𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐦

𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝑇𝐸𝑁

𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚

"For decades we have witnessed rogues attacking the weak links in the werewolf community. They prey on them at night, stripping them of everything they own and subjugating the stronger wolves to slavery and imprisonment," Council Leader Issac said grimly. "Is there anyone who can offer a solution to this problem? Or any incentive that will drive them to do such things?"

Two hours into the meeting we had gone over everything in the presentation at least twice. Now we were having a discussion about all what was spoken about just a few minutes ago. Usually I am very attentive when important matters were involved, seeing as how it involved our safety and health, but not today.

When I arrived in the meeting room with Uncle Trevor I felt a multitude of eyes on me. Some were curious, some envious and others, sympathetic. The whole thing was ironic, considering the fact that I lost my parents and brother in a rogue attack and this meeting was held to discuss just that. But that's not all.

The moment I stepped into the room, I was hit with a faint smell of sandlewood and peppermint. Now remember, this was a room full of Alphas, Lunas, Betas and their children, all with their own individual scents which distinguished them from the rest. But this particular scent was unlike anything I've ever smelled.

When Keira smelt it, she started to get very excited, scratching at the barrier and whining. I allowed her to come to the front and the second I did, I could hear her howls of pleasure, excitement and desperation mixed into one.

"Mate! I smell our mate! Karina I smell our mate! He's here!"

"But that's impossible, I'm only seventeen. My eighteenth birthday isn't until June," I said shockingly.

"But I can smell him, I can he is here, I can feel him and his wolf," she ignored my words and continued to howl excitedly.

"But why can't I identify him? If you can smell him and his wolf I should be able to," my confusion was palpable, as was the need to find my mate and embrace him in my arms. To hold him, kiss him, claim him.

"Karina pay attention they're asking questions and you're just staring into space," Uncle Trevor's voice suddenly appeared in my head and I jumped out of shock, too preoccupied with my baffling thoughts to see or hear anything else. Mouthing a quick 'sorry' I cleared my throat and focused on the meeting, ignoring Keira's consistent demands to be acknowledged.

"Alpha Damian, you are by far the youngest Alpha in this room to attain such a vast amount of wealth, respect and acknowledgment in the werewolf society. Your pack is untouchable by both rogues and rival packs who seek to dethrone you from your position as Alpha of Bloodstone Isle. Would you care to offer your opinion on this subject matter?" Council Leader Heidi asked.

When the man, whom I assumed to be Damian, began to talk, I felt a delicious tingling sensation run through my body. My cheeks burned and my mouth went dry as I listened to his deep voice, his Russian accent sending shivers down my spine. All of a sudden Keira's howls started to get louder, more accentuated as she forced herself through the barrier.

"That's our mate! The scent is coming from him, I can smell it quite strongly now. And he's an Alpha too!" she purred.

"I still can't fathom how you can identify our mate but not me. This is so frustrating. I can smell him, I can. It's faint, but it's there. Could it be because I haven't reached maturity yet?" I mused. "No that can't be the reason. We are one being you and I, so if I haven't reached maturity, how can you?"

"I don't know. Could it be because of the fact that I simply matured ahead of you?" Keira was just as confused as I.

"Karina, please pay attention. You're wandering again," Uncle Trevor interrupted our conversation and I looked at him with distant eyes, not quite listening to anything that was being said.