eye and the other was a grey color. He had short curly hair and looked mysterious. I instantly knew he was Alpha Owen of the Whisper Bane Pack.

"Alpha Thane." He gave a curt nod and held his hand out to Thane.

"Alpha Owen, hope your journey was without bloodshed," Thane said because Owen traveled the furthest and through badlands that were infested with rogues, "and this is my Luna, Emery."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Alpha Owen but you can call me Emery. Welcome to the Blood Moon Pack and if you and your pack need anything at all, just let me know." I gave him a smile to help ease the tension that he emanated because of his mysterious aura.

He shook my hand and nodded, "It's nice to meet you Luna Emery," He looked back at Thane, "And my journey was nothing short of a few rogues that my pack couldn't handle." He gave us both a smirk.

"Well make yourself and your pack at home." Thane welcomed.

However before Owen walked away he gave me a curious glance and sniffed the air, "You haven't marked her." He observed.

Thane's grip on me tighten to a point that I felt a shot of pain but he released me as soon as I whimpered and gave me a look of guilt.

"She's human as you know, so I wanted her to be comfortable in the pack before we rushed into things." Thane muttered without going into detail about our wedding.

"Ahh of course Alpha Thane," He stepped a bit closer to us and Thane instantly growled in defense and stepped in front of me and Owen immediately raised his arms in surrender, "I mean no harm to you or your Luna." He stopped and looked at me deeply before turning back to Thane who still stood between us, "But I do want to warn you that I have heard talk of Alpha Aiden wanting a Luna." He switched his eyes back to focus on me from over Thane's shoulder, "Specifically the mate of an Alpha and by looks of it, your mate is the perfect candidate."

Thane growled at that, "He wouldn't get his paws anywhere near her, but thank you for your concern."

"I would not put my pack in danger if a war breaks out." Owen quickly stated.

"And you wouldn't have to." Thane assured him.

Owen nodded in affirmation and moved on to greet Carson and Pete.

"Thane, what if.." I started but he cut me off by pulling me back to his side.

"Nothing's going to happen sweetheart, don't worry about it." He tried to assure me but stiffen again as a new pack emerged but he relaxed at the sight of the young man with red hair.

He was around twenty and looked really buff. I instantly knew who he was from Thane's description.

As he neared us I stuck my hand out in greeting, "Alpha Ben of Desert Furs Pack, welcome to the Blood Moon Pack. It's nice to meet you, I'm the Luna but you can just call me Emery." I welcomed him and introduced myself.

Ben was the only other Alpha that Thane had a friendship with besides Pete. Since Ben and Thane were of similar age they both helped each other out during rogue attacks and other wolf related issues.

"Emery!" He gave me a big smile like we were old friends, "It's nice to meet you too, Thane over here couldn't shut up about you when he kidnapped you." We both laughed at Thane's scowl.

"At least someone else understands that it was technically a kidnapping." I giggled.

"It's good to see you to Ben," Thane growled through clenched teeth, "And it wasn't kidnapping."

"Whatever you say Thane." Ben shrugged and Thane playfully but forcefully shoved him.

"Go help your pack find their mates would you." Thane rolled his eyes but I could tell he was happy Ben was here.

"Oh and if you an your pack need anything-"

"We'll be sure to get you, thank you Emery." Ben finished for me and left to greet Lucas and Beau.

"Now just for our highly awaited guest to appear." I grumbled to Thane who never let me go once since we stepped out of the pack house that morning.

As if on command, a young man appeared before us but he had pitch black hair instead of the pale blonde that Thane had informed me of to recognize Aiden.

Thane let out a harsh growl and once again shoved me behind him, but this time completely and Lucas and Beau both did the same with their mates while coming closer to Thane to form a front of protection.

From what I could see behind Thane's arm, the guy stopped where he was several feet before us and other wolves appeared behind him.

"My name is Rick, the beta of Oaks Pack. My alpha, Aiden sent the unmated wolves and myself here as he wasn't able to travel at the time." I felt a sudden relief of the man's words but it was shortly lived as he went on, "However he should be here by nightfall."

"You know the rules pup, an Alpha must accompany his pack on another wolf's territory." Lucas shouted with disgust at him.

