The Prophecy Of The Wolves I - The Beginning
~ Chapter Four ~

Sebastian was the beta of the Nightshade pack. He stood at precisely six feet and was nothing but muscle. Sebastian had blonde hair and bright blue eyes that were like glaciers. He was a kind and caring man, but he was serious about protecting his family and his pack.

Sebastian was surprised when he found young Liliana in the field of flowers next to their prison. He wasn’t expecting to replace anyone on their territory during his patrol, but here she was. Sebastian knew she wasn’t a threat to him or his family. On the contrary, he could tell she was a sweetheart, so he wanted to avoid putting her in the cells. But, for once, he was a bit confused about what he should do with her.

Sebastian finally decided to take her to his alpha. He didn’t want to put her in the cells, but he still wasn’t sure what to do with her. So he shifted to his human form and pulled her along to the packhouse. “Um. Could you maybe slow down just a little bit, please?” Liliana asked in a small, rasping voice.

Sebastian frowned as he turned to look at her. “Can’t you keep up?” He demanded.

Liliana glared at him as she stuck her tongue out. “No, I can’t, you brute. I’m only five feet tall, and you’re dragging me through the forest.”

Sebastian was shocked by the feistiness that came out of her mouth, but he gave her a single nod and slowed his pace down just a bit. It didn’t take them long to get to the packhouse. He walked inside and grabbed one of their other warriors. “Brent, come with me,” he ordered.

Brent was one of their usual border guards and patrolmen. He was also a mighty warrior. He quickly followed after Sebastian. “Who’s this young one, Sebastian?” Brent asked him as they stopped in front of Cayden’s office.

Sebastian sighed. “I don’t know. I found her in the field of flowers next to the prison. She’s no threat to us, so I thought I’d bring her to Cayden to figure out what to do with her,” he sighed. “I need you to stay here and watch her, so she doesn’t wander off.”

Brent nodded as he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. “You got it.”

Sebastian walked into Cayden’s office without knocking, knowing that Cayden didn’t mind it. He stood by the door quietly until Cayden said goodbye to his mother.

Cayden was sitting in his office with his mother, Autumn, going over details for the pack barbeque that they were planning for that upcoming weekend. He glanced up when his beta and closest friend, Sebastian, walked into his office without knocking. He rolled his eyes at him, seeing as he was the only one brave enough to barge into his office simply. “What is it, Seb?” He asked as he gave him his attention.

Sebastian blew out a rough breath. “We have a problem, Cayden.”

Cayden scoffed. “There’s always some sort of problem, Seb,” he said, using his childhood nickname. He turned to Autumn with a small smile. “I’ll leave the rest of the decisions to you and Tony.”

Autumn nodded in understanding as she stood up. “You two don’t work too hard,” she pressed a kiss to Cayden’s forehead and patted Sebastian on the arm as she left them alone.

Cayden huffed out a sigh. “What seems to be the problem this time, Seb?” He asked as he turned his attention to Sebastian.

Sebastian sighed heavily. “While I was out on patrol, I came across a young woman in that field of flowers close to the prison,” he started explaining.

Cayden raised an eyebrow at that. “Alright. Did you put her in the cells?” He questioned.

Sebastian shook his head. “No, sir. She’s right outside of your office.”

Cayden frowned. “Why isn’t she in a cell? You know that’s our policy with trespassers.”

Sebastian shook his head. “Let me explain. I know for a fact that she means no harm. She’s a tiny little thing and looks to be about eighteen. She was completely alone. She said that she had accidentally traveled too far and that alpha Ryan from the Darkmoon Hunters pack would explain.”

Cayden shook his head. “Bring her in. I’d like to talk to her first before I bother another alpha with this,” he said with a sigh.

Sebastian nodded and ducked into the hallway. “Thanks, Brent. You’re good to go.”

Brent gave him a nod as he walked away.

Sebastian grabbed Liliana’s arm and led her into the office. “This is her boss. She was drawing when I first spotted her.”

Cayden studied the young woman as she kept her head down and her face hidden behind her thick, black hair. “Why are you on my land?” He demanded in a harsh voice. After what had happened with his father all those years ago, he was very cautious of everyone, no matter how sweet and harmless they looked.

Liliana jumped slightly at his harsh voice before softly saying. “I’ve already told your soldier here that I just got lost. I accidentally came onto your land. If you call alpha Ryan, he can explain. I wasn’t paying attention and accidentally traveled too far. I don’t mean any of your pack any harm. I was only exploring the forest,” she mumbled towards the end, but he still caught every word.

Liliana’s voice did something to him. Cayden had an idea why but he wouldn’t be sure until she looked up and he could see her eyes. “Alright, but if I call him and you’re lying, there will be consequences,” he stated as he grabbed his office phone and dialed Ryan’s number.

Cayden leaned back in his chair and watched her fidget with the strings on her satchel. “Hello, this is Ryan, alpha of the Darkmoon Hunters pack. How may I help you?” Ryan answered the phone.

