A smirking blonde she-wolf stood in my doorway, her hands on her black leather-clad hips as she stared at me. Two male shifters accompanied her on each side. I growled at her as my canines extended. She just continued to smirk as the two other shifters moved forward to grab my arms.

I kicked at them but ultimately stopped thrashing, needing to figure out why they had come here. My wolf was growling at me to let her out but I wanted to know why they had attacked and I couldn't do that in wolf form. I began to study the shifters holding me, analysing the exact points I'd have to strike in order to grant myself freedom in case things got out of control. She walked over to stand right in front of me. Her cold blue eyes pierced mine. "Why did you attack us?" I demanded.

Her hand reared back before she smacked me across the face. "I'll ask the questions, here." She bit out; irritation clear in her voice. "Why did the Alpha keep you here? Are you his mate?" She asked as she grabbed my chin and turned me to face her.

I just stared at her, refusing to answer. One of the other shifters squeezed my wrist hard, no doubt causing a bruise. I refused to cry out, much to her disappointment. She slapped me again. "Answer me! Are you his mate?" When I didn't answer, one of the shifters bruised my other wrist. "Next time, I'll tell them to break it!" She shrieked, obviously annoyed at my silence. "Are you his mate?" She demanded.

I just stared at her with a dead pan expression. My wolf was thrashing inside me at the thought of being threatened by this she-wolf. I took a deep breath through my nose and noticed that odd smell again. I realised with a jolt that it was on all of them. A bigger surprise was that it calmed my wolf a little. I took a few more lung full's just to be sure, my wolf now absolutely calm.

"Come on Jen; let's just bring her back to Alpha Logan. He'll know how to get the information out of her." That name is familiar. I thought to my wolf. Jake has mentioned it before. She told me, sounding somewhat dazed. A memory from when Jake had been trying to get me to learn up on all the packs around our area slipped into my mind. He'd told me that there was one that was especially dangerous; the Blood Moon pack, the most powerful pack on this side of the world.

They had over six hundred shifters lead by one of the most ruthless Alphas' in the world; Alpha Logan. The pack hadn't always been that big, it started out with a little more than three hundred members, but the number quickly increased when Alpha Logan took over from his father a few years ago. In the span of those years, their members managed to double in number because they took over other packs like they were doing now.

I'd never met Alpha Logan; neither has Jake. Our territory was right next to theirs but it wasn't really odd that we've never met the Alpha as every pack feared Blood Moon. Many say that he loves to torture his captives for information and that he's never flinched when having to kill. Even his torture techniques are well known but I've never really bothered to pay attention to the gossip as I never thought it would be relevant. Right now, I really regretted that decision.

When we stepped out through the front doors I spotted a few black SUV's parked in the yard. Instead of taking the cars, they dragged me into the forest. "Where are we going?" I demanded. Jen stopped in her tracks and turned to face me.

"I thought I'd already told you princess. I'm asking the questions here!" She said, raising her hand to hit me again. I didn't flinch when her hand flew towards my face. A few millimetres from my skin, her hand halted, a distracted look entering her eyes, I recognised it; it was the look we all got when receiving a message from another wolf through the mind link all packs had. The message was short as the look passed after only a few seconds. She turned to the two goons holding me. "Come on, Alpha Logan is already on his way here." My heart rate spiked with fear at her words.

My mind immediately wandered to Jake. I opened up our mind link and called out to him. Jake, are you there? They say Alpha Logan is coming here, is that true? His reply came not too long after I asked. He is. It wasn't a surprise to hear the nervousness in his voice. What does he want? Please tell me you haven't pissed him off, I pleaded. I don't know why he's here, I'm at the clearing in the forest now, awaiting his arrival. Where are you? The two shifters jerked me forward as I'd fallen behind. A few of the Blood Moon shifters have me, but it seems like we're heading your way. They don't know I'm your sister, they think I'm your mate. I replied just as we arrived at the clearing.

Jake was standing shirtless with a few other members of our pack at the far side of the area, all of them poised to attack. With them were three guys I didn't recognise, but judging from their huge frames, it was probably a safe bet that they were from Blood Moon. What's the female's name? Jake asked. Her name's Jen. Jake stepped forward. "Jen is it? Please release her." He said; his tone neutral.

