To Walk Alone

- travel -

A question formed in Jake's mind, and it was one that was honestly bothering him since the first time he realized she was his mate: did she run because he was her mate, in which case, only she would have known about that if they hadn't caught her?  Or did she run because she had a price on her head and she was scared?  Which only led him to his next question: if she knew he was her mate, why didn't she reveal herself to him right from the start? 

So many questions ran through his head, and he could feel the sting of rejection laced within her actions.  Maybe she didn't want him as a mate after all.

His wolf whimpered in his head at the awful thought but stayed quiet. 

"We have no choice," Jake muttered, but they all heard him.

Jake might have been one of the most powerful Alpha's in the U.S., but even the Alliance's army outdid his own.  The room was quiet while they pondered Jake's words.  He'd given it some thought.  If he claimed her, word would certainly get out.  A pack as big as Jake's was obviously popular in the werewolf society and they were highly looked upon.  His warriors were highly trained and skilled fighters as it was, but if they wanted to go against a militia group like Adam Walker's, then they needed to be extra prepared.  It would be no small task to defeat someone like Walker. 

She was royalty, rightfully the Queen of werewolves.  Would that make him a King if they mated?  He shook his head mentally.  No, he was no King.  An Alpha, yes, but certainly not a King.  He wasn't worthy of that title.  She had special abilities; abilities that allowed her to mask her scent completely, making her practically invisible to werewolves.  Not to mention whatever it was she did to Tuck in the woods.  He would have to ask her about that.  

"Mark her tonight," Lucas pressed.  "You can hardly trust her being around Korbin's pack until it's time to leave."

"Which is why she already has a bracelet on," snapped Jake.  His patience was wearing thin.  All he wanted to do was punch a hole in the wall.  He settled for slamming his hand down on the table instead, making them all jump except for Lucas.  "Think this is what I want?  Think this is what was supposed to happen?  She's fucking royalty for goddess sake."

Ben and Everett were the only ones in his company that were not mated, and he had every intention of keeping her bracelet on as long as possible.  The only problem was that she could literally use that bracelet to her advantage.  He wasn't stupid.  They hadn't been able to smell her before, who was to say she wouldn't try to slip through their fingers again?

"That bracelet isn't going to last forever.  If someone else figures out her secret, they could snatch her up like that," Lucas said, snapping his fingers together.  "We wouldn't be able to trace her."

"Maybe the bracelet isn't such a good idea after all," said Lane, but Jake shot him a deadly look, even though the warrior spoke innocently enough. 

"The bracelet stays on until I can get her home and set up a permanent guard for her," he said firmly, then he turned to Lucas and narrowed his eyes.  "Mated males only on her protection detail, understand?"

Lucas nodded seriously.  "I already have several in mind."

"Add Tuck to the list if you haven't already," demanded Jake, but Lucas frowned. 

"Tuck is part of your detail, are you sure -,"

"Add him.  I'm not taking any chances.  She needs our best warriors," said Jake.  "He's in charge of her guard detail; they need to keep an eye on her at all times but they're not to make themselves known.  I don't want Nick near her again if we can help it.  I know Adam Walker; we met once years ago.  He's a devil of a bastard and I know my Uncle Grant has been keeping track of his army and the rogues for years.  No one can ever get close enough to snatch him."