Mated For Life (Book 1 of the Mates Series)

Egan Mate! I scream through the mind-link as I run through the woods. My silvery fur glints as I weave my way through the trees. Her scent fills my nostrils as I track her and the bastards that took her from me; my eyes blurry with tears of rage and sorrow. Her scent becomes stronger as I close in on them. Then I see her, lying limply on the ground, blood matting her beautiful golden hair. She looks up. Her ice-blue eyes lock with mine just as the knife is dragged across her throat. NO! I scream watching her lifeless body drop to the ground. ~ I wake in a cold sweat, breathing heavily as my eyes scan the room. On either side of the king-size bed, there are matching antique bedside tables. On the left table, there is a small lamp. The right side table is littered with books both old and new. A couple of feet more to the left is the door to my bathroom. Just past that on the wall is a photo of my family and me. My eyes linger on the photo trying to calm myself. Continuing to scan, my eyes land on the door to my walk-in closet. Across from my bed on the wall is a mounted TV. Under the TV there is a TV stand with a game console and my games are scattered across it. On either side are doors to the balcony. Continuing to the right wall there is a fridge to the right of a countertop with cabinets cluttered with old plates from the past week. On the wall, there is a knife display case with rare decorative knives. At the foot of my bed is a small L-shaped couch facing the TV. Behind the couch is a small coffee table cluttered with drinks, and clothing. In the bathroom, there is a clawfoot tub separate from the shower. Along with a double vanity and a separate area for the toilet. The walk-in closet was huge, I only used about a quarter of it. I check the time on my phone; 4:30 a.m. I slowly make my way out of bed to the adjoining bathroom washing my face to try and forget all about my dream. Was that a memory? I ask myself, shaking my head. No, I haven’t even found my mate yet. It has to just be a horrible dream. I turn on the shower and let the water warm up, stripping and stepping under the rushing warm water. I let it run over me in an attempt to wash away the dream. After a while I step out of the shower, getting dressed for the meeting that my father wants me to attend. Being the Alpha’s son and future Alpha of the pack is a lot of responsibility. I dash downstairs still adjusting my sleek black shirt and head to the kitchen. When I enter the kitchen, my mom greets me while making breakfast. This is odd due to most of the pack training at this time, even the Omegas who run the kitchen. I’d normally be the one to lead the training drills however today is the exception as the meeting takes place during that time. I give her a smile and approach. My mom is about 4 inches shorter than me and I’m pushing 6 foot 3. She has an athletic build with a slim frame and her fiery red hair is short and curly coming down to her chin. She looks up at me with her big crystal blue eyes and gives me a loving smile. “Breakfast will be ready in a bit if you want to wait. I can bring your plate to the study if you want” she explains knowing that's my favorite spot. “Thanks, mom. I will be waiting in the study then” I reply leaving the room and heading down the hall to the study. The study is a big room with floor-to-ceiling shelves of books on three of the four walls. It has an old mahogany desk that was passed down from Alpha to Alpha of the Blood Moon pack. Two leather seats are positioned around a small wooden coffee table with wolves hand-carved into the sides. I walk over to the far wall and gaze at the titles as I run my hand along some of the spines of the old leather books. I pick one at random and sit in one of the leather chairs. Soon after starting to read the book, my mom walks in with a plate piled high with food. “Thanks,” I murmur as I glance up. “You are very welcome sweety,” she replies and exits. I finish my breakfast while reading my book. My father walks in around 5:30 a.m. with a plate piled high with food. He takes his seat at the mahogany desk and sorts through the papers that are stacked on it. “Egan, you are joining me in the meeting today. Correct?” My father ponders before taking a bite of pancake. “Yes, Alpha” I respond, using the title as a sign of respect even though there is no one else around. “Alpha Sarafian and his family will be staying with us while visiting. Their daughter, Aaliyah, will be turning 18 in a few days. You probably don’t remember her, but you two used to play together.” He tells me. I watch him as he talks. “Alpha, is this visit to see if her mate is within our pack?” I question. “Not just that, Egan. You