"What the hell, Jace?" I yell at my Beta, staring at the little goddess behind him.

In the short time, she has been in his company, the girl has put all her trust in Jace. She counts on his protection as she takes all the time to examine me. Jealousy bubbles up in me.

“Hi Alpha, my name is Mercedes”, she suddenly speaks up, her innocent marbles still pointed at me. Her voice is hoarse and soft, I could listen to that all day long.

I get down on my knees to get a better look at her. “Mercedes. What a beautiful name you have. You can call me Zane, okay?”, I whisper to her. She gives me a beaming smile and steps out of her hiding place. “Would you like to come with me to the packhouse, Mercedes? I want to ask you some questions about how you got here," I say still softly. "And you must be hungry."

She nods furiously, looks down for a moment and then back into my eyes. “But I don't have a wolf. Can I ride yours then?” she asks, clearly delighted at the prospect. "What's your wolf's name?"

“My wolf has Jax. And he really wants to take you on his back”, I let her know. I get up and look at the men around me. There is incomprehension on Jace's face and when I look at my Head Warrior Cleo, she is also uncomfortable with the situation. “Come with me to my office. I have some announcements to make. We leave here in wolf form”.

I quickly shift again and Jax lays low for our mate. Deftly she climbs onto his back and holds on tightly. Obviously, she's done this many times before, I'll ask her more about this later. Jax makes a bigger detour to the packhouse, enjoying the pup's joyful cries. Her hair is blowing in the wind, she is urging him to go faster by hitting his flanks with her legs. But he wants to keep her safe and probably also wants to have her longer on his back and holds a moderate stride.

Half an hour later we reach the packhouse.

Once Mercedes is off Jax's back, I go behind a tree to shift and get dressed. When I get back, I offer her my hand which she accepts without hesitation. Jace and Cleo disappear for their own shift. We wait for them to return and walk to my study. I put Mercedes on the couch and sit next to her. Jake and Cleo both take a one-seater.

“Jace here is my Beta, Mercedes. Tell me everything you told him. What is the name of your pack and how did you end up in the woods?” I ask in a low voice, all smiling. I don't want to scare her into holding back. “I don't know, Zane. I had fallen asleep and when I woke up, I saw Jace looking at me," she says smoothly. “I was in the woods behind the packhouse in my pack, I was playing with Marco and the others”. Her big innocent eyes stare into mine, and I am immediately convinced that she is telling the truth.

"That is good. And what are the names of your parents and your Alpha?” I ask her now. “Mommy's name is Selin and my daddy is Marc. They are the Beta of Alpha Ahri”, she replies fluently again. I look up to Jace, so her father is his colleague. The Betas in the region also stayed in contact in a WhatsApp group chat, so he could easily trace this information. He nods and grabs his phone.

“Who did you last see when you fell asleep in the woods?” I ask her. I take her hand in mine and press it encouragingly. She still stares at me as she shakes her head. “While we were playing, I tried to hide in the woods. Marco didn't come to catch me, so I laid down on the ground to wait. I haven't seen anyone," she says again.

I understand that there is nothing left of her story, whoever kidnapped her has ensured that he remains unseen. But even then, the question remains, why someone would snatch a pup from her family?

“Tell me, Mercedes. How old are you? Are you going to school yet?” I now ask her with interest. She smiles wider, the school probably has good memories. "I am ten years old. And yes, I'm in fifth grade. My teacher is Alyssa and she is very sweet”, she chirps. “She says I'm adorable too. She often gives me fruit that she brings from home. She says it's healthier than chocolate."

I nod in agreement. “That's absolutely true. And if Alyssa gives you some of her own fruit, you must be her favorite student,” I compliment her. The smile couldn't be better, her eyes sparkle now.

“Mercedes, would you like to come more often in my pack? During the school holidays or when you don't have homework on the weekends or something like that”, I ask her carefully. As my mate, I must have her with me as often as possible. She's underage, so I know I'll have to wait until she's eighteen to claim her and officially make her my Luna. My biggest problem is my pack, Midnight Moon. Not only am I the most feared Alpha in this region, but I am also widely respected. The news that my mate is only a teenager isn't going to hit the pack well. And I will have to make it clear that I am by no means a pervert.

By announcing my mate at her early age, the Moon Goddess prevented me from waiting too long for her and succumbing to the temptation to take a chosen mate and Luna.

I look back at Mercedes, who can't take her eyes off me.

Carefully I stretch out my hand and stroke her head. She doesn't flinch back from my touch, which means I’ve already gained her trust. That's the perfect start. Now I need to talk to her parents and the Alpha about this exceptional situation.

“Yes, Zane. I'd like to live in the packhouse with you. But I have to ask my mom and dad first," she replies...

And then I remember my mate is hungry, she definitely didn't eat after she went missing.

I take her hand and we all walk out of my office to the huge dining room. Fortunately, Jace had already mind linked the cook that we have a pup with us that needs to be fed.

