Chapter 5

- Authors note: This chapter will be from Grayson's point of view. I'm not sure if I will make different points of view a regular occurrence but I felt this chapter would add to the story as you will read his reaction to finding Laila. 

Something was coming, I could feel it. My wolf, Kai, had been restless all day and as the sun began to set I could feel his anticipation growing. 

"What is it?" I asked, my inner voice demanding answers, "Is it the Crescent pack? I will not lose any more of my men". 

Since the death of my father, we have been on the brink of war with our ancient rival pack. I have reason to believe they are behind my father's death and the deaths of multiple members of the Dark Moon pack. My blood boiled at the memory of finding my fathers cold, lifeless corpse. A single silver bullet shot directly into his heart. Though I had never been close to my father, a cold, distant man, I had great respect for him as an Alpha for he alone solidified our pack as the largest and most fierce in the world. After his passing we had reports of numerous deaths among the pack, we suspected rogues at first, it still could well be, but considering our history with the Crescent pack and the growing animosity between us, it would make sense to look to them first. 

"No...I'm not sure. It doesn't feel dangerous if anything it feels exciting", Kai said with a perplexed look on his face.

"Alpha, the young pups from the Crescent pack have taken the bait. I believe a group of them will be attending tonight". 

"Excellent, thankyou Jaxon". 

I had entrusted my beta Jaxon to spread the word of our nightclub to a few fools from the Crescent pack. While my men patrol the borders separating our two territories, they cannot report back the information I need. I have to find out if they are planning a war, I need to be ready. These young, naive pups will find themselves right on my lap. They will drink my liquor and dance under my roof, and hopefully, with a little encouragement, they will let slip something of importance. I won't go my usual way of demanding information by force, no. That would be too obvious and would bring unnecessary destruction to my people. The plan is to find out what Alpha Derek and his band of merry men are planning and evacuate those who are vulnerable before we launch our attack.

As I slipped on a black t-shirt I mind linked Jaxon and a few other men to be ready by 11 pm. I wanted to ensure the pups would be intoxicated enough so they wouldn't sense who I am and flee. While I wouldn't be the one doing the investigating, I was aware of the effects my presence had on people. Much like my father had, I demand respect. For those who have been unfortunate enough to wrong my pack, I ensured that was the very last thing they did. I may have a reputation for being cruel and vicious, but that doesn't bother me. I know who I am, and all that I do is for my pack. I don't run around tearing innocent people apart, only those who seek to cause harm. 

As I paced the floor of my room I tried to push away the thoughts of anxiety that were slowly creeping in. This was a foreign feeling for me and I didn't like it, I wanted to know what was coming, no I need to know. I ignored Kai and focused on clearing my mind. As the time to leave drew near I polished my appearance by putting on the mask I had come to adopt as my almost permanent expression, neutral and emotionless. 

As I was approaching my car I felt a sudden pull. It was as if an invisible hand had taken hold of my soul and was dragging me along. I raced to the driver's side and didn't bother with my seatbelt. Confusion displayed over my men's faces as they watched me speed down the driveway. I felt bad as I left without a word, ignoring their mind links even. I knew they would be fine as I own numerous cars that they can easily tail me in, but at that moment I didn't care. All I knew was that I had to follow the hand that was guiding me, Kai was just as transfixed as I, trying to take over my body in an effort to speed my efforts up. I soon realized that I was being led to the club, perhaps my men had sourced some useful information after all? Whatever it was, I had to know. 

I pulled into the clubs parking lot, the pull now had a life of its own. I could feel its pulse radiating through my body as I ignored all the usual stares aimed at me and the call of my men through the mind link. I stormed through the front door, immediately my entire being was aware of the scent surrounding me. This scent was like no other, delicious and unique, swirls of chocolate tinged with smooth caramel vanilla overwhelmed my senses, it was intoxicating and I nearly stumbled just by breathing it in too sharply. Kai's nose shot up to the air, I knew I could trust him to guide us to the source of this sweet scent. As I continued my search, the crowds began to part a walkway for me. Once I neared the bar the smell was stronger than ever, as I blinked myself awake from this dreamlike state my eyes were immediately drawn to the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.

"MATE! MATE!", Kai yelled, he was clawing at my mind trying to get to our mate, eager to claim her straight away. As I refocused on our little mate, I realized I wasn't the only one whose attention was fully focused on her.  A group of men were crowding her and someone who I assumed was her friend. I noticed one, in particular, was close, far too close. He was gripping onto her wrists and it was clear she was uncomfortable. A sudden tidal wave of anger washed through my entire body, I yanked the fucker away with such force that he had no time to register what was going on, his friends at least had the sense to back away as they watched, the colour draining from their faces.

"How dare he touch our mate!", Kai growled. I could feel his fury flowing through me like an electrical current, he was already protective of our mate which was both a relief and a shock to me as neither of us had ever worried much about finding our mate, I had plenty of women throwing themselves at me on a regular basis, but now that I have found her I too am filled with a fierce sense of protectiveness. 

I looked back towards my mate, I could feel her bright eyes scanning me. Kai growled appreciatively as he could recognize the look of lust and approval in her eyes. Aware of the crowd watching I kept my face as neutral as possible, I never show vulnerability as I was brought up to believe it is a sign of weakness. Struggling to keep my self-control was proving to be one of the hardest things I have ever done as Kai was practically fighting me for control.

