Jace cleared his throat, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Zane, I’ve spoken with the Beta. He confirmed that his daughter has been missing since yesterday. She was indeed playing with some other pups in the woods when they lost sight of her,” he informed me. “He’s on his way here with his mate to pick her up. They’ll arrive in about two hours.”

He paused, then added.

“Don’t you think you should call Alpha Ahri and let him know about this as soon as possible? That would ease up your path.”

Of course. I’d completely forgotten.

The sheer joy of finally having my mate here with me had consumed my every thought. I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found Ahri’s number.

“Alpha Ahri, this is Alpha Zane from Midnight Moon. I’m calling to inform you that we’ve found your Beta’s daughter near our border,” I stated.

The response on the other end was a low, menacing growl.

“Alpha Zane. Yes, my Beta informed me. This matter requires thorough investigation. A pup doesn’t travel that many miles in a single day. There’s more to this.” His tone was far from friendly, but I hadn’t expected anything different.

“I agree. I also detected the scent of your pack within my territory. This means some of your members entered my lands without permission,” I answered him. “That’s a punishable offense. I’ll be sure to include this in my report.”

He sputtered something unintelligible but didn’t directly address my accusation.

I decided not to push the issue. My current situation was delicate, I was, in a way, at his mercy regarding my personal life.

“There’s something else I need to discuss with you. It’s…unusual, but we can’t question the Moon Goddess’s decisions,” I began carefully, trying to choose my words wisely. “Mercedes is my fated mate.”

I dropped the bombshell.

“What?!” he barked into the phone. “You so much as lay a finger on that pup, and I’ll tear you apart! You pedophile! I’m coming for her with my warriors. You make sure she’s safe at the border. I’ll kill you!” he raged, his voice thick with fury.

His harsh breathing rasped through the speaker, and I could practically feel his anger radiating through the phone.

“ Alpha Ahri, I assure you, I am not a pedophile. Mercedes’s parents are on their way and will have their daughter back safe and sound,” I reassured him calmly. “I have no intention of claiming her yet. I’m well aware of the Werewolf Laws. I want to discuss this rationally and reach an agreement with you.”

“Agreement? About what?” Ahri snarled.

I sighed deeply.

“Listen. Mercedes is my fated mate. The Moon Goddess has decreed it, and I accept that. All I want is free access to be able to visit her in your pack and for her to visit me here, so she can become accustomed to my presence and my pack. After all, she is the future Luna of Midnight Moon.”

I heard him swallow hard several times, the news was clearly difficult for him to accept.

But this exceptional circumstance was something I had to accept as well.

“Alpha, the law forbids third parties from intervening and keeping mates apart,” I reminded him. “I assure you, she’ll always be safe here. My Beta and Head Warrior will act as her personal protectors.”

After a long, tense silence, I heard him take a deep breath, desperately trying to regain control.

Ahri was known for his volatile temper, it took a lot to reason with him. At past Alpha meetings, he had proven himself to be impulsive and unpredictable, few Alphas wanted to deal with him. But I had no choice, my mate belonged to his pack.

“Her parents will be there shortly. Talk to them. If they agree, I expect you in my pack within two weeks to discuss this further,” he finally conceded, his voice still tight with suspicion. “But I still find this suspicious. Too many coincidences. First, the girl goes missing, then she turns up miles away in your territory, and now she’s your mate.” He paused, emphasizing his next words.

“Are you sure you had nothing to do with her disappearance?” he asked, his voice laced with doubt.

Good heavens, no!

Could this man not think logically for once? Even Mercedes had shown more sense than her Alpha!

My patience was wearing thin. I suppressed my annoyance, I didn’t have time to waste on this fool.

“Then explain to me what my motive would be?” I countered. “She’s already my mate. If I knew that beforehand, I would have simply contacted her parents and then you, as I’m doing now,” I explained slowly, as if speaking to a child. “Why would I go to the trouble of kidnapping her first and then make myself look suspicious?”

Ahri seemed to recognize the logic in my words, his tone shifting slightly.

"What are you implying?" he asked, now edged with a different kind of tension. "Are you saying it's impossible? People do all sorts of things to get what they want. What makes you any different?"

I had no patience with this nonsense.

