Stealing His Mate

The forest echoed with the crunch of leaves and twigs under my boots as I walked the overgrown path leading to the pack house. My heavy combat boots weren’t designed for stealth, but I wasn’t aiming for that today.

This wasn’t my territory, but I was here by invitation.

If the Moonstone Pack’s alpha had any warriors or border guards on patrol, they were keeping their distance.

I couldn’t spot them in the moonlight, but I knew they were hiding in the shadows.

I flared my nostrils, taking in the forest’s scent. I could smell them, or at least the fear they were radiating.

They should be scared. I didn’t become the strongest alpha in the western hemisphere for nothing.

Not that I was here for a fight. At least not yet. But my reputation had a way of arriving before me. Not that I minded. Fear was a powerful weapon, and I was well aware of the rumors swirling about me and my pack.

Most of them were true.

I was harsh and merciless when it came to my enemies, and I demanded loyalty and obedience from my pack. My word was law, and the punishment for disobedience was severe.

I didn’t allow anyone onto my territory without an invitation, and those were rarely given. Anyone who strayed into my territory, even by accident, was never heard from again; at least not outside my territory.

As we neared the pack house, I looked at it with contempt, as did my brother.

Kyrian glanced at me and raised his eyebrows. It had definitely seen better days.

Compared to other pack houses, it was small.

Nothing like our own pack house.

I knew this pack was small and weak, but I had expected a bit more than this. I wasn’t sure what the alpha was planning to offer us. Not that I was really interested in this pack.

The alpha, however, must have had different thoughts; otherwise, we wouldn’t be here.

“Remind me why we’re here again,” Kyrian asked.

I glanced at my brother.

He was a bit shorter than me, and his muscles slightly less defined. But you could tell we were brothers. We both had dirty blond hair and piercing blue eyes. We both wore our hair long.

While mine was styled in an undercut, he always wore his in a braid.

I was proud to have him as my beta, even though he was alpha-born.

“We’re here to negotiate with this sorry excuse for an alpha,” I smirked.

Kyrian rolled his eyes.

“You mean, Bastian, you’ll tell him what you want, and if he refuses, you’ll threaten to wipe out his pack.”

I let the omission of my title slide.

Kyrian was the only one who could call me by my name; everyone else addressed me as Alpha.

I never scolded him for not using my full title when we were alone. Kyrian would never dream of doing it in public.

That being said, I knew a gentle reminder never hurt.

“Remember to address me as Alpha when we get inside,” I chided.

Kyrian smirked and bowed his head.

“Yes, Alpha.”

I rolled my eyes and smirked.

“Let’s get this over with, little brother.”

As we approached the entrance of the pack house, I noticed Kyrian scanning the area. Probably looking for any threats. The guards here were also nowhere to be seen.

“Do you think they know we’re here?” he asked.

I chuckled at his frown.

“Use your nose, little brother, you may not see them, but you can smell their fear.”

Kyrian sniffed the air, then smirked.

I followed his gaze. He was looking at one of the windows on the second floor. But when I looked, I doubted it was the architecture that caught his eye.

It was the young woman, or girl, who was watching us from above.

“What about her? Do you think she’s scared of you?”

I looked up at her and smirked.

She quickly retreated from the window, disappearing from sight.

“If she wasn’t, she probably is now.” I chuckled.

I looked again, hoping to catch another glimpse of the petite blonde in the window. She was definitely a pretty little thing from what I had seen.

But it seemed I was out of luck today. She didn’t reappear, so I turned my attention back to the pack house doors.

When we reached the doors, I banged loudly on them with my fist. I quickly glanced over my shoulder.

I had brought two additional warriors with me. They had kept a respectful distance from us, as was expected.

The two men bowed their heads in acknowledgment.

I turned my gaze back to the door, ready to bang on it again; but there was no need, as it slowly opened.

An older man stood there. He was clearly nervous. He bowed his head.

“Alpha Sebastian, Beta Kyrian. Welcome to the Moonstone Pack. I’m Beta William. Alpha James is waiting for you, if you’d care to follow me,” he announced, his voice trembling slightly.

I was taken aback.

A nod of respect was expected from a beta, but not a full bow of submission. Not only that, but I could smell the fear radiating from him. My brother would never act like that.

Maybe this pack was weaker than I thought. That would make my job a bit easier.

The beta led me to what seemed to be a conference room. Or it could have been a dining room.

