Chapter 11: Eastern Ridge~

THE LYCAN ENFORCER

~KAEL’S POV~

Victor’s voice cracked through the air, “Goddess… a mate. You finally found her,”

Annabeth burrowed into my shirt, hiding her face. Chad’s mouth softened, but he kept his voice low. “We’ve waited a long time to see you this way, Kael.”

I didn’t answer. I looked at them, letting my eyes commanding over. “You will never mention this to a soul.”

Chad straightened. “Kael—”

“If word reaches the princess or her father, or any of my enemies, her life is over.” I stepped closer. “So Do you swear?”

“On our lives,” they said together, heads bowed.

“Good.” I turned toward the staff hall inside the mansion. Luckily I came across my most trusted servent, “Mrs. Halloway!”

She appeared from the shadows, grey hair pinned tight, hands folded. She has served and kept my secrets for as long as I could remember. She’s one of a few I trust the most.

“Mrs. Halloway, this is Annabeth.” My voice dropped half a note. “She’s under my protection. And she's to remain in the East wing of this mansion. Feed her. Bathe her. Tend to her but Do not ever let her out of your sight when I'm not around. I leave for Blue Moon pack at dawn. I want a detailed report on her behavior when I return.”

“Yes, Enforcer.” Mrs. Halloway held out her hand to Annabeth. “Child?”

Annabeth looked at me, unsure. I nodded once. She took Mrs. Halloway’s hand, and every step they took down the hall yanked at my chest.

I wanted to follow behind but I had a job to do as the Enforcer and i needed to prepare for my mission tomorrow instead.

But For the first time in a hundred years, I had a reason to come back.

I half smiled and went to my office to get my documents ready.

~~~

A few minutes passed midnight and I felt complete unrest. My Lycan was crawling under my skin, bulging at me to go to our mate. I tried resisting the pull but it was too much to bare. I had to see her again tonight.

I stalked by my room and held the doorknob, breathing in, gathering strength to resist the sight of her.

I opened up the door and saw my little mate, Annabeth stumbled and gasped when she saw me, looking surprised I was standing right at the door, she was looking for something by my desk.

Probably another weapon. I chuckled at her silliness. Thinking I'd be careless with her twice.

My cardigan she was wearing ate her whole. She looked breakable.

“Why so surprised Little One? Wasn't expecting me?” I asked with a little smirk spreading across my face.

She hugged herself. “I was just... touring the room.”

“You’re meant to be asleep, Annabeth.”

“So this is how you would sneak in on me then, while I'm defenseless and sleeping and to do what?” She said boldly.

Something about the way she spoke to me made me want to do things to her. Unimaginable things.

I trailed over to where she was, slowly, like a predator and she moved backwards till her back pressed against the wall.

She was exactly where I wanted her to be.

I braced a hand on the wall, above her face, Leaning down at her face, not touching. But Close enough to feel her breath. “You were in my arms ten minutes ago. Now you’re scared of me again?”

“I’m not scared of you.” She spat, but couldn't hold my eyes.

While Her own eyes contradicted her words as They kept darting to the door. Probably thinking of how to run away from me.

“But you are.” I leaned closer in, our lips almost touching. “You should be.”

Her pulse jumped under her jaw. Right where I’d almost bitten her. “Why are you here, I thought you had a big meeting or something tomorrow.”

“Did you forget we were rather rudely interrupted earlier in my lair?” I asked just to see her reaction and it didn't disappoint.

Her face went white as she swallowed hard. “I'm feeling really sleepy right now Mr Enforcer. So please, i'd like to be alone and get some rest.”

I studied her face some more before giving in to her request but not before taking a deep whiff of her neck.

“Enforcer. Please.” She pleaded.

I gave her some space, “I'd rather appreciate it if you just called me by my name. Annabeth.” I said before leaving the room, forcing my Lycan with me.

When I got to my office, I picked up the communicator and radioed my security, “Set Two wolves on my door. Two at the east stair. And extra Two on the balcony. Now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Having stayed awake most of the night, I set ready for my journey once day breaked.

I checked in on Annabeth and saw her sleeping soundly and felt the warmth in my cold heart.

She was safe. For now.

~~~

The eastern ridge stank of blood. On arrival at the Blue Moon Pack, I took a notice to their Alpha, Lincoln, who had twenty wolves behind him as backup, claws out, snarling at their rival, Blackfang Pack.

And Across the dry creek, Alpha Ren of Blackfang Pack had thirty wolves, his face grinning, like this was a show to him.

Between them stood three dead pups and Two warriors.

And me. Alone. No armor. No guards. I had them stay close to the convoy outside. Just a black Henley and the King’s ring of authority.

“Enforcer,” Lincoln growled. “This Beast crossed the line. He killed our own and We want blood, we want justice.”

“Lies,” Ren said, all fake innocence. “His pups trespassed into our boarders. My wolves defended Blackfang soil. Law is the law, no matter the size of offenders.”

I pulled off my gloves. Slow. “Five dead. For dirt with no game. No water.”

“The principle—” Lincoln started.

“The principle is you’re wasting my time. And you... you murdered 3 pups all for something that doesn't even belong to you.”

I moved quick with the air and swiftly caught Ren mid-air. One hand. Lifted.

Two hundred sixty pounds of Alpha dangled. His wolves charged at me but I flared my aura.

Thirty wolves dropped, muzzles to dirt, whining. Lincoln’s pack followed. Only the Alphas stayed up, shaking.

I let Ren fall. He hit the ground choking.

“That boarder ridge belongs to neither of you.”

Lincoln jerked. “Enforcer, That land’s been Blue Moon for—”

“Was.” I stepped into the creek bed. “A hundred years ago the King before the one you know now, marked it neutral. Your grandfathers made it a graveyard. So.. No. That border is no man's land. But a land for all.”

I let my eyes go back to normal. Letting the scent of predatory roll off me. “From sunrise, the eastern ridge is now the Crown's territory. Cross without my seal, and I don’t just arrest you. I'll end your entire bloodline.”

Ren looked furious. “You don’t have the...”

I held up my ring. The obsidian seal bestowed by the King himself caught the sun. “Do you wish to challenge the royal throne. Do you wish to challenge me? Here. Now?”

No one moved. No one spoke.

Lincoln looked away first. Then Ren. Their Chins down.

“Bury your dead. Go back to your respective Territories. And if I hear news of One more body dropping here, then I'll be forced to take both packs down myself.”

I turned my back to them. Leaving to join my guards by the car.

I knew with the way I often handled cases, I was bound to breed enemies, who would want nothing more than to see a weakness in me. And I couldn't let that happen.

When I got to the car, my Lycan was nudging at me to check on our mate and I didn't resist.

I dailed Home, hoping to hear her voice to atleast calm down.

~~~