His Precious Mate (Nightwatch Pack #2)

3. Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

MICHAEL

I t’s been peaceful the past couple of years since Rylee and Xavier got married. Until a couple weeks ago. That’s when a rogue started venturing into our territory.

Just one rogue.

One rogue that’s been giving us so much trouble.

It is fast and knows how to escape without a trace. Something a rogue has never been able to do on our territory.

We can’t find out who it is, and it’s driving us all crazy. Xavier has put the best trackers on this case, but they haven’t found anything. Each time they find the scent, they lose it just as quickly as the rogue brushes themself against several trees to clear it before running off again.

I’ve never known a rogue to be so smart. Normally, they get caught pretty fast, but not this one.

This one is calculated and smart.

Xavier doesn’t like that. He’s been the most stressed out about this and has been working around the clock to find out who it is. That means that I’m with Rylee more since Xavier is working.

It doesn’t bother me, but I know he would rather be spending time with Rylee, and I would like to spend more time in the gym or running in wolf form.

Don’t get me wrong, I love being Rylee’s guard, she always makes me food, and our conversations are great, but sometimes, I just want to be by myself.

I crave the alone time.

I want alone time, and the only alone time I’m getting right now is when I sleep. Not my ideal alone time since I don’t remember any of it.

Rylee builds in some quiet time, but it’s not a lot. She’ll read or draw to give me some space, some peace and quiet. I’m thankful for that. I don’t think I would survive without it.

But it still isn’t the same. I’m always on alert during those times, and I just want to relax. I long for some solitude.

The rogue has totally disrupted our lives, and since we haven’t caught it yet, Rylee has been asking nonstop questions.

Why is the rogue doing this? What are rogues like? How do they work? Are they dangerous? What do they want? Can we go explore the forests and see if we can find this rogue? Her questions are unending and exhausting.

Xavier doesn’t like that.

He’s tried to get Rylee to stay inside, but she won’t have it. So, they negotiated a bit, and now she and I can go on walks everyday around the territory. She gets to be outside, and I have to be on the lookout for rogues or any other threats.

Not that I mind, being Rylee’s personal guard has helped me a lot. It has given me a purpose greater than working out, training, and waiting for someone to start a war with our pack. I used to spend hours working out in the gym, training with the warriors, taking perimeter runs, and sleeping. It was a busy life, but, in many ways, felt empty. Now, I’m her personal guard and train with the warriors whenever I can. It’s been good to just relax, to have time to think, to understand that something is missing. I finally know what it is.

My mate.

Without even realizing it, I’ve been longing for her for over five years now, and it’s taking a toll on me. Seeing everyone else with their mates makes me jealous. But at the same time, I don’t want my mate. Life is dangerous, and I know as a warrior I may die from a rogue attack and leave her all alone.

Not something I want to do to her.

“Michael, what do you think your mate is like?” Rylee asks.

It’s like she knows what I’m thinking.

I turn my head. A grin erupts on her face. She loves to talk about mates. It is her favorite subject whenever we walk outside. When we pass people on our way to the forest, she always asks if someone else has found their mate.

“Don’t know,” I reply.

I try not to think about it. It’s hard enough to be surrounded by guys my age who already have their mate, and I don’t. It’s just something I don’t have and don’t think I will.

Why miss something you never had, long for something that may never come, or dwell on the unknown?

I don’t see any point in wasting my time, so I push any thoughts of my mate to the back of my mind. At least, I try to.

“Oh, come on. You’ve had to think about it once in your life,” Rylee says, turning to look back at me. She raises an eyebrow and waits for my answer. Rylee turns back around when she almost trips on a tree root.

Sighing, I know that I have to give her something or she won’t stop bugging me. “Sweet girl and shorter than me,” I reply, giving the most generic answer.

I know that the shorter my answers are, the more questions Rylee is going to ask me, but I don’t feel like elaborating. After countless hours together, she should know that I don’t talk about mates in general, and I don’t give much up.

Rylee looks over at me with a smile, but in her eyes, I can see that she is sad for me. She knows I long for my mate, even when I don’t show it. She can see right through me.

She always has and always will.

Part of her being the luna of the pack means she has a special connection with every pack member and can sense things we may not even realize or feel. Creepy if you ask me, but I know it’s helped several other pack members.

“Well, maybe you should go to some other packs and see if you can find your mate,” Rylee encourages me. “A lot of people do that, and I know you haven’t yet.”

“Alpha would never allow me to go right now. Not when there’s a rogue around, and you want to go outside,” I say, looking around the forest. “Besides, I don’t socialize with people, so going to other packs wouldn’t work, and you know that.”

“He could definitely get me a different guard while you go to another pack,” Rylee mutters, but I don’t pay attention to her. “I bet there’s someone else who could guard me that's just as good or better than you.”

A small growl emits from my chest. “I am the best. That’s why I’m your guard right now.”

“Stupid werewolf hearing.”