Cayden sighed. “Hello, Ryan. Alpha Cayden from the Nightshade pack.”

“Oh,” Ryan said in surprise. “How can I assist you, Cayden?” He asked.

Cayden cleared his throat. “Well, I’m calling because it seems I have one of your little wolves standing in my office right now,” he said.

Ryan groaned. “Is she wearing a white dress?” He questioned.

Cayden raised an eyebrow. “Yes. She has a pair of white flats and a black satchel on her shoulder. My beta says she had been drawing in a field of flowers when he found her.”

Ryan let out a heavy sigh. “Oh, Liliana. What have you gotten yourself into this time?” He asked rhetorically.

“So she is one of yours then?” Cayden questioned as he tried to get a peek at Liliana’s face. She was stubborn, though, and hid her face behind a curtain of thick black hair that he just wanted to stroke and caress.

Ryan clicked his tongue. “Yeah, she’s mine. Liliana’s my foster daughter. She doesn’t have a wolf, so she isn’t too aware of the boundaries. I’ve tried to get her to memorize them, but she tends to get carried away in the forest. She means no harm. She just likes to explore and tends to lose her way,” he explained.

Cayden nodded along. “Alright. I understand. Thank you for clearing this up, Ryan.”

“It’s no problem, Cayden. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

“No worries,” Cayden said quietly. “I will personally bring her home to you since she is your daughter.”

“Thank you, Cayden. My mate and I truly appreciate that.”

“We’ll see you in a bit,” Cayden said before hanging up the phone.

Cayden shook his head as he exhaled roughly. “Thank you, Sebastian. That’ll be all for now.”

Sebastian nodded and left them alone in his office.

Cayden stood up and slowly walked around his desk to stand in front of her. “So your name is Liliana?” He questioned softly.

Liliana nodded slightly. “Yes, alpha,” she said quietly.

Cayden frowned. He hated her calling him alpha. “Please call me Cayden,” he said after a minute.

Liliana lifted her head slightly, but it was enough to give Cayden a peek at her mysterious mercury eyes. “Cayden,” she whispered.

Cayden took a step closer to her before gently putting his index finger under her chin and tilting her head back so he could see her eyes. He felt the breath leave his lungs as she looked into his eyes. “Beloved mate,” he said softly.

Liliana’s eyes widened as she realized that he was her beloved mate. “Beloved,” she whispered in awe.

Cayden gently tucked her hair behind her ear as he took her in. “You are breathtaking,” he said softly.

Liliana blushed as she bit her lip and tried to avoid his eyes. Cayden leaned his head down to rest his forehead against hers. “Please don’t look away from me, my beloved,” he whispered. “You truly are breathtaking. I especially love your eyes.”

Liliana blushed brighter but didn’t take her eyes off his. “I never thought I would replace you,” she said quietly.

Cayden frowned. “Why not?” He asked.

“Because I don’t have a wolf,” Liliana said sadly.

Cayden shook his head. “Even those without a wolf have a beloved mate out there. Though I will admit they have a bit more trouble replaceing them because they don’t have a wolf,” he gently caressed her cheek. “You are my beloved, though, and I can promise you right now that I am not letting you go.”

Liliana gave him a bright smile that instantly had his heart racing. “I don’t want you to let me go,” she whispered.

Cayden grinned as he pulled her into a hug.

As it were with beloved mates, the connection that they felt for each other was instantaneous. They felt drawn to each other, so they sat together in Cayden’s office. They spoke about their lives. They got to know each other better, their wants and needs, and what their goals were for the future. Then, before they knew it, the sun had set outside. “Oh,” Liliana exclaimed in surprise. “I didn’t realize it was so late,” she said softly. “I have to get home,” she said as she climbed off his lap where she had been comfortably sitting, snuggling into his chest as he played with her hair.

Cayden held her gently but firmly so she couldn’t get up. “I don’t want you to go,” he said softly. “I just found you.”

Liliana gave him an adoring smile. “I don’t want to leave either, but I promised Evelyn I would bring this herb to her so she can sleep better.”

Cayden sighed heavily before an idea popped into his head. “Okay. I know this is going to sound crazy,” he said softly. “But hear me out.”

Liliana raised an eyebrow in confusion but gave him a nod. “Alright,” she said softly.

“Move in with me,” Cayden said. “We could go to your pack house and get your things. You could give Evelyn that herb you found for her.”

Liliana bit her lip as she looked at her intertwined fingers in her lap. “I don’t know,” she mumbled. “I just met you.”

Cayden shook his head as he took her face gently between his hands. “Please, little one. You have no idea how much I need you. Now that I’ve found you, I don’t want you out of my sight,” he sighed as he leaned his forehead against hers. “I promise that you’ll be safe here. I’ll take care of you. I’ll give you the entire universe. You can have your own room until we know each other better and you’re comfortable enough to move into my room with me. You can have everything that you want. Please,” he knew he was practically begging her, but he would do anything to keep her with him.

