Kirsty’s eyes widened for a moment, her lips pursing together. “I don’t like secrets, they’re not a good way to begin any relationship, whether it’s between friends, or a man and woman.”
“I know,” Kade agreed. “That’s why I’ll tell you but I’m scared and that’s not something I’ll ever admit to anyone else, ever.”
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. Kirsty’s body leaning toward him slightly, enough for him to wrap an arm around her shoulder and pull her against him. “I’m Alpha and we never show weakness, never admit we’re worried, or scared, and that’s the truth of things. The only time we do is with our mate, it’s a special bond that allows us to be completely open and honest. It also helps us to be able to vent and, on occasion, be vulnerable with that one person.”
“That’s a hell of a burden to carry on your shoulders.”
“I’m Alpha,” he said simply.
“I’m just beginning to understand what that means. So, tell me, what were you thinking about that had you looking so worried there?”
Kade heaved in a huge breath, letting it out slowly before he spoke, his voice soft and low as he tried to explain, knowing it must sound crazy. “When an Alpha finds their mate, I’ve explained about that, and how fast they join and bond together. Well, what I didn’t explain was what would happen if they don’t follow through and mate.”
Kirsty frowned. “That never happens? Like, there’s never a time when they meet and they’re like, hell no, I hate this person?”
Kade chuckled at her perception and innocence. “No, that doesn’t happen. Well, not to my knowledge anyway. The Goddess doesn’t pair a couple that is not a good match. She ensures that they’re perfect for each other, in every way.”
Her green eyes twinkled as she stared up at him, her head nestled against his shoulder. “I wish it were like that for everyone. Too many people give up at the first hurdle and when there are kids involved it’s tough on them.”
“Family is the most important thing to us,” Kade reiterated firmly.
“I’m beginning to understand that, but carry on, tell me what would happen if an Alpha doesn’t mate once they find their soul-mate.”
“First, I need to say that this is a very rare occurrence—” Kade paused, not sure how she would take the shocking news but knowing he couldn’t sugar coat the truth. “But if a mate was kept from an Alpha then he would go crazy, as in mentally unstable. His Wolf would fight to be free to hunt for her to seal their bond. In those instances, the Council would need to be called in, as a matter of urgency, to deal with the situation. An out of control Alpha is dangerous, and only the Council would be able to take care of it, but it wouldn’t end well for the Wolf in question.”
He watched her closely as a gamut of emotion ran over her face, her body quivered as shock coursed through her. She raised her glass, failing to drink her wine as her hand trembled. Kade reached up, steadying it with his so she could sip some of the liquid before her eyes found his. “I didn’t realize it was such a serious problem. What would the Council do?”
Kade sighed; again, he did not want to reveal the severity of the consequences but knew he could not hold back. If he did, then she would never trust him. “Firstly, they’d capture the Wolf to stop him from harming anyone. In his crazed state, he might hurt someone trying to reach his mate. He would not be himself, reason would have completely gone and that is why he would be dangerous. That’s the first item on their agenda. Stop him from causing any damage to anyone.”
“Okay, that’s understandable,” Kirsty agreed. “Then what? Can they help him?”
“Sadly, no.” Kade shook his head. “Once we find our mate there is only one thing we feel inside and that’s an all-encompassing love and the need to be with that person. We have to love them, protect them, and cherish them from the second we find them. If they’re taken from us, then we will hunt for them until we find them and make them ours. If we cannot do that, then it’s as if our mind just kind of shatters, and as far as I’m aware there is no way to fix it. They’ve tried, over the centuries, to find a way but nothing works, and they can only deal with the aftermath and stop the beast from causing any damage.”
“What exactly does that entail?” Kirsty asked, her voice barely a whisper as she nibbled her lip.
He could feel her fear, despair running through her as she waited on his answer. Kade was almost certain she knew what he was going to say, her heart speeding up as she gazed up at him. Her green eyes wide, full of anguish, a stray lock of hair falling to lay across her cheek.
“They sometimes use a ceremony that ends with the Wolf remaining in beast form, with no memory of their human side, and therefore no thoughts of their mate. The beast is restrained in a prison, of sorts, with others like it, for the remainder of its life, which can be a very long time. However, it isn’t always successful and can result in their death.”
Her hand flew to her chest, tears springing to her eyes, but not a word did she utter. Silence surrounded them as she fought for control and he wondered if he had gone too far. It was a lot to take in for anyone not familiar with their ways. Would she run from him? Would the burden be too much for her?
Could he have worded it differently? Softened the blow to make it sound not quite so devastating? However, if he had he would be lying and that would not be right. It
