Page 47 of Fated Alpha Protector

As I travel in wolf form toward Rocheport, memories of my childhood begin playing out. Those nights I’d spend outside Anastasia’s bedroom while Mother recounted tales of a beautiful love story.

Those stories had been so vividly and stunningly woven in words, that both my sister and I had longed to feel it ourselves. The fated mate bond outweighed any other kind of love story.

And now that I found my fated mate, I know what it feels like. It’s as effortless as breathing. As blissful as life itself. And I cannot imagine living my life without her by my side.

As soon as I near Rocheport, the distinct smell of the Blackclaw wolves enters my airways. As the border patrol emerges from the far corners of the woods, I realize that Mia didn’t have this murky smell around her.

It’s almost gut-churning in its irregularity. I only stomach it for the sake of the meeting with their Alpha, following the border patrol wolves. I’m led down an inclined hill, bricks forming a path leading to a cabin in the woods west of Rocheport.

Once there, I’m the first to shift back to human form. Only one of the Blackclaw wolves shifts too – and I recognize him as the Beta who visited Nightwalker.

“Alpha Theo,” he greets with a nod as I quickly dress into the spare set of clothing from my duffel bag. “Alpha Cyrus is inside.”

I nod as the Blackclaw Beta opens the main door to their pack den. I enter the cabin, the dimly lit wooden structure eerie once I’m inside. Brushing off the feeling of impending doom, I follow the Beta as he leads me to another door on the left.

“Alpha Theo!” Cyrus beams from behind an antique desk in his office. He seems rather cheerful to see me, while I feel the exact opposite.

When he gestures to the seat across from him, I take it. Once I'm comfortable – at least, as comfortable as I can be on enemy territory – I try sending out a message to Mia.

But the telepathic mind link echoes in my own head and bounces around like a marble in a tin can. It doesn't extend to her mind.

She isn't here…

So where is she?

Ignoring the red flags that suddenly pop into my head, I choose to continue with the meeting instead. I'll find out soon enough why I can't send Mia a mind link.

I take a deep breath, settling further on the hard chair. “As we've discussed before, my sister Anastasia will be your bride to wed,” I inform the Blackclaw Alpha, maintaining composure despite how it infuriates me inside.

“Great!” He claps his palms together, that sinister smile deepening on his face.

Even his eyes twinkle with malicious intent – and I relegate it to the tyrant werewolf leader always getting things his way. “I will let my pack go forth with wedding preparations. You will bring her to me on the next full moon.”

Mentally keeping my composure in check, I nod as I agree to the Alpha's demands. “Since my sister and I have agreed to this marriage, the question of my marriage to one of your pack members remains.”

“Ah, yes…” Cyrus nods slowly, the smile only mildly dampening on his face. “The Delta's cousin, Serena–”

“No,” I interject sternly. “I will take Mia Alvarez as my bride.”

Tension rises palpably in the office as the smile gets wiped off Cyrus's face. His eyes narrow like little sharp blades as he glowers at me, leaning forward.

“I told you before, Theo Marrock…” he says my full name with venom laced on his tongue. “... That's not possible.”

In the moment of silence that spreads, I try sending another mind link to Mia.

‘Mia… where are you?’

But again, it fails to leave the confines of my mind. As if blocked by a force stronger than the powers of a werewolf.

Of which there are very little.

“Why not?” I challenge with an equally threatening glare.

When Cyrus feebly smirks, it's like he's taunting me.

“Because…” he snickers, “... Mia Alverez isn't here.”

“What?”

---