I can’t help but chuckle. Rylee often forgets that werewolves have exceptional hearing, and her muttering is as clear as day.

It isn’t hard for me to pay attention to my surroundings while talking to Rylee, but I do let my guard down some with her. I can’t help it. Rylee is the luna, and everyone lets their guard down a little around her.

She comforts people even when she doesn’t realize it. That’s what all luna’s do. They’re the mother of the pack while the alpha is the male figure.

“Maybe when you guys catch this rogue, you can go. Or maybe Xavier can hold a party for the unmated girls and guys so people can find their mates,” Rylee says, bringing the subject up again.

She is persistent when it comes to this. She wants to talk about it constantly.

“Xavier isn’t fond of parties, and you know that,” I reply, irritated. She knows he doesn’t like parties, but she chooses to ignore it.

Like she always does.

“I know, but it’s nice to dream about it. I think it would be cool to host a party. To meet new people.”

We continue walking and just enjoy the nature all around us. It’s a beautiful day today, but the most beautiful days can turn into the worst. I know from experience.

“Thank you for putting up with my walks. It’s one of the only times I get to just relax without the kids wanting something from me,” Rylee genuinely says.

“Anytime you want to go on a walk, I’m happy to accompany you.” I truly mean it.

I can hear her sigh in relief. I know that having kids and taking care of the pack is extremely challenging, but she balances it all so well. I try to help out as much as I can, and if that’s going on walks two or three times a day, then I’m okay with that.

Rylee turns to me with her mouth open like she’s going to speak, but she freezes as fear creeps into her eyes. I look at her, confused, but she continues to stare. Why is she looking at me like that?

I look at her closely and realize she isn’t looking at me but at something behind me. I turn to look and find myself shocked as well.

Sitting up against a tree, picking at the grass, is a petite girl. She’s wearing baggy, dirty clothes that probably haven’t been washed in months.

Her hair is matted down, and her skin is filthy, but her face is what catches my attention. She’s so beautiful, and something is pulling me toward her. As I take a breath, a sweet scent draws me to the girl.

Could she be my mate?

“Hey. Are you okay?” Rylee asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I am so caught up in the girl’s beauty and the sweet smell that I don’t see Rylee walk over to the girl. When Rylee speaks, the girl doesn’t even look up, confusing us both.

Shouldn’t she have heard Rylee ask the question? Why isn’t she looking up?

“Can you tell me your name?” Rylee asks, her voice soft and calm.

Rylee steps closer to the girl, her shadow falling over her. The girl quickly looks up with frightened eyes. She scootches back into the tree, trying to get away from Rylee. She starts to move her hands real fast, and Rylee looks at me, confused, and turns back to the girl.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Rylee says, reaching her hands toward the girl as the girl reaches out.

At that moment, I take in a deeper breath and stare at Rylee in disbelief. Two very distinct smells. One smells absolutely amazing and the other is awful.

Mate. Rogue.

This girl is the rogue we have been smelling this whole time.

That isn’t possible. She can’t be my mate. My mate can’t be a rogue. Not possible, but the longer I stand here, looking at her and smelling her scent, the more it becomes real.

“No! Step away!” I yell, jumping in front of Rylee, pushing her back.

“Michael! What was that for?” Rylee yells, anger laced in her voice.

I don’t pay attention because the girl’s hand brushes against mine, and sparks jump around where she touched me. When I look over at the girl, she backs away from me, terrified. Her body is shaking, but her hands are moving in a calculated way.

“She’s a rogue,” I say, looking at Rylee. “She’s the rogue that we’ve been searching for this whole time!

“So what! She’s obviously scared and hurt. Now, move so I can talk to her,” Rylee shoves right past me, ignoring the danger she’s putting herself in.

“Xavier will never forgive me if you get hurt.”

“I don’t care right now! She needs someone. She’s frightened, just how I was when I first got here. Scared and alone.”

I let out a sigh and watch the girl like a hawk. Xavier will already be mad that I let his mate get near a rogue. I don’t want anything to happen to Rylee on my watch. Especially when I could've prevented it.

The girl cowers with her eyes trained on Rylee. She stops and starts moving her hands again.

Why does she keep moving her hands?

Rylee looks at her, confused, before focusing on her hands. Her face quickly morphs into shock before she starts moving hers. I stare at Rylee and the girl in confusion. It almost looks like sign language, but I can’t be sure.

I’ve never seen anyone sign before. We do have a pack member that’s deaf, but I’m never around her. I keep to myself, and now I wish I hadn’t so I could’ve picked up some signs.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“She’s signing to me,” Rylee replies, not even looking at me.

The girl looks at Rylee in shock before signing more. At this moment, I wish that I actually paid attention to what Rylee was learning. She’s been taking sign language classes so she can communicate with the deaf girl and get to know her better. To make her feel included in everything.

“Her name is Mae Brooks, and she’s deaf,” Rylee translates.

My face falls with that news. My brain is racing with all sorts of questions. How can my mate be deaf? How can my mate be a rogue? Is this even possible? It seems the moon goddess made a mistake.

