Page 6 of Jace’s Mate (East Coast Territory #1)

J ace moved quickly through the secret corridors of the abandoned buildings. A hundred years ago, these walls would’ve echoed with the clang of machinery, the chatter of factory workers, the rumble of trucks and the clatter of horse-drawn carriages.

Now, they were hollow shells of their former glory—exactly why he and his allies had chosen this part of Baltimore for their clandestine meetings. When a face-to-face was necessary, it had to be somewhere no one would look.

He flipped the lock on the final hidden door and stepped through, relieved to see Sorcia and Viktor already waiting.

Sorcia stood as he entered, her lithe frame encased in a tailored black suit and a shimmering white silk blouse—just enough cleavage to tempt, but never overt.

Her black Louboutins flashed red beneath the hem of her trousers, the only hint of color besides her crimson lipstick.

Even her hair was nearly black, twisted into a flawless updo at the back of her neck.

Jace’s eyes lingered.

He realized, abruptly, that he’d never seen her hair down. Sorcia was always polished, her appearance a calculated reflection of power: subtle earrings, delicate makeup, eyes like cold green fire.

Once, he’d wished Sorcia could have been his mate.

That would’ve made everything easier—especially in recent years, when his need to find his mate had grown into a gnawing, unrelenting distraction.

An Alpha had to find their mate.

No one could say exactly why. Maybe it was biology, nature’s way of ensuring strongest bloodlines. Maybe it was spiritual—some primal need to balance power with partnership.

But whatever the reason, an Alpha without a mate lost control .

Other shifters could survive without finding their mate. Not Alphas.

Looking at Sorcia now, that old hope faded completely.

She didn’t smell like spice.

And spice —gods help him—was now the only scent that could satisfy the beast pacing inside him.

“I assume the veil is in place?” Jace asked, voice low.

Sorcia responded with a subtle shake of her head and closed her eyes. Lifting both hands, she whispered something to the air. A ripple passed through the room, and Jace felt it a moment later—the bubble of magic settling around them like a second skin.

She inhaled deeply, then tilted her head back and exhaled slowly. When her green eyes opened, they glittered. “Now we can talk.” The orb in the center of the table wiggled slightly, then settled down to almost stillness.

Viktor leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, impatience radiating from him. His dark hair gleamed under the dome of magic, his gaze hard.

“What’s going on?” he demanded. “You said you needed repair recommendations. We dropped everything to meet here. What’s so urgent?”

“My pack is under attack,” Jace replied, skipping the usual pleasantries. They didn’t have time—and besides, if anyone outside their triad and confidants discovered this alliance, there’d be hell to pay.

And not just political hell.

This threat wasn’t isolated. It felt bigger.

More insidious.

He studied both of them carefully. “Have either of you noticed anything unusual in your territories?”

Viktor’s jaw flexed. “Yes. Two humans were killed last week. The police are baffled.”

Jace’s brow lifted.

“Because of the condition of the bodies, the police are concerned,” Viktor clarified. “Law enforcement thinks it’s either a wild animal or a serial killer. But I’ve seen this before. I recognize the signs.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t someone from your clan?” Sorcia asked quietly.

Viktor ran a hand through his hair, frustration simmering. “No. I’m not sure.”

He sat back stiffly, fists clenched, the lines of his face tight with restrained fury. Vampires didn’t sweat—but Jace could practically smell the tension coming off him.

“It’s possible,” Viktor admitted. “It could be a traitor within my ranks. But I’ll find them. And I’ll stop this.”

His voice dropped. “I just don’t think it’s one of mine. My people are thriving. We’ve got brokers managing investments, keeping everything running smooth. Everyone’s working for the good of the clan. I know of no reason anyone would want to shake up the status quo.”

“I agree,” Jace replied. “My pack numbers are growing. Thanks to your investment advice, we have more than enough funds. Everyone has a solid home and a job they enjoy. We take care of our own.” He exhaled slowly.

“We’ve had rogues now and then, but nothing serious.

No recent complaints…until one of my betas reported catching the scent of rogues nearby.

” He paused, then explained, “Normally, rogues aren’t an issue.

We find them, talk to them, discover if they need help or are just passing through.

” His jaw tightened for a moment, then he leaned forward, “There’s something different about these scents.

