"Surprise!" Everyone yelled as we walked to the pack house backyard. Most of the pack stood there except the guards that were on patrol and some other who couldn't make it.
Sam smiled at the pack shyly hiding slightly behind me. "Sam, baby come on let's go greet some of the pack." I coaxed him out from behind me.
We went around the people thanking them while Sam still stayed slightly behind me. I decided we had greeted enough people and let Sam head over to the group of kids form the daycare.
They began to chase each other laughing and shouting. I felt a hand on my shoulder drawing my attention to Thomas who stood behind me.
"Alpha." He bowed greeting me with a serious expression. I was instantly on alert. Was there rouges or trouble?
"What is it, Thomas?" I asked on guard ready to attack.
"It's about Zeiden." He mumbled and instantly I tried to reach out to him for any injuries through the mate bond. I saw him a few meters away with Mason and Kyle but there was no danger. "It's not about the rouges." He confirmed sensing my distress.
"What about him?" I asked confused.
"It's just that he has been asking non stop about everything." He informed me and I sighed. I knew that he wouldn't let go of it that quickly but still. "Alpha don't you think is better to just tell him everything." I turned to Thomas unsure if that was the best choice. "He is your mate. And mares are supposed to rely on each other. Rue all these years all of us have been waiting for your mate. We have seen how much pain you carry and we hoped that when you meet your mate you would be able to at least share some of it with him. That you would finally rely on someone instead of shutting yourself away from everyone." I turned away feeling my wolf agree with him.
"Thomas-'' I began about to object but was cut of by him.
"No Ruedan," I winced at the sound of my full name. No matter how much I heard it it was still weird. He continued, "I have stood by you your whole life and as your friend and beta I have the right to tell you this for your own good at least once. I have seen you at your worse and have seen how you did the impossible for the pack, for Sam, for all of us. You deserve happiness and I have seen how Zeiden is slowly breathing the life back into you. For the first time in years I have seen you laugh again and you smile a lot more. So I am saying this and I really hope you listen to me. Tell him. Ruedan for gods sake tell him! He will find out and I think it's better if you tell him." I frown considering it. Thomas sighed, "fine at least just try." He whispered turning around, walking away.
I turned back to look at Zeiden who looked at Sam's direction deep in thought. Would it be better if I told him? What good would it even do? Maybe he would be more on guard and understand my action if he knew I am trying to protect him? But what if he didn't want any of this? What if he tries to run away because he doesn't want this?
Even through all these thoughts there was one that shouted louder than all other. One that I haven't been able to shake off since I meet him. What if he is afraid of what I can do?
When he finds out of what I did what if he fears me? I saw how afraid he was when he saw me fight. What about when he finds out I killed my own family. And if it's too much for him?
I walked back into the pack house heading for my room. I needed to get away from all the noise. I noticed that a few of the people turned my way as I left. Away from all the eyes too. I added as an afterthought.
As I got to my room I noticed the small aching headache that was beginning to form. Again ugh!
I walked over to my bedside table opening the second drawer where my pills where. Ugh water.
I turned about to go down to the kitchen to get a glass of water when I saw Zeiden standing at the door. I brought down my hand that was rubbing my temple trying to relief some pain.
"Zeiden what are you doing up here?" I asked wincing at the sound of my voice that seemed to intensify.
"Are you okay?" He asked concerned. I nodded slowly needing to pass the pill to hopefully stop the migraine before it started.
"Yeah umm it's just the migraines. Can you wait here? I was just going to get some water." I said heading for the door.
"I can go get it." He offered softly.
"No it okay." I said reaching the door to feel my head pound harder. I let out a small whimper of pain stumbling forward slightly. Zeiden immediately reached forward grabbing my arm to stop me from falling against the wall. I felt the tingles from contact shoot up my arm numbing my headache for a little bit.
I moaned softly from the cold pricks that shot up my back as Zeiden wrapped an arm around my waist. "Zeiden?" I breathed out feeling his body warmth pressed behind me.
"I got you." He whispered slipping his arms under my legs carrying me bride style. I felt him walk then lay me against my bed. He stood about to walk away but I gripped his wrist.
"Where are you going?" I asked in a guttural voice blinking my eyes feeling the sun light from the windows starting to hurt my eyes.
"To get you water." He said looking down at me the glancing at the windows. He walked over to them closing them with the thick dark blue curtains I got specially for when this happens. "I will be quick." He said walking out the door.
I let out a sound that was half groan half moan feeling my head pound harder than ever now that my mate wasn't here. I rolled over pulling the blankets over my head. A few minutes after I heard the door squeak open. I groaned at the sound feeling my ears ring at the sound.
