I knew Isabella’s Grandpa, Mateo, was quite old-fashioned. And very blunt in his words. In fact, on many occasions, I have to say I had found him quite amusing, especially after he had had a few drinks. Uncle Gabe was nothing like his Dad in that regard, I don’t think. Maybe in the way that they both had a seriously unique sense of humor, but anything more than that, then no. But right now, I was not finding Mateo funny. Far from it. His words were cutting. Harsh. And I could see the fear in Isabella’s eyes. Not to mention the pain and the upset. This was exactly what she had been fearing, and despite all my reassurances, it was happening...I was lucky when it came to my family. I knew that. They were incredibly open and understanding. And when I spoke to them about my sexuality they had not so much raised an eyebrow. They simply smiled, and told me whatever made me happy was good with them. That was what my Mum and Dad were like. My grandparents too. Don’t get me wrong, while they
I walked out of the packhouse with a sense of dread. I had already delayed leaving the room I had been allocated, knowing today was going to be difficult for us all. But, I knew more than anything it would be hard for Cleo. I had reached out to her numerous times, but had heard nothing, and that made my heart ache. There was not a day that had gone by in recent years when the two of us had not messaged, and usually spent time chatting of an evening. It had become a part of my routine almost, and I assumed a part of hers. So it pained me she was avoiding me and my calls and messages. That in itself told me something was wrong, and when she would not even answer my mindlink attempts, it concerned me...I tried everything I could to think logically, but my mind was working overtime. This was not like Cleo at all and I knew something was not right. A small part of me could not help but question if it was to do with Landon. Of course I did, but, then, at the same time, I knew her family ne
My head had not been right since leaving Lunar River. I hated that Bella would not consider all that I could offer. But it seemed she deemed herself trapped. Trapped to make a commitment to the Alpha there, and that commitment meant I would lose my fated. I had done my best since arriving back at River Ash to be there for my family as we made the final preparations for my Grandpa’s funeral. But as terrible as it sounds, my heart was not in it, and neither was my head. I was there in person but not in mind or soul.I had taken my Dad to one side, and explained my situation. He, understandably, was shocked, and I could see the pain he felt for me just by the look within his eyes. But, as much as I wanted him to be ready to throw everything down to fight for me... to go and get me my fated mate, he had smiled sadly at me, and told me I could not force a she-wolf to be with me if she did not want it. And as much as it hurt to admit, I knew that he was right.My Dad knew what he was talkin
I stood by my Grandpa and Grandma, next to the casket of our former pack Beta, and the loss hit me hard. I had already said my goodbye when I had visited him in the hospital, but this made it all seem more real. The pack was hectic, filled with our own pack members and visiting members from other packs here to celebrate the life of Trent Patterson. A truly wonderful man. And, the thing that struck me the most was this man was of the same age as my grandfather. Time was promised to no one.It hurts to think that their lives could so easily end. Nobody had expected the loss of Uncle Trent, despite him being ill, we had assumed he would heal... I guess I was naive to think of them all as being indestructible, even at my age. But this had made me realize that they weren't. That we had to let them go at some point, which terrified me. Of course, I had lost my parents, but I did not know either of them, so had never truly felt their loss. But this, this man, was like family to me, and it w
Hearing the pained sobs of both my Mum and my Grandma was too much. My body was shivering, not from the cold, more from upset I think, but despite my brother and my Dad being sat to the side of me, it was Landon who reached for my hand. His hand enveloped mine in a warm embrace, sending my heart into meltdown. The most unexpected of gestures…Terra made a noise somewhere between a purr and a whimper at the touch of our fated mate. Instantly I felt my wolf pick up. I feared her hopes were instantly boosted by the fact he had reached out and held our hand when he had seen us struggling. I, too, was leaning toward my hopes rocketing through the roof but was trying valiantly to fight allowing that to happen. Trying to tell myself that he was battling with the matebond. Instinct would make him want to support us. Protect us. All things the matebond enforced. This was not the natural actions of Landon, I reminded myself.But as I met his gaze, his eyes looked back at me with a warmth that m
I sat through the many people speaking. Listening was not one of my stronger skills, I have to admit, and my eyes were beginning to wander. I could see Grandma was struggling, but I had expected nothing more. Aunt Talia was by her side, where she had been so frequently since we had arrived.Mum was snuggled into the side of my Dad having done her speech, and from where I sat it was hard to say if she had now succumbed to her tears. I have to say, I was proud of her, she had kept her composure while standing in front of her former pack and said everything she had wanted to in memory of her Dad. I think Grandpa would have been proud too, and I hope Mum knew that.Well, in truth, I think Grandpa would think this was all far too much fuss, and he would hate seeing his mate and his family crying because of him. But, that aside, he would be dissing the over-the-top decorations, not to mention the amount of people that were attending. He had always hated a f
