Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts

Shadows of the past

Jade Nightshade

I entered my father’s office still struggling to catch my breath. My heart pounded from the unexpected encounter with Rowon, and I could still feel the heat of his hand on my arm, the way his eyes had pleaded with me—but I shoved the thought aside. Now wasn’t the time to unravel.

My father rose from his chair immediately, his brow furrowed with concern. “Jade, you look pale,” he said, his voice filled with fatherly worry. “What happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Worse,” I muttered under my breath, my legs feeling wobbly as I sank into the chair across from his desk.

He didn’t miss a beat. “Here, drink this.” He handed me a steaming cup of coffee, his eyes searching mine for an explanation. “Tell me what’s going on.”

I took a sip, hoping it would steady my nerves. “It’s nothing,” I lied, refusing to let Rowon’s face creep back into my mind. I focused on my father instead, watching as he leaned against his desk, arms crossed, waiting for me to continue.

He didn’t push for details, but after a long silence between us, he sighed heavily. “Listen, Jade, I didn’t call you here as your father... but as your Alpha.”

His tone shifted, and I sat up straighter, knowing this wasn’t going to be just a casual talk. “You need to take over soon, or find someone to take over for you. And considering everything that’s happened,” he hesitated, his eyes locking onto mine. “I assume Rowon is no longer part of the candidates.”

I bit my lip, my fingers tightening around the coffee cup. I couldn’t speak—there was nothing to say, and all I could do was nod slowly as the weight of his words sank in.

My father’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Don’t tell me you still have feelings for that jerk. Even after what he did? Getting another woman pregnant?”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. “Feelings don’t just disappear, Dad,” I said quietly, the pain creeping back into my voice. “You can’t just shut them off.”

His jaw clenched, gritting his teeth in frustration. “Well, this is the perfect time to find your mate, then,” he said, pacing the room. “I can arrange for some warriors to accompany you; you can travel; search for him—"

“No,” I cut him off, shaking my head. “You’re not going to interfere in my life like that.” I stood abruptly, my hands trembling, but I wasn’t backing down. “I’ll figure things out on my own.”

“If I were really interfering,” he said darkly, “Rowon would already be stripped of his Beta title, or better yet, I’d have had his head for what he did to you.”

“Dad...” I sighed, rubbing my temples. This wasn’t what I wanted to hear right now. “Can we get to the reason you called me here?”

He let out a long breath, his tone softening but still carrying the weight of responsibility. “The officials are pressuring me,” he admitted, running a hand through his greying hair. “If you can’t find your mate, Jade, then you need to prepare to become the first female Alpha of this pack. It’s time for you to step up. Start training.”

I gaped at him, shock rendering me speechless for a moment. “You can’t be serious,” I whispered, feeling the floor tilt beneath me. “I’ve spent my entire life training to be a Luna, not an Alpha! And now you’re putting this on me—because you and Mum couldn’t have a son?”

His eyes widened at my bluntness, and I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth, but I was too overwhelmed to care.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said, rolling his eyes. “This isn’t about that. It’s about leadership. The pack needs a strong leader, and if you can’t bring me a mate, then you’re going to lead yourself.” His tone was final, leaving no room for argument.

I stared at him, speechless. Alpha? Me? How could I... I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want this.

“I need time to think,” I muttered, my voice shaky as I turned to leave, desperate to escape this suffocating conversation.

“Take all the time you need,” he said softly. “But from now on, you’re the acting assistant Alpha until you find your mate and take your place as Luna. Until then, you’ll be involved in pack business, meetings, decisions... all of it. So get ready.”

How had my life turned upside down so quickly?

But before I could reach the door, my father’s voice stopped me mid-step. “Before you go,” he said, his tone growing serious, “do you remember what happened to Xavier last year?”

I froze, gripping the doorframe. How could I forget? Xavier, Rowon’s father, had been the excuse Rowon used that night—the night he lied and slept with his mate instead of staying by my side as I had begged him to. If only he had been there... maybe our world would still be intact. My jaw tightened at the memory.

