Chapter 5

MATE

Ethan’s senses heightened as he sat across from Ayla in the meeting room. He could feel the pull of the mate bond, even though he knew Ayla didn’t. Her scent, a subtle mix of lavender and honey, drew him in, just as it had the night they first met. It was what had drawn him out of his office and to the courtyard, where he found her running from the epsilon guards.

“I guess you're the angry pack member at the gate,” he said, trying to lighten the mood, but Ayla didn't respond, her eyes fixed on the table in front of her as questions raced through her mind. Why did he reject her with a note? Why did he mate with her if he didn't want her? But now wasn’t the time for those questions, she knew.

Ethan's expression turned serious as he apologized, “I’m sorry I didn't recognize you sooner…I heard you’ve been outside for two nights now?”

Ayla's gaze flickered up to his, then back down, her voice barely above a whisper. “Three nights.” She corrected.

An awkward silence hung in the air till Ethan broke it. “How have you been?” He cleared his throat, searching her face for any reaction. Ayla simply nodded, her eyes avoiding his.

“It's been a long while since—” he began to say, but she interrupted him in a firm voice.

“I'm here for something important, Alpha.” The air of formality in her words hit him hard. “I know I'm not supposed to be here, but the clock is ticking, and there was no one else I could think of.” Her words were laced with a sense of urgency.

“The night we…” She paused, swallowing hard. “The night we mated...I got pregnant.” She finally said. Ethan expression suddenly changed, revealing the shock on he felt.

“I was supposed to get rid of the baby, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.” She sobbed, tears streaming down her face. “And then, when I realized I was having triplets, it was too late...So I accepted my fate and raised them on my own.” Her voice cracked as she continued. “Three weeks ago, we were out getting ice cream when...they were kidnapped.” She told him as she desperately fought back tears.

Ethan’s eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling the revelation. He felt like he had been hit by a ton of brick and was struggling to process it all. He had kids? Triplets? And somehow, they were missing. His heart raced as a mix of emotions overwhelmed him.

He looked at Ayla, his expression tensed. “You're telling me I have kids?” he asked, his voice laced with disbelief. “Kids I've never met? And they're missing?” He asked.

Ayla nodded, tears streaming down her face. “I know the consequences of coming back here and I know this is a lot to take in. But I had to come to you. You’re the only one who find help me find them.”

Ethan's gaze narrowed, his mind racing with questions. Why had she kept this from him? Why had she shown up now, after five years? But he pushed those questions aside, and finally managed to say, “You should get some rest now, I’ll set up an emergency meeting at once. We'll get them back, Ayla. I promise.”

Ayla's face was pale and tired, her eyes sunken and had dark circles underneath. She looked like she hadn't slept in weeks, and her body weak from exhaustion. But as he spoke, a glimmer of hope filled her face, and she gave him a weak but soft smile that tugged at Ethan’s wolf.

As she got on her feet, he asked, “Where are you going?”

“I have to go find a hotel to stay for the meantime,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“That won't be necessary,” Ethan said, his voice firm. “Your things have been taken to a guest room in the estate. You'll stay here, in the pack house, until we find the triplets. It's safer for you here.”

Ayla's eyes widened, and she looked at him in shock. “I...I don't think--I don’t want to impose,”she stammered.

Ethan insisted, “You're not imposing, Ayla. You need help, and you need protection. Let me provide that for you, until we find our children. Please.”

Ayla's eyes widened, and she felt a pang of weirdness hearing him say “our children,” but she didn't say anything. Also, she knew there was no use arguing with Ethan, and she was too exhausted to resist his offer.

Later, as Ayla was being escorted to the guest quarters, she heard Sophia’s voice behind her, dripping with disdain. “You just got here and you’ve gotten a guest room and now, the Alpha is already calling an emergency meeting? You're wasting no time, are you?”

Ayla's heart sank as she turned to face Sophia, as she stood in the corridor that stretched across the house. Sophia's eyes narrowed as her face twisted in anger.

“Leave us!” She commanded, “All of you!” She snapped.

The guards nodded and stepped aside, leaving the two of them alone. The air was thick with tension as they faced each other.

Sophia took a step closer, her eyes blazing with fury. “You lying bitch!” she seethed. “You promised! Three?! How dare you! And now you're here. You're here to take him away from me, aren't you?”

Ayla tried to speak, to defend herself, but Sophia's words cut her off. “You think you can just waltz back in here and take everything away from me? You're delusional!” she said, her voice rising.

“You would do the same if you were in my shoes.” Ayla said, her voice firm.

Sophia scoffed, “how dare you! How dare you compare me to a scum like you!” Her hand raised, and Ayla flinched, expecting a slap. But before Sophia could make contact, a figure emerged silently from nowhere.

Sophia's wrist was caught in a firm grip, and her arm twisted at an awkward angle. “I wouldn't do that if I were you.” a cold, masculine voice warned.

Ayla turned to face him, her eyes widened in surprise as she took in the stranger's imposing frame, his features sculpted and mysterious. Who was this person? She wondered, at the same time, she blurted the word.

“Mate.”