Diesel had been by my side since then. He had blown me away when he had first turned his attention to me. I mean when I first arrived here. I'd been twenty and rejected back then when I had finally been given a chance to find me and my wolf a mate. A second chance, mate, in fact.
Moving on hadn't been that bad when a bulky guy was always by your side, trying to make you smile. "Everyone else who was single gradually found their other half and paired up, but as I got older, the wait had become harder and harder to take," Diesel said as we were having dinner at my place. Everyone knew in his pack that if he didn't find a mate by the time he hit your mid-twenties, it was unlikely that he ever would, and it got even more unlikely with each passing year. He said he wanted to give us a chance and that he wanted to be my mate. I'm not going to lie; he had been flattering me, and when he proposed a relationship since he was unlucky to find his mate, I'd been tempted. I held out for a month before he charmed me into giving it a shot. And it had been so good. Diesel could be stubborn and inflexible, but he'd treated me well. And once we were official, I took over as acting luna. We had been good together, so good. I put my heart and soul into supporting my pack and my chosen mate for years. The day that stood as the highlight of my time with Diesel had been long and busy but not unusually so. As always, I ensured that schedules were concise and dealt with a few problems that had cropped up in the pack, chief among them the departure of one of our elementary teachers last month when she found her mate and moved to his pack. I'd have to inquire with other packs to see if they had any young mateless wolves who would like an opportunity to go to a different pack. Desiree had volunteered to cover the position, but I knew she was anxious to return to her former role in the pack clinic. Diesel had promised me a nice night out with him, and if it hadn't been so busy, I might have been impatient for the day to pass, but I barely had a spare moment to anticipate our date. We didn't go out that often because we were both absorbed in our respective roles in the pack, but when we did go out, he made it worthwhile. I smiled as I tidied up my desk and locked my office behind me. I loved him so much. I was glad that I had agreed in spite of my mother's protests. She's worried, I know, but Diesel assured me I'll be his mate. I had built a life with him, and Diesel was a supportive mate. What was wrong with committing to another person who helped me overcome rejection? Both Diesel and I were pack-minded people who loved our Blackmore pack. Still, Mom wasn't the only one who wasn't a fan of chosen mates. It was a common attitude in many packs, including mine, and I understood where they were coming from. Theoretically, nothing could compare with the one chosen for you by fate. But that was easy for people to say when they never experienced being rejected at all. Who cared what the naysayers said about non-mate relationships? I didn't want to be alone. Didn't I deserve to be happy, even if some hypothetical goddess didn't believe I deserved to be? I thought so. My head was filled with excitement about having some free time with my mate as I got ready for our date. I pulled on a deep red dress that looked good with my long, curling black hair. I left it loose because I knew he liked it that way. And I liked his expression when he checked me out, so it was a win-win. Slipping on a pair of pumps, I hurried down and found Diesel waiting for me in the pack house foyer, looking handsome in a button-up shirt and dress pants. As soon as I was within reach, he pulled me close with an appreciative spark in his eye and caught my lips with his own, his tongue playing with mine until my head felt disconnected from my body. I could give it to him, he was good. It was obvious how much he appreciated me by the excitement coming to life against my stomach. Maybe we weren't going anywhere after all tonight. I didn't mind that idea in the slightest. We didn't get enough alone time, either. His lips tilted up in an engaging grin as if he could read my mind, and he said, "We'd better go if we want to go." The smile I returned was wide with all my affection for him. He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me out to his favorite car. We drove in companionable silence for a while before he slid his hand up my thigh and started massaging it while he drove. "It's not too late to turn back, D," I pointed out with a suggestive smile. "No, I want to try this place out. I've heard it's good." Even though he smiled, it was obvious by his firm tone that his mind was set. He squeezed my leg a bit higher, and warmth pooled in me. He was such a tease. But I liked that. "If you say so." "I'm hoping you'll like it, too," he said. "How could I not?" We talked about our day as we drove into the city, making comments