Chapter 2

“Rook!!!” The outrage scream from his mother startled Rook for a moment. “What the hell are you doing? You need a Luna and Alice is the best candidate that there is. How can you insult her like that…”

Rook tuned out his mother’s tirade. He was getting tired of being pushed into the arms of possible Luna’s and it was the last straw when he found Alice naked in his bed. By now the entire pack was aware of his reaction and having her thrown out of his bed as well as throwing out the bed as well. He shuddered at the thought of her scent anywhere near him.

The sudden silence brought his attention back to his parents who were glaring at him.

“Listen to me very carefully, the only reason you both are still standing here and not in the dungeons for the stunt you pulled with Alice is because you are my parents! I have a mate and I will accept no one else.”

His mother sputtered in anger and asked, “If you have a mate where the hell is she and don’t you dare threaten me my boy. You ain’t too big for some family discipline!”

He looked at his father, identical blue eyes faded with time and greyer hair and a lot more wrinkles stared back at him. Rook could see that how he would look when he reached his fathers’ age if he lived that long. “Alpha Mackenzie, Alpha Rook,” Tomas, Rooks’ beta entered and greeted them, “We have a problem at the southern border. It’s at the club.”

“Mother this discussion is over. Dad will you join us please.” Rook turned and left knowing his father will follow him. 

He jumped into the backseat allowing Tomas to drive and another of his warriors to ride shotgun with him. His father joined him.

“What’s going on? You say you have a mate but where is she Rook?”

“Dad I don’t want to fight but she is real. Grandpa met her and don’t you believe him?”

“Your grandparents aren’t around they are busy with their elder duties and I know he would be just as happy to cover for you if there is a problem. So no I don’t believe my father unless I see you mate myself and understand why she isn’t here.”

Rook slumped in defeat but then quickly straightened up.

“Dad it doesn’t matter what you think. I know I have a mate and I will not betray her. The elders are aware of her and her duties which keep us apart. We met in prison, during the war. When grandpa and I were captured. If you cannot accept my word as the Alpha then I am happy to step down.”

“Alpha no, you cannot do that,” Tomas exclaimed.

“Quiet Tomas and keep driving,” Rook ordered with his Alpha’s voice.

Turning he looked at his father and waited for his reaction.

He was frowning heavily, “You are willing to give up being Alpha for this unknown mate? Someone none in our pack has seen?”

“Yes, she is my mate. I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.” 

They came to a jarring stop in front of the club and everyone in the SUV could see the smoke and pandemonium.

Startled they all jumped out, just as a flare of fire blasted out of the upper floors exploding the glass windows. Using their arms to protect their eyes, they quickly found the staff of the club who had called for help.

“Thank god you are here. It’s a witch she came here last night, had some trouble with rogues but they left. This morning she came back to find out more about the Black Widow Pack and when no one would tell her anything she began to burn the club. She has got a couple of staff trapped and demanding answers and we can’t get to them.”

“I’ll go in,” Rook said, “get some hoses and keep this area wet. They may need to hosed down when I get them out. Have the doctors on standby.”

“Rook, you can’t go in there you will burn,” His father exclaimed.

He laughed as he walked away from his father, “I’ll be fine,” and then he plunged into the flames knowing that he may not make it out but also knowing his mate would pull him out if he got hurt.

Once he was past the flames at the entrance, he realized that they were there just to keep everyone out. The smell of burning honey and vanilla filled his nose and his wolf jumped with joy.

“Mate is here!”

He could feel his control slip as his wolf fought to take over and rush to his mate but he calmed him down. “Our mate may need our help so stay focused. We don’t know if she is involved in this.”

“Yes mate likes fire. Mate is always right,” his wolf replied to him.

He followed her scent and found her standing watching a young witch scream questions at a group of terrified weres, surrounded by flames.

“Maeve that’s enough. Let them go.”

The sound of her voice had his whole body shuddering.

“Sweetheart,” He whispered softly now wanted to startle her. She turned slightly, her beautiful green eyes shifting to gold as she saw him and her dragon came to the surface. “Rook” it was a soft whisper filled with worry as a scream from the witch and a sudden flare of heat broke their gaze and turned their attention to the witch.

They watched as she slumped down and the flames flared out of control.

“I got the fire you grab the weres and get out of here,” Crystal ordered.

  Rook nodded, “If you aren’t behind me, I’m coming back for you.”   

He watched as she raised her arms and began to glow, her eyes had shifted to dragon eyes and the flames rushed towards her. Engulfing her in a ball of flames.

Rook used his Alpha authority and ordered the weres out, realizing that the entrance was blocked they looked at the broken windows and jumped through, the crowd had drawn back at Rook’s orders giving them space to land. As soon as they landed, they were instantly surrounded by doctors and other pack members who rushed them out of the way. 

 Rook tried to grab the witch and was forced to let her go as he began to burn. He dropped and rolled trying to put out the flames but they refused to go out even as he began to feel panic. He heard his mate cry his name and then suddenly he felt her arms around him. It had been years since he had felt her touch and he couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms and holding onto her.

Breathing in her scent deeply, trying to fill himself up with her presence. He felt her power surge.

“I’m sorry I never thought you would be here and be hurt by Maeve.”

The fact that his mate knew the witches name told him a lot. “What’s going on Crystal,” he asked as the flames disappeared from his body.

“She is my god daughter and trying to find her father, but she is out of control. I need to send her to the council.”

He knew what that meant having seen her use her powers before.

“I’m here, use me if you need me. Don’t worry about afterwards I’ll take you home with me. You’ll be safe.”

She nodded knowing that using so much power to transport a magical person would leave her weak and knowing her mate would be there to care for her when she collapsed made her feel safe.

Closing her eyes, she turned towards Maeve and lifting both hands towards her she began to glow. Rook slid behind her and settled his hands on her waist supporting her. The glow moved from her body to her hands and then towards Maeve’s body on the floor. It encapsulated her and with a slight shimmer it disappeared and so did Maeve.

Crystal closed her eyes and leaned back into Rooks arms. Feeling safe and cared for she mentally reached out to the council. Informing them of Maeve’s arrival at their headquarters and filling them in on the current situation.

“Stay there and rest. You will soon be needed there.”

“What do you mean?” Crystal responded to the councils order.

“We are waiting for some information. Will update you once we know more.”

As she opened her eyes and stared at Rook, she smiled slightly, “They want me to stay here and wait for orders.”

He grinned, joy welling up in his soul. But before he could say anything she swayed in his arms and collapsed.

Scooping her up in his arms he rushed out of the club and was met at the entrance by his father and Beta.

“Tomas, get the car. We are going home.”

“Rook who is this?” his father glared at the slender blonde in his sons’ arms.

“This is Crystal, my mate and she is finally going home with me,”

Rook grinned ignoring his fathers stunned gaze. Tomas was already in the car.

“I’ve told the pack doctor to be ready to treat her as soon as we get there, Alpha,” He reported.

Alpha Mackenzie stared at the Beta. “You know her?”

“Yes Alpha, I met her on our mission in the North. She saved all our lives. She is my Luna. I will protect her with my life.”

The car was silent as they raced back to pack lands. When they reached the pack hospital, they found the entire pack assembled outside as they waited for their Alpha. They watched in silent shock as he carried a tiny figure into the pack hospital. Before anyone could follow the Alpha inside Tomas had already ordered a group of warriors to stand guard and prevent anyone from troubling their Luna and Alpha.