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
He is my mate. My fated mate came to me on the airplane home. What are the chances of that? That had to be a first, right? Not that I was going to complain. I mean, he was heavenly. Perfect. I don't think we had guys like him within our pack. And he was mine. All mine. A warmth settled over me as the realization hit me that I had a fated mate. This was to be my life...I sat awkwardly within my seat staring at the chair in front of me, allowing my eyes to dart over to the man next to me every now and again to admire him... and oh, was there plenty to admire! Eyes to get lost in... hair any girl would be jealous of... I so wanted to run my fingers through it. It looked so soft... all the while my heart pounding heavily within my chest, knowing his eyes were upon me.“So, have you been on holiday?” Harrison asked me with a smile, as he caught me with my shameless checking him out, and instantly color flooded my cheeks. He had to have known what I was doing! But, going off the smile upo
I hate the idea of marrying the Alpha now. Plain and simple. I think had I not met Kai then things could have been a little different. I could have remained naïve. Knowing that my mate was out there somewhere but not knowing where. The thing was, now, I knew where he was. And, I wanted him. Letting him leave was the hardest thing I had ever done.Alpha Landon, or the upcoming Alpha as he was currently, had taken me by surprise by giving me his number, like he believed I would change my mind. As if he believed I would find the need to reach out to the mate fated to me by the moon goddess, but even if I wanted to, I was bound by the contract signed by my family. I had to marry the man, whether I wanted to or not. Though the words Alpha Landon had used had left me terrified. His words had seemed carefully selected. Like he knew more than he was letting on, and it had left me questioning everything.With the many questions, it had left an air of tension between me and my soon-to-be husba
I decided to help clear up after my grandfather’s funeral, and then stayed with my grandmother, as she settled herself for the evening. She seemed somewhat calmer now, I felt. I knew these coming weeks would be hard for her as she adjusted to life without her mate, but for the time being at least, she was doing okay. Now, I found myself sitting in the garden upon the patio furniture with a beer in hand, looking up at the stars, Landon by my side. Who would have thought?…The two of us choosing to spend time together? The two boys who had grown up side by side for so many years. The best of friends until they drifted apart, and became almost sworn enemies... There is likely an irony in there somewhere. He looked across at me with a sad smile. “I think your Grandpa would have been happy with his send-off, don’t you?”I nodded in agreement, he would likely rather have been still alive, but I guess, when your time is here, your time is here. And, we gave him a decent send-off. There were
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
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
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 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