will find out more when the meeting begins.” “When will the meeting begin?” “Soon Egan, very soon. Go put on a blazer before they arrive please.” “Yes Alpha,” I reply before taking my leave from the study and going upstairs to finish getting ready. When I’m done, I walk down the stairs just as the cars of our guests pull up. I mind-link my father letting him know that Alpha Sarafian and his family have arrived. He walks out of the study calling for my mom to come and greet the visiting Alpha, Luna, and their daughter. After the guests were announced and out of the car, I was announced. I walked out of the house and halfway down the stairs. After I stop, my parents are announced. “Welcome, Alpha Sarafian, we appreciate you coming out here. This is my Beta, James Davis. If you need anything at all, please let him know.” My father tells them. While my father was talking with them I got my first good look at the visiting Alpha and his family. Alpha Sarafian is about 38 years old with ash blonde hair and piercing gunmetal blue eyes. He is a stocky man with stubble across his jaw. He is about 6 foot 2 or so and holds himself confidently as he talks with my father with a faint English accent. Alpha Sarafian’s mate, Luna Elsie, is much smaller than him. She is about 5 foot 5. Her long blonde hair reaches her hips. Her slim frame appears fragile however, I would bet that she could hold her own in a fight. Many have heard of Luna Elsie from before she was Luna of the Silver Moon Pack. Previously, she was a warrior’s child in the Eclipse Pack. She appears meek and small, and anyone who came across her thought that she would not last a minute in a fight. They soon found out that she was a ruthless wolf who would kill anyone who wronged her, even if they were in the same pack. Her sapphire blue eyes make contact with mine and she smiles sweetly at me with gleaming eyes. I return her smile and admire her and Alpha Sarafian’s daughter. Aaliyah is the utmost beautiful girl I have ever seen. Her hair like liquid gold was long and soft. She was slim and athletic, as well as tall, about 6 feet I think. She has these pink lips parted slightly as she pays attention to our father's conversation. Her skin is the color of ivory, her cheeks a rosy pink. She has a small crescent moon birthmark under her right eye. Her head is held high and her eyes an ice blue that I could get lost in forever. When our eyes met, I can’t help but stare at them. “Egan, you will show Aaliyah around the pack territory after the meeting.” My father tells me before leading us up to the packhouse. “Yes, Alpha,” I reply dazedly following behind him. We walk into the packhouse and towards the conference room. As we enter, my father takes his place at the head of the table, me on his left-hand side. Beta Davis sat on my father’s right. My mother took Luna Elsie to the dining room to have some tea and chat. Alpha Sarafian and his beta join us and take a seat at the other end. His daughter joined us to my surprise and sat on her father’s left side. The meeting consisted of both Alphas making a treaty and discussing what it entails. So far the Alphas have agreed that the borders between the two packs would be open, and they would set trade routes in place. They also agreed to share their warriors. As the meeting comes to an end all parties present, including Aaliyah and I, sign the treaty. After the signing, we exit the conference room and head toward the dining room. Mom and Luna Elsie made the Pack dinner with the help of some of the Omegas, and we join them just as they are about to set the table. “Egan, can you help us set the table?” my mom asks. “Yes Luna,” I reply as I grab some plates and silverware. I set the table as requested by my mom and sit down in my usual spot next to her. My father is at the head of the table with Mom on his right and the rest of the pack filling in. Our guests sit on my father’s left side where Beta Davis and his family usually sat. We make polite conversation. The Beta’s son, Liam, sits next to me as we chat about the plans for tomorrow’s training. Since I am going to be the Alpha, my father put me in charge of training exercises. I also take lessons on the Alpha’s duty. “Training will start at 5 am. It will start with a 5-mile jog, then agility training.” I tell him. “Yes sir,” Liam says. Liam may address me like his superior when talking about work and the pack, but he knows he is my closest friend. He understands that if it’s about business, he must address me with respect. If he doesn’t, the Alpha will punish him. I nod to him and listen in on everyone else’s conversation. Casually speaking to him every once in a while. All of a sudden one of the warrior's mind-links my father and