An Alpha's Charge
Chapter 19

Garrett’s Mate

I oversaw a young man close to my age and had been searching for him. His mother is a cougar, and his father is a wolf, and they live with Alpha Tristen and his family. Their son went missing three weeks ago when he was vacationing on the island, known for its violence hence The Violent Reef.

When I arrived, I had turned off my phone, so I would not be bothered by my sister, but this was not only about replaceing my charge, my mate, but also checking in on Vye to see if she was still here. She was, and she looked horrible, but I could not help her.

I sauntered up to the bar where she was, but far enough away that she did not see me. I ordered a spritzer, but she noticed me and came over. She sits next to me, and lord, she looked like she had been to hell, fucked, and returned in the same outfit. Open in eyes, dark circles, and arms with racetracks for shooting up drugs, she reeked of them along with alcohol. God, she is a total disgrace to our family. I took some pictures pretending I loved the décor in the bar, but it was really of her. She was too far gone to even notice they were actually of her.

She no longer had that luster in her eyes or soul; she was lost for good. Our sister, Vye, was to oversee Lane’s care to ensure she was safe all those years she was in foster care and college, which is what happened. I know our parents are disappointed in her and us for not keeping her in check. I had to take a deep breath to keep the tears from filling my eyes.

“So, what brings you here, handsome?” she asked me with a slight slur.

“Business brings me here,” I said curtly.

“Well, we can always party at my place; it is a few flights up. Here is the key come in and make yourself comfortable.” She got up and left.

As she walked away, I rolled my eyes, shaking my head at the disgusting thing I have for a sister. I took out my phone, sending the pictures I had taken of her and sending them to Gabriel. Vye walked up to a couple of vampires and had her sandwiched in with their hands all over her. It was disgusting. I paid the bill and walked past them, bumping into one of them to break up their passion for public display. He hissed at me but left me alone.

I trekked to the beach, walking all over it to see if I could see my charge. I saw him, and he was gorgeous. Tall, well-built, and had a body that would not stop. I did not care who my mate was: a man or a woman. After all, it is whom Selene and the Gods choose for us. We were taught to love our mates no matter what. He had black curly hair that was shaved on the sides and back. But the top was long and thick.

Lord, I just wanted to run my hands through it and kiss those lushes’ lips. I saw him playing in the water with someone, and a child looked like him but with blonde hair. He walked with him back to their blankets and dried him off. I quieted my mind to listen to what they were saying.

“Uncle Brody, when will Mommy and Daddy come home?”

“Abram, I know you do not understand because you are incredibly young, but your mommy and daddy are no longer here. They are visiting the moon goddess.”

“I know, but I miss them; where is your girlfriend?”

“I broke it off with her; she... well, she was not fit for me...us.”

He put some lotion on his nephew and then himself. But I could not for the life of me figure out why I was here for him. I wish I could contact them, but they had to go on vacation and could only be reached once they were ready. She could guide me; moon goddess, please show me.

I kept watching them, but then he turned and looked at me, and I turned my gaze to the ocean focusing on dolphins or whales playing. I got up and walked by my mate. I briefly looked down at him, then walked waist-deep into the sea.

The dolphins swam up to me and played around me. The beachgoers came to see what was happening with the dolphins and me. I stooped down and took hold of the fins and swam further out with where we played together.

Brody and his nephew waded into the water to see what I was up to. When the dolphins brought me closer and dropped me off, I swam where I could stand. I stood by him but was swept away by the waves, but Brody grabbed me to help me stand.

“You, okay? Those waves can be treacherous, you know.” he giggled.

“Yeah, I got that. Thanks for your help.”

“No problem, my name is Brody, and this is Abram, my nephew.”

“I am Garrett; nice to meet you both.”

‘Ladies and gentlemen, that is how you meet your charge and mate.’ I laughed at my joke silently, of course, but could not help feeling the sparks shoot across my waist as he helped guide me further on the beach.

We made small talk, but I felt he was not my charge, but his nephew was. Something felt off about him, and I needed to replace the underlying cause of this fast. Brody is a hybrid. I can tell that wolf mixed with something else. Abram is unsure; he is only four years old and lost his parents incredibly early.

I said my goodbyes to both, and my wolf whimpered at losing the touch of his hand. He told me his wolf was excited to have a mate, so the bond formed as they recognized each other. Now I needed my wolf to see if he could connect with Abram’s wolf or whatever he was.

