Warrior Robbie I stand back and watch her climb up the ladder while my head feels like it's spinning. My mate is underage. A child. How the fuck is my mate a child? I'm fully aware that it happens but why me? Fuck, how old is she? Fuck, my whole world feels like it's been tipped upside down and Jonah is the quietest that he has ever been but for now, I have to push it aside. We have women to get out of here and then we need to make sure we get them and the children safely away from this hell hole. Once the last woman is out of here I do a final sweep to make sure we're all clear and quickly get outside eager to once again have eyes on my mate. Yes, it seems that she is underage and that just makes this a nightmare but it doesn't stop my instincts from wanting to keep an eye on her and make sure that she is safe, especially in the situation that we are in. "All clear?" Nick asks as I give the men the signal to close the door. "Yeah, everyone is out," I answer as my eyes wander to the cue of women and children waiting to get in the SUVs. "Are you ok, brother?" I force my attention back to him but it's pretty clear that he knows that I'm somewhat distracted now. "Huh... me? Yeah, I'm fine." I'm not. I'm fucking far from it and his doubtful look just shows that he's not convinced by my answer either. "You sure? You've been off since you were down in that hell hole?" "I'm fine, don't worry." Once again I find my eyes scanning the area and then my heart skips a beat when I spot her still waiting in line to get in an SUV. "I know you're lying to me but I don't know why." "What did you say?" Fuck, I'm not doing a great job at keeping up my 'I'm fine act' he gives me a knowing look like he's just caught me with my hand in the cookie jar. "I said, I know you are lying but I don't know why. But I will find out Robbie." He looked across to where he caught me staring and his eyes widen as he looks back at me. "Robbie, have you found your mate?" Fuck, this guy is way too smart. While it's one of the things that makes him an incredible Alpha, it's a fucking nightmare when you want to keep something away from him. Granted I always go to him with any concerns or problems. Not just because he's my Alpha but because he's my brother but right now, I wouldn't mind some time to try and work things out in my head before talking to him. Nick must take my silence as reluctance to talk as his face quickly returns to its natural look. "How about we get everyone back to our pack lands and then we'll talk?" This is another thing that makes him an incredible Alpha and brother. Even when he knows something is wrong with someone, he somehow senses when they need a minute and if it's possible he will respect that.He's my brother and knows me more than anyone and he knows that if there was something wrong that would impact anyone's safety I would tell him without a second thought but this doesn't. The only person being impacted here is me. My mate doesn't even know about me yet to be impacted by anything which given our circumstances is probably a blessing. While I don't know what she's been through yet, I can't imagine any of it is good and she doesn't need any more stress added to her life right now. I could continue to play dull but instead, I choose to give him the same respect as he is giving me right now. "Thank you, Nick." He nods and pats my shoulder as he walks away calling out orders along his way while my attention instantly goes back to my mate who is almost at the front of the line. I find myself eager to see her get into one of the SUVs so I know that she's safe. I'm also eager to be in that SUV with her but I know that it will look strange. The only warriors in them are the driver and passenger and none of those are higher-ranking men. We all arrived here in the same SUV and that is how we will leave even if I wish it was different. Of course, Nick would allow me to go with her if I asked but right now, I need some time to work through my thoughts, to figure out what the hell I'm going to do. Thankfully I don't have long to wait and soon my mate is safely inside an SUV along with everyone else. The last few warriors get into theirs and then my brothers and I along with Tony, Alpha Harold and his daughter get into the last one. "Wait, where is, Adrian?" Nick asks just as we are about to pull off. "He's in the third car with Ryan and Cole," Shane answers. That was another big surprise for today, finding out that Adrain is still alive. While I don't remember a lot about him with me being very young when he disappeared, I know enough about what happened to feel the impact of finding out that he is alive, although I can't imagine what Nick and the others must be going through. They were all best friends and this must be a complete and utter mind fuck. Similar to me finding my mate just to discover that she is underage I guess. Fuck what a day, "I want him in here with us. We have a spare seat. I need to keep my eyes on him until we know exactly what has happened." I can see how torn up Nick is right now. He has to be harsh to someone who was once his best friend. Shane gets on his cell and within minutes the door to our SUV opens and Adrian's face appears in the doorway. He starts sniffing the air and lets out a low growl. These are all signs indicating that he can smell his mate but there are only men in here. "MATE!" I hear a growl from behind me and quickly remember that Alpha Harold's daughter is also in here with us. How the fuck did I forget that? "MATE!" echos through the SUV as Adrain growls low before getting inside and staring at her. It's also at this point that I realize that I don't even know her name. "Jesus fuck!" Nick grunts. Adrain gives Nick a pleading look. "Would it be ok if I sit with my mate?" I like that Adrain is showing respect. I think he understands that until we've all talked we have to be cautious with him. Nick looks behind me. "Would you like that, Mia?" Oh, that's her name. She seems unsure but she nods her head. I'm not sure how much she knows about him but either way, this is her mate. Nick gives Adrian his approval but before he takes a seat next to, Mia, Alpha Harold markets it very clear about what will happen if he fucks with her and I get it and seeing as Adrian takes the threat so well I'm guessing that he's thinking the same. Soon we are pulling away from the place that just this morning was ruining wolves' lives and while several of us would happily burn the place to the ground, the Elders have been informed and will check the land over before it is destroyed, never to ruin any one's life again. The whole journey back my mind feels like a tornado. I quickly drowned out the sounds around me as everyone talks amongst themselves about the fact that Adrian and Mia are mates. Don't get me wrong I'm happy for them and I hope that they can work things out but I can't stop thinking about my own mate and what this means for us or what will happen. There are so many questions that I need answers, to and so many things I need to understand but for now, I have to remain calm, I have to do my job but once everyone is safe and taken care my sole attention will be on my mate and what the fuck I'm going to do. Goddess, please help me! Alpha Nicholas To say I'm shocked about Adrain being mates with Mia is an understatement and honestly not what is needed right now. While a part of me is happy for them, a bigger part is worried. I know that Mia has been searching for her mate for a long time and while I pray that things will be cleared up with Adrain and he will be cleared of any wrong doing, what if he's not? What if he really is involved in this hell and he has to be dealt with? I pray that's not the case for both of them and for me, because I'd be lying if I said that there's not a part of me that's insanely happy at the idea of having my best friend back in my life. As the shock of the news bounces around the SUV I try to shut it out as I work out what's going to happen next. "Jacob, head back to the road that we parked at when we arrived here. Everyone is heading that way and once we arrive there you will lead the convoy home." He nods as he starts up the engine. "No problem, Alpha." I re-take my seat next to Shane and once again find my attention going to Robbie. He's sitting next to a very chatty Thomas but it's clear that he's not paying any attention to what he's saying. "What's going on with, Robbie? Is he okay?" Shane asks. I look at him to find his eyes on Robbie. Does he see what I do or is he Just being curious? I'm not sure how to answer him but until I know more from Robbie or have his blessing I'm not going to say a word about what's going on with him or at least what I suspect is going on with him. Let's be honest, I don't have a lot to actually say because he didn't confirm my suspicions earlier when I comforted him, but either way, I'm not going to mention any of my concerns or suspicions to Shane because it's not my place and besides Shane being Shane he will instantly be worried about his baby brother and I could be wrong and then it would all be for nothing.