The Alpha Who Saved Me
Chapter 115

CHAPTER 115

Declan

The electricity of that simple kiss has my cock springing to life and wanting to dominate its mate. I had to leave right away. Now that I'm on my way home, and away from the intoxicating scent of her, I can think rationally again. I don't understand this whole mate thing when it's only one sided. I can only assume that it's a Dire wolf thing, because I've never heard of it with regular shifters. You can't tell they are your mate until they turn of age.

I feel the need to talk to Deke about this. I don't want to tell Quinn' s secret, especially when she doesn't even know about it, but with the last attack, I don't know if I will be able to protect her by myself. Maybe we should do as Quinn suggests and go after Gray Skies before they try again.

'We must protect her at all costs, Declan,' Duke butts into my private thoughts, 'It's not just about keeping your promise to Gavin and Mace, but because she is important to the whole wolf shifter community. She's meant to be Queen and so she must stay alive.'

'You and I both know how stubborn our beautiful mate is. How are we supposed to keep her from running into danger without her knowing why she can't be included?'

'Our mate is a force for sure, but she isn't anywhere near what her wolf will be when she comes of age. If anyone catches wind of what she can do so far, they will be coming from far and wide to take her out.' My wolf sighs, 'All we can do is our best.'

I scoff, 'Maybe we can chain her up when we go after Gray skies.'

'That sounds really hot for a totally different reason, but our mate will be pissed if we do that. Honestly, we haven't seen the extent of what she can do so far, so how do we know that restraints will even hold her?' Duke gives a little growl, 'And don't even suggest using silver on our 'mates!'

I'm shocked that my wolf would even think that I would do something like that! 'Really, Duke? Do you really think me that much of an asshole?'

'Hey, just putting it out there. A wolf can never know in these times.'

I roll my eyes, 'Go take a nap and leave me to my own thoughts, will you?'

'Fine! See if I try helping to ease your worry ever again!' He states as he heads back to his little corner.

'Really, Duke. If you've done anything, it's insulted me and stressed me out more by reminding me how important Quinn's life is!'

'Oh, me? Did you say something to me?'

'Stop being a smartass, will you?' I tell my wolf.

'It's a hell of a lot better than being a dumbass...' he mumbles and lays back down.

I shake my head and smirk. Having your own wolf is great most of the time, but then there are times like this when you wish they weren't in your head constantly. I can't have a thought to myself, or they make smartass comments, making you feel like the dumb one.

'If the shoe fits.' Duke gives a wolfish smile as he lays in his corner with his eyes closed.

In the coming days, we have learned that the Gray Skies pack have been camping out in the deep forest of the Natural Reserve owned by the humans. There hasn't been much movement and according to my scouts, it almost looks as though they are waiting for something or someone. In my experience, not much movement isn't a good thing. It makes me wonder if they are waiting on reinforcements. After the damaging numbers and how many of their own had fallen the last time, I don't doubt that is what they are doing.

So, what do we do? We call in to every ally pack in the area and hope that it's enough. My scouts also inform me that Gray Skies have their own scouts keeping watch on Dark Moon, so that alone tells me that they aren't finished with what they have started. In order to not let them replace out about our own meetings, we agree to meet at the Sun River pack. Deke is almost smack dab in the middle of everyone, so it only makes sense.

Quinn has informed me that she will ride over with Spencer and Cam, which gives me a chance to talk with my cousin before everyone shows up. I hate that I'm going to do it, but even I can admit that I can't handle this alone, not with it still being well over a month before Quinn is of age to replace out.

Deke is already waiting for me when I pull up to his pack house. As always, the young Alpha heir is beside him to greet me as I come up the front steps, "Hey, little man! I see you're doing a fine job at holding up the fort with your dad." I fist bump his little seven-year-old fist and then embrace my cousin.

"Okay, Easton," Deke addresses his pup, "you can go on and play with your friends until dinner but make sure you keep checking in with your nanny and stay close."

