Raised By The Wolves

Chapter Four

***Hera’s POV***   

 It’s been about a year and a half since we've taken over the pack and have made it thrive into what it is now. Our security company MoonGlow Security has become the leading security company in the United States. We are hoping that in the next two years we can become global. Most of the packs have acquired us for our security setups.

Some Alphas have even asked to hire our bodyguards too for long trips so they don’t have to take their pack members away from their families. They are pretty shocked sometimes when it’s mostly rogue wolves that come to escort them. But our employees are extremely professional and trained by Rhett. Who has seriously become a huge asset. 

He actually took over training all the warriors so Bethany and Juan can focus on the business. Calli has been focusing on all in pack matters and bringing me all the issues that can’t be resolved through her. Which usually isn’t much. She handles things well. We just had an outside human company come in and build a beautiful and up to date hospital on pack grounds. When they asked us if we were some sort of compound I just laughed. I told them we were our own little town, and I was the mayor. No cults or compounds. Our people are free to leave whenever they like.  They laughed thinking of themselves silly for thinking anything crazy like that. 

All of the pack members that were traumatized have been treated for the things they went through. They are constantly seeing one of the best wolf therapists.   With everything going so good within our pack, we have gotten a lot of attention from other packs. 

I have been into four fights for my Alpha title. Three of them were rivals to begin with. They thought a young woman shouldn’t be allowed to lead a pack. That I wasn’t qualified for the position. Once they got their a*ses handed it to them,  but they didn’t say much. We didn’t do Alpha Challenges to the death. I felt it wasn’t right to take over their packs when mine would be too far away to run them. So, I would pin them and injure them heavily and tell them I would grant them their life to never do something so foolish as underestimate their opponents. They have wolves to take care of and that big headedness wasn’t going to be helpful if they got themselves killed. 

  The fourth one was actually tough. He posed more of a challenge than the others. Alpha Bain. Alpha of the Cold Forest Pack. I heard he was very strict on his pack members but never heard of any abuse or mistreatments of power. YET! When I fought him, Elaina told me that his wolf was very strong. That in the Moon Goddesses kingdom his wolf was one of their top warriors right behind her. And has always wanted to prove himself against her. He couldn’t do it in the kingdom, and he couldn’t do it now either. But he definitely put up a good fight. 

 When we pinned him down, Elaina came to the surface with me. We told him not to bother ever seeking a fight from us again because next time we wouldn’t be so forgiving. He bowed before us to make his vow but also to ask for an alliance with his pack. His pack is pretty powerful, and it isn’t that far from here, maybe an hour or two and we could help other smaller packs with a pack like that to back us. Even though we were growing in size ourselves.  I accepted his proposal for our packs to be alliances for now. But the first time anything is out of place or he goes against our pack. Not only would he regret it, it would mean war for the two packs. I don’t think he would want that. 

I have so many pack members and we are continuously growing. I also have way too many employees with extensive bounty hunter backgrounds and quite a few packs who are more than allies but are my friends and would back me if needed. Even though Damion said he wouldn’t become a pack member he did. He also leads the warriors and guard shifts every training along side Rhett. They have become the best of friends. 

 Right now we are getting together a plan for a party for unmated wolves in our pack. We like to do these parties once a year so anyone who hasn’t found their mate can at least look for their mate within other packs we have alliances with. This one will be held this weekend. If the packs have any unmated wolves, they come and drink and eat and try to sniff out their mate. We also don’t do any of that, “If you are a female and your mate is from another pack you have to go back to your males pack." If you don’t want to go there you don’t have to. 

Many of the males from other packs have found their mates here, but the women haven’t wanted to leave so we don’t make them. It upsets the old Alphas who are set in their ways a bit but I don’t care. These are my wolves and if those wolves mates love them and want to be with them they usually just come here and ask to join our pack to be with their mate. I am thankful all of my pack members are thriving. And the business is going well. And the pack relations  everything seems to be going well. 

