Chapter 7- Jarin

**Jarin**

What if she's not my mate. It’s a question I'd asked myself again and again over the last few days. I was 26, and I had not found her yet. I felt it was very unlikely this hybrid would be my mate. What if I instated her as Luna, and I then discovered my true mate? I didn't want to think about it. At this point my own happiness had to come second to the survival of our community. 

A mind link came through from Atlas “Alpha, I’ve got some news” “Please come to my chambers as soon as possible”. I felt him accept my request. While I waited for him to arrive, I went to my drinks cabinet and poured myself and Atlas a glass of mead. I needed something strong and sweet to calm me. I looked at myself in the mirror hanging by the cabinet. I kept my blonde hair short, and allowed some stubble to form on my chin. I had brown eyes, that were pretty ordinary. I was a good height, most Alpha's were. It went without saying that I was muscular, years of training did that. I didn't think I was unattractive, but I was secretly concerned that this hybrid, if she wasn't my mate, would reject me. And then what? I wasn't a ruthless Alpha, and I avoided force where ever possible. But if she refused to marry me, maybe I would have to force her.

The knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. “Come in Atlas” I called. Atlas pushed open the door and nodded in my direction. I turned “How are things progressing?” I said, handing him his drink. He took a quick sip and then replied “Doran and Asher haven’t found anything in the texts or amongst the rouges...” my heart sank “...But, I think we may have a promising lead” I looked up at him, my interest piqued. “I went to visit my mother early this morning, you know how she spends time with humans” He looked embarrassed but continued on. “She told me she’d heard stories about a servant girl from another village around 20 miles from here. Stories that sounded like she could have mage powers” I remained silent to encourage to go on.

“Doran and I went to a village today and spoke to a man who had an encounter with the girl. He was a grim character, but he told us that she’d burnt his hand when he touched her” “Burnt him how?” I asked. “Well that’s just it, he doesn’t know, although he made some remark about her possibly being a ‘witch’.” I couldn’t help but laugh. The mages hated being called witches. They found it derogatory. It was like someone calling us dogs. Atlas smiled sharing my amusement. “He showed us his hand, and it was blistered from a burn”. “Is there any chance he could be lying?” Atlas hesitated, “If he is, I can’t see the purpose behind it. If it was about tarnishing her reputation, or the inn’s, there would be better lies to tell”. I considered this. “Given what you’ve said, I think it will be important to see the girl as soon as possible. I have decided to go alone, just in case you or someone else discovers she’s your mate”. Atlas scoffed. I looked at him puzzled by his outburst. “Forgive me Alpha, I only mean that I don’t think my mate will be turning up any time soon, and if she does, I have no interest in pursuing something that will distract me from my duty to you and the pack”. I gave a wry smile. Atlas, the conqueror of female werewolves. “Atlas, I know the whole castle is well aware of your nightly, and sometimes daily...” I raised my eyebrows in his direction “... activities, but you cannot be so naive to underestimate the mate bond.” Atlas shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe, but I know one thing for sure, nothing and no-one will come between my desire to contribute to the salvation of our species. And anyway, it’s highly unlikely she will be anyone’s mate. A werewolf mated to a hybrid is unheard of”.

As I was about to reply a mind link came through from one of my scouts, I linked in Atlas so he could hear. “Alpha, an ambassador of the vampires has delivered a message. Their Elder wishes to see you tomorrow night at the Eastern outpost. He says it is a peaceful meeting, but if you do not attend, they will attack”. My stomach dropped. The Elder hadn’t called for a meeting that didn’t involve fighting for many years. What could they want? Had they found out about our secret mission to locate a hybrid? As I looked at Atlas’s face, I could tell he was thinking the same thing. I sat down in the large oak chair and briefly rested my forehead against my fingers. I took a deep breath and then looked at Atlas. “We cannot face another attack from them, our warriors have barely recovered from the last one”. Atlas did not say anything, and I could tell he was waiting for instruction. I stood up again and paced.

I stopped in front of my window and looked in the castle’s courtyard. It was quiet now, after the business of the day. But I could see some children playing a game with marbles I used to play as a child. I realised I envied them. Being an Alpha was a responsibility I’d never wanted. My father had been Alpha before and I had taken over the role when at he died. He had tried to prepare me for it, but I'd always felt he wasn't sure I was up to it. I had been in the role for 8 years and yet I still felt as if I was still play acting. I made myself come back to the present.

I turned to Atlas. “I must attend this meeting, but we also need to find this hybrid as soon as possible. Atlas, I want you to go and see her and find out if she is what we are looking for.” Atlas nodded and went to leave, I held up my hand to stop him. “I think you are right. It is very unlikely she will be anyone’s mate including my own. But you should be prepared just in case. I know you believe that if she is your mate, you will be able to control yourself, reject her, and allow her to become my bride” I paused, and looked him straight in his eyes “but what you have not considered, unsurprisingly, is her feelings” Atlas looked confused, exasperated I exclaimed “For fuck sake Atlas, if she is your mate then it’s going to be unlikely she will agree to marry me!” Finally seeing confusion turning to understanding I continued before he could ask what I knew he was about to. “Yes, there is a way, but you still need to think about this carefully”. “What would I need to do?” I rubbed my hands together. “The information I’m about to share with you cannot leave this room” I looked at him hard, but knew I could trust Atlas without asking. I went to my desk and pulled out a key from a slot hidden underneath. I moved towards my dresser and placed the key in a lock located on the side, disguised by the decorative woodwork. As I turned the key a small compartment popped out and I took out the item I needed.

I walked over to Atlas and held out the pendant. It looked like a pebble hanging off a braid. I could tell Atlas had no clue what it was. “I know it may not look like much, but this pendant is very powerful. When it is worn by a wolf, it prevents that wolfs mate from identifying them. It won’t work the other way round though, so if she is your mate, you will know it.” I dropped it into Atlas’s hand and he placed it around his neck. He rolled it between his fingers before tucking it under the collar of his shirt to conceal it. “Please wear it from now until I instruct otherwise”. “What if I need to shift?” I sighed “That’s another catch, you won’t be able to wear it in your wolf form, so you won’t be able to shift around her. Any conflict you may encounter will have to be fought in your human form, and you will need to travel on horse”. I studied Atlas’s face, he seemed to be mulling over what I had just said. But before long he looked at me. “I understand Alpha, I am prepared to do what ever it takes to secure our survival”. “Prepare for your departure at first light”. “Yes Alpha”. I watched him leave, and wondered if he would return with someone else.