“Listen, Alpha. As agreed, I’ll discuss this with her parents, and I’ll be at your pack in two weeks. I’ll let you know when I’ll arrive. I look forward to hearing the results of your investigation.” Before he could say anything else, I ended the call.

Jace and Cleo stared at me with expressions of pity.

“Yes, that reaction was to be expected. The man isn’t exactly known for his intellect,” Jace sighed wearily. “I could tell he was ready to go to war even before he had all the details in front of him."

“That would be a grave mistake on his part,” Cleo chimed in sarcastically. “Underestimating Midnight Moon and acting against Werewolf Laws will be his downfall one day.”

I walked over to the liquor cabinet and pulled out my most expensive bottle of wine.

There was certainly reason to celebrate, albeit in a complicated way. Midnight Moon had found its Luna, I had ultimately found my mate. It wasn’t how I’d envisioned it, but that didn’t diminish my happiness.

I poured a glass for each of us and raised mine in a toast.

“To a new beginning for Midnight Moon. With a Luna, we are stronger, invincible,” I declared in my most commanding Alpha tone.

Jace and Cleo nodded, their eyes meeting mine with a shared sense of determination.

The bubbles in our glasses rose to the surface as we stood together, united.

“Zane, Mercedes’s parents have arrived.”

Jace entered my office, where I’d been trying to focus on work while my mate was asleep.

I nodded and rose from my chair.

Together, we took the elevator to the Alpha floor. When we stepped into my bedroom, we found Mercedes sleeping peacefully on my bed, looking like a little angel. Seeing her there filled my heart with overwhelming love. I silently vowed to always protect her and make her happiness my top priority.

Elise had fallen asleep beside her but woke as soon as we entered.

“She was exhausted. She was already drifting off while I was bathing her,” my sister whispered, careful not to wake Mercedes.

She’d slept for about two hours, likely not nearly enough to be fully rested. But her parents were waiting, I needed to convince them that their daughter was unharmed. I was acutely aware that I was under scrutiny, everyone would be watching closely how I handled this unusual situation with my young mate.

Carefully, I sat on the edge of the bed beside her.

“Little one, it’s time to wake up,” I said softly, gently stroking her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open, and a happy smile spread across her lips.

“Zane.”

She sat up and wrapped her small arms around my neck. My wolf, Jax, purred with contentment at having his mate so close.

“Did you sleep well? Go wash your face, and then you can meet your parents,” I said, lifting her from the bed and setting her on her feet. We waited while she used the bathroom, then walked out of the room together.

To my surprise, she voluntarily took my hand in hers as we waited for the elevator. As we descended, she stood close beside me.

“Are you still hungry? Should I ask the cook to make you something else?” I asked, trying to hide the joy her innocent gesture brought me. She nodded enthusiastically, making us all chuckle. Everyone knew by now that eating was one of her favorite habits.

I saw Jace quickly send a mind link.

“The cook anticipated your appetite and has already prepared your cereal,” he relayed to Mercedes. Her face lit up, and she beamed at me.

On the main floor, we went directly to my office. There was a comfortable sitting area where Mercedes could eat her cereal while I spoke with her parents. Once we were all seated, a servant brought in her meal. Moments later, the Head Warrior escorted Mercedes’s parents into the room. We all jumped to our feet and I extended my hand to the Beta and his mate.

“Welcome to Midnight Moon, Beta Marc, Selin,” I greeted them. “As you can see, your daughter is safe here in my pack.” I led them to the small table where Mercedes was still enjoying her cereal. When she saw her parents, she launched herself into their arms, hugging them tightly.

“Daddy! Alpha Zane is so nice to me! He said I can stay here when I’m on school holidays,” she exclaimed excitedly. “I told him I’d ask you first.”

Her parents nodded, their expressions unreadable.

“Why don’t you finish up first, sweetie, while we talk to the Alpha?” her father suggested softly. “Then we can go home.” Mercedes gave me a quick, shy glance before returning to the table. The couple then joined me at my work desk, where I offered them each a chair.

“Beta Marc, Selin. We found your daughter within our territory. We don’t know how she got here, but I did detect the scent of Silver Moon pack members on my land,” I started. “I can’t confirm any direct connection to Mercedes’s disappearance at this time. We’re still investigating.”

Beta Marc met my gaze directly, his expression serious. I held his stare.

