Chapter 8: never let her go

"Monsters? What do you mean by monsters?" The boy asked his father in confusion. His father sighed, turning away fully from the window. He took slow steps towards his crying son and lowered himself to the boy's height. Reaching forward, he daintily wiped off his tears, forcing a smile on his sad face.

"We are monsters by heart, for we kill with no remorse, slaughter with no soul and wield powers different from every other generation of werewolves, especially you. We are monsters because it's our path, and like every monster, we cannot love."

"B…b…but Mum is your mate, you love her!" The boy cried distraughtly.

"No, I chose her, but never loved her enough, or at all. If I were her mate, why then did she leave when her original mate appeared? Where is your mother if she is my mate?" He knew what he was doing, it was done to him and the alphas before him. It was a culture, their way of life; their tradition. However, unlike the rest, he wanted his son to hope, even if it would be tarnished later, even if it would be for nothing in the future, he just wanted his son to have the one thing he wasn't given the chance to.

So, when the boy sniffed and murmured, "What if I do get one, Father?"

He pinched the puffy wet cheek of his son and smiled. "Then never let her go."

_____

I stared down at the beauty in my arms. Her small body fitted into mine like the complete piece of a puzzle. I thought others were exaggerating when they said it, but having her wrapped up in my warmth, I knew they didn't explain it enough. I couldn't explain it myself, not at all. All I knew was that the sparks, the warmth, the unstoppable desire to protect, the tender beating of and the heat in my heart, it was all true.

I'd never been terrified as much as I walked into her cottage and found her nowhere. I thought she ran away until Everett pointed out that her bag was on her bed. Earlier, I went with Cooper to his mate's house to get her things, only to return to not find mine. Everett went back to the pack house to check if the alpha was making her work or if she had something there to pick. I'd equally never felt as much joy as I did when he mind-link me that he found her, but she wasn't feeling too well.

I always thought mates overreacted when they saw their mates in pain, not until I saw her crying in Everett's arms. It took everything in me to keep my composure and not expose the news. I felt like it would be better if no one knew I found my mate, at least, not yet. Immediately the car drove out of the pack, I found myself cradling her in my arms, my new baby. If only my father was alive to know that his son would be experiencing the mate bond after all.

From my observation, she had no idea who I was to her. She had no wolf, so she wouldn't know, and Cooper's mate made it clear that it would be better to keep it away from her until she feels safe with me. Something about her being awfully terrified of a mate. Eventually, we agreed that the secret would remain between us and Brie because she's not stupid.

Sapphire, a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Just staring at her eyes alone was enough to guess her name. It baffled me how her pack couldn't figure it out. According to the information gathered, they couldn't remember her name but knew it had something to do with ‘sa’. How stupid are they to not guess that it is Sapphire? Her fucking irises were like a pair of carved star sapphire gemstones. What idiots. And to think they pushed her so far to the point of losing her voice. Not only will I have to stay away from my miracle, but I would also have to never hear her voice. How beautiful.

I looked up from her face, frowning at Cooper and Everett who were goofing off with their loud, ridiculous singing. Cooper's mate stared at them like every sane person would, her body pressed against the door as if considering jumping out of the car just in case they really lose their minds. What a wonderful way to impress your mate.

"What the fuck!" They continued to sing, waving their hands high above their heads, from side to side. Cooper had no idea he was giving the girl a good reason to reject him. I opened my mouth to command them to shut it. They would wake my miracle up with their noise, and for once, Alaric was in support. I didn't get the chance to, she jerked up and away from my warmth, hitting her friend and jerking away again with a squeak. She looked around in panic, her beautiful eyes were as wide as a saucer.

It seemed like she wasn't seeing anyone or registering anything other than the fact that she was stuck in a car. I restrained myself from pulling her back into my embrace, reminding myself of what her friend warned me about. "Hey, hey, calm down, Sapphire, it's okay," Cooper's mate said softly, doing what I should be doing. I bit down on my tongue, throwing my face away. It was better not to look.

"Sapphire, can you breathe? I'm right here, you're safe. I'm a hundred percent sure these goofs scare you awake with their disturbing singing. Don't mind them, okay?" I could sense her stop panicking and felt her shift closer to her friend, grabbing a hold of her bicep or body. The girl giggled. "That's it, chill. How are you feeling? Better?" I turned my head to look at her. She nodded, her eyes scanning the faces in the car. Her eyes lingered on Everett for a while, and I noticed her cheeks heat up.

‘What the fuck!’ Alaric exclaimed. A growl escaped my lips without my knowledge, drawing her attention to me with another jerk. Her eyes grew a bit wider when she saw me before she frantically bowed to my dismay. She's not supposed to bow, she's my Luna, my mate, my equal. Fuck these circumstances!

‘Breathe, Drix. Now we have found her, hell would fade before we ever let her go,’

Yes, that's true.

