Chapter 5

Tristan

As the young blonde scrambled back from me, I stared at her in suspicion. Her wide blur eyes were filled with stark terror, her body poised for flight. No, this small female was clearly not my mate, though her scent had fooled me for a moment. But she knew something.

"You're not my mate," I stated coldly, advancing on her again. She shook her head wildly, backing up against the wall in her haste to escape me. I gripped her delicate chin, forcing her to meet my gaze.

"Tell me who she is," I commanded, fighting to keep my voice level despite the storm of emotions within. Frustratingly, the girl remained mute, her full lips pressed into a tight line. My temper snapped, and I slammed my fist into the wall beside her head. She flinched, and I felt a stab of remorse, though my anger still burned hot.

"Please," she finally whispered, genuine fear shining in her eyes. "I can't."

Can't or won't? It didn’t matter. She knew something about my mate, and I would have the truth from her, no matter the cost. I softened my tone, hoping to reassure her.

"Can't? Or won't? Believe me, little wolf, I have ways of making you talk." As the words left my mouth, I saw the fear of my threat in her eyes. Good, maybe now she knew I was being serious. 

Before I could continue my interrogation, the rapid footsteps of two men echoed up the stairs. I stepped back from the girl as Alpha Ewan and Gabe appeared. Ewan’s face paled at the sight of us, though he hid it well behind a polite mask. 

"Forgive the interruption, Alpha but is there something wrong?" He looked between me and the girl who was still shaking in my grasp.

“Yes, something is very wrong,” I said as Lucas came into the hallway. The girl squeaked again as I thrust her into Lucas’ hands. “She doesn’t go anywhere,” I said to him in a firm tone and he nodded and gripped the girl tight. 

“Tris- Erm Alpha. What’s going on?” Gabe asked, his face the picture of concern.

“My fated mate is somewhere in this territory and this girl refuses to tell me who she is.” Gabe's eyes widened, and he looked at the girl and then back at me. 

“Are you sure?” he asked, and I growled.

“You think I wouldn’t recognise the scent of my fated mate?” 

“Of course you would,” Gabe said quickly.

I turned to Alpha Ewan.

“I want every member of the pack in the dining hall immediately,” I commanded, and he nodded quickly. His eyes kept darting to the terrified girl, and back to me. 

“Of course Alpha,” he said, “I will mind link everyone straight away.” I nodded again. I looked at Lucas and told him to lock the girl up somewhere and I would deal with her later. Then I stormed back into the dining hall and sat down and awaited the arrival of the pack members. 

Gabe came and sat beside me, an undercurrent of excitement in his energy. 

“Tris, this is major,” he said with a glee in his eye, “Your fated mate.” I felt the same joy that he felt, probably more so, but there was something else underneath that I felt as well. Why was the girl so scared? She obviously knew who she had been with, so why was she reluctant to tell me who it was? 

“What’s on your mind?” Gabe asked, I appreciated that he could tell when I was troubled. 

“I don’t get it,” I said. “They are clearly hiding something, but what could be so important that they would keep her away from me?” I watched as the Luna glanced over from her seat, there was an obvious look of panic in her eyes, she failed at hiding it as she stood and left the room. I could tell by the way that Gabe’s eyes tracked her that he had noticed as well.

“Do you think…” Gabe trailed off. He didn’t need to finish that sentence. The only person who wanted to keep me from my fated mate was my brother. But there was no way that he could have known that she was here. Unless he had been conversing with that bloody poisonous witch again. But it didn’t matter, if my fated mate was here, then I wasn’t leaving until I found her. 

“Tristan.” I growled low in my throat at the shrill sound of Bianca’s voice as she came to drape herself over me. “I’m bored, can we go now? I promise I can make it worth your while.” I tensed as she ran her hand down my back and onto my thigh. I knew where her hand was heading and I caught it before it got there.

“Not now Bianca,” I growled. Bianca pouted, withdrawing her hand with a huff. 

"Come now, darling. Don't be like that." Her tone turned sultry. "We both know this visit is a waste of time. Let's get out of this dump and back to civilisation." I bit back a snarl, barely resisting the urge to put the insolent woman in her place. But now was not the time to make a scene. 

"Not yet," I replied coldly. "I still have business to attend to here." 

Bianca's eyes narrowed, but before she could argue further, Alpha Ewan returned with the rest of his small pack. I studied their faces intently, searching for any sign of deception. Most appeared merely confused, shuffling nervously as they bowed their heads to me. But Ewan and his mate radiated tension, their anxiety palpable despite their efforts to appear calm. My gaze landed on the blonde from earlier. She looked so fragile in the firm hands of Lucas, like a rabbit in the headlights. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her shoulders rigid. She knew something. I was certain of it. I turned to Alpha Ewan.

"Is this everyone?" I asked. The Alpha glanced at his Luna before back to me and nodded his head. 

"Yes, Alpha," he said, "Every wolf is here in this room now." I found the way he phrased the answer curious, and looking at Gabe told me he had caught it to. I stood, commanding the attention of the room. 

"It has come to my attention," I announced, "that one among you has been keeping secrets. My fated mate is here... yet you have hidden her from me." Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some, like the blonde paled at my words. Others exchanged puzzled glances, apparently oblivious. Ewan stepped forward, spreading his hands in a placating gesture.

"Alpha Norththorn, I assure you if such a woman were among us, I would have informed you immediately." His heartbeat was steady, he spoke the truth, yet still hid something. I narrowed my eyes.

"Do not attempt to deceive me, Ewan. The scent of my mate lingers here. Explain yourself." The Alpha floundered for a response. Before he could speak, Gabe intervened smoothly.

"Perhaps we should question each member privately. If someone is concealing the truth, we will uncover it." I nodded. Gabe's suggestion was prudent. A direct interrogation might get answers that evaded me so far. 

"Good idea, Gabe. See to it the pack is interviewed at once." I paused, letting steel creep into my tone. "And know that if I am denied what is mine, there will be consequences." A ripple of unease passed through the room at the unspoken threat. But Ewan merely inclined his head. 

"Of course, Alpha. We will cooperate fully with your investigation." I searched his face for any hint of deception, but found only sincerity. Either he was an adept liar, or truly ignorant of my mate's presence. Regardless, I would have the truth. No one kept what was mine from me, no one. 

I gestured to Lucas, who still held the struggling blonde servant in an iron grip. 

"Take her to a room and keep watch. I will speak with her soon." Lucas nodded and pulled the girl from the hall. Her wide, frightened eyes met mine briefly before she disappeared from view. Yes, that one knew something. I was certain she would talk, whether freely or under duress. Gabe began ushering the pack members out to conduct the interviews. I watched them go, my impatience building. Every instinct screamed to hunt my mate down this instant, to claim what was mine by blood-right. Yet I could not afford to be rash. I needed to unravel this nest of secrets carefully if I was to find her. Ewan lingered after the others had gone. He approached me cautiously, tension etched into every line of his body. 

"Alpha, I swear to you, if a fated mate of yours is among my pack I wasn’t aware of it." His heartbeat remained steady. I inclined my head.

"You speak the truth, yet still hide something from me. Beware, Ewan. My patience is finite, especially in matters such as this." He bowed his head. "I only wish to protect my pack and my family, Alpha. But I will not stand in the way of fate." A cold determination settled over me. No matter what, by the end of this night, I would claim what was mine. The secrets of this place could not withstand me. No one could.