She put a hand on her hip and smirked at him. "No way, she's not going anywhere until I know who she is to you." She said, her tone a tad bit too rude to be used around an Alpha.

Jake noticed it as I did. No Alpha took too kindly to being challenged, not even my brother. "I said, let her go!" He demanded; the Alpha power now rolling off of him in waves. I noticed Jen hunch over slightly when the force hit her. Surprisingly, she didn't budge. Her hard gaze met Jake's. "I have my orders and I don't get them from you."

I grew tired of being held then, the shifters close enough at my sides that I had no problem angling my arm so that my elbow could reach one of their throats. My elbow reared back hard, hitting his Adam's apple just enough to incapacitate but not kill him. The shifter released me immediately, my newly freed hand forming a fist as I punched the other shifter in the same place the both of them struggling to breathe.

I grabbed the back of both of their heads and slammed their faces hard into the ground, knocking them out for now. Jen pounced at me the moment her two cohorts fell, her body flying into the air before landing a few feet away in a heap on the ground as my leg connected with her stomach. I walked over to my relieved brother with a smile on my face. He wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace. "Did they hurt you?" He asked, his eyes filled with worry.

I shook my head. "Just a few bruises here and there, nothing too serious. Definitely less than what I did to them." I said bemused as I pulled away. "What happened, anyway?"

"Well, after they declared that there was an attack, I went to help the wolves who had spotted the intruders in the first place. When I got there, it was easy to see that the wolves we were fighting weren't rogues. I ordered them to shift back and they explained everything.

"The Blood Moon territory border isn't that far from ours so they didn't have time to react when they crossed into our territory. Our wolves that were paroling at the time took them as a threat immediately because of their size and attacked. Now, they have called their Alpha here to discuss the matter. I'm hoping we can settle this by dinner time."

"Are you punishing them?" I asked.

He shook his head. "They shouldn't have entered our territory but they hadn't intended to do anything so no, I'm not punishing anyone." I nodded in agreement.

"Have you ever met Alpha Logan?" I kept my voice low enough so that only Jake could hear me.

"Once, during the first year I was Alpha. I had to attend some annual meeting or something of the sort, that year."

"What's he like?"

"He didn't really talk to anyone. He just kept to himself and anyone who approached him, he would brush off. He replied, his voice as low as mine.

A black SUV emerged from the forest. I noticed Jake tensing by my side. The strange smell I'd smelled before became stronger. It was almost impossible to ignore now. I threw my head up and sniffed the air, trying to locate the source of the compelling scent. My wolf was chanting something but it was too fast for me to catch. Jake flashed me a confused look but his attention was drawn to the SUV the moment one of the back doors opened.

Jen bowed her head, the two others she'd brought still uncocncious, as a man exited the vehicle. My eyes moved over his body. He was tall, probably 6'4, most definitely taller than Jake. His long legs were clad in a pair of dark jeans, the shape of his muscular torso was quite visible through the body hugging, black button down shirt he was wearing over them.

Over his high cheekbones was a pair of the lightest grey eyes I'd ever seen, partially hidden under his thick, jet black hair that carelessly fell over his forehead. My heart quickened as I took him in, he was perfect. I was genuinely surprised when I realised that the smell was coming from him. I moved behind Jake, using him as a barrier to keep myself from walking over to the souce of that delicious scent.

"Alpha Logan." I head Jen muttered. I held my hand up to my mouth to suppress a yelp of surprise. I had been checking out one of the most powerful Alpha's in the whole planet and I prayed to God that the other members of the pack didn't hear my thoughts.

I'd noticed so much sadness within the grey depths of his eyes as I met his gaze that, for reasons unknown to me, made my heart wrench painfully in my chest. My wolf was still repeating what she'd been saying. What are you saying? I demanded. When she didn't respond; I turned my attention back to the scene before me.

I found Alpha Logan still paralysed beside his vehicle, Jen explaining something to him in hushed tones, her close proximity to him riled up my wolf. He suddenly growled at Jake, his light eyes turning dark. I stiffened at the sound. The others around me did the same, except their faces were filled with fear at the intimidating sound. I was filled with longing.

