Alpha Kaden's Mate

~ 𝑬𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒀𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝑨𝒈𝒐 ~

𝑾𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓 ✓

The day was becoming night, but it was still 3pm. Mandeva looked peaceful as everyone went on with their own businesses. One won't have to guess what was behind the unity among them.

That's just because of the love they share.

Mandeva was a small town village located at the middle east of nowhere. It was first said to be a camping area for travellers who were returning from the British country.

Sometimes other whites from other countries such as America, Thailand, Germany and the rest of them would settle there to rest in order to continue their journey the next day.

Most times, it is said to be a fortunate situation whereby this different citizens end up falling in love with themselves. Some will decide to take their love to their hometown to continue a family life.

While those who stayed back, made a home and from there that was how Mandeva was created. History recorded it's founder to be a Britannia merchant and an American psychologist who was on a journey to Australia with her father.

Just as any other traveller would do, they decided to camp for the night and continue their journey the next morning. And that very night they had met each other by accident when she intended to have her bathe by the lake pool.

It came as first sight, the next day she refused to continue her journey with her father. From a small home, to a village.

Despite being ruled and controlled by the Moon Stone Packs, the Mandevains has never showed a sign of fright each time the wolves invaded their village.

Children could be seen playing along the road, father's were busy in their farms and mother's had to stay at home to do some basic things and to watch over their little children.

Life in Mandeva is the sweetest thing you'll ever wanna experience.

Mrs Janet rested her hand on her jaw, staring out at nowhere. She didn't notice her little daughter Illiana sneak into her room. With her tiny little hands, she covered her mother's eyes.

But what makes Illiana think her mother won't find out that it was her? Maybe that's just because she was too little to have that thought through. " Illiana, I know it's you. " Said her mother in between a chuckle.

" How, mom? How do you know that it was I? " She asked in her tiny voice as she climbed unto her mother's laps.

" Your little hands told me. " She replied, pointing at her nose.

" Guess I'll have to find some other way to scare you. " She said annoyed at her defeat.

" It's okay, Ana, you're free to do so. Besides, where are your sisters? "

" They are playing sticks with Kane and Priscilla. "

" Why don't you wanna play with them? " She asked.

" I failed a lot of times, so Danielle asked me to leave the game. "

Mrs Janet smiled, indeed Illiana wasn't good at playing sticks. She was horrible at playing games and the only game she could play perfect was a hide and seek game, which sometimes she end up being the first to be seen.

" Guess I have to teach you how to play games like this. You don't have to be the first candidate to lose a game. "

*

*

It was evening already, most children has vacated into their homes while some still kept playing. Mrs Janet was busy in the kitchen making dinner for the family. Her husband with his friends were still in their farms yard uprooting some harvested potatoes.

Illiana and her elder sisters sat at the hill top of the village staring at everywhere. " I bless the gods for bringing me here. " Genevieve the eldest of the three said, " Mandeva is truly a blessed place of the gods. "

" Look as everyone seems to be happy, there's no government to lecture us on what to do and what not to do. Unlike the cities, were you've got no freedom. " Danielle pointed out.

" How do you know about the cities? " Little Illiana asked.

" Who doesn't know about the cities. Have you forgotten strangers do come here to rest? I always hear them talk about the cities where they live. " Danielle replied.

" Hey, look over there. " Illiana pointed afar off. " Do you see that giant stone over there? " She asked.

" Come on, Ana, who haven't seen the giant stone before. It has been there like, years now. " Genevieve said,

" Where is that place? " She asked.

