Chapter Three

Nick's POV

I was walking back to the bed from the bathroom. I have been exhausted the last couple of weeks, I am acting Alpha right now. Dad is letting me take over the pack next month. I already know how to do the job but we decided to wait until summer. I'm okay with it. The mind link opens

“Uhhh, Alpha we have a rogue, I just caught their scent.” One of my pack members Mason tells me. 

“On my way!” I cut the link grabbing my shorts from the floor. I take off running, no sense in putting them on now, I have on boxers. They are just going to shred when I shift anyway. 

I hear howl's ring out from my right and my wolf Caius forces the shift grabbing the shorts in his mouth. I open the mindlink to Mason.

“Mason what is going on?” I am anxious for some reason.

“Alpha, she is mesmerizing. You should see her.” I hear pure awe in his voice.

“What do you mean, mesmerizing? And did you say she?” Completely shocked, we never had a she-wolf rouge before. No one that was alone anyway.

“Her fur is the most extraordinary thing. Alpha I think you should get here it looks like she is about to try and fight her way out!” I felt panic and Caius picked up the pace. I feel myself getting closer to them when I reach the circle of warriors. I shift and step in between them. 

I freeze when I see her. The most beautiful wolf I have ever seen. Her fur was the color of the moon except for the red and orange tips that glowed like fire. She had an air of authority coming from her. When I breathe while staring at her my eyes go wide. So do hers. 

Caius is giddy in my head, “MATE!”

Her scent is the most intoxicating thing I have ever smelt. She smells like watermelon, but also like outside after a fresh rain. With a minty ting to it. 

I take a cautious step forward. She is staring at me like she can't believe I am real. She takes a step back, a low growl emitting from her body. Just as a warning.

“It is okay, I won't hurt you. Neither will my men.” I raise my hand in a peaceful gesture and she flinches ever so slightly. Caius growls in my head realizing at the same time I do that our mate has been abused. I motion for my men to step back and I take another step towards her. When she doesn't move I drop down and sit on the ground. 

Her head cocks to the side like she is trying to find out what is going on. I just look back at her. She glances around at my men and down at the duffle bag I just realized was sitting in between her front feet. It makes me wonder if she wants to shift.

“Do you want to shift and put clothes on? They will all turn away if that is what you want.” She seems to think about it for a minute looking around like she isn't sure if she can trust us or not. She looks back at me studying, making up her mind and nods her head at me.

“You heard the lady turn around so she can shift.” I didn’t have to use my alpha voice, everyone was turning around for the most part. I hear bones snapping and look at her. She already slipped on a shirt and pair of pants that look too small. 

Her red hair hung past her bottom, almost to her knees. Her eyes snapped to mine and she took a step towards me, I guess seeing if I was going to move. She bolted at me jumping in my lap. She kissed me full on the lips before I could even say anything. 

Instinctually I leaned into it, a small whimper escaping her lips. She is everything. After what felt like seconds she pulls back a small bit taking in a shaking breath. That is when I realize she is crying, what I don't know is why. 

She rests her forehead against mine. I let her calm down, and just held her close. After about fifteen minutes she is breathing normally and I have to know.

“Are you okay?” I ask, worry evident in my voice.

“Please don't reject me.” It was so low I almost didn't hear it. Why would I reject her? What even possessed her to think that.

“Why would I reject you?” I ask her to put my fingers lightly under her chin to make look at me. She is my mate MINE. Caius growls in my head also anxious. I had sent the rest of the guys back to potrolls. Her eyes were puffy and the most peculiar shade of green. They glow like her wolf's fur.

“That's what my first mate did” she sniffles. I want to know what happened but I don't want to ask, especially now. She is skin and bones, she needs clothes that fit, and I need to get some food in her.

“Are you hungry?” as if on cue her stomach growls and I chuckle, standing up. Pulling her with me, she darts over to grab her bag and is back at my side before I can process that she left.

I tug her hand and pull her towards the direction of my house. Normally while acting alpha i stay in the pack house, but I still had my own place. She followed.