Maya's eyes widened upon seeing the three werewolves in front of her. The hand that was holding the garden shears trembled violently before dropping the pointy blades to the ground. The end of a blade scratched the lower part of her leg and a little blood came out.
Ronan, Jake, and Robin walked toward Maya like a tornado that was about to sweep Maya off her feet and rip her apart. There was terror in Maya's eyes, but her voice was stuck in her throat. She was not able to speak, let alone scream for help or run. The Alpha's presence commanded absolute deference from his pack members.
One command echoed in Maya's mind and erased everything else in her mind.
'Kneel.'
It was the first time Maya ever met the currently reigning Alpha. Up until before she left to attend the college at South Bedford City, she had always been an ordinary pack member who never had one wrong toe out of line. There was no event big enough in her little inner family circle that required the Alpha's presence in person. Not until today.
Maya's legs gave up voluntarily and she dropped to her knees. Her head was tilted forward to a certain degree and her eyes were unfocused.
"Yes, Alpha." Maya answered in her head.
Ronan raised his chin slightly and looked down at the young woman who was kneeling before them.
"Take her."
"Yes, Alpha."
Jake and Robin each took one of Maya's sides, intent on dragging her up by the arms. A loud banging sound followed by a shout that came from inside the house startled them and caused them to stop.
"Stop right there!"
Their heads snapped up to look at a man who just emerged from inside the house. He regarded them with an icy look. There was an unusual chill that emanated from him, giving him an aura of authority and grandeur.
Both Jake and Robin froze on spot. Both of them were thinking about the same thing.
An alpha?
Impossible. Because they could sense that this person had no wolf! He was only a normal human being. There was no such thing as ranks in human society.
While Jake and Robin were eyeing this newcomer with eyes full of curiosity, Ronan's face grew darker by the second.
"Lucien Clearwater," Ronan growled under his breath, narrowing his eyes at the man in front of them. Beowulf was literally screaming in Ronan's head.
'It cannot be,' the wolf howled. 'I cannot sense Landon at all. Landon, where are you???'
Ronan pressed at his aching temple.
'Calm down, Beowulf.'
Unless the Moon Goddess pulled a joke on Ronan and gave him a second fated mate who looked and acted exactly like Lucien, he could impossibly be wrong.
Despite the rejection, the fated connection that the Moon Goddess herself bestowed upon them was still strong and potent, coursing inside Ronan's blood like lava and screaming for release.
If Lucien had been surprised to see Ronan, it was only shown for a split second in the form of a passing glint in his eyes that quickly disappeared. Ronan smirked when he saw Lucien's fleeting, barely noticeable reaction.
It was really none other than Lucien Clearwater. No other person had a temperament that was as cold as a frozen lake in the middle of a long and harsh winter.
Lucien pulled the dazed Maya up to her feet and pushed her behind himself.
"What are three mighty werewolves such as yourselves doing at my doorstep? If I didn't know better, I would say that you were bullying my little friend here."
"Maya here is a member of our pack. We are here to take her home to her family." Jake said, crossing his arms before his chest. "Come here, Maya."
Dazed Maya was still under the influence of the Alpha voice.
She mumbled a hollow "Yes Beta" before moving out of Lucien's protective back.
"Wait for a second," Lucien said, stretching his arm to the side to grab Maya by her wrist. "I cannot let her leave like this."
Jake took a deep breath and the air around them changed. A strong scent permeated the air, sending bitter and pungent-smelling pheromones in Lucien's and Maya's direction. Jake was about to forcefully grab Maya but Ronan placed a steely hand over Jake's shoulder.
For some reason, the Alpha looked extremely displeased with his attempt to intimidate this inconsequential male human being that bewitched Maya. Thinking that he had offended Ronan with his domineering attitude, he stepped back cautiously.
Little did he know that he was using his pheromones to threaten his Alpha's fated mate. Rejected or not, neither Ronan nor Beowulf could stand it when another werewolf was getting too close to Lucien.
Ronan yanked Maya away from Lucien's grip and shoved her in Jake's and Robin's direction. Lucien only managed to let out an "Ah…!!!" before Ronan pushed him through the door. He turned his head slightly to the side and said to his two subordinates, "Go and find a hotel nearby."
Then, he went inside Lucien's house and closed the door behind him. Dumbfounded, Jake stared at the door with his mouth slightly open.
"Um… Beta, shall we go…?"
"Uh… yes, of course. Let's go."
Jake threw one last glance at the door, wondering what his Alpha was doing with the person inside. He did not hear the violent sound of a body hitting the ground yet, so maybe Maya's boyfriend was still alive...
Behind the closed door, Alpha Ronan Silverback was pinning Lucien Clearwater at the wall. The last sun rays before sunset flooded into the humble living room, illuminating Lucien's features and bringing warmth into his otherwise cold caramel-brown eyes.
"Why are you here and where is Landon?"
Ronan only had these two questions to ask. Even Beowulf turned quiet, waiting for Lucien to speak. He thought that he deserved to know as much. Unfortunately, the man in front of him did not think the same way.
"None of your business," Lucien snapped none-too-friendly.