Chapter 1: The Alpha's Burden
Sigh. Why do I always have to listen to these guys cry like little babies over unnecessary topics? I wonder to myself as I sit through yet another tedious Alpha meeting.
The monthly gatherings of the Pacific Northwest Alpha Council had become increasingly frustrating over the past year. What should have been strategic discussions about territorial disputes and resource management had devolved into petty complaints and ego-driven posturing. I glanced around the conference room at the assembled leaders, noting the way they postured and preened, each trying to project more authority than the others.
Maybe because you're a very powerful Alpha, and everyone in this room is scared of you but wants your thoughts on everything happening in their packs, my wolf James says sarcastically in my mind.
True enough. As one of the youngest Alphas to ever control a territory the size of Moonhaven, I'd earned both respect and resentment from the older pack leaders. My methods were different—more collaborative, less traditional—which made some of them uncomfortable but also curious about my success rates.
I understand that completely, but if I wasn't stuck here, I could be out looking for our own mate—James perks his ears at that thought—or at least dealing with our own pack issues. Leaving our beta in charge for too long gives him way too much air in his head, and then he gloats when we get back, which gives me a migraine.
Marcus means well, I remind James, but you're right. He does get a bit too comfortable in the leadership role when I'm away.
The irony wasn't lost on me that I was sitting in a room full of mated Alphas, listening to their problems, while my own mate remained frustratingly elusive. At twenty-eight, I was starting to wonder if the Moon Goddess had forgotten about me entirely. Most wolves found their mates by twenty-five, and here I was, approaching thirty with nothing but a growing sense of restlessness to show for it.
"So what do you think, Alpha Damien? Will you help me or not?" Alpha Sam's voice finally breaks through my thoughts.
I'd been so lost in my own concerns that I'd completely missed whatever crisis Sam had been describing. The expectant faces around the table told me it was something significant enough to warrant my attention.
"Huh? I'm sorry, I was thinking and must have spaced out. What do you need my help with again?" I ask, feeling slightly embarrassed to have to ask in front of all the other alphas.
Smooth, James comments dryly. Very professional.
Sighing audibly, Sam states, "I was telling everyone I recently found my mate about a year ago. Unfortunately, her mother is—or at least was—this deranged woman who took her and ran from me. I've had my best trackers out looking for her everywhere, but no one can seem to get a good scent on her. I found her mother about six months ago, but she refused to tell me where she hid my mate. I've been pulling my hair out in worry for her safety."
Something feels off about his voice and words when talking about his feelings for this girl. The way he describes the situation doesn't match the emotional undertones I'm picking up. There's something calculating in his expression, something that doesn't align with genuine mate-bond desperation.
I hear James start to growl in my head, then he says, I'm getting very angry.
Why are you getting mad at him? I ask, but other than one more low, long growl, he stays silent.
I sigh. "Okay, first—does she know you're her mate? Because if she doesn't know, that would explain why she hasn't returned to you on her own."
"She does know. I think her mother has brainwashed her, and she may be scared of me or something," Alpha Sam says while looking around at all the other alphas. They all look like they're getting mad, thinking the same thing I am—how would we feel if someone convinced our mates not to be with us?
We won't know if we never find her, James all but yells in my head.
"What does she look like? That way we know what type of woman we're helping you search for," I ask Sam while watching him start to glaze over like he's mind-linking someone.
Who is he communicating with? The behavior strikes me as odd—why would he need to consult someone else about his mate's appearance?
"Oh gosh, where do I start?" he says, looking startled and dazed.
I don't know why, but as he describes his mate, I start to feel this pull for this woman I've never seen. James seems to be getting angrier by the minute while listening to Sam.
"Well," Alpha Sam starts, "she's about 5'5" with a tanned complexion. She has cloudy sky-blue eyes with water oak-long brown hair that looks like it's been kissed by the sun in places. Her legs go on for days, and her body is toned like a warrior's, even though before she left, she hadn't even started training."
He stops for another moment, lost in thought. I can't see anything except lust and power in his eyes—no love or worry like a normal mate would show for their missing partner. James is doing nothing but growling and clawing at my head, begging to get out as we watch Sam pace around the room, becoming more frantic.
Any normal werewolf observing this scene would think Sam was just freaking out over being unable to locate his mate, but I'm starting to wonder about all of this.
Something's very wrong here, James insists. His scent is all wrong. This isn't mate-bond desperation—this is obsession.
"Why don't we call a short break to this meeting?" Sam's beta suggests.
"Finally," I say to myself as I get up to leave the building.
As I start walking around outside, I feel better not being trapped in that room, finally getting to stretch my legs.
Damien, can we please go shift for a run? James all but begs in my head.
I can't help but wonder why he's so restless after this meeting. He's never been like this before.
I just need to get away from him. I don't like him, okay? James says.
I nod since I don't really like Sam much either. I've never really liked him, but since his explanation of his mate, I dislike him even more.
"Yes, let's go for a run," I tell James.
Walking behind a tree, I strip out of my clothes, shift into my wolf form, pick up my clothes in my mouth, and head toward the lush green woods.
Whatever Sam is really up to, it's not about finding his destined mate, I think, as we disappear into the forest. And something tells me we're going to find out exactly what his real agenda is sooner than I'd like.