Chapter 3: Rick''s POV

I ride my horse, Shadow, through the forest of my pack's land. The rhythmic thud of his hooves on the ground calms me as I ride towards the cliff, a place that's got some of my favorite memories.

It's been three years now since my dad died defending our pack from renegade wolves, but the cliff reminds me every time of the moments we spent here. When I was a pup, he used to take me here and show me the amazing view of my pack. The River Bed pack. From up here, the forest lies before me forever, and the stream flows elegantly below.

Rick, never come here by yourself," he'd cautioned after discovering me at the cliff one afternoon. "It's not safe. What if a rogue attacks?"

I assured him I just wanted to be as courageous as he was. Oh, how I miss him.

The aroma of strawberries distracts me from my reverie. My wolf, Theo, stirs inside me, his anticipation growing. Our mate is close.

I track the scent to the stream, where I spot her, a beautiful woman looking through the trees. Her loveliness arrests me, but fury erupts when I see the bruises on her body. Who did this to her? Theo growls inside my head, agitated.

She appears terrified when her eyes clash with mine. She frowns as if she doesn't recognize me as her mate, which hurts, but I force the emotion away.

"Who are you?" I ask, keeping my voice calm and measured.

"I'm Bella," she says quietly, her voice broken but musical.

I take her to the pack house, my thoughts reeling with questions. "Lily," I call, calling for the head omega, "prepare the guest room for our guest."

Bella gawks around as we enter the house. Even though she's tired, her eyes grow wide with amazement at the sheer size of her new environment.

"Rest," I instruct her. "Lily will bring you food."

She pauses, then says, "Why are you helping me?"

Her words catch me off guard. Doesn't she feel the connection between us? Doesn't she know she's my mate?

You need rest," I say simply, leaving the room to let her settle in.

Leaving her in Lily's capable hands, I make my way to my study. Work does not wait for anyone, not even an alpha. But my mind wanders back to Bella-her beauty, her fear, her bruises.

A knock at the door distracts me from my reverie. Mark, my beta, enters. His face stern and serious as he closes the door. He moves to the chair across from my desk and sits, his back straight, his eyes unflinching.

We need to talk," he says, her voice calm but firm. "Who is this she-wolf you brought into our pack? A rogue? Rick, you know your Parents died in a rogue attack.

His words strike like a slap, but I meet his stare straight on. "Yes, I haven't forgotten that. But this is different she's not any rogue. She's my mate." Mark is not only my beta he is my best friend from childhood, that's why he simply addresses me by name.

His expression softens instantly, the tension in his shoulders easing. A smile spreads across his face, one of both relief and happiness. “Really? Your mate? Rick, I’m so glad you’ve found her.”

"I am too, Mark," I admit, though my tone is laced with frustration. "But she's hurt. She has bruises, and she looked frightened when I found her. Someone was pursuing her, that's why she was lying in wait for us in our territory along the stream."

Mark smile weakens, giving way to concern. "She's in danger?"

I nod, the rage just beneath the surface erupting to life. My wolf, Theo, growls inside me, his anger mine. "Anyone who hurt my mate will pay. They'll suffer my wrath."

Mark reaches across the desk, putting a hand over mine. "You'll keep her safe, Rick. You're her mate. That's what we do."

His words calm me down, but the flame in my chest is still there. Saving Bella isn't just my duty, it's my nature, my calling. Whoever hurt her will regret it.