" It's the Moon Stone Pack, they are just few miles away from us. "

" The Moon Stone Pack? " She hummed, " What are they? "

" They are wolves, who hunts down humans like savages. They see us as monsters but they're wrong, they are the devil himself. They are ruled by an alpha wolf who gives orders and tells them on what and what not to do. They are creatures you don't wanna see. "

Illiana looked frightened by Genevieve's words and almost had her body cuddled to her. " That's frightening, you know. "

" Not as frightening as they look. " She said as if she was staring at one of them. " Do you know why they are called the Moon Stone Pack? " She asked and Illiana shook her head. " Do you wanna know why? "

Illiana nodded a "yes"

" You see that giant stone over there? " she pointed at the stone, " It is said that the moon always hangs above the stone every night. And only the alpha wolfs come there to howl, especially during the full moon. "

" Priscilla always tell me stories about wolves, she said they were stories told to scare children at night. I never knew they were real. How do they look like? "

" More like a half wolf, half human. "

" Half humans? " She asked, surprised. " How is that even possible? "

" According to history, it first started with a wolf and a human. She wasn't just a human, she was a witch. The wolf found his mate on a sunny afternoon with her friends, they were playing beside the beach. He fell in love with her just as the British merchant and the American phycologist. It was love at first sight, but the wolf had a problem. He was so shy to approach her, and do you know why? "

" Because he was a wolf? " Illiana answered.

" Very good, that was because he was a wolf and the girl he loved was a human. What later happened, the witch noticed that the wolf always come to her house to see her, or sometimes if not her house he would always watch her play with her friends. One day, she approached him instead, but innocent wolfie was too shy. She understood why he was acting that way and she knew just how to solve the problem. "

" How? " Naive Illiana asked.

" She spent the entire night preparing a spell to transform the wolf to a human. If it was some kinda fate's will, then she has to do something about it. She thought. The next day, she mixed the spell to the food she had offered him. And when he had eaten from it, he turned to a human. "

" How did he looked? " Illiana asked, enjoying the story.

" According to history, he looked just as handsome as a god. He took her to his home and made love with her. She bore him a son, who's fate was similar to his father's. And from there, they got the name 'Werewolves.'"

" Wow, that was so interesting and... romantic. " Illiana made an Awwn look.

" That doesn't change the fact that they are evil. I bet you don't wanna see a single one of them. "

" Now you're scaring me. "

" I'm not scaring you little, Ana. I'm only trying to protect you. " She carried Illiana onto her arms, " Let's go back home, Dad and Mom will be waiting for us. "

Dinner was ready and everyone sat at the dinning room. Genevieve, Danielle and Illiana were the three daughters Mr and Mrs Walker has. Genevieve was sixteen and Danielle just turned fourteen two weeks ago. Illiana the least of the three was just twelve years old.

They discussed and made funny jokes as they dined together. But they were interrupted by the heavy sound of a knock and the banging of the door. Immediately, they stopped eating, facing the two strangers who had just entered in.

" Girls, stay close to mommy. " Mrs Janet said as she cuddled her girls behind her.

" Who are you, and what do you want from us? " Mr Walker asked, terrified.

" We are here for you daughter? " One of the men said in a dark tone.

Mrs Janet stared at her husband and her daughters, then at the two men. " What do you want with my daughters? "

" Like I said, we are here for your daughter. " He repeated.

" W... Which of... our daughter are you talking about? " She stammered.

