Love & Mate

Chapter Four

Alpha Kade’s POV 

8 HOURS EARLIER 

“Twelve females missing?” I ask again looking back at my Beta Logan and my brothers Roman and Jack in disbelief. 

“Yeah, just got the call there. Goldclaw lost twelve, eight were taken at Crescent Moon and Forest wells are missing ten.” Logan answers back seriously, taking a seat across from me. 

“s**t. I don’t think I’ve even heard of rogue attacks as bad as this before. They must have someone in charge, someone running the show.” I comment, leaning back into my chair. 

“What should we do Alpha?” Logan enquires as they all wait for my take on the matter. 

“Goldclaw is not far from here. There’s a possibility we could be next. I don’t know if we will have the numbers to defend our borders the way I’d like. We might need more men. Civilians may need to join the ranks. Just until the danger has passed.” 

“The civilians have only had basic training though Kade they might not be up to the job.” my brother Jack adds. 

“We don’t really have a choice. Well apart from approaching another pack for help which I doubt any of them will be able to provide if they are defending their own territory.” I answer matter of factly. 

“The only pack with large enough warrior numbers is Blackstone-“ Logan starts before I cut him off completely. 

“Forget it. I’d rather f*****g claw my own eyes out than ask those assholes for help. It’s off the table.” I snap in return as Jack nods in agreement. 

“Okay Alpha. What are your orders?” Logan asks dutifully, standing up from his chair in preparation. 

“Gather the able bodied men and warriors immediately. I’ll have to brief them on the situation then we will have to rethink our patrols.” I reply decisively as he leaves quickly to carry out his orders. 

Jack and Roman both take the empty chairs across from me and look at me intently. 

“We can’t ask Blackstone for help Kade. Father and Grandfather would turn in their graves.” Roman says with spite in his voice. 

“I’m well aware, there’s no way I would betray their memory like that.” I answer abruptly, picking up my pen to finish off a piece of paper work. 

“You both head on down to the training field, I’ll be down in a minute.” 

“We’ll see you down there.” Jack responses before leaving me in peace. 

I toss the pen down and run my hand through my hair, thinking over the different issues that will have to be addressed straight away. 

It has taken me six years of blood, sweat and tears to get this pack back on its feet again and heading back towards its former glory. A rogue attack could spoil f*****g everything right now. Our warrior numbers are growing but we can’t afford to lose any and the thought of my pack members being kidnapped right under my nose leaves me sick to my f*****g stomach. 

Goddess I better come up with some ideas and I better do it quickly. 

After addressing my pack and explaining the situation, I proceed to remind them of pack protocols in the event of an attack. When I am sure that everyone is aware of their roles, I leave my Beta to split up the crowd into sections for training. I need to see the fighting ability of each individual and make a decision as to where they would be best placed to defend the territory. As I watch Logan go through countless drills and my brothers put everyone through their paces thoroughly, I make plans as to how to secure the boundary. 

Suddenly, I hear my name being called out from behind me and turn to see my cousin Orla approaching. 

“Kade! I’ve arranged for the bunker to be stocked like you asked. It’s pretty much ready to go.” she explains as I put down the pad and pen. 

“Good, thanks for that. What would I do without you Orla?” I answer in return, casting my eye back over the training field. 

“Kade… there was another thing. I’ve never told you this before because I didn’t want you to freak out… you promise that you won’t?” she asks, her eyes looking at me worriedly. 

“Orla what are you talking about? Just tell me.” I answer impatiently, watching her shuffle around nervously. 

“Well since starting college last year I became friends with a girl called Charlotte.” 

“And? What the hell has that got to do with anything?” 

“Her mate Tom… he’s the Beta at Blackstone” she replies sheepishly. 

“f**k sake Orla… I told you no one from this pack will have anything to do with those snakes. Why are you telling me this now?” I ask in annoyance, her revelation souring my mood for the day even further. 

“I spoke to her yesterday and she said that Blackstone has called a meeting of the Alphas. Every Alpha in the state will be attending. I just thought you ought to know.” she shrugs, smiling at me apologetically. 

I run my hand over my forehead and nod in response. 

“Okay fine thanks for telling me… oh and Orla…Don’t say anything about this pack to your friend. I don’t need anyone from there knowing our business.” I command sternly. 

She puts her fingers to her lips and makes a zipping motion before turning to head back to the pack house. 

Fucking hell a meeting of all the Alphas. This sort of thing happens rarely and I’ll be damned if I’m going to miss it because it is being hosted at that s**t hole. I gesture for Jack, Roman and Logan to come over and explain to them the predicament that we are now in. 

