Seth

"I promise you Seth, if you need our help we've got your back."

Alpha Alex assures as we finish up the business part of our meeting, moving on to more personal conversation. I'm admittedly grateful I haven't run into that disgraceful Beta of his, because frankly it wouldn't be very pleasant for anyone if I did...especially not for him.

"That's good to hear, with the threat that Alpha poses, any pack close by is in danger."

My mind flickers back to Katrina, and as much as she was teasing me about my offer to leave later...I could see the silent worry in her beautiful lavender eyes. She didn't like the idea of me leaving, and frankly neither did I...she doesn't want me wandering in potentially dangerous territory as much as I didn't want to leave her at home. As much as I know she is fully capable of taking care of herself, and Tyron is there to back her up, my Gamma was severely injured and is out of commission...which means there are less people who can cover her back while I'm not there.

"Earth to Seth?"

I snap out of my thoughts at Alex's voice, the curious and concerned expression on his face clearly meaning I've been absent from the conversation much longer than I realized.

"Sorry, I was deep in thought." I admit, and he nods.

"I could tell, what were you thinking about so hard? You looked troubled."

I sigh. "Katrina...with my Gamma out of commission, I couldn't leave Tyron alone to lead the pack in a time like this, so she had to stay."

He leans back in his chair, a twitch in his mouth clearly stating he guessed I was thinking about my mate.

"I would say I understand, but considering I haven't found my mate yet I really can't. How is Katrina by the way? Still kicking ass and stirring up trouble I presume?"

I chuckle, I temporarily forgot that Alex has known Katrina since they were little.

"Yep, though she seems to enjoy kicking mine whenever she sees an opportunity to."

We both laugh, a knowing look on Alex's face.

"That sounds like her, she's been raising hell since she was knee high...I don't think that's ever gonna change..."

He rubs his mouth, something seeming to upset him all of a sudden.

"But I bet that all this has been bringing back painful memories for her...being that rogues have caused her so much pain two different times in her life already."

Me and my wolf Damien perk up at that. Two times? I know the death of her father was the first...but what happened the second time?

"Twice? What do you mean by that?"

He looks a bit surprised, then realization fills his expression.

"She hasn't told you...I suppose that isn't surprising. She doesn't like to talk about either event much."

Narrowing my eyes, I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees.

"What happened?"

My voice has a edge to it, and he catches it immediately.

"It was a long time ago...about four years after she lost her father. She was put in the home for orphan pups, actually, that's where she first met and became friends with Adrienne."

My eyes widen, a lot of pieces about my mate and her sister finally clicking into place. It's why she was so quickly attached to little Avery...because at one point in her life, her and her sister Adrienne were Avery.

"Adrienne was a bit of a runt in a matter of speaking, as well as Katrina. The difference was that the bully's got away with it with Adrienne, but once Katrina came in, she was quick to kick their butts if they even tried to mess with her. And once Katrina became close to Adri, no one dared to pick on her again."

She'd been protecting Adri for a long time...it's why they are so close, because they both found each other when they didn't have anyone else.

"As I was saying, one day a large band of cannibals came into the territory, and they were attacking and destroying anything and anyone that got in front of their teeth. Knocking down buildings, snapping at the people inside..." He pauses, his hands clenching into tight fists.

"Then one found its way to the home for the orphan pups."

Damien and I stay silent, trying to wrap our heads around the horror that was about to be described.

"It crashed through the wall, and the pups scattered...but the house mother was killed trying to protect the pups...right in front of Katrina and Adrienne."

My chest feels cold, I can't even imagine what terrible things Katrina saw.

"In the chaos, she and Adri got separated...and when she finally found her, she was curled into the corner, the rogue two breaths away from killing the poor girl...she was too terrified to even scream."

He swallows hard, a flicker of old anger crossing his eyes.

"In that moment...Katrina did the exact opposite of what she had been told to do when a rogue attacked...she threw herself at the beast, distracting it and catching the thing off guard enough to throw him back a few steps."

I blink a couple of times, I honestly shouldn't be so surprised...but I honestly am horrified at the idea of a nine year old Katrina launching herself at a blood thirsty wolf...

"The beast threw her off and into some broken concrete, but she got right back up...and when she launched herself at him again...she went through the youngest early shift in the packs history..."

She...she shifted at nine? That is way too young...even for a wolf with Alpha and Beta blood...I'm full Alpha and I didn't shift until I was 14, and that's still young considering.

"In excruciating pain, she and her newly found wolf somehow found the strength to attack the beast, aiming for any place she could get her jaws around until she latched onto its throat, refusing to let go until she damaged it enough to kill him..."