They stared at the three girls whose eyes were buried to the ground. Pointing at one of them, he said. " Her. "

~~~~

Pointing at one of the girls, he said. " Her. "

Mrs Janet's eyes widened as well as the others. " Why do you want her? " She asked, shifting Illiana behind her. " She's just little, she can't go anywhere with you two. "

" That wasn't our decision to take her, it was the master's. "

" Well, tell your master that I can't give her out. She knows nothing about being mated. Or if he urgently wants her so bad, then he should come meet us face to face. "

" We'll deliver the message, Mrs. " They said and with that, they left the house.

Mrs Janet hugged her three daughters tight to herself, " Girls, it's time to go to bed. Illiana, you'll be sleeping with mom and dad tonight okay? "

Illiana nodded her head. She didn't understand what was going on, she was too little to understand. All she knows us that someone was gonna take her. But who is that?

" Mommy, why were those men here earlier? " She asked as her mother wore her her night dress.

" Don't worry about them, mommy and daddy won't let them take you, okay. You're staying with us. " She kissed her forehead. " Good night, Ana. "

*

*

Danielle jumped on her bed, " Why would they demand for Illiana? She's too little to be taken. "

Genevieve stared at the ceiling. " I hope it's not what I am thinking. "

" Come on, Gene, it's definitely what you are thinking. Those wolves are here for Ana, and they're gonna take her. "

" No, Dan, no one is taking Ana away. You heard mom say it, not even the wolves are taking her away from us. "

But the real question is... Can they stop the one who owns her??

★ ★ ★ ★

The morning surfaced and the first thing Mrs Janet checked was her little daughter. Illiana was still asleep, and she couldn't stop from staring at her little innocent face. Why would they want her?

Why now? She's still little to know what is happening, she's still little to be taken away from her loved ones?

*

*

~ 𝑨𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒌 ~

" Master, they refuse to give out their daughter. And they insist you visit them yourself. " One them said.

Alpha Kaden smiled, " Humans. When will they learn to obey? " He laughed this time. " Fine, I'll pay them a visit tonight."

" Do you think that's the right choice? "

Alpha Kaden smiled at his face, " I would do anything to have my mate. "

*

*

~ 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒂 ~

" We need to take Illiana somewhere far from this village, I don't think she's safe here. I had sleepless night, my mind wasn't at rest, there's only one reason they might have requested for her. " Mrs Janet hated what she was thinking but, that was the truth.

" You think alpha Kaden wants to mark her? " Her husband guessed.

" Yes, and I know that alpha too well, he's surely going to come here tonight. "

" So, what do you suggest we do? "

" Let's take Illiana out of this village. I will call my younger brother to come pick her up, she has to live with him until everything is settled down. "

" Do you think that will be possible? " He asked, unsure of the idea.

" I don't know but, that's the only way we can keep her safe from those hungry creatures. "

" Janet, I think we such let this be. We might cause a greater problem trying to travel her out of the village. Maybe Genevieve or Danielle ends up getting affected. " He explained.

" You want those creatures to take our daughter? Is that what you want, huh? Just in case you have forgotten, she's twelve for damn sake and not twenty two. If you're gonna sit and play the holy one here, I'm going to do whatever it takes to protect my baby girl. "

He held her hand. " Janet listen, in as much as you want Ana safe, I do also. But right now, we ought to look at the consequences. Alpha Kaden might not be as wicked as we all think, and even if he is, I bet he won't try to hurt Ana because she is his mate. If there is anyone more than safe in Mandeva, it's her. So please, listen to me even if it's this once, let him come and we will hear what he's got to say. "

Janet gave up, heaving a sigh. " Fine, if you say so. "

The night was approaching quicker than anyone expected. The entire village heard about the news last night. For the first time in history, Mandeva was scared. Never has this happened before, a wolf seeking for a young girl.

Weird...

" Mother, we can have him take me in replacement of Illiana. " Genevieve said.

" Are you crazy? " She barked. " Can't you see we are trying to prevent him from taking your younger sister and you want to give out yourself, just like that? Is that boldness or something? "

" I was just trying to help. " Genevieve said in tears. " I can't stand to watch him take my little sister away from me. "

" Look, Gene, I'm sorry for yelling at you that way. " She apologized, " I don't want him to take any of you either. I want the three of you with me, and even if fate has to declare marriage now to any of you, it shouldn't be those creatures, they're animals and not humans. "

Janet shoved her hair back in frustration. " I don't know what to do now. I'm restless and damn, I'm out of ideas. But not to worry, everything will be okay. " She kissed the three of them in their forehead, " Everything will be just fine. "

Darkness took over, Mrs Janet racing heart increased. Mr Walker and his family sat in the sitting room, waiting for the master to come. Illiana sat on her mother's laps, playing with her fingers.