"No disrespect Beta, but your Alpha or Luna can allow us to stay if they see fit." Rick smirked.

"Let them stay." I whispered to Thane who turned slightly to face me in confusion, "They're here for a reason and if they do anything stupid the pack can handle them. Plus they wouldn't because I'm sure a few of them are mates with members of our pack."

Thane just nodded at what I said and turned back to the young beta, "You're welcome to the Blood Moon Pack's territory but as the second in command of your pack, you, Beta Rick are hereby responsible for every member of your pack and all their actions."

"Yes of course Alpha." Rick gave a curt nod and then looked over at me, "Luna."

"Welcome to our pack, if you and your pack need anything, please let me know." I offered my services since they are still guests on our land even if we were anxious of their presence.

"We shall." Rick gave me a creepy smile that had my blood crawling but Thane maintained his position in front of me.

"Stop looking at my mate and tell your alpha to meet me as soon as he enters my territory." Thane growled out and Rick only nodded before moving along to join the party of unmated wolves behind us. "Keep an eye on him and have extra wolves patrolling the territory, I want to know his every move and exactly when his alpha shows up." Thane said to Lucas who nodded and got a guard to tail Rick.

I wrapped my arms around Thane's body, spun him around to face me and pulled him into a hug, "Maybe he wouldn't show up."

He placed a kiss on my forehead, "He will, trust me. I'm sure he's just plotting his sinister plan and waiting for our guards to drop."

"Well he wouldn't succeed in whatever he has planned, I know it. So let's just go enjoy the festivities of horny wolves." He laughed at my last comment and pulled me towards all the wolves who already found their mates with the exception of about five.

Only two persons from our pack didn't find their mate, that includes Tate, but most our wolves decided to stay in our pack with their newly acquired mates and I was happy that we were expanding.

After we meet with a few pack members, Thane, the other alphas and Rick were all in a discussion about a new rogue group that were close to Ben's territory. It was quite boring since I knew nothing about fight techniques except for the few human moves that I learnt during training.

Thane had his arm securely and protectively around my waist as he stood engaged in conversation as I tried to slip away and find Tate.

When I moved away from him though he immediately turned his attention to me with a fierce look of 'do not leave my side', but I rolled my eyes at him and said, "I'm going to find Tate, don't worry I'll be find since everyone's here."

I was pretty sure Aiden wasn't going to turn up until tomorrow anyhow. "Stay close and don't go anywhere without anyone from the pack." Thane directed me and I only nodded because I knew Aiden was a threat.

I walked over to Bailey who told me she saw Tate going back to the pack house. I knew Thane's sister must be crushed about not finding her mate and I wanted to ensure that she was okay.

I glanced back at Thane and saw he was deep in conversation and I didn't want to drag anyone else behind me so I quickly walked back the way we came from towards the pack house which wasn't far.

Within no time I was walking up the driveway towards the front door of the pack house without a problem because I knew I wasn't in any danger.

Before I could reach the door however, I heard what sounded like a child's crying ringing out from the forest to my left, towards the pathway that led to Thane and I's house. Without another thought I dashed across into the forest to investigate if a young child from our pack got lost while playing.

I walked along the pathway since the forest beyond that was unfamiliar territory but as I looked without finding anything, another shrill of a child's cry rang out deeper into the forest and away from the pathway.

I shuffled in nervousness about what decision to make before I decided to rush through the forest and follow the sound of the child while trying to remember my way in. I could've found someone to help me but the child could get lost further or he or she might be hurt and alone. I had to hurry through the trees before the crying stopped and I lost the child.

The crying continued on as I rushed through all the greenery and tree trunks in search of the child but the further I ran, the further the child's crying moved and it felt as if I was searching for the end of the rainbow.

I was about a good ten minutes into searching when the sound stopped completely and the quietness of the forest rung my ears with its deafening silence.

I came to an abrupt halt and waited for a sound or any sign of presence around me beyond the trees but I came up empty handed. Just I was about to turn back around to get help I heard the trees bristle to my right but I wasn't fast enough to see what it was.

I turned back to where I came from but something grey flashed before me and encircled me behind some trees and I spun around until I couldn't tell what it was with me in the forest or which direction I came from.

I searched around me trying to figure out if it was indeed a wolf that encircled me but it must have ran off because there was nothing within eyesight.