I collapse back into my chair, the disbelief and muted horror no doubt written plainly over my face.

"When my dad and his Beta finally found her, Adrienne was holding Katrina in her lap. Katrina was in so much agony she couldn't even move, could barely open her eyes. Adrienne didn't want to leave her there alone, but Kat was in too much pain to be moved...not knowing what else to do she stayed with her until we came...saying that they made a promise to always look out for each other."

He pushes a hand through his hair, leaning over his desk.

"After it was over, and they both recovered. Katrina started training as a warrior after she got a little older, and Adrienne started her looking into being a pack doctor...I think that night influenced both of their life choices as far as a career. Katrina wanted to become stronger to protect her pack and family, while Adrienne wanted to be able to help Katrina if she ever got hurt again...so she could do more than just sit and pray for help..."

The image of a little Adrienne holding Katrina's wolf form in her lap, both hurting and scared clenches a cold fist around my heart...both of them children of war and carnage...Goddess, life has been cruel to my mate...that's probably why she's so strong...

"If I remember correctly, some of the scars didn't heal fully. On her arm and leg...I know she covered the one on her arm with the tattoo."

I remember the scar I've seen on Katrina's hip that goes halfway to her knee...looking like claw marks...so that's where it's from...

"She does, I've seen it...my Goddess she's been through hell..." I murmur in response, more to myself than him.

"Definitely...which is why I'm glad she's so happy with you...she deserves heaven after going through hell."

~Yes she does...and I think we should act on that when we finally return to her.~ Damien rumbles.

~Agreed. Most definitely.~

~~~~~~~~~

After we finally wrapped up the other matters, I get on the plane and head home, already coming up with dozens of ways to spoil Katrina...to give her the love and affection she deserves so much.

Landing back in my home state of Georgia, me and the Warriors I brought with me drive the rest of the way to Red Fang, and I decide to get out and sprint to the pack house, not wanting to give away the fact I'm home so I can surprise my angel by being home earlier than planned.

Just before I reach the house though, the sound of growls and shouting make me and the other wolves skid to halt...the sound of fighting putting us immediately into fight mode. I drop my bags and head straight for the fray, and the chaos I see before me sends me growling as I shift into my black wolf and begin tearing into the rogues in front of me, Tyron joining me as we tear into these beasts.

There are even more now than in any attack before, but we somehow manage to take them down without any casualties and only minor injuries. Shifting back, I look around in confusion...something isn't right...

~That was too easy...much too easy...~

"Alpha? Are you alright?"

Ezekiel calls as he trots towards me, I thought I had recognized him in the fray along with the other warriors and pack members. Tyron shifts beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder...his eyes also scanning the forest around us. He feels it too...

"Something isn't rig-"

My words are cut off when a searing pain rips through my shoulder blade...right above my heart. As the blood begins to pour out of the wound, I drop to my knees and watch as all hell breaks loose again...my Beta and Delta lost in the fray of fur and growls...

It's like everything is in slow motion, and my body doesn't seem to listen to my brains scream to move and fight. I reach up to the wound to discover its circular hole...

I've been shot...and I can't feel Damien...I can only feel the throbbing burn over my heart as I bleed...

"So this is it how it ends for Red Fangs Alpha? Dying on your knees at my feet? How pitiful."

I look up to see the face of a feral looking man, no doubt the infamous Alpha Samael...but as angry as I am, I can't move...

"Don't fret Alpha Seth, your mate will be well taken care of...and you will die quickly."

Just as he shifts to attack, a blur of brown fur collides with his oil black wolf...and I fall on my back as I gaze up at the night sky in a blurry daze...listening to the sound of his screams as the growls of his pack disappear. I can still hear him groaning when a beautiful angel with violet eyes leans over me...her expression pained and fearful instead of content...

"Seth, Seth baby it's okay!! I'm right here, please just stay with me!"

She sounds so scared, I reach my hand up to her face...and she doesn't seem to care when my blood smears across it...she only presses her hands to my burning wound to halt the blood.

"Katrina...it's okay...I'm okay..." I whisper.

She drops her forehead to mine, and her hair blocks the little light there is out here as I feel drops of moisture hit my face.

"Luna! Adrienne is on her way with the doctors!" Another voice calls out, and another drop of tears hits my cheeks.

"Don't cry angel..." I slur out, trying my best to fight the urge to close my eyes. I'm honestly scared of doing it...that if I did she would disappear.

"Just stay with me baby, please just stay with me..."

Those are the last words I hear as I finally lose to unconsciousness.