A letter from the Author (Bonus chapter of a mad man)

Hello, my dear readers! I want to thank you all for your ongoing support and attention to this novel. As mentioned in my last author's note I have received some comments that my chapters are too long, after long consideration, I am planning to continue them at their current length. 

I also have social media account's you can follow for questions or just to send me feedback, just search Rees J Jones and my Author Picture should pop up on said profile :)

Now, there has been a delay between chapter updates and there are good reasons for that but I won't go into too much detail. I have some chapters almost ready for release however thought I would give you this mini-chapter to tie you over.  

Inside Victor's mind. 

If you had told me before I got to Slate pack that I, Victor, would have found his mate I would have laughed at your cruel joke. Yet, here I was. Freshly married to the girl the Goddess had hand-picked to be my love and companion. When that imbecile of a man Alpha Clide had first promised his adopted daughter as my bride to convince me to sign his treaty I had said no. Had threatened to kill him on the spot for the very idea of such a thing, after all, I had come this far in life without a Luna why would I need one now? Anya. My meddlesome sister, she knew how to convince me. We all knew that the rogue attacks were getting out of hand, even my pack wasn't safe. She was a mess with worry, understand as she still had not let go of the fear that what happened to our parents was to happen to her. Or me. I hated seeing her so scared, how could I have said no? So, with my head held high, I accepted Clide's offer to his surprise and his own fear. 

I felt the memory of when I first spied her return, how I had been so consumed by her silver-white hair waving in the breeze, how she seemed so full of joy, excitement and hope. Her eyes connected with mine and I felt something so foreign, almost a forgotten emotion, love. That was until Xander made his presence known. I felt hot rage atempt to explode from me as my mate's face lit up at his sheer presence. How her lips curled into a gleeful grin, her eyes bright with love. That should have been the way she looked at me. I saw Xander glance at me before he gave my mate the cold shoulder. I felt a bit if the rage subside, happy that he was not interfering with her but then her face fell and I could see tears in her beautiful purple eyes. She fled. From me. 

I could have killed that pup, how dare he. What had he done to my mate? Before I could even think straight I was sneaking towards him ready to tear him limb from limb. Clide's Beta stopped me, hands against my chest and his face a mix of concern and amusement. 

"Woah, slow down Alpha." 

I glared at him opening my mouth to speak when he shook his head.

"Now, now, must I remind you that there are children present and Alpha Clide has already given you the rules of our pack." 

I let out a low growl, flicking my eyes to Xander who was happily chatting up some of the other females. 

"Also, he is the future Alpaha of this pack. So I really can't let you harm the kid."

I was a little curious as to what Domini's intentions were. As his tone held anger towards the pup. Yet I didn't care enough to ask. I simply shrugged off his hands, scowling at him to ensure he knew that I would not tolerate such actions again and left. I really wanted to find my mate, to make sure she was okay, and to claim her right then and there. Alas, I couldn't find her. So, I went to Alpha Clide.

"Where is she?" I demanded as soon as I saw him. 

He stared at me confused and frightened before an attractive, kind looking woman waved at me.

"Hello! Clide, who is this?" Her voice was gentle, sweet and reminded me of my late mother. 

My heart ached in that moment, but I kept my face stern. I knew just how important my and my packs reputation was. Not just for our safety but for control. 

"Ah, dear this is Alpha Victor..." Clide choked out, his discomfort being me pleasure. 

"Oh I see!" She said with a glare at him before giving me a once over. 

"I thought you would be more... menacing. Your just a boy." I was surprised how dismissive she was of me, Clide's face had gone pale white though. 

"Alpha Victor! Do accept my aplogily... my Luna... she speaks her mind..." he spluttered out as his eyes widened in fear.

I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes, never had I met such a disappointment of an Alpha. 

"Clide!" She growled "NEVER speak for me." 

I smirked, relaxing a little as at least his Luna seemed to have a brain. 

"I am Luna Ashly. Incase my mate" she gave him a glare "did not mention me."

I nodded at her poliently before turning my attention back to Clide. 

"Where is she?" I asked again, he gave me a bewildered look causing me to growl in frustration. 

"My soon to be Luna, she is MY mate." The claim came rushing out, I didn't want to announce my claim yet but I just couldn't stop it. 

Luna Ashly scoffed as her face contorted to anger, she turned to Clide slapping him hard on the face. I did not expect that. 

"YOU TOLD ME HE DECLINED!" The rage rolling off her was outstanding. 

Clide, the pathetic man recoiled back from her, hands up as if pleading. 

"I told you not to offer her! I told you what I would do if you did!" Her green eyes were as bright as flames. 

