The Beta's Broken Mate

Sensing a Rogue

Cody wasn't certain what had made him go to the edge of the forest. Call it primal instinct or a hunch but after he'd finished doing his prank to Alpha Gregory who was still out for the count, he'd had this overwhelming urge to check the forest for intruders and danger. He sniffed, a smell of rotten meat and eggs reaching his nostrils and unmistakeably the scent of a rogue nearby as he wrinkled his nose. It was quite a distance away and normally he'd just inform patrol and let them deal with it but there was another scent extremely close to it that was unlike anything he'd smelled before.

It smelled like vanilla combined with a hint of strawberry but was so incredibly delectable that he wanted to get closer to it, establish exactly what was causing this delicious smell that was coming towards him. Apollo too wanted to go check it out, prancing in his head while Cody tried to shush him, still slightly tipsy but sobering up fairly quickly. Gregory had drunken twice the amount Cody had so it was no surprise he was still down. He'd check this out and take care of the rogue the same time. It was one lone rogue so it wouldn't be too hard for him to take care of it alone. He informed patrol just in case who assured him they'd come running if he mind-linked.

Hurry Cody, my gut is telling me something is very wrong and it has to do with that scent.

Alright Apollo Cody muttered don't suppose you know what's making that luscious scent though do you.

He felt Apollo hesitate then, I can't be certain but I think that it's our mate Cody and she's in trouble he growled and didn't have to say no more. Cody shifted, racing into the forest, a blur as he dodged debris and scattered twigs on the forest floor. If his mate was there, he was going to find her, save her from the rogue. He wasn't going to hesitate any longer.

He smelled it, coming closer and seeing a woman connect with it, using a large branch to ward it off, a little boy standing behind her, clearly she was trying to protect it and Apollo growled in fury. Coward, trying to kill a woman and her innocent child. Let me at him Cody.

The vanilla and strawberry scent was coming from her and he knew instantly she was his mate, feet pedalling faster as the rogue got back on it's feet. She'd done well but the rogue was angry now and he knew better than anyone how quickly a rogue could take someone down.

He barrelled towards them and halted directly in front of the rogue, staring it down and casting the woman and her son a glance. God she was lovely with that blonde hair and big blue eyes. So delicate looking and yet clearly possessing the maternal instinct to protect her little boy at all costs. The boy was just as adorable, the same big blue eyes and sandy blonde hair, a miniature replica of the woman he assumed from the resemblance could be nothing but his mother.

Cody let Apollo take over, watching through his eyes as he tackled the rogue, both of them biting and swiping at each other, darting this way and back as they did their best to distance the rogue a little away from his mate and child. It was quite a challenging fight to Cody's surprise but it may have been because he was all too aware of the two people watching them and a desire to keep them both safe from harm that was making him even more careful then normal while fighting. Apollo was doing a great job, darting this way and that, wanting nothing more than to rip out the throat of the rogue who'd so much as dared to try and kill a woman let alone his mate. He was blood thirsty and Cody made no attempt to rein him in, feeling the same sense of blood lust and anger.

Then it was suddenly over. The rogue made one final mistake and left Apollo the opening he'd been waiting for, not turning in time as Apollo leapt on its back and clamped his jaws down, breaking his neck and killing it instantly, dropping it's body to the ground triumphantly. He'd saved his mate. He was proud of himself, turning to regard the woman who still looked frightened. Why.

"Apollo, she thinks we are just a wild wolf like the rogue and we just killed it right in front of her eyes, of course she's scared" Cody growled and Apollo felt sheepish. He just wanted to say hello to her, was that so bad?

"Give me back control" Cody sighed "you can meet her later I promise, when she becomes accustomed to it all."

Fine Apollo growled sulkily but you better keep that promise. I'm not above refusing to let you shift if you don't.

Apollo gave Christopher back control as he sat on his haunches, the little boy's eyes shiny with tears. He hated that the boy had to see that happen right in front of him, but he hadn't wanted them to run away either. Having to chase them both would just give them a bigger scare. However the boy was beginning to look at the wolf form with a small smile, the woman clasping his hand tightly when it appeared he wanted to go forward and touch him. He grinned. Somehow he thought the adorable cherub would easily accept him, the woman on the other hand would need some time he suspected. Without warning he shifted back to his human form and with his super quick reflexes, caught the woman in his strong arms as she promptly took one look at him and his nakedness before fainting and falling towards the ground. The little boy on the other hand merely looked at him in awe. How did Cody handle this? He knelt, the woman still in his arms.

"Hi" he told the little boy softly "I'm Cody, what's your name?"

The boy looked at him and he wondered if he might not be speaking yet. Did boys that age talk? Then he heard the boy whisper "Li, Li, Liam."

"Well Liam" Cody said with a smile "is this your mother by any chance?"

He nodded and Cody stood back up "let's take her to see a doctor" he told him "would you like to come with me?"

"Wolf" the boy said and Cody grinned and nodded.

"Yes I'm a wolf too" he assured him "but I need to help your mummy right now so I can't turn back" he explained and Liam seemed to accept it, taking Cody's hand in his own as they made the slow walk back to the pack and to the hospital that would take care of his mate who he hoped hadn't gone through too much of a shock to her system.