I Will Not Fail (Aiden)

Aiden's Pov

A few hours earlier

As I return to my cabin after giving my proposal to Violet, my wolf is much happier with me. He's been riding me very hard, leaving me constantly on edge and at risk of shifting. Separating him from his mate and, even worse, hurting her, almost ruined our bond. He was absolutely furious with me. In his mind, he's completely capable of protecting our mate against any threat. That means my reasons for staying away were, in his opinion, utter garbage.

Well, he obviously didn't say the words. But his feelings about it match them perfectly.

I enter the house with a slight grin, finding my roommates chilling on our family-sized couch. We're all big guys.

Liam has his phone in his hand, scrolling, while Zander's watching "The Big Bang Theory." He is addicted to the show.

They both look up when I come in.

"Look who's back." Zander greets. "The most hated guy on campus."

I jump on the couch, letting my ass fall right in between them.

"Give me until Winter Break. I'll be the most loved." I say confidently.

"What do you have planned that will change everyone's minds?" Liam asks, moving more to the side, so I'm not glued to him.

As if he doesn't love it.

"Not everyone's. Just the one person that matters."

Zander gives me a wounded look. "What about me? I don't matter?"

"Nop." I pop the word.

"Hurtful." He says in mock outrage. "It's the red hair...you can't fight against a girl with red hair."

I picture my mate's beautiful auburn shade and how it magnificently frames her freckled face. No, it really isn't a fair fight.

"So you two made up?"

"Not exactly. But she's giving me a chance."

"I'm happy for you, man. Even if you don't deserve it after the shit you pulled." Liam says.

"Oh, but he's not in the clear yet. Have you spoken with Knight already? It looks like you have, considering that pretty bruise on your face. Or was it tiny Violet that caused the damage?"

I glare at Zander before answering.

"I had an encounter with one of Violet's brothers. But it wasn't Colton."

They take a few moments to connect the dots.

"River Knight is back in Woodbridge?" Liam asks eyebrows scrunched up.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was his fist that almost broke my jaw."

My werewolf-enhanced healing ensured that barely a bruise was left on my face. But at the moment, that shit hurt like a motherfucker.

"But why would River come here?" Liam wonders out loud. "Would he really come all the way to Woodbridge to avenge his little sister?"

Zander shrugs. "I would do it for mine."

"But it's not like she's alone," Liam argues. "He would trust Colton to have her back."

"River didn't even find out about me and her until he got here," I inform them.

The more I think about it now, the more suspicious it gets. River is the future alpha of the Blue Moon pack, our biggest ally. He told my little wolf that their mother asked him to check on her, but with the amount of shit both our packs have been dealing with, it seems strange for him to leave the pack on an errand.

My father has been trying to let me enjoy my life at Woodbridge before I go back home and fully embrace my role as future alpha. But I know that he's been stressed. The Legion pack has been making subtle moves against us, almost as if teasing us.

In previous years, they loudly proclaimed their hatred of us. But lately, they've gone quiet, only acting against us in silence, which is even more worrying.

Combine that with the way Tyler Dagon, legion's future alpha, is acting...something is up. Tyler has never stood up against me before. This year, he's constantly testing me.

"Hang on," I tell the guys while getting up. "I'm going to call my father."

He answers almost immediately. "Son."

"Hey, Dad." I greet. "I need to ask you something."

"What is it?" My father's voice is rough in timber, making it seems like he's angry much more often than he is. But it's always been more of an advantage than a flaw in his position as alpha. It makes people more likely to respect him straight away.

"River Knight is at Woodbridge. Any idea why?"

I hear him take a deep breath. Fuck. There is definitely something going on.

"Why is Knight here, dad?" I press.

"Most likely making sure his family and pack are safe there."

His family?

Is my mate in danger??

"Father, I'm going to need you to tell me exactly why that is." My wolf is waiting for the answer as attentively as I.

