Ch. 6 Doubts

Renzo’s POV

It was early the next morning when I went to the kitchen for coffee. I thought the house was still asleep, but Saoirse stood by the window, cradling a mug, lost in thought. I slid my arms around her waist and inhaled her scent. She startled, then smiled and melted into my embrace. If she had her wolf, she would’ve sensed me coming. I’m still convinced she’ll get one eventually—there’s an aura about her that can’t be ignored.

“What are you thinking, little one?” I murmured.

She turned in my arms, sighing. “I’m nervous, Renzo. I have no purpose in a pack. The girls at school never let me forget how useless a wolfless person is in a werewolf community.”

A growl rumbled in my chest. I was going to kill those ignorant brats.

“You’re not useless. Don’t ever say that. You’re my happiness, my sanity—the reason I keep pushing forward. Without you, I wouldn’t have the head or the motivation to run a pack. Do you really think that’s nothing?”

She looked away, tears forming. “But Renzo, besides keeping you happy, what else am I good for? I can’t fight as a warrior, I can’t track, and I don’t even have an Omega’s gifts. Do you think… do you think I might be a witch like Grandma? She said her abilities began after she turned eighteen, but sometimes I feel sparks in my hands, or strange things happen when my emotions run high. If I am one, the pack will have even more reason to reject me as Luna. They’ll say I bewitched you.”

She buried her face against my chest, her words muffled by a sob. The thought made me pause, but it didn’t matter. Witch, wolf, or human—she was mine.

“Let’s not worry about all that yet, sugar. Just remember this: nothing in this world could ever make me give you up.”

I kissed her softly, and she sighed, melting against me. The kiss deepened, passion overtaking restraint. Her fingers tangled in my hair as my hands gripped her hips, and she wrapped her legs around my waist. My body reacted instantly, pressing hard against her core. She froze briefly, cheeks flaming as I pulled back and searched her hooded eyes. A spark flashed in them, undeniable.

“This is what you do to me, little one,” I said hoarsely. “It’ll be hard, but I’ll wait. I’ll wait until you’re eighteen to claim you.”

I set her down gently and all but fled to the bathroom to cool off.

---

That evening, we flew back to the States. To Grandma's delight, Ronan came with us, though he made us swear not to warn Aela or Colin. Saoirse agreed. She loved her father but knew what he’d done was wrong. I understood—if I’d been in his place, I would have gone to any lengths to have her too.

On the plane, she slept with her head on my shoulder, and I felt more content than I had in years. Back in Alpha training, I’d passed time with women—nothing serious, just burning stamina, giving in to curiosity. Every time, guilt chewed me alive. My friend, Alpha Blaze, often dragged me out, swearing I needed the distraction. We were at the top of our class and close from the start. Once, when he demanded what girl had kept me so restrained, I showed him a picture of Saoirse I’d taken myself. Her smile lit up her whole face, her hair tumbling over her shoulder, a white crop top and jean shorts showing off creamy skin, black Dr. Martens completing her look. Blaze’s eyes flashed, his words fumbling as he muttered that it was no wonder I kept myself in line. His reaction struck me as odd.

I kissed my Luna’s hair and drifted off to sleep beside her.

---

Back home, Saoirse ran into her parents’ arms as soon as we arrived. My parents were waiting too. My mother adored her; ever since I’d brought Saoirse around as a kid, she’d loved her like another daughter. My father, though, looked troubled. Later that evening, he called me into his office.

“Renzo,” he began heavily, “I know how much you love that girl, and I pray she’s your mate for all our sakes. Because if not, this could turn into a disaster.”

“I’ve told you, wolf bond or not, she’s mine.”

“Yes, but that was before the rogues grew stronger. Packs are scrambling for alliances, for powerful matches to protect themselves. And the elders’ council has declared the mate bond sacred again. Rejecting one’s mate is now illegal. They’re conducting inspections, and anyone living with someone else’s mate is jailed until the rightful mates are returned to their packs.”

My blood went cold. “That’s insane. What about children? Families?”

“They stay with their mothers. Council social workers allow visits during holidays.”

I clenched my fists. “How long has this been happening? Why didn’t I know?”

“A year. The rogues have a new leader—the Rogue Alpha. They say he’s a monster, a destroyer, an angel of death sent by the Moon Goddess herself because we’ve disrespected the mate bond for too long.” My father’s expression darkened. “And there’s more. Shane told me about Aela’s mate. Healer Colin will be hailed when he arrives, and Aela will be sent back to Ireland with her rightful mate.”

Shit. This was not good. Not good at all.