"Yes, Dad," Easton turns and gives me a toothless grin, "See you later Uncle Declan!" And then he's off before I can say goodbye myself.

"Man, that boy is full of energy all day long!" Deke sighs happily.

"Oh, I can see that Holden is going to be the same way. Do you think it's the Alpha blood in them or just our bloodline?" I chuckle.

"As much energy as Easton has, it's probably both!" he laughs for a moment and then we both sober up, "So, what brings you here earlier than the others? Not that I'm not happy to spend a bit of bonding time with my cousin." He states.

I just go straight into it, "I have a serious issue and I need help, but I'm not sure if I should be saying anything. I trust you, though, so..."

Deke cuts me off, "Quinn is the Dire wolf, and you need help protecting her."

I'm completely speechless.

My cousin chuckles, "I've had my suspicions way before Alpha Lincoln and Luna Stacia passed away. I had noticed the different 'traits' with the late Luna, so of course I did my research. Alpha Carson kind of confirmed it at the last meeting, though."

Now I'm really confused, "What do you mean, he confirmed it?"

"His late great uncle, Trey, he was the last Dire wolf in that blood line, or so they thought. Luna Stacia was Trey's illegitimate daughter from a secret love interest. At least, that is what I came up with, since Stacia was originally from the same pack and never knew her father. Rumor has it that he was seeing someone on the side, but nobody could tell me why he kept it a secret."

I think over everything he's just revealed to me. So, Alpha Carson would be Quinn's third cousin. She will be happy to know that she still has family out there, no matter how distant they are, "Well, you've really dug deep into this, haven't you?"

Deke shrugs, "History is a favorite of mine, along with legends and myths; I had to try and see if there was any truth to it. Although, I must say, I never thought the last one would be Quinn. Who would have expected the family to get killed like that." He shakes his head and then scoffs, "I definitely never thought the King of wolves would turn out to be my cousin."

"How did you..."

"Know? It doesn't take a brainiac to put it all together, Declan. I knew you were mates at her Alpha celebration."

"Then why haven't you said anything, especially when she united with Gavin?" I ask, really wanting to know why he would let every past event happen without saying anything. "Hey," he holds his hands up defensively, "I am a strong believer in the Goddess Selene. None of that would have happened if it wasn' t supposed to happen."

"So, what you're saying is that I was supposed to knock up a crazy she-bitch?"

"I never said that I understand the Goddess's reasoning. Maybe she's just bored and needed the entertainment." He laughs.

"Fuck you, Deke!" I punch him playfully in the arm. Sobering up, "So, why do you think it is that we can't tell Quinn of her heritage? I think it would be better protected if she knew."

"I'm not sure if it really is against the rules. I think Stacia was just trying to protect her daughter from others replaceing out." He thinks a moment, "Wait, how did you replace out?"

Sadness takes hold as I look at him, "Gavin found out and asked me to keep both Quinn and Ash safe while he was dying in our arms that night."

"So that's what he whispered to you. I've always wondered what it was. I'm surprised you were even helping him."

"There are a lot of things that I haven't really told you, and both Gavin and I had made peace before he passed. He was a good mate to Quinn and a great father, as short as it was." I can't go on about Gavin any longer or else the floodgates may open.

"The only thing I would be worried about is Quinn replaceing out that you two are mates. You cannot tell her that; that one is against the shifter law. She must replace out for herself."

"But we can tell her that she is the Dire?" I want to confirm it with him.

"I would strongly suggest that she look at her mother's letter earlier than what it says. I'm sure Stacia will understand and know that Quinn will not be alone in all of this."

I grip my cousin's shoulder, "Thank you, Deke. You don't know how bad I've been wanting to talk to someone about this."

"Well, you know that you can always trust me with anything."

Before I can answer, cars begin pulling up to the front of the pack house, the second one being my future mate's Camaro, and I can't hide the grin that appears on my face as she steps out. Any thoughts?

Thanks for reading...I really do appreciate all of you and hope you have an amazing day! =)