Another big breath. Whatever it is, my father is seriously worried. That's never a good sign.

"Alistar must have told him to check the University for cases."

Alistar Knight is the alpha of Blue Moon and, more importantly, Violet's father.

"Cases? Cases of what?" I question, his vagueness irritating both my wolf and me.

Knowing our mate may be at risk puts our protective instincts into overdrive.

"Aiden, there's something I need to tell you." He admits. "I was hoping to be able to hold off on involving you for a little longer. But if River is there, Alastair must be afraid they will attack the university."

"What the hell is going on, Dad?"

I would never have imagined what he would say next.

A disease. Turning our wolves feral. Killing us.

I have never known a sickness that could affect werewolves, let alone one that only attacks us.

The wheels turn in my brain. This can't be natural...it has to be fabricated. But who? Is it humans? Other supernaturals?

There is someone or something out there harming werewolves.

My mate is at risk.

How can I protect her from a fucking virus?

"Someone has to be behind this." The statement comes out as a growl.

"Yes, son."

"Do we have any leads?"

"Not officially. The council is still looking into it."

I consider his words. "And unofficially?"

"Aiden, this information must remain a secret. I've been ordered to stay quiet. The only reason I can tell you is that you're my son and future alpha. But make no mistakes, the council will go after anyone who spreads the words about this."

"You didn't answer my question."

"I will answer you when I have your word that you will be careful."

"Fine." I mutter, displeased.

My father, alpha of the Shadow Pack, takes one last deep breath before revealing the truth. "We have reasons to believe the Legion pack has orchestrated the virus. You must prepare, son. There is a big chance we will be going into war."

Air is trapped in my lungs as I work through his declaration. "Why would a werewolf pack create a virus against werewolves? It makes no sense."

"Almost nothing makes sense in war, son. But my guess is that as if they made the disease, they must have also made the cure."

"How do you know that the Legion pack did it?" If we're going to go to war, we need proof.

"One of our wolves was living remotely for a time while working on a scientific project in Germany. He was one of the first victims of the disease."

"He turned feral?"

"No, Aiden. He died."

Rage erupts in my chest. My pack is vast, but all its members are important. I don't need to know them all to feel furious at their death.

"His body had something carved on its chest when he was found."

"What was it?"

"J+N"

Shit. That means it's definitely Legion.

"We have to stop him, dad."

"We will, son." I can sense the sadness that loads what he says next. "But I'm afraid many more may die before that happens."

My heart is beating very fast in my chest, making me fill its beat up my throat. "We need to stop him before this thing spreads, Dad. I have to protect her."

He's noticeably confused. "Protect who?"

I sigh before declaring, "My true mate. I found my mate."

He gasps. "When, Aiden?"

I cringe. I have to tell him the truth.

"It's Violet Knight. And I found out a week ago."

"Alistair's daughter??"

"Yes."

"Aiden, that's-I'm so happy for you. Having a mate is the greatest gift of our existence." He sounds overwhelmed with emotion, which isn't expected of my usually stoic father. "But why are you only telling me now?"

Shit. He's going to murder me.

"Well..." I tell him the rest.

"YOU DID WHAT?"

Yup, I'm dead.

"Aiden, what happened to your mother is the biggest regret of my life. But I would never choose it not happening over having a life with her. And neither would she."

I don't say anything.

He sighs. "Let's talk in person when you're home. Does Alistair know?"

"No, I don't think so. Not yet."

"Good. Make things right before I have to tell my biggest ally and friend that his precious daughter's true mate is with an imbecile called my son."

I blow out a breath. "I will, dad."

"I'll keep you updated. But be careful around the university. Josiah's son is there."

"I know. I'll be alert."

Tyler Dagon won't be getting close to Violet ever again. Especially now.

When I return to the living room, where Liam and Zander are, I notice them both reading my face and becoming on guard.

I don't wait for their questions. Fuck the council. I'm not alpha sworn yet. I'm telling my best friends, much like I believe River will tell the ones he trusts.

