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
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 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
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 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
The event was well underway, or perhaps I should say, the celebrations were well underway. That is what most people attend these sorts of events for. The formalities at the beginning were merely that, a formality, despite them being of great importance, the high percentage of guests here had come to socialize. It was rare there were events where so many groups from so many packs in one place at one time. So, when invited, people took advantage. Usually, I would have been one, having friends in a varying number of packs through my Gamma training, and the family business; but today was different. Today, I had things I needed to do.The moment the ceremony had completed, and Landon, Cleo and the others had made their way from the improvised stage set up beneath the gazebo at the head of the training field and guests began to disperse, I made my excuses, to many a curious gaze from friends as I began to seek our Nori and her family. I needed to make a formal introduction. I hoped
Camilla was so close. Her scent overwhelming. And I could feel her lips so delicate… almost touching mine… and I panicked. I stumbled away from her, mumbling an apology as I did. Only as I did, did I see the hurt within that sweet girl's eyes. I had hurt her. She had already been through enough pain, yet my fear and uncertainty, and that damn guard around my own heart had caused me to hurt Camilla further….I steadied myself on a nearby tree, waiting to watch Camilla turn and walk away, a sinking feeling within my gut that I had ruined any chance. But, to my surprise, she walked over to where I stood. As I leaned against the cool bark of the tree, she looked over at me, her cool eyes taking me in. “I am sorry.” She whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke. Though in truth she had nothing to be sorry for.“No…” I began, but she put her hand up as if to silence me, instantly causing me to halt my words.
Jorge turns to me with a warm smile. “If it is too busy for you, I can take you somewhere quieter?” he offered, and my belly filled with nerves. He was incredibly sweet.I raised my brows at him. “You know this pack?”“Of course, we came here a lot growing up. Aunt Lilah and Aunt Indie grew up here, so we came to visit all the time with them. So, I have spent hours exploring over the years. Don't worry, I am not going to get us lost. Besides, I am a warrior, I think I can direct us around.” He teased. Speaking to me without so much as a pause. There seemed to be no ulterior motive in his suggestion either, not like some of the the guys you get around. Besides, all I have heard about Jorge is that he is a genuinely nice guy. Not that I have been asking or anything… well, not much…“But, I don’t want you missing the celebrations.” I said, knowing if he was taking me somewhere where it was quieter
I sat trying to digest everything Kai had just said to me with an inexplicable ache in my chest. That sweet girl had lost her mate? I had no idea… She had never mentioned it. Though, I suppose she had no reason to. I thought rejection was pain enough, but losing your mate must be agony on another level. Yet she was here, pushing through. Continuing as if she was fine. Beautifully strong. So young to have lost a fated too...My pain seemed almost irrelevant now. I could not take my mind away from the suffering the beautiful she-wolf must have gone through. And my thoughts could not help but ponder if that was how she found herself in the role she had been in before comingn to our pack... Oh, I am so glad that Uncle Knox, and Kai had gven her the chance of freedom when she came to be with Bella. She had been through enough as it was. My heart ached for her, and could only hoped that her time her could be the fresh start she deserved.I found myse
I sat alongside one of my oldest friends and I hated the pain I saw within his eyes. Today was a day for celebrating. Celebrating my brother and my sister and their next steps in life. But the pain I was seeing in Jorge’s eyes was reminiscent of the pain that had been there in the early days after he had been rejected. He was doing his best to hide it, but it was there all the same. I hoped he had dealt with the pain, but it made me reailze the rejection never went away... it always sat in the pit of his heart eating away at him...I knew him too well, and hated seeing him in pain. He was a lot like Uncle Gabe, very much the joker of the group. Always wearing a smile. Always there for everyone else. But when it came to him, he didn’t know how to accept help. It was hard for him taking support when he had been rejected. And, it was hard for him to speak up when he was suffering. Now appeared to be another of those moments.I offered him one of the beers I had brought across with me, a
Rico had wandered off and left me, likely in the hunt for a beer, that was his usual tactic, though as I glanced around the party, now in full swing, I was sure I noticed my cousin with a girl in his arms on the dance floor. That was another of his tactics. Charm. Much like his Papi in his younger years apparently. Rico would be making the most of the opportunity of many new she-wolves to work his charms upon, I was sure of it. Goddess help each and every one of them!No doubt we would all be hearing about it in the coming days. I rolled my eyes in disbelief, settling back in the seat in which I had found. The friends I had been sitting with had all dispersed now, some for food, others because they had seen people they knew. That was the thing about large multi-pack events such as this, there were so many people, and so much chance to run into people you had not seen in a while. Too many opportunities to need to catch up. Or meet new people. I, however did not have the energy to be so
I think a small part of me hoped that finding my mate may be a smoother path than that of my parents. Than that of my aunts and uncles too. It seemed fate had certainly put obstacles in their way. Yet, each one of them would say that the obstacles were merely there to make them appreciate what they had. But, it did not stop me believing that maybe the next generation maybe that little luckier with their destiny. Some had been blessed with an easier path, others, sadly not. It seemed fate liked to have a twisted plan all of her own. One we were not to learn of until it was our time. And, hope as I may, I did not know if it would make any difference to the plan fate had for me, but I had hoped all the same...However, as I looked at the confused expression of my fated mate’s face, I was beginning to question that the younger generation would be blessed with more luck. Yet, I had found myself smiling, as I added “This where you tell me to piss off?&
Thankfully I had an understanding father. One who accepted me for being me. He had often told my Mum that his past had made him see that some people needed more freedom. More understanding, and more time to be themselves. I never fully questioned what it was he meant, but I always appreciated he wasn’t too controlling over me. Yes, he could be protective, but find me a werewolf father that wasn’t.I had chosen to go travelling for a while once I had finished my studies, and despite my Mum’s initial concerns, my Dad said he thought it may do me good. So, that is what I had done, and I was on one of my short visits home when it was the Alpha ceremony. I felt it was only appropriate to attend, despite never liking large pack events, having missed Beta Trent’s funeral.Plus, my brother, Jared’s new mate, Sofia had become a new friend, or she was certainly attempting to be, bless her. I don’t think she realized quite yet, that I tended to
Watching my friends become Beta and Gamma of another pack seemed somewhat surreal. We had trained alongside them the last few years with plans for them to become part of our warrior team. But, in truth they were always destined for better things. A son of an Alpha and son of a Gamma they would be above all other warriors within any squad. It was just due to birth line that had meant they would never receive a title, until Landon decided otherwise.I couldn’t lie, as I looked up at the two of them, well three if you count the crazy little, Cleo, I would miss them. River Ash was not a million miles away from our pack, and it wasn’t like we all spent our lives in one another’s back pockets now we were getting older, but we were close. Always had been. It would be odd them not being on pack. But, it seemed to be happening more now as many of our group met their mates and moved away too. Our lives were officially moving on, and that was going to