Mate

Kane's POV:

Ever since we stepped foot into the Moonlight Pack, something had been off with Ash, my wolf. Normally, he was calm and collected, especially when it came to business matters like this. But today, he had been pacing restlessly in the back of my mind, a low growl vibrating through me every time we moved closer to the Moonlight territory. It was like he was on edge, anxious about something, but no matter how many times I tried to reach out to him, he wouldn't tell me what it was.

"Relax," I muttered under my breath as I entered the Moonlight Pack's main hall, straightening my jacket. "We'll be out of here soon enough."

Ash didn't respond, but I could feel his frustration simmering beneath the surface. His restlessness was starting to get to me, too. I wasn't usually one to get rattled, especially not when it came to dealing with other packs. I had been in countless meetings like this one, negotiating contracts, asserting my dominance, and making sure everything ran smoothly. But today was different. Something was in the air, and it had Ash on high alert.

"Alpha Kane," a voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to see the Moonlight Pack's Alpha, Samuel walking toward me with a wide, but forced, smile on his face.

"Alpha Samuel" I greeted him, extending my hand. We shook, but I could feel the unease radiating from him, too. He wasn't exactly thrilled about renewing our contract, but he had no choice. His pack depended on me—for protection, for financial support, for everything. And he knew it.

I couldn't deny that there was a part of me that relished in that power. It came with being an Alpha. Hell, it was in my nature to dominate, to be in control. It was one of the reasons I had built my empire the way I had. The Moonlight Pack needed me, and as long as they kept up their end of the deal, I was happy to provide what they needed. But make no mistake—betray me, or even try to back out of our agreement, and I'd take what was mine without hesitation. I had no mercy for those who crossed me.

"We're ready for you," Victor said, gesturing toward the meeting room. "Everything's in order for the renewal."

I nodded and followed him into the room, my Beta, Luke, close at my side. As we settled into the meeting, I noticed Ash's agitation hadn't lessened. If anything, it was getting worse. His growls were becoming more insistent, louder, like he was sensing something I wasn't. I tried to focus on the task at hand, discussing the terms of the contract, but Ash's anxiety was starting to bleed into my own thoughts.

As the hours dragged on, I found myself getting increasingly irritated. I wanted to finish up and get out of here. Something was wrong, and I needed to figure out what. Shifting into my wolf form would help, but I had to be patient. Once we left, I'd shift and let Ash sort out whatever was bothering him.

"Is there anything else we need to discuss?" Samuel asked, looking more than a little uncomfortable. He had been fidgeting the entire time, like he was afraid I might spring some new demand on him. I couldn't blame him. That's exactly what I usually did—keep them on their toes, make sure they knew who was in charge.

But today, I didn't have the energy for that. Ash was too distracted, and it was starting to affect me. "No," I said curtly, signing the last document in front of me. "We're done here."

Samuel visibly relaxed, though he tried to hide it. I stood up, Luke following suit, and I made my way toward the door. But as I stepped into the hallway, Ash suddenly let out a fierce growl in my mind, almost making me stumble.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I growled back, pushing open the door to the outside. The fresh air hit me, but it did nothing to calm Ash down. His agitation was growing stronger, more insistent. 

Mate, he suddenly growled.

My entire body went rigid. 

What? I asked, stunned. That couldn't be right. Ash was mistaken. We had searched for our mate for years, coming up with nothing. I had stopped believing she existed a long time ago. At 28, I had accepted that the mate bond wasn't in the cards for me. There was no way my mate was suddenly here, in this pack, after all these years. 

But Ash's growl wasn't filled with doubt. It was filled with certainty. 

Mate, he repeated, and I could feel him straining against my control, wanting to break free, to shift.

My pulse quickened, my heart pounding in my chest. I glanced around, half-expecting someone to jump out from behind a tree or building, but there was nothing. No one. I scanned the area, my senses heightened. There was something… something faint, almost imperceptible in the air. A scent. Sweet, intoxicating. My mouth watered, my instincts kicking in before I could stop them. 

There. Find her, Ash urged, his voice thick with need.

I swallowed hard, trying to push back the surge of emotions rushing through me. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not here.

But as I inhaled again, the scent hit me full force, and my knees almost buckled. 

She was here. My mate. After all these years, she was here, in the Moonlight Pack.

I turned to Luke, my jaw tight. "Stay here," I ordered, my voice harsher than I intended. I didn't wait for his response before I stormed off in the direction of the scent. I couldn't stop myself, couldn't control the magnetic pull that was dragging me forward.

Every step I took brought me closer to her. My heart was pounding in my ears, my wolf clawing at the surface, desperate to find her, to claim her.

I rounded a corner, and that's when I saw her. 

She was walking toward one of the cabins, her long, rich dark brown hair cascading down her back, her shoulders slightly hunched like she was trying to make herself smaller. She hadn't noticed me yet, but the moment my eyes locked onto her, my entire world shifted.

She was stunning. Beautiful in a way that made my chest tighten painfully. But there was something more—something innocent and pure about her that made my dominant side bristle with conflict.

She wasn't like the women I'd been with. No, she was the opposite. Too pure, too… untouched.

Ash growled possessively, his desire to mark her overwhelming. But a part of me hesitated. Could she handle the darkness that came with me? Would she even want someone like me?

But it was too late. She was mine.