And if he doesn't tell little knight, I will. She needs to know why I'll be watching her like a fucking hawk from now on.

My wolf is furious. He wants to rip apart our enemy. Too bad that right now, our biggest threat is as incorporeal as it is invisible.

It takes a while to fill Liam and Zander in on what is happening. They are both understandably shocked. They want to fight, like me. They want to protect the pack and the innocent. But none of us knows how to do it.

If I go after Tyler without any official proof, I may be expelled, or, worse, locked up by the council. That can't happen. I need to be close to Violet in order to keep her safe.

Hours pass after I tell them. I receive a text from Erin asking to meet me. I tell her I can't go because of urgent pack business. Thankfully, she doesn't push.

We're still discussing strategy, deciding to be on high alert for any student or faculty member complaining of health issues, when I feel a high emotion come through the mating pull.

I can only feel my mate's emotions when they are extremely strong or heightened. Right now, she's scared. Deeply scared.

Has River told her? Is it something else? Is she in danger?

I don't wait around thinking about it. I'm on my feet and on the way to her brother's cabin, right next to mine, before I can stop myself.

I've known she's been there all day not only because of the mate bond but because I can smell her rich flowery scent from all the way over here.

"Where the hell are you going, dude?" Liam yells out after me, Zander following.

"Violet's scared," I say, with no need for further explanations.

My friends and pack mates nod and walk with me, intending to help me protect her if I ever need it.

The blonde friendly-looking wolf opens the door, and I'm instantly met with Colton's furious greeting.

"What the fuck do you want, Hayes? I haven't forgotten about our missed talk. But we're a little busy here."

"Colton, shh." Violet hisses. My eyes instantly go over her face, looking for the reason for her fear and checking on her appearance to ensure she isn't hurt.

She only looks scared, not hurt. And beautiful. Always, impossibly beautiful.

"I felt Violet's fear." I bark. "Now, why the fuck is my mate scared while in the company of only her family and friends?" 

They all stay annoyingly quiet, pressing on my patience. "Well?"

River walks up to me while staring me dead in the eyes. "Has your father told you?"

Right to it then.

I search his face, trying to figure out if he's talking about the obvious. He has a burdened look about him, so he must be.

I decide to go straight to the point as well.

"Earlier today. Have you told them yet?"

River nods.

"Ok. Then I'll tell them the rest. Because from now on, there is no escaping this."

My eyes fly to my mate's baby blue ones, a deep sadness squeezing my chest. I don't want her to witness war. I don't want her to fight. I don't want her to suffer.

She's so small and innocent. So pure.

War breaks souls like hers.

I'll just hate to do my best to shield her from it.

But hiding this truth won't protect her. It can harm her. She needs to know everything so that she can keep her guard up all the time.

It's the same reason River decided to tell them. So that they are alert and can identify the threat.

I give them the truth without softening the blow.

"We have reason to believe the Legion pack fabricated the virus. If this information is correct, it will provoke a war."

Everyone has their own inner reaction. But mostly, we all react the same.

Hidden within the chaos is a deep fear of the uncertain times ahead. But also a strong determination to fight for the

future. For the ones we love.

River and I, as future alphas, take charge.

"We all want to protect our packs. But right now, this is where you are." Rivers says. "I have to go back to help our dad. But Aiden, as future alpha of the shadows, will be in charge of your safety at Woodbridge."

Since my pack is the largest and the strongest in the world, I am the highest-ranking wolf in the university. That means that I must guide them.

I gladly accept the responsibility he is placing upon me. My whole life, I've been learning how to lead. My wolf is a born leader and will do anything to protect its pack. The alpha energy within me is swirling around, enhancing my sense of duty and allowing other wolves to feel the reassurance of its strength.

I have two missions that I will.not.fail.

Earn my mate's forgiveness.

Protect her. And everyone else.