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
So, Landon was asking Daxton and I to take two of the most important roles in his pack. Be the two men alongside him to help run his pack. I mean, in recent years we were a close-knit friendship group. Landon had struggled a lot. And Daxton and I had helped as best we could, to get him through those battles. But, never had I imagined this.And, going off the expression upon Daxton’s face, I don’t think he did either. But, right now, we were at my Grandpa’s funeral. I don’t think talking to my parents about this was the right thing to do, and making this decision without their input didn’t seem like the right thing to do either, despite the buzz of excitement rushing through my body. I could inherit my grandfather's title…“Look, Lan, as amazing as it is that you want us to take these titles… “ I began.“Don’t worry about it, I understand, moving packs is a big ask.” He interrupted, with a heavy sigh. I could only guess he was assuming I was about to decline his offer, going from the d
Having to go to another pack Beta’s funeral had not been the way I had expected to spend my returning day home, but my Dad had insisted. He too a Beta, but of Silver Creek Pack, a few counties south of here, had trained alongside Beta Trent over the years and they had remained lifelong friends, so there was no way he was going to miss this, regardless of me returning home today, nor would I have expected him to. I just didn't expect to have to attend alongside him and my Mum.But, spending time with the guys I was now sitting with, all making me laugh, despite not having any real clue who they were, had brightened my day. My parents had wandered off to socialize as they so often did at any inter-pack event, leaving me to my own devices, but the thing was I generally avoided these events, so did not really know anyone, especially when I had left the pack a couple of years ago to study.My studies were now complete, and the time had come to return to pack. Being the loyal and devoted Be
After everything, the memorial ceremony had given me a welcome moment of peace. An escape, I suppose you could say, which is a terrible disrespect to the man we were here to say goodbye to. My grandfather’s response to seeing me with Aria had crushed my spirit, and my heart. I had wanted to be anywhere but surrounded by the people closest to me right now. But, there was no real escape. Any which way I looked, there were people I knew, and I did not know the pack well enough to disappear for any time.While sitting listening to the many memories people shared of Beta Trent, I tried my hardest to stay focused upon their words. Listening to the wonderful man that he was. A man of my grandfather’s age, and a man I had spent time with many times in my frequent visits to the River Ash Pack along with my friends and family. Guilt unexpectedly twisted at my heart that he had gone, and if he could so easily have left this earth, then so too could my own grandfather. The ve
I had somehow managed to get lumbered with my grandfather and my Uncle Javier after the memorial service, and both were now beginning to drink. A combination of whiskey and rum, I believe, like they so often did at events, be it parties, celebrations or memorials… any excuse to drink together. They were quite amusing when they were drinking, but it meant I would likely have to referee as their insults to one another got worse.“So, no mate then?” Grandpa said to me with narrowed eyes.“No Grandpapi, not yet.” I shook my head, I hated this, every time they saw us, they asked, like they expected something to change. Dad said his grandparents had been the same, and it was just something I would have to get used to until I found a chosen mate unless I was blessed with a second chance mate. The thing was, I was in no major rush. She would come when she came. Just like the mates for my parents and my aunts and uncles all arrived when the time was right.I did not want to rush this time. No
With Camilla’s hand within mine we sat alongside my family and friends as the formalities for the ceremonies came to a close. Kai was now officially Alpha of Midnight Forest Pack. Leo our Beta, Finn our Gamma and Bella our Luna. Our leadership had changed but the pack would hold all the same wonderful values it always had, for Kai was the same sort of good man his father was. Our pack’s future was going to be strong with these guys in charge, and as I had looked across the faces of our family, I had seen so many proud faces.I felt proud of them all too. They deserved this. It had been a great ceremony, and the amount of planning that had gone into it all was evident. Now, the celebrations were to begin, and I could not wait to enjoy them too. Enjoy them with a certain someone by my side… a certain someone I had not expected to be there with me…The last few days had been a little chaotic to say the least, but settling down i
Seeing us all here together was kind of great. We rarely were all together anymore. Not like it used to be. Even Sergio and his new mate had made it here to join us for the big day. It was crazy. The people I called family. Extended family, admittedly, and a family that was extending further now many had met their fated mates, but they were all here for me today. For the pack. It meant the world.Bella rested her head upon my shoulder. “Are you okay, baby?” She whispered, her beutiful eyes looking up at me with curiosity. “You look deep in thought.”“Just thinking how lucky I am.” I told her with a smile.“Too right you are lucky. All these people here for us.” Dad said, from next to me, clearly having listened into the conversation. "It is going to be a good day, son." I smiled at him too.“I know, I was just thinking the same thing. How the group is growing too, we will need a bigge
