Reuniting With His Back-Stabbing Mate.

ZAYN

Five years later…

I sat down in my office handling the documents sent to me with practiced efficiency, penning my signature across the papers. As the alpha of the Frost Fang pack, it would have been more practical to delegate some of these menial tasks to my Beta, Xavier. But the unshakeable trust I once had in that man was now gone.

Before the tendrils of my dark past could go any further, my mind was awakened by the sound of a loud sneeze reverberating across the room. My twin raised his hands when he caught my scathing look. He grinned impishly. “Sorry, I just couldn't hold in any longer. It's just seven in the morning, and you look ready to murder someone.”

“Kodiak,” I tried to ignore him, but somehow his words got under my skin like they always did. “You know you can always return to your pack if you want to. I'm sure Anna and the baby will be more than pleased to accommodate your troublesome presence.”

“I already called her this morning,” Kodiak didn't even try to hide his smirk as he mimicked my signature on a document. “I still miss her like crazy, but I know you wouldn't call me to help you if you didn't really need it.”

Deep down, I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes at my brother's lovestruck expression. No matter how much Kodiak adored his mate, I still didn't trust that woman not to run away from her rogue mate. But I liked the fact that she kept my brother happy and content.

That would be enough for now.

“I am heading to the Moon Stone pack this evening.” It was rare for me to explain my actions to anyone, but I would always make an exception for my younger brother. “I have received an anonymous message from the pack about some missing children there.”

Kodiak, the alpha of the Dark Edge pack tensed when he heard my words. “How bad is it?”

“I'm not sure yet.” I could feel my wolf clawing my insides with bloodthirsty anger and impatience. It might not understand many things about the human world, but it knew that children were not meant to be harmed. Children were sacred. “But I am going to find out and make those bastards pay for this.”

Kodiak released a feral smile and asked, “How long do you need me to cover for you?”

“Long enough for the pack elders not to notice my absence.” I rose from my seat and pulled Kodiak into a bear hug. “Thank you.” The touch from family was an anchor to my raging emotions because I needed that restraint for the mission I was embarking on.

It was almost nine in the night when I finally arrived in the Moon Stone pack. Since this was a simple business visit, I decided to take only my bodyguard and some men but I was beginning to regret my decision. When we reached the alpha's house, Micah put a hand on my arm to stop me from coming out of the car. “Let me check the parameter first.”

I bit back a low growl from my throat as the other men stepped to check the surroundings before I came out to greet the people waiting for me outside the house. All their eyes were on me as I walked to the man whom I knew was the alpha of the pack.

“Mr Cardinal,” The man dressed in a light yellow cashmere greeted me with a warm smile, offering a handshake. “Welcome to the Moon Stone pack. I am Lincoln Tolliver, their alpha.”

“Nice to meet you, Lincoln.” I took his hand in a firm grip, testing the strength of his dominance as our eyes met.

He was the only one who was able to hold my stare for the longest time. The rest of them snuck glances at me but I could already interpret the meaning behind their gazes. All the men feared me but the women...just wanted to fuck me.

“The weather is too cold,” The Moon Stone alpha remarked, although he showed no discomfort towards the chilly wind and tiny snowflakes falling on our clothes. He gestured towards his house, “Please come in.”

As I entered the house, I was struck by the grand, luxurious paintings adorning the walls and the gleaming, polished floor beneath my feet. The entire room was bathed in the soft, warm light of a crystal chandelier, which highlighted the modern and sophisticated decor.

My eyes narrowed at the opulent lifestyle Lincoln had, a stark contrast from the report I had received a few days ago. Amidst my thoughts, I faintly heard him calling out to someone, but his words were lost until a woman stepped into my view.

“Maisie?”

Lincoln's eyes narrowed in suspicion when he heard my breathless whisper, but he laughed it off the next second and pulled her close to him. “This is my wife, Maisie Henderson. Maisie, meet Zayn Cardinal, the alpha of the Frost Fang pack.”

My eyes scanned the gorgeous woman standing before me. Her petite figure was clothed in an orange sweater and jeans similar to her husband's attire, hugging her curves in all the right places. Her glossy black hair cascaded down her back and her emerald eyes widened in surprise as she took in my presence.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Cardinal.” Maisie's voice quivered for a moment before Lincoln wrapped his hands around her waist.

My wolf released a savage snarl when he saw it, pained and enraged by the sight before us. My mate had remarried another man. She was now sleeping in another man's bed and letting him touch her, giving him intimate skin privileges.

That was an unforgivable sin, the worst of its kind.

I managed to calm my wolf with the promise of a sweet revenge. She had betrayed us for the second time, but now it was time to make her pay for her transgression.

A cordial smile appeared on my lips as I responded to her soft greeting. “The pleasure is mine, Maisie.”