"What the hell?"
Cayden came dangerously close to yelling at Max.
"Did you permit a human to escape and tell the rest of the world about us?"
"It wasn't my intention." As he continued to describe how she had come here by accident, how the rogues had attacked her, and so forth, he got off track.
"Go on, keep talking."
"She is my mate." He continued, letting out a sigh as he said, "I never thought I'd find her in a situation like this."
Cayden gave a dejected sigh and proclaimed, "This is a disaster." He climbed out of bed and quickly dressed himself in his track pants. "We need to talk."
"Stay in bed and rest." He turned and commanded Selena.
They exited the room together and then walked towards his study.
"Without her, my life would be meaningless; my heart would be so empty." Max sighed. "Was that how you felt when you discovered Selena was your mate? It's as if I was missing a piece of myself before I met her, and now that I have, it feels complete. Even though I only spent a brief amount of time with her."
Cayden rolled his eyes and fell into his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. He was getting a headache from Max's incessant ranting. It brought to mind how meeting the person you spend the rest of your life with can have a significant effect on a person's life, although the time spent together may have been brief.
"You know that the wolves' practise of handling humans is nearly as old as their history. Any human who knows about our existence must undergo transformation or perish. I have given no one who had prior knowledge of the pack permission to live outside of it. Why did you let her go? What if she talks about us? If humans get involved, how are we going to deal with them?"
Max gave him the reassurance, "She won't talk. I will track her down before that can happen. Because she is my mate, I have no choice." Max responded with an expression of unwavering resolve on his face. There was no way that he would ever let go of his mate. If it came down to it, he would look in every nook and cranny of the world to find her.
"You better do. " Cayden warned. "Have you had the pleasure of meeting Councilman Raphael?"
"Oh, yes." Max became suddenly alert and moved to the seat that was diagonally across from Cayden.
"He cautioned me that someone within the circle was putting together a rogue army."
Cayden cocked his eyebrow in confusion. "I see. By any chance, did he provide any information regarding the masterminds behind this army?"
"Unfortunately, no, but it's almost certainly the people in the circle. Please give me some time; I'll look into it."
"How are you going to find that out?" Cayden crossed his arms and asked.
"By interrogating the rogues that have been captured." Duh!" Max said. He was determined.
"On the assumption that they will talk or that they are aware of who hired them, get in touch with our point of contact at the FBI so that you can learn more about the rogues who are hiding in our area. Monitor them. Find out who they are speaking with. I suspect that this rogue attack is associated with the circle.
"Have you any reason to believe it's Hawk?" Max asked. Cayden's response was that "it's a possibility. However, before drawing any conclusions, we need more information. Hawk is just one douchebag in that circle, which is full of them."
"Right, I will be on it, boss." Max stood up, ready to leave.
As an afterthought, Cayden added, "Hey Max! Good luck with your mate. It's been ages since anyone has mated with a human. The council might object, but I will handle it."
Max grinned and showed him a thumbs up.
******
"I hope you are happy now." Selena admonished her wolf. Her wolf gave a satisfied sigh and curled up to sleep. She liked Cayden's wolf a lot. Her traitorous body was tormented by pleasure and pain, which played over and over in her mind. She had also grown tired of feeling ashamed again and again. Once the wolves found their mate, there was no way to deny the physical pull.
Her mind went back to her dad's words at the party. Was her mother alive? How was it even possible? Once she had died, one of the old women of the pack, who had looked after Selena since she was a baby, took her in. Selena was grateful that the old woman took care of her, but Selena longed for a mother's love. Sometimes the old women used to look at her with pity, but she never talked. She was mute. Did she know something?
No! I am falling for his lies again! Selena said to herself. She had previously trusted her dad, but now realises that he has been dishonest with her.
He is definitely lying. She thought to herself. Along with the bedsheet, she slid off the bed. She smelled of Cayden. The room was thick with the scent of their lovemaking. She made her way over to the window to let in some fresh air, hoping it would help clear her mind. As the breeze entered the room, it reminded her of the day they first met, and she couldn't help but sigh. She paced back and forth, trying to ignore the smell of Cayden that still lingered on her skin. She knew she had to focus on her work, but her mind kept drifting to the thought of his warm embrace. To shake off the memories, she took a shower.
Before that, someone opened the door to the bedroom. Selena was at first grateful for the distraction provided by the unexpected visitor until she realised who it was.
"Oh! I wasn't expecting you here," Natasha spoke coolly, striding further into the chamber. Cold blue eyes narrowed as they raked over the sweet face and creamy shoulders. She wrinkled her nose at the scent of sex that permeated the room.
"Who were you expecting, Natasha?" Selena spoke sarcastically.
"Anyone but you," Natasha retorted with a smirk.
Selena could only nod, the arrogance of the woman taking her breath away.
"I know; I am surprised as well. But that's what I am, right? A captured slave."
Natasha moved to stand before her, hooking an imperious finger over the edge of the bedsheet as she gazed down into wide blue eyes set in a gentle face.
"Don't blame yourself. We both know you are more than just a slave. You are his mate. And honestly, Cayden is hard to resist. But trust me, it's not just his status as an Alpha that makes him desirable. Cayden has a charm all his own and is certainly a catch."
At Selena's look of surprise, the woman laughed. "I know you are mates, and probably half of the pack is speculating that too."
"Is that why you are here, Natasha?" Selena said. "To show your displeasure that Cayden slept with me?"
The woman smiled and shook her head. "Not really. I don't care if he sleeps around. It's not a secret that Cayden and I are close, and nothing can change that. We have been through a lot together. Cayden trusts me. We have a strong bond built on years of friendship and shared experiences. It's natural that we confide in each other and share a close relationship. You know what I mean." Natasha gave a sly smile.
Selena recalled finding them together, and her wolf growled in anger.
"I understand perfectly what you mean," Selena said through gritted teeth. "You have nothing to worry about. He is all yours."
Natasha turned away from Selena, threw her head back, and laughed loudly.
"You are so obvious, Selena. So very predictable and jealous?" Natasha whispered, leaning close as though sharing confidence; the sweet, cloying scent of her filled Selena's nostrils.
"I don't trust you, Selena. What exactly are you planning?" Natasha's pale blue eyes bore into her.
"You are right. I am planning something. But I assure you, it's nothing that will harm you or anyone else. It is for your own benefit," Selena replied with a reassuring smile.
"Oh, really? How exciting." Natasha smiled brightly and clapped her hands in glee. "Tell me."
"Become Cayden's mate. Mark him and make him yours."
Natasha's smile vanished. Her twisted mind could not imagine that Selena would ask her to mark her mate. "You are kidding."
"No, I am not joking around. We are caught in an unwanted bond, and the only way to free ourselves from it is to mate with other individuals. It would liberate Cayden from it, and he would be completely yours."
Natasha was rendered speechless. As she tried to figure out the woman in front of us. What was Selena planning now?