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
It was killing me. Pure and simple. I wanted Cleo. She may not be my fated mate, not the way the moon goddess planned for us as werewolves, but there was a bond there. A connection there. One that I am sure is stronger. One that I think would outlast any matebond given to us. But, despite her feeling the connection too, she still clings to the matebond she has been given, despite him openly declaring his plans to reject her.I had walked away from them to give them the chance to talk, hoping that with Kai there too he would back up Cleo and not allow Landon to mess her around. He would not force Landon to take a mate he did not want. If anything, he would ensure the rejection was to happen, wouldn’t he? He would not want his younger sister to be with a mate who did not truly want her. He would not want her with someone that was forced to be with her. For that would simply spell disaster for her, right?But, I had heard no updates, and anytime I tried to ask Kai for anything, he had di
I had been desperately searching for the handsome warrior since earlier. From the moment he had escorted us to our seats and then left us to continue his duties, my eyes had darted around the field in search of him. The man I now knew was my fated mate. I had found my fated mate. Today had been so much bigger than I had ever imagined it would be...But, I was trying so hard to act like all was normal, and that nothing untoward was happening, because I did not want to explain to my parents about this right now. I did not want to disrespect the funeral of someone so many people loved greatly, by making this about me. But, the excitement that was buzzing through me was difficult to fight, and the urge to find him was strong. Yet, unfortunately, I had seen nothing of him since the moment he smiled coyly at me before leaving us at our seats. A knowing twinkle in his eyes. A secret between us both.But he had to leave. I knew he was on duty today, and I kne
She was here. Back by my side, and my heart was racing right out of my chest. The way those beautiful eyes looked at me made me feel weak. I had thought my heart was going to explode with happiness the moment Milo mindlinked to say he had found her, and he believed she was looking for me. I had not felt happier…And now she had admitted she was looking for me! I saw the color flushing her cheeks, and I don’t think I ever wanted to let her go! This was my mate. My fated mate. My wolf was pushing forward just at her presence, and I needed her close to me. This was a stronger pull than I ever expected, but her touch… her scent… everything about her drew me to her…“I think I may have.” She whispered, like she was afraid to admit she wanted me. I think we may need to work upon that. I didn’t want her to be afraid to want me, I wanted her to want me. Be proud to want me. Be confident too…“Well, maybe y
I had counted down the seconds until he had walked from the house. Avoiding him in any which way that I could since he had been nasty to me the previous night. I finally felt like I was able to breathe when he walked from the house, and I let Alpha Landon’s cousins know, just as I had been directed to. I just wanted to be safe now. Away from here. Because suddenly, nowhere felt safe. I doubted even my home pack would feel safe…Which was why I had chosen to turn to Kai for help and not my own family. My own family were focused on the arrangement they had in place with the Alpha. The money the arrangement symbolized, and what it could do for our pack. I feared that would override any concerns for me. So, seeking assistance from Kai and Alpha Landon seemed like my only option. I just hoped that whatever they had planned worked.The cousins, Joe or Joey, and Kent or Ken, maybe Kenny (something like that I believed they were called, but I did
Sleep was hard to come by for me. I had fought the incessant compulsion to message Bella to check she was okay, and then the niggling yearning to call her or even drive over to the pack in which she was currently being kept captive to ensure she was safe. I knew that as much as I wanted to do those things, right now they would only cause her trouble. It could ruin all the plans my pack and River Ash had made. I needed to be strong and stick to the arrangements I knew were underway...For me, bringing Bella home could not come soon enough. I had spent the greater part of the night pacing the floors of my grandmother’s home, my mind on my mate and little else. But, thankfully, at some point, I had collapsed onto the sofa and managed to gather some sleep from somewhere. And now, the time was here to meet the others. My younger brother and Daxton having now arrived in pack, though oddly, neither one accepting the offer of coming to stay here with me.Kaleb, I assumed, wanting the evening
I awoke with a contentment I could not describe. Cleo had ended our call soon after I had begged her for a chance. But, having had her there, being able to chat to her, had just felt right. It made me realize how much I missed her. How much I needed her presence within my life. And how much that had been missing until I discovered she was my mate. I had fallen asleep easier than I had done in a long time, despite the many thoughts lingering in my mind of what the day ahead would hold, and that was down to Cleo. Thoughts of Cleo pushed any negative thoughts or concerns from my mind. She was the one pulling me through...Contentment was a strange feeling for me. Not something I think I have felt in a long time, if ever. But, I knew today was not going to be easy. My pack was potentially being put in danger. And we did not know what awaited us when we headed to Lunar River. But, the contentment came from a different place. It had nothing to do with the thrill o
