The Alpha's Slave Mate
Chapter Forty-Two

Caleb's Point of View

I want more than anything to be the white knight for my mate. I would love to tell her that I have allthe answers to her problems. I would love to be able to magically wave my hands and make theworld perfect for her. Unfortunately, I replace myself questioning everything, not knowing what ifanything I can do.

The excitement of today has worn Daphne out, and she is sleeping in my arms. My mind will notshut down, sleep eludes me. I wonder if I could replace out any more information on the previousAlpha's death. I know that if I start a big investigation that it will draw attention and couldpotentially start a war. I also know that if the suspicions surrounding Dorian’s rise to power arecorrect, then he should be punished.

I am also worried about the information that Daphne has revealed to me. Scarlet is his fated mate,knowing that he willingly breaks that sacred bond makes me lose all respect for him. I need to talkto Theo and replace out more information. Theo had indicated that many former members had turnedrogue. I am not comfortable with this man in my home. I also can not ask him to leave, because heis my mate's brother in law.

With all these thoughts in my head I know that there is no way that I will be able to sleep any timesoon. I must get some of the questions in my head answered before I will ever be able to get anyrest. I gently ease Daphne off my arm, ensuring that she is tucked in snugly. I mind link Theo andconfirm that he is awake. We quickly decide to meet outside. I grab my sneakers, and head out insearch of some answers.

Theo is already outside when I reach the front steps. I can see that he has not changed clothes andjudging by the dark circles under his eyes he has not gotten any rest yet either. “I can see that youhave not rested yet.”

“Hannah was excited that I was back, so I took her to dinner. Then she insisted on showing me heroutfit for the mating ceremony and was catching me up on all of the preparations her and Daphnehave completed for the ceremony.” I cannot help but chuckle, Theo will always put Hannah'sinterests’ first. I wish he and his mate would have had biological children; he is an amazing fatherfigure.

"Yes, I made sure that they stayed very busy while you were gone. Things have gone very well here,although I cannot express how happy I am to have you back home. Things run smoother when youare here.” I want to make sure that Theo knows how much I appreciate everything he does for thispack.

“I know Hannah was full of dress store shopping stories, and catering company information, andshoes, and everything else that a young woman could want. It made me a little sad hearing howexcited she is for the ceremony. I know that eventually she is going to replace her mate and may moveaway. It breaks my heart a little.” Theo does not normally get emotional when talking, so I do notdisrupt him. “I know that Hannah is not my child, but in a lot of ways she is. It is hard to believe howfast she has grown, soon she will be grown. I know this much though if her mate turns out anythinglike Dorian, I will rip him to shreds with my own bare hands.”

“Daphne told me that Dorian has affairs, and that Scarlet is aware of them. That is one of the variousreasons that I sought you out tonight, with all that I have learned I cannot sleep. I need you to tellme everything that you know, and everything that you suspect please.” I hate probing Theo forinformation, but this is not just business, this is now family.

“The pack itself is in a sorry state all the way around. Financially they appear to be broke, the manorhouse itself looks run down, and in need of basic repairs. Most of the remain pack members areskinny, and I only seen one pup while I was there. The size of the pack has been decreasedsignificantly. There are perhaps thirty pack members and about a dozen slaves.” Theo has done agreat job assessing the situation from a war standpoint.

“What did you learn about the previous Alpha?” I am curious as to what truly happened to him.“Most of the remaining pack will not speak about the previous Alpha, it is almost as if Dorian hasforbidden it. What information I was able to gain was from a rogue I met, and from a slave.” Iunderstand that Theo is informing me that the information may not be trustworthy. I nod inunderstanding prompting him to continue. “What I could gather is that the previous Alpha wasloved. He did own slaves but treated them fairly. He had been mated, but like me his mate hadpassed away. He was searching for another mate when he passed away. To everyone's knowledgehe had no heirs. Dorian was his Beta, and with his passing he took the Alpha position.”

"Yes, but how did the previous Alpha actually die? Were you able to gather any information onthat?”

"Apparently the pack was attacked by a large group of rogues. The Alpha had sustained some deepwounds. I was told that originally the pack thought that he would recover; however, after three daysin the hospital he suddenly took a turn for the worse. Officially he died from infections that spreadthrough his blood stream and stopped his heart. I have heard whispers though that many believedthat he was poisoned in the hospital.” Theo has gained some important knowledge, but it still leavesme with questions.

"Rogues are not known to attack packs, especially wolves that are in their home territory. This wholething seems very suspect to me, and I do not like having him in my home.” I do not have to hide mytrue feelings from Theo

"I feel the same way. There are too many coincidences surrounding the death of the Alpha for it notto seem like it was specially orchestrated. We heal abnormally faster than humans, there are veryfew things that would hinder the progress of healing. The fact that he succumbed to infection isvery suspect.” Theo also does not hide how he really feels from me.

"How did Dorian treat you while you were there?”

"He was suspicious but welcoming at first. It was a forced welcome though. He did brighten up afterlearning that you were financing the trip up here. From observing his behavior, I can tell you that heis highly egotistical, and acts like a tyrant. I know that his behavior has led to the pack losing money,and many of its members turning rogue. I also know that he abuses his slaves, and Omegas. Worsethan what Hannah or Daphne went through.” Theo's voice is soft at the end, and I know that he iswishing that he could have done something to help them.

“I want him closely observed while he is here. I have a bad feeling about him. I feel that he may trysomething underhanded while he is here.” While most of what I have learned about Dorian issecond hand, it is enough to confirm my suspicions. “Also, I have a question, if a marked mate thathas already gone through the ceremony were being abused by their mate, would it be possible forthem to leave?” I have never investigated this, so I am hoping that Theo may have some insight.

“To my knowledge even if they are mated if someone wants to leave, they can leave. The bad thingis that after the ceremony it is not a simple rejection. So even if they encounter their second chancemate, they will not know it. The only way that I have heard that wolves are able to possibly replace asecond chance mate, is if their mate dies.”

“Thank you, Theo for everything. I will continue to observe Dorian while he is here. I hope that yourmessage made it out to the rogues and that they know that they are welcome to come here. I amgoing to go upstairs and try to replace some sleep.” I clap Theo on the back and turn back towards thehouse. I jog up the stairs and for a moment I just stare at my sleeping mate.

She is beautiful both inside and out. I could not imagine ever betraying our vows and sleeping withanother woman. She will always be enough for me. I will spend every day proving that to her.Perhaps I should have a man to man talk with Dorian, try to replace out why he feels the need to cheaton his mate. Finally my brain starts to quiet and as a nestle in next to Daphne sniffing her sweetscent, I drift off to sleep.