 ***Ring Ring Ring***

 “Hello? “ 

 “Ahhh is this the great Alpha Hera?” I know that voice but I’ll play with him a bit. 

 “Ooo this can’t be that cold, crazy vampire I haven’t seen in years who said they would visit and haven't?” I giggled. 

 “Ahhh don’t be so cold. I was busy ya know?” 

 “Oh yeah? Busy with what?” Now I am curious. 

 “Looking into the life and background of my mate…” 

 “Holy sh*t Andreas, you found your mate? Who is it? Is he or she beautiful? Are they a vampire too? Or a human? Oooo tell me? Why haven't you called me before now to tell me. Son of b*tch.” I usually don't pry into the relationship news of any of my friends. It's their business. But my best friends. That is a completely different story. 

 “Actually, she is a wolf. And a gorgeous one at that. But I would like to tell you more about it but in person. Can I come visit your pack?” 

 “Andreas Monet!! Now why would you even ask that? I told you from the get go when we met. You would be welcome anywhere that I was. Just because I am no longer a rogue and now an Alpha does not change that. You know I keep my promises. ” 

 “Always so nice to your friends. Okay, I will be there in two days. “ 

“Okay, Andreas if you need anything let me know okay? I don't care what it is. I'll let everyone know you are coming and have a special room made up for you. Also, you'll be coming at the perfect time. We are having our unmated wolves party this weekend.  ” 

 “Well in that case maybe I should come before then and just stay. I can arrive tomorrow if that's okay?" "That's perfectly fine. Anything for my favorite blood sucker. ahahahahaha." He hates that.

" Ahhhh,êtes-vous putain de plaisanter avec moi? Dites cela à quelqu’un d’autre!" (Are you f*cking kidding me? Say that to someone else!)

"Hahahah, No I am not kidding you Monet! And who else would I say that to? You're the only blood sucker I know.... For now anyways. hahahha"

"Okay, Okay. I'll see you tomorrow. Thank you Alpha Hera, au revoir.”

 ***Click*** 

"Asshole." I say with a smile under my breath as I hang up the phone. 

I’ll have a room made up for Andreas, black out curtains and such so he is comfortable. I wonder who his mate is. So exciting! I am so happy for him! If there could be anything I can help him with with his mate I will do it. Andreas is such a great guy. He might be a vampire and they usually have horrible reputations but not Andreas. He is sweet, caring, understanding but definitely not a pushover. Him and Damion are alike in some of those ways. But Damion is more of a burly woods guy while Andreas is more sophisticated. Either way I consider them just as much as my best friends as I do the others.  And I will help Andreas woo his mate..  Whoever she turns out to be!

 **Unknown POV**  

 A year and a half since I have felt this anxiety building up in my chest. I keep thinking something is going to happen and then it never does. When I get close to the woods outside of town for my runs I get this overwhelming feeling of wanting to just walk into the woods without a care in the world and see why I am drawn there so badly. 

 I got a text from my bestfriend Levi. 

 Levi: ‘Hey bud, let’s go out tomorrow night?’ Ughhhh, not this bullsh*t again. But I can't keep telling him no.. F*ck my life. 

 Me: ‘Sure man. I need to relieve some stress. Maybe some drinks will help.’ I mean I do have stress and some weird a*s anxiety but I don't want to drink. But I can't keep telling my best friend no. 

Levi: ‘Oh yesss! Finally, getting your as* out of the house is going to do you some good. Maybe even meet a cute girl to take home.‘

 Me: ‘You know how I am Levi, I’m not into things like that anymore. All the girls we run into know who I am and I hate it because then they throw themselves sloppily at me and It’s just gross.’

 Levi: ‘Soooo uppity. You should be glad you don’t have to work for it man.’ 

Me: ‘Whatever psycho. You don't have to work for it either. You might not have the well known name but you got the looks to get any chick you want. But anyways I'll see you tomorrow night.’

