Chapter Three: Xavier

I can't take this anymore. That's the only thought circulating in my mind as I step out of the pack house.

I tell my Beta, Ben and Gamma, Ethan that I need a minute to get my mind in the right place. All this Alpha work is beginning to get to me. Between coming up with guard schedules, running training sessions, and worrying about rogue attacks, my brain is running at full capacity.

And with all of that, there's my mate situation I can't get out of my head. I'm 18 and Alpha of the Midnight Crescent Pack. We're one of the strongest packs in North America. Now that's great and all, but how strong can we be without a Luna? Ever since I turned 16, I was hoping that I would find my mate, my Luna. But two years have passed and still nothing. I'm beginning to lose hope, and so is my wolf.

Let's go on a run, my wolf, Power, says.

Great idea, I say back.

I mindlink Ethan and Ben. Hey guys I need some space. I'm going on a run.

Ok, Ethan links back. Stay safe, says Ben.

I strip off my clothes and shift into my wolf. Power has solid black fur with golden eyes. He radiates strength and well, power.

I begin at a slight jog into the forest beyond the pack house. The moon is out tonight, in all her glory. She provides enough light for me to see where I'm going in the forest, not that I really have a destination.

As I run, I let my mind wander. Specifically, to another issue that's on my mind, The Omega. I think back to what my father, Richard, told me years ago.

"Son, before you become Alpha, there is something very important you need to know," my dad told me.

"What is it dad?"

"The Midnight Crescent Pack is part of a prophecy. The prophecy states that we are supposed to have an omega. But not just any omega, The Omega. She will be gifted with powers from the Moon Goddess, creator of werewolves. Her presence will always calm our pack and our wolves. She will help us in more ways than one."

"Wow, that's incredible. I don't know what to say," I said.

"I know Xavier. The Omega will be our pack's greatest strength, but she will also be in grave danger," my father warned. "The Omega will face a conflict that could destroy all werewolf kind. She will either save us all, or die trying."

As I ran further into the forest, all I could think of was our strongest pack member dying. I couldn't let that happen, I wouldn't. I'm the Alpha, I can protect her.

All of a sudden, I caught an unfamiliar scent. Immediately, Power became on edge.

Rogues, was all he said.

I went into attack mode, stalking through the forest, prepared to fight at a moment's notice. Soon, I came across a clearing. The scent was strongest here. When I crept closer into the clearing, the scent turned into an intoxicating smell. This was no ordinary wolf.

Mate, Power yelped. That's our mate.

I shifted back to human form, put on my clothes and walked closer to a form on the ground.

Silhouetted by the moonlight, I saw the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. She was curvy, with curly black hair. Her face was that of an angel. I immediately knew I had to protect this girl, no matter what. After the immediate shock of finding my mate was over, I began to take in the girl's appearance.

She had bruises all over her torso and blood dripping down her legs. It looked like a bruise was forming across her neck. Also, she was completely naked.

I immediately felt enraged. Who would do this to my mate? Who would hurt her to the point of unconsciousness?

I knew that I had to save her. Scoping her up in my arms, I ran as fast as I could back to the pack house. I mind linked my mother, Georgia, the head pack doctor.

Mom, I need you to prepare a bed asap. I have a severely injured girl with me that I'm bringing to the pack house.

Oh my goodness, where did you find her? Is she conscious? my mother questioned.

I didn't have time to respond. I was too worried about saving my mate. I neared the pack house and rushed inside to the hospital wing. My mother and her nurses were there waiting. I gently placed the girl on the hospital bed and moved out of the way for my mother to examine her.

"It looks like she has some broken ribs and is lacking hydration and nutrients," my mother assessed. "Let's get her an IV and cleaned off."

As my mother and her team got to work, I never left the girl's side. I felt drawn to her, she was my mate after all. I was mesmerized by her beauty.

Soon the night turned to morning. I never left my mate's side. I was exhausted with worry. My Alpha duties didn't matter right now, all I cared about was her, whoever she was.

I heard my mate stir on the bed. I was out of my chair and by her side in under a second. I watched as she opened her eyes and scanned the room before her eyes landed on me. They were a deep brown, like rich chocolate.

She opened her plump lips and uttered a single word while looking me dead in the eye. Her voice was like angels singing.

"Mate."