The moment that Aurora called Alpha Victor, Dad. Thaddeus and I immediately bowed to him.

It was a sign of respect for the father of our mate. It didn't matter if we were Alphas or not. We always respected our Elders and the parents of our mates. It has always been like that. We are prideful creatures. But we knew respect went a long way.

"I heard the news and I had to rush quick. I was also informed of what had happened, I'm glad you are all okay" he said as he hugged Aurora.

She looked tense and uncomfortable and I heard her heartbeat pick up a little. Why was she acting like this? Usually, daughters are an Alphas most precious gift from the Moon Goddess. Why did it feel like she didn't want him to be around her? Or that she didn't want to be around him. The tension radiating off of her was too great to ignore.

I kept to myself as I observed everything that she was doing, the way she avoided eye contact, her body language. Was she being abused? I was making a mental note to confront her later.

"So Alpha Caine, thank you for welcoming me into your pack, but I am afraid we have some serious matters to discuss". Alpha Victor spoke firmly and I knew he meant business.

"Excuse me then," Aurora said softly before bowing and leaving the office.

"I will leave as well" Alpha Thaddeus bowed.

"You can stay, this has to do with you as well," Alpha Victor says and I held back a growl.

This was my pack, my office, I had a say in who stays and go goes.

"Please sit" I say to both of them and they sat on the chairs facing my desk. I went around and sat down. All three facing each other.

"What would you like to discuss with us?" Alpha Thaddeus asks.

"With the news now of my daughter being mated to Two Alphas, my pack is beginning to get threats. I guess there are rumors getting thrown around that apparently, our packs are joining together with yours Alpha Caine". Alpha Victor informed me as he handed me a folder with the recorded attacks towards his members. The numbers were alarming. But how did it get this bad? It seemed as if there was no authority because attacks like this would almost never happen if he as an Alpha was doing his job.

I looked through the papers and let out a sigh. This was something that we had to take care of now before it got out of hand.

My pack had a reputation. We were known for being the "black sheep" of all of the werewolves' packs around the world. Everyone feared us. No one wanted to mess with us or get caught up in a fight. My warriors were trained to kill. No mercy. No survivors.

But the moment that Aurora walked into my life. I wanted to create a paradise for her. I didn't want her to see me as this monster. For once in my life, I cared about what someone thought of me.

"I didn't want to do this to her, but I guess we have no choice" I say breaking the silence in the room.

"That might be a good idea. They will come after her. You know this. You need to get the mating process done. That will show the other packs that what is happening is real. That the Moon Goddess paired you three to lead these packs to a better future". Alpha Victor preached.

I didn't like that it seemed like we had to rush the mating process. I wanted Aurora to be ready for this. Not forced into it.

"We will speak to Aurora about this and see if we can come to an agreement". I say to him as I look down on the papers.

"Nonsense, she is your mate, just bite her, get it done and over with and prevent anything from happening to my pack, or yours" Alpha Victor joked.

I fought hard to not punch him in the face after what he had just said. How can someone talk like that, about their own daughter as if her feelings or opinions and needs didn't matter?

"I will not pressure her into mating us. That is her choice to make when she is feeling ready. If the packs don't like that, they can find a way to deal with it. I will not put her through that" I said calmly and I'm sure my point got across.

"I agree with Alpha Caine. We want her to come to us when she is ready. If I have to fly out members of my pack to protect your pack and Alpha Caine's pack I will very much do so. But I cannot force my mark on her. I want her to accept me first". Alpha Thaddeus reassured and I felt that I could breathe a little easier, I was glad to know that he was backing me up on this. He had been acting weird. Especially with Aurora. I feared that his situation would push him to back out of this. But I am glad that he said this.

Alpha Victor got up from his chair and started to walk away towards the door. Alpha Thaddeus and I got up from our seats and bowed our heads to him.

"I hope you know what you are doing" he said with a grin on his face, before taking his leave.

Thaddeus sat back down and I walked over to the large window.

"What the fuck was that about!" Thaddeus mumbled.

"I don't know what I'm going to get to the bottom of this," I say as I mind link Ally and Elijah.

In a matter of seconds, they were in my office.

"I have a mission for you."

"Anything you need Alpha" Elijah replied and Ally nodded.

