Protective Mate

Still Alpha Romero's POV

"A witch? Is that even possible?" Bewildered, I look at my Beta. We are now sitting on the private balcony of my apartment. He shrugs nonchalantly.

"What's the harm if our parents go that way with their research? We'll just do our thing and get on with our plan," he points out laconically. "But whatever is going on, Louise is not dead. We would definitely have felt the break with the pack link if that was the case".

"No, I didn't feel anything and my father didn't indicate he noticed anything either," I indicate certainly. "She's alive, that's for sure. She might just reappear one of these days after all. But we can't just sit back and wait. She could be in danger and need help. We have to take action".

Jace nods in agreement. "Yes, I think more of the latter is the case here. I will ask Meg today itself if she is willing to cooperate. We will also offer her an upfront fee and if we find out who or what is behind all this, another hefty bonus". I agree with that, if this misery is resolved I can finally live a normal life.

"So what about her friend, Lori? I hear the two are inseparable. Are you involving her in the plan too?" I ask. On my retina, the black-haired she-wolf appears again, patiently listening to my father. Eclipse Howl is one big family, everyone is related in one way or another. And Lori is of my age, I am really surprised that I have never met her at any of my friends' crowded parties. Nor was she ever mentioned in the usual pack disputes that my father had to settle. Loriann is a real loner, Meg seems to be the only one she hangs out with and genuinely trusts. What is it about her that draws me in so much?

“No, we'd rather use as few witnesses as possible. Loriann is an innocent girl, we can't use her now.” Jace gets up and walks towards the door. But then he suddenly turns back to me. "Although, if we manage to get Meg to go out with us, we can do a double date. I have no problem entertaining Loriann". He wiggles his eyebrows meaningfully.

And then my protective instincts kick in, probably to protect the one she-wolf who has so far been immune to my Beta's charms.

"Lori seems to me to be perfectly capable of taking care of herself. She's off limits, Jace. You don't have to go after every skirt," I remark sternly. He is silent for a few seconds, just observing me closely. "Hey man. Are you in love with our pack chastity? I thought the likes of Louise were more your type". Laughing loudly, he walks away to initiate our plan.

I lean back on the lounger and close my eyes. That's when my wolf Xan finally decides to talk to me again. Ever since it became known that Louise had disappeared, he has ignored me.

'See what comes of not wanting to wait for your fated?' he growls in my head in a gruff voice. 'If you had kept your pants on, we wouldn't be in this mess. It just goes to show once again how worthless you are in the dating department.’

'Aaaahhh, shut up. Only now do I hear you complaining. I didn't notice you whining when she was spoiling our balls, you were enjoying all the attention she was giving them just as much as I was,' I bluff him. 'And finally, we are not the only eighteen-year-old virgin in this pack anymore'. He chuckles delightedly and lets the night pass by our sight again.

But for some reason, the excitement remains absent. I am no longer proud of myself for finally getting to bed a she-wolf. A slight feeling of disgust creeps up on me now.

'Yes, you could have just waited for our mate. There's nothing wrong with that. What if she has saved herself for us? And you go to all the trouble of being the loverboy,' he chides me. I press my lips together, this wolf of mine is such a hypocrite.

'Romero, she has agreed. Tomorrow after school Meg will walk slowly through the corridors of the school and then you have to approach her. It is often crowded there, everyone will notice that you are trying to get her to join you.’ Jace interrupts my conversation with Xan.

Pleased, I smile. 'Good job, man. Book a table somewhere where everyone can see us. In the middle of an open patio. This goes perfectly, Meg is not really my type but she is intelligent and pleasant company. In any case, it won't surprise anyone to see us together, she's also one of the upper echelons of the pack.

'And Lori, will she come along too?' I can't help asking. Really, I don't know why I want to know this, I need to focus on our mission now.

'Yes. But she's all mine. While you're busy with Meg, I'm going to enjoy her company. Besides, this it's about you and Meg, so I'm free to get to know her better.’

'Don't push your luck too far, Beta. I warn you. Lori is not in the race to become one of your many bed partners. Leave her alone,' I growl annoyed.

'Hey. Take it easy. We're going to a restaurant, not a hotel. What can happen on a terrace?' he teases. 'Watch your behavior, Alpha. You come across as a possessive mate.’

I slam the mind link shut, this Beta is getting on my nerves.

Tonight, I decided to go to bed early. As I lie between the sheets, I remember my appointment with Louise again. We would relive our wonderful play at this time if things had turned out differently. But when I close my eyes, it is not Louise's image I see before me.

I blame my wolf for these kinds of impossible dreams that suddenly come to me. Although Xan wants to appear like the moral knight, I know he is definitely a horny wolf.

We'll see how long he keeps up this manufactured attitude...