Mykel's POV

I was at lunch with Lilith when the schools warning alarms began blaring throughout the canteen. Teachers and students everywhere running like crazy. Security guards was trying to rein the students under control as they screamed and shouted unsure of what was happening. I was about to follow the teacher when my father's erratic voice mind flitted into my head. We were under attack, and he was telling me to get to the bunker when the link suddenly ended. I knew something was wrong by the knot that had formed in my stomach. Standing from my chair I went to run out of the canteen when Lilith grabbed my arm. Tears were falling from her beautiful blue eyes as she pleaded with me to stay. To let the warriors do their jobs. But I couldn't, this pack would one day be mine and the fact my dad ended our link so abruptly it wasn't like him.

I quickly kissed Lilith promising her I'd be ok, that I would come and find her when it was safe. She begrudgingly let me go before running with the teacher to find safety in one of the school's hidden bunkers. Running out the doors it didn't take long for me to shift into my wolf. Pushing off the ground with as much speed as I could muster, I took off in the direction of the pack house. Wolves everywhere were fighting, bodies of both this form and human littered the ground. The once green grass now tinted red. I was stopped in my tracks when I reached the pack house, what I saw had my heart beating rapidly. A large man with a sadistic smile on his face had my mum over his shoulder, only her scent was off.

"You can have her back now" was all he said as he threw her to the ground like she was nothing more than trash. A loud whimper left me as I took in the sight of the woman that had raised me. Her blonde hair stained red with blood; her skin had been clawed apart leaving her almost unidentifiable. There was no doubt she hadn't put up a fight, but what suffocated me was seeing that her throat had been ripped out, that and her scent had mixed with his. Her ripped dress gave view to the bruising on her inner thighs, the bastard had raped her before ending her life. I waited for the man to walk away before scurrying over to her and shifting back. I cradled her body in my arms letting the tears fall. At that moment I couldn't care less what anyone thought about me crying. That's when I heard it, my father's almighty roar. My eyes whipped up scanning the grounds to find him. I watched as he fell to his knees his hands clutching his throat as the blood seeped through his fingers. His eyes, that cold stare that stayed locked on me until his head hit the ground.

***BEEP BEEP BEEP***

I jumped upright in the bed and shut off the alarm. Getting out of bed I headed to the shower needing to rinse the sweat from my body. It had been three years since that day. Three years since I lost my parents along with half our pack. And still each night when I close my eyes, I relive it, the worst day of my life. Slowly I turned to drink hoping it would let me forget, but instead all it did was make me angrier. I knew Lilith hated it when I drank, and I wished I could stop for her. But until I find the pack responsible for the reoccurring nightmares I can't.

"Mykel? Are you ok?" Lilith's silky voice instantly calming the rapid beating of my heart as she wrapped her arms around me, resting her head on my back. She knew I suffered when I closed my eyes, I think that's why she tolerates me. She felt it all through our bond, the fear the hate every emotion I felt that moment in time. I had expected her to run a mile after that day, I'd changed; I wasn't the happy go lucky guy I previously was. It was that day I was forced to leave school and become Alpha and the day I discovered my wolfs gift. I'm a silver wolf, and each of my kind are gifted by the moon goddess. My so-called gift is I can control the weather, though with my anger it's more like a curse.

I thought I'd be on my own to rule and lead our pack through the tragedy because I had become miserable and angry, but I was wrong. A few months later I turned eighteen and found out that Lilith was my mate. I couldn't have been happier; she was my first everything just as I was hers. Her family joined the pack when we were younger, I don't know all the details, but I do know they were seeking sanctuary from one man. He wanted Lilith for his son, but her father refused, not willing to sign his daughter's life away to anyone that wasn't her mate. As a result, he destroyed her pack. Her father died the same day for he was the packs beta, but her mother survived, running and ending up here.

For a while the nightmares left, the sparks of our mate bond shooing them away, I thought just maybe I could finally be happy again. But then you know what they say about bad luck; it always comes in threes. First I lost my parents, second, we lost our pup and third? Thirdly we found out It's our turn to host the annual alpha meeting.

"I'm sorry for last night, I was wound up and I took it out on you when I shouldn't have" I turned to face her placing my own arms around her. Breathing in her scent always calmed me down, well for the most part.

"What happened?" Lilith always asked to be involved with pack business and by pushing her away I thought I was keeping her safe.

"That arsehole who groped you is coming and has requested to stay in the pack house. I don't want him anywhere near you, but I can't keep you locked away. As my Luna you need to be present" the way she looked at me, the love she held in her eyes. It was enough to make you think nothing else mattered and I wished more than anything that we could take a trip just the two of us. "Elijah will remain with you while I do the council conference, then when he leaves for patrol, you are to stay by my side" the hurt in her eyes left me feeling guilty, but I'd rather feel guilty for this than had anything happen to her. I'd never forgive myself for not protecting her, my soulmate the love of my life.

