Alpha Rodriguez retreated to his office after sending Arya and his people to the Moon festival. He had some work that needed to be done.
While working, he felt someone's mind link pressing through.
This was one of his gifts. He could speak to any rogue anywhere in the world, through mindlink. Regardless of whether they belong to his pack or not.
The other Alpha's can only communicate with their pack members, only a certain distance apart.
He opened the link and asked, 'Yes, what is it?'
'Alpha, there is a rogue at the festival. She's newly turned and seems to be scared. What should we do?'
'All rogues are welcome. Bring her in.'
He decided to wait in the sitting area for the new member of his pack, if she would say yes to becoming part of the rogue pack.
There hadn't been a new rogue in the past three years, as all the pack alphas know where they would turn up, only to make the rogue pack bigger.
Rodriguez quickly wrapped up his work and went to the sitting area. It was empty, as most of the members were already asleep in either the pack house or their own little houses that Rodriguez helped build.
They had one strict rule; No one disrespects any pack member. No one is bigger or smaller in position. There is one Alpha. He has the right to make decisions, and yes, there are some pack members closer to him who reported to him about all the matters of the pack, but they do not look down on anyone.
Most of the people who came were omegas kicked out of their pack or were victims of massive killings.
Rodriguez had made it clear that there's no ranking systems in this pack, everyone is equal; yet most people keep the rank of their previous pack, such as Melvin, who still considers himself as an omega.
Rodriguez waited patiently for them to return, not because of the new rogue, but because he wanted to see if Arya had captured any girl.
Although he was a rogue, he still didn't believe in killing innocent people, let alone children. Had he not made a deal with Arya (more like her witch), he'd have never allowed her to kill innocent girls in his pack territory. The sooner Arya delivers Kane's head to him, the sooner he can get rid of her and her killings!
The more he thought of Arya, the more he felt like a connection was brewing between them. They weren't mates, as she was already marked, and if they had been mates, they both would have felt the bond the first time they saw each other... it was something else. Something he couldn't quite put a finger on.
There was something pulling them closer, and he didn't understand what. It wasn't romantic either; no, it was a bond he felt but didn't know what to call it.
The sound of tyres coming to a stop brought Rodriguez back to reality. They were back, and the Goddess knows what innocent child was too far from her parents to be caught by them.
He knew one thing, they wouldn't have returned back without a girl, whether with or without some rogue.
He jumped to his feet as the most wonderful scent reached towards his nose. Fresh roses and a hint of lavender drifted into the room, getting stronger as his eyes darted to the door.
In walked the most gorgeous green eyed girl he had ever laid eyes on. Her blonde hair flew about in a mess, and her tear stricken face looked so innocent that Rodriguez felt his knees go weak.
She came to a halt just on the doorway, staring at him with shock and curiosity. Rodriguez heard her heartbeat raise in a rythme of love, and her lips were so soft and pink, Rodriguez wanted to touch it. Kiss it.
What was happening? His own heartbeat matched hers, a total stranger whom he had never seen before.
He was still staring in shock and awe when she gave him the answer he wanted.
"Mate." This one word slipped out of her lips, and Rodriguez heard it. So did the others who had by now reached the sitting area.
"Mate," Rodriguez confirmed.
He had only heard of the mate bond and how mates find each other when the time is right. The moon Goddess makes sure her children find each other and become their strength when they absolutely need each other. And yes, he needed his mate to be with him.
Michelle and Rodriguez both stepped slowly towards each other, and when they came close enough, they stared into each other's eyes questioning each other as to whether they would accept a broken heart and mend it with their love, or reject it, and shatter the pieces.
"I'm Rodriguez!" He said calmly.
"Michelle!" Her voice was soft and laced with honey.
"Sorry, my Alpha, but can we get a party to welcome our Luna?" Malcolm asked from the background.
'Alpha.' The word sent an image through Michelle's mind. A tall, handsome man with black hair and blue eyes. A man with six pack abs and a light beard. A man who sent her here as a spy, not as the luna of some pack!
The trance shattered and was replaced by horror. The realization that the Alpha of the Rogue Pack was her mate. If Michelle continues with her mission as an informant, she betrays her second chance mate. If she accepts her role of the luna and moves on, she betrays the man who saved her from the very rogues that she now is a part of.
The dilemma in her heart was too much. What was she supposed to do? One of them gets betrayed. She will just have to choose who!
"Go ahead, Malcolm," Rodriguez ruff voice said, pulling Michelle out of her thoughts.
Rodriguez was still looking at her and could see the shift in energy. He sensed something was wrong.
"It's okay. I'm not as dangerous as people say I am!" He said, his voice softer, and full of wonder.
"You're the Alpha?" Michelle managed to say, her throat suddenly feeling dry.
"Yes! And you're my Luna."
Rodriguez reached his hand out and touched her cheeks, and Michelle instantly melted away, leaning against his hand, with her eyes closed.
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine. We will adjust together, and there is no rush. We can take our time to get to know each other before moving forward," Rodriguez said, as he pulled his mate into a hug, not knowing how those words were killing her inside.