Luke's P.O.V. 

 

I stood next to Dad in slight awe at the pack in front of me. All the Ashworth brothers were here, they were the superheroes of wolves. We had already been introduced, most of them liked me, Axel even let me give him a tour of the pack house. I heard a whine from our pack and immediately knew who it was.

Isabel bristled at being placed with the rest of the ladies in the pack, I haven't officially introduced her as my companion yet so she couldn't stand with me like she wanted to. It was a blow to her pride as she boasts to everyone about our relationship. People didn't believe that we would last because we aren't true mates but I was determined to prove them wrong. 

"Alpha Ashworth," Dad said to the gathered packs, "we're terribly sorry for your loss and we're happy to extend helping hands to you." 

"Thank you," Alpha Ashworth said. I liked him; he was kind and open but tolerated no shit from anyone. 

That was the type of alpha I am going to be. All of a sudden a blonde sandy haired boy around my age came running from the forest, frantically out of breath. A brown haired girl pushed herself forward, I guess she was his mate, and comforted him,

"Cael," Alpha Ashworth commanded his attention, "what's wrong?"

"Anastasia," the boy breathed and there was an immediate change within their pack. 

The pack members moved to the edges as Damien, Axel and Nyal shifted. Asher and Ari stepped away from their mates and I vaguely heard a conversation about a tranquilizer gun. Alpha Ashworth mind linked someone and stood calmly at the centre of the clearing, apparently waiting for something.

"Simon, what is going on?" Dad asked with a bit of hostility.

"Peace Jonathan," Alpha Ashworth replied calmly, "it's nothing we can't handle and I assure you that your pack is safe." I sensed Dad's uneasiness and brought my wolf just below the surface, ready to shift if need be.

A black wolf came barreling out of nowhere; I barely caught sight of it as it sprinted past the packs. Hot on its heels was a dark brown wolf, Alpha Ashworth acted fast, catching the wolf around its middle and pushing it back. The wolf stood its ground well.

My eyes open wide as I took in the size of the wolf. It was just a head and a half smaller than me but that was no excuse for the sheer aggression that radiated off the wolf. Whispers and gasps were heard from my pack as the wolf stared Alpha Ashworth down, baring its blood stained teeth.

Luke, Bryan, my best friend and Harvey's son mind linked me, I'm going with Dad to check the northern boundary. Apparently this wolf killed a rogue wolf. I nodded as I refocused on the situation at hand. I felt a pull towards this wolf. My wolf was itching to go towards the beast in front of us. Damien, Nyal and Axel surrounded this wolf whose snarling increased by tenfold.

"Anastasia," Alpha Ashworth said gently. Her name echoed in my head, such a beautiful name for a feral creature. "Shift, I know you can fight her."

The wolf snarled in defiance and tensed, ready to attack. "C'mon Ana-bear, don't make us do this again." My wolf was going mad, trying to push me forward to protect her. The dark brown wolf growled and lunged forward.

Alpha Ashworth was fast, he grabbed the wolf's neck and quickly put her into a sleeper hold. I couldn't stop the growl that escaped my lips as I watched the wolf fight and struggle before eventually submitting. My wolf whined helplessly as her eyes met ours before they slid shut.

Alpha Ashworth slowly descended towards the ground and pulled her closer to him as her body shifted back. Rowan was there with a blanket to protect her modesty. My heart started to pound as he stood up with a beautiful girl in his arms, cradling her like a baby. I trembled as feelings of jealousy and protectiveness washed over me and I felt drawn to her. My eyes widened in shock as I realized what had happened.

The feral wolf was Alpha Ashworth's daughter.

And she was also my mate.

~

I sat in Dad's study, barely listening to the meeting that was going on, my mind was miles away.

I finally found my mate.

My wolf was over the moon with happiness but I was in shock. I never expected to find my mate, let her alone be the daughter of an alpha and her wolf a pure beast. Bryan told me about the rogue wolf's body they found, his neck was nearly bitten off, he had no chance of survival. I ran a hand through my hair. What was I going to tell Isabel? She was hounding me all week to announce our relationship to the pack. Screw Isabel, what was I going to tell Anastasia?

Anastasia

 Her name rang through my head again. I could feel the mate bond forming but it wouldn't be complete until we marked each other. My wolf growled in agreement at the thought of marking our mate. I knew I had to keep him under control until I knew Anastasia better.

"Simon, I hope we won't have any other incidents like today," Dad said, his voice laced with a warning.

"It won't, I don't allow Anastasia to shift often and we take preventative measures to ensure that her wolf doesn't take over unexpectedly," Alpha Ashworth replied.

"It wasn't Ana's fault," Xaden, the black wolf from earlier, said, "She was doing so well, until the rogue came." I frowned a bit at his defensive tone and wondered what is his relationship with my mate.

There was a knock on the door that stopped the conversation then I smelt her. I couldn't put her scent into words. It was sweet but subtle as it pulled me in, wanting to go to her. I breathed in deeply, letting it entice me.