"Mykel you must trust me, I dealt with him the first time I'll deal with him again should the need arise. The only man for me is you. You have nothing to worry about" using all her strength she squeezed my waist making me chuckle. She may be small, but she definitely had some strength. Tilting her head up to mine I kissed her gently, our tongues dancing with one another. Lilith's arousal became stronger as she deepened the kiss her hands going to my cock.

"Mykel there's someone here to see you" Elijah's voice entered my mind and I groaned.

"This better be important" my teeth grazing my mark on Lilith's neck causing her to whimper as pleasure shot through her.

"One of the Alphas has arrived early and is requesting your presence" the tone he used had me curious as to who the Alpha was. "Tall, lanky and can't keep his hands to himself. In case you're wondering" he laughed knowing it would instantly piss me off. Releasing Lilith, I walked out the bathroom my cock now limp as fuck. Lilith came out after me, I told her what was going on and her face dropped. Neither of us wanted him here, me most of all. Benjamin was an alpha from England, he came last year in the hopes or signing a treaty with me only he left empty handed. The bastard just couldn't keep his hands to himself, only he tried it on the wrong woman. My woman, the guy tried to rape her, tried to place his own mark over mine only Lilith overpowered him for he was drunk.

Getting dressed both Lilith and I headed down to the dining room hand in hand. I was adamant not to let his presence get to me and to get through these next couple of days without losing it.

Mykel's POV

"Benjamin to what do we owe the displeasure" the moment we entered the dining hall his eyes became fixated on Lilith. Her grip on my hand became tighter only proving how uncomfortable she felt around him.

"Good morning Mykel, Lilith always such a pleasure" I growled at his informal introduction. He was visiting us; he didn't know us personally so for him to not use our titles was a massive sign of disrespect. "Oh, aren't you moody this morning. I just thought I would arrive early and... enjoy the scenery before the meeting" His eyes trailed over Lilith a snarl leaving my lips had him smiling at my reaction.

"Fine but I'm warning you. You keep your fucking hands to yourself. After last year your lucky you still have them" Elijah snarled from behind me. He hated this man as much as I did. Not only had he tried to rape Lilith, but he also spiked Elijah's sister's drink. What he hadn't known was that she was pregnant and as a result lost her pup. A feeling both myself and Lilith were all too familiar with.

Benjamin went to protest but I wasn't going to give him the chance. Standing behind Lilith I walked blocking his view knowing all too well he would be staring at her ass. Entering my office I sat at my desk with Lilith on my lap, Elijah took a seat opposite us. My office was massive, after becoming alpha I'd had an extension built onto the side of the pack house. It honestly didn't need it, but I was struggling with my grief and wanted to keep myself busy. So as a result, I increased the size of my pack house along with building a bigger hospital. Had the hospital been the size it is now when my father was Alpha we wouldn't have lost as many wolves as we had on that one fatal afternoon.

"Elijah, I need you to stay with Lilith today. I've got a video conference with the council in an hour, and I don't want that bastard anywhere near her"

"Mykel I will be ok. After the humiliation he suffered last year, I doubt he would be stupid to try again" The way she looked at me melted my insides. She was so god damn beautiful both inside and out. I trusted her with my life, more than I trusted Elijah who happened to be both my beta and best friend. It was Benjamin I didn't trust. There was no way he planned on letting what Lilith did slide, which I personally think is the real reason he arrived early. Only little did he know he wouldn't remotely get the chance to enact any revenge.

"You know I'll protect her you don't even need to ask. What kind of Beta would I be if I didn't watch out for my Luna" Elijah placed his hand over his heart feigning hurt. Lilith just chuckled at his actions. A small part of me was jealous that she was relaxed when around him, that she would laugh and joke with him in ways that she wouldn't me. But I understood why. I hadn't been entirely there for her lately. My drinking had become worse, and I knew she hated it, hated how I would act but what she didn't understand was it helped dull the pain.

Once they let my office, I got the attendance list from my draw. I had heard of most Alphas however I hadn't met them all. I wanted to keep my pack isolated, to protect it with everything I had. What happened three years ago would not happen again. When it hit 10am the tablet lit up. I was going to be formally introduced to the entire wolf council. Something that was a necessity as I was holding the this year's alpha meeting.

"Good morning Alpha Mykel, how are you on this fine morning?" Elder Bruce was the only member I knew, he and my father had been close. Before Bruce became an elder, he was the Alpha to an allied pack of ours. His son Dante took over the pack when he turned twenty-one and would be arriving later.