“They didn’t invite us? We are one of their closest neighbours. It’s a f*****g joke! Where is the respect?” Roman spits out. 

“I’m not surprised to be honest. It’s the daughter that’s in charge now, Annie is it? The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. She’s probably just as sneaky and underhanded as her damn parents.” Jack adds, shaking his head in disgust. 

“What are we going to do then?” Logan asks, looking between us. 

I consider my options for a moment. On the one hand the thought of going to Blackstone and associating with their pack in any kind of way makes my skin crawl but on the other I know that we need to be part of what is happening at that meeting. My duty first and foremost is to keep this pack safe, if that means I have to put my personal feelings aside then so be it. 

“We are going to gatecrash. Logan you stay here and continue to prepare. Jack and Roman you’re with me.” I state, before making my way back to the pack house to get ready to leave. 

*** 

After arguing with a group of warriors at the boundary we are eventually let through to join the meeting under the condition that I take a maximum of two of my men with me. I stride into the pack house, Jack and Roman at my back and look around for any signs of where the meeting might be taking place. My ears pick up the faint sound of a female voice coming from upstairs and instantly my wolf is raring to go, his energy ready to burst though at any given moment. 

“Max you have to calm the f**k down. I’ve got this.” I encourage him in my attempts to regain my full composure before I enter this room full of Alphas. 

I take the stairs two at a time and follow the sound of her voice down the corridor my pace getting faster as I near closer to the door. 

When I open it, the intoxicating aroma of jasmine and vanilla hits me like a ton of bricks. I scan the room quickly and my eyes find her standing up front, her eyes looking back at mine in surprise. Her long dark hair is falling in gentle waves at either side of her shoulders, her eyes a dark shade of chocolate brown.

“Go to mate. Claim our mate!” Max pleads as I mentally shove him to the back of my consciousness. 

I walk towards her, letting my eyes look over her body which is clad in a professional looking fitted red dress. 

Annie Blackwood of all people. The Moon Goddess better be f*****g joking. 

Annie’s POV 

….

“Alright… my name is Kade Knight, Alpha of Moonstone pack. But I guess you could just call me Mate.” he answers, rubbing his stubbled chin with his fingers. 

I stare back at him venomously as the sound of gasps and muffled whispers circulate the room. How dare he speak to me like this. To call out private business in front of a room full of people. If this is how my so called mate wishes to introduce himself to both me and my pack then he can crawl back to wherever the hell he came from. Suddenly Tom’s voice fills my head as he speaks to me privately through the mind link. 

“Annie… are you alright do you need me to-“ 

“No Tom. I’ve got this.” I answer quickly in return. 

“No. Alpha Kade is completely fine.” I snap back in his direction as his two warriors take a seat either side of him. Each of them looking at me with contempt. 

“As I was saying… we must pull our resources in order to find the missing pack members. We find them, we find the rogue wolves and put them down before they can cause anymore damage.” I state with confidence. 

I take a large map from the table and smooth it out across the wall, placing a pin in either end to hold it in place. 

“Now… so far the attacks have taken place in these three territories. So far I have ordered trackers to search these particular spots. Next we-“ 

“Wrong.” his gruff voice states matter of factly as I turn to look at him. 

“Excuse me?” I answer back with indignation. 

“That’s not the area you should be focussing your search.” he shrugs before hoisting himself up from his chair and striding over to stand by me. 

His body stands right beside mine as he reaches over and traces his finger over the map. His brows knitted together in concentration. The closeness of our bodies causes every nerve ending to stand to attention, without warning his breath hits my shoulder gently and a shiver runs through my entire body. I quickly take a step away from him and gulp down the gasp that threatens to leave my lips. 

“You should in fact be searching this area.” he finally says, drawing an invisible circle on the map with his finger. 

“I don’t agree.” I answer back immediately, staring back at him defiantly. 

“I don’t really give a s**t if you agree with me or not but it’s the facts.” he retorts, stepping towards me, closing the distance between us. 

I stare into his stormy grey eyes, that appear to be filled with nothing but loathing. 

“The mountains you have identified would not sustain a large pack of rogue wolves. There isn’t enough sources of food or shelter.” I answer back clearly, standing my ground against his abrasive attitude. 

“If they are well organised and prepared they could easily be hiding there. The terrain is the perfect place to stay hidden.” he counters forcefully. 

“Well when we have exhausted the routes I have planned then we will look to the mountains next.” 

