The Warrior's Broken Mate

CHAPTER 4

ALPHA ELIAS POV

Leading a pack is no small burden — not even for me. At 25, I’ve fought through blood, sweat, and sleepless nights to build the Vanguards Pack from nothing. We are warriors, forged by hardship. Some of my packmates have found love, started families—little joys to anchor them. But I haven’t had that. I crave a Luna not for power, but for connection, for someone who understands the weight I carry. Yet, I refuse to betray my own heart for a title. I’d rather walk this path alone than let someone undeserving stand at my side.

Our reputation has grown over the years. We’ve become so skilled in combat and strategy that other packs call on us to help train their members. It’s a point of pride — and honor.

This time, we were heading to the Crystal River Pack, led by Alpha Thorne and Luna Seraphina. I didn’t know how long we’d have to be there, or how much work their warriors needed. They’d arranged a formal black-tie event to welcome us—something outside our experience. Warriors like us don’t usually deal with tuxedos or etiquette dinners. We had to shop for suits, practice tying ties, and follow unfamiliar customs. It felt awkward, but Luke, my Beta, insisted it would help us make a strong first impression.

Limos picked us up like we were royalty. It was overkill; we were there to help, not be pampered. But with the treaty signed, we accepted the hospitality.

I didn’t know much about the Crystal River Pack, other than that Thorne had lost his mate and child fifteen years ago. Supposedly, that loss sent the pack into disarray.

On the way there, I kept pulling at my tie like it was strangling me. Miles kept swatting my hands away.

“What’s bothering you?” he finally asked, noticing how quiet I’d been.

“I’m not sure about this,” I said, staring out the limo window. “Thorne’s mate died in childbirth fifteen years ago. The pack fell apart afterward.”

“Maybe his new Luna has something to do with the change,” Luke suggested. “Maybe she gave him a reason to pull things together again.”

“Maybe,” I said—doubt scratching fire inside my chest. My instincts wouldn’t quiet; something about this whole setup felt… wrong, unsettling in a way that wouldn’t leave me.

Luke nodded. “Your gut’s never wrong. If you say we leave, I’m behind you. No questions asked.”

I gave him a grateful nod. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

Their packhouse was massive, unnecessarily extravagant. Why did Thorne and his Luna need a mansion?

As I stepped out of the limo, a scent slammed into me—rich, sweet, impossibly intoxicating. Chocolate and cherries. It stole the breath from my lungs and turned my bones electric. My wolf, Kael, crashed forward with a frantic howl, the force of his need nearly ripping me apart. I barely held him back, shaken and breathless.

But the scent vanished just as quickly, and I couldn’t see anyone nearby. Confused, I followed the others into the house, where we were welcomed by Alpha Thorne and Luna Seraphina. The grand ballroom looked like something out of a designer magazine.

The buffet dinner fit us better. The food was incredible. I wondered who cooked it. She must be a goddess in the kitchen.

Seated beside me was their head warrior, Darius.

“So,” I asked mid-bite, “what kind of trouble are you having with training?”

Darius sighed. “Since the tragedy, training declined. Thorne lost his mate and daughter. Only when Seraphina came did things start to turn around.”

Luke raised a brow. “The baby was a girl?”

“Yeah,” Darius said. “But really, it doesn’t matter. A child is a child.”

I nodded. “That kind of grief could shatter anyone.”

Darius agreed. “Training just… stopped. Honestly, I’m surprised we were never attacked. But I guess we kept to ourselves so much that other packs forgot we existed.”

“Well,” I said, “we’ll help you whip your warriors back into shape.”

“We appreciate it,” he replied sincerely.

Later, as I walked the halls with Thorne, discussing the upcoming training plans, that same scent hit me again — stronger now, richer. It was definitely inside the house. I knew then, without a doubt: my mate was here.

And I had to find her.

It was faint where I stood, but still present. After exchanging a few more words, Alpha Thorne personally showed me to my room. The room was spacious, complete with an ensuite bathroom. As soon as I entered and Thorne left, I paused in the doorway—the scent intensified, as if she’d only recently been there. Driven by instinct, I waited several seconds for the hall to clear, then slipped outside to follow the trail. The scent seemed to lead everywhere, making me realize she had access to most of the house.

I walked to the far end of the third-floor corridor, noticing a single door tucked in the corner—its location drew me in. I approached, gently testing the handle; it was locked. Then, I heard soft footsteps on the stairs behind the door, the careful sound of someone settling down. No movement followed, just silence. The scent was almost overwhelming now, lingering on the door and in the air, making it difficult to restrain my urge to break through and see her.

Kael, my wolf, was restless, pacing in my mind.

Then I heard her voice—soft, almost aching, pleading for me to go away. It splintered me instantly, pain twisting deep in my chest, sharp and raw. Her fragility echoed in every trembling note, every shallow, shaking breath. My heart pounded to her rhythm—fear, not of the unknown, but of me. That realization stabbed deeper than any wound. I answered her gently, my words colored with more sorrow than I meant to show, begging her trust. She still wouldn’t open up.

Then footsteps thundered down the hall—Alpha Thorne. His presence felt like a storm tearing through fragile peace, and every part of me braced for the worst. The girl’s panic behind the door exploded—her fear wild and agonizing, as if she might shatter at his approach. No pack member should feel terror like that for their Alpha. Not unless…

Kael let out a warning growl in my head, low and lethal.

Something in this house was broken to the core. I’d sensed it the moment we arrived, but now it roared through me. My blood pounded with the question: Who was this girl locked away above everyone else? What secret demanded she be hidden—what pain kept her captive here?

I had followed her scent up here, and Kael was nearly frantic to reach her. The timing could not be a coincidence. Was she truly my mate? I didn’t have absolute proof, but my instincts wouldn’t let the matter drop. I decided—we weren’t leaving this pack until I discovered who she was.

When Luna Seraphina later brought up the girl, she dismissed her as a troublemaker—damaged and unstable. The instant Seraphina spoke those words, Kael snarled inside my mind, furious at the accusation. He knew it wasn’t true and despised her lie. But I stayed calm, listening and hiding my reaction, determined to gather more information for both our sakes.

Thorne’s stories frayed at the edges. Seraphina’s condemnation—calling the girl unstable—felt like poison. Kael snarled in my mind, his hatred scorching, his rage barely containable. I buried everything behind a neutral mask, every muscle tight with the effort. I couldn’t risk letting them see, for both our sakes.

I’d heard of Alphas like this—cruel leaders who punished and abused their pack. This might be one of those.

And I was in the middle of it.

We returned to the grand ballroom. I scanned the space until I found Luke, leaning casually against the wall, talking with a Crystal River warrior. I made my way toward him and waited until the other man stepped away before speaking in a low voice, barely above a whisper.

“I need you to do something, Luke. It could put us in danger, but we need to act. Watch Alpha Thorne and Luna Seraphina closely. If necessary, spy on them, and report anything unusual you notice. We must figure out the truth about what’s going on here.”