Plus, we can’t find them for some reason.

That, plus the attacks on ships and business, make me think that something bigger is in the works. ”

Both turned to Sorcia.

She nodded once, sharply. “I’ve felt it too.

A disturbance.” Her voice was tight, eyes wary and the orb on the table vibrated slightly before settling again.

“It’s powerful—and unfamiliar. But I know the magic of every witch in my coven.

I can feel them, track them. None of them are using anything like what I’m sensing.

” She hesitated. “Still…the sphaera is rippling.” She jerked her chin towards the orb. “So’s she.”

Jace gave a short nod. From what he’d pieced together, the sphaera was some kind of atmospheric current, a river of magical energy that witches could read like wind patterns.

Sorcia had once explained it as the magical version of how he could sense his pack—through scent, through air, through instinct. But this… this felt wrong.

“It’s dark,” she continued. “Dangerous. And no, no one’s been hurt— yet . But something is stirring.”

“Who do you think is behind the attacks?” Viktor asked, turning to Jace.

Jace shook his head. “I don’t know.” He stood, the tension vibrating through him as he paced the cramped space inside the magical dome.

“But I have another problem, and I don’t know if it’s connected.

If it is…” He dragged a hand down his face.

“Then I’m in deeper trouble than I thought I was thirty minutes ago. ”

Both of his allies sat up straighter.

“What’s going on?” Sorcia asked, voice crisp with concern. The orb, apparently loving gossip as much as anyone else, went very still.

Jace hesitated. “On the way in, I caught a scent.” The memory hit again—hard. His blood heated. His muscles tensed. That scent . He forced himself to breathe through it.

“You smelled your mate,” Viktor said flatly, just as Sorcia clapped her hands with delight and the orb spun around, almost as if the damn thing was dancing.

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Sorcia exclaimed. “Finally!”

“Is it?” Jace snapped, turning to them. He eyed the orb with curiosity, then looked at his friends. “What if my mate is behind the attacks?”

Sorcia’s expression faltered and the orb froze while Viktor narrowed his eyes.

“I had three of my ships attacked today,” Jace continued, pacing again. “Last night, one of my warehouse offices was broken into. And then there’s the rogue-scent one of my betas caught. Now I smell my mate for the first time in years? I’m supposed to believe that’s just a coincidence?”

He stopped, fists clenched at his sides. “What if it’s all connected?”

Viktor’s brows drew together. “How could finding your mate be bad ? You told us yourself—Alphas need a mate. You said it’s dangerous to go too long without one.”

“It is .” Jace’s voice was low, grim. “Unmated Alphas can go feral. Lose control. Some don’t survive it.”

“You’re not like the others,” Viktor stated firmly, crossing one leg over the other in his usual stiff posture. “You’ve held control longer than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

Jace gave a humorless laugh. “You ever try living with this beast inside you, clawing at your ribs, demanding what it’s owed?”

Viktor arched a brow. “I drink blood, Jace.”

Fair point.

Still, the thought of her scent made Jace’s pulse surge. He couldn’t stop the images now—of what it would feel like to shift and run through the woods with her. To end the run tangled together, hot and wild, teeth in her fur, his body pressed to hers…

His breathing sharpened.

And then Sorcia raised her hand while her damn orb turned an interesting shade of pink. But a moment later, Sorcia froze and the orb turned black.

The conversation broke off instantly.

Sorcia tilted her head, eyes closing, her other hand covering one ear as though trying to isolate a sound. She stood perfectly still.

Seconds passed.

“Sorcia?” Viktor prompted.

Sorcia hesitated, head tilted slightly as she listened through the sphaera—whatever magical ether she used to communicate beyond the dome. After a long moment, she sighed and nodded. “Yes. I’ll check on that.”

Viktor and Jace went still, watching her work.

This wasn’t the shimmering incantation of a protective shield.

No, this was something deeper. Each of them had a skill—something that made their people stronger, something that made this alliance possible.

Viktor could manipulate human thought, a gift he’d used to quietly build billions through the markets.

Jace could read the intent behind words and thoughts, which made him a deadly negotiator.

And Sorcia…she could feel things. She could sense vibrations in the world that others missed, even when cloaked in illusion or shadow.