She was fade up of the toys and the silent was becoming awkward. " Mom, who are we waiting for? Is it Uncle Tim? " She asked, still busy with her fingers.

" No, Ana, Uncle Tim can't make it here today. "

" So who then are we waiting for? "

" We are expecting a visitor tonight. " She replied, scared to go straight to the point.

" Does it have to do with the two men who came last night? " Mrs Janet looked at her husband, not knowing what to say or how to out the words.

" Yes, Ana. It has to do with them. " Mr walker, her father answered. " They have an important discussion with mom and I."

" Then why are we here? " She asked, referring to her sisters.

" I know, but somehow I think you all need to be here."

They heard the sound of a parking vehicle, and the head lights shun through their curtains. " They're here. " Danielle said, staring through the curtains. " There's a man with them, he's putting on a black hat. "

" What does he look like? " Mr Walker asked.

" I don't know, his hat is covering his face so I can't get a clear view of what he looks like. " She sat back on the chair, " They are at the door. "

There came a knock, calm than the previous night. Mrs Janet changed her mind, she quickly ordered her children to go to their room and shut the door after them while her husband went to welcome the strange... Visitors.

" Good evening, Sir. " He greeted as the main a black hat walked in.

" Good evening, Sir. " Janet greeted after.

" Good evening to you two. " he smirked. Even though his eyes couldn't be seen, his reddish lips could. He walked in with this black and golden walking stick, staring around the small but comfortable home, the smile on his face seemed not to have faded away.

" Please have a sit, Sir. " Mrs Janet ushered and he sat comfortably on one of the seats. " How may we help you please? "

" I'm sure you've met this two before. " He pointed at the two men who had banged in the previous night.

" Y.. yes, of course we've met them last night. " Mr Walker answered.

" And you're aware of their reason for coming, right? " The two couples nodded uniformly. " That's exactly why I am here. But first, before we go further, I'm very sure you two know my name. " They nodded again. " So what should I call you two? "

" My... " Mr Walker shuttered.

" Go on, don't be scared, I'm gonna hurt you. " He assured him.

" My name is John Walker and this is my wife, " pointing at her, " Janet Walker. "

" A pleasure to meet you two, Walker. So, back to business. I'm here for one of your daughters, my men told me they saw her here yesterday. Where are your daughters by the way? " He asked.

" They're in their room. " Replied, Mrs Janet.

" I wanna see them. "

Mrs Janet went to their room to call her three daughters. Illiana was behind Genevieve, her hand held hers tight like she was scared to let go.

" They're here. " She informed him.

He smiled again, standing to his feet. With his walking stick in his hand, he went to supervise the three girls. Not that he doesn't know who the right one was, but he just felt like making the gestures of studying.

Danielle scoffed at his face, looking away. Genevieve held Illiana tighter every bit of second. He stared into her eyes, " How old are you? " He asked her.

" And why should I tell you? "

" Because you just look too pretty to be sixteen. " He said, smiling at how shocked she was.

" You knew my age already, why then we're you asking? " She threw at him.

" What if I make you my mate, what will be your reaction? "

She chuckled, scoffing. " Who the heck in her right sense will proudly accept you as a mate?"

" Everyone does. Trust me everyone are wishing for it. " He said boostfully.

" Well, I ain't everyone and neither is my sister. "

Then Kaden's eye met Illiana who's face was still buried to the ground. " Please, don't take me away. Please, I don't wanna go anywhere. I wanna stay with my family. " She said in tears.

" Look at me little one. Look at me. " Illiana rose her wet eyes at him, her body shivering on Genevieve's body. He stretched out his hand to wipe off her tears when Genevieve pulled her behind her.

He stopped his hand halfway, staring up at Genevieve. " Don't you ever think of touching her. " she gave him a hard gaze.

He returned his gaze to Illiana. " How old are you? " He asked her.

" I can't tell you, " her tiny voice sounded from behind Genevieve. " You told Gene her age, I'm sure you know mine too. "

He smiled, she was just too smart as he expected. " What if I told you I had guessed her age, would you believe me? "

" Guess mine then. "

" Your eleven. " He said and she left her hiding place to look at him.

" I'm twelve. " she corrected. " You're not so good at guessing I think. "

He smiled again for the nth time. The little girl keeps impressing him. " Don't take me away, I beg you.. please. I don't wanna leave my home. "

" Don't worry, kitten, no one is taking you away from your family. I'm just here to see you, that's all. "

He held her hand, pulling her to his side. He unzipped her dress halfway, shifting one side of her dress aside. The fang of his first finger stretched out and he made an 'M' mark with it on her left shoulder.

He looked at the two couples. " I'll come back for her... when she turns twenty. "

He waved a smirk at Illiana, who replied with a rolling tears.

