Page 37 of His Temporary Alpha Mate
“Thank you. Nothing broken?” I used the pack link to give a status report to Deke.
She shook her head. “Just our hearts.”
There wasn’t time to go into that minefield.
At the gatehouse, the team waited for us. Grady and Trey were there to help with the omegas, alpha enforcers to take the gate. Mateo watched us carefully as I helped support him up the road to the mansion.
Upon our arrival at the house, Deke quickly ushered us into the library.
“Aldrin is ready. Once everyone is taken care of, I’d like some answers.”
“We will provide them if you promise us sanctuary.” Mateo’s mouth was set in a grim line.
Axel took charge. “You will have it provided you aren’t here to cause problems for the pack.”
“I’ll make sure of that,” Chase said with a faint smile. His ability to detect lies was perfect for these kinds of situations.
The healer made quick work of pushing his ability into their mother. She woke with a start, though soon calmed, maybe sensing she was safe from further harm.
My gut was telling me these people were innocent and not here to cause harm. They had nothing to their names. No clothes, money, anything. These were desperate people who had come to us for aid.
Once they were all checked over, given various potions and something to wear, the questioning began. I missed my chance to slip out and stayed standing by the door, though it was unlikely any of them would try anything.
“I’m Axel, Second for the Sweetwater pack. Could you explain why you require sanctuary?”
The siblings shared a look, then Mateo spoke.
“I am Mateo, my sister, Nova, and mother, Sofia. We are former members of the Northarbor aviary.”
The entire room went on edge with those words.
Mateo gave a bitter chuckle. “Yes, we hate them as much as you. Likely more. We worry they’ve killed my sister’s mate.”
There was a sharp intake of breath. James rushed forward and caught Nova as she fainted.
“Sorry, it is all too fresh.” Mateo’s eyes never left his sister as James and Aldrin worked to revive her. “They did not want them to mate. They are, were, fated, but we hope she may not fade since their bond is so new.”
“Let me guess, a mixed mating?”
“Yes,” Mateo said, nodding.
Chase gave a sympathetic wince. Already I knew these people were going to get the sanctuary they hoped for when they arrived on our stoop.
“Can I ask what you are?” Grady asked in a soft voice. “They often banish shifters they deem less valuable. You must be something they don’t have. The Alpha is like a collector.”
“You are correct. We are yellow-headed caracaras.” At our blank looks, Mateo continued. “Under the same family as falcons. Very common in our native Venezuela, according to my mother.”
His mother smiled. “My children were born in Arizona. We came to Northarbor when my mate got a better job. There were more opportunities in the area for my children. Nova is just twenty-one and the fatedmate bond presented in a raven shifter—“ She broke down, unable to continue for the tears she wept.
There wasn’t all that much more she had to say. We’d already taken more shifters from the aviary than any other group, all thanks to their bigoted beliefs.
Shifters could not dictate who their fated mate was. Not everyone found theirs. They were supposed to be celebrated, not punished.
“Cool,” Trey remarked. He was looking at Grady’s phone. “We googled your type. Just as pretty in bird form.” He gave Mateo a lascivious grin.
Grady elbowed his mate. “Not the time to be flirting.”
“Please,” Sofia begged. “My husband stayed behind to help us get away. There’s a chance he and Ricky, Nova’s mate, could still be alive. We have to have hope The Luna will protect them. Can you help us?”