A chill ran up my spin when I realized that I was lost and it may be a rogue that crossed my path since someone from the pack would have approached me.

The sun started to set quickly since the alphas arrived in the late evening but with darkness approaching and me being lost, I hopped Thane realized I was missing and find me fast.

As I contemplated which direction to head in, I heard the bristle of some leaves behind me and turned to come face to face with a tall and slight muscular, pale blonde hair guy.

I instantly took a few steps back and knew it was Aiden.

"Thought I smelt a human." He grinned but had a confused expression, "Though I do believe I smelt a male or two, seems like I need to get my snout checked up."

"Y-y-you're Alpha Aiden." I squeaked out in fright.

He smirked at my behavior and stepped closer as I stepped further away, "And you're the Luna, Emery am I right? Thane's mate, the human."

"I am but what are you doing here?"

He touched his heart in mock hurt, "I'm offended, I thought I was invited to the little soiree."

I was taken aback and quickly tried to take back any offence before he got angry, "I didn't mean to offend you, I was just wondering what you were doing in this part of the woods instead of showing up to where the party's at."

"I could ask you the same thing." He mused.

"I thought I heard a child crying but it stopped." I explained.

"I did too but whoever it was, they were hiding."

"And you couldn't find them?" I asked in confusion.

"My senses are a bit distracted right now, it must've been a wolf with his child." He shrugged, "To be honest I don't really care."

"Did you catch a scent?"

"Nope." He said moving past me and going in the opposite direction, "If you want to get back to your mate, I suggest following me before a rogue eats you alive."

I shivered at the disturbing image he put in my head but followed him anyways since I didn't know which other way to go, "How did you not get a sent?"

He turned to look at me with a weary expression, "Let's just say another sent was distracting my wolf and preventing me from smelling anything else."

"Then how did you smell me?" I practically ran to keep up with his pace.

"Well for one, a human scent is very distinctive from a wolf and two, you're standing close to me so I could smell you beside getting the whiff of the most intoxicating scent I have ever smelt." He said.

"Would you slow down?" I asked almost of breath.

"I'm a werewolf, this is practically taking baby steps for me." he chuckled but slowed his pace slightly, "I have no idea how your mate handles being with a human."

"I thought you wanted a human mate?" I threw into the wind because I might as well since I could be walking to my death anyways.

He turned to me since I was able to walk at his side. "How wrong I was," He scoffed.

"You're a real ass you know that." I covered my mouth instantly at my blatant response and hopped he didn't get angry, "Please don't kill me." I squeaked.

He just shrugged and smiled, "I wouldn't...yet, but keep annoying me and I just might."

Taking that as a good sign I went on, "I thought you wanted me as your mate since I'm the only Luna unmated."

"You're a real blunt one aren't you?" He rhetorically asked but answered anyways, "That was the plan but I had an unexpected business meeting that took some time and just before you showed up in woods, my wolf lost it's shit."

"What do you mean?" I wrinkled my eyebrows in confusion.

"Do you not listen Luna? I smelt something intoxicating which means my mate is here." He spelled it out for me.

My eyes went wide and I almost did a happy dance since it meant he most likely didn't want to kidnap me from Thane, I did however let out a loud squeal which caused him to give me a deadly look, "You found your mate, oh my god yay!"

"If it wasn't for wanting to meet my mate, I would have killed you by now but I don't want Thane to kill me yet." He grumbled.

I rolled my eyes because I somehow knew he was bluffing, "There were only about three girls left unmated so I'm sure it's one of them." I mumbled but then realized Tate was one of them but she was only sixteen, well almost seventeen. It may be one of the other girls since they were closer to Aiden's age.

"Well it's one of them I guess." He shrugged.

"You don't seem too happy about finding your mate." I pointed out.

He rubbed both his palms down his face and looked stressed, "I don't know what to do."

"What do you even mean." I asked baffled.

He looked hesitant about telling me what's up with him but I tired to coax him into it.

"Come on dude, we're practically best friends now and there's no one around, you can tell me." I said waving my hand around us comically.

"I would put the word 'friend' very lightly when describing this situation."

