The day had been a long one, and I had spent a lot of time with my friends, and my aunts and my mum. So many people had come and spoken to me, offering their condolences, many of whom I did not know in the slightest. But, I did as was expected of me and smiled, nodding in agreement, thanking them for their kindness. Wishing I could return home now. I did not want to be here any longer, surrounded by the reminder of the loss of my grandfather. I think it was beginning to hit me harder than ever.“Come on CC, let us go and find your Dad, we will be heading home, I think.” Mum spoke, alongside my Grandma.I looked towards her with confusion. While I would love nothing more than to curl up to hide within the comfort of my own bed, I had assumed we would be staying with my Grandma for a few days still. There were still things to be done. “We aren’t staying with Grandma again?” I asked.Mum stood a little straighter, like she was struggling with things a little and was preparing herself to
I went from feeling good about everything to my whole body tensing in a matter of seconds the moment my wolf picked up on the scent of our mate. The scent that was so beautiful. Alluring… tempting… yet a scent that was able to make my heart feel like it wanted to shatter into a thousand pieces. I knew without raising my eyes that Cleo had to be on her way up here to see her father.It would not be me she had come to see. There would be no reason. But, I raised my eyes all the same, unable to resist the temptation, and Dex became excited, knowing she was close. My heart rate increased instantly, and my grandfather gave me a knowing smile. ‘Have you decided yet?’ he questioned, and I simply shrugged.‘Lan.’ He sighed. ‘What do you think that man next to you would say if he knew? The faith he holds in you. It took all the strength within me to hold myself back from telling him the additional connection our fami
Our day at River Ash had come to an end. A difficult day for so many. We had said our goodbyes and were headed to the cars. My Mum had decided to fix the cars home so that ours was just me, her and my Dad. I knew what she was about to do, and I did not know that I was ready for that. Isabella had headed off with Aria, and her family, which was unsurprising, they loved her even more since they discovered the two of them were fated. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Aunt Indie loved us all like we were her own children, but she was beyond happy to discover Aria had been fated for my sister, and I have to say I was happy too.I knew she would be cared for and have that support from them that she needed as well as from us. Jorge was staying with some of the guys to help clear up. They likely didn’t need to as River Ash would have warriors, and other pack members arranged to do it, but some of our younger warrior team decided to do the decent thing and hang back to help. Jorge being one. Ever th
I stepped ut of the car to join my Mum, but before I had the opportunity to say anything, my Dad had joined us. He smiled down at my Mum with the affection and care he forever had for her. “So, mysterious girl, what is the big secret?” he asked, and my Mum grinned up at him.“You are weird, do you know that, Guapo?” she tapped him lightly on the nose. “You will see soon enough.”And with that she gave me a knowing look, with one brow raised, like she expected me to know what she was referring to, before we began walking toward one of the coffee shops on campus.‘Mum?’ I mindlnked, but found her link blocked, just as I had done to her earlier. She was playing me at my own game, much as she had done many times when I was growing up. She used to tell me when I had gone to her, angry about her not replying to my mindlinks, that two can play at that game, and it soon stopped me putting the block on my mindlink to her half as often as I had done. I think it had worked equally well with Isab
The call had taken me by surprise, but who was I to turn away the opportunity to make things official with Liliana and meet her family? Her Mother had somehow learned of our matebond and decided that they would call into the campus on their return to their pack and meet me. I was not about to turn down the chance, for I knew that this could bring the time closer that my mate and I would be together. I just had to face the daunting prospect of her father first…And from everything Liliana had warned me, he sounded fearsome. Protective, as a father should be. My father was not like that. So I did not understand that, but I had witnessed it from friends within pack…And now, here I was sitting opposite the man who was warning me that if I hurt his daughter he would kill me… I liked to think he was joking, but the look within his eyes told me not to be so sure. He was every bit the fearsome warrior Liliana had described. I could understand why he was as respected as he was within the pac
My body froze as my Mum’s words registered. A cold chill spread over my body. This was not what I wanted to happen. ‘Mami, no.’ I mindlinked her, only to find the link blocked once again. She was determined. She wanted revenge on the man standing next to us.“Erm, I do believe I have things to do, actually, Mrs…” Luka began, but my Dad stood up suddenly, interrupting him, gripping him by the front of his shirt, and Luka’s face was swiftly pale.“I think you had come here for a reason, so you had some free time, and that free time is about to be used to chat to us. Or more specifically me.” My Dad snarled, telling me that my Mum had already broken my trust and told him everything that she knew.Dad maneuvered Luka to the seat he had moments ago stood from and sat him down, maybe a little forcibly, while Alexis stood to grab another table from a nearby table for my Dad. I was trembling by this point, so aware of the curious gazes that were coming our way. I think it would be hard for t
Our time visiting our family had been wonderful as always, but this time it held a lingering shadow that hung heavy over me. Knowing that when we left for home, Sergio would not be returning with us, and it simply did not feel right. I knew the reasons why, and I think it was such a noble thing for him to have offered to do for his mate, but I still felt like it was wrong. But we had spoken this over many times with our parents, and they surprised me by being fully supportive of his decision. They wanted their son to be happy, and they, understandably, respected Tatiana’s need to stay and assist in the care of her mother.When there had been the family meeting, between my grandparents, my uncle, us, Tatiana and her father, and my parents on video call, everything was discussed in detail, and Tatiana was very quiet, like she was reluctant to admit she wanted this, or she did not wish to seem it was her that pushing for it. I knew that Sergio was already smitten by his mate and would d