 I didn’t want to go out, I normally don’t but I have to get rid of this feeling in my chest. I cannot keep feeling like this. I keep having these dreams of this gorgeous woman, dark brown hair. Big beautiful grey blue eyes. Carries herself like a complete boss who takes no ones sh*t. That’s the type of woman I want in my life. The type of woman I NEED!!!! 

 If only she were really out there. Who knows? I did hear of a very beautiful mayor to a town in the forest we just had some equipment delivered to. The drivers bragged about how pretty her and her best friend were. But they also said all the men there were extremely big and burly and muscular. They thought it was a cult or something. But cults don’t usually care about their members enough to build a hospital and invest so much money into the equipment. 

 ***Ring ring ring*** 

 “Hey handsome, how are you?” 

 “Why do you always have to call me? I’ve literally changed my number 7 times because you won’t leave me alone. When we slept together it was one time Madison? ONE DAMN TIME! I don’t know why you keep trying to keep in touch with me but I am over it.” 

 “That’s okay, I have videos and pictures of our time together. If you don’t meet me I will leak them all over town Ezra… You don't want that type of publicity. That'll be bad for you and the company. “ 

 “You know what. Do it. I honestly don’t care at this point. You won’t leave me alone, you are a psychotic stalker, who can’t understand what it means when you are being asked for a ONE NIGHT STAND! So do what you want! My company will handle any threats as they see fit. So leak a s*x tape you, post my nudes. You won't be doing anything to me that I can't handle nor take care of. I'm not married so it's not an affair. And you will just look like a desperate wh*re who is out to frame a man for money. So you are free to make whatever choice you want. I am done with these damn games! ” 

 *CLICK*

 Ughhh why does this b*tch not know how to take the hint. I told her directly that night all I wanted was a good time. She told me that that was all she wanted too. She is the exact reason I don’t drink or do one night stands anymore. The exact reason why there are no longer night outs for me, because of sh*t like this happening. But she can leak whatever she wants, she can post whatever she wants. She won't get a relationship from me or money. And she will look like a cheap escort. So be my guest. 

 Lord now I am rethinking this night out tomorrow. I wonder if I can go to that town's little hospital and see what all they added to it? Make sure everything is up to date. 

 ***Ring Ring Ring***

 “Julianna, can you please get me the contact information for the hospital we just delivered to? I’d like to go by and talk with the doctors there?”

 “Right away Mr. Cohen. I’ll send it right now.”

 “Thank you Julianna. When you are done you can go ahead and take the night off. And tomorrow too. You need a break. If I need anything I'll shoot you a text. Have a good night.” 

"Thank you Mr. Cohen. I appreciate that. I am sending you that contact information now. Have a good night."

 *Click*

 *Ding*.Okay her name is Hera Lockwood. That is a pretty name. Queen of the Gods in greek mythology.  Okay I will just give her a call. 

 ***Ring Ring Ring*** 

 Voicemail? But not set up with her name, that’s strange for a mayor? I’ll leave a message anyway.

 “Hi, this is Ezra Cohen, the CEO of Cohen United Services. We delivered some hospital equipment to your new facility. I would like the chance to go by and talk with your doctors and make sure everything is up to par for them and that they do not need anything else. If you could give me a call back at this number . I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. Have a great night.” 

There I hope she returns my call. I’d love to see a new small town enjoying our equipment. Maybe there are other things we can help their town with. Honestly, anything I can do to get me out of this stupid night of drinking with Levi would be better. 

  ***Ring Ring Ring*** 

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Ezra? This is Hera Lockwood. You just called and left me a voicemail?" 

"Yes, Hello Hera. I was interested in coming to view the hospital we delivered the equipment to and speak with your doctors and nurses and make sure everything is working like it's supposed to. And see if your staff needs anything else. But I didn't just want to barge into your town or facility without notice."