“It could be too f*****g late by then!” he snaps, pointing furiously back at the map. 

Instantly Liam jumps to his feet from the other side of the room, his chest heaving with rage. 

“Don’t speak to her like that. Show some respect!” he calls out angrily. 

Alpha Kade barely spares him a glance as he shoots his hand out in Liam’s direction. 

“That’s enough from you, pup. I’m sure the famous Annie Blackwood can fight her own battles.” he seethes, staring at me with hatred in his eyes. 

“What’s your f*****g problem with me huh? Is there an issue you’d like to discuss with the room? Please share. I’m sure we would all like to know why you are such an asshole.” I say sharply. 

He doesn’t answer and instead just flicks his eyes over the the two men he arrived with. 

“There’s a lot of things I’d like to say. However, let’s stick to the matter at hand shall we?” 

“Yes… let’s.” I grit out between my teeth before turning back to face the map. 

I can’t deny that the asshole has a point those particular mountains could take weeks to search. Their vastness offering a wealth of hiding places. 

“I’ll put a unit on the mountains. Josh can you spare any warriors to do the same?” I ask turning back to look for his answer. 

“I could spare four but I’d say you need more than that.” he answers back, his eyes scanning over Alpha Kade with silent distain. 

“I’ll provide another four to join them.” Alpha Kade answers, returning Josh’s look with matching intensity. 

He then walks back to his seat and positions himself between the two men. It is only then that I realise how all three of them look alike, their similar features suddenly becoming obvious. 

I push away my fury and continue to lead the meeting authoritatively. Each Alpha pledges warriors to help with the search and we spend time mapping out each route. 

“I also think that all Alphas should rotate and become part of the tracking teams. As you well know our senses give us an advantage which could be the difference between finding the girls or not. Of course if you are not in a position to leave your pack in the care of your Beta then this is understandable.” I add hastily, offering a small sympathetic smile to Liam who lost his Beta only days ago. 

Alpha Kade clears his throat loudly and commands the attention in the room. 

“Do we have any leads on who is orchestrating the attacks? It would take a great deal for rogues to break down strong defences like they have done.” he asks, looking around the room for answers. 

His question is met with silence as everyone looks at each other quietly. 

“Okay, I don’t wish to keep you all any longer I’m sure you all have security matters to attend to. Please arrange your warriors for the searches as discussed. As always Blackstone will be ready to assist anyone in distress if need be.” I finish before a loud scoff distracts me from my speech. 

I turn my head quickly to see one of Alpha Kade’s men, shaking his head in apparent disbelief, a look of disgust on his face. 

At that point, my blood boils with their disrespect and I cannot wait for the room to empty so that I can tell them exactly where to go. 

“You can’t do that Annie. He’s our mate!” Thea pleads with me as she registers my anger and my feelings for this rude asshole and his grumpy ass brothers. 

I dismiss the room and as suspected Alpha Kade remains in his seat, watching me with intensity. I ignore his stares as I address each Alpha in turn as they are leaving. Josh is the last to leave and he swiftly pulls me aside leading me off to the corner of the room, his hand on the small of my back. 

“Annie… I don’t know what to say to you. Are you alright?” he asks genuinely, a look of concern in his eyes. 

I nod my head confidently and hold myself with pride. 

“I’m fine Josh. It is what it is. I’ll sort this.” I answer with conviction. 

He nods carefully and throws one last distasteful look in Alpha Kade’s direction before he leaves the room. 

I walk back over to face Alpha Kade and his men, Tom and Nate still stuck closely by my side. 

“So would you care to tell me what that was all about?” I ask bitterly, leaning my hands on the back of the chair. 

Suddenly one of the men shoots up from his seat abruptly and points his finger in my direction. 

“Would you care to explain why Moonstone, one of the closest neighbours to these attacks was not invited to your little get together?” he spits out, his eyes wild. 

“SIT YOUR ASS DOWN OR ILL PUT YOU DOWN!” Nate fumes, making a move to attack. 

The angry asshole responds similarly, the tension in the room reaching boiling point. 

“STOP.” Alpha Kade calls out sternly. “All of you out…Annie and I have matters we must discuss.” 

Nate shakes his head and stands his ground stubbornly. 

“Not a chance!” he spits out defensively as Alpha Kade looks at him with a taunting smirk. 

“Nate. It’s fine.” I answer calmly, signalling him with my eyes that I don’t need his back up for this. 

After a few moments he nods and the room empties leaving my mate and I in deafening silence.