"Want a drink?" Paul asked with his eyebrows raised.

"Do I need a drink? I asked.

Paul walked behind the bar and pulled out two shot glasses and a bottle of liquor. A pool of anxiety swirled in my stomach. Whatever it was must be bad.

I walked over and took the first shot. I stood there waiting for Paul to speak, but he poured another shot for both of us and pushed mine towards me.

"Just tell me what the hell is..." I started, but Paul cut me off.

"Take the second shot, Grey."

I threw it back and sat down.

"Grey, your mate, Alpha Marx, he and some of his pack are on their way here."

"Finally... I've been wanting to get a glimpse of this mate of ours, "Joe piped in.

"Joe, this isn't the time to be fresh," I quickly reminded her.

I reached for the bottle and poured another shot for myself and Paul.

"So he is here, now?" I asked. Assuming he could be the one that was playing the secret admirer game.

"No, I said he was coming. Not that he was here..." Paul looked at me like I had lost my mind. I knew I should explain myself, but I didn't want to worry him. Paul had really taken to the older brother role. Sometimes, he took it a little too seriously. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate his care for me or that it wasn't reciprocated, I just didn't want to be seen as the weakling anymore.

"So why is he coming here?" I asked.

"Business. There has been some Rouge activity at the Northern border. It's something we've never had happen around here. We don't usually experience rouge attacks. The wolves that live alone here in the North don't bother the packs and vice versa. Alpha Marx and I may need to make an alliance to help control the situation if it continues. "

The Northern border was where I last saw Jackson and Izzie. Even though I know now that they were using me, my feelings of love and friendship towards them both were real, and I hoped that these rouges hadn't harmed them.

"How long have these attacks at the border been going on?" I asked as I poured yet another shot. I usually wasn't much for drinking , but today seemed like a day for it.

"We started getting reports a little while after you arrived here. I'm glad we found you when we did. " Paul said as he walked over to my side of the bar and put his arm around me.

"Don't worry, Grey. You're safe here. I'll always keep you safe, " he said as he clinked his glass to mine.

I'm excited to see what happens when Grey crosses paths with her true mate again!

I wonder how Jackson and Izzie are doing out there in the wild?

Please vote if you've enjoyed the story so far! I'd really appreciate it. ❤️