He knows exactly why I’m anxious. Besides my father, he is the only one I’ve talked to about Kate being my mate. I haven’t talked with Kelsey about it because Kate is his sister. It just feels odd talking to him where his sister is concerned. Even though the three of us are close, the bond that I share with Zane runs deeper, just as an Alpha and Beta should. One we’ve shared since we were kids. More often than none we can feel each other’s emotions. He knew that I’ve had a thing for her since I was sixteen and she was fourteen, and he witnessed the instant that I realized Kate was my mate. If Kelsey knows, he has said nothing… probably because it’s weird as fuck for him, too.
“My mom called earlier and said that they’ve secured a cottage for you this summer, Ian.” Zane looks up from his phone at me. By the look on his face, he realizes he spoke out loud instead of through our mindlink.
“Why does Ian need a cottage?” Kelsey looks at Zane and then me through the rearview mirror.
“Tell him…” Zane turns and looks at me.
“Tell me what?” He turns the radio off; the silence is deafening. “What? That my sister is your mate?” Kelsey grins.
“You knew?” I tilt my head.
“Bro, the whole fucking pack knows… except Kate. Apparently, she’s not that bright.” Kelsey laughs, “my dad told me to keep a watchful eye on the two of you when she was like fourteen, and again after your eighteenth birthday.”
“Are you serious?” I shout in disbelief.
“Yeah. Bro, the way you’d follow her around… like a puppy dog. Pathetic.” Kelsey and Zane laugh.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask.
“You want me telling you how hot your sisters are? Yeah, I didn’t think so.” Kelsey pulls up to the front gate.
“Finally,” Zane groans out.
“Welcome home, boys. Your fathers are looking for the three of you. I have notified them you are here. Alpha has asked for you to meet them in his office.” The warrior guarding the gate says, then bows his head as the gate opens. As we drive past, warriors bow their heads.
“What the fuck did we do now?” Zane frustratingly rubs his face.
**March 2004**
“Alpha Nathaniel.” I walk into the Alpha’s office; Zane and Kelsey are already here.
“Ian, please have a seat. We’re just waiting for your father now. How’s things with your mate?” Alpha Nathaniel sits up from his chair, resting his elbows on his large wooden desk, forming a triangle with his hands in front of his face. Alpha Nathaniel is a formidable man standing at about six feet three inches. He is intimidating, to say the least. He and Luna Martha are very much by the book and have a no-nonsense approach. Luna Martha comes off cold to many, that is because she was raised to be a Luna and is formal. Watching her as a mother to Zane and his sisters, it’s apparent she loves them; however, she is not as affectionate as mine and Kelsey’s mothers are. Alpha Nathanial is a strict and stern alpha who doesn’t have a problem personally issuing punishments, especially where Zane, Kelsey, and I are concerned. Often I’ve felt sorry for Zane being raised in such a strict and cold household. Other times, I was happy to share my mother’s affection with him.
“Kate is good, Alpha. We’re taking it slow; I have a lot to prove to her.” I exhale and shift my eyes from Alpha Nathaniel to Gamma Earnest, Kate and Kelsey’s father.
“You know where I stand, boy. Do right by my daughter and we will have no issues.” Gamma Earnest looks at me and pushes his shoulders back. Gamma Earnest looks like an older version of Kelsey. He is a large man, but he’s not nearly as intimidating as Alpha or my father. I challenged him to a fight when he wouldn’t give me Kate’s location, a fight I thought at twenty years old I could win. I was grossly mistaken. He is one hell of a fighter, even in an Armani suit. The only thing keeping him from killing me that day was my father. No, he wasn’t there to rescue me. He was just tired of my shit and wanted his turn at beating my ass.
“I have every intention of doing just that, sir.” I have a great respect for Gamma Earnest. We have grown close over the past two and a half years. There are things that I have learned from him, that I never did from my own father. I guess it really takes a village to raise a pup.
“We have a fucking issue,” my father burst through the door in Alpha’s office.
“What’s that, Beta Charlie?” Alpha Nathaniel tilts his head at my father.
“Fucking rogue king has already launched his attack on Crimson Tide. We need to move if we’re going to save them.” My father looks around the room, then back to Alpha, waiting for his orders.
“Do we know the numbers on the rogues?” Alpha Nathaniel leans back in his chair.
“Fifty, but scouts found the rogue encampment. Numbers look to be close to two hundred there.” My father looks down at the papers he is holding.
“Gather one hundred warriors and prepare to leave for battle in fifteen.” Alpha Nathaniel orders. The thrill of the battle races through my veins. Battles and wars are something Zane, Kelsey, and I thrive on. Especially when we can save the underdog, like Crimson Tide. They are a small pack, only about two-hundred members, with an exceptional territory. The rogue king has wanted to take over the territory for years. I suppose now he’s gathered enough wolves and is making his move. The only thing he has not counted on is Zane, Kelsey, me, and our warriors.
“Excuse me Alpha, but my wedding is in three days…” Alpha Nathaniel interrupts Kelsey.
“Then you better make it quick and try not to get yourselves killed.” Alpha Nathaniel says with authority.
We all jump to our feet without another word or argument. Alpha Nathaniel’s orders are final. Rushing from the Alpha’s office, the three of us head to our rooms on the sixth floor to grab our battle bags that we each keep packed and ready to go at a second’s notice. Crimson Tide is about two hours from us, which is why we need to move so quickly if we’re going to save them. I rush back downstairs to the dining area, where all the warriors are already gathered. It is controlled chaos as loved ones see the warriors off, while the kitchen staff carries coolers of food and drinks to the awaiting SUVs parked in the front. One by one, the warriors file out and load up.
“Ian?” Kate calls out while pushing her way through the crowd..