filled with affectionate innuendo. Diesel pulled into the parking lot and parked smoothly, demonstrating his skill as a practiced driver. He walked around to open my door for me, giving me a long, drawn-out kiss after he helped me to my feet. I leaned towards him until he broke our kiss again. "Better go. We've got reservations," he said, holding his arm to me. We entered the elegant restaurant, light ambient music playing in the background as the host led us to our seats in a private area tucked into the restaurant's corner. Large windows looked out onto a green space beyond that my wolf appreciated. After looking at the menus, we both ordered steak like the stereotypical werewolves we were. We chatted and laughed throughout our meal. When we were done eating, he smiled and said, "I pre-ordered our dessert; I hope you don't mind." "Of course not," I laughed. He knew I wasn't very fussy when it came to food—as long as it was mostly healthy, I didn't mind indulging occasionally. "Did you know it's the third anniversary of the day I finally convinced you to be with me?" he asked. "Really? I thought we counted from our first date?" "No, we count from when you finally agreed." I smirked at him playfully. "That's not how I count it." "You're so stubborn," he said, but there was no criticism in his tone. "Isn't that why you chose me?" "In part, Care." "Oooh, so mysterious." "You're gorgeous, but you know that." I simply smiled. I had never lacked male attention, but I enjoyed none of it as much as I enjoyed his. The waiter brought out a couple of slices of chocolate cake. I scooped a forkful to my mouth when a glint caught my eye. I looked towards the decorative rosettes on the edge of my piece and saw… "A ring?" My heart pounded. I met Diesel’s eyes and found him watching me. He was smiling fondly. I picked the ring up from where it lay, surprisingly not at all sticky from the set icing. "You're the mate I wish the moon goddess had picked for me. Will you marry me?"A little inhuman and unwolflike sound of surprise left my mouth at his words. Diesel waited expectantly, his steady gaze on me. He was not kneeling, but only a fool would ever expect that sort of behavior from an alpha, and I just didn't care. Finally, I found my voice. "Yes. Yes, I will." He was up and caught me in his arms, his mouth on mine and the steel of his body against the softness of my own. I might have been crying for joy. My head was so wildly spinning with euphoria that I barely noticed when we left the restaurant and pulled up to a hotel. "I thought we could have a night completely to ourselves, away from pack and responsibilities. Just you and me," he said wickedly, revealing a small suitcase in the trunk that he must have packed before I could protest that I didn't have anything along with me. I gave up and did what he wanted, which was easy because I wanted to. He led me into the hotel and up to our room, and the moment the door closed behind us, the bags dro
Our arrangement was an open book in the pack. Even if Diesel hasn't marked me yet, everyone knows he will be soon, and they expect an heir from us. We've been together for years, and I was his chosen mate, and he was to me. But why now? Why was he cheating on me? Unless…Sweat started to form on my forehead. Oh no, I don't want to think about it. I'm too dependent on Diesel, and he's someone I would never let go. He was the one who helped me get through my first rejection, and I had already promised myself that if I ever picked someone as my second chance mate, it'd be him. But I knew that arrangement wasn't entirely sure, knowing Diesel had yet to find his mate, even if he had already passed the age of finding one. "Babe, are you okay now?" Diesel asked."Better, I guess."I realized he was already back. I watched him as he opened the bottle of wine. Then, I focused on the cell phone he had placed on the bedside table. Even without me going near it, I could tell it was in sile
I woke up feeling drained for two weeks now. I couldn't eat and relax since I discovered my mate's cheating. Diesel might have been doing what he really wanted to do wherever the damn country he was in right now. I immediately went to the bathroom and took a shower. I need to clear my mind and focus on the pack's work rather than thinking about Diesel's cheating issue. When everything was done, I left our house and went to my office. "Good morning, Luna. I'm sorry for barging in early in the morning," Thea, the pack Doctor, came in after knocking on my door. "Yes, what is it, Doc?" I ask her cheerfully, hiding the stress in me. "I would like to ask for more clinic beds. The number of she-wolves delivering pups has increased lately, and the beds won't accommodate them all. If you please, Luna." "Okay, I'll let the supplier deliver the beds you wanted, Thea," I replied as I tapped on the keys of my laptop. "Thank you, Luna," Thea replied, and she was about to stand up, but