Liliana sighed as she looked into his eyes for a good couple of minutes, leaving him practically on the edge of his seat for an answer. “Do you have a room big enough for a dance studio?” She finally asked softly.

Cayden nodded automatically. “Yes, I do.”

Liliana bit her lip. “Do you have a room where I can do my crafts? I’ll need a lot of space for that because my crafts vary from the smallest things to the biggest. Anything that my imagination can think of.”

Cayden chuckled. “Yes, I’m sure we can replace a room for that as well.”

Liliana tilted her head slightly to the side as she studied him. “Okay,” she said happily. “I’ll move in with you.”

Cayden grinned and pulled her into a tight hug. “Thank you so much, little dove.”

Liliana smiled as they pulled away slightly. “Could I use your phone to call Evelyn? I forgot mine in my room,” she said with a small laugh.

Cayden chuckled and handed her his phone. “Of course, dove. You need to get permission from Ryan for me to come onto his land anyway,” he said.

Liliana giggled and dialed Evelyn’s number. “Hi, this is Evelyn, Luna of the Darkmoon Hunters pack. How can I help you?” Evelyn answered in her usual businesslike tone.

Liliana giggled some more. “It’s me, Evelyn,” she said softly.

Evelyn sighed in relief. “Liliana!” She exclaimed in relief. “Where are you? I thought Cayden would be bringing you home earlier?” She questioned in confusion.

“Oh,” Liliana smiled as she looked into Cayden’s eyes. “Cayden is my beloved mate,” she said excitedly.

Evelyn squealed in joy. “Oh, this is wonderful news, darling. I’m so happy for you.”

Liliana couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “He also asked me to move in with him, and I said yes.”

“Oh my, that’s so wonderful, darling. You deserve to be happy, and no one can make you happier than your beloved mate,” Evelyn said wistfully.

Liliana smiled. “I was calling to ask if Cayden could have permission to come with me to get my things.”

“Oh. Let me talk to Ryan, but I’m sure it’ll be fine. He’s your beloved mate, after all,” Evelyn said happily.

Liliana listened as Evelyn cursed quietly. “I swear this kid better come out soon. Fucking ridiculous how long it takes to get up,” she muttered.

Liliana laughed as she listened to Evelyn curse her body more before making her way to Ryan’s office.

Liliana shook her head with that same bright smile. “Do you know anyone that’s a chef? Or used to be a chef?” She asked as she waited for Evelyn to talk to Ryan.

Cayden shrugged. “Yeah, we have Tony. He was a professional chef for about thirty years. He’s been with us for about five years. Why?” He asked curiously.

Liliana played with her hair as she softly said. “I’ve been teaching myself how to cook and bake. I’m pretty good, but I would love to learn more from an actual professional. It’ll be awesome.”

Cayden chuckled as he twirled a bit of her hair around his finger. “I’m sure Tony would be ecstatic to teach you everything he knows.”

Liliana squealed in joy. “Yay! I can’t wait!” She said excitedly.

Liliana went to reply but heard Evelyn coming back onto the phone. “Are you still there, darling?” Evelyn asked softly.

“Yes, I’m here, Evelyn,” Liliana said as she laid her head on Cayden’s shoulder.

“Alright. Ryan said that you could come to get your things with Cayden, but there can’t be any violence,” Evelyn explained.

Liliana’s smile was as bright as ever. “Yay! Thank you, Evelyn. I promise he’ll be on his best behavior.”

Liliana giggled when Cayden frowned and looked at her with furrowed eyebrows. “I always behave,” Cayden mumbled.

Liliana laughed some more before speaking with Evelyn. “Alright. We’ll see you soon, Evelyn.”

“See you soon, darling.”

Liliana hung up and looked up at Cayden. “We can go whenever you’re ready. Ryan said there couldn’t be any violence, though. So that means behave.”

Cayden scoffed. “My pack never starts the violence,” he muttered.

Liliana giggled. “People think you do because of your reputation. They just don’t know the Nightshade pack,” she explained softly.

Cayden kissed her temple before clearing his mind to talk to Sebastian. ‘I’m going to take Liliana to her old pack house to grab her things. She has agreed to move in with me. So you’re in charge until I get back.’

‘You got it, Cayden. Oh, and congratulations on replaceing your beloved. I know you’ve been waiting for her.’

‘Thank you, Sebastian. I shouldn’t be gone too long. Just let me know if there are any issues.’

“As always, Cayden. I got it.′

Cayden blinked and slightly shook his head to focus. “Alright, little dove. Let’s go and get your things.”

Liliana hesitated for a minute before quickly kissing his cheek and jumping off his lap with a blush. Cayden sat there in shock before chuckling and standing in front of her. “Come on, dove.”

Cayden grabbed Liliana’s hand and intertwined their fingers as he led her to the garage where his SUV was. They climbed in and started the hour’s drive to get to her old pack house.