“Xavier was injured during that business trip,” my father continued, pulling me from my thoughts. “He went to represent me at the annual Alpha meeting. That’s when Alpha Jericho from the Shadowfang pack attacked him.”

“Alpha Jericho,” I repeated under my breath, feeling the heat rise in my chest. He wasn't a good man—always looking for ways to intimidate and control others through fear and brute force. He had a reputation for making trouble with anyone who didn’t bow to him.

“Yes,” my father confirmed, leaning back in his chair. “He said a Beta had no business in an Alpha meeting, that I should’ve come myself, or if I was ‘too weak,’ I should just step down. When Xavier tried to defend me, that’s when he was attacked.”

The memory of Rowon’s excuse tangled with my rage. “So they want trouble?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

“They’ve been stirring it up for years,” my father said, his voice laced with frustration. “Jericho wants to make sure the other packs are afraid of him, and he’s targeted us more than once. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to put him in his place, but now... now it’s different. He’s growing bolder.”

“And they’re sending us threats now?” I asked, my fists clenching as my anger flared.

“They think we’re vulnerable,” my father said, nodding. “Because I don’t have a male heir, they believe now’s the perfect time to strike.”

I paced in front of his desk, my mind racing with fury. Let’s give them the war they’re asking for. This is the perfect chance to get revenge for what they did to Xavier and show them who we are.”

My father shook his head. “It’s not as simple as you think, Jade. War isn’t something to jump into. Besides, the Shadowfang pack is just as strong as we are. They’re not to be underestimated.”

I frowned, pacing in front of his desk, my mind trying to process all of this. “So what’s your plan then? Sit and wait until they attack us first?”

He sighed heavily. “I’ve sent a special letter. We need someone strong on our side, someone who can help us put Jericho down for good this time. I’m calling back our best warrior.”

“Who?” I asked, my brow furrowing in confusion. “Who could possibly make that much of a difference?”

My father gave me a strange look, as if I should already know the answer. “How could you forget? The boy who used to follow you around when you were kids, always pulling your hair and finding ways to get you into trouble.”

His lips curled into a faint smile. “Your childhood best friend, apart from Rowon.”

A name hung in the air, heavy with meaning.

“Darius.”

The moment he said the name, an unexpected shiver ran down my spine. Darius… I hadn’t thought about him in years. He had been my childhood best friend, apart from Rowon—but also my biggest bully. We had a love-hate relationship, always bickering and fighting, and yet, somehow, we were inseparable. I remembered how he used to get me into trouble, teasing me endlessly, pulling pranks. It drove me mad. But he was also fiercely protective when it came to anyone else bothering me. He was wild, untamed, and free.

He never liked fighting, though. Darius always found a way to avoid training sessions or practicing combat. He hated it with a passion, always complaining that he didn’t want to be like the rest of the pack. Then, one day, out of the blue, he told me he was leaving. He said he was going to train and become a warrior. No explanation, no real goodbye. He just left, and I never understood why.

“Darius?” I whispered, barely able to process it.

My father nodded. “Yes, and trust me, the other packs are already begging to have him on their side. His strength... well, you’ll see soon enough. He’s not the same boy you knew. He went from being the wild kid who avoided fights to one of the strongest warriors in our world. He did it to raise his family’s status—his father was just an ordinary pack member, and Darius wanted more for them.”

Confusion, curiosity, excitement, and… fear surge through me. Why did the thought of Darius coming back unsettle me? Why did his name make my heart race, sending ripples through my already fractured world?

My father watched me closely, his gaze knowing. “Jade,” he said softly, “you’re going to need him now more than ever. We all are.”

I swallowed hard, trying to shake off the strange feelings stirring inside me. Darius was coming back. The boy who had once been my best friend and biggest tormentor was returning as a warrior, stronger and more dangerous than ever.

“Fine,” I muttered, my voice steadier than I felt inside. “I’ll be ready.”