"It was ok until we had an unwanted guest, however it's being dealt with" I didn't need him to know of the issues I had with Alpha Benjamin. He would lose his shit for me not having reported the attempted rape of my Luna. But with the beating the bastard received I felt it had been dealt with.

"I see, well try not to let it sour your day. Now before I introduce you to these other gentlemen and this lovely lady, I am to ask if there are any issues you wish to report. Now is the time to do so. Should I remind you that grudges are to be left at the door when the meeting begins" by the cold stern look on his face he knew something was going on. He had been like a second father to me growing up and didn't want me getting into shit.

"No sir, nothing to report. A couple of Alphas have arrived early and are being shown and settled to their rooms as we speak"

"Perfect. Now Alpha Mykel allow me to introduce you to Elder Kate, Elder Owen and our newest member Elder Shaun." I had heard most of their names before, they were brilliant well-respected Alphas. Elder Kate however was the first female to be welcomed, an invitation that would have been sent to my mother had she not been murdered.

After greeting each Elder individually, we got down to business. They informed me of my role as host to this year's annual alpha meeting. The one role that did pique my interest was how to handle a challenge. Should one Alpha challenge another they are not to back out. They are to take it straight outside and fight. It could be in either wolf or human form. It really was dealers' choice. Should the challenged Alpha refuse to participate I had the power to dissolve their pack. It gave me an idea, one that would hurt a certain alpha in attendance while giving my mate the confidence and freedom she craved. A freedom I had been denying her though it hadn't been out of control but out of love. I wanted to keep her safe and if her resenting me was the price I had to pay, it was one I would pay in a heartbeat. I'd rather have her hate me and have her remain at my side then the alternative.

The video conference lasted three hours and now I had a headache. All I wanted to do was have a lay down but I had to find Lilith and together we would greet the arriving Alphas.

*****

"Afternoon I'm Alpha Mykel and this is my mate, Luna Lilith"

"Such a stunning young woman, sorry I tend to blab I'm Luna Ruth and this is my husband, Alpha Raymond. Love this is Alpha Mykel and Luna Lilith" I couldn't help but chuckle as she waved her husband over.

"Sorry I got stuck talking to Benjamin. I had hoped he wouldn't attend this year but never mind" it was strange for a Luna to introduce herself and the alpha. Though they seemed like nice down to earth people. Our packs had been neutral for the last ten years, so I planned on making them allies.

"Tell you what Luna Lilith once the meeting becomes adjourned later, how about we grab a drink and have a chat. It's been a long time since I've met another Luna and to be honest I could do with blowing off some steam"

"Oh, please call me Lilith. As long as Mykel doesn't mind, I'd love to. Thank you" I could see the hope in my mate's eye's. She hadn't had a girl's night since taking the title of Luna.

"As long as Elijah is present then it's fine"

"Elijah?" It was impossible to miss the confusion on both Ruth and Raymond's faces.

"He's our Beta. He is to stay by Lilith's side while we have certain visitors" my eyes glanced in Benjamin's direction.

"I see. Well not to matter a girls evening it is. I shall let you greet the last few and see you later" once we said our goodbyes and had greeted the remaining guests we headed inside. The meeting was due to begin, and I was nervous as hell.

Mykel's POV

Everyone had taken their assigned seats and the meeting was about to begin. I could feel Lilith's unease through the bond. She had hoped other Lunas would have made the trip, however only two had come. We spent the next hour introducing ourselves when a scent had my mouth watering. It smelt like warm vanilla with a hint of spice. My wolf began to stir and for the first time ever he tried to take control.

'Mykel is everything ok?' Lilith mind linked me clearly feeling my frustration.

'Yeh Lil everything is fi...' my words lodged in my throat as the door was pulled open. A small but well-built man entered the room. By his aura I knew he was an Alpha so wracking my brain I tried to remember the name of the absent alpha but came up empty.

"I do apologise for my tardiness. I had to wait for someone to sort themselves out" his angry eyes fell on the door as a dark-haired woman walked in.

"Mate" I growled realising that breath taking scent was coming from her. The audible gasp that left a few visitors became the only sound in the now silent room. Before I knew it, I had stood from my chair with such a force that it fell backwards. The man just smirked at my words, his smile making him look evil. Those dark green eyes that held tiny specs of orange... I remembered seeing them before but found myself unable to place the when and where. So, deeming the thought unimportant I pushed it away. My eyes shifted back to the brunette however she refused to look at me, her eyes remaining on the floor. I could feel the rage building within me. There was no way she couldn't sense I was her mate just as she was mine.