I watched as Cleo rolled her eyes at my words. Obviously far from impressed with me. I chuckled a little. “Hey come on, all I am asking for is a chance, CC.”“I wasn’t the dick who blew it the moment he realized who I was to him.” Her words were sharp, and the moment she spoke them her gaze dropped, telling me she was trying hard to hide the hurt. She didn’t want this rejection. She had never been okay with it. Kai had said she was hurting. I had been a fool to think she was okay with it. She had agreed to it to save face and nothing more.“Have I blown it completely?” I asked nervously, my heart aching at the possibility that she may well want nothing to do with me. I had all but told her to go and be with another man. I mean, ultimately, Finn was likely a better choice for her. He would love and worship her, of that I had no doubt. But he wasn’t her fated mate. He wasn’t me…Cleo’s gaze t
I left Finn with a strange emptiness within my heart. I did not know how to begin to explain the way I was feeling. Our walk after we had spoken had been a little awkward to say the least. He had all but let me go. Was there anything to say after that? Finn would forever hold a precious place within my heart. Of course he would, but I had needed my space, and I had made my excuses to head home. I had hidden in my room since returning home. Avoiding everyone that I could. I need to be alone.Once home, I went over that conversation so many times within my head. He seemed to be telling me he and I were never meant to be. Athing I had never imagined Finn telling me. We knew we were never fated, but Finn had never been phased by that. So for him to suddenly be so opposed to the thought of the two of us seemed bizarre. Unlike him. Yet, I felt oddly calm about it. However, there was a heaviness that remained above me. I could not decide if that was because the one guy I was closer to than
All things were now in motion for tomorrow. My grandfather had done what I should have expected him to do, and completely took over. He and Uncle Knox were currently talking, arranging what needed to be done. Daxton and Kaleb had been briefed, and were now en-route to the pack. So, very soon, I would have the men who were to be my right-hand men by my side to begin the roles I had requested they take on for me. Admittedly, it was sooner than we expected, but this had pushed their decision forward, and it seemed they were ready to become my Beta and Gamma. I could think of nobody better suited to the roles.I think with them by my side I was ready to become Alpha. Strangely, the thought now did not fill me with the same sickly sensation it had done previously. I did not know if the chat with my Grandfather and Knox had made me view things somewhat differently, or if maybe I had just grown up a little, but things seemed to have changed. I think, maybe the time had arrived for me to take
I left Kai talking to his Dad, while I walked the short distance from their home to the home of my grandparents. The two homes where my Dad and Kai’s Mum grew up side by side. Had been friends for so many years. Where all this had begun...“GG!” I called the moment I walked through the front door.“Lan?” he replied, a little confusion within his tone. He was standing from his armchair in front of the TV as I walked into the lounge.“Can I get some advice please?” I asked, and he looked at me with a sympathetic expression. “Please tell me you have not chosen to reject her, son. Not now. Not after everything. I saw the way you looked at her today…” he began, and I shook my head in disbelief, not sure why he was headed down that blackhole I did not want to talk about right now. Especially with my Grandma sitting right there. I was unsure if she even knew any of it...“Woah!” I interrupted him. “Not that.”He frowned, but his eyes studied my face intently as I dropped into the armchair n
I had returned home with my parents, and the many friends that had attended my Grandpa’s funeral. Kai had stayed behind with Grandma to support her, and from the messages he had sent, she seemed to be doing okay. I imagine being without her mate was going to take some getting used to, but I think with the support network she had in place she should be okay. I had not had a chance to see Landon before we had left River Ash, or at least not alone. Nor had he even messaged since I left, which had filled me with disappointment. I think the lack of a message, and no attempt at coming to find me before I left told me all I needed to know.He had just been being a friend when he reached for my hand when he saw me struggling during the memorial service, the way any one of the guys or girls would have done, I guess. My confused mind had read too much into it. Hoping for it too be for than it was...‘Stop that.’ My wolf, Terra, argued with me angrily, like she had done so many times prior, whe
The moment Bella had ended the call, I was sending Landon to go and speak to his Grandfather, and I was planning on a video call to my Dad. We needed a plan. I needed to know how I was going to help my mate. I had to make her my mate. Before that Alpha was able to take her as his. Because the moment he marked her, I would lose her forever. She would no longer be mine. Any connection between the two of us would be lost. And, I would be broken...I hated the thought of knowing she was scared. Instinct told me to go and help her. She needed me. Every part of me was telling me to call her and tell her to meet me tonight. Get her away from him as soon as we could. Anything to keep her safe. But then there was the tiniest logical piece of me arguing with the rest of me, saying it was not safe to do so. Arguing that if he had acted so aggressively about her being in the bathroom for too long, I could only imagine how he would react to her taking a phone call from me… another Alpha. An Alpha