Chapter 4

The mate dream

-Xabien-

I’m glad to see the rogue is awake; he’s quite the skittish thing though. He should make a full recovery, according to the pack healer. Whether he’ll be able to see properly out of his eye, we aren’t entirely sure of yet, but the chances for that healing successfully are high also.

He’s strong, that’s for sure.

Slipping into bed, I turn off the light and sigh. There’s been something else on my mind, in the week since Harriet, Harli and Rat escaped from that alpha. Well. There’s actually a lot on my mind, like where that alpha came from, how he was able to chase a wolf around for 26 years and why he’s so determined to be an ass about it, but. That’s not what I’m referring to here.

Because, I’ve finally had the mate dream.

And, I was right - it was the name one. The thing is, I still have no idea who my mate is. It coincided with that incident, which means it could’ve been any of the wolves present that night. I don’t know exactly how it works- I mean, I got the dream because I met my mate, but what counts as met is a little finicky.

Like, have I been introduced to this wolf? I doubt it, because I’d remember the name Horatio, and I distinctly don’t know anyone with that name.

In which case, did I just see this Horatio? Was he was one of alpha Karn’s wolves? In which case, I don’t want him. Harriet and Harli are already like family to me, and I’m sure Rat will come around eventually.

And if they’re my family, well. I’m rather protective over my family. A trait which Rat also possesses. I’m sure we’ll get along fine, once he can shift. Both Harriet and Harli were wary of me to begin with, because I am an alpha, and they’ve spent years on the run from alphas.

So, I understand Rat’s reaction to me earlier, especially considering his vulnerable state.

I wonder what his human form looks like…will his eyes be as pretty then also?

His wolf form truly lives up to his name, after all- he looks extremely ratty, and dishevelled, and his fur is positively grim. But, Harriet and Harli were in similar states, and a good bath worked wonders for them.

He’ll have some scars to get used to, when he shifts for the first time again - scar tissue always feels tight and fairly rigid, but I expect Rat is used to that. His fur hides any markings, but based on the scars both Harriet and Harli have…I’m sure he’s in a similar state.

A knocking on my door makes me huff in annoyance, before I spot the daylight creeping in through my curtains, and I realise I must have fallen asleep at some point. Funnily enough though, I didn’t have my mate dream…instead, I kept seeing Rat’s wolf. Probably because I fell asleep thinking about him, I’m sure.

Myles pokes his head in the door, looking nervous. I sit up quickly, panic setting in that someone’s injured or we’re being attacked or something. “What’s the matter?” I ask, getting out of bed and pulling a dressing gown on over my pyjamas for more warmth. Surprisingly, I’m not that warm a person, despite most wolves being like radiators.

Myles chews on his lip before sighing. “Well, the injured rogue went missing.”

I stand frozen for a moment, letting that sink in. Rat’s gone? Was he kidnapped? Did he die? What happened?!

Myles spots my confusion, worry and anger, and quickly fills me in on the missing details. “The pack healer went to visit him, thinking the rogue would be able to shift in a few days, with the rate he’s improving. However, when she got there, the rogue wasn’t. The other rogues don’t know yet, I thought I should tell you first, in case they panic.”

He still refuses to call them by their names, huh? I can’t truly blame him though, I know how skeptical he is of rogues, and I’ve long since given up on trying to change that view of his. He’s extremely protective of his mate Caro, and the fact that they met fairly recently, in the scheme of things, doesn’t change that.

Especially since Caro joined our pack. He was always closer to Ceyden’s pack, being good friends with Ceyden’s younger brother, but Caro was quickly welcomed into our own pack, and things between him and Myles are going very well.

“Send out some wolves to track him by scent, I’ll speak with Harriet and Harli, so they aren’t left in the dark.” Myles nods, leaving me with the privacy to change into some actual clothes. I’m really not looking forward to telling those two poor wolves that their last remaining family member is missing, but they have to know.

Slipping out of my room, I head for the spare rooms at the back of the main packhouse, knocking on the room Harriet and Harli are staying in. Today was supposed to be the day Rat was brought into the packhouse too, now we’re sure he won’t be put at risk from the movement.

The door opens to show a worried Harli, and I try not to let my expression betray me. Before I can get a word out, however, she pulls me into the room, slamming the door after me. “Something is really wrong!” She exclaims, Harriet immediately pulling her daughter into a hug, although her expression is as grave as Harli’s.

Clearing my throat, I cautiously sit down on one of the beds. “What makes you think that?” I ask, feeling the tension in the air with the entirety of my body.

“I- I just have this feeling. We’ve spent so long with only each other, and constantly worrying, that- I just know, ok?! Something must be wrong with Rat,” she whispers the last sentence, burying her face in her mother’s neck.

I clasp my hands together and sigh slightly. “Well, that’s actually the reason I’m here. He- he’s gone missing.”

Shock and fear roam across the two wolves’ faces, before Harli bursts in to tears. “We’ll find him though! I’ve already sent out wolves to search for him, and he probably just went out for a walk anyway!” I try and reassure them, like their family member’s life isn’t on the line right now.

“Please find him, alpha- please,” Harriet whispers, her voice conveying the emotional breaking point she’s already at. I steel my expression- I’m not letting Rat disappear like this, his family needs him.

“I promise. I’m going to look for him myself,” I say, touching Harli’s arm tenderly before storming out of the room, heading back to the makeshift shelter he was staying at. I need to be totally sure of his scent, before I go searching for him.

I’m not letting his family go through more pain.