"I swear to the Goddess, if it wasn't for our son I would have left you a long time ago." 

I raised my eyebrow at that, mates couldn't just leave each other after they had accepted the claim. Only death could sever such a tie. But Clide's frantic expression gave it away, they were not mates. 

"Oh for Goddess sake Clide!" Ashly pinched the bridge of her nose before giving me the full attention of her glare. I shifted my weight surprised at how small she made me feel. 

It was surreal, as if in that moment my own mother was speaking through her.

"Under NO circumstances are you to approach Laura or to publically claim her. I will not allow this marriage. I apologize for Clide giving you the impression WE would agree to such things but I can not, and will not, allow my Laura to be with someone... with your reputation." 

I felt an odd crushing sensation in my heart at her words as her face softened slightly.

"You claim she is your mate, please, wait. She is shy of her 18th birthday and has not yet shifted. We will know for certain once she does, and if she feels the same for you. Well."

I frowned, feeling panic set in at the thought of not having my mate, of not being able to see or be with her. 

"She is mine." I growled out trying to mask the inner pain. It worked, the Luna stared at me concerned as Clide seemed to whimper.

"Time will tell, the Goddess be kind that you are wrong. For now, you must stay away from her. That is an order." Ashly finished dismissing me, before turning to Clide.

"You better step up and be a proper Alpha Clide, I gave an order. That order needs to be followed." 

Clide swallowed nervously before nodding, I watched as the Luna glared at the both of us before leaving. Clide attempted to pretend I wasn't there so i left. 

"Vivi!" Anya jumped and hugged me as I returned to the guest floor. 

I hugged her back, amazed still, at how she continued to be so bubbly and delighted with the world. I couldn't help but wonder just how she managed, how she could live life like this knowing the dangers in this world. Knowing that those monsters that killed our parents, our friends, they were not only still out there but growing stronger. How could she continue to smile, joke and play around when I knew that she, like myself, replayed that day constantly. The torture we indured, the sick twisted games of a mad man we had to participate and win for our freedom. 

"Did you see her? The half-breed?" She asked in a low whisper her eyes serious, reminding me of the plan. 

"Yes, Anya..." I took a steadying breath knowing she wouldn't believe how perfect, how gracious the Goddess had been.

"She is my mate. I'm sure of it." 

Anya's expression did not change for a moment before her gleaming grin returned. She clapped her hands together and practically bounced in excitement. 

"I knew it was going to be good! After all! It is her! The future queen of..." I covered her mouth with my hand as I noticed two tall identical looking pups walk past. One girl and one boy, both had blonde hair and blue eyes, the girl she stared at me intensely a frown on her face but fear in her eyes. I watched as they walked past, waiting until they were out of earshot. 

"Anya! I swear... you have to be more careful! We don't know who is listening." 

She rolled her eyes before giggling. 

"So they really don't know? The Alpha and Luna? I mean if they did they surely wouldn't have offered her away..." 

"I didn't think they knew, but the Luna. She seems to know something, she did not agree and I think wasn't aware Alpha Clide offered." 

Anya pressed her eyebrows together in thought as I patted her on the head, giving her one of my rare smiles. My sister was still sweet, no matter how cruel this world could be. The least I could do for her was to try and smile. 

"Well, after meeting the man do you think they are in cahoots with them?" Anya asked thoughtfully. 

I shook my head smirking at the idea of fumbling Clide being in contact with those monsters. 

"Prehpas... not the Alpha, but maybe the Luna."

Anya nodded before glancing around, "when was the last rogue attack here?" 

"A few months ago, but apparently they did not attack anyone. Alpha Clide informed me it is very rare that they do, seemingly only attacking after the pups first shift." 

Anya's face grew dark with grief "on their first shift? They wouldn't stand any chance..." 

I felt sympathy towards Alpha Clide, it wasn't easy to admit that you needed help, let alone to another Alpha. And what he was proposing was a grand idea, a treaty involving all the packs to share one army with the sole purpose of eradicating the rogues responsible. Even Alpha Clide wasn't daft enough to miss that they were working with someone, I wondered if he had figured out just who that was yet. I supposed he hadn't, if he knew it was those monsters in control he would have offered the other packs more than he did for their agreement. I also found it odd that the other packs had not released how strange it was the Clides pack seemed to get off easy in comparison. It was almost every day one of the other packs would find a young woman dead. 

I hope you enjoyed that little snippet from Victor's P.O.V! And if you did please comment, I would love to do more in the future if you found it enjoyable! 

Also, do you like the idea of having these as free chapters?