An unexpected business meeting overseas was not what I had needed, but I had done as my father had asked, and I had attended. Now I could not wait to return home. I just needed to survive the hassle of a long-haul flight. Thankfully, we had managed to get me an earlier flight home than the original one I had planned, as the pack I had visited was an absolute hellhole and I did not want to stay there longer than necessary. As soon as all the meetings were held, I was out of there as fast as my feet could carry me...I had rushed through the airport, running late as I so often did, and got to the gate at the very last minute. I am sure the flight attendants must love people like me who had a tendency to hold the flights up as they waited for me. But I showed them my boarding pass and rushed down the aisle to where my seat number should be.I was in the aisle seat, it seemed, but there was a bag already sitting there, and I was ready to snap, not needing
I sat in the lounge, playing games on my laptop, a drink of soda by my side, and music pumping from the speakers. My parents were both out, visiting our grandparents, so I was enjoying the freedom of the house being my own until it was time to head to training.Suddenly the music stopped, causing me to frown, but as I glanced upward I noticed Ana leaning at the door, a scowl upon her face. Wow. My sister looking happy as ever…“Do you need that fucking shit so loud?” she snapped. I am guessing my music choice was not agreeing with her today. Wouldn't be the first time. But she rarely reacted quite so aggresively...I shook my head at her in disbelief. “You got out of the wrong side of bed today, sis?” I asked, a smirk upon my face, knowing that would irritate her more. It was always good fun to annoy my siblings, and with Sergio now gone, I only had Ana left. “Or is it more the wrong bed that you have gotten
Returning home has been strange. It was always hard leaving behind family that we loved spending time with, but this was something we had done since we were small. We loved our visits there, and while it was hard to leave it always gave us something to look forward to in our plans to go back. This time was different though. This time we were leaving Sergio. Leaving my brother on the other side of the world was not what I had expected when we had left home all that time ago. I know fate has it's own plans for us, but I don't think I would have considered this...Home seemed so much emptier without my older brother around. We spoke regualrly via videocall, and he seemed so happy, now having a home within pack, and for that I was happy for him. He deserved his happiness, of course he did. But I hated that everything seemed to be changing so quickly. I guess it was a downside of growing up... Because things had changed when we had returned home too. Uncle Trent having passed away. Seeme
I was loving the new home I had been welcomed into. It was so far from what I had grown up in, and completely different again to what I had been brought into for the arranged marriage my parents had set up. But, Kai and his family had the most beautiful pack, and they had made it feel like a home for me already. I felt like the moon goddess had truly been looking out for me.And the mate she had chosen for me was truly a gift. He was not only handsome, but he was the most considerate and sweetest man I think I had ever met. He may come across as a tough and moody man, but inside that rough exterior there is a big softy waiting just for me. And, I feel the luckiest she-wolf ever...We have spent every possible moment together since returning to his pack. Kai showing me around every part. Proudly walking with his hand in mine, the happiest of smiles upon his face. A stark contrast to the Alpha I had been forced to accompany around Lunar River. Another example that fate knew what she wa
I saw Daxton’s face fall at my words, and an inexplicable tightness within my chest appeared. I did not like seeing him in what appeared to be pain. Especially pain that I was causing. My wolf, Zaida was whimpering too, the sound unbearable. She felt something of a pull to this man. As she should. The matebond doing everything it was meant to. But only confusing me further. ‘Quit that noise!’ I snapped at her. ‘Tell him we want him!’ My wolf whimpered. I faltered at her words. I had come out today for a meeting with my Dad. I had a boyfriend back home. Yes, I knew there was a fated mate out there somewhere for me, but in all honesty I was in no rush to find him, and I knew he was not within our pack. I did not think I would meet him anytime soon because I never get to go anywhere&he
We had headed to my office once Vivi had left the bathrooms, and now I was undecided if she was on edge or simply wanted to run away from me. Or was that the same thing? Either way, this girl did not seem to want to be around me, and to my mind, that was far from ideal when she had to have worked out by now who I was to her, right?“We can grab a coffee from my office if you like?” I suggested, and she raised her brows to me in what I assumed may be surprise... or potentially sarcasm. This girl was proving hard to read.“Thought you said you were the upcoming Gamma?” she said softly, and I smiled. Fair enough. I could understand that assumption. She did not think I would have an office yet.“It is my office already because I am due to take over anytime. The pack has not had a Gamma for quite some time, so as soon as the upcoming Alpha, Landon asked me to consider taking the position to work alongside him and I accepted, he told me to take the office for any work that was needed.” I fo
Visiting River Ash Pack had been the last thing I had wanted to do, but my Dad was not going to be for listening today, that was for sure! Anyone would think leaving me at home was dangerous… I mean, I had only set fire to the house by accident, like once…But, we had arrived at the pack, and my Dad had decided the meeting was best done without me, so he had left me in the lounge and gone off with the Alpha, or the upcoming Alpha, or something, along those lines, in truth, I had switched off at that point, not caring in the slightest. Basically, I knew he was here to try to set up a business deal between my Dad’s small family business and the pack here. It would be a big thing for the family if Dad was able to seal a deal with them.But, the point of me being here I wasn’t sure. I think my Dad just didn't like travelling alone, so brought me along for the company, but a big badwolf can't admit something as pathetic as that...
Being prepared to become a Gamma was taking more organization than I had expected. But, it was not a role I had ever planned to be taking. This role was always a role for my older brother Finn. He had been preparing since he was old enough to realize he would be taking the title from our Dad when the day came. Me, I was more coasting along, enjoying life with my friends... The elder son inherited the title from the father, and I had been good with that. But, the moment Landon had asked me to consider being his Gamma, I knew it was not an opportunity I could turn down.The highest rank I had expected was warrior, after choosing to attend the warrior training facility, and train with the warriors that I called my friends. Kaleb, being the second bourne son to an alpha had chosen the same path. We had many friends who were warriors and it had seemed like a good choice for us. One that thankfully both our fathers had supported. But now we had this chance, and our lives had been turned up
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