“Alpha Ahri suggested that you kidnapped her and brought her here. And now you’re claiming she’s your fated mate,” he stated, his voice rising slightly. His mate immediately reached out and placed a calming hand on his arm.

“As soon as my Beta informed me of his discovery, I went to the location. Nothing like this has ever happened before. I’ve never heard of a pup being found so far from home, all by herself.”

I deliberately ignored the Beta’s thinly veiled accusation.

He knew it wasn’t his place to make such a statement, but he now held the unique position of becoming my father-in-law. Any other pack member who had spoken to me that way would have faced severe consequences.

“I confirm that she is my fated mate. My wolf, Jax, recognized her as such. I trust he can convince your wolves as well,” I stated firmly. “I have a proposal. You both know that mates need to be together to strengthen their bond. This is especially important for me as an Alpha. My mate will not only strengthen me but also bring greater balance to my pack.”

“And what is your proposal, Alpha? My daughter is just a pup. The mating can only happen when she turns eighteen,” her mother said with concern. Mercedes was a miniature version of the woman sitting before me, though she had a noticeable birthmark near one ear. Selin likely had Alpha blood in her lineage, perhaps from a different pack than Silver Moon. It was common for Alpha’s sisters to mate with Betas, either within their own pack or from another.

“I understand that. I have no intention of claiming Mercedes before she’s eighteen. I’m a reasonable man, not a pervert,” I said dryly. “I propose that Mercedes visit Midnight Moon during school holidays and on weekends when she doesn’t have homework, whenever she wants to. And I’ll visit her at your pack. This will continue until she turns eighteen and accepts me as her mate. Then, we’ll have a grand Luna ceremony here in my pack.”

My thoughts drifted to that moment in the future. I envisioned an adult Mercedes standing beside me, our hands intertwined, as my pack welcomed her as their Luna. The thought made my heart beat faster.

I heard a soft chuckle, and I looked up to see Selin smiling.

“Alpha, my wolf is convinced. And the look on your face when you spoke about Mercedes accepting you at eighteen was priceless,” she declared, turning to her mate. “Marc, the Alpha’s proposal is reasonable. If the Moon Goddess brought them together in this way, we shouldn’t keep them apart. I trust the Alpha.”

Beta Marc looked at his mate, still hesitant.

“I’ve never heard any negative reports about Midnight Moon’s treatment of minors,” he admitted reluctantly. “Let’s start with weekend visits before considering longer stays,” he suggested.

That was acceptable for me.

I smiled at my future in-laws. I stood and shook hands with both of them.

“I assure you, you won’t regret this. I’ll visit your pack within a week to formally discuss this agreement with Alpha Ahri.” Through the mind link, I instructed Jace to prepare appropriate gifts for my in-laws while I shared a meal with them in the dining room.

“Beta Marc, Selin, I insist you join me for a meal. You’ll want to know more about me, about the man who is destined to be your daughter’s mate,” I said.

They gratefully accepted my invitation.

Chapter 6

Mercedes, Three Years Later…

“Clarita,” Mercedes groaned, her voice barely a whisper, “I don’t feel well. My head is killing me, and I have terrible cramps.” She doubled over, clutching her stomach. A sharp wave of nausea rolled through her, making her head spin.

Clarita’s brow furrowed with concern.

“You look awful,” she said with worry. “You should go home. I’ll tell Mrs. Davison you’re sick.”

The friend raised to her feet and helped Mercedes stand up, supporting her as they slowly made their way out of the classroom.

Outside, the cool air offered a small reprieve, but Mercedes still felt dizzy and weak.

Clarita scanned the parking lot, as to expect to see someone.

“Is Zane picking you up today? I don’t see his car anywhere,” she asked with subtle note of anticipation.

Mercedes glanced at her, a sense of suspicion crossing her mind.

She’d noticed Clarita’s slight fascination with Zane for a while now. Every time his name was mentioned, a soft, almost wistful tone crept into her voice. At first, Mercedes had dismissed it, but the frequency of Clarita’s inquiries had started to make her uneasy. She trusted Zane unconditionally, but the thought of her friend harboring a secret crush on her mate left a sour taste in her mouth.

Zane was undeniably handsome.

His long, sun-kissed brown hair often fell across his forehead, framing his strong jawline, a jaw that could have been carved from granite. The intricate tattoo that adorned the side of his neck, a swirling pattern of dark ink, hinted at the powerful wolf that resided within, a wolf that claimed her to be his mate.