The long wooden table could probably seat twelve on each side. Right now, the alpha sat at the head of the table in a feeble attempt to show he was the dominant alpha in the room. His attempt had failed.

I looked at Alpha James. My assumption had been correct. He was a very weak alpha. His dark hair hung limp and a bit disheveled, his brown eyes struggled to meet my gaze.

His beard was unkempt, peppered with gray, revealing his age.

I didn’t doubt that my brother could best him in a challenge. I was beginning to wonder if he was a true alpha.

But we weren’t here for a challenge. At least not yet.

I was here to see what this Alpha had to offer, or more accurately, what he wanted.

Alpha James stood as we approached. He held out his hand, waiting for me to take it.

If that was what he expected, he was going to be sorely disappointed.

I took a seat in one of the chairs, leaving him awkwardly standing with his hand still extended. He quickly pulled it back.

His beta moved to stand slightly to the left of his chair, like a silent sentinel.

My brother claimed the chair next to me.

I leaned back, crossing my right leg over my left, and looked at him expectantly.

My casual demeanor was a clear sign of disrespect. Any alpha worth his title would have called me out on it. But he didn’t.

I kept my eyes on him, even though I didn’t need to.

His fear was palpable.

He cleared his throat and gestured to a tray on the table.

“Care for a drink?” he offered.

I nodded. It was whiskey, my preferred choice. But given the state of his pack house, I had no doubt it would be a cheap brand.

He looked at Kyrian, who declined with a shake of his head.

My brother enjoyed a good drink, but in situations like this, he preferred to stay sharp.

Alpha James poured two generous servings and slid one of the glasses toward me. I sniffed it and took a sip. As expected, it was weak. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was watered down.

I made a face and set the glass down with a thud.

“Why exactly did you invite me here, Alpha James?” I asked.

He swallowed, visibly nervous.

“I...uh...was hoping we could become allies,” he stammered.

I hummed and nodded.

“And what exactly can you offer me?”

He stiffened slightly.

“As you may know, the main transport route runs through my territory. I charge a levy on any goods passing through. I’m willing to waive this for you, if you agree to a non-aggression treaty,” he proposed.

I rolled my eyes at my brother, then turned my gaze back to Alpha James.

“You think the measly toll you charge is enough to convince me not to attack your pack?” I snapped. “Offer me something worthwhile.”

His face turned pale.

“L-like what?” he stuttered.

I leaned forward, licking my lips.

“Like your daughter.”

Alpha James glanced at his beta, then back at me.

“What do you want with my daughter?” he asked, his voice shaky.

I shrugged.

“I need a mate. An alpha female. A she-wolf who can bear me pups, an heir.”

He nodded and turned to his beta.

“Send one of the omegas to fetch Emmeline.”

The beta nodded and exited through a door at the back of the room.

“What if you find your mate?” Alpha James asked.

I sneered at him.

“Don’t play dumb, Alpha. Everyone knows my fated mate is dead.”

He nodded. The rumors were widespread, but now he had confirmation straight from the source.

“Can you guarantee my daughter won’t meet the same fate?”

I shrugged.

“That depends on your daughter,” I retorted.

My attention shifted as the door opened. The beta returned, escorting a young she-wolf.

She wasn’t what I was expecting.

I had anticipated the petite blonde. This one had dark hair and her father’s brown eyes. She was clearly older than the girl we’d seen at the window.

If she was his daughter, she must take after her mother.

Alpha James stood and extended his hand to the young woman.

“This is my daughter, Emmeline. Emmeline, this is Alpha Sebastian. He’s looking for a mate.”

She smiled and approached me, extending her hand.

Her scent was tainted with other males. If her father was trying to pass her off as untouched, he was mistaken. Besides, I wasn’t interested in her.

“Pleased to meet you, Alpha…” she began.

I ignored her and turned to Alpha James.

“Not this one… She’s not my type. The pretty one, the blonde one.”

Alpha James swallowed hard, and his daughter’s face twisted with anger.

She opened her mouth to protest, but her father silenced her with a raised hand.

She closed her mouth.

At least his daughters were obedient. Well, this one was. I doubted the younger one would be any different.

“Sky—Skylar… she’s barely of age. She’s not ready to be anyone’s mate,” he stammered.

I crossed my arms over my chest.

“You have a choice, either you bring her down here now, or I’ll leave, come back tomorrow and slaughter your pack. Then I’ll take her anyway!”