"Stop bowing so much, it's annoying. A simple bow or nod would do," she stopped her repeated bowing and nodded. Her face was as red as her friend's hair. She bit down on her lower lip, twisting it to the side, shyly placing her hair behind her ear. At least she finds me more appealing.

"Okay, introduction time!" Everett shouted with a vigorous clap of his hands. She returned her attention to him, her eyes blinking with curiosity. "This goof right here is Cooper Kelly Sullivan, our glorious Beta and my very best friend. He might be a hunk, but that's all there is to him. He's a child and a complete idiot," I couldn't help the sarcastic snort that escaped me.

"Oh, shut up, Drix, nobody asked you. Anyway, I am your fantabulous, your wolfsome, your extraordinarily blastastic warrior captain. The most handsome man-wolf on the planet, gifted with a hunk of a body, descendant of Adonis, god of sexiness, women slayer and nine inches-packaged prince. I am your one and only, Everett Murray," he ended his exaltation with a bow, "Oh, thank you, you're too kind." I frowned when she giggled, that should be me.

"And that boring ogre over there is our alpha and best friend-brother, Hendrix. But be careful, he eats human flesh and uses their bones to pick his teeth," Cooper whispered like I wasn't sitting across from him.

"You wanna know what else I eat?"

"Ooh, what?" He squealed excitedly. "Is it cupcakes?"

"No, you."

"Ooh, ooh! Can I be dipped in onion sauce before eating? I've always wanted to know how it feels to be onion dipped!"

"And why would you want to know how it feels?" His mate asked with amusement.

"Isn't it obvious? For experience. They say experience is the best teacher. We can never know what the life of crisps is until we try it, understand it, and then grow to respect their life and culture. It's very essential, you see," He explained seriously like he knew what he was talking about and that the shit made sense. I looked at Sapphire and sighed.

"And that's why he's the clown of the pack. Most times, we don't understand him or what he says, but we nod anyway because watching him is just freaking amusing. And the best way to avoid arguing and reducing our IQ. So, when he starts talking, smile away and nod," She nodded with a small giggle. Everett was arguing with Cooper about how dumb what he said was. Clearly, the ignoring part wasn't for him.

"But of course, Everett doesn't per se have an IQ, to begin with, so losing it is not a problem. Just agree with them when they say or do something stupid. Life is almost easier that way. Is that okay?" She nodded eagerly, eyes fixed on the arguing men, great amusement in her eyes. Everett gave Cooper a knock, and Cooper gave him back. Then he threw a wink at his mate and smirked.

"You see that, Babe? I'm a man."

"Oh, yes, you are." She said amusedly, right before Everett slapped the back of his head. I smiled when Sapphire giggled some more. She was adjusting quicker than expected.

"Oh, yeah, can I say something?" Cooper's mate asked, raising her hand. "Alpha, my name is Scarlette. I can tell you didn't get that the first time, so please, remember it and don't tag me as a redhead or sword girl or even as bad as Cooper's mate." I looked away with a smile, she caught me.

"Okay, Scarlette. I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to answer me honestly, though the answer is quite obvious. Are you a hybrid?" The atmosphere immediately changed. I could sense it immediately she pulled out her sword from nowhere. I know hunters are fast and strong, but the kind of energy I sense was different, stronger. My wolf can always detect potential threats when he sees one. He could feel the power level of most living souls, so I knew she wasn't just human.

"Scarlette, I'm waiting for my answer,"

"Yes," she sucked in a deep breath, "but I promise I am no threat to your pack or anyone else. I'm more human than my other half, but it's nothing to worry about, I promise,"

"Scarlette, as my new Beta Female, I need you to be completely honest with me. I'm not going to force you, but I expect you to share with your mate. If your other side would draw in unwanted enemies, speak now so we would be prepared. I don't intend to let anything bad happen to you. You are now part of my family, and I always protect my family. Is that understood?"

"Yes," she smiled. "Understood. And don't worry, the fewer people know of my other half, the fewer chances of drawing any potential danger. I hope you can understand that… um, alpha?" I nodded, glad she already knew her place. She already accepted me as a superior, which was good for someone with the kind of energy she carries. "So, what about my friend? Since she has no wolf, how badly will she be treated?"

"Bad? Who the fuck will treat our lu…minating beauty badly?" I threw Everett a glare, he almost blew my cover. Cooper covered up immediately, squealing and clapping his hands.

"No need to worry, love! Definitely, there would be those who would act like shit. So, in honour of my finding you, alpha would repay my IOU by letting her stay in his house. That way, she'll be safe from everyone."

‘Smooth, Cooper, real smooth.’ Everett commented through the mind link. I ignored how she stiffened and gasped, turning my gaze to the window. With her close to me, I could get her to feel as safe as needed for her to finally accept me. Then, when the time comes, I'll have her all to myself. It's just a matter of time.