"Oh come on you big baby, just tell me." I groaned. Who knew a wolf with a bad reputation could be this shy about finding his mate. "I mean I thought you were the big, bad wolf...guess everyone was wrong." I shrugged.

He growled at me but it was a empty threat as he went on, "I've never been with anyone!"

"You mean like a girlfriend?"

"Yeah, I've never done the whole commitment thing."

I rolled my eyes at this, "Some guys are such idiots, I can't even with you all."

"I thought you were going to help?" He asked expectantly.

"Okay, okay." I said thinking, "First of all you don't need any prior relationship experience for this because your mate is entirely different."

"How would you know? You're a human after all."

"Shut up, I'm the one with the mate so therefore I'm more knowledgeable here."

He just grumbled but allowed me to continue.

"Okay, so you will learn what to do when you're with her by just getting to know her. You wouldn't think about anyone else because she will be the only thing in your mine, like Thane is for me. But it will be ten times more since from me being human, I haven't gotten the full blown feels of it."

"But how do I know if she'll want me back?" He asked almost vulnerable.

I finally saw through his hard exterior, "You don't even have to think about that, she's your mate, once she sees you, and you see her...well it would be magic, you two wouldn't want anything else but to be together."

"Is that how it was for you and Thane?"

A smile graced my lips as I recalled our week of my dislike towards him, "It was a bit different given our special circumstances, but deep down I felt it. I knew in my heart that he was it for me but my head kept being rational and shouting at me to get away from him since he didn't explain the whole werewolf thing until after."

He went silent for a little while and I turned to look at him to see if he was alright, "What if she rejects me?"

The word 'reject' also caused me to feel his pain because from what Thane described, it was painful and I knew no one could survive that pain without going mad.

"She wouldn't." I simply said, "Anyone would be a fool to reject their mate and I know for a fact that every girl unmated today in that clearing is happily waiting to find someone, as I'm sure you're eager to meet your mate."

"But last year I never met anyone at the meeting. She must have just turned sixteen or seventeen since this event is taking place later in the year than it was last year." He explain.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty one." He said sadly.

"It's just a few years difference, it wouldn't matter to her."

"But what if she thinks I'm too old?" He asked worriedly.

"She wouldn't." I assured him.

"But she might not even be an adult yet." He explains, "Wouldn't that be weird?"

"I'm sure it may be different in the wolf world but you can wait for her to be an official adult."

"With her scent alone, I'm afraid that's impossible."

I just chuckled as we kept walking with the sun completely disappearing from the sky and the moon shining above us.

It was completely dark in the woods so I grabbed onto Aiden's arm as he lead us both out of the dense forest. In the matter of seconds we were suddenly walking through the garden of the backyard of the pack house.

I let go and walked straight towards the door with Aiden following closely behind but before I could open the door, it slammed open to reveal Lucas who looked angry when he spotted Aiden and I.

I knew from Lucas' expression that he was mind linking Thane who must have been really angry at me.

Without another question, Lucas grabbed my arm and pulled me behind him and headed directly for Aiden.

"I'll be careful of what I do Beta, I could take you out like a light." Aiden calmly said.

"I would like to see you try with my entire pack behind me." Lucas threatened.

"You better watch your mouth young one because now definitely isn't the time to mess with me." Aiden glared at Lucas.

I ignored Lucas's protest and stepped between them both, "Would you two calm down." I demanded.

"Luna, I need you to back away-" But before Lucas could intervene a loud growl came behind him and Thane appeared in his wolf form. Blood red eyes and pitch black fur which looked like he was about to kill.

He slowly strut around Lucas and kept a good distance away from me and started to approach Aiden but I quickly walked in front of Thane's wolf to prevent him from hurting Aiden.

I knew Thane could take him but now that I knew Aiden had a mate of his own, the least I could do is prevent a war between both our packs.

"Thane stop!" I held my hands out to touch his snout but he quickly raised above me to his full height in a menacing posture.

"Emery, Thane's want you to back off and stand behind him." Lucas communicated to me.

I shook my head and kept my stance, "No."

"He might hurt you Emery, he isn't thinking clearly in his wolf form." Lucas urged.

I straighten my back and reached up to touch Thane's snout, "You wouldn't hurt me." Thane tried to back away from me but I kept following him, "You wouldn't hurt me, I know you wouldn't." With that he bent his head slightly enough for me to touch his head but kept his eyes focused on Aiden. "He wouldn't hurt me either Thane."

