Ravens of the Mist Book 3: Behind Enemy Lines

Doyle

I’m climbing the stairs, trying to leave, but I have to pause. I need a moment to process the fact that I’ve just found my mate.

She’s a rogue, and we’ve got her captive.

My heart is racing, threatening to burst out of my chest.

“What are you waiting for? Go back in there and free her. Or I’m going to do it myself.” Ares’ anger is escalating.

He needs to be with his mate, and so do I.

It’s taking all my strength not to turn back, to tear those damn bars apart and free her. So she can stand with us, where she belongs.

I take a sharp breath, trying to soothe Ares. He’s on the verge of shifting with me so he can free our mate.

~“Ares, if we do this, we’re only going to make things worse. I need to talk to James first. He’s our Alpha. We can’t disrespect him like this.”

He growls. “I don’t give a damn, and neither should you. Our mate, that's what’s important here.”

“Brother, I get it. This is tearing me apart too. But we’re the Beta of this pack. We have responsibilities.”~

I clench my teeth.

~“I promise you. If he refuses to free our mate, we’ll do it ourselves and run away with her.”

~ My words seem to soothe him, but only slightly.

“Is the interrogation over?” Malik asks as he sees me stepping out of the building. “Did you get anything out of the rogue?”

Ares growls deep in my throat.

I bite my lip hard before I answer Malik. “Don’t let anyone go inside. I need to talk to James.”

“Hey, Doyle.” He grabs my arm. Ares wants to tear it off. “Are you okay? You seem tense.” Malik lets go of my arm.

“I’m fine.” I take a deep breath to calm us down. “Just don’t let anyone get inside. Am I clear?”

He nods.

Before he can say anything else, I walk away towards the pack house.

Every step I take is a struggle because it’s a step further away from her.

She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

When I first saw Beth, I thought she was beautiful.

I couldn’t believe she had a vampire for a mate, but nothing compares to the beauty of my mate.

Isn’t it ironic that she also has blond hair?

When we met Madison, Ares told me that I had a thing for blondes. I’m starting to believe him.

My mate is the only blonde I want in my life and in my bed. She and her wolf belong to us, just as we belong to them.

“I can’t wait to see what her wolf looks like.” Ares is excited, his tail wagging. ~“I caught a glimpse of her name. Onyx.”

“I can’t wait either. I’m sure she’s as beautiful as her. I didn’t even get a name, you jerk.”

~ That makes Ares chuckle a bit. Which is good—it means I can still keep him under control.

I’m standing in front of James’ office. My breathing quickens. This is it. If I don’t play my cards right, things could go south.

~“Ares, let me handle this. I don’t want you to fight Logan.”

“If it comes to that, I won’t mind.”

“Ares!” I close my eyes, trying to control my breathing. “Do this for our mates. Do this for Onyx.”

~ He growls as he lies down. He won’t take any risks if it means protecting her.

I knock on the door.

“Come in.” I hear James’ voice from the other side of the door.

I open the door and step into his office. Here goes nothing.

Aurora is at his side. Good, if things get heated, she’s the only one who can calm him down.

James raises his eyebrows, looking at me. “Is it already over? Did you get anything out of the rogue?”

Ares growls deep inside me. He doesn’t like it when someone calls our mate a Rogue.

I sit in one of the two chairs in front of his wooden desk. “Alpha James, I have a request. We need to free the rogue.”

I hate calling her that, but it will be the last time I do so.

“You better!” Ares barks.

James stands up from his chair so quickly that it nearly topples over.

“Are you out of your mind!” He slams his hand on his desk so hard that the papers scatter on the floor.

“Jimmy, maybe you should hear what he has to say.” Aurora puts her hand on his.

His eyes leave mine to look at her hand. He breathes slowly as he places his other hand over hers.

He brings her hand to his lips, leaving a kiss on her skin.

James looks at me, gritting his teeth. “Why would you ask such a thing? She’s a rogue, for God’s sake.”

“Stop calling her that!” I snap at him as I rise from the chair.

“You’re disrespecting me! I’m your Alpha!” His eyes turn yellow. That means Logan is ready to come out.

I growl as I feel Ares getting closer to me.

“Boys!” Aurora slams her hands on the desk to get our attention.

“If you keep this up, I’ll personally send you both to Sigourney, and she won’t know where to start to heal you. I can do it even if I’m pregnant.”

She looks at both of us. “Does anyone think I’m exaggerating?”

We both sit back down after that. James’s eyes are blue again as he glares at me.

“Doyle,” my Luna calls out, pulling my attention back to her. “Why would you challenge James like that? It’s not your style to confront him.”

She’s right. It’s time to spill the beans.

I nod, turning my gaze back to James. “I apologize for my childish behavior.” I clear my throat, “She’s my mate.”

Their faces register shock.

“And that means,” I continue, “since she doesn’t belong to any pack, she automatically becomes a part of ours. She’s one of us now.”

James growls, drumming his fingers on his desk. He’s not thrilled with the situation, but he knows I’m right. She’s now under his protection.

Aurora reaches out and takes my hand. “I’m so glad you found her.”

I thank her, releasing her hand before James has a fit.

I turn to my Alpha. He’s the one who will decide my mate’s role in all of this.

She’s the Beta’s mate. It wouldn’t be any different either way.

He strokes his golden beard. “I can’t deny her identity, but I can’t trust her either. She’s your responsibility.”

He points at me. “If this backfires, you’ll bear the consequences.”

I nod, understanding the gravity of his words.

He scribbles a note on a piece of paper. “Give this to Malik. He’ll know what to do next.”

“Thank you, Alpha.” I take the paper, ready to leave.

I need to see my mate.

~“Me too.”

~ “Oh, Francis.” I cringe as he uses that name. He knows I despise it. “I need to speak with her. Once she’s out of the cell, bring her straight here. Understood?”

He’s giving me an order.

“I understand perfectly, Alpha.”

“One more thing. Congratulations on finding your mate. I know how long you’ve been searching for her.”

“Thank you, James,” I reply, exiting his office.

~“Ready, Ares?”

“No need to ask. Let’s go get our mates.”

~ I went through all that trouble to get a wish from a mermaid, and I don’t even get to use it. I found what I was searching for. You always find what you want when you stop looking.

The Moon Goddess sure has a twisted sense of humor.