Charlotte started reading the fourth book right after she woke up in the morning. It was past noon now and she was about to finish it. She skipped the parts that she had already read in other books. After reading them she had concluded something. Whatever idea the humans had about werewolves may not entirely be true but it was close. Sure, the seriousness and depth of this world were beyond human imagination but they have been successful in getting the tip right. Humans were right about the mates, about the shifting, about moon goddess, and the mindlink. When she read those werewolf romances back at her home, she had just dismissed them as nothing but fiction. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought that all of it could be true. Then there were the witches and vampires and dozens of other creatures that existed right under their noses without blowing their cover.
While thinking about the werewolves, her thoughts drifted towards the Alpha. Alpha Azraiel...
Azraiel...
He had been in her room yesterday but his smell still lingered enveloping her in a soft blanket of comfort. She was a stranger to him and yet he was protecting her. Hell...not only protecting but he was risking a lot of people and things for her. Yesterday, he had informed her about the schedule he prepared for her. It was a comprehensive one-month plan for her training for her upcoming shift. He also informed her that she would live near his house after getting discharged from the hospital, which Dr. Humphrey said would be by next week. He sounded so confident...like he believed she would live long enough to not only complete the shift but even after that. But what if she really did survive this shift? Would she join his pack or leave to find her uncle?
The thought of her uncle brought back some unwelcome memories. Her uncle wasn't a bad guy, she knew that very well.
He took her in when he was also only 21. He never married because he thought that no one else could take care of her as he did. He has always been at her side whenever she needed him. He always prioritized her over everything else. He was her family...her only family and yet she had betrayed him.
The voice in her head had constantly been trying to reason with her. It was trying to tell her to let it go, to believe that whatever she did was necessary for her own survival. Sure, it didn't turn out like she would have wanted it to be but at least she was still alive. The last time she saw her uncle, she was sure she would die in the span of two weeks. But here she is, trying to fight for her life for the next two months. Yes, she hates the fact that she betrayed her uncle but would she do it again to save her life?
Hell...yes. If it's about survival then she would betray anyone to save herself.
Anyone...and Everyone...
******
Theo was on the pack training grounds when he smelled his Alpha. For a second, he really thought about running away. Ever since they have found the human, their Alpha has been behaving strangely. Sure, he was never unreasonable but he always had this dark powerful aura around him that just demanded respect. The pack members were used to his aura but others had a hard time standing in front of him for more than five minutes. He never got violent with the pack members but he has always been a little too angry. Although he treated everyone with respect there has always been this fear of the unknown while dealing with their Alpha. He was unpredictable, speaking harshly when you wouldn't expect and staying silent when you expect him to be screaming. Everyone knew it was because he is a Trueblood and over time the pack grew into it. Every member of the Blue Orchid pack knew his struggles, his pain and above that, we knew that he would always put us before anyone else.
Ever since they have found the human, their Alpha seems to calm down...in a way. He has no idea what is going on with him, but Alpha hasn't scolded anyone in the last three days. He hasn't pestered the young pups to train harder, which he did almost every day. He hasn't reminded Kira and Matt to work harder. He hasn't played with the young children. Most importantly, he hasn't talked to Theo in three days. Their last conversation was when he reported the footmarks to be of the human girl to the Alpha. Other than that, he hasn't said a word to him and Theo felt extremely hurt at the neglect he felt.
Theo originally belonged to a Beta family. His father was the beta of previous Luna, Azraiel's mother. Every pack had two Alphas, two betas, and two gammas. His mother belonged to this pack and was already serving as the pack beta when she met his father. When his father met the pack luna, she immediately recognized him as her beta. His parents were the beta couple and back then it was believed that Theo too would become a beta just like them. As a result, Azraiel, Theo, and Matt were raised side by side by their parents both to strengthen their bonds and prepare them as future leaders of the pack. It is one of the reasons that he is close to Azraiel. Hell...he would call them 'Best friends' but he is sure Azraiel would kill him for that.
So, it was understandable that he would feel hurt about getting neglected by Azraiel. It wasn't just that actually. Theo lost the challenge for the beta position when Azraiel became their Alpha and he accepted it with grace. But ever since it happened, his wolf has never felt at ease around Matt. The beta blood in him always felt compelled to challenge Matt for his position. His wolf felt like his birthright was snatched away from him due to circumstances that weren't in his control.
However, Theo knew better. He was actually grateful when he lost the challenge. He would never admit this to anyone but he wasn't ready to handle the pressure. Given the circumstances at that time, he was unsettled, way too emotional, and prone to do more harm than good. Over the years, he had just learned to control his wolf better. His wolf had even started respecting Matt for the work he did. He and his wolf now had the same feelings towards Matt. He was a loyal third in command to his Beta.
But something changed that evening. That unsettling feeling he had when he smelled that human never went away. It was still present in his gut making its way to his head. His wolf had gotten unsettled due to her powerful aura and it was getting harder to control him. Coupled with emotions he has been feeling lately, he was slowly becoming aware of what all could go wrong in conversation with their Trueblooded Alpha.
As if sensing that Theo was thinking about him, Azraiel commanded through the mindlink, "Come to my office, now."
Theo turned his head just in time to see Alpha walking towards his house.
With a resigned sigh, Theo too started walking towards the Alpha's house.
Here goes nothing.
*******
Theo found Azraiel quietly sitting in his office. He made his way to the chair and flopped down. He was assuming that this was about the human girl or Charlotte as Matt calls her.
"Theo...what I am going to tell you shouldn't leave this room. I know you'll be hurt that I didn't tell you sooner but need to understand my position here." Azraiel spoke in a grave voice.
Theo just nodded his head, only now grasping the seriousness of this conversation. This wasn't a conversation with Azraiel but a possible order from his Alpha. He straightened his spine and pulled his face in a blank stare.
"I found my mate. It's...It's Charlotte." Azraiel's voice was softer this time.
Theo felt his jaw drop despite his efforts in staying unaffected. He just sat there opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish. When his brain finally registered what Azraiel said, he quickly jumped to his feet and went to hug his friend.
Theo could feel the happiness radiating out of Azraiel. Shit....his best friend has found his mate in the most unusual and unexpected circumstances.
After he settled down in his previous position, the gravity of the situation started to sink in. The Blue Orchid pack has found their luna but there was no way of knowing if she would survive or not. Even if she did survive, she would constantly have to prove herself worthy of her title. Theo let out a sigh. Yes...he was hurt that he told Matt before telling him but he could see where he was coming from. If it were his mate, he too would want to protect her at all costs.
"Are you okay?" Theo asked, completely unaware of the real story. He just wanted Azraiel to be happy. After everything he has been through, he deserved every good thing that existed in this world.
"I'll live." Azraiel said with a lazy smile. After a few seconds, his smile disappeared.
"Theo...You are like a brother to me. What I am going to say next is both as your Alpha and your friend. I...I want you to look after Charlotte." Azraiel spoke with much difficulty this time. His thoughts drifting back to the time when he asked Matt to do the same thing.
"Azraiel... What's going on?" Matt asked, his voice wavering a little.
"I earlier asked Matt to protect her, but for some reason, she seems to be more comfortable with him than me despite the fact that he is a complete stranger and I am her mate. I know...I know humans don't feel the mate bond like we do but my wolf really doesn't like it. Although I have a possible theory behind her behavior I'd rather not have her near Matt unless I'm sure." Azrael answered all the while thinking about the scenarios cooking in his head. He needed to have a talk with Matt.
Theo nodded his head assuming that Azraiel's wolf was getting anxious to mark his mate. He had no idea how wrong he was.