"Your mistaken young alpha. She is spoken for" I went to step towards her, to force her to acknowledge me, but she was ripped out of my reach causing her to trip and fall. I wanted to tear his arms from his body. The woman I could tell was terrified, the smell of her fear just as potent as her breath-taking scent. It had me wondering just who this man was to her, and the horrific thoughts of what he could have done to have her feeling this scared unsettled me.

I watched as he yanked her with brute force from the ground, tears brimming her eyes as she was pushed into a vacant seat. My eyes fell on her fair skin and the fingerprints that had been left behind. Feeling my wolf once again stir I stormed out of the meeting and into my office. I needed to breathe, to think and to calm down. My gifts were to be kept secret from those not a part of our pack. Each silver wolf in existence living in fear that they would be hunted for their unique gift only to be torn away from their homes and family. I feared that if I truly lost control that I would do something I'd quickly come to regret.

Just as I went to pour myself a scotch Lilith entered the room. I could see the worry in her eyes, a sadness she was trying hard to hide. I explained how this mysterious woman was my mate not that it made any sense because Lilith was my mate. We both felt those sparks when we turned eighteen. When Lilith mentioned stepping back my heart began to hurt. Yes I may be fated to another, but that didn't mean I would think or feel any less of her. If anything, I loved her more. No woman I had ever met would willingly surrender a part of their happiness so long as their mate got there's. Lil however would.

*****

The meeting was beginning to drag yet all I could think about was my mate. So when it hit time to break, I couldn't be more grateful. I needed to bring Lilith in on my plan before confronting my new mysterious mate. Calling Elijah into my office I told them my idea.

"That is an insanely good idea. He won't see it coming. You have to do it Lil" Elijah was with me, but Lilith just sat there looking at me as if I had two heads.

"You can't be serious?" I didn't even answer her, instead I just raised my eyebrow. "Oh, shit you are aren't you. Mykel I'm not an Alpha. He's stronger than me let alone heavier"

"Lil you are just as strong if not stronger. Add that to you being a woman and you've got it hands down. If you challenge him, he will accept immediately. He will expect you to be weak, to give in quick. That isn't you. Your strong, you're a fighter and I know you won't lose. If even the slightest part of me thought you would then I wouldn't have even mentioned it. That's how much I believe in you. Get your revenge for what he tried to do to you, to Amy and to countless other women"

"Fine but if I lose..."

"You won't lose. When the meeting continues, and we get to asking each pack who they wish to treaty with Benjamin will ask for an alliance with us. That will be your que. You'll tell him no and challenge him. Trust me he will not turn it down out of fear of looking weak"

"Ok... now that's sorted is it too early for me to ask what the fuck all that was about with the whole 'grr mate' thing" classic Elijah, never a serious moment with him. Lilith however began to shift in her seat.

"I honestly don't know. Lil, I swear if this makes you too uncomfortable, I won't act on it" taking her hand across the table I gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Mykel you know where I stand. You've been blessed with a second mate for a reason. Just don't get any funny ideas about me and her. I mean don't get me wrong she's gorgeous but I'm all about the sausage" I couldn't help the laugh as she raised her hands in defence. I knew she was straight so I never would have expected anything remotely like that.

Lilith and Elijah left me alone in my office as she wanted to find Luna Ruth needing that drink now more than ever. I could feel she was scared about me being with the brunette. Once a wolf was marked and mated if we were even remotely intimate with another our mates would feel an excruciating pain. I didn't want that for Lilith. I didn't want her to feel any pain, whether it be caused by me or anyone else. That's half the reason I refused to let her leave the pack house without an escort. Walking over to the bookcase on the far wall I picked up the one on wolf history. All the books were incredibly old, but this one was by far the oldest. They belonged to my grandfather which were then passed down to my father and now, I guess to me.

Pouring myself a scotch I began to carefully flick through the pages stopping halfway when I came upon a chapter about mates.

'Mates can be both a blessing and a curse. Our beloved Moon Goddess believed we deserved to be truly happy and created another soul that would when together make us complete. A love so pure and true is often forged through the mate bond. Though often there are times when either the female or the male are unfaithful. To punish the sinful party a curse in the form of pain was created. Should either mate be unfaithful the other would suffer. There have however been incidents of wolves having multiple mates. The highest number recorded was a female in the early 1800's having three. Should this happen to a mated wolf their other half would not feel any pain as they are also a piece of them automatically becoming a piece of the other mate whether marked or not.'

Having read that I made my decision. I knew now Lilith wouldn't suffer. I however would. It was well known that if fated mates didn't want to be together they would need to reject each other. I wasn't going to do that, not when I knew she was being forced to be with another. Pouring another scotch to build my courage, I made my way to her room.