"Who is she!?" I asked Mom after I arrived from Erix's pack. I thought I could stop thinking about Diesel's game, but it worsened. Flashes of unknown women flooded my mind, and even if Rain comforted me, I couldn't stop myself from thinking. So I made a drastic decision: I returned to the pack and confronted my mother. I wanted to end all this misery and let her speak, tell me the truth before I go insane."Mom!" I yelled inside their house. I don't care if the former Alpha was there. "Carrie? You're back so soon? I-""Tell me everything you know, Mom, before I lose my respect for you," I said, cutting her up. My mother bowed her head and couldn't meet me in the eyes. "Carrie sweet-""Do not sweet talk me, Mom! Tell me when did it start and if the whole pack knew about it!" I yelled, clenching my fist. My wolf has been fighting her way within me, wanting to shred our mother into pieces to keep us from what was actually happening. "I-It started after you got engaged with Diesel y
I cried on top of my desk until there were no more left for me to shed. I felt so broken and so incredibly foolish. My instinct had warned me about this, and I had ignored it. It hadn't mattered when Diesel and I were up against the naysayers; it had brought us closer together, but now it was only me. I was alone, and it was so cold. I didn't want to leave the room, but his words had clearly been an order from my alpha, not a suggestion from my chosen mate. My ex-chosen mate, I corrected bitterly. The worst was I still loved him under all my misery. If he suddenly changed his mind, I would absolutely abandon my pride and forgive it all. My wolf was upset. I imagined being rejected by my true mate was not as bad as it would be, but she was hurting. She had grown attached to Diesel and his wolf, and this dismissal hurt her, too. I would go for a run after I moved my things. I didn't make eye contact with anyone in the halls as I moved forward and wound my familiar way to my—to
I woke up the next morning with a blanket thrown over me on Desiree's couch. I had a light headache, which was a testament to just how much I had drank since werewolves rarely get hangovers.The living room was a mess, and what I could see of the kitchen was no better. Forcing myself to get up, I started collecting bottles and glasses and carrying them to the kitchen. I couldn't leave this mess for Desiree to clean up before her mate and kids would be back in the afternoon.Betty appeared in the hall. "Oh, you're up. Don't worry about the mess."I shook my head. "I've got nothing else to do."She looked uncertain.I frowned. "I can't be acting Luna when he's got his real Luna now." Maybe it was irresponsible of me to abruptly quit doing everything I did for the pack, but I was pretty sure I would simply spend the entire time there crying and not getting anything done either way. Those duties were a part of our relationship, and pretending they were still, mine would be little more tha
My day rapidly plummeted to intolerable when Diesel continued showing Cameron around the pack house, and of course, he had to bring her down to show her Luna's office. I don't know what he had been expecting since his eyes widened as if he was somehow surprised to find me there. It was almost as if it had not been him who had forced me to resume Luna's duties temporarily. All I knew was that I wanted to punch him in his imbecilic face. "And this is Carrie. She's been taking care of the Luna's duties and will show you the ropes," Diesel introduced, barely taking his eyes off the silly girl he had brought back. Cameron was blond and very pretty, but she looked young, probably at least thirteen years his junior. It was a pretty big age gap for a mated pair, although that was the least of my problems with it. I pasted a warm smile onto my face. "Nice to meet you, Luna." She seemed to have momentary misgivings, and I wondered if she saw through my best acting or if she could sense t
Before I could even ride my car, a voice broke through the sounds of the forest. "Arie."My eerie calm exploded into anger and pain. "What do you want, Diesel?"My words echoed in the stillness, angry and cold. "What do you want, Diesel?""I just thought—""What, that you could have the final blow against me? I'm out of your territory and not part of your pack anymore, so I owe you nothing," I nearly growled at him and started walking away."Carrie, listen—"I whirled on Diesel. "No, you've done enough! Leave me the hell alone! I'm leaving, like you wanted. Do you get some sort of sick pleasure out of screwing me around now?""This isn't what I wanted!"I shot him a look that contained all the hate I had built up for him in the month since he had found Cameron and started treating me like garbage. "I don't care anymore, as long as you're away from me. You started everything, then discarded me and pushed me into the corner, and I'm the one who is paying for all of it.""Care—""Sto