Thane bared his canines and emitted a deep growl.

"Oh calm down Alpha, I don't want your girl." Aiden rolled his eyes.

Thane looked like he about to leap around me and attack the blonde hair guy but i kept my hands on him, "He's telling the truth Thane, he doesn't want me, he has a mate. And she's here so just calm down and shift so we can greet our guest properly."

Thane shifted his eyes between Aiden and myself and without warning he shifted back into his human form in all his naked glory. He placed his hand at the side of my neck where his mark will go to ensure that I wasn't marked by Aiden.

I instantly felt my cheeks burn red in a blush and kept eyes away from traveling south. Lucas threw a pair of shorts at Thane and he gave me a wink before slipping them on.

"Glad you can find some amusement in all of this." I grumbled at him but he just pulled me into him and crushed his lips to my own in a fierce and passionate kiss. It took my breath away as we molded our mouth to each others and forgot about the situation at hand. With the clearing of a throat, I came to my senses that we in front of Lucas and Aiden and pulled away all flustered.

By Thane's smirk I knew he did it to show a sign of possession so I subtly jabbed my elbow into his side but he just threw his arm around my waist and pulled me flush to his side.

"Some kind of welcoming this is." I heard Aiden mutter from across us.

"Welcome, Alpha Aiden, to the Blood Moon Pack. I take it that you've already met my mate Emery." Thane greeted without an ounce of welcoming in his tone.

"I have." He smirked, "Also saved her from getting lost in the forest."

Thane looked over at me with a confused expression.

"I thought I heard something." I shrugged in explanation.

"We'll discuss you running off into the forest later." He mumbled and I knew he was still angry about me going off on my own without him or anyone else with me.

"Well if your lover's dispute is over, how about we find my mate." Aiden clapped his hands together.

"Mate?" Thane asked in confusion.

Just as I was about to explain Aiden catching the scent of his mate, someone exited the pack house behind us and I heard an audible gasp and Aiden's eyes locked on to whoever it was.

"Mate." I barely heard Aiden whisper.

Thane and I turned around and was baffled at who stood standing in a complete daze at the sight of her mate.

It was none other than Tate.

A huge grin spread on my face because I knew that Tate and Aiden must've been on cloud nine at that moment.

Thane on the other hand didn't look so pleased as he intervened between the pairing before they could even greet each other.

"You're mates with my little sister?" Thane said in an accusatory voice at Aiden who was pulled out of his trance by Thane's hostility.

"She's my mate, what do you expect me to do?" Aiden pointed out the obvious as he approached Tate but Thane stepped in and shoved Aiden who looked pissed.

"Thane let them be, they're mates." I tried to reason with him.

"I don't care he's too old for her."

"It's wolf world Thane, I don't think it matters considering the Moon Goddess peered them together."

"But he's a killer. I would never allow Tate to go with him."

"My pack affairs doesn't concern you and neither does Tate now." Aiden growled out.

"Thane, he wouldn't hurt her. Trust me if he wanted to kill anyone he would've killed me in the forest. Plus Tate's his mate, just as I'm yours and you would never hurt me." I pleaded with him.

He stared at with conflict brewing in his eyes and I saw him look at Lucas and communicate something before taking off towards the woods where I just came from. He ran and as soon as he entered the dense greenery, he shifted into his wolf, tearing his pants in the process.

I glared at Lucas, "Where did he go?"

Lucas gave me a sympathetic look and muttered, "He know he's wrong and he doesn't want you going after him." He gave me a pointed look because that was exactly what I would have done. "He just needs a little time alone considering he almost thought he lost you and now his sister's mated to the Alpha he despises," He looked over at Aiden, "no offence."

"None taken." Was Aiden's only response as he walked up to Tate and pulled her into his arms and she looked like she was about to turn into jelly in his arms.

"Come on, let's go inside." Lucas said placing his hand on my shoulder as I gazed back into the forest and prayed that Thane was alright. "He'll be alright." Was Lucas's only comforting word as he lead me back inside the pack house and left Tate and Aiden alone.

"Thank you." Tate said to me before I left them be.

