Chapter 8

1772 Words
THE CLOCK IS TICKING (Mathias’ pov) I was impressed with Madison’s view on the traditions of our pack. She brings a different yet fresh outlook that is smart and represents that of a strong leader. I know she’s the one for me. My father was quiet, I could tell he listened to her words. Watching his reaction, we all learned that she was going to have a positive impact on our pack after my father decided, “Our bond with our mate is very important and I understand the lack of intimacy for the Alpha and Luna. I agree.” Looking at me he said, “You will present your mate at your Alpha ceremony. Therefore, you and your mate will be marked and mated before the ceremony.” I smiled realizing the effect she had on my father then I saw the look in my father’s eyes when he smiled between Madison and I. How am I going to mate a virgin in less than a month? EMBRACING HER ROLE (Madison’s pov) After two weeks, I was no longer nervous attending the pack leadership meetings, but I only spoke when spoken to because I didn’t want to say something that would make me look stupid. Sitting close to Mathias, I could feel when he was fighting with his wolf, showing signs of being angry, anxious, tired, frustrated, etc. Occasionally I rubbed his back when I knew he was getting restless to help calm his heart rate and appear more relaxed in front of his father. Lying in bed, we often talked about the meetings, usually I was the one asking for clarification. There is so much to know about the pack, no wonder Mathias attended Alpha trainings over the years. During our talks, Mathias admitted to making mental notes in his head regarding changes that will move our pack in a modern direction and away from old traditional ways. That is, after he became Alpha and had the power to make a difference and not have his opinions questioned. We both support and agree with traditional ways but choosing to run a pack because, “that’s how it’s always been done,” is not the right answer when there are more efficient ways that could also follow traditions. A discussion on rogues was the first time I wished I had kept my mouth shut. NOT KNOWING WHEN TO SHUT UP (Jackson’s pov) Reviewing reports from other packs who have been attacked by rogues, we were surprised that we have not had an attack in over a month. Our leadership group agreed we have a larger pack with many elite fighters, but something didn’t seem right. Why was a growing rogue pack, who camped along our Southern borders, not been a problem? There was a subtle break in the rogue conversation when Madison asked, “Has there been any communication with the pack? Is it possible they are mostly good wolves and not criminals?” Gasps and growls filled the room, I shook my head wondering why Mathias agreed to bring her today. My father, Beta James remarked with a sarcastic tone, “Rogues are who they are because of poor and irresponsible choices they have made. We follow a no mercy rule for the safety of our pack.” Heads were nodding and agreeing. Madison couldn’t keep her trap shut, “But if we haven’t talked to them, how do we know? I have friends who were born into a rogue pack, but they are not criminals, their parents are not criminals. Their parents left their previous pack because the Alpha was mean and cruel.” BABY STEPS (Mathias’ pov) I know I should have tried to hush Madison, but I was proud of her for sharing her opinion and trying to open our eyes to other possibilities. Unfortunately, no one else agreed. Alpha Payton barked, “We have a no mercy policy with all rogues to keep our pack safe. If a rogue chooses to speak under interrogation, it is their choice to reveal any information before being killed.” I squeezed her hand when I noticed she dropped her gaze probably being embarrassed not knowing or understanding my father’s diplomatic policies. Her words brought a solemn mood to the room. I cheered her up when I whispered in her ear, “Is it a bad time to ask for dessert before lunch?” A large grin plastered itself on her face and I could smell her arousal. Oh goddess, there is something about her sweet smell that turns me on! CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN (Madison’s pov) I noticed a different side of Alpha Payton in regard to Mathias, he seemed to expect failure instead of pushing his son for excellence. As the future Alpha, Mathias’ opinion is needed, but Alpha Payton never lets him finish his thoughts, he speaks over him and rolls his eyes as a form of communication. I know Mathias will graciously respect the opinions of others when he’s an Alpha. We spoke after having midday dessert and Mathias opened up about the impact his father has had on his life. He admitted, “Knowing failure is not an option, I push myself to prove to my father that I am worthy of our Alpha bloodline.” I asked, “Do you think it’s had an