POV Aiden
Running my thumb over the raised emblem, turning the silver dollar sized coin over and over in my hand. The worrier who had given it to me asked, "What is it Alpha?"
"It's a betrothal pendant." I said not looking up from the charm.
"I don't know what that is." He said brows furrowed.
"Traditionally the Alpha can claim a mate for their first-born son, next in line to be Alpha. It dates back to the first pack, few packs that I know of still honor the barbaric tradition but there are still some out there. It's meant to purify and keep the bloodline strong. There are even records of siblings being betrothed to each other when no suitable mate was found. Ignoring the mate bond in hopes of breeding stronger wolves. This pendant isn't a request, it's a summons. One of these girls was claimed. Could very well be why they were hiding out here."
"How do you know all this? I've never heard of such a thing."
Looking up from the pendent, directly into his eyes, "Because Luna has one." I replied.
He seemed to think for a minute. "Is that why you killed her father, Alpha Tobias?"
"One of them, yes. My father, Alpha Tobias's Beta, requested to accompany her when she was summoned at only 14. Packs that hold on to these traditions do not care about the mate bond or the age of the she wolfs chosen. By the time the young Alpha was to be inaugurated he had already produced many children with various she wolves, but Luna was his prize. Meant to bare his heir and as many other children as possible. Alpha Tobias sold her. Alpha Tobias wasn't like his father, Alpha Marcus wanted nothing to do with the old ways. Tobias wanted nothing but power and he would do anything to get it."
Pocketing the necklace "You will tell no one about this. There's enough here for the pack to worry about."
He nodded in understanding and went back to looking around.
Several hours passed with no other major clues. We began cleaning up and getting everything out of the cave. The bodies carefully removed and transported to the morgue for Dr. Stevenson to examine. What little belongings were found bagged up and shipped with them. With one final pass we pulled the lights and headed back.
Thomas, the warrior who had found the necklace, offered to give me a lift back. I climbed in the passenger side of his perfectly maintained 1976 J10. Him and his father had rebuilt it together, the old truck looked as good as the day it was first sold. After a few miles curiosity finally got the best of him. "Alpha, what are we going to do about that?" He asked looking at the pendant I had been unknowingly fidgeting with again.
"We need a lot more information than we have. Hopefully Elijah can identify the bodies. Miss Evens may be able to shed some light on where this came from." The pendant spinning in the light as I held the chain between my thumb and middle finger.
A surprised look on his face. "Miss Evens?"
"Yes, she's far more than a weird teacher." I scoffed.
Thomas is in his early twenties, a good man and warrior but his head filled with finding his mate, fixing cars and training left little room for academics.
Pulling up to the house I thanked Thomas for his help and the ride. As expected, the place was empty. I knew JoAnn wouldn't be far from the girl, her motherly instincts unwavering. Eric's bond to this girl however made me uneasy, this girl could cause serious problems. Even start a war if we aren't careful.
Reaching out I found Miss Evens, with school out she would no doubt be tending to her garden. "Good afternoon, Aiden." Miss Evens said after feeling the connection.
Rolling my eyes at her informality. "Can you meet me at my house? I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you and some questions."
"Just finishing up a few things in the garden, I can be there in an hour. Unless it's urgent?"
"No rush." I replied.
I grabbed a quick snack from the kitchen before making my way to my office. Behind the desk 4 built in bookshelves line the wall. On the right side of the second case, I removed 4 books on the third row down. Revealing a small sliding panel. Moving the panel out of the way, the lock to my safe hidden behind it. Punching in the code the two center cabinets split, slowly groaning open.
The safe is fireproof and temperature controlled, besides paperwork and cash, the safe is where all the irreplaceable items are kept.
Filing cabinets lined the left side holding land titles, birth certificates and any other important documents. What I was here for was in the very back. Books, scrolls and handwritten parchment took up the entire back wall. I was searching for one in particular when I was surprised to feel Miss Evens come through the front door.
Looking out at the clock in the office I realized I had been standing here absent-mindedly turning the pendant over in my hand and staring at the back wall for the last 45 minutes.
"Alpha Aiden." Miss Evens voice echoed through the empty house.
"In my office." I said in a raised voice. Knowing the safe walls would absorb most of the sound.
Finding the book, I was looking for, the hairs on my arms stood up as I grabbed the spine. This thing has always given me the creeps. The old thick leather cover made from the hide of one of the first wolves. Handwritten descriptions and drawings of pack lineage and emblems.
Miss Evens appeared in the doorway. Producing the amulet from my pocket, I handed it to her.
One side of the pendant showing two doves to symbolize chosen mates. The other side a wolf howling over mountain peaks was the pack emblem which I didn't recognize.
"You found this in the cave?" She asked while closing examining the emblem side.
With a sigh I responded. "So, the pack already knows? Yes, it was found where the girl was hiding and first shifted. I am hoping it belongs to the older girl who's remains we found."
"There's rumors and whispers that bodies were found in a cave. You've been gone for two days, and the Luna, young Alpha, Candice and Elijah haven't left the clinic. So, what did you find up there?"
I recounted the last few days in detail from the bodies and my hunch that the male was someone of importance to the hole we found where we believe the girl was hidden away and any other details I could. Miss Evens listening intently before she finally spoke. "Aiden, why don't you let me look into this and you can get some sleep."
The sun was setting outside, and I had been yawning uncontrollably since arriving at the house. "Alright." I said reluctantly. I wanted answers but depriving myself of sleep wasn't going to get them any faster.
Reaching out for JoAnn I went to shower and get ready for bed.
"There you are sweetheart; I was beginning to worry." Her voice soothing me.
"How are things there." I asked. Adjusting the temperature of the shower and letting the water rain down on me releasing the tension in my tired muscles.
"The girl is stable but heavily sedated. Candice and Elijah have been taking shifts looking after her. The fever is down, and the antibiotics seem to be working. Elijah will go look at the bodies you brought down when Candice gets back and takes over. Eric and I are set up in a room next to her, he's been reading." She said with a laugh.
Shutting off the shower and throwing on some pjs I hit the bed with a thud.
"I'll be home later tonight." JoAnn said before cutting the connection.