Chapter 3

Maddox’s POV         

I was involved in the ‘mating ceremony’, not because I wanted to be. But as the newly appointed Alpha of my pack, I needed to do everything to find my Luna. I was 20 and had not found her yet. There were plenty of women throwing themselves at me, but I wasn’t interested. I just wanted my fated mate, my Luna. I would do anything to increase my chances of finding her. Including taking part in these stupid organized events.    

There were a few unfamiliar smells in this area of the woods, including the coppery smell of blood. I was further out than most of the other people taking part, but the River Valley Pack border patrol should deal with any incidents tonight. Especially with so many visitors visiting here at the moment.       

“Hello,” I heard a female voice call out. I peeked from behind a tree. There was a young girl with red hair who was carrying a woman. I think I recognized her skirt from earlier in the evening. “Hello” the red head called again. I was in my human form after letting my wolf Xavier out for a quick run once we realized our Luna wasn’t there. As she called out a second time, I got a whiff of a wolf. I stepped out from behind the tree. She just stared at me. It’s then I realized there was only one scent. It must have been coming from the unconscious girl. The red head was human.    

The girl didn’t look scared or intimidated. But her breathing increased. To be fair, I am an Alpha and quite large. But her cheeks changed to the same color as her hair. It was then I remembered I wasn’t wearing any clothes. Humans are not used to nudity. But I am not embarrassed about nudity, I am a proud Alpha. Let her look all she likes.     

She placed the girl down, telling me, “She needs help. Someone attacked her, there were others. I have to try to help them. Can you take her somewhere safe?” She says before running off.    

A human saving a wolf? Saving a wolf from what? I mind-linked my brother Parker, telling him to get to my location as there was trouble. How has this gone unnoticed by border patrol but not a human?       

Within a few minutes, Parker’s wolf, Saxon, turned up with two other wolves beside him. “Take her to the pack, doctor.” I said to one wolf. He shifted and picked her up. “You two come with me.” I said to Parker and the remaining wolf.      

I shifted into my wolf. Xavier is a better tracker than I am. He could follow her scent easily. When we got to the edge of a valley, he allowed me to take control of our body. She was human and Xavier was a very large. The others did the same. The three of us stood trying to analyze the situation before jumping in. She could be trying to trap me. I would be a catch after all, seen as I am an Alpha.    

We watched in horror and amusement as this young girl was sneaking around a campsite, surrounded by rogues in their human form. The red head was trying to free some young women who were trapped in cages. I was quite shocked. She was definitely at a disadvantage. They considerably outnumbered her. I don’t know whether she knew they were wolves or that she was in trouble. That wasn’t stopping her, though.         

One of the rogue men spotted her as she tried to lift one of the cage doors. He yelled for the others who came running. But they couldn’t catch her. She was ducking and diving all over the place, mocking and laughing at them. They never had time to lay a finger on her. She was excellent at outmaneuvering them and fast, unusually fast for a human.    

She can’t be human, but I couldn’t smell anything else. It was then I noticed two of the rogues circling behind her, cornering her in. That was my cue. We all shifted. Xavier was more than happy to lend a hand or paw in his case.    

      

Xavier’s POV      

Most of the rogues saw me and changed their target from the girl to me. I was happy about this, as I got a chance to kill a few rogues. They wouldn’t stand a chance, but they still ran towards me. I ran towards them growling, then the biting, clawing started just before my favorite bit, which is the killing. In a few minutes, they were nearly all dead.     

From the corner of my eye, I could see one of them charging in a different direction. He was going for the girl. She ultimately became the easier mark. But she just stood there and didn’t move. She looked so small compared to the large wolf charging towards her. What a shame she is going to die. After being so brave, I thought to myself.     

I started running towards them. I knew I wouldn’t make it in time. At least I can avenge her death. The wolf was picking up speed. She didn’t stand a chance.    

I think I am imagining it when I see her smiling. Why is she smiling? She is about to be killed and she is smiling.         

Suddenly, she jumped, doing an almighty flip in the air, landing on top of the cage she was standing in front of. I never noticed the cage. The rogue couldn’t stop or change direction, as he was running that fast. He ran straight into his own trap. She forced the door to close and bolted it. That was an amazing maneuver.     

 I stopped in my tracks as she was grinning at her handiwork. She had trapped a rogue wolf. She jumped to the ground and placed her hand on her hips, smiling as she walked away. Like it was nothing. I knew warriors that couldn’t do that. Who is she?        

 She turned around and saw me, less than three meters away from her. Despite my enormous size and black fur, like most Alpha wolves, she stood her ground without fear. Most sensible people fear Alpha’s. But not her. She didn’t run, instead she kept eye contact with me and grinned.       

Her mobile phone started ringing in her pocket. She pulled it out of her pocket, took a deep breath and answered, “Yes mom, I know it’s late, sorry I’ll head home now. I had a bad day at school and lost track of time. Yes please, I am starving, on my way.” Her eyes never left mine.     

This schoolgirl was apologizing to her mom for being home late. Hell, she has the speed of a warrior. If she was a wolf and had training, she would be a force to be reckoned with. She has no reason to apologize. She put her phone back in her pocket and took a step back. There was a loud growl from behind her and she dropped to the ground, grabbing her arm. The rogue wolf clawed her arm. “Fuck” She screamed, as she grabbed her arm, blood seeping over her fingers. She took her top off and wrapped it around her arm like a bandage. She was wearing a sports bra. I could see she had a nice body for a human.     

She noticed me staring at her at that point. I could see she was in pain. I wanted to comfort her, but I didn’t even know her. “You’ll make sure they’re safe, right?” Gesturing towards the cages.       

I nodded, as it was my only way of communicating with her. She approached me and rubbed my head. “Good boy, I have to go.” She turned her back to me and started running off, holding onto her arm while she fled.    

“Who is she?” Maddox asks me. “I don’t know. I think I should find out though.” We both agree with that at least.