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The full moon hung in the sky like a silver lantern, casting its ethereal glow over the sleeping forest, illuminating secrets hidden in the shadows.
Alpha Werewolf Derek Hale folded his arms and leaned back against the solid bulk of his chair. His wolf peeled its lips back when he caught the intruder's scent.
No. Not one, but two intruders.
The beast rose to the fore, ready to protect its territory. A Witch in his Lair? It was a first.
“They’re here,” Scott McCall, his Beta and best friend tilted his head to the side and sniffed the air.
“Bring them in,” he frowned. “Let’s find out why they’ve travelled all the way here.”
When he received a letter from a witch asking for a meeting a week ago, he didn’t know what to make of it. However, his curiosity won in the end. He wanted to know how did the woman learn about a Werewolf Pack that was a continent away from her homeland and why she made it all the way here looking for him.
He heard the soft knock on the door and motioned for Scott to open it and let them in.
“Would you like me to stay with you?” his Beta’s gaze volleyed between him and the door.
“There’s no need for that,” he shrugged. “I will deal with them.”
Scott nodded and pulled the knob.
Emerald-green eyes slammed into his the moment a heart-shaped face came into view. She was a small woman. He pinned her with one of those looks that made people fidget and sweat. He raised an eyebrow when she returned his gaze boldly and gave him a quick rundown of her own. He caught the nervous bite in her vibrant scent, and caught, too, the determination. The woman wanted something from him and she would not leave until she got it.
“Good evening, Alpha Hale. I apologize for the intrusion,” she said with a soft voice that had the exasperation of someone who’d dealt with this a thousand times. “But I need your help.” She tried to stroke her wild hair into submission and he caught a delicate new scent hidden beneath the protective magic as soon as she crossed the threshold. The innocence of it made his wolf stop pacing, suspicion and irritation temporarily shelved.
He was about to open his mouth when a small head peeked at him from the woman’s back. Two curious green eyes peered up at him and it was impossible for his heart not to melt. It was a small boy who could not be a day older than five or six. The woman’s arm curved protectively around the child’s shoulder and started stroking his soft hair. He settled his head against her side and stared at him with eyes too smart for his age.
“Is he a Werewolf, too, Mummy?” He asked in a small voice.
Instantly, Derek’s wolf halted and clawed at his human half until he paid it attention. He shook his head once and blinked. The child was a Werewolf—or at least part Werewolf. He was pack-less, as well, which was too dangerous for someone so young. The need to belong to a pack was engraved in every Werewolf’s soul. The odds were always against Rogues and Lone Werewolves. Without the support and guidance of a pack, pups were more likely to die. Not only did the pack enable the growth and education of the young and the transfer of ancient knowledge, but it helped with the emotional bonds.
Face emotionless, he searched the woman’s eyes. He could not detect a Wolf on her. She was fully human.
“I’m not a Werewolf. I’m Alessa Potter-Black and this is Teddy Lupin Black, my godson.” Her chest rose in a jagged breath and his fingers flexed. The woman—Alessa, had been through quite an ordeal. Also, obviously, his Wolf wanted to comfort her. Why? He did not understand. For all he knew the witch could pose a threat to his pack.
“Hi,” Teddy offered him a tiny smile.
His lips twitched with the faintest smile. “Hello, Teddy.”
His eyes then pinned her to the spot, his dominance a staggering wave that filled the air between them. By all means, anyone would’ve wilted under the assault. As it was, she arched a brow and pushed back. It stunned him that she could hold out against him. Werewolves twice her size would’ve sunken to their knees.
“I mean you no harm but I need your help.” The statement held a piercing power as it settled on his skin.
“And how can I help you, Alessa?”
Those emerald eyes of hers got darker. Under normal circumstances, he might have thought it was the light playing tricks on him, but he knew better. He was a Werewolf and she was a Witch with unknown powers. “My son needs a pack.” She didn’t raise her voice but there was a razor-sharp edge to it. "We’ve been at war for years and I foolishly thought that things would get better after Voldemort was gone. I thought that Wixen would learn from their past mistakes and come to accept Creatures. How wrong I was. That place is no longer my home. My son deserves better.” She balled her hands into fists.
Teddy seemed to sense her anger. “Mummy, Are you alright?” he wrapped his small arms around her waist and glared at him. “Why did you upset Mummy?” A frown marred his tiny face as his eyebrows knit together.
The child’s protectiveness of his godmother was admirable. It was clear that they shared a strong bond.
“I’ve blood-adopted him. He’s my child in blood and magic,” she cleared her throat. “And he needs a pack.”
Derek’s eyes widened. “Are you reading my thoughts?” From his limited experience, he knew that witches were too strong. But exactly how strong? He had no idea.
“No.” A small smile played across her face. “It was another lucky guess. I would never invade your privacy. I know how it feels.”
That was probably something they had in common. He had learned so much from his past mistakes and had no intention of using people again or taking the choice out of their hands. It was a small wonder that Scott agreed to stick with him after the stormy beginning of their friendship.
Derek raked a hand through his hair. "But how did you learn about my pack? Why me?”
Teddy rolled his eyes. “It was Auntie Luna,” he pouted. “She gave Mummy your address, and said you will take us in.”
When he blinked, Alessa retrieved a small pendant from her pocket. It was a Moonstone with a silver Triskelion engraved on it: the symbol only the Alpha and Luna of the Hale pack carried.
As if it had a mind of its own, his hand wound its way to it. The moment he cupped it, their skin touched and his entire body felt on fire. His Wolf clawed at him from the inside and one word reverberated in his head: Mate.
His eyes flew up. Breathing hard, he stared at Alessa. He still didn’t remove his hand. True Mates were a rarity among the rare. A Werewolf could go his entire life without finding his True Mate. He could even have little ones with a partner of his choice but it would never be the same as bonding with a True Mate. His canines started to extend eager to sink into his Mate’s throat and mark her for all to see but he cleared his throat. His breathing began to even out when he looked into her wide eyes.
“Alpha Hale?”
“Derek.” He closed his hand around hers. “Call me Derek.”
“Only if you call me Alessa.” Her ivory skin turned crimson when he lifted their intertwined hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
“Will you consider giving Teddy a chance?” His chest tightened at the desperation in her voice. She didn’t know it yet, but from that night on he would do anything for her and Teddy.
“There’s nothing to consider.” His eyes glazed over for a moment when she offered him the prettiest smile. He could feel the heat and energy flowing between them and it wouldn’t take long for her to feel it too. “Pups need a pack and I wouldn’t do to Teddy what was done to me.” He had barely survived the loss of the majority of his family in the fire set by Kate Argent and would never condemn another Werewolf to the same cruel fate.
Said pup fell into step beside him, his short torso ramrod straight as he stared up at him with sparkling eyes. “You mean we can stay? Are there other children I can play with?”
He gently smoothed Teddy’s hair. “You’ll have several friends in no time. I’ll make sure you enjoy it here.”
The child’s eyebrows rose at that and he grinned, his lips pulling up wide. “Really?” He looked at him for a long moment, as if debating something, but finally, he spoke. “You smell funny. Do you like my Mummy?”
Though he tried to keep his gaze on Teddy, his eyes strayed. Alessa spluttered and he felt sorry for her. Only a tiny bit. The pup was proving himself a great help already.
He found himself looking down at the small, big-eyed face. Going down on his haunches to meet that wildly mischievous gaze, he smirked. “Of course, I like her. I like you, too. Welcome to the Hale Pack, Teddy.”