It was a voice that commanded attention, a voice that made her feel safe and protected, a voice that whispered promises of future intimacy. His confident aura drew admiring glances from everyone, especially the she-wolves. Beautiful, sophisticated women, women who were everything Mercedes wasn’t, tall, poised, with an air of worldly experience.

But their glances meant nothing.

Mercedes had witnessed other women attempt to flirt with her mate.

But Zane’s gaze, warm and tender, always sought her out, his eyes filled with a love that reassured her, a love that whispered that she was everything he desired.

Lately, Mercedes had started instinctively taking Zane’s hand whenever they were in public. It was a small, unconscious gesture, a claim of ownership. Her own immature wolf was stirring, demanding recognition. She longed for the day she could finally claim Zane fully, marking him as hers with a possessive bite.

The waiting was agonizing.

Time seemed to drag on, each day an eternity. Mercedes could practically feel her canines itching to emerge, a constant reminder of the primal bond that connected her to Zane. She knew that the very moment she turned eighteen, she would not wait a second to mark him, solidifying their bond forever. The mere thought of that sent a wave of heat through her body. Even now, when Zane wore those sleeveless sport shirts, her eyes were drawn to the smooth curve of his neck, to the spot where her mark would rest.

Their unusual relationship had attracted its fair share of attention.

A man in his twenties with a girl who was still in school was bound to raise eyebrows. The fact that he was the Alpha of a neighboring pack only amplified the whispers and stares. But her parents had explained the situation to their pack, emphasizing the fated nature of their bond. Gradually, most people had come to accept it.

Zane was the perfect mate, patient and understanding.

They had established clear boundaries and agreements about how they interacted with others. Zane, by nature, was possessive and fiercely protective, a trait he attributed to his Alpha genes. He understood Mercedes’s need to spend time with her friends and participate in normal teenage activities. But there were limits.

No other boy was allowed to touch or have any other physical contact with her, they had to maintain a appropriate distance. The same applies in the school cafeteria. Zane had explained that his wolf couldn’t bear the scent of another male on her.

He always drove her to and from parties, and no alcohol was allowed when he wasn’t present.

If he couldn’t be there, Jace stepped in, acting as her guardian. Another non-negotiable rule was that Mercedes couldn’t accept gifts from other boys. Zane had given her a credit card to cover all her expenses, school lunches, clothes, even her school fees. Her mother had also told her that Zane was transferring a substantial amount of money into her father’s account each month, contributing to her care. When Mercedes had questioned him about it, he’d simply brush it off.

“Now that we know we’re mates, I’m responsible for you. Everything I have is yours.”

Mercedes didn’t fully understand the complexities of adult finances, so she didn’t dwell on it. Her sight was on the positive aspects of her relationship with Zane. He was attentive, affectionate, and generous, constantly showing her how much he cared. When she visited his pack, his sister, Elise, always included her in on going projects, preparing her for her future role as the Luna of Midnight Moon.

Mercedes felt like she belonged to two packs, and she was happy in both.

Snapping back to the present, the girl looked around the parking lot. Zane’s familiar black SUV was nowhere to be seen. With a sigh, she pulled her phone from her bag and dialed his number. He answered immediately.

“Little One, I’m on my way. Don’t you have any more classes for today?” he asked with concern. This morning, they’d agreed for him to stay at her parents’ house and then pick her up from school later for the prom that evening.

“I feel awful, I think I’m sick,” she responded, her voice trembling slightly. “My head is pounding, and my stomach is cramping really badly. I can barely concentrate.”

“Please come get me,” she pleaded. “I’m waiting outside the school building.”

There was a brief silence at the other end of the line.

“I sensed something was off when you woke up but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it,” Zane admitted, softly. “I’ll be there in a minute. Stay where you are, love.”

Clarita helped Mercedes sit down on a nearby bench.

“Is Zane coming?” she asked again, her eyes wide with excitement.

Mercedes turned to her, meeting her gaze steadily. A small, confident smile played on her lips.

“Yes,” she replied firmly. “My mate is coming to get me. That is how he loves me.”

As Clarita’s face flushed a deep shade of red, Mercedes couldn’t help the small, triumphant smile that spread across her own face.

Got ya.