 "I'm sure you heard that your drivers thought we were a cult. hahahah. But that's very thoughtful of you, Ezra. I'd be delighted for you to come and tour the facility. When were you wanting to come?" Funny girl. This was easier than expected. 

 "How is tomorrow evening? It shouldn't take me anymore than an hour or two." 

 "Perfect, we will see you then." 

 "Thank you very much Hera. Talk to you then. Goodnight." Why am I being so weird? 

"Hahah, goodnight Ezra, see you tomorrow."

 *Click* 

 She sounds gorgeous. Wait what the f*ck am I talking about? Gorgeous??

I need to get it together. I don't know this woman. How can I say she sounds gorgeous? Jeez Louise.

But luckily now I canceled my night out with Levi. 

Me: 'Hey bud, I just scheduled a tour of the new small town’s facility we delivered to yesterday. The only opening they had was tomorrow evening. So I won't be able to go out with you. Sorry man.' Lie. Not sorry at all. 

Levi: 'Ughhhh, alright man. I'm sure you'd rather do that anyway. I'll tag a long with you. I heard their mayor was hot. Might snag me a date.' Cue the eyeroll. Not sure why but the thought of him asking Hera out kind of pisses me off. 

Me: 'How about not. You don't even know this woman and you are already talking about taking her out. Jesus. *Eyeroll emoji*'

Levi: 'Hey man, you canceled on me. Seems like the only way I can hangout with my best friend is to do something like this and me tagging along means I will not be gracing the clubs with my presence. So if I see someone attractive I am going to hit on them. *Shrug emoji*'

This f*cking guy.

Me: 'How are we even best friends?'

Levi: 'Opposites attract my guy.'

Ughhhh. I didn't really want Levi to go but I am cancelling on him so I guess I have no choice. Tomorrow I am just going to take the whole day to relax and get ready for the tour. 

I don't know what is happening to me but my insides are igniting every time I think of Hera's voice. What is happening to me? Maybe I should see a doctor or something.. 

 **Andreas POV** 

 Ever since I met my mate I have been awestruck. She’s a werewolf. But I don’t know much about her. I tried to talk to her before but she didn’t seem interested in speaking with me. So I decided to take a year away from her and give her space. Then I would come back knowing as much about her as I can and try to win her heart. 

I know it won’t be easy since I am a vampire and she is a werewolf. But I am willing to try.   

 The Moon Goddess must’ve seen some good in my dead vampire soul. Especially if she paired me with one of her perfect children. Absolutely magnificent children. 

 I searched all over the world for more information about her family tree. About werewolves. About mating and marking with us being two different species. I don't think she realized I was her mate when we had our encounter but I knew right away. Nothing was more amazing than her. Everything about her was just breathtaking.

Seeing her in the light of the fire we sat around. The flames danced on her face. The way it lit up her golden hair, the romance in those orange and yellow hues. I'll never forget the depths of the oranges swirling around in her dark blue eyes. Reminds me of the heat of summer and the cool of the nights. Even being a vampire of the night, the heat of summer is never forgotten. The cool of the nights soothing everything the sun has scorched.

The way that beautiful wolf scorched my heart. I wanted to be around her more. Touch her skin. Kiss her lips but without her recognizing me as her mate I did not want to push her further. I just hope once the realization hits her she isn't disgusted that I am the one the Moon Goddess chose for her. I hope she doesn't shun that bond.

The wolf bond and vampire bond are similar but also different. For vampires we could live centuries without finding that perfect partner our dead souls long for. Some do find it and throw it away to be able to spend the night with any being they choose. But those idiots are more of cretins than anything.

I would never disregard the one my soul longs for. Not because of their species, not because of their looks. Love, unconditional love. Is something that should be cherished beyond anything. And I hope that will be something I can prove to my mate. My beautiful wolf mate. And I think offering some information of her past and her lineage will help her to see that even though I spent a lot of time away it was only for her. 

  I'd do anything for her. I'd walk on the face of the sun. Just for her.