Jax

Cole's ears prick at the footsteps stampeding toward us. "Jax, incoming."

Brax's exasperated tone cuts through the space, and the sight of him leases a low growl from me. Cole looms near the front of my mind, making his own assumptions as the five men dart across the centre of the pack grounds, apologising when they almost bulldoze an oblivious couple.

"Attack?" he suggests.

Inhaling through my nose, there's a faint note of anxiety and fear, but no sign of injury. "No, something else has spooked them."

Brax and his men bow their heads simultaneously. "Alpha, may we speak with you?"

Eyeing their paled features and sensing the curious glances from passing members, I clap Brax on the shoulder and incline my head toward my quarters. "Inside."

Swinging the door open, I wait for them to pile in before shutting the door, and I don't miss the excited glint in Russ's eyes. He looked shook up, but the moment he saw me, his composure straightened, admiration filled his eyes, and it sent a wave of pride through my system. At the age of twenty, the young man strives to be a good warrior, and I can see the training paying off.

Clearing my throat, I manoeuvre around them to stand at the head of the group, catching the visible sheen of perspiration on each of their faces. Hitching a brow, I glance at the sideboard along the wall and back at them, noting how their Adams apples bob. Reaching for the cupboard, I retrieve five glasses before snagging the jug to fill them to the brim with water. Serving the beverages, each thank me before taking heavy sips, but I frown when the youngest wheezes.

"Tell me what happened," I start, allowing them to finish their drinks. "Take it slow."

"What if it's a leach scoping the borders?" Cole snarls, pacing back and forth.

Eyeing the group again, I cross it off. "If it was, I don't think we would have any of them back without a casualty."

With the analysis, he calms down and sits in the background and listens to the exchange.

Brax takes a final gulp of his water, making sure to bow again, and I return a gentle nod out of respect. "A female crossed the borders, and judging by her scent, she's close to transition," he informs, earning vigorous nods from the others.

"A female?" Cole snorts.

I can't believe it either. The last female to be close to transition—in close proximity outside of our pack—had been two moons ago. Between then and now had been a male.

Pacing back and forth, I fight the urge to lean against the sideboard and settle with scratching my jaw. "Can I have a description?"

Nodding, Brax offers the answer that could hold the clue to this enigma. "She's young, by my guess, early twenties. Auburn hair, green eyes, maybe five foot five, and of average weight."

Interesting. . .

Humming in acknowledgement, I ask Cole for his thoughts.

"She could be an outcast," he responds. "Or a rejected female."

It's not uncommon for a male to find a companion amongst the humans and offer them the transition to be with them—risky if the person doesn't have ties with our world. Although, it's not uncommon for them to reject the Chosen once their true Mate comes along, either. I've seen it once in my lifetime, and I felt bad for the male. Now he's happily married in the town with a little boy of his own, and a lovely she-wolf who adores him.

As if reading my thoughts, Levi steps in, voice trembling. "W-we were going to approach her. . ."

"But a male came out of nowhere. A rogue with a nasty temper," Norman finishes, visibly swallowing. "He took her with him."

I don't need to think hard about the possible owner belonging to the description, and it pulls a low growl from me. It was bound to happen one day sooner or later for him to test his luck with the boundaries, but snatching a female close to transition, I never expected that. And because of that, I'm curious about what his intentions are.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one who turned her. For her sake, she better get out of there when she has the chance.

Sucking in a deep breath, I meet Brax's gaze. "Have you informed Beta Kaden of the situation?" I ask, offering a small smile to soften the tension while collecting their glasses and setting them aside.

They shake their heads in unison. "No, Alpha."

"We better handle this ourselves," Cole sighs, pacing back and forth again.

I agree. I don't trust his temper enough to involve my pack members.

"Thank you for your consultation," I say, catching their attention, postures snapping straight. "I'll make sure to deal with it. As you were, gentlemen."

Bowing steeply, they say, "Thank you, Alpha."

Swivelling on their heels, they flood out one by one, but the young male bows for a second time, thanking me for the drink before shutting the door carefully behind him. Chuckling, I gather the glasses and take them through to the kitchen.

"Kaden, we've got a problem. How soon can you come over?"

Not even a minute passes before his voice sifts through my mind. "I'm on my way."

Rinsing the glasses under hot water with a few rounds of washing up liquid and another soak, I'm reaching for the last one when the door swings open and Kaden's scent floods the kitchen.

"Hey, Jax, what's the problem?" he greets, and I can make out his form leaning against the wall with a minor scuff.

Setting the last glass on the draining board, I pivot to face him and take the spot against the opposing counter. "He's been seen on our borders," I inform, and the surprise doesn't go unmissed. "He was after a female; one who is close to transition by the sound of it, and he's taken her."

Just relaying it gets my back up. I can't imagine what the female must be going through, and I can only hope he spares her the fate of the other wolves he's encountered. Pushing it to the back of my mind for now, I wait on Kaden's response.

Swallowing, he shifts uncomfortably. "What do you think he wants with her?"

"That's what I want to find out," I return honestly, scrubbing my jaw. "I think we owe him a visit."

"And the female?" he queries.

As a person, I want to make sure she's in safe hands and he's not going to do something that will put her in a tricky position. As an Alpha, it's my duty and responsibility to see to it that as a newly turned wolf, she's welcomed into the pack and taken care of. I have no doubt in my mind Kaden will have my back; that's the first reason I picked him. Second is because this is a personal matter.

Pushing from the wall, he rolls his shoulders and offers that mischievous grin of his. "I'm ready when you are."

Closing the space between us, I clap him on the shoulder before leading the way out.

"Dean, Beta Kaden and I are stepping out; there's a situation that needs our attention. Can you watch over the pack in our absence?"

Other than Kaden, Dean is the only other person I would trust my pack with. Like the previous times, I'm sure he will pull through.

Shortly after, a response comes through. "Of course, Alpha. Safe travels."

Feeling some of the weight shift off my shoulders, I lead us through the back of our pack grounds, picking up into a sprint once in the clear. Startling the pack over this isn't worth it, and there shouldn't be a reason for us to be away longer than necessary.

Moon Goddess, please give me strength.