Chapter 3

Reid’s Point of View

It was my obligation as the Alpha of my own pack to keep my pack mates safe from all forms of harm. Several packs, including rogues, had tried to overrun our territory. They couldn't carry out their plan because, although we had a tiny pack, they couldn't match our might and power.

I went with my beta, Klaus, and his sub, Sage, to patrol near the borders of our territory to make sure no one would cause trouble.

"There’s an intruder, Alpha!" Klaus declared. He pointed to the forest's borders, where a wolf's shadow could be seen rushing into ours.

"Looks like we’re going to have some fun." Sage laughed devilishly, clicked his tongue, and shifted to his wolf form.

My entire body was filled with rage. Intruders were something I despised the most. They were nothing more than annoyances who merely wanted to die as quickly as possible.

"Let’s track it. I’ll rip its neck with my own teeth," I said and growled.

Klaus and I also shifted to our wolves. We hurried in the intruder’s direction, and as soon as it got close to us, we cornered it right away.

However, my anger vanished when a hypnotizing scent lingered in my nostrils.

That scent...

As the intruder attracted my attention, I halted in place. My inner wolf began to react in an uncontrollable manner, and all at the same, the small organ in my chest began to beat aggressively. I could no longer think rationally.

That wolf... She’s my mate!

All my life, I thought I would never find my mate. After attending countless mating seasons, and trying to find her within and outside the borders, I remained mateless. However, things are different now.

She stood here in front of me. The Moon Goddess knew how much I wanted to hug her, but I could tell from the look in her eyes that she was scared of us, so I held back my excitement. Klaus and Sage threatened her. They were on the edge of attacking her, but I interfered.

"Show your human form," I commanded. "It will be easier for me to help you if you shift back."

Her eyes, which were the color of frost, spoke a lot of emotions. When I saw the fear and sadness in it, I felt like my heart was being torn out.

I took a deep breath. I regretted letting my men threaten her. I was so shocked that I had finally found her that I couldn't keep things under control.

I commanded my men to step back. "Turn around and don’t even dare to take a peek."

Klaus and Sage had no idea what was happening. I know. They were surprised by how I was acting because they knew how ruthless I could get when it came to intruders. But they still did what I told them. They moved away from us by a few steps. My mate calmed down a little, and a few seconds later she changed into her human form.

When I finally saw her body, I couldn't breathe. I blinked several times. Seeing her precious face filled with bruises, and a skinny body that seemed to suffer from starvation made the rage boil in me.

What happened to her?

Who did this to my mate?

I could feel my throat and jaw clenching in anger. My hands formed a fist, and I pressed my lips together for a thin line.

‘Don’t worry, mate. From now on, I will protect you. No one will be able to hurt you...' I said in my mind.

Tears streamed down her face. Her eyes were filled with sorrow as her gaze met mine.

"It hurts..." she mumbled before her body collapsed.

I got scared right away and picked her up in my arms. I checked her heartbeat and saw that it wasn't strong enough. That made me worry even more.

"You have to live…" I uttered as I caressed her cold cheek.

I didn’t waste much time and quickly sprinted while carrying my mate. She needed to be checked by a pack doctor immediately.

"Alpha, wait! What are you doing?" Klaus asked.

They both followed me, confused as to what was happening.

"Get Charlotte to come into my house now, Klaus!" I commanded him.

When we arrived home, I sprinted to the guest room and laid my mate in the bed and covered her with a thick duvet. Her skin was so cold, making her entire body shake badly.

"Where the hell are Charlotte and Klaus, Sage?" I shouted in frustration.

"Calm down, Alpha. Klaus already picked her up.”

"No, I can’t fucking calm down! Get Charlotte quickly!" I growled at him.

Minutes passed until Klaus and Charlotte finally arrived.

Charlotte, the pack doctor, immediately aided my mate. She asked for some clothes, warm water, and a towel, all of which I provided in order to help her.

"Get out of here. I can manage," she said while dressing up my mate.

"But—"

"You heard me, Reid. Get out of here. I’m getting her dressed!" She scoffed at me.

I cleared my throat and looked away. "Fine! I’ll go, but please save her."

She only nodded at me. I was hesitant to leave the room, but I had no choice. The pack doctor knew what she was doing after all.

"Why are you trying to help her?" Klaus asked me while we waited in the living room.

I palmed my face. I had no strength to discuss everything with them at this point. I was damn worried that something might have happened to her at any moment.

Damn it! I just found her. I couldn’t afford to lose her...

It was almost an hour later when Charlotte finally went out of the room. I got up and walked towards her.

"How is she?" I asked as I swallowed hard.

Charlotte let out a long sigh and crossed her arms against her chest.

"Where did you find her?"

I sneered at her. "I asked you first, Charlotte."

"She’s doing alright now, Reid. But you see, she’s so thin and far from healthy. She seemed to be deprived of food and rest. That’s why her immune system is weak, which made her collapse. Her heart and lungs aren’t functioning well because of the cold, and if you hadn’t found her, she would have died tonight. I suspect she’s from our neighboring pack and she might have been enslaved all her life."

I stared at her, bewildered, my face paling.

"Damn it!" I shouted through my gritted teeth.

I walked towards the wall and slammed and punched it as I needed to release this heavy anger inside of me. I couldn’t control my rage. The pain I felt knowing my mate wasn’t treated fairly was beyond uncontrollable.

How could they do this to my mate? How could they?

I inhaled sharply and turned to Charlotte once again.

"Can I see her?"

She nodded. "Of course."

I swallowed hard and walked into the room. My mate was sleeping peacefully. I sat on the edge of the bed and silently stared at her. Her angelic face made me calm down. All I could feel was the sheer determination to help and protect her, and ensure that no one would dare hurt her again.

"I wonder who did this to you…" I uttered.

Whoever it was, I would make them pay for what they did.

I would never let it slide.

I’d make them realize that they messed with me the moment they hurt my mate.