I took in my mate's glorious figure, her gold dress perfectly hugging each curve, teasing me at every line and bump along her body. Her long, black hair was delicately framing her small stature in soft waves, her caramel eyes bright yet seductive. Though her skin is pale, I can see the hint of a blush forming on her cheeks as she realized I'm taking every delicious inch of her in. My eyes landed on her wrists, bruises were already forming and my thoughts of taking her into the back room and claiming her here and now were pushed aside as anger once again enveloped me.

I could feel Kai pushing his way forward, demanding control so that he could tear the ones responsible limb from limb. My eyes now a black hole, penetrating whoever dared to look my way. "Who dared to put their hands on what is mine", I demanded. I turned to my mate and asked her who had done this, she pointed to a group who were trying desperately to blend into the crowd. There was nothing I despised more than a man who found it ok, let alone entertaining to harm a woman in any way. My rage was barely containable as I struggled to hold myself back from turning the bar into a blood bath. As I was about to let Kai forward to deal with the bastards when Jaxon and another from our pack escorted them out. I knew they would take care of the vermin, I also hoped they would leave the one who harmed my mate for me to deal with personally. 

As I turned back to face my mate I couldn't help but notice her friends pale and terrified face. This meant one of two things, she was aware of who I am and what my reputation is and feared for her friend, or, she knows who I am and is afraid for another reason... I immediately knew they were from another pack. While my pack is large, I pride myself on being aware of all those who live in this part of our territory. And considering the ghostly look on her face, I would say they belong to the Crescent pack. I wondered if they were the ones Jaxon had let word slip to, I couldn't help but go into Alpha instinct mode. I needed to find out whatever information I could, mate or not. Yet, something else began to make itself known within me, a fierce need to protect my mate and keep her far away from pack politics pulled at my conscience. 

I led my mate to my private lounge, her friend clinging to her hand like a child. I couldn't help but notice the drastic difference between the two girls. Obviously, I found my mate superior in every way, but that wasn't it. While her friend was petrified and all but sobbing on the floor, my mate was calm, cheery even. She had a blissful smile painted on her full lips, I wondered if she even knew who I was. 

"Let's ditch the friend, I want some alone time with mate", Kai demanded with a sly grin.

"Yes, we will have our alone time. But no claiming, not until we get to know her more", I said, much to Kai's disappointment. 

As I asked to be left alone I could feel her friends anxiety rise. Did she really think I would harm her? After watching how I dealt with those scummy shits? Just thinking of it made my anger rise again, I had to retreat behind my mask of indifference, I didn't want to scare mate off. But as I was retreating back to that calm part of my mind I couldn't help but let out a chuckle as my mate sat next to her friend, an almost disappointed look in her eyes as she believed I meant for her to leave me be. A flutter formed in my stomach as I looked at her innocent face, I reached out to grab her hand and was instantly met with the most pleasurable feeling I had ever experienced. Sparks were igniting between us, the mate bond already forming. I felt warm and relaxed in her tiny hand, I told her friend she would be safe with me, but now I wasn't so sure. I was ready to claim her as my own, her tight body writhing underneath me as she screams my name for all to hear, for them to know she belongs to me. I realized I don't even know her name, the need to know overwhelmed me suddenly as I was desperate to call her mine. "Do you know who I am?", I asked, curious to see if she truly was unaware of who I am. 

"No", her voice came out as a soft whisper, almost hesitant as if she were confused and disappointed in herself for not knowing her mate identity. 

"I am Alpha Grayson, of the Dark Moon pack".

I watched as the realization dawned on her angelic face. I could sense the shift in the air, the fear that came off of her in waves. Part of me felt bad that I would cause such feelings of discomfort to my mate, but I at least know now that she had absolutely no idea who I was.

As I asked for her name in return I could see the cogs turning behind her eyes. I wondered if she was about to reject me, denounce me in my own territory. A low whining sound came from Kai as he too felt she would reject us, I couldn't blame her if she did, I am the enemy and there is an impending war ahead, though I wondered if she was aware of that. 

"Laila, my name is Laila", she spoke with surprising confidence. 

My heart soared as I repeated her name. Laila. Her voice was like a song, I replayed her words over in my head. Finally hearing her speak caused a ripple of desire through my core, I could feel myself begin to heat up as I could imagine myself moaning her name in pleasure as she took me to new heights of ecstasy. I relaxed a little as she hadn't rejected me, though the night is still young and I need to make sure I earn enough of her trust to stop that from happening. I couldn't believe how dependant I had become of her in such a short amount of time. While Alphas are said to have a more intense mate bond, I never expected it to be so sudden. 

I wanted to find out more about her when Jaxon approached us. I was aware of the hostile look I was giving him, I was angry at his interruption and how his body kept my mate from view as he leaned in to whisper in my ear. 

"Sir, we've found the baited Crescent pack members, I believe they have told a member of our own some details regarding their packs movements". 

I reluctantly excused myself away from Laila, hiding the hesitation I felt at leaving her. I had to remember my place as Alpha and put my pack first. I gave Jaxon a firm look that he understood right away, stay with my mate.