When we step inside, the smell of warm pancakes and syrups hits us. Mercedes lets go of my hand and runs to the table, clearly starving. I take her to the seat that has been vacant since I became the Alpha of this pack. I pick her up and place her in the Luna seat. Jace and the chief warrior watch with interest, holding their breath sharply but I don't pay attention to them at all. When I sit in my chair at the head of the table, I grab a plate and place a pancake on it. “Tell me, Mercedes, what syrup do you choose for your pancake? There is strawberry, caramel and pure honeybee”, I ask her.

Delightful she eyes the pancake on the plate, I think my mate is a real foodie. “Honey, Zane. My mother always puts a lot on it for me”, she exclaimed enthusiastically. I sprinkle a generous amount on her pancake and cut it into smaller sections for her. When I give her a fork, she immediately digs in. “Thank you, Zane”, she says a moment later with a full mouth. I also pour her some fresh orange juice. “You're so welcome, little one”, I answer her.

When I know she's comfortable, I start on my own portion.

“Zane, we need to talk. There's more going on here," I hear Jace say. "I'm starting to suspect what it is from the glow on your face." I look at my Beta and Head Warrior and nod. Once I've made sure that Mercedes is focused on her food, I turn back to the two at the dinner table. “Yes, she is my fated mate”, I confirm their suspicion. “Only the Moon Goddess knows why she paired me up with a pup, but I love her already and will make sure she stays in my life. Until she's of age to take her place as the Luna of Midnight Moon," I declare confidently.

Jace looks at me thoughtfully.

“You know Alpha Ahri is strict with his pack members,” he reminds me. "You will have to be very convincing to make him believe that the pup belongs to you."

Yes, Jace is right. I am aware of that too. Ahri is definitely a suspicious figure. He trusts no one and if any of his people get into trouble, even the lowest rank Omega, he is ready to start a war. And here we have his Beta's daughter, I know it's going to be tough talks to have my mate regularly in my pack. But he will have no choice but to allow me to be close to her, by Were laws, mates belong together. The only gripe he has is that she's underage, so I can't claim her and bring her to my pack. Until she is eighteen and recognizes me as her mate, she must remain under Ahri's authority.

“Zane, how old are you then? And where are your mommy and daddy?” Mercedes demands my attention again. “I'm twenty, Little one. My parents live in the other wing of the packhouse. And I have a younger sister Elise, the Head Warrior here is her mate”, I let her know. “Do you know what a mate is?”

Her big round orbs are staring straight into my eyes again. “My mommy and daddy are mates. They kiss each other all day long," she says with a grin. “I often ask them why they kiss so much if they've had only one pup after all.” Jace and Cleo burst out laughing at her words. Mercedes throws them a shy look. “Little one, who told you mates get babies by kissing? The person lied to you, you have to trust me on that," Jace teases her, hiccupping with laughter.

A serious look appears on my mate’s face.

“Marco's parents have five pups and they also kiss the whole day. Marco says he often sees them without clothes in the house too,” she says wisely. I almost spit the pancake out of my mouth. Holy crap, what’s the matter with those people not locking their doors when they are on it? “Did he mention that to you? Maybe his parents would shift into their wolf at that time?” I suggest. If I run into this Marco, I'll have to teach him not to meddle in matters that concern grown-ups. He seems like a smartass who wants to initiate my mate in bedroom secrets way too early.

“No, no, no, Zane”, she reproved, shaking her head. “Everyone shifts outside the house or in the woods. Never in a bedroom.” Now it is Cleo who can't hold back, he drops his head on the dining table to hide his laughter. Ooohhh Goodness! I'm clearly not ready to follow the logic of a teenager. And then one who has a nosy friend as an example.

I look sternly at Cleo, who is struggling to get himself together. Jace also has a hard time keeping his face straight.

In a frantic attempt to change the subject, I place another pancake on Mercedes' plate. "Why don't you try the Strawberry syrup this time?" She nods and with that, I have successfully shifted her attention.

After eating all, Mercedes begins to yawn. Obviously, the past few hours have worn her down quite a bit. “Are you sleepy, Little one? Wait, I have my sister come over to pick you up. She will help you bathe and then you can rest for a few hours before your parents arrive to take you home,” I say. Happily, she shakes her head in agreement. I mind link Elise to report to the dining room. ‘On my way, Alpha’, she answers immediately.

When Elise enters the dining room, she walks straight to Mercedes.

“Cleo told me we have a beautiful guest today in the pack”, she says beaming at my mate. “Hi, I'm Elise. This big Alpha is my brother. And you must be the sweet Mercedes.” Mercedes nods shyly, watching Elise. “Can you bathe her and give her clean clothes? Put her on my bed to sleep. She spent an entire evening outside of her pack. We fed her and now it's time for her to rest," I explain to my sister.

Elise takes her hand and as if they have known each other for years, the two leave the dining room chatting lightly.