Whatever was going on. I was going to be five steps ahead. I have to. For her.

"I need eyes and ears everywhere, send some men into Auroras pack and help then strengthen their territory, and have them go into level two by their second day there. That is all." I say before dismissing them from the meeting.

Now it was just me and Alpha Thaddeus in the office. If he thought that I had forgotten about our little talk earlier he was wrong.

I turn to him and I watch him tense up a little. Why was an Alpha of his rank acting like this right now?

"What is going on with you?" I asked genuinely. He truly was looking like a drug addict that was going through withdrawals.

"I'm just tired. This is all-"

"You marked her didn't you?" I asked. "And she marked you".

We were silent for a few seconds before Thaddeus looked up at me and nodded.

"You know this is something that she has to know".

Thaddeus nodded.

When you mark your mate, that bond is forever. But in Thaddeus' case, his mate wasn't really his mate. She was just someone he bonded with.

It tends to happen with wolves that get desperate to find their mate, and they don't find them in time or never do. Not everyone finds their mates. That was the harsh truth here.

"I had lost hope." Alpha Thaddeus confessed.

I knew too well how that felt. But now more than ever, he had to tell Aurora the truth. I wasn't going to lie to her either. I wasn't planning on it. But I wanted to give him the chance to say his part himself.

"Well, you found your true mate. Now get it together" I said as I walked out of the office.

I have had a long day, and it was already four in the morning.

Now werewolves didn't do time. I remember going to visit my grandma at three in the morning because I wanted to hang out with her and eat some of her homemade apple pie.

But this time. I was tired and I wanted to rest.

Like I had done earlier. I walked on over to my room where Aurora was sleeping and I sat right next to her. Judging by her heart beat I knew that she was wide awake.

"You can't sleep?" I asked her as I moved some of her hair away from her face.

"Yea...I wasn't expecting my father to come in at this time, I mean...I know we are far but it makes me question if things are okay back at home". Aurora says as she sits up on the bed.

"Things aren't good. Your pack is getting threats". I say and her eyes go big. I didn't want to scare her more. I'm sure she was already worried enough.

"Why? What's happening?"

"Us happened, I guess other packs think that your pack will join into mines, and become one, it seems like they are threatened by us".

"Why would anyone think that? Isn't there a long list of things that need to be done in order for that to happen? there is a long process of paperwork or....a war...why would they-"

"Because of who I am. You know everyone fears me. They don't want that to happen because they think I will be turning them into cold killers." I say telling her the truth.

My pack was the most feared of them all. No one would want to join in our pack with our reputation.

"Would you turn them into cold-blooded killers if they were to join?" Aurora asked as she plays with the hem of the thin blanket.

She doesn't trust me yet, and I expected that.

"I would never. Only the ones that wanted to be turned into that". I was honest with her.

She smiled but a sad smile.

"Listen Princess. I actually have something to talk to you about but, I will tell you about it tomorrow-"

"You better not, whatever you have to tell me, please tell me now". Aurora protested and I couldn't help but laugh at her.

I loved how determined and strong she was. She was little, but strong and I was starting to fall for her even more. She surprised me when she confronted Alpha Thaddeus.

"It's about Alpha Thaddeus, I'm sure you have noticed how unstable he is-"

"He is mated isn't he?"

"Yea he is". She was smart. I was starting to pick up on how smart and intelligent this woman is.

"No wonder his scent didn't get to me completely". She said sarcastically. "I'll talk to him tomorrow. Thank you for you know...letting me know".

"Of course Princess. I actually wanted for him to be the one to tell you but...he looks like he might die in his sleep tonight" I joked and Aurora slapped my arm playfully.

"Don't say that. We will figure this out tomorrow". She says softly. "Hey...um...can I ask you something."

"What is it?" I asked as I lay on my side on the bed, facing her.

"When things happen...I would like for you to be my first...I'm so sorry...I shouldn't have- oh my Goddess that was too forward of me." she quickly covered her eyes with her hands in an attempt to cover her blush. It was cute to see her so flustered like this.

"No stop" I say to her as I grab her small soft hands into my big and rough ones. "I would love to be your first. I promise you Princess, I will make it special for you".

And I meant it.

————————————————————