Chapter 3
979 Words
CADEN'S POV
I watched as the woman glanced at the woods, staring directly at where I sat now in wolf form. I closed my eyes, willing myself to return to my human form. As I shifted, her scent wafted to me on the breeze, begging me to go to her—my mate.
Once shifted, I opened my eyes and saw she'd already retreated inside. There'd be no more glimpses unless I peeked inside her window, which I wasn't so crass to stalk my mate. I'd find out more about her but in a more dignified way.
I ran my hands over my healing wounds, annoyed that I had gotten myself injured in the first place. The barbed wire had been a trap set by a rival pack, laced with wolfsbane, preventing me from shifting back to remove it. Luckily, my lovely mate had come across me and helped me.
I stalked back toward my pack's compound, shifting again, needing the speed of my wolf. I needed to speak to Leo, my Beta.
With the speed of my wolf, I arrived in no time, my warriors allowing me entry without hesitation, my Alpha aura announcing my identity before I arrived. "Leo!" I called when I shifted, searching for my Beta.
Leo came running, worried. "Yes, Alpha?"
I slapped him on the back. "I have a mission for you."
He nodded. Although he was my best friend, he took his job as Beta seriously and eagerly. "Anything you command, Alpha Caden."
"I've found my mate."
Leo's eyes widened. "Your mate?"
"Ronan's men set a trap of wolfbane's wire, and I was injured. My mate saved me."
Leo had a confused look on his face. "I'm not understanding."
"Let's go to my quarters."
He followed me as I turned, leaving the crowded pathway, listening ears as soon as they heard I'd found my mate. I didn't need them to know anything else.
When we reached my room, I closed the door and turned back to Leo. "Ronan's men are placing more traps around the forest. They're laced with wolfsbane. I fell into one of these traps and couldn't shift back."
Leo nodded. "Why didn't you just come back home, and we could have helped?"
"Ronan and his men were nearby. I could scent them. I went to find shelter in a nearby home. Then, the homeowner came home. This woman. I thought she was a human. But when she got near me...I realized she was my mate."
"So she's a werewolf."
"I believe so. But I wonder if she knows she's a werewolf. She didn't seem to know what I was. She seemed shocked to see me. She was scared of me."
Leo tapped his lips. "And you want me to find out more about her."
I slapped him on the back. "You're always one step ahead."
He grinned. "Consider it done."
"I knew I could count on you."
"What if she's not a werewolf?" Leo asked.
I paused. "Then she'll need to be made into one."
Leo shuffled his feet. "You can't just make someone into a werewolf because you say so."
I arched my eyebrow. "I'm an Alpha. Yes, I can."
"Humans don't go by pack rules, Caden. It doesn't work like that."
"Silverwood has always been accommodating to our kind. I'm sure the woman will be more than willing."
Leo sighed. "If she's a regular citizen, maybe. If she's new here, then who knows?"
I shrugged. "Just find out more about her, and we'll take it one step at a time."
Leo headed towards the door. "Just calm down before you officially meet her. You don't want to scare off your one shot at having your mate."
"Mates are destiny. I'm not going to scare off my mate. She wants me, too. She doesn't know it yet."
Leo rolled his eyes. "Of course, Alpha Caden."
Leaving me alone, I looked around my room. I needed to get my room mate-ready. It was very bachelor-esque. Plain and boring. What did women like? Flowers? Silk? Velvet?
*****
Grandma Jo. That's the house she lived in. We all knew Grandma Jo. I can't believe I didn't recognize it when I broke in. Leo was annoyed that I had broken the door when he told me.
I was annoyed at myself as well. When we learned of Grandma Jo's passing, we all had a moment of silence. She was a respected member of the community. Part werewolf, she hadn't lived in the pack but was always lending a hand to our pack.
She was a master at medicinal herbs and cooked a mean mutton stew. When she stopped visiting, we had heard she'd gotten sick and wished her well. But we still need to be updated when she passes. Living in a wooded compound, you rarely got outside news.
My mate was the granddaughter of Grandma Jo, now living in the house of her recently deceased grandmother. This meant my mate was, in fact, a werewolf, at least partially. But based on her reaction to me, she likely didn't know. This could be a problem.
There was also the problem of her father, but that didn't need discussion and wouldn't be brought up—ever.
This would have gone smoother if Grandma Jo had still been alive. I cursed not having met her while she was still around. But knowing that my mate was a kind and caring soul, even when in fear for her life, was endearing. She knew nothing about me; she knew I was a beast and still chose to save me.
She was brave and caring. Precisely the sort of Luna that my pack needed.
Leo interrupted my thoughts. "I just came up with the perfect idea to introduce the two of you."
I perked up. "I'm listening."
"A party. I'll go invite her myself."
I grinned. Perfect.
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