Chapter 3

MADDOX

"Hurry up we are late! I knew we shouldn't have trusted you to get us there on time." Alpha Turner chimed up from the back seat.

Today was the day alpha Sadler's daughter completed her summoning ceremony.

Whenever a summoning happened with an alpha's family all the other alpha's join the ceremony as a nod of support to our standing within the community and as a sign of our peace treaty across the UK.

We had all agreed to go in the same SUV. 7 of us travelling together with Alpha Carson driving. "Relax" sighed alpha Carson.

"Once you've seen one summoning ceremony you've seen them all." He continued.

His lack of commitment to arrive anywhere on time infuriated me, he was late to summoning's, alpha meetings, you name it, any occasion alpha Carson had to attend started late.

I looked out the passenger seat window at the territory surrounding me. It was set deep within a forest like most territories, even though the Sabre pack, run by alpha Sadler was the third biggest in the UK it still struck me as quaint. He had managed to keep a family feel within a large pack.

We finally pulled up to the gates of the community and were met by a guard on duty.

"State your business" he started before I'd even rolled the window down.

Once the blacked-out window was fully down I looked him square in the eyes and he instantly began to stutter and fumble over his words.

"Alpha... Alpha Bain... I... I... I had no idea it was you Alpha, I apologise... P...Please go on ahead."

I continued to stare him down, kind of enjoying the power trip I was currently receiving. His head began to shrink further down towards his shoulders as he cowered away, I reigned myself in deciding that was enough of my bullshit for one day.

"No apology required, you were just doing your duty. Now let us through" I responded. He pressed the button to open the gate and we continued into the Sabre territory.

"Making friends as always I see alpha Bain" alpha Birch chortled from the back.

I had a reputation amongst the other packs and alpha's as being a hard ass on my pack, truth is I just didn't suffer small talk or fools gladly.

Providing my pack stayed in line, did as requested, and tried their hardest at training they had no reason to fear me. We drove down the rural lanes and pulled up to the estate.

"For fuck's sake Carson they're already at the clearing!" Turner exclaimed, he was clearly pissed off and embarrassed that we were late.

He got out of the SUV not bothering to wait for the rest of us, as he started walking purposefully towards the clearing. To be honest Carson was right, once you'd seen one summoning, you'd seen them all.

I slowly got out of the car and stretched my legs beginning to saunter over to the clearing. I took my sweet time getting there, dawdling along with the other alphas, when we finally got there something was different, not quite right.

The whole pack including Sadler and his mate were standing staring at the centre of the clearing. I could feel the anxiety shifting between them all. Even Sadler was struggling to keep his composure.

"How long has she been gone?" Alpha birch asked alpha Sadler.

"Just over 2 hours" Sadler replied keeping his voice low.

I assume he was trying not to worry his pack. Over 2 hours?! Summoning's usually take 15 minutes tops, you go in, your wolf picks you and you get out.

What the hell could this girl be doing in there? Was she struggling to get out? I had never met alpha Sadler's daughter, so couldn't comment on her general competency but surely, she couldn't be that stupid?

'I wonder what she's doing in there?' Tyr, my wolf asked me quizzically via mind link.

'I honestly have no idea. I've never in my life, known it to take so long for a shifter to find their chosen wolf.' I responded.

'She must be blonde' Tyr joked.

I chuckled to myself and cut off my wolf from speaking any further. He was clearly in a jovial mood, and now was not the time.

My eyes joined everyone else's staring at the centre of the clearing waiting for this silly girl to return. The ground began to shake beneath my feet. Something wasn't right....