It was why she was a near-legendary real estate broker—because she didn’t just see a property. She knew who it belonged to.

It was also why this alliance had worked so well for so long. Vampires, witches, and wolf-shifters—mortal enemies in most parts of the world—had formed a bond here that no one outside their circle could suspect. A secret that, if exposed, would bring war to their doorstep.

As Sorcia reversed the shield, Jace felt it—the instant the dome dropped. The city came back in a rush: sound, movement… scent.

His heart slammed against his ribs.

That scent —his mate—lingered in the air like a challenge. If she was part of the threat looming over his pack, he wasn’t sure what he would do.

No—he was. He would control her.

And gods, how he hated that truth.

He didn’t want a mate he had to dominate just to keep the peace. He didn’t want another power struggle. He wanted something real. Something solid.

But wolf biology didn’t care about what he wanted .

The moment he’d scented her, the bond had locked in. She was his. The only one who could stir his blood now. The only one who would ever matter. And she’d feel it too—whether she was ready or not.

There was no way around it. For Alphas, mating wasn’t just instinct. It was power. It was destiny. The bond would make them both stronger. She would rise beside him, ruling the pack by his side.

Still, the timing was awful . His pack was already at risk. His people were on edge. And now… this.

He wouldn’t let her destroy what he’d built. If she was a rogue—if she was part of what was coming—then Jace would do what he had to do.

No matter how much it tore him apart.

He turned to go.

“Jace, wait,” Sorcia called.

He froze. So did Viktor.

They both turned as Sorcia closed her eyes again. For a long, suspended breath, she didn’t move.

Jace’s entire body tensed. Waiting.

She opened her eyes and smiled— actually smiled.

“You’re fine,” she said softly. “Whoever she is—your mate—she’s not part of the threat.”

“What?” Jace growled, his gut twisting with dread. “How do you know?”

Sorcia’s smile was maddening—eyes bright with mischief while her damned orb swung back and forth on its pedestal. “Oh, I know .”

She lounged back, legs crossed, wrists draped over her knee like she had all the time in the world. “It’s going to be interesting,” she added with a wink. “But she’s not evil.”

“She’s good?” he asked, teeth clenched.

Sorcia laughed, light and amused.

Viktor grumbled beside him—a low, grating sound of male irritation—and Jace took it as a small comfort. If Sorcia was laughing, it couldn’t be all bad.

The witch waved a hand lazily. “Good? I wouldn’t go that far.” Her grin widened. “Let’s just say… she’s going to keep you on your toes.”

Jace exhaled sharply, jaw tight.

“Just enjoy the challenge,” Sorcia said, standing and smoothing her slacks. The mischief faded from her expression. “But jokes aside, something is wrong. There’s a shift in the sphaera. You both feel it too, don’t you?”

“I was hoping you could see something,” Viktor muttered.

Sorcia shook her head, her tone more serious now. “No visions. Nothing solid. Just the weight of change pressing against the air.” She paused, thoughtful. “There’s… a pressure building. But the path forward is hidden.”

Viktor turned away, frustrated. “Then I need to question my clan. If this is coming from within, I’ll root it out myself.”

Sorcia flinched. “You always say things like that—‘question your clan,’ ‘root it out.’ But what you really mean is interrogate and destroy .” He gave a dry chuckle, lifting a shoulder slightly.

Jace stepped between them, voice low and clipped. “Focus. Winter’s coming, and if this is tied to seasonal shifts, then we don’t have time.”

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration simmering under the surface. “The ships attacked today were manned by some of my strongest fighters. If whoever did this moves on the weaker crews, they’ll fall fast. I’m not letting anyone fracture this territory—not now.”

“Agreed,” Viktor said, all steel and resolution.

Sorcia nodded. “Then we act. Now.”

With a quick clap of her hands, the chairs vanished, and the space brightened under the flick of overhead lights. No trace of the hidden meeting remained.

“We reconvene once we have more information,” she ordered, her voice sharp and sure.

No more words were needed.

Each of them turned, vanishing into separate tunnels carved beneath the city—silent pathways that would return them to the surface unseen.

Because no one could know that a witch, a vampire, and a wolf-shifter had joined forces.

Not yet.