The Rogue Alpha's Return

Chapter 3 - Meeting Him

Eden

I was nearing the end of my patrol shift on the southeastern border of our territory. As Alpha it wasn't a necessity for me to do this but I liked to check our scent markers denoting our pack border lines myself sometimes. It was a little after 1pm now and I had been on patrol, solo, since a little after 6am and it hadn't stopped raining, only now was it starting to let up finally.

I was definitely going to treat myself to a nice, long, hot shower when I was done, before moving on to the treaty paperwork I needed to get finished for Alpha Jensen Myers of the Moon Meadows pack to our north.

One more hour and I would be done. I was content that our markers were fairly strong on this side of our territory considering the current deluge. Our newly acquired northern section of territory, however, I knew needed more work. We had only expanded a year and a half ago, one of my first major decisions as Alpha, so our markers there weren't as strong as the rest of the territory and in this weather they would be diminished. So I had placed more patrols on that particular border to: one, increase foot traffic and scent and two, increase our show of strength on our new land.

I had only been Alpha for two years and it had been a rather rocky transition to say the least. For starters, I was young. I was 24 now, which was still considered young for an Alpha, but I was 22 when I took leadership. I had received heavy criticism for being too young to lead, I needed to mature more, I needed to have my mate first and push out some pups, I had heard every excuse leading up to and after my ascension.

It was all bullshit.

My father, Yarrow, had been Alpha of Silent Rivers pack for 57 years and was considered one the longest reigning werewolf leaders in the country. He had led for over three decades without a mate or pups and he had never faced any of the criticism I had.

The issue was simple but unsaid; I was a she-wolf, without a mate.

Had I had a nice, strong male there wouldn't have been any issue, as the pack would have been secure in the notion that they were safe in said male's nice, strong hands...a mindset I wish I had bitterly fought in the beginning, as it would have saved me the trauma I still dealt with now.

As a result in the early days I had been challenged several times for my title, but I had shocked the masses by beating every single one of them without fail.

I was brought out of my thoughts by a sudden burst of agitation from my wolf, although today in general she had been highly edgy without any reason - a fact that was irking both of us.

'Era, what?! You've been acting like you got a flea up your ass all morning!'

'Bite me, human.'

'Well it's true.'

'Look, I don't know why I feel like this...I just...I feel like something's coming' my wolf stated ominously.

'Something bad?' I replied, feeling slightly unnerved by her revelation. We had only ever had one major disagreement, one wherein after I had never second guessed her judgement or mine again.

'No, not bad...just something, it's getting closer...I think we need to find it.'

'...Ok?'

No sooner had I finished my thoughts with Era, I received a mind-link from one of my patrol guards.

'Alpha, we've got a trespasser here, northwest on the new territory. He seems peaceful for now, but I'm not gonna lie, he's huge. If he starts trouble I don't think me and my partner can hold him.'

'Ok if he's on his own and being compliant, just hold him there. I'm on my way. I'll be about an hour, don't let him know how long he'll be waiting. If he starts, mind-link me and backup immediately.'

'Will do Alpha.'

My wolf's excitement increased, I highly doubted that her sudden mood swing today and this 'trespasser' were a coincidence.

I could feel my anxiety rise a little realising who this man could probably be.

Spurred on by this I ran flat out, with my Alpha speed I could reach the other end of the territory in just over an hour.

I reached my destination and slowed my pace. Running at the speed and from the distance I had, I was mostly dry now. I quickly ran a hand over my hair to get it out of my face and smooth it back to my head a little. I sensed the three figures ahead of me and my wolf was encouraging me on to walk further.

I inhaled deeply to calm myself but it had the opposite effect, as I was hit with a strong, musky scent of spiced oak. It was the most intoxicating scent I had ever experienced.

As I drew closer, the three men were quite apparent...and holy shit...the guard wasn't kidding. The man, who I assumed was a rogue, was huge. No wonder the two patrols were a little worried about holding him here on their own. He must have been almost 7ft tall!...and built. I instinctively gulped but he hadn't clocked me just yet. His hair was tied back so I assumed it was probably on the longer side but it looked to have a wavy, curly texture in a rich chestnut colour. He had quite a beard too so I couldn't see most of his facial features. I had never found heavy beards particularly attractive but now...they had a sudden appeal. His skin was a supple bronze which had me wondering if that colour was present on the skin hidden under his clothes away from my sight...ugghh, these thoughts were getting dangerous.

He must have sensed me because his eyes snapped to meet my own, 'MATE' Era practically squealed in my head.

She was begging me to leap at him and rub his scent all over us...

...I on the other hand resisted the urge.

But, my goddess, his eyes, when they locked on mine. They were a pale green that stood out heavily against his overall bronze colouring, they could have been carved from jade and had me almost hypnotised. I was trying to maintain a neutral facial expression because I knew we weren't alone, but I wasn't sure how well I was doing on that front.