Now it’s finally time to have an in-depth discussion about the situation with my Beta and Head Warrior...

Jace clears his throat and takes me out of my musings.

“Zane, I've reached Beta. He says his daughter has been missing since yesterday. She was indeed in the woods playing with some other pups when they couldn't find her anymore,” he tells me. “He is on his way here with his mate to pick her up himself. They'll be here in two hours."

"Shouldn't you let Alpha Ahri know about this?" he asks.

Yes, I forgot about all that. The bliss of finally having my mate here has completely consumed my attention. I grab my phone and search my contact list for the number I need. “Alpha Ahri, Alpha Zane from Midnight Moon here. You must have heard that we found your Beta's daughter near our border," I let him know.

The man on the other end of the line growled. “Alpha Zane. Yes, my Beta informed me. This matter should be thoroughly investigated. A pup cannot run miles in a day. There is more going on here.” He doesn't sound exactly indulgent as I expected.

"That's for sure. I discovered the scent of your pack on my territory. That means that some members of you have entered my country improperly," I tell him. “That is punishable. I look forward to including this in your research.” He puffs something but doesn't respond to my words. I decide not to push things through, my position is highly sensitive now that I am at the mercy of his decision in my personal affairs. “There's something else I want to discuss with you as well. It's unusual, but nobody knows the deliberations of the Moon Goddess”, I try to introduce him carefully to the matter. “Mercedes is my mate”, I drop the bomb.

"What!!" he shouts into the speaker. “Dare you to put a finger on the pup and I'll make dogmeat of you! You pedophile. I'm coming for her with my warriors. And make sure she's safe and sound at the border. I'll kill you!" he rages on. His breathing rasps through the phone, I can sense that his anger has reached the top.

“Alpha Ahri, I can assure you that I am by no means a pedophile. And Mercedes' parents are on their way and will get their daughter back safe and sound”, I say calmly. “I don't intend to claim her yet, I know the Were laws too. I want to discuss this issue rationally and come to an agreement with you all.”

"Agreement? About what?" Ahri sounds aggressive. I sigh deeply. “Listen, Mercedes is my fated mate. The Moon Goddess has decided this and I accept that. All I want is to be able to visit her in your pack and have her here with me, so she gets used to my presence and the pack. After all, she is the future Luna of the Midnight Moon pack”.

I hear him swallow hard a few times, the news is clearly not easy for him to digest. But then there are two, I too have to get used to this unusual situation. “Alpha, you know the Were-laws too. It is forbidden to keep mates apart,” I remind him. "I can assure you that she is safe here, my Beta makes sure that she lacks nothing here".

On the other end of the line, I eventually hear him take a deep breath, frantically trying to calm himself. Ahri is known as a hothead, it takes a lot to rationalize him. In the past Alpha meetings, he has made himself known as lightheaded, and few want to get involved with him. But I have no choice since my mate is from his pack.

“Her parents are on their way. Talk to them and if they agree, I'll expect you in my pack within two weeks to discuss this matter further," he finally concedes. “But I think this is an extraordinary case. First the girl is missing, then suddenly she is miles away in your pack and now she is your mate”. He pauses to enforce his words. “Are you sure you have nothing to do with the kidnapping of the pup?” he asks suspiciously.

Goodness!!

Can this man think logically? Even Mercedes does a better job here than her Alpha. And patience isn't exactly my forte. I suppress my annoyance, I have more time to lose on this jackass. “Then explain to me what my motive would be? The girl is my mate. If I knew that beforehand, I would have just gone to her parents and then to you, as I do now," I explain to him as if I were talking to a toddler. “Why should I take the trouble to kidnap her first and then appear suspicious?” The Alpha notices my irritation and decides not to take it.

"What do you mean to tell me?" he sounds tight. “Why wouldn't that be possible? Nowadays people do everything to get what they want. Who tells me you are an exception?”

No, no, no, I'm not going to waste my time on nonsense. “Listen Alpha. As agreed, I will discuss the matter with her parents and be with you in a week. I'll let you know in advance when I arrive. I also hope to hear the results of your research.” Before he can say any more, I end the call.

Jace and Cleo stare at me pityingly. “Yes, this reaction was expected. The man is not known for his high IQ.” sighs Jace. "I can tell he was ready to declare war even before he had enough information about the situation."

“That would be a wrong decision on his part,” Cleo adds sarcastically. “Underestimating Midnight Moon and acting against the Were laws will be his end one day.”

I walk to the liquor cabinet and take out my most expensive wine. There are now plenty of reasons to throw a three-man party. Midnight Moon has found its Luna and I have a mate.

Maybe not quite the way I would like, but that doesn't affect my happiness.

I give my friends a glass and toast each. “To a new beginning for Midnight Moon. With a Luna, we are much stronger, invincible”, I say in a fiery Alpha tone. Jace and Cleo nod. The bubbles from our glass rise while we look at each other confidently....