Rebirth of the Alpha's Slave Mate (Samantha and Kade) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Kade’s POV

The cloudy afternoon had turned to a cold drizzle by sunset, making the forest around the remote Nightshade pack even darker than usual. As Kade’s car pulled up the long dirt road leading to the main pack compound, his wolf bristled with expectation of what he might find within those tall, moss–covered stone walls.

“If our mate is truly alive, what will you do?” Ghost asked.

Kade’s jaw clenched. “I don’t know.” And it was the truth; Samantha was his mate, but she had still destroyed his family. He couldn’t mark her. And yet… He couldn’t just let her go, either.

But this was all speculation, anyway. Kade had watched Samantha’s body be lowered into the ground mere days prior. Unless she had suddenly popped back up out of the earth, it was impossible for her to still be alive.

He had to check, though. He had to see for himself if this lookalike who was allegedly hiding in Nightshade pack was really her.

Alpha Samson and the young Alpha Tyler were exactly as everyone described them; warm and welcoming, ever the charming duo, but also commanding an aura of authority that made Kade instantly respect them.

But if they were hiding Samantha knowingly… Kade wouldn’t respect them after that.

“Alpha Kade,” Samson said, nodding his head sharply as Kade stepped into the Alpha House, shaking the rain off of his shoulders. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”

“Would you like some tea, Alpha?” Natasha rushed forward before he could answer, holding a tray with a teapot and a few dainty cups. Her smile was practically stretched from ear to ear, although it didn’t reach her eyes.

Kade held up his hand to stop her. “Thank you, but I won’t be staying for long. I actually have a question for all of you.”

Samson tilted his head. “What is it?”

“Have any outsider women sought refuge in your pack recently?”

Natasha’s face fell. Kade saw her hands begin to tremble faintly, making the teacups rattle as she set the tray down on a nearby table. She quickly hid her hands in the folds of her gown, but Kade had already noticed it.

Tyler cleared his throat and replied curtly, “No.”

Kade rummaged in his pocket and withdrew his phone. Tapping on the screen a few times, he pulled up the photo Ajax had sent him and held it out. “So this woman didn’t come to your pack recently?”

Samson and Tyler leaned forward to inspect the image. “Oh, that woman,” Tyler suddenly said, pulling his head back, “she passed through a while ago. Got injured in the forest and sought help from our healers. But she’s gone now.”

“Is that so?” Kade’s interest was piqued. Ajax’s connection in Nightshade had specifically said she had been staying here for longer than a simple healing process.

“May I ask, Alpha Kade, what your interest is in this woman?” Samson asked.

Kade briefly considered telling them everything–that Samantha, if this was even her, was his escaped prisoner and the woman who had ruined his family. But if they had any kind of empathy toward her, Kade feared they might hide her from him if he told the truth.

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So he simply said, slipping his phone back into his pocket, “She’s my mate.”

Natasha gasped. “But I thought she was your-”

Samson suddenly whipped his head toward her. “Natasha.

Natasha’s mouth snapped shut at the scolding tone of her husband’s voice. Kade watched the exchange with growing interest; something was going on here. They were hiding something.

He was just about to press when he suddenly smelled it–a familiar scent coming from upstairs.

“Mate,” Ghost whined. “Our mate is here. I can sense her…”

Kade immediately snapped to attention. So Samantha was here. Which meant that not only were these people lying, but they were also harboring a criminal.

A criminal who was supposed to be dead.

Kade abruptly turned toward the scent. It was wafting from upstairs, like an invisible fishing line leading him to his catch. Kade didn’t hesitate. He began making his way in that direction, each step feeling closer and closer to Samantha.

But Tyler and Samson stepped in his way before he could reach the stairs.

“What are you doing, Alpha Kade?” Samson pulled his shoulders back and puffed his chest out. “Showing up at our home unannounced is rude enough, but to attempt to go upstairs without invitation?”

Kade suddenly realized what he was doing and froze, hands curling into fists at his sides. He had only brought his Beta with him today–starting a fight with two Alphas he barely knew wasn’t exactly wise.

Even though his wolf continued to whine in protest, Kade took a deep breath and stepped back.

“You’re right. How rude of me. I simply thought I picked up her scent.

“I assure you, Alpha,” Tyler said coldly, “your mate isn’t here.”

For a moment, Tyler and Kade glared at each other. The Alpha was young but even more formidable than his father already with those broad shoulders and sharp jawline, and Kade knew the look in those eyes: one more step and Kade would be in for a fight that he wasn’t prepared for tonight.

“Very well.” Kade curled his lip into a smile that was more of a grimace and retreated to the door, but paused with his hand on the knob. “But if I find out that you’ve been hiding my mate,” he said, glancing at the trio over his shoulder, “then the consequences will be severe.”

Kade left them like that, staring at him in shock in their foyer. He didn’t look back at them, and he didn’t stop walking until he reached his car parked outside, where he climbed into the passenger seat and slammed the door behind him hard enough to rattle the whole vehicle.

“Find anything?” Ajax asked, turning the key in the ignition.

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