I heard it shut softly but still the ringing in my ear wouldn't stop. I heard a soft worried smooth voice call out my name. "Rue?" I could feel the cold shiver run up my back at the sound of his voice.
"Alpha?" He calles know more formal. I frowned not liking the title he called me. I wanted to hear my name on his lips. I turned to him my eyes adjusted to the dark but still hurting. I could see him standing a few inches away from the bed holding a glass in one hand and the other extended in front of him.
I groaned feeling my body ache as I pushed myself up to a siting position on the side of the bed. I grabbed his wrist pulling him forward grabbing the glass out of his hand and placing it on the bedside table. I pulled him down on the bed enjoying the feeling of the cold refreshing shivers he sent up my spine at his touch and the tingles over my heart. He fell over not expecting it.
"That day in my office you also called me alpha. Don't get me wrong it sounds hot as hell in that sexy voice of yours but I rather Rue." I whispered beside his ear nibbling in it gently. I could feel him freeze below me moaning. I smiled turning to the bedside to take the pill with the water he brought.
He was still frozen in place when I turned around. I pulled him up next to me as I laid back down on the pillows. I pulled the covers over us. "Rue-'' He began to argue but I interrupted.
"Just until I fall asleep, please." I whispered feeling the pounding subside to a small headache. I placed my nose in his neck gulping in his scent feeling my myself instantly smooth falling closer into a sleep.
I was about to let go of my consciousness when I felt something cold being placed on my forehead. I opened my eye trying to blink back the sleep. "What's that?" I was able to mutter in a sleepy voice.
"Thomas said to place this on your forehead to help with the headache." His smoothing voice made it hard to process his words. I was to focused on the feeing of his voice making his chest vibrate under me that it took me a few second to realize what he said.
"You spoke to Thomas?" I asked yawning at the end. Mostly just to get him to talk.
"Yeah. Downstairs while I was getting the water. I told him about your migraine and he just smiled and told me to place an ice pack on your head. He also said he would take care....," That was as far as I got before I was pulled under the blanket of sleep taking in the rich fresh rain and peppermint filling my mind like a fog.
***
I woke up to the the soft smoothing sound of Zeiden's small snoring. He had an arm around my waist pressing me against him and I had a leg over his waist practically on top of him. My head was still in the pressed against his neck breathing in his scent the whole night.
I could hear the faintest sound of overlapping voices down stairs. I wonder what was happening. Then I noticed how someone was trying to reach me through mind link.
I opened access to hear Thomas's voice fill my head. Alpha, Kyle called to tell us that he found some rouges just outside our border. He sent some men to bring him and is a few minutes away. He is bringing the rouges over.
Get a cell ready. I will be down in a few minutes. When they gets here watch them Thomas. Keep an eye on them. I linked back.
I looked back at Zeiden. I traced over the tiny crest between his brows making it draw back. He was probably having the same dream again.
I dragged myself away from him and into a shower to shake of the sleep that still followed me. I forgot the last time I slept that good. It was going to be a long day. I did my morning routines changing into a black shirt, some black leggings, and black tennis shoes. Why all black? Well we won't be able to get any info without being rough will we? And I am getting answers before I leave that room one way or another. I have had enough with feeling useless to Brandon's plan.
I walked out of the bathroom still drying my hair when I spotted Zeiden sitting up on the edge of the bed. The curtains were now open letting in the bit of sun in this cloudy day.
"Morning." I said throwing the towel into the laundry bin.
"Where are you going?" He asked in a husky rough throaty morning voice. I froze feeing the shiver run though my whole body this time. What the hell is wrong with me? I seem to be getting more horny every day.
I shook my head trying to shake off the dirty thoughts. "I have some pack business I have to deal with. I might be home late today." I said vaguely. I heard him sigh disappointed but he hummed telling me he heard.
"Zeiden." I called him. "It's been weeks and we need to initiate you into the pack. I was thinking sometime this week. Thomas will inform you of everything that you need to know." I told him. I would invite some of our allies alpha's and join men to set up a stronger defense during that day. Hopefully this meeting with the rouge won't change my plans.
My pack does need to have Zeiden initiated so they can have a stronger connections to him. That way they would also be able to protect him which they would still do if the problem would arise but the initiation will make it stronger.
"Initiation?" He asked confused.
"Umm yeah it is just a ceremony that will connect you to our pack. It will also recognize you as the alpha of our pack so other packs will be able to identify you as one of us." I informed him. "Thomas will explain more later. But I have to go, see you later." I said kissing him on the forehead feeling my lips tingle and the contact of his skin.