I knew she was thanking me because Thane might've murdered Aiden had I not intervened.

Inside the pack house was chaotic to say the least. With the large number of guest that we had, we had to prepare meals for everyone and give everyone their own guest room for the night. Thank goodness the pack house was extremely large.

After dinner and ensuring that everyone was well taken care off, I took a seat near the fireplace on the large sofa in the main living room area on the first floor.

It's been about three hours since Thane left and he hadn't returned yet. I could practically feel the tension in the pack house when everyone learnt that Tate and Aiden were mates.

No one said a word about it but I knew everyone was worried for Tate because of Aiden's reputation but if he was like how I met him today in the forest then the only bad thing about him was his attitude. He never tried to harm me and he even helped me back to the pack house. It was just like when I met Thane and found out he was the beast and thought he would kill me, but he didn't. Being mates is something sacred that makes you fall head over heels in love with the person you're matched with.

"Hey, you okay?" Bailey appeared through the living room archway with Lucas in tow.

"I'm okay, just worried about Thane." I tried to assure them.

"He's an alpha Emery, he can take care of himself." Lucas said.

"Can you try to contact him." I pointed at my head so they would get what I mean.

After they both glanced at each other and gave me a worried expression, I became anxious and sat up in my seat.

"What's wrong? Is Thane all right?" I asked hurriedly.

They both sat down next to me and Bailey said, "He's blocked out the pack from his thoughts. We can't mind link him and he's off pack territory."

I had no idea what to say except just nod my head.

After Bailey and Lucas tried to assure me once more, the both left and turned in for the night.

I had a bad feeling deep within me. I knew something was wrong and with Thane out running wild, my imagination couldn't help but think of the worst.

