Chapter Three

The knock on the door didn't go unnoticed. Though he was caught up in his painting determined to finish the art before morning could break the horizon. He couldn't remember the last time he picked up a paint brush or even a piece of scrap paper and pencil and quickly sketched the drawing he was dying to do.

It has been that long.

Duty calls first before pleasure.

And now, he will have to wait to finish.

He lowered his guard allowing the hesitation to sweep through him as the occupant behind the closed door contemplated whether to knock again. He inhaled deeply taking in the scent of his son; Clayton.

He frowned, setting the palette and brush aside and grabbed the rag from the small table next to him. "You may enter." He called out, granting permission as he wiped his hands with the cloth. Keeping his back to the door, Jeremy didn't want his son to see his disappointment when he knew he wanted to be left alone. Only a matter of an emergency was granted.

There was a click when the door slowly opened, Clay stood just in the threshold. His eyes stared at the cream colored carpet; his head tilted down, the beating of his heart reached his ears feeling it pound heavily in his chest. "Forgive me." He murmured keeping his grip on the door knob, the skin on his knuckles started to turn white waiting for Jeremy's thunder to slam through him for disturbing him.

But that wasn't the case.

Jeremy sighed softly. "Forgiven." He felt the wave of relief wash over Clay; a small lingering smile touched the corners of his mouth as he turned around to face his son.

Clay took a step into the room and stopped. There was boundaries he obeyed and being granted access to the room further than where he stood was not one of them. "There's a phone call waiting for you downstairs." He wasted no time telling Jeremy why he was there. "I tried to take a message for you but the caller was quite persistent to speak with you."

This had his full attention his brows raising as he tilted his head to the side. There was more he could tell. "Go on..."

There was a quick moment Clay hesitated but keeping information would have consequences he was not willing to have happen.

He straightened and met the eyes of his father...his alpha and continued. "He says his name is Collin Greer."

Jeremy's heart stopped, his smile he held slipped away. The light in his eyes faded to darkness. "Collin...Greer..." He bit back the sudden growl that started to rumble in his chest.

"You know him?" Clay asked, having no recollection of this man not once was he ever mentioned. So who was he and why was his alpha suddenly on the defense?

"Yes." With a flip of a switch Jeremy's demeanour changed. His eyes softened and his smile returned. There was no need to make assumptions without finding out why Collin Greer was calling in the first place. "But I haven't spoken or seen him in...years."

He made his way across the room to the door. With a gentle touch on Clay's shoulder. "Come my son." He led him from his studio closing the door behind them and made their way down the stairs. "Why don't you make us some tea and join me in the den when it's done." It was more of a suggestion than a command. The touch of the alpha male surfaced close by in case the young wolf wanted to protest.

Clay grinded his teeth but obeyed. Lowering his head of acceptance and excused himself and went the direction of the kitchen.

If his heart could pound any harder than it was, it probably would if Jeremy allowed it. If his nerves weren't rattling, they were now.

It was unsettling to say the least.

With a steady hand, Jeremy reached down and picked up the phone bringing it up to his ear. "Hello my friend, it's been a long time..." His voice was calm, no trace of erupted emotions he's carried with him the last twenty years.

"Jer...emy..." His voice was raspy and shallow. He gasped for air to fill his aching lungs. "It's...good to hear..." But the rest of his words never made it out, being consumed by a blood gurgling cough.

"Collin..."

Before Jeremy could say another word or even mentally prepare himself for what was to come, Collin interrupted him. "They're gone Jeremy. They're all gone." Collin's voice cracked, fighting back the pain in his heart. "Melinda...Sarah...my sweet girls. I couldn't save them..."

The news was hard to digest. Images burned a hole in his head, fighting back the rumble in his chest. Jeremy nearly dropped the phone, gripping it tighter in his hand and almost crushing the device.

"We were attacked when we were the most vulnerable." He continued.

"Who did this?" Jeremy asked, trying to keep himself calm. The last thing he wanted was his anger to get the better of himself. Ugly consequences comes with his emotions when they are on high alert.

But it got harder to control the beast. The wolf howled within, anxiously waiting to be free. His dear old friend was barely hanging on. His family and him were attacked and there wasn't a damn thing Jeremy could do about it. He couldn't save them.

"Mutts, Jeremy." Collin coughed, choking on the blood that filled his mouth. He gasped for air, wheezing trying to fill his lungs with life. "We...tried..." But the words didn't continue, his breathing skipping beat and Jeremy could hear he was fading quickly.

"Kie...ra..." Her name barely escaped his lips. The pain was almost too much; without the ability to shift to stop the wounds from consuming him, Collin knew it was only a matter of time before he too would join his beloved wife and his first born, his entire race to the land of the dead.

His youngest. His sweet, sweet Kiera. The only one left, the only survivor of his family was on the run. He hoped and prayed that she would make it to Stonehaven and be safe.

Tears trickled down his bruise battered cheeks. His life essence began to pull away from his body.

It was time.

"Collin!?" Jeremy called out. "Hang in there...we'll get you some help. Tell me where you are."

"It's...too...late..." He exhaled. "...for...me..."

"Kiera...Find her...she's...in danger." Blood sputtered. "Save...her..."

There was a loud thud and the phone went silent.

"Collin!"

...

Stay tuned for the final premiere of The Alpha's Mate that will put some pieces together. It's going to be a bumpy road. Lol