Gabal

Chapter 3

After the Alpha had pulled his mate's nest from the window, he lay in the generous space and draped his mate across his chest. She gave out a little purr and snuggled into him, gripping handfuls of his fur. He secured her to his chest with his two heavy arms, concerned for her safety should she fall. Then, he settled in to watch over her.

He could hear the steady breathing from his family below, laid out in various positions across her tidy front yard, still in their beast forms. Knowing they would follow protocol and set up watches, the Alpha switched his attention to a prettier subject. The lovely woman resting in his arms could only be described as ethereal. The splatter of freckles across the bridge of her nose, the flaxen beauty of her thick, soft hair, even the shape and color of her nails caused enamored awe to invade every corner of his being. He prayed in the light of the Goddess that her soul would be as beautiful as her facade.

He had met many pretty women, though none could compare to her, and had been disappointed by the personality of each. It was not uncommon for an Alpha male to have females pushed upon him. Their parents and pack elders all hoping for the planting of futures or a chosen Lady. The pressure put on his shoulders to produce a powerful heir was one only Atlas could comprehend. His bloodline, the continued autonomy of his pack, and the respect of his people all hinged on that one factor.

As weres progressed in age, the likelihood of finding their Given mate rapidly lowered. The fact that his was resting deeply in his arms at this moment was nothing short of a miracle. It was a last resort, but a choice mate could be taken. It negated the ill effects of a solitary life enough to stave off the danger. Over the years of his service in his pack, the Alpha had to put down many beasts with broken minds. Tempers shortened, morals skewed, and consequences did not seem to matter when one went long enough without their mate. It was one of the reasons his pack had been pushing so hard for him to settle down. They could see the signs, as hard as he tried to hide them. He had lived an impressive one thousand six hundred and fifty-six years, that and many times over what most unmated males survived. He had long ago made a vow to himself that if he did not find his Given, he would allow his pack to end his life. His eight hundred-odd years of leadership would mean nothing to him if he could not share his work with the one person meant to be his other half.

All that he had done and accomplished in life had been for her. She deserved safety, purpose, fulfillment, family, and anything else she thought could make her whole. His pack, he knew, would be ecstatic at the prospect of a Given. Not only for the promises of a sane leader and strong bloodline but also for the simple fact that a Lady was meant to be a nurturing, compassionate, tender soul. A Goddess Given Lady would be received much like a queen, practically worshiped for the positivity she would bring into their lives. And though they were not wanting now, though they were well off, comfortable, the worry they harbored at the thought of one day killing their beloved leader would vanish. The events that followed his death would not be pretty. A power struggle would ravage their lands, beasts from all corners of the world would converge to clash in a mighty battle that would poison their home for decades. With this discovery, their minds would be at ease.

Well, as eased as they could be under the current circumstances. He had, after all, come all this way to ask for his witch's help. He had heard of her strength and of the many she had slain in the very gardens that rested outside of her cozy walls. He had heard she was a fickle being, one moment your ally, the next a foe, though he digested such conjecture with a healthy dose of salt. The time he took doing independent research on her had painted a very different picture. It was only when he was almost completely sure of her character and moderately assured that he and his pack would not be harmed, that he took the chance. When she woke, he would tell her of the sickness that had swept through his pack lands. One that held many of his pack hostage under its heady veil. He hoped to convince her to help, and then to stay with him forever. He could only pray that she did not see the failures that plagued his heart and decide he was unworthy of her.