I snuggled into the couch and sat restless as I awaited for him to return with a heavy feeling in my chest.

~~~

I had no idea what time it was but it was still dark out when I awoke to the sound of the front door opening and heavy footsteps entering the house.

Someone stepped into the living room and the only source of light was the fireplace but as the light reached the figure I instantly knew it was Thane.

I flew out of my spot on the couch and into his arms but I heard him whimper in pain as I wrapped my arms around him.

I instantly stepped back and saw him covered in dirt and blood.

"Thane, what the-" I tried to ask but he just placed his hand on my mouth.

"I'm fine, just get me upstairs will you?" He limped away and towards the steps but I tired to turn him around.

"No, you need to go into the infirmary." I tried to pull him to get him help.

"There's other Alphas here Emery, I can't show weakness." He tried to explain and cut me off as I opened my mouth to argue, "Please just help me up the stairs."

Even though I knew I had to help him, I knew he didn't want to go into the infirmary and have someone find him lying there weak.

I placed his arm around my neck and held his body with one of my arm around his waist and helped him up the stairs.

By the time we made it to our floor, Thane collapsed on the ground and looked immensely pale.

With the better source of lighting, I saw blood soaking the t-shirt he had on. When did he have time to get dressed after getting damaged was beyond me.

I lifted his shirt and saw a bit mark on the left side of his abdomen which looked a lot worse than it actually was. The bite itself wasn't deep but looked to be getting infected and preventing his healing from kick starting.

"Rogues." Was the only word he managed to get out as an explanation.

"I could kill you myself for going out on your own!" I yelled at him in frustration before getting off the floor and locating the first aid box that had antiseptic to clean his wound.

I got back to his side and splashed some of the antiseptic to clean his wound before I helped heal him.

"Fuck that burns!" He howled out.

"Well no one told you to go gallivanting out of the pack territory when you know you have a mate waiting for you." I said angrily and worriedly.

"I'm sorry Emery." He said looking me in the eye.

I ignored his pleading look and took some cotton to wipe off as much blood as possible and clean up the wound.

It was still bleeding pretty badly when I placed both my hands on his stomach to heal him.

"Don't." He pushed my hands away from his body.

"Thane, you need help to heal, let me." I demanded and tired to put my hands on him again.

"You'll use your energy Emery, just leave me. I'll heal with my wolfy powers as you like to call it." He tried.

"It's infected Thane, it doesn't look like it's getting any better."

"It would."

"You're so stubborn. Just listen to me for once and let me help you." I said in exasperation until he finally allowed me to put my hands on him.

I closed my eyes and focused my energy on him and healing the cut.

Within no time the bite mark was slowly closing up and the bleeding stopped. Before it could fully heal however, Thane pulled my hands away and broke my concentration.

"Stop Emery, I'm healed enough." He whispered to me but remained lying on the floor with me knelt beside him, "You'll drain yourself out if you continue to help me."

I looked at him as if he grew two heads, "You're my mate Thane, I would heal you if I want. Plus the I have these abilities for a reason."

"But I'm supposed to keep you safe-"

"And I you Thane. Just because I can't physically fight off someone for you doesn't mean I can't help you." I cut him off.

"I know but I shouldn't have ran off on you like that. I'm sorry." Thane apologized.

I brushed some dirt off his cheeks and asked, "Why did you run off, especially outside of the pack?" I got some gauze out of the first aid kid to wrap around his wound until he heals fully within the few hours or so.

He sighed, "I was angry at my sister, at Aiden, at you and myself I guess."

I glared at him, "I don't know why you're angry at the rest of us Thane."

"Well for one I told you not to go out on your own...but as usual you didn't listen to me." I 'accidentally' pressed on his wound and he hissed out in pain. "Shit, you don't have to kill me for being worried about you."

I rolled my eyes at his over dramatic response, "I didn't ask anyone to go with me because everyone was busy."

"I'm never busy for you sweetheart." He managed to smile at me.

I finished patching him up and placed a kiss on his bandaged abdomen before he attempted to sit up while wincing in pain.

"I only left to go find your sister but I heard a strange noise from the forest."

Thane glanced at me with extreme curiosity, "What noise?"

"It sounded like a child crying, even Aiden heard it but I lost the noise and he got caught up with his mate's scent." I shrugged.

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "That's strange because I didn't come across any other scent out in the forest." Then something crossed his mind, "Well it was mostly because I found a dead wolf's body right outside our territory that was emitting a horrid smell that I'm sure was potent enough to cover any other scent, but I assume it was the rogues I later met that killed him."

"Was the wolf from our pack?" I asked in horror.

Thane grabbed my hands in comfort, "No, it was just a random rogue."

"What about the rogues that attacked you? What happened?"

"I was running not too far from the body when I ran into three of them. They knew I was an Alpha so they didn't hesitate to attack me because I was all alone. It got nasty pretty fast but I took down two and had one left, except he had some sort of substance on his canines. When he bit me on my side it felt as if a silver bullet pierced right through me, that's what gave me an infection." I gasp in horror at what Thane described and shifted closer to his left side and wrapped my arms around his torso without hurting him.

He continued on after wrapping his arm around me, "I found out that it was what us wolves call the silver berry. Very rare and not poisonous but when applied to an open wound it prevents us from healing and causes immense pain. But I managed to take him out and crawl back to the pack without anyone finding me. I shifted right outside the backyard and changed so that no one would see the bite mark."

"Thane you could've gotten yourself killed." I scolded him and hugged him tighter.

"I know sweetheart, and I'm sorry for worrying you. I knew if Aiden stood in front of me any longer I would've killed him." He growled.

"I promised you that I would never run away from you again," I looked up into his eyes, "I want you to promise me the same thing. If you're angry you wouldn't leave the pack's land without a few other wolves."

He gazed down at me and saw that I was serious, "I promise."

"Good. Now about your sister, you can't be angry at her or Aiden because it's not their fault. They didn't choose each other just to piss you off." I explained to him.

"I know, I really owe them an apology but when I saw you with him I got so angry that I wasn't thinking clearly."

"His reputation doesn't preceed him. He wouldn't hurt her, I know that and you do as well. He even helped me back here when his mate was waiting for him. He's a real softy on the inside, just like you." I winked at him.

He laughed, "I'm only soft for you."

"Shouldn't it be the opposite of that?" I smirked at my innuendo.

"I'm both." He teased but went serious in an instant, "I'll apologize to them both in the morning."

I smiled at him and placed a quick kiss on his lips, "Don't ever run from me again."

"Never."

A/N

Aww Tate found her mate 💛 Looks like Aiden wasn't the bad guy after all. Our real bad is coming up soon though...

Also theories on the crying child and the dead wolf?

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