My eyes widened at my reaction. I made myself smaller behind Jake's back, making sure Alpha Logan couldn't see me as I tried to assess my feelings. I peeked around the side of Jake's towering figure and found Alpha Logan stalking towards us with a beyond-angry look, his claws extending.

The pack members around me took a few steps back as they prepared to shift. "Where is she?!" He snarled. The shifters around me flinched at the intensity in his voice, even the members of his own pack. My wolf slowed down enough for me to understand her. Mate, mate, mate, mate, mate...... My eyes widened. Alpha Logan is my mate?! I demanded. Go to him! My wolf ordered. I complied as I took a few steps out from behind the safety of Jake's back, too shocked from the identity of my mate to do anything else.

He grabbed me by the shoulder and I hear a loud growl in response from Alpha Logan who was still approaching us. "Chels, what are you doing?" Jake demanded.

"My wolf is telling me to get my butt over there." I said calmly.

"Don't just listen to her all the time. Logan is dangerous Chels, what are you thinking?"

"He's enraged! I need to help soothe my,-" I had to take a deep breathe before I could even say it, the feeling of having found my mate, surreal. "My mate." My wolf however, had no problems with being happy about this. Understanding dawned on Jake's face. He nodded and let me go.

I turned and hesitantly walked over to Alpha Logan who was still heading to our side of the clearing with his claws fully extended. The anger in his face ebbed a little when I approached him. Instead of saying anything, he just watched me with his dark wolf eyes, the proof that he was not getting any calmer. I didn't know what to do so I just stared back at him, feeling a little self concious as this beautiful stranger gave me his attention. Reach out to him. My wolf instructed.

I reached out, hesitating for a moment as I watched his reaction to my movements, before laying a hand on his cheek. I gasped softly as the contact of my skin with his sent a powerful jolt of electricity up my arm, spreading warmth as it flowed through me. His eyes immediately turned back to grey and his fingers returned to normal as his claws disappeared. "I'm here." I said, in what I hoped was a soothing tone, not knowing what else to say.

Before I could react, he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me to him so he could bury his face in my neck, my eyes darting to the side as I noticed my brother tensing. He took a few lung fulls of my scent before his ragged breathing returned to normal, the feeling of his body against mine making the blood run to my cheeks. "You did that to my pack members?" He whispered, more to himself than to me.

I absent-mindedly nodded too overwhelmed to do much else. The whole time, my fingers had unconciously moved to bury themselves in his dark hair, playing with the jet black mess of waves on his head that were just begging to be touched. My wolf was beyond happy as I did, her emotions filling me.

He kept his arms wrapped around my midsection, not letting me escape. I didn't mind as the contact still sent little sparks through me, even through the fabric of the dress covering my waist. My arms were still around his neck, so I tightened my hold, pressing myself closer to him. I enjoyed the feeling of his firm, muscular body against my own.

Our bodies seemed to fit together perfectly, like two pieces of a puzzle; specifically made to be connected. Once I realised what I had done, I released him, the reality of the situation hitting me. I can't just go around hugging strangers, mate or not. I told my wolf as she growled in defiance to my actions. I was so distracted by everything that I almost didn't hear what my mate said next.

"What were you doing with my mate, Jake?" He demanded. I could feel Jake's protectiveness and anger at my mate's words; his worry for my safety clearly evident. It wasn't really a surpise because I could see those same emotions on the faces of all the members of the Delaney Pack. They were all thinking the same thing; I wasn't safe in the hands of my mate.

The only reason they were keeping quiet was because no one is allowed to interfere with another wolf's mate. The fact that mine was a very powerful Alpha that was known for torturing and killing when he wanted something, would probably be a contributor to their silence as well. Shit, my mate is a very powerful Alpha that is known for torturing and killing. I tensed slightly as that thought crossed my mind.

Jake could voice his opinion only because he was an Alpha. If he was of any other rank, he would definitely be attacked by the Blood Moon Pack for defying Alpha Logan, and it would be absolutely legal by our laws.

My brother was about to reply when a member of our pack appeared from the woods. He flashed me a confused look.

"Alpha Chelsea, are you alright?" He enquired. On a normal day, it was quite rare for anybody to call me Alpha Chelsea because even though I was of the same rank of Jake, he was, after all the actual Alpha running the pack. Now, of all days, this shifter decides to show me extra respect; right in front of my incredibly intimidating mate.