The service had ended and people were now mingling. Grandpa’s casket was laid where we had placed it within the gazebo, so he was able to join in with one last party with his pack, though not in the sense we would have liked, of course. But, this was a party in his memory, and remembering him was exactly what everyone was doing. Hearing so many stories of him only left me smiling as I stood with my family.Cleo was acting all coy, and avoiding any conversation with me, especially now Landon seemed to have vanished into thin air. I would get to the bottom of their weirdness. I swear if I found that he had hit on my sister, upcoming Alpha or not, I would kick his sorry ass… I may have to get my brother to help, but I would make sure he regretted going near Cleo. I had Alpha blood, but I was still likely no match for Landon. That guy was a beast. I had trained with him enough to know that.Daxton had strolled over from his family to join me, and I was glad of someone to talk to, as conv
This was one weird but wonderful conversation. I mean, we have had many of them over the years, the three of us, but this one, I think, may take the biscuit. One minute, we had been ready to kick Landon's ass in order to defend Cleo, and the next minute Landon was asking us if we wanted to be his Beta and Gamma. And, I don't even mean he built up to that question either, he was so casual he may as well have been asking us if we wanted another damn beer! My head turned so bloody fast to look at him, it hurt, and Kaleb did the same, the pair of us now both looking at Landon in shock. He had to be joking, right? That was not something I had expected him to say.We have been friends since we were kids. All of us. Both Kaleb and my mum were from River Ash, and, therefore, we spent a lot of time here growing up, and because of the closeness between Uncle Trent and Uncle Grayson, and Aunt Lilah’s determination for Landon to be included with our families, we spent many hours with him too. Bu
Cleo rushed herself out of the house as fast as her legs would carry her, soon after Landon had left. Leaving me stood looking at the front door in sheer confusion. How had I not noticed that he and her were bonded? It would make sense, of course, yet it had never occured to me that it was the case. But, to know that poor boy had been struggling with his inner thoughts alone for so long made me feel bad.I hated his father, of course I did, mainly for the shit he had caused my Lilah, but I would never hold that against Landon. That kid was a good kid through and through. He had been a friend to my own kids, and grown up by their side the same as the children of my own friends, and I considered him no different. It hurt that he felt he could not talk to us. But, knowing he wanted to reject my little girl, well…There was a heavy sigh from the breakfast bar, as Lilah slammed her coffee mug down. I rolled my eyes. I knew I was not going to get away from this one peacefully. I knew she di
My brother Leo, and a few of his friends had walked down from the house to the dining hall as they so frequently did. None of my friends were free this morning, so I headed out with the guys. Though they, too, were considered my friends as much as the girls. We chose to eat down here a couple of times a week the same way our parents did so we were seen around pack, despite us having our own family home to hide within.Xavier was busy telling me about the newest book he was reading when my wolf, Gem, began to act a little oddly. I was still growing accustomed to having a wolf, having not had her for very long, but this behaviour was not normal, I was sure of it…“I barely slept in the end, I did not want to put the book down.” Xavier informed me, and I absentmindedly smiled in his direction.“You reading dirty books again, Xavi?” Jorge joked, earning himself a dark glare from his best friend, he had most certainly inherited his Dad’s sense of humor, and I had to try my hardest to hold
My eyes are darting across the busy dining hall, trying to focus upon where that scent is coming from. A small crowd of rowdy guys have just walked in, and my heart dropped. Well, the scent surely would not be from them. I moved my head side to side trying to catch a glimpse of my potential mate, the sound of Gabriel, or potentially Manuel talking has faded to background noise along with the rest of the noise within the hall now. It has become incredibly hard to concentrate with the noise my wolf is currently making, not to mention, my focus is now purely upon finding the source of that appealing smell…I felt a hand slap down upon my shoulder, making me jump slightly, and bringing me crashing back down to earth with a heavy thud. “Are you going to keep ignoring us?” Gabriel’s voice interrupted my thoughts, and I have to say he does not sound too impressed. This was a much respected senior warrior who was taking time out of what I imagined was a busy schedue to train me and my brother
I was loving this new found confidence. This new faith Landon had in Kent and I. To believe we would be capable of helping him run his pack was something I had never envisioned. We had gone from being run of the mill warriors overnight to being lead warriors, and it felt good. Someone having faith in us. We worked damn hard during our training, but in such a big facility it often went unnoticed. But, now we would have the opportunity to prove ourselves. And, we would have a new home. A fresh start. We had nothing to fear from the Alpha family of our former home, and neither would our family. We could not ask for more, and our cousin had ensured of that.I don’t think the smile had slipped from my face since Landon had asked me, and that had been in spite of how hectic things had been. And that was because we had been spending the days shadowing Manuel and Gabriel. Landon decided it would be beneficial to spend some time with the two cousin warriors he had taken his inspiration from.