She had to make a mistake.

“Why the sad face?” Rylee asks. I didn’t think Rylee was looking at me, but I should’ve kept my guard up better.

I look over at Rylee, my face void of emotion. I can’t let her know that Mae is my mate. She’s a rogue. We would never work.

“Wait a minute. Is she your mate? You’ve been staring at her with this look in your eyes. I know that look anywhere. Xavier looks at me like that all the time,” Rylee says, putting all the pieces together.

“No,” I reply, completely lying.

“You’re lying. She’s your mate.”

I look away from Rylee and back to Mae. When my eyes land on her, she’s already looking at me but quickly averts her eyes to the ground. Displeasure sweeps across my face in an instant as I regain my composure.

“Don’t give her that look. She hasn’t done anything to you!” Rylee yells, catching my attention.

I face Rylee and glare at her. She’s a rogue, and rogues are bad. We have never encountered a good rogue.

“You know how werewolves feel about rogues. We can’t trust her, even if she is my mate,” I say, hating every word as it comes out of my mouth.

I said it out loud. She’s my mate, and I can’t change that.

“Not all rogues are bad. I want to take her back with us and ask her more questions. Let her take a shower and eat some food,” Rylee says, not hearing a word I just said. She knows rogues are bad. She’s had a few bad encounters with them, yet she throws all of that experience away.

“Xavier isn’t going to like that,” I reply. “He’s going to be livid when he finds out there’s a rogue in the territory. Close to his mate.”

“I don’t care what Xavier likes or not. I’m the luna of this pack, and you have to follow my order. I’ll take the consequences from Xavier.”

I nod my head and watch Rylee sign to Mae. Mae slowly puts her hand out, and Rylee grabs it, helping her up.

I watch both of them like a hawk to make sure Mae doesn’t pull anything. Rylee helps her stand and walk back toward the pack house. I quietly follow behind them.

The farther we walk, the more I think about my mate. Why is she a rogue? Never would I have thought that my mate would be a rogue. Not many people like rogues since the majority of them are killers.

“Stop thinking so negatively. I can feel it roll off you. Be happy that you found your mate. Everyone’s going to be so happy,” Rylee says, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“Don’t tell anyone she’s my mate,” I reply, letting a low growl escape my lips.

Rylee stops and glares at me.

“And why not?” Rylee asks, challenging what I said.

“I just,” I sigh. “Please, don’t tell anyone. I want to get to know her before the whole world finds out. I’m okay if you and Xavier know, but not one else. Please.”

Rylee huffs and continues to walk with Mae. I know Rylee is disappointed in me. One of the greatest joys for werewolves is showing off your mate. Every werewolf does it when they find their mate.

Not me, though. I don’t want to show her off yet. I have no clue if she’s a bad rogue. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to accept her.

“I’m not happy about it, but I respect your wishes. Just please don’t be rude to her. Something had to have driven her to become a rogue. You and Xavier said it yourselves, girls don’t become rogues without a good reason,” Rylee points out.

Normally, girls that are rogues run away from their packs for abuse or getting forced into an arranged marriage. They run right to another pack asking for help.

But by the way Mae looks, it’s been a while since she left her pack, if she ever had a pack to begin with.

“I promise I won’t be rude to her. I don’t think I can,” I honestly say.

We make our way back to Rylee and Xavier’s house. Rylee helps Mae take a shower, and I prepare food for Mae. I don’t know what she likes, but I think something simple like chicken noodle soup is a good place to start.

When Rylee first came to our pack, I learned that soft foods like chicken noodle soup are good for someone who is malnourished. There’s no doubt in my mind that Mae is underweight, and I don’t like it. I don’t want to push her and make her throw up, but I do want her to eat something. Who knows when she ate her last proper meal.

This thought concerns me. How long has she gone without food? Was she able to find anything to snack on while wondering about? Who would drive her to run away? Was starvation better than living with her old pack? What happened to make her leave her old pack? Did she do something or did they just kick her out for no reason?

My gut twists, and my mind races with all sorts of thoughts and questions.

“It smells delicious,” Rylee says, walking into the kitchen with Mae trailing behind her.

Her hair is straight and brown, cascading down her back. As she makes eye contact with me, I catch a glimpse of her light brown eyes. She looks beautiful, so beautiful. I place a bowl full of soup in front of Mae and a glass of water. I hope she likes it. Mae doesn’t move and looks toward Rylee, confused.

Rylee quickly signs, and Mae looks back at the bowl. She slowly picks up the spoon and starts to eat.

Mae’s body relaxes more and more with every bite she takes. Rylee and I just watch her eat. Creepy, I know, but since she’s deaf, if she needs anything, Rylee will be able to help her, or I can get Rylee’s attention.

I hear the door slam open. Rylee and I whip around to see Xavier, furious, standing in the doorway.

“Why is there a rogue in my house?” Xavier demands.