Ryan's P.O.V

I set the tray of food down in front of my mate. He stared at it before looking away.

"You need to eat.", I said.

He just stared out the window at absolutely nothing.

"Please.", I whispered.

He sighed and picked up the fork, stabbing the eggs and putting them in his mouth.

He just sat there and ate the food I made, his eyes dead.

He put down his fork and stared out the window again.

There was a moment of silence.

"What's your name?", I asked.

"Colton.", he whispered before turning around completely.

He didn't want to talk.

I stared at his back for a second before turning around and walking away.

I walked outside, standing in the sun and looking at the wolves talking to each other.

Feeling eyes on me, I turned and looked up at the window, catching the eyes of Colton.

We shared at each other, his blue eyes with no shine looking into my amber and white eyes.

I was always an anomaly.

Colton turned and disappeared from my view and for a fleeting moment, I wanted to chase after him.

Shoving the feeling away, I walked my pack borders, smiling at the pack warriors.

Glancing at my watch, I mindlinked my pack.

"Meet me at the training grounds in 15 minutes. Everyone must be there, including new pack members.", I commanded.

I walked to the training grounds, a 10 minute walk.

My pack made way for me as I walked to the front.

Clouds crept in front of the sun and it became dark.

It was dreary.

Once I made my way to the front, I addressed my pack.

"As the majority of you know, I gained another pack last night. That puts our pack numbers around 486.

Today, we start training our new pack members. I want my old pack members teaching my new pack members. Find a partner everyone. Any one who does not have a partner will work with me.", I announced.

One newer pack member raised her hand.

"Yes?", I asked.

"No offense Alpha, but how are the older members gonna be quicker and stronger than us?", she asked.

"Trust me. They'll probably be better than you.", I said.

She nodded and paired up with an older female. She smiled warmly at her and introduced herself.

I glanced around and noticed everyone had somebody paired up with them.

Except for Colton.

He stood off to the side, head bowed.

I walked over to him.

"Everyone, you may begin.", I called out.

I reached Colton and went to hold my hand out. Colton flinched away from me and I flinched.

My heart broke as my wolf whined.

Grabbing his hand, I led him further away from everyone else.

"May I speak to your wolf Colton?", I asked.

Colton just nodded and closed his eyes.

Once they were open, his eyes were black.

"What's your name, wolf?", I asked softly.

"Brently.", he answered.

"Do you know who I am?"

Brently's dark eyes glanced at me before looking back down.

"Alpha Ryan Halifax.", he said.

I shook my head. "Besides that. Do you know who I am to you?"

His head stayed down.

"Mate.", Brently whispered.

I nodded as Blake cheered in my head.

"That means you are my equal. You don't have to bow to me or any other wolf. So keep your head up. Can you do that for me?"

He nodded and lifted his chin. His eyes met mine and I could tell he fought the urge to submit.

"Can you shift at all?", I asked.

He shook his head. "They forced us to eat Celestial Silver."

My hand clenched at my side.

All of a sudden, 2 warriors ran to me.

"Alpha Ryan!", one yelled.

"What?!", I asked, annoyed that somebody would interrupt my time with my mate.

"Omega Dylan Tinn is gone.", he said.

"What do you mean 'gone'?", I asked.

"He escaped before we could execute him this morning."

My eyes widened.

"The warriors at the border haven't seen him. He's still on packlands.", the other warrior informed me.

My eyes widened.

My mate was at risk.

"Take my mate to my room and guard him. Now", I said, letting my Alpha Command leak out.

They nodded, my mate willingly following them.

I jogged back over to the other wolves.

"EVERYONE, GET TO THE CELLAR! WE HAVE A DANGEROUS WOLF LOOSE ON PACKLANDS. WARRIORS, SPREAD OUT AND FIND OMEGA DYLAN TINN!", I screamed.

The pack moved, the majority of them running to get into the cellar.

The warriors got in pairs and took off, sniffing the air.

"Beta Dominic, get to the daycare and protect those kids. I'm going to search the packlands.", I ordered.

"Yes Alpha!", Dominic yelled and took off.

I shifted into my wolf, sniffing the air for Dylan's scent.

I caught a whisk of it and followed it.

I went deep into the woods, my wolf growling angrily as she took partial control.

We neared the pond where it disappeared into the water.

Smart bastard washed away his scent.

"Alpha Ry-", the link started but was cut off.

And it was ripped away.

Soon, another link was ripped away from me and I fell on the ground, howling in pain.

I stood up on shaky legs, falling to the ground as a burning sensation traveled onto my neck.

"MATE!", Blake snarled.

Colton!