What if she’ll never be offered because she’s older than twenty-one? What if she doesn’t live in Shadow Falls at all and she’s only visiting? The thought of never seeing my mate again sends a pulse of panicked heat through my body with a force that almost brings me to my knees.
“Calm down, Vince.” Devin’s stern voice grounds me and I place my hands behind my back.
“I cannot. I cannot lose her, Alpha.” Even in my mind, his title is emphasized, both pleading with him and warning.
There’s a second of hesitation. Only one, that’s tense and severe, before he answers.
“You may stay behind only to find out why she wasn’t offered.”
“Yes, Alpha.” My heartbeat slowly stops hammering in my chest as I continue to watch my mate. As soon as Grace and Liz are collected and safe in the cars, I’m hunting down those sexy, long legs. “Thank you.”
“Shut the fuck up; our mates are here.” Dom’s threateningly low voice makes my lips kick up into a smirk.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were pissed.” I can practically feel his rumbling growl.
“Knock it off. Dom, you handle your mate; I’ll handle mine. Grace is last, so we won’t have to wait. Any questions?”
“No, Alpha.” We answer Devin in unison. This should be easy enough. Then I can track down my mate. I’ve never been so eager for an event to be over in my entire existence. My skin heats with anticipation as Grace walks past me. I can hear her breath steadying as she walks toward Devin. The presence of her mate is already soothing her nerves. Good. This will be over soon and then I can stalk my sexy little vixen.
As I walk down the steps, knowing their mates are in place, chaos ensues on stage. It happens far too fast and unexpectedly. With rigid discipline, I don’t hesitate; I react. Moving to my position as ordered, I’m calm on the outside, but inwardly there’s an equal amount of chaos as there is on stage. Dom’s mate is screaming. Her cries are hysterical and they elicit a knee-jerk, involuntary reaction from the onlookers. Her fists pound with violent thuds against his hard body and it feels like a damn bullet to my chest. She’s fighting him. She’s resisting her mate. It’s shocking; it’s soul crushing. It takes everything in me to keep my expression neutral and not react.
I can’t even imagine how he must feel.
It’s not supposed to be like this. I’ve seen offerings before in my old pack. The women are meant to be calm and go willingly. The bond, even if they don’t know a damn thing about it, is strong. It’s unbreakable. It’s captivating. The touch of a mate is comforting. The only times there are problems at the offerings is when some asshole wolves take what doesn’t belong to them. That doesn’t happen much now that the Authority has taken over inter- and intraspecies relations.
She doesn’t stop. Their mate fights for her life against them.
“Are you sure she’s your mate?” Several growls vibrate through me in response. “I didn’t mean that. Shit, I apologize.”
Caleb’s voice reaches me through the deafening snarl still coming from Dom. “Don’t worry about it. She’ll be all right. She’ll be fine.” Even though his words are laced with positivity and confidence, I can feel his apprehension. Those poor fuckers, Dom and Caleb. Their pain permeates through us. The cries of outrage pick up now that the crowd is no longer shocked and other emotions are surfacing. Double fuck. If we don’t act fast, things are going to get messy.
I’m vaguely aware of Devin’s aura pushing down on my shoulders, steadying me. Holding all of us in place and settling our nerves. I’m grateful for it.
Devin’s mate fights against his hold as she screams her friend’s name, the trance broken. She pushes off of him in a futile attempt to free herself, but in her struggle against him, she’s radiating dominance. I flinch at the Alpha waves overwhelming me and look to Devin. He’s calmer than still waters, not even affected by her innate influence. I know he felt it, though. We all felt it.
Our Alpha mate.
“Calm her down.” Devin finally gives the command to Grace, the words spoken low, gently and she immediately composes herself as if they were a balm she needed. A soothing wind pacifies my nerves, even though Dom’s mate is still battering her fists against him. The effect of our Alpha mate’s emotions is overwhelming. It’s clear she was made for Devin. Together, the two of them exude power. I’ve been told that an Alpha finding his mate makes him stronger and his pack closer, but to feel it, to be a part of such a strong union—it’s all-consuming.
As Grace holds Liz, Dom’s sadness and anger creep in. But typical of the beast he is, on the surface he’s furious. Grace’s powerful force is weakened when she sees his scowl. She’s terrified, gripping Liz tighter, protecting her small pack of two.
The air is bitter with their fear.
Devin’s hands settle on Grace’s shoulders; it does little to assuage the anxiousness rolling off her in waves. It’s so strong it’s practically choking me. But in an instant, the surges cease and my breath returns. I turn just in time to see Devin catch his mate as she faints. The crowd erupts in outrage and screams of terror. The Authority requires the humans’ submission and for us to reinforce it. This is not how I envisioned the day’s events. Every second is more somber than the last. My brow furrows in anger, but Devin continues to hold us in place. A fierce growl bursts forth from his throat, carrying through the stadium and silencing the humans.
“Move.” He snarls his command and we all walk forward in unison. Devin cradles his unconscious mate in his arms while Liz cries helplessly, weaker by the second, flailing her fists against Dom’s back as he carries her over his shoulder like a caveman. The tension pours from him. I can’t help but to wonder what’s wrong with her. Something is very wrong. Dom’s grief ricochets through me as he releases a shaky breath; it’s the only indication he’s anything other than furious.
“She’ll be better once we’re back.” Caleb’s words almost sound like a hopeful question. His panting wolf is whining in agony. I feel nothing but pity for all three of them.
As I lead our pack to the parked cars, my gaze roams the stadium for my mate. But she’s gone. The hammering in my chest speeds up as I frantically search for her.
Before panic takes over, I’m given my leave.
“Go, Vince. Do not approach her. You have two hours.”
Two hours.
I don’t waste a second once Devin grants me permission. My limbs push forward with determination and my wolf claws at my chest to get to her. I must find my mate.
Veronica
A moment before the chaos that is the offering at Shadow Falls
* * *
My lips purse in annoyance listening to these foolish mutts snickering as they formulate a shit plan of retribution. I’ve never felt such a snarl of distaste overwhelm me. My eyes narrow and I bet these wolfish pricks waiting behind the stadium can’t even spell the word they chant in unison: retribution.
Bitter cold envelops me at feeling the depths of my desire to rip them apart. It’s sudden and not welcome. Lifting my chin, I shut out their conversation. It takes more effort than it should, though.