Page 5 of His Bullied Fated Mate

“Hard to miss it when you have Thalia running after me everywhere.”

Jasmine smirked. “She’s a sweet girl. Determined to impress.”

I sighed, not in the mood for any chit chat. “Has there been any change?”

I watched as Laura’s lips pulled in tightly, and I knew that whatever news they had wasn’t good. It never was, but I hoped. They kept telling me they were looking for a solution. I kept hoping they would have something every time I came.

We’d been dealing with pack members' mated bonds failing. It was just a couple at first who said they were happy and could feel their bond, and suddenly, like a snap of a twig, it was gone.

Mates that had been together for years were explaining that something felt off. Their connections weren’t as strong as they used to be, and they didn’t understand. We had members coming forward one after another.

We started hearing about this happening more and more. If that wasn’t bad enough, the unmated were starting to grow angry. Not just upset, but losing control over their inner wolf. I’d watched brawls break out of nowhere.

I’d already witnessed too many bloody scenes, too many deaths. I couldn't let this get any more out of hand than it already was. It didn't help that the council wanted to keep this hushed until further notice.

I adjusted myself in my chair. “You guys said you have the answer, yet your faces are telling another story.”

They were all good at keeping neutral expressions, but I could see concern underneath. It was almost like they weren't sure about whatever they were about to say.

Jasmine tapped her fingers on the table. “We have, but you're probably not going to like it.” She looked over at Dean, who made a face.

I frowned, feeling my stomach tighten at their words. “What is it?” Had they found no solutions? Or did they find out that the solution was going to be harder than they expected?

Dean cleared his throat. “It seems that they are being corrupted. Someone is affecting them. We found that it's actually dark magic.”

I frowned, trying to think how that was even possible. I could see maybe it affecting a few people, but an entire pack? Several packs? Just who was behind this? Was it one person? A group? I had hundreds of questions. “All of them? How is that even possible?”

“We’re still trying to figure out the how and why, but that’s what we know. There is dark magic that’s been used, and it’s causing bonds to shatter. It’s messing with bonds that havealready been put together. It won’t be long before this issue starts to get out of hand.”

“Out of hand?” I felt the words come out clipped. “It’s already out of hand. I’ve watched blood be shed because two guys wanted a woman. This is already out of hand. You need to tell everyone.”

Laura shook her head. “We are still keeping this under wraps, which means this is not known information to the public.”

I threw my hands up. “And just how long do you think that’s going to work before the public starts demanding answers? How long have people been putting two and two together?” We were already running out of time.

“We are doing what is best for the pack, Riley. You are an Alpha. You know that not everything is public knowledge.”

I ran a hand over my face. “I understand that, but this is affecting everyone across the pack. This isn’t a small thing. And it's just my pack.”

Jasmine tilted her head as she stared at me. “Riley, I would get control of your answer. We don't need you joining the problem.”

I curled my hands into fists. Jasmine's sharp eyes remained on me, tracking me like I was an injured animal.

“We have found a possible answer to the problem.”

“A possible answer?” Irritation started to build up again. “You have asked me to wait patiently for months, and you have a possible answer? How the hell does that help?”

Dean sighed. “We will have to track down this dark magic, and that will take time. But in the meantime, we need to get the sudden anger flare-ups under control. It starts with you. So, wehave found a way to calm your emotions so you can stay level-headed.”

I almost laughed. “Do tell what your plan is.” I wondered what idiotic idea they had come up with.

“We found your mate.”

I laughed this time. I doubted they had. I’d spent all twenty-four years trying to figure that out, and I hadn’t. There was no way they found my mate.

I ran a hand over my face. “And exactly how did you find my mate?”

“That part is classified,” Kelly said, holding a serious face.