*above is jace's mate

i'm sorry that the last chapter was so short, it's hell month in college. Our first-semester ending and all the exams and papers are kind of getting to me. So no promises on when I'll be able to update in the next few weeks! I'll try to make this chapter a much longer one!

sebastian's pov

After calming Jace down enough to get the full story, I found out that while on his hunt Jace had found his mate. While that was usually something to celebrate, his mate was in no better of a condition than my Thea. I now know how Jace felt seeing me go through this. Just like Jace viewed Thea as his little sister, I felt the same. I couldn't help but ask God, why two little females had to endure such trauma.

Thea seemed a little shaken to realize there was another girl out there, found in the same situation. As much as I wanted to wrap her in my arms, and forget about Jace's mate, and the problem this presents, I couldn't.

Thea's situation wasn't just an anomaly. Jace's mate was found in a crude rogue camp much like Thea, kept in a dark room, deprived of basic needs, etc. We had a rogue problem on our hands, and there was no telling how big it was. We had to get a handle on this, we need to make sure no other wolves are being harmed like this.

Rogues were a tricky thing. They detested authority, and any form of government, so their movements weren't easy to track. I had a bad feeling about what we'd discovered. I don't think this will be the last girl we find.

*

Jace made it back to Shadows End the next day, holding a little sprite of a girl. She had olive skin and unruly black curls. Her eyes were dark and wide-eyed. I could see that Jace was quickly coming to his breaking point, and I barked out orders to everyone, while I ushered Jace to Ainsley's office. Thea was silent as I pulled her along with me.

Now knowing that the rogue problem was all too real, I couldn't help but be paranoid. I didn't want to let Thea out of my sight.

"What in the world is going on around here?" Ainsley was visibly irritated. I've known Ainsley forever, and I knew her irritation was hiding her pain at having seen two females in such a state.

Jace growled, and I stepped in between him and Ainsley. Just like what he did when we found Thea. The similarities haunted me.

"Jace found his mate." She nodded shortly, obviously realizing talking to Jace wouldn't be such a good idea. Jace didn't let go of his shaking mate as Ainsley set about examining her, he clutched her close, placing his face in her hair.

*

I took Thea out of Ainsley's office, giving Jace and his mate a little privacy as they determined the severity of his mate's situation. Thea had been quiet since Jace had come back,

"She was found like me?" I searched her eyes, trying to determine her emotions. She seemed distant. Like she was completely outside of her situation. She was retreating within herself, and I hated it.

"Yes, baby. Jace was on a hunt, and he found another rogue camp similar to..." I couldn't finish my sentence. My emotions still fresh, remembering how I'd found her.

Thea wrapped her arms around me tightly, snuggling her head into my chest. I took a deep breath, breathing in her scent. She was safe. My mate was safe in my arms. Protected. It took me a few minutes, but I eventually was able to get control of my emotions, still holding Thea close, her not seeming to want to let go either.

We stood there for God knows how long, as I clung to Thea, afraid to let her go. I tried to push my own fears out of my mind, and think about what needed to be done. Jace's mate needed some fresh clothes, and Jace's room in the packhouse wouldn't be an ideal space for her right now. As I stood there thinking through all the possibilities, my mind was spinning.

"C-can they stay on our floor? We have the room, and it's away from the packhouse so it'd be quieter. Maybe she'd feel safer with another female nearby? Why doesn't the Beta have a suite like ours? She's gonna need clothes. Jace will probably want her to wear some of his. He seems to be just as protective and annoying as you. Can someone go grab some shirts of his? No. Sweatshirts. She's probably cold. Are there any more leggings like mine we could give her? I don't have many clothes she could use or I'd offer to give her some." I stood there shocked as my mate thought of everything that needed to be done for Jace and his mate. I really shouldn't be so surprised though. My Little mate was very logical, always thinking.

"I think you're right, they should stay on our floor. We have extra rooms and more than enough space. I'll send one of my female warriors to get some clothes and Jace's sweatshirt. He'd lose it if anything had another male's scent on it. Speaking of your clothes, I really need to get you some of your own. Maybe once Jace's mate is better, we can take you both. That might not be for a while though. How are you feeling, sweetheart?" She seemed satisfied with my answers but hesitated to answer my question.

"I'm. I don't know. I'm scared. But I know you'll protect me. And, I'm worried about Jace and his mate." She stared into the distance as she mumbled, "We really do need to figure out her name. It seems kind of rude to just call her Jace's mate like some kind of object." I smiled a little at her change in subject, wrapping her in my arms again.

*

After I mind linked my pack to collect things for Jace's mate, Thea and I sat down in the chairs outside of Ainsley's office. While I sat in a chair, holding Thea against me in my lap. We both seemed to need the connection, and her scent kept me calm as I impatiently waited.

After what seemed like hours Jace stepped out holding his little sprite of a mate. He looked up seeing us, and his shoulders slumped. I could tell he was exhausted, worried about his mate, and angry at the condition he'd found her in.

"Sebastian. Thea. Thank you for waiting, you didn't have to. By chance, do you have a place for us to stay? I don't want her overwhelmed by the packhouse." I explained the plan, and he absently nodded still transfixed by his mate. After he crooned softly to her, we silently made our way to our suite.

*

"W-w-w-what's her name J-Jace?" Thea seemed to pick up on the tension in the room, her anxiety, and hesitant speech returning. I kept Thea behind me since males can be dangerous when their mate is threatened. And, Jace barely had a handle on his emotions at all.

Luckily, he didn't seem agitated by Thea's question. He just  smiled, "She won't tell me, the little beauty." He kept his tone light, obviously trying to keep her calm.

"I say we call her sprite. She reminds me of one of those fairies in a book." I followed Jace's lead, trying to lighten the mood.

Thea huffed, "You Alpha males are so annoying. Jace. Bring your mate over to the living room, and don't give me that look, you can still hold her, just let the girl breathe for gosh sakes. Sebastian, where are those clothes you got for her? I'm sure she wants to clean up a bit." She bustled around pushing us towards the living room.

Jace grumbled under his breath, obviously shocked at seeing this new side of Thea. I just laughed, entranced by her beauty.

*

Thea heated up some of the Biscuits N' Gravy as Jace helped his mate get cleaned up. She still hadn't spoken, and it didn't seem like she'd spoken in Jace's presence either.

Thea directed Jace to set her down on one of the stools, and he begrudgingly listened. She silently laid out the food in front of his mate, tapped the counter, gesturing for her to eat. The girl finally raised her eyes to Thea, and hesitantly began to eat.

We all sat in tense silence as Jace paced watching his mate. His eyes never leaving her. She eventually finished, barely making a dent in the food. But, she pushed her plate away and stared at the counter.

"So... will you tell us your name. I promise these lug-heads aren't scary I promise. They're basically teddy bears."

The little sprite continued her silence, barely moving an inch.

"OK, Jace, Sebastian, can you please leave us alone?"

In the next chapter we'll get to see more of Jaces mate and that dynamic! Thanks so much for reading
-ej