felt like I was on cloud nine and had done since Landon had spoken to me. I finally knew what was happening. Where my future would be. All I had to do now was wait…“CC, are you even listening to us?” My Dad’s voice interrupted my wandering thoughts, already following Landon as he had left the house to go to his meeting he had arranged back at his pack. And, oh boy were they wandering! Already imagining the home we could build... the relationship we could have... our official ceremony... our dates... my heart raced at the idea of it all. So much had changed in so little time, but at least now there was no more doubts.As I glanced upward at my Dad, I found his narrowed eyes scowling at me, and I sighed heavily. I wasn’t even sure this chat was necessary. I was not naïve. I knew the issues Landon was battling. All of us had been in the room when he had opened up to us, so talking about it seemed a little futile. But, my parents were d
The moment we had stepped into the pack, I had asked my Dad for the keys to the Alpha suite. This was to be mine and Bella’s home. I had crashed here a few times with dates in the past, and I had used it many a time for movie night with friends. But, to know it would be my home with my fated mate, felt unreal. I had messaged my Mum and asked her to arrange for the place to be given a once over whilst we were out, so I could only hope the place was sorted for us. I wanted everything to be perfect.I waved my family and friends off as they made their way up to the family homes at the top of the pack, and the warriors too, as they left for their own family homes dotted across pack, some making their way into the packhouse along with Bella and I, as I took her hand as we stepped from the car. Oddly, I was beginning to feel a little nervous, despite this being the moment I had been waiting for...“Your pack is beautiful.” She whispered,
I had rushed back to pack, knowing I had a meeting waiting for me. I needed to get things in place... I wanted to do this the right way, and I think it had waited long enough. The meeting room was already set up for me and my new team, but before Daxton and Kaleb arrived, I had my cousins call in to see me. They had travelled over from Lunar River soon after everyone else had left. I didn't wonder it would be long that the rest of their family headed here too, accroding to the information my Grandpa gave me. Their family having been invited to make a fresh start here too...“Hey Joey.” I smiled across at him, my feet rested against the table. “Kent.” I took a long sip of my coffee, more than ready for a drink after today. It had been a long day.“Don’t get up or anything, will you Lan?” Kent shook his head at me in disbelief, I had literally just sat down, with a mug of coffee, so I had no intention of standing up anytime soon. Instead giving my cousin a playful grin.I shrugged. "Sit
I realized my mistake the moment my Mum’s eyes changed. It was not often she became angry like that. She and my Dad were relatively chilled, I suppose, compared to some, but they were both incredibly protective. I don’t know what made me say the words that I did. I had been hurting, I guess with the lack of contact today, and that had been my first thought when I had seen Landon. That it would be the only reason he could have been here.My Mum’s eyes darted between Landon and me, before meeting my terrified gaze. The eyes of her wolf, Sky met mine. Still within my Mum’s body, but pushing forward, her wolf evidently felt the need to come and protect me. “What the hell is going on?” she demanded, and Landon stepped forward, his gaze looking far less confident than he had done a few moments ago; and even then he had not looked overly assured.“Aunt Lilah…” he began.“I am not your Aunt right now. I am Cleo’s Mum.” Her voice was icy cold. Harsh. She never spoke to him that way. My stomac
I stood at the top of the packhouse steps of the Lunar River Pack, my Grandfather had notified me of the official decision of the Council, so I knew our mission had been a success. This pack would be in disarray for a short time, but the Council would ensure it survived; it would also ensure the training facility survived, which I was glad of, because, despite it being set up by a brutal and merciless family, the idea behind the facility was not a bad one. It had benefitted many packs.I saw Kai, hand in hand with Bella, a look within his eyes that I don’t think I have seen from him before. He looked truly content. This girl could be the making of him. Not only as a man, but as an Alpha. I was glad I had been able to help. Dex whimpered within my mind, and I knew where he was going. Where my mind had drifted so many times already today…Despite having told Kaleb and Daxton I wanted to begin setting things up when we returned back today, and having sent Kent and Joey a message to ask