~~~~

~ 𝑬𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒀𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 ~

Illiana grunted angrily as she tossed her drawing paper to the waste bin. " I can't believe I've been trying to draw this shit for almost two hours now and yet I've gotten nothing good from it. "

Genevieve took the sheet out from the waste bin, checking on what she had drawn. " Come on, Ana this is more than beautiful. Why would you want this for nothing. "

" That doesn't look good for a project, Gene. I need my full mark for the Fine Art course. You know it's my favorite course and I can't fail it this semester. "

Genevieve stretched the drawing paper, folding it properly. " Why don't I keep this to myself while you have a portrait of me instead. "

" Really, you're gonna look like a mouse. "

She laughed. " Well, my instincts tells me that I'm gonna look more like a princess. " She sat on the stool in front of Illiana's drawing board adjusting herself in a model style, and focusing her eyes to the window, and she looked like she was staring at something. " Is this style okay? " She asked, not making a move.

" It's just more than okay to get the best portrait. " She started drawing, trying not to make a mistake. " When you get tired, just let me know. "

" Okay. "

It took Illiana an hour to make a neat sketch of Genevieve. Genevieve helped her prepare the painting colours and she went back, maintaining the same model style. " Did I changed the pose?"

" No. "

So Illiana started painting Genevieve's portrait and she made some little designs on her garments. She attached a sun flower on her hair to correspond the yellow gown Gene was putting on.

She made some little adjustment to her environment, making it look almost like she had taken a full photo of herself with nature.

Danielle ran from the newspaper box to the drawing room where Illiana and Genevieve stayed with a brown envelope in her hand, she banged in. " Guys, you can't believe this... Oh my God, this is incredibly gorgeous. " Danielle gasped covering her mouth with her palms. " You just made the best portrait ever. Can you draw a portrait of me? "

" Your's will be tomorrow. " Illiana said, taking a photo of her drawing." You can take a photo too if you want. "

" I'm doing that right away. " She deepened her hand into the back pocket of her jean trouser, bringing out her phone. She took two photos of the portrait, at that instant, she posted it on instagram and twitter. " Everyone are gonna love this. "

Genevieve couldn't stop gasping at the beautiful portrait of herself Illiana had just made. She felt like pasting it in her room and giving a strict warning of "Out Of Bound" to anyone who tries touching it.

" I think professor Morgan is gonna love this. " They left the room to the sitting room. " Ehh Dani, you wanted to say something earlier when you bashed into the drawing room. What was it again? " She reminded.

" I found this in the newspaper box this morning, it says Kane and Priscilla got married two weeks ago. " She announced.

Illiana covered her mouth from exclaiming, but Gene went ahead shouting in happiness. " What the... Oh my goodness, finally they are together. " Genevieve didn't know when that came out of her mouth.

" Hold on a sec, " Danielle paused her, " You knew they were in love? "

" Of course I knew. I mean, who doesn't know that. " She stared at the both girls who seemed not to have noticed Kane's love for Priscilla eight years ago. " Okay, maybe I found out because I was peaking on them. "

" You always spy on them? " Illiana asked, surprised.

" No, I don't spy on them. " She sighed in defeat. " Yeah, I did spied on them but that was twice. It all started when we were playing hide and seek one morning, I noticed Kane had seen Priscilla first but... he acted not to have seen her and caught Illiana instead. I knew Illiana wasn't the first to be seen but what can I say? "

" So, " she continued. " I started noticing the way they look at each other. And on a cold evening, thankfully the full moon was out then. I saw them... kissed each other. " She rolled her eyes saying that.