I. Alphas, there are rogues entering our territory. How many? I mind-link back. Too many for us to handle, send backup. We already have two injured. I’m on my way with backup. I look at my father and he nods. “Liam, Oliver, Noah, come with me,” I tell them as I walk out the back door and take my shirt off. I shift into my large silvery grey wolf, my sea-green eyes carrying over to wolf form. I run with my pack members on my heels. We ran to where the warrior told me the rogues were. As we arrive I see a multitude of rogues entering our pack. I growl lowly, warning the intruders to leave. They growl back standing their ground. Leave no survivors. I mind-link the others. After that, we attack. I leap to one side as the leader, a brown wolf that is much smaller than me, bites at my neck. When I land I lunge at his throat and clamp down on his jugular. With a swift twist, I break his neck and move on to the next one. Rogue after rogue is killed. By the time we are done, about fifteen or so bodies are lying around us. Liam’s dark brown wolf limped toward me, his muzzle dripping blood. Oliver and Noah’s blonde wolves had gashes on their hinds, and their muzzles stained. Egan, come home. Bring the wounded, I have sent others to take their place. My father mind-links me. Yes, Alpha. I link back. I tell Noah, Oliver, and Liam to help me take the wounded back to the pack house. I put one of the wounded on my back and ran toward the pack house. I make sure that he is not falling off, or getting hurt more. As I near the house, I howl to let the others know that we are near. My father, along with the pack doctor, meet us outside. I set the warrior down and back away. Aaliyah came out of the door after I had backed away and gasps when she sees my blood-stained muzzle and fur. For some reason, her reaction hurts me. I grimace and focus my gaze on my father. He nods to me and I walk behind a tree. After finding a pair of shorts, one of many that were stashed throughout our lands. I shift back to human form and put the shorts on. Everyone who was outside was no longer there. I walk back to the pack house, up to my room, and straight into the bathroom. Showering to get the blood and dirt off my skin. Once clean, I leave the shower and dry off. I get out of the bathroom and dress. I go down the stairs and walk to the medical bay. My father was waiting outside. “You did good, Egan. You will take over the pack next year if find your mate. You no longer have to take lessons, but will be taking on more of the Alpha’s duties. I will be around to help if you need it.” he says. “Yes Alpha,” I reply. “How are the others?” “They are fine, thanks to you. Get some rest.” I nod and walk back up to my room. I lay down after taking off my shirt and closing my eyes awaiting sleep. I am almost asleep when I hear a light knock on my bedroom door. “Yes?” I ask the person who knocked while still lying in bed. “Egan? It’s Aaliyah, can I come in?” she asks as her soft voice flits through the cracks of the door. “Come in,” I answer as I sit on my bed. Aaliyah walks into my room. She gasps and turns around after noticing what I am wearing, or lack thereof. I smile wryly and grab the shirt I threw on the floor next to my bed. “Better?” I ask, encouraging her to turn around. “Yes, thank you.” She replies after seeing I put my shirt back on. “What do you need?” I ask her tiredly. There is a slight breeze that comes in from my open bedroom door. Her scent was a mix of roses and jasmine. “Well, I was wondering if you had found your mate yet…” she trails off. “No, I have not. That’s the reason I am not Alpha of the pack yet,” I answer abruptly. “Oh? Do you know how it feels?” “No, no one I know has found their mates, but I believe that I would know it once I felt it. Why do you ask?” “I turn 18 the day after tomorrow.” “I see, are you expecting to find your mate that day?” “Yes, I just hope that I know the person or like the person a little,” her cheeks flush. She looks so cute when that happens. I think. Wait, what am I thinking? “Is this why you came?” “No, that’s not just it. I was wondering if you remembered me. It’s been a few years, but…” She trails off again. “Yes Aaliyah, I remember you. You have grown into a lovely young lady, but I think it is time to retire for the night. Will you be joining us for training tomorrow morning?” “Yes. Would you mind showing me to the training fields?” “I can do that. I will meet you downstairs in the dining room tomorrow at 4:30 a.m. We will eat breakfast and then head to the training fields at 4:55 a.m. Okay?” “Yes. Goodnight Egan.” “Goodnight.” After I say that she leaves my room and shuts the door. I lay back down. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I fall asleep.