"Come in," Dad said.

The door opened slightly and slim figure slipped inside. My jaw dropped slightly as my eyes roamed over the girl in front of us. Her black hair was pinned back so its curls dropped lightly down her back, her dress was modest but showed off her figure and her tan skin, her makeup was light and natural. Her brown eyes scanned the room as her lips tilted into a smile. My wolf purred in pride as I watched her bow to Dad and greet Mom in the traditional way, by touching cheek-to-cheek.

"Alpha Blackwell, Luna Blackwell, I am Anastasia Ashworth," her voice was soft and inviting but held a certain timbre of power, naturally pulling all eyes to her. "I sincerely apologise for my behavior at the meeting today. It will not happen again during our stay."

"Is that why you're wearing silver?" Mom asked. 

I followed her steely gaze as my eyes zeroed in on the silver cuff on Anastasia's ankle. I forced down a hiss. Everyone knew silver was deadly to wolves. My wolf whined at the idea of her intentionally hurting herself.

"It keeps my wolf at bay," Anastasia explained with a smile. "It pushes her back into the recesses of my mind and decreases the chances of her resurfacing and taking over. It doesn't hurt me really." She kept her eyes on my parents as she talked to them and I silently begged for her to look at me.

"Ah, is it one of the, uh, preventative measures your father spoke about?" Dad asked, I saw the respect in his eyes, something he never showed me.

"Among other things," she replied.

Dad nodded thoughtfully but didn't press the matter. "This is my Beta, Harvey Stone and my son, Luke." She inclined her head respectfully at Harvey but turned to face me.

And our eyes met.

I felt a wrench at my stomach as I gazed into the eyes of my mate. I fought the urge to go to her and wrap my arms around her. It was risky in front her brothers and her father, not to mention if word got out to Isabel, what would happen. My wolf surged forward, staying just below the surface of my consciousness, begging me to go to our mate. I could tell that Anastasia felt the mate bond too as I saw her struggle between her instincts and logic.

Alpha Ashworth cleared his throat, "Come Anastasia." My wolf growled in anger as Anastasia broke the gaze and walked over to their side of the table. I raised my eyebrow as Xaden stood up and pulled out her chair for her. Anastasia smiled and sat between her dad and Xaden. Dad sent me a suspicious look before resuming the meeting.

~

I was the first one of out the room when the meeting came to an end. I was agitated, throughout the entire meeting I tried to get Anastasia's attention but her mind was solely engrossed in the meeting. Part of me was proud and was in awe that she had authority in the pack and I understood that she was the acting Luna as well but I am her mate, I am supposed to trump all of that.

"Luke," I turned to see Isabel standing there. I smiled and pulled her close, already knowing what she wanted. "I've been waiting patiently for you," she purred. How could I resist?

I chuckled, wrapping my arms around her waist. "And your patience shall be rewarded," I whispered huskily as she smiled and tiptoed to press a kiss to my lips.

I heard a gasp and I pulled away. My eyes widen in shock as I saw Anastasia standing there shock evident on her face. She took the position I was in with Isabel before her expression changed.

The heartbreak was almost tangible in the air as I saw her stagger back slightly as her eyes met mine. My wolf howled and pined in grief as I saw confusion and heart break in her eyes. I released my hold on Isabel but her grip on me grew tighter as her wolf sized up the new competitor.

"Anastasia?" Mom asked as she rounded the corner. Her mouth formed an 'o' shape as she quickly assessed the situation. I figured that my parents knew that I found my mate. "Anastasia, come with me, we have a lot to talk about," Mom said gently.

Anastasia closed her eyes, calming herself before reopening them and greeting my mother with a small smile. "Sure Luna Blackwell," she replied, pain evident in her voice.

Mom smiled, "None of this Luna business. You can call me Emma, now let's head to the kitchen, you have to be hungry after everything that happened today." Anastasia smiled and walked down the corridor without sparing us another glance. Mom's lips pressed into a hard disapproving line before she left as well. My wolf howled in dismay, urging me to go to our mate. 

""We have a lot to talk about"? "Call me Emma"?" Isabel said incredulously. "I've been kissing up to her for the entire week and she barely even acknowledges me." She yanked my head so that I was looking at her. "Who is she Luke?"

"Daughter of Alpha Ashworth," I replied. My breathing came out in pants as my chest began to tighten.

"Who is she to you?"

"Nothing." Everything 

"You're not going to break your promise to me right?"

I groaned inwardly, one drunken night apparently led to me making a promise to Isabel to make her mine and become Luna of the pack. Promises like that weren't taken lightly in our pack. 

"I won't."

"And she isn't a threat to us, right?"

I sighed knowing that there was no way in hell this was going to end well and pressed a kiss to Isabel's forehead, "Of course not." She looked satisfied with that answer and rest her head on my chest.