Later that night, I entered the restaurant and sat there was Vye again. She is a sponge if I’ve ever seen one. I looked around to see who was in there and heard a tiny voice yelling my name.

I saw a little guy running towards me with outstretched arms. I better pick him up, then. He hit me with such a gust that he almost knocked me over. I smelled his wolf, but he was too young to shift.

“Abram, not so hard. Be careful; you almost knocked him over,” Brody told him.

“Have dinner with us, please?” Abram asked in his small voice.

“Oh, how could I say no to that little smile? Of course, I would love to have dinner with you two.”

We were seated at a table, and Abram had something ready to drink. It looked like blood, but I could not tell as I was not sitting beside him but across from Abram.

“Abram, what kind of juice you got there? Is it grape or cranberry?”

“Blood Garrett, want some?”

“No, thank you, little man, you can have it.”

“He is a hybrid, half wolf, and half vampire. His father was my brother, and his mother was a vampire/angel hybrid.”

“So, he’s special.”

“Yeah, he sure is, but so are you. Wolf and what?”

“Angel, hybrid, so are my sisters.” he stiffened when he heard the nasty voice of his sister.

“Who is that ugly woman at the bar Uncle Brody?”

“Just ignore her, Abram; here comes your food; why don’t you eat that up and drink your juice,” Brody told him.

“That would be my sister, who is in big trouble, and I am not here to help her, so let’s move on, shall we?” I say with such sarcasm that it brings a snort from Brody and Abram. I just grinned.

We finished our meals and left with a very tired Abram, who had to be carried to his room and bed. I must tell Brody about my sister; I do not believe in hiding anything, but here I am, hiding why I am with them. Abram may be in trouble, but I could be wrong.

“He’s out cold. Can I get you a drink?”

“Oh no, thank you. I must tell you something about my sister; she does not reflect on Gabriel or me. Vye was charged to care for and help her through her trying times. She failed at it and met with her in college, where she started to get heavy into drugs and alcohol. She was also charged with continually doing the same things and being raped by two men.

“No, I am not here for her as she made her bed and will be punished. But I am here either for you or Abram. I am one of your protectors but not sure which one. I do not believe in holding back anything, especially regarding my mate. I am sorry that this is a lot to take in.” I finish with a sigh.

“Garrett, I knew who and what you were when I first saw you earlier today. Touching you confirmed it, but I must admit we are hiding and need help.”

“What are you hiding from? Because this place is full of vampires, you are in their nest along with other shifters and humans.”

“I know, but he needs normalcy which he never got when his parents were murdered. His grandfather is after me for taking away his grandson, but I have full custody over him.”

“Continue, please.”

“He is not a good man and will do anything to take and corrupt Abram. I cannot let that happen.”

“Okay, so I am here for both of you. We will pack your things and go to my pack tomorrow. We are werebears, cougars; you name it, we have them. We are strong; my other sister and I are protectors.”

“Thank you, we appreciate it very much.”

“Okay, give me your phone. I will put my name and number, Ramiel’s and my sister’s and brother-in-law’s numbers. Contact one of us for help, and we will be there. I will pack my things and be back if that is okay?”

“Yes, it is; I will do the same for us.”

“Do not answer the door for anyone except for me. I will text you when I am right outside your door then you can let me in.”

“What floor are you on?”

“This one is two doors down, so I am not far away.”

I left and heard him lock the door behind me. I entered my room, and it was off. Someone had been in here after I left for dinner. I went into my room, turned the lights on, packed my bags, and left to return to my mate’s room.

I texted him that I was waiting for the door to open. He rushed to the door, flung it open, and rushed me inside, quickly shutting and locking it behind him.

“We have to leave tonight; his grandfather is here.”

“Okay, I can shimmer out of here; it will make you sick, but it is the only way to get us to safety quickly. I will text Steven and Ramiel to let them know we will be there shortly.”

I texted them both, then gathered my mate and his nephew, and we shimmered out. Where we landed was different from where we were supposed to be. We landed in a cave in the mountains.

“Well, shit, this is not where we are supposed to go,” I whispered aloud.

“Well, they always say we go where we are supposed to go; it is never a mistake. So... I will watch him, and you scout the cave out?”

“Yep, but only when I cloak the cave entrance that way; if they come looking for us, they all will see the cave and nothing in it. Just do not make any noise, and all will be good.”