" Wow, that was such a romantic moment." Danielle made an Awwn face. " I wished I had such a moment. "

" Don't worry, Dani, yours will come very soon. " Genevieve playfully said.

Danielle's phone started buzzing, hundreds of messages were dropping in. " New boyfriends? " Genevieve asked.

" Yeah, new boyfriends who want Illiana to make a portrait of them." She checked on the messages, they were both from instagram and twitter. " Twenty four minutes and I'm getting a thousand likes and comments all at the same time? Illiana, you're a sweetheart. You just created a new history for me. "

She kept scrolling through the comments, " So, are you gonna do that for them? " She looked at her.

" I can try, but guess I'll have to charge them for a picture. What do you guys think? " She asked, seeking for a positive opinion.

" Yeah, that's a great idea. Besides, you can make easy money with it and buy new stuffs for yourself. " Genevieve acknowledged her.

*

Hours past like minutes, and it has just turned 4 o'clock. Illiana went to her room to have her bathe when she felt an itchy stings on her shoulder. "Ouch.. " she hissed at the pain, taking off her shirt to get a glance of her shoulder.

The 'M' mark on her shoulder had just increased in size and it was shining red in colour. The pain was like digging a finger into a burning furnace. She rubbed it gently, hopping it could be of help but the itchy pains keeps getting tougher.

Danielle opened the door to tell her something but stopped as her eyes met the mark. " It's growing. " She said shutting the door behind her.

" I know. And it hurts each time it grows. Do you think he's purpose for leaving the mark on me was to punish me for not following him? "

" I don't think so. " Danielle replied. " Well, I think he did that to find you whenever he decides to come get you. He's gonna come for you, you know that. "

" I have the feeling. "

" So, what are you going to do? "

" I don't know. I really don't know. " Danielle sighed heavily.

*

*

~ 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒂 𝑯𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏 ~

" I'm gonna ask for the last time, where is the girl? " Alpha Kaden rowled at the awkward silence of the people towards his question. He was getting impatient and wanted to order an immediate killing when one said.

" We don't know, Sir. All we do know is that they left two years after you came here. " Said one of the villager, terrified.

" Where have they gone to? " He asked.

" We do not know, Sir. " Replied the same man.

Kaden's anger arose as he nodded swiftly. The he bursted out laughing, and this caused everyone scared the more. Why was he laughing? He should be boiling in anger and not finding it so funny?

" You can run, Walker, but you can not hide from me. I'm coming for you, little kitten. I am coming for you. " He mumbled to himself.

*

While he sat on his throne, he rubbed his jaw with his hand. He can't stop imagining how foolish the Walker's would play in order to protect their daughter from him. There's just one thing they do not know, Kaden had seen this coming earlier, so he didn't just marked her, he used it as a way to get to her no matter how far she was from him.

" Where are you, little kitten? " He said, trying to reach her with the mark. " Tell me, kitten, where are you? "

He smiled at his victory as he sensed her pains. " Ouch... " He heard her groan, and a huge smile painted on his face.

" Found you, kitten. It's time to come take you home. "

*

*

She yelled from her room, everyone rushed up to know what was actually wrong with her. Genevieve was the first to bash in, her eyes widened at the sight of the mark on Illiana's back.

" What the... Heck. " She rushed to her.

Illiana was on the floor, shaking continuously. She would tumble at both side, her hand holding the mark as if she would tear off her skin at that moment. " We need to call the doctor. " Janet said as she rushed for the landmark.

She quickly dialled the ambulance number, " Please, we've got a problem. "

" Where are you? " Asked the voice.

" Plot D, off south avenue. "

" Okay ma'am, we're on our way. " She dropped the telephone back, rushing to Illiana's body.

" Don't worry, baby, the ambulance is coming. "

Illiana held Gene's hand, " In case I don't make it to the hospital... "

Genevieve shook her head. " No, you're gonna make it. "

" In case I don't make it, help me give my drawing to professor Morgan. "

" You're gonna do that yourself because you ain't gonna die, okay. You're not dying... not today. "

~~~~