I turned and walked out the door urgently, downstairs.
***
"They found five rouges but had to kill the others. This one was knocked out and thought dead they almost missed him. Lucky alpha Kyle order his men to double check and they found him alive. And the other one was sedated before he could escape or injure himself but he is in a really bad condition." Mason informed me as we walked over to the underground cells we held rouges in. Thomas did as ordered and was watching over the rouges.
"Bring me the second one first. Let's see how much he can hold out." I said coldly walking down the rows of mostly empty cells with very few rouges.
"Yes alpha." Mason answered next to me mind linking the others. I walking into the interrogation/torture room.
I rather not use any tools and thought my wolf would be more than enough to get him to talk. I waited a few seconds before Thomas walked in holding a struggling bloody rouge. He seemed to be around his early thirties and he had dark brown hair. His brown eyes emotionless as he growled at Thomas.
Thomas walked him over to the metal chair that was washed in wolf-bane. I heard his muffled screams as he tried to hide the burning of his skin at contact with the chair. "Get off of me you mutt. You are going to pay for this. All of you are." He growled at Thomas who turned to me for directions.
That's when the rouges noticed someone else was in the room he sniffed trying to find out who since I stood in the shadows. I started blankly at the rouge stepping out of the shadows.
It surprised me to see how he tensed suddenly afraid. I studied how he lowered his gaze slightly almost in respect. Interesting.
I turned to Thomas nodded towards the door dismissing him. He hesitated before walking out the door shutting it behind him. I slowly turned to the rouge taking my time.
I now saw that he had a old shirt and raged pants bare feet. Kyle must have clothed them before sending them. I saw that blood was soaking through his shirt mostly on the left side steeping to his jeans. His arms were clawed and his legs were also bloody.
"This is how it's going to go. I will ask questions and you will answer them. You will not leave this room alive but you get to decide how painful your death will be." I stated in a cold and hard voice.
I saw him gulp in fear as if he knew I wasn't lying. "First you know about me don't you? How?" I asked. When he didn't answer I raised my brow as if daring him to not answer.
"Th-That d-day wh-when you k-killed o-our le-leader. Th-the fam-famous challenge day. M-most of us have h-he-heard of it. B-but I s-saw it." He stuttered over his words. Umm. Okay.
I walked around him thinking. That day there was a lot of rouges. "Who is your leader?" I asked it was a simple question but I wanted to confirm I was right.
"Al-alpha Bran-Brandon." He stuttered his hand shaking. I gritted my teeth at just his name remembering that thousand scars I got from him. How he controlled me.
"What's his plan?" I asked in a collected voice. I turned to him but he just avoided my gaze debating something. "What's his plan?" I growled when he didn't answer.
"I-I I ca-can't." He stuttered sweat collecting on his forehead. I snarled at him flashing my eyes into a flaming blue. I could feel my wolf and the fire wake at his disobedience.
He immediately started to shake at the sight of my eyes. "H-he w-will k-kill m-my m-mate." His voice shook.
"Tell me!" I snapped feeling the fire rise and made no move to press it down. I moved over to him pressing against his side feeing the blood immediately start to bleed again. He howled in pain his wolf beginning to come out. But it was held back by the wolf-ban on the chair.
"Mat-mate." He choked out breathing heavy. I stepped back letting him explain further my hand bloody with his blood. "Yo-Your m-mate. H-he is go-going t-to u-use your mate." He trembled. I could feel my wolf raging inside hearing about someone going to hurt our mate.
I could feel my shoulder burn anger and fear mixing together. My emotions where to strong and were taking over. I could feel my eyes full turn blue then back to their original green rapidly and consistently.
I huffed trying to take in breathes to calm down but couldn't. My wolf fought wanting to rip the rouge apart. And with that thought I lost control. I was swept under the cloud of huger for bloodlust once again. Just like that I lost control, lost.
I shifted clawing at the man in front of me. I ripped his arm away then went for his throat. I was about to jump at him again when I heard the door open. I quickly made a run for it knocking over the man that opened the door. I speeded passed all the men wanting to find the sun and the trees.
The men seemed too surprised to even try to stop me. I couldn't recognize anyone or anything. Cell after cell until finally I seemed to find stairs that lead up. I broke through the door and out into the air.
I looked around finding two guards by the door. I growled at them but they only bowed staying in place. I ignored them when they wouldn't move trying to spot the woods to see them a few feet away. I ran to them hearing a muffed sound of yelling come after me.