Chapter 3: Found Mate

Amelia’s POV

“Who put those on you?” he asked, his voice low, carrying the weight of a command rather than a question.

I froze, my heart hammering in my chest. His gaze never left my skin—his expression unreadable, but his intensity making my breath catch.

“Sorry. It’s okay.” His tone softened, almost like he realized he’d pushed too far. “Where are you going?”

I hesitated. Truth was, I didn’t know. So I told him what little I could.

“I’m leaving my pack,” I muttered.

Something flickered in his eyes—sympathy? Disappointment? I couldn’t be sure. He stepped closer, his presence so heavy it almost smothered me.

“Why not come with me?” His voice was gentler now, coaxing. “I have a pack. You’d be safe there.”

I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, footsteps echoed in the hall, followed by a sharp whistle. My heart stopped. He went still, listening.

Then, in one fluid motion, he grabbed the curtain, yanking me toward the window. His chest pressed against my back, and for a second, I felt a warmth that shouldn’t have felt comforting. There was danger in how close he was, no mistaking it—but it also felt like... safety, of a strange sort. The air between us thickened, charged.

“I’m sorry, little fox,” he whispered in my ear, his voice almost tender, but edged with regret. “It seems I can’t take you with me.”

I froze. His breath was hot on my skin, and his next words made my heart slam against my ribs.

“The train will reach Brimwatch in three days. Someone will be waiting for you at the station. Just follow the scent markers.”

Before I could protest, he was gone—slipping out the window without a sound.

The door swung open immediately. Five armed men barged in, their eyes scanning the room. Four of them immediately began searching through my things, while the fifth stepped closer, his gaze hard.

“Seen anyone?” he demanded.

I shook my head, voice barely a whisper. “No. I’m the only one here.”

They didn’t say anything more, just continued their search, checking every corner. When they found nothing, they left as quickly as they’d come, the door slamming shut behind them.

I collapsed to the floor, my legs giving out. My heart was still pounding, and for a long moment, I couldn’t move.

This man—whoever he was—was no ordinary person to be chased by so many. His power was undeniable.

Even without a wolf, I could feel his oppressive, dominating aura pressing down on me. Not even Jasper had that kind of presence.

No, I couldn’t let him find me. As tempting as his offer was, I couldn’t trust him. I wouldn’t get off at Brimwatch.

Better we never cross paths again.

Two days later, I regretted that decision with every fiber of my being. I’d stayed in my compartment when we reached Brimwatch, thinking the train would move on once the new passengers boarded, just like always. But it didn’t. The Silverlight Pack took control, and escape became impossible.

As they dragged me through the chaos, knocking me unconscious, I couldn’t help but wish I’d just trusted fate—followed that mysterious Alpha. At least he didn’t look like he’d harm me on sight. But now, even if I wanted, I couldn’t go to him now—because the moment I reached Silverlight, I’d be handed over to Alpha Ryder. Ruthless, unstoppable, and merciless.

There would be no saving myself.

 Ryder’s POV

Three days ago, I got ambushed while visiting the Blackthorn Pack. It was supposed to be a quick trip—check their defenses, talk trade, get out. But some rogue wolves thought they could take me down. Big mistake. 

I tore through them, but not without a few scratches. The place was a mess, and I wasn’t about to stick around for round two. My Beta, Lucas, and I hightailed it out of there before more trouble showed up. That’s how I ended up on that damn train, covered in blood, hiding like some fugitive. Not my proudest moment, but it got me to her.

Fast forward to now, I was stuck in a stuffy meeting room in my packhouse, the air thick with the elders’ nagging. Same old song and dance. They were droning on about how I still hadn’t found my Fated Mate. Look, I got it. I was Alpha Ryder, leader of the Pawmoon Pack, and yeah, I’d been banged up pretty bad in that border war years ago. Scars crisscrossed my body, and the pain never really went away. Didn’t stop me from being stronger than anyone else in the room, though. Still, the elders were freaking out. They wanted a Luna, an heir, something to “secure the Pack’s future.” Blah, blah, blah.

“You grow weaker by the year,” Elder Miriam said, not unkindly. “And still, you deny the Pack a Luna. You’ve left no heir, Alpha. No bloodline.”

I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed, trying not to roll my eyes. “I hear you, Miriam. But I’m not just gonna pick some random woman and call it a day.”

Elder Thomas coughed, his beard twitching. “We know you’ve been… considering options. The breeder deal with Silverlight—”

“Nope,” I cut him off, my voice flat. “That’s off the table.”