impact on how you sleep around?” He took a deep breath, rubbed my chin with his thumb then whispered, “I did it because I could, and I never had to ask. It was one area of my life I had control over, and it was an easy way to relieve stress.” I tried to consult him, “I understand, I went overboard with my training to deal with the mess in my home.” We laid quietly letting our breathing fill the bedroom. I whispered, “Do you think it would be okay to let our wolves go a run?” He sat up holding me at an arm’s length and stared into my eyes, “Are you serious?” HIS PLAN REVEALED (Mathias’ pov) After dinner, Madison and I walked into the forest’s edge stripping down and shifting into our wolves. Giving control over to Zander is a good feeling but I was a bit nervous from his excitement. I want him to embrace his time with Amelia’s wolf, but I don’t want him mating with her. He’s one horny wolf and hasn’t stopped demanding time with Amelia. He started his demands right after I turned 18 and I discovered Madison was our mate. I remember trying to get close to her at my birthday party, but it was almost impossible to get her away from Jackson. I know he protects her like a sister, but I was surprised she was my mate, I always figured she’d be his mate. Smirking I remembered the look in his eyes, on his 18th birthday, a week before mine, when Madison was not his mate. There’s so much about her that I adore and admire. Who could survive in a household with constant abuse especially when there were options to leave? I thought it was poetic justice when she beat up Whitney. Luckily my father listened when I suggested the behavior program and asked to get myself into the program. He quickly agreed when I revealed Madison was my mate. The program is funded and staffed by our pack therefore his words are always followed. One phone call and I was in the program and paired with my mate in a secluded room. LIVING WITH THE ENEMY (Mathias’ pov) Zander was frisky but followed my orders and did not mate with Amelia, Madison’s wolf. After their long run, we returned to our human forms and snuggled in bed knowing tomorrow we will return to the behavior prison for the completion of the program. Completing the program as the highest ranked pair was no surprise because Morgan and I are both competitive. Noticing her smile fade as the cuffs were removed, I was surprised when we continued to stay close to each other, old habits are hard to change. We also continued to share my bedroom which made me looking forward to mating with her before our ceremonies. Driving to her family’s house, she kissed me goodbye, but I didn’t want her to leave. My heart ached being away from her after 5 minutes. I’m so whipped. Shortly after arriving at the pack house, she called to let me know she was going to spend time with her brother and would see me at school tomorrow. I wish she would have decided to be with me tonight. I knew I was going to struggle sleeping without her. The next day at school, I couldn’t find her, and Jackson hadn’t heard from her. Why isn’t she answering her phone? Jackson and I left school at lunch and discovered her unconscious on her bedroom floor covered in black and blue bruises and smelling like silver. Taking her to the pack hospital, we were relieved she still had a faint pulse. Growls erupted from our wolves because Jackson and I knew her stepdad did this to her. Leaving Madison in the nurses’ care, we exited the hospital, shifted to our wolf forms and ran to the bastard near the eastern border patrol. His drunk arse was not able to smell or hear us approach. Changing to our human forms and grabbing clothes from a border container, I let Zander take control. Dragging the drunk to the cells, Zander and Gryphon (Jackson’s wolf) took turns questioning and attacking the drunk. His intoxicated state prevented the immediate pain to surface, however, as he sobered up, he endured excruciating pain. Placing a silver collar on the pathetic man, his wolf was unable to help him heal. His pleading encouraged me to increase the torture knowing, the pathetic waste of a wolf before me, would be lucky to survive the night. Sitting against the corner with blood dripping from various cuts and swollen eyes preventing him from looking at his abusers, he whimpered knowing our unlimited torture practices. Thirty minutes later we broke him. Most rogues last a couple hours, but this pathetic trash was weak. He admitted to beating Madison when she rejected him. My anger exploded the abuser was also a child molester. Zander’s growl shook the cell walls. Gryphon lost his patience, walked out of the cell only to return with wolfsbane. While silver will decrease a human’s connection with their wolf delaying healing while wolfsbane will slowly kill the wolf then the human.
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