I was conflicted.

I really did want a mate, my fated mate, but it also concerned me. Would they expect me to fall for them straight away? Accept them with open arms without knowing a single thing about them? Blindingly trusting someone was dangerous, mate or not. I had made the mistake once and I was in no hurry to repeat it; a charming smile could hide an evil soul.

But I certainly didn't want to reject this man, I didn't know him and I truly couldn't care less that he was a rogue. And I would begrudgingly admit, he was incredibly attractive... familiar, somehow, but attractive nonetheless. I needed to get to know him...but how? I could put him up in a spare room in the pack house? No, there were a few unmated she-wolves there. f**k, and Bianca was there too.

Era instantly bristled at the thought of that name, my wolf's hackles were practically on end.

I was NOT about to offer him up to that b***h on a platter; she would most definitely try to sink her claws into him.

'Mate stays in our home, i***t' my wolf chided.

'That, is...dangerously tempting.'

I no longer lived in the pack house, I didn't want to stay in that room anymore with the memories of that night. So I had my own log cabin type home built just off of the pack house. It could work though, I had a few spare rooms, there wouldn't be any amorous she-wolves floating around and I would have my mate close by with privacy to get to know each other.

'And he could mate us all night long and no-one would hear us! Perfect!' my wolf added.

'Can you not right now, you horn dog?' my wolf simply huffed at my disapproval.

I was jerked out of my split second rush of thoughts by the patrol guard to my right, I had almost forgotten I was in the woods with these two.

"This is the trespasser we were detaining."

'Sharp as a f*****g tack this one' my wolf snidely commented.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her, but I couldn't help my slightly exasperated look as I addressed the guard.

"Yes, I can see..."

I really need to send these two on their way so I can question my mate without prying ears...huh, my mate, that felt...nice to say.

"Leave us, get back to your patrol route as scheduled" I ordered, only turning away from him to finish "you speak of this to no-one, understood?"

Right now, I didn't want gossip floating around the pack about some lurking trespasser. I also had no clue if these two could pick up on the crackling air of s****l tension. For now I really didn't want anyone knowing this man was my mate as I didn't know how I was going to handle this situation myself. I had earned high respect from the warriors and trackers of my pack now, so I knew they would honour my orders to the letter.

They both nodded in unison showing they understood replying "yes Alpha" before leaving to go about their duties. I made sure they were gone before turning to face him again, now we were totally alone.

I couldn't help but notice the slight discomfort in his gaze, did he not want to be here?...did he not want me?!

That thought placed a lead weight in my stomach but I chased it away just as quickly. I didn't even know his name yet, I was getting way too ahead of myself. I needed to know his name, to hear him speak and to figure out why there was this nagging familiarity about him.

"So, who exactly are you?" I asked with genuine curiosity. I crossed my arms across my front to adopt a more casual stance, while secretly wondering what it would feel like to have his arms wrapped around me...

'Really? That's it? I'm wondering what a certain other appendage would feel like' Era practically growled, seductively in my mind.

I ignored her.

I was struggling with my own desires without dealing with hers too.

"Conner...Green" most definitely a lie, not even remotely convincing.

I couldn't help the slight snort that left my lips "you're a real weird rogue if you can't even get out a mediocre attempt at a lie"

He let out a small chuckle dropping my gaze. I couldn't help but instantly love the sound, but I wanted to hear him laugh genuinely instead of self-deprecatingly.

"...Hawthorne, Conner Hawthorne"

No f*****g way!

I knew that name, most of the Alphas around here knew this story and most of those idiots bought it completely. That's why he looked familiar, he was that son-of-a-bitches brother, but I needed to hear it from him.

".....As in Alexander Hawthorne?"

He returned my gaze and sighed "Yes, my brother"

"You're him" confirming what I already knew.

"Yes..." he replied, dropping my gaze yet again "...but..." I cut him off at this point, I couldn't stand seeing the pain and uneasiness in his eyes.

"You're innocent."

I already knew the answer. I had heard Alexander's 'harrowing tale of woe' many times and knew without a doubt it was fabricated bullshit. That, and the man himself was utter slime. I noticed his eyes snap back to mine in slight disbelief, I was assuming he thought I'd call him a murderer and ship him back to his brother to face pack justice.

"I know a lie when I hear it, Conner" I said, trying to soothe his clear confusion.

There was a light to his eyes, I'm not sure whether it was from my belief in him or that I said his name. Either way, I never wanted to see that light extinguished.

"Yeah...I was framed" he said hesitantly.

That fucker! I knew it! He probably did it himself! I had never liked Alpha Alexander, ever. And now? I was livid.

"I knew that bastard was full of s**t!"

I couldn't keep it contained any longer, I felt my hands balled up at my sides. Judging from Conner's expression he wasn't sure how to take my sudden support.

'Oh we are most definitely taking him home, Eden' and I didn't want to admit to my wolf how very much in agreement I was with her.