The room went quiet. They all stared at me like I’d grown a second head. Yeah, I’d been ready to buy a breeder from Silverlight. Harsh, maybe, but it was for the Pack. An heir would shut everyone up and keep things steady. But then I met her on that train. Emily.

Something about her flipped a switch in me, and I wasn’t about to ignore it.

Her touch… it did something. I’d been bleeding, ribs screaming from the fight, but when she grabbed me, scared out of her mind, it was like warmth flooded through me. The pain dulled. My wounds started closing up, faster than they ever had. I’d been injured for years, my body a roadmap of scars that never fully healed, but she… she fixed me. Just like that. 

And it wasn’t just the healing. Her scent—sweet, like spring flowers after rain—hit me like a freight train. My wolf stirred, pacing in my head, growling low. I hadn’t felt him that alive in years. 

Could she be… my mate? The thought wouldn’t leave me alone.

“Ryder?” Miriam’s voice snapped me back. “You’re distracted.”

I shrugged, leaning forward. “Just thinking. Meeting’s over, right? I’ve got stuff to do.”

They grumbled but didn’t push. Good. I wasn’t in the mood.

As the elders shuffled out, Lucas slipped into the room, his usual smirk plastered on his face. “You look like you’re about to punch a wall, boss. What’s up?”

I snorted, rubbing the back of my neck. “Just the usual. Old folks whining about my love life.”

He laughed, dropping into a chair across from me. “Yeah, well, they’re not wrong. Pack’s antsy. But I got news. Marcus showed up while you were in there.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What does he want?”

“Says his daughter ran off a few days ago,” Lucas said, leaning back. “He’s freaking out, wants our help tracking her down. Sounds like she’s in trouble.”

I nodded, thinking it over. Silverlight was a shady pack—always pulling dirty deals. I didn’t know Marcus well, just some low-ranking guy who’d done business with us before. If his kid was missing, it was probably their fault. “What’s the story with the girl?” I asked.

Lucas shrugged. “He didn’t say much. Just that she took off after some family fight. Wants us to keep an eye out for her.”

“Fine,” I said. “Tell him we’ll help. Get whatever info he’s got—where she might be, what she looks like.”

Lucas nodded, jotting it down on his phone. I didn’t care much about Marcus, but a missing wolf was trouble, and I didn’t want Silverlight’s mess spilling into my territory.

Before Lucas could say more, one of my enforcers, Gabe, stuck his head through the door. “Alpha, got a minute? Some rogues are sniffing around the east border. Nothing major, but we should check it out.”

I sighed. Always something. “Take care of it, Gabe. Grab a couple guys, run them off. And watch for any Silverlight wolves sneaking around. I don’t trust those guys.”

“Got it,” Gabe said, ducking back out.

I turned back to Lucas, my mind already racing. That night on the train kept replaying like a bad movie. Her shaky voice, the way she’d moaned on command even though she was scared stiff. She’d saved my ass, no question. If that soldier had looked too close, I’d have been backed into a corner. But it wasn’t just that. Her scent, her touch, her warmth, the feeling of her pressed against me, those lips—

Goddess, she was so damn attractive that I just wanted her close, even if she wasn’t my mate in the end.

“Lucas,” I said, keeping my voice low. “I need you to do something. Go to Brimwatch. There’s a girl—female wolf, early twenties, dark hair, smells like… spring. Name’s Emily. Find her.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow, smirking. “This the Omega from the train? You’re still thinking about her, huh?”

“Just do it,” I snapped, but I couldn’t help a small grin. “She’s supposed to show up at the station in Brimwatch. I told her someone would be there.”

He laughed. “Alright, I’ll look for your mystery girl. Hope she’s worth the trip.”

Lucas stepped out with a teasing smirk on his face, which I just wanted to wipe off.

Sometimes, I thought I might’ve given him too much freedom with me. He was starting to not take me seriously.

Shaking my head, I went back to reading the documents I was supposed to sign.

Barely thirty minutes later, the door opened again, and in walked Gabe, looking furious.

“Alpha, we got a problem. Our scouts just reported in. That girl you’re looking for—Emily, from the train?”

My stomach dropped. “What about her?”

“She’s been grabbed. Silverlight Pack’s got her. They’re holding her in one of their safehouses near their border.”

Fury hit me like a brick. My wolf growled, loud and vicious, claws itching to rip something apart. Silverlight. Those lowlifes dared to touch her. My fists clenched, knuckles white. “They took her?” I snarled, my voice rough.

Gabe nodded, stepping back. “Yeah, Alpha. What’s the move?”

I didn’t even think. “Get a team ready. We’re going to Silverlight. Right now. But keep it quiet—no one outside our crew knows. Not Marcus, not the elders, nobody.”