The Rise

Chapter Four

Seven stacks of papers, all at least a foot high, sat on my desk. Over the past few days, when I wasn't hunting the Challengers, I had been trying to finally catch up on work I had been putting off.

After endlessly reading papers about missing and found pups, the Challengers, this stupid divine, and possible sighting of Aeron, I needed something else. Something that wasn't bad news.

I pulled a stack that I hadn't touched yet closer to me. A yellow sticky note was stuck to the top which read Matesin Valerio's handwriting. After a moment of wanting to keep this stack untouched, I sighed and pulled the top page in front of me.

Assigning mates was something I tried to put off for as long as I could. Truth was, I didn't think I would be any good at matching making. It's not like I had any help from Mom; she told me that she only mated me with Damon because he was a lesson.

Damon sure did turn into a lesson. Don't trust someone just because your mother did. It just wasn't the lesson she thought.

I turned my attention back to the paper on my desk. On it were the names of people who recently lost their mates. I was to decide whether they were deserving of a second-chance mate. If they were, I would write two names, of the individuals who I thought fit the best together, next to each other in my journal. Their bond would forever be forged in history, then their love would find a way.

My stomach turned. These were people's lives I'd be writing. If I made a mistake, just one small mistake, these people could end up in terrible relationships. They could end up like Luca – mates with Alexandra – or something worse, if there was anything worse than her.

I cringed. No way could I take this lightly.

The first name was Ayodele Abara, Nakida's brother. He was mated to a woman for four years until a Challenger killed her while she was protecting her siblings. He was a lover of history, particularly divinity history and his tracking abilities were some of the best in the area. Following his short profile was a list of alphas and packs he's tracked down rogues for. It was quite an extensive list of some of the most respected alphas.

For a few moments, I wondered why we hadn't asked him to become a Protector yet. Based on his history he would surely fit the part for it. I'd have to talk to Valerio about it and meet him, of course, before we decided if he would fit our pack.

A few names down the list, Aaisha's name was written. Her profile was quite different. Mated to a Challenger. Fiery woman. Will chase you around with a knife if you get on her bad side (don't get on her bad side).

I giggled. Whoever's job it was to keep track of mates must've run into Aaisha on one of her bad days.

No matter the kind of day it was though, I knew Aaisha was the strongest woman I've ever met. She didn't need a mate, but she did deserve some happiness after Richard's death. And, besides, I'm sure she wouldn't mind someone taking care of her pup with she's on alpha duty.

My pen was aching to write their names together in my journal, to seal their love. But, again, I needed to meet him first. Aaisha wasn't made for any weak man.

After officially forging bonds between a few souls, I put my journal to the side and glanced at the clock. 3:38pm. Nakida's family would be here at four.

I took a moment to myself, letting my fingers graze so lightly over Damon's mark, Damon's soul. His smile flashed in my mind; his deep forest-green eyes burnt into my memory. I wasn't sad when I thought about him anymore. He calmed me.

When I was relaxed, I walked to the living room. Aaisha sprawled out on the couch, one hand resting gently on her stomach. She wasn't showing yet, but she sure did act like it which was cute.