Landon and I had driven over to my home pack, pulling into the spaces outside the packhouse alongside my brother’s car. “You know we could have all just driven together?” I suggested.“Didn’t want restricting to coming back when Kal or Dax were heading home.” Landon told me with a smile.“You know we are staying here tonight anyway?” I told him and he nodded.“Yes boss.” He teased. He loved implying I was in charge, and in truth, I kind of liked it when he did. Since our Alpha ceremony life had been a little hectic, with so many meetings to take place, and things to adjust to, but I think, finally they may be beginning to settle down.Life as Luna was likely nowhere near as demanding as that of the Alpha, but it was sure taking some adjusting to. Landon was doing everything he could to make sure he made it as easy as he possibly could. Even sweeter, was he had begun arranging fo
I walked into the lounge, and instantly my eyes found my mate, deep in thought as she gazed out of the window. I looked across at Bella, she was dressed in a beautiful simple black satin shift dress. Her long dark hair twisted back into a beautiful braid that swept around onto her shoulder, with a simple white flower within her hair. Her make-up was smoky, but basic so as not to take away from her natural beauty, and she looked truly stunning. I chewed my lower lip as I looked at her standing at the large window looking out over our pack.“You look amazing, sweet.” I told her, and she looked up at me with a tentative smile.“I feel sick.” She whispered.“Nervous?” I questioned, making my way toward her, knowing any moment our peace would be shattered by the arrival of my parents, potentially my grandparents too before we had to go and meet the remaining familiy and friends who we had planned to meet in the packhouse before mak
Our house was sheer chaos, so I could only imagine what the rest of pack must be. Today was the day that the last week had been leading up to. Mum had been involved in the organization of the Alpha Ceremony, with it being for her brother’s eldest son. These sort of events were very much a family effort. And family was hugely important within our pack. Grandma had been involved too, and I swear them, along with Aunt Lilah were like crazy women when trying to plan. It was, without a doubt better to avoid them, I could understand why Kai had said he was dodging them at every opportunity. I think if I were him I would have allowed them free reign to arrange it all, and then simply turn up on the day, that way you would save yourself so many headaches and so much stress...“Luca!” Mum shrieked from the bottom of the staircase. I rolled my eyes. “You best not still be in the bathroom.”“No, that would be Rocky, Mami.” I said with a s
I sat on the bed for a moment, staring at the closed door of the ensuite where Camilla had just run to. My heart racing, from the closeness we had been sharing only moments ago, and aching from the fact it felt like she was rejecting me in that need to flee. My wolf, Elda whimpered heavily within my mind. He had not been dealing well with this back and forth with Camilla of late.I had allowed myself to get closer than I perhaps should. There was something about her that had caught my attention the moment I greeted her at our pack gates. Something I don’t even know that I can describe. She was sweet. Vulnerable. But she chatted to me like she was simply happy to be here. Happy for the now. And that appealed to me. She treated me so kindly. Warmly. And that pulled me in. She was different to the other she-wolves I had met.The amount of times she had wandered up to the guard room with a fresh coffee for me, had warmed my heart. Or the sweet smile
I stretched upon my bed, trying hard to wake myself up, and was shocked to hear my wolf purring within my mind. That was not like her in the slightest. Only as I stretched my arm across the bed did I notice the space next to me felt oddly warm… that was not the way my bed normally felt...I sat up quickly, only to see I was still wearing the clothes in which I had been dressed in last night, other than the fact the shirt had been discarded, leaving the tank top as my only coverage on top. I heard movement in the ensuite, making my whole body freeze once more, and I realized with shock that I was not alone. Jorge had to still be here.The events of last night flooded back to me. He came in as I had suggested, and we sat talking for hours. About anything and everything. His family… his past… my family… my past… I don’t think there was a thing that man did not know about me now. And likely, there was little I did
Bella and Camilla walked into the suite, but the moment Camilla stepped into the lounge where Kai and I were sitting, I could tell from the expression upon her face she was not feeling comfortable. She did not know I was going to be here. Her eyes were darting to her friend, as they glazed over telling me she was attempting to mindlink, but it was as if Bella was choosing not to respond, which admittedly irritated me.Kai had spent most of the time since I had returned from home having had my shower giving me just cause and reason as to why pursuing something with Camilla would be a good idea. Why it would be good for us both. He was adamant she was interested in me, yet this here, looked like she was terrified to be here with me. That did not scream interested to me.‘Have you set that poor girl up?’ I demanded of Kai, and he glanced at his mate, before looking at me with a shrug. He seemed as clueless as me of the developing situation in
Bella and I had finished our shift at the art store, and were driving back into pack. The sun had not stopped shining today. It certainly made the day an enjoyable one. The store had been relatively busy, with enough customers to keep us occupied, and the two of us had created a few new items on the potters wheel. This was so far from the workdays I had endured in my previous role, and most certainly a workday I could become accustomed to. I was loving my life like this...But, I had to admit, today I was a little tired. My mind had been more than a little over-run with thoughts, not only the last few days, but today too. It made for a very tired brain, and a very tired Camilla. It meant I felt like I was ready to crash. So, after the days work, as enjoyable as it may have been, I was most certainly ready to return to my room and put my feet up for the evening. Maybe even a soak in the bath was called for, and a few chapters of my new book I had picked up at the new bookstore