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.

Raven's POV

As the light beamed through my blinds it made my eyes sting. They were so sore and even with my wolf helping me heal it wasn't enough. Every smack he delivered was brutal, leaving no skin untouched. When I was younger it would only be places that could be hidden under clothes, but once I received my wolf all that changed. He stopped caring where the marks were knowing after a day or two, they would be gone.

"Ahh please stop" I whimpered as I was ripped from my bed. My head hitting the wooden post before hitting the floor. I hadn't even heard him come in.

"How many times did I tell you. You were to be up and ready by 9am" the spit landed on my face as he spoke. It took everything I had not to cry and not to cringe knowing it wouldn't do me any good.

"I'm sorry" was all I found myself able to mumble before his fist connected with my jaw making me cry out. He hit hard but at least he didn't break it this time.

"You fucking look at me when you speak. Not the fucking floor" I braced myself for the next smack only it never came. Instead, he looked at me with pure disgust before leaving my room.

When I was sure he had gone I carried myself to the door quickly shutting and locking it. I hated it here. I hated him. Fathers are supposed to love, cherish, and protect their daughters, but not him. It was no wonder my mother took her own life. I only wished she had taken mine to and not left me in his care. Pft care... certainly not what I could call it. My mother went when I was sixteen after finding out what my father truly was capable of.

When I was younger all I wanted was to travel the world, to be free of this shit storm of a life. I wanted to live, to have fun and to see what life actually had to offer. The majority of she-wolves couldn't wait to find their mates. To have that fairy-tale romance and happily ever after, but not me. No, I didn't want a mate and if ever I crossed paths with him, I'd run. I'd run as far and fast as my legs could carry me. I knew not all mates were bad, but after seeing the hell my dad put my mother through I sure as hell wasn't going to take any chances.

Four hours later...

"Mate" my stomach churned as he spoke those words. I never in my lifetime wanted to hear them. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him watching me, studying me and daring me to return his gaze. Alpha Mykel was said to be a good man though many had spoken of his temper, rumours were constantly going around that when he lost it people lost their lives. Then again, they could just be rumours. Alpha Mykel already had his Luna; he was fated to Luna Lilith, so this had to have been some fucked up joke. I could see the hurt on her face even though she masked it well. I was a master of plastering a fake smile on to. Only the one thing that confused me was that I didn't sense any jealousy or hate coming from her. I had always been good at reading people and nine times out of ten I was right. Luna Lilith, I hadn't heard much about, no one had. Except for the knowledge she was beautiful, nothing else was known.

I mean how the fuck could this happen. I was already planning my escape from the maniac my father planned on giving me to. A filthy perv that couldn't keep his hands to himself. My father had let him stay in my room several times before. No matter how much I protested he didn't stop him. My father said he could do what he wanted with me for I was to be his. I can still remember the first time he touched me. It was my seventeenth birthday and he wanted to give me the gift of all gifts. That night he raped me, he took my innocence, my sanity and my dignity all in one go. I can remember the smell of his coffee laced breath as he breathed down my neck before forcing his tongue into my mouth. A memory that would forever be imprinted in my brain. Benjamin was the king of scum. And now I would be forced to escape another. My mate. The moment I stepped out of the car I had caught his scent. He smelt like a fresh summer's day. You know that smell you get once the grass has been freshly cut. I had hoped I was wrong, that it wasn't my mate. However, the closer we got to the pack house the stronger the scent became. I argued and pleaded with my father to let me skip the meeting, but he insisted Benjamin would want to see me. That it would improve his mood and he would without doubt sign an alliance with him.

When it came time to break, I felt relieved. My father had sat me between him and Benjamin making it abundantly clear it was him I had been promised too. Since Alpha Mykel revealed I was his mate, Benjamin had been constantly stroking my inner thigh. Twice he tried to slip his fingers into my panties and only when Luna Lilith caught him, did he stop. My father had dragged me to the room in which I'd be staying while here, and once I'd realised I had the room to myself for the night I let out the breath I'd been holding. I laid on the bed trying to process everything that had happened when a soft knock came from the door. I didn't need to see who was there for I could tell by his scent. The moment I opened the door he walked in and with inhuman speed pushed me up against the wall.

"Mine" he growled into my neck as he inhaled my scent. My heart fluttered wanting him to take me and claim me as his all while my head screamed and shouted for me to run. I froze where I stood, my body paralysed under his touch. Sparks ignited over my skin and no matter how hard I tried to fight the feeling of bliss it was utterly useless. He gripped my chin and forced me to look at him. His eyes were a gorgeously deep shade of brown. His flawless face and strong jaw... come on Raven snap out of it. I bought my hands to his chest fully intent of pushing him away, giving him the whole how dare you speech. That was until his lips smashed into my own. He sucked on my lower lip before using his tongue to wrestle my own. Damn this kiss was good, nothing like the ones Benjamin had forced me to endure.

Flashbacks of that beast touching me entered my mind, my wolf coming forwards and doing what I couldn't. A look of hurt and rejection flashed in his eyes. A pang of guilt instantly rose within me.

"I... I'm Alpha Mykel. What's your name?" Don't do it Raven, don't tell him just keep that big mouth of yours shut. My head was screaming at me but like word vomit it just came out.

"Raven"

"Well Raven, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sure your confused and scared but I assure you there's no need to be"

"You have to go... please. Please if he catches you in here with me, he'll..." My hands began to tremble as fear of what my father would do should he catch Alpha Mykel here began to take hold.

"He'll what?" Shit me and my mouth really were my own downfall sometimes.

"Nothing. Just please forget I've said anything and leave. You heard what was said, I'm to be with someone else"

"Yeh me. Your fated to me and that's how it's going to stay. Whoever else thinks they have some moronic claim for you can come see me" hearing footsteps leading to my room my heart rate spiked. I would recognise that shuffle walk anywhere.

"Excuse me? What's going on in here?" Benjamin stood in the doorway his lips twitching as he watched Alpha Mykel and me.

"Benjamin leave, she's no longer your concern" Alpha Mykel's eyes never once left my own.

"Oh, but it does. Her father has promised her to me isn't that right pumpkin"