Chapter 1: The Invader
Alex’s P.O.V
I went back to the packhouse late next morning. I knew I was going to get in trouble as soon as I stepped into the dining area to sneak something to eat back to my room but came face to face with Freya instead.
Luna in training and a powerful witch in her own right, Cameron’s mate raised her eyebrows at me as soon as she saw me sneak in.
“Judging from the stench of alcohol on your clothes, I’d say you’re sneaking back in after some wild late night endeavors.” She shook her head in disappointment. “Sit down, Alex. I’ll get you something to eat.”
Sighing, I took a seat at the little dining table especially for the higher rank members, the table that we had been using since we were kids.
Hardly ten minutes later, Freya laid out an entire feast in front of me that included almost all of my favorite breakfast items and a large cup of piping hot coffee. My eyes narrowed at her absolutely angelic expression. “You’re babying me.”
“Am I?” She asked innocently, blinking in a way she thought would make her look cute. But gone was the helpless, bullied girl who Cameron had found broken and near-dead in her own house. Six years later, Freya was nothing short of the Luna that she was destined to become sooner rather than later and she had earned the respect of each and every pack member in her own right. In short, there was nothing ‘cute’ about her anymore. She was a full grown woman and a warrior.
“How’s your article coming along?” I asked her, just so I could distract her from probing into my personal life too much. I did love Freya as a friend and as my future Luna, but both she and Cameron were always trying to baby me just because I haven’t found my mate yet and it was seriously starting to bother me nowadays.
“Ugh! Don’t ask!” Frey rolled her eyes in frustration. “My book and my blog are like polar opposites! On one hand, I’m writing about this sweet college girl who ends up mated to a narcissistic Alpha and on the other, I’m writing about women’s safety tip while travelling alone in the countryside.”
“Wow…busy girl.” I mused, taking slow sips of my coffee in between mouthful of bacon sandwiches.
“Are you okay, Alex?” Freya finally asked the dreaded question.
“Sure.” I shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“The last time you went to a club, Derek had to send five men to the ER,” she reminded me. “I think that counts as a cause for concern.”
“Didn’t know you and Derek were suddenly best buds…” I shrugged, purposefully trying to change the subject.
“Huh!” Freya scoffed. “I’m very close to scorching off that fucker’s ass! The only thing stopping me is poor Sawyers pretty blue eyes.”
“And that is exactly why Cam had asked me to take special care that the two of you don’t stay near each other for more than five minutes…max.” Freya and Derek had a horrible start…which had resulted in Derek’s departure to a special ‘training and disciplinary’ camp for wolf assholes. But even after he was back and happily mated, with noticeable changes in his character…Freya and him never see eye to eye. I guess some people just aren’t meant to be friends.
“I know you’re trying to avoid the topic, so I’ll let you be…for now.” Freya sighed before she placed her elbows on the table and her face in her palms. “How’s your training coming along? I heard Mr. Parker was giving you all the details about the upgraded security system yesterday?”
“Yes, it’s actually easy to navigate through my phone.” I said, just as Darcia Ruthwell, future Alpha to the Midnight Hunters pack and our childhood friend Sarah’s mater, appeared at our table yawning and stretching as he did so. “Someone was up all night on video calls.”
“Oh, shut up!” Darcia grumbled, obviously in a bad mood since his mate was a few hundred miles away from him. He took a seat next to Freya, who motioned for one of the juveniles volunteering in the kitchen to get him a plate.
“Only three more days.” She told Darcia sadly, but I could clearly see that the departure from her own mate was bringing her down from her usual cheerful self.
Darcia nodded, pouting his lips as he dived into his food. The sob was just hanging out at our pack like it was his second home, while his mate was away dealing with business along with the current Alpha and Cameron. Lucky bastard. At least he had a mate he could love and miss.
But just as I was about to have another bite of my food, an alert went out in the forests outside the packhouse as several of the wolves outside gave out a warning howl, and a guard shouted inside my head: ‘Intruder!’
All the soldiers and warrior wolves were instantly springing to their feet, including myself. “Secure the perimeters!” I ordered the soldiers. “I’ll head to the point of intrusion.”
“Alex, wait!” Freya stopped me by catching a hold of my arm. “What’s going on? What intrusion?”
“Someone’s breached the perimeter and injured two of our patrol guards.” I told Freya. “Stay here with the rest of the guards.” I turned to Darcia. “Take care of her for me.”
“On my life.” He swore as I turned and headed straight for the elevator.
I could hear Freya trying to follow after me, but Darcia and the others caught her before she could move. Freya was a strong woman, a powerful witch, but she was also the future Luna and Cameron’s mate. I couldn’t risk anything when it came to Freya.
Calming my mind, I reached for the perimeter guards via my mind link and got the exact location of the intrusion. Whoever it was, had made a grave mistake. We may not be the strongest pack in the country, but the same rules applied to anyone and everyone who entered pack territory unannounced…execution if proven hostile.