I was heading home after training when I saw my sister Cleo rushing away from the packhouse. Instantly I was curious why she would be there, especially looking as distressed as she was. I made an alteration to my path to walk over to her, and she was so lost in her own thoughts she hadn’t even noticed me approaching.“Alright Kiddo?” I asked, and her head jerked upward from staring aimlessly at the ground as she walked. I couldn’t tell if she had been crying or not, but she didn’t look her usual cheerful self.“Kiddo?” she scowled. “I am a couple of years younger than you, Kai.”“Still look up to me though, don’t ya?” I teased, hooking my arm around her shoulders to display our height difference before I ruffled her hair because I knew she hated it.She looked up at me and scowled even more. “Jackass.”“You okay though?” I asked, hoping she might actually get over being grumpy and tell me what was wrong.“Uh-huh.”Wonderful. My sister was not willing to open up to me. If anything, sh
I regretted mentioning the situation with Finn the moment I saw Kai’s face change. He was about to go into full on big brother mode. I hate when he did this. Kaleb did the same, despite the fact he was younger than me. Both so protective over me. When I didn’t need protecting, or at least not from Finn.I understood everything Finn was suggesting to me. And I guess in another life, I wouldn't have faltered in accepting everything he offered. He was a perfect gentleman. A perfect guy in my eyes. He had been around in my life for as long as I can remember and he treated me so sweetly. Like I was a princess or a precious gem, that he treasured. Always making me feel special. All the little smiles he gave me made my heart flutter, and had done for as long as I can remember.But, things weren’t as straight forward as that for us. As werewolves we were blessed with fated mates, and I know that so many in our pack would frown upon it if Finn were to take me as a chosen mate. And, if I were
I had seemed to ease the tension with Cleo a little as we walked home together. I had promised not to speak to Finn about the whole chosen mates situation, but that wasn’t to say I wouldn’t find time to address the issue with my Dad. It bothered me. I knew that Finn had differing views on so many of the traditional werewolf customs that we still followed as a pack, and I didn’t want him causing issues. He was one of my closest friends, not to mention his parents were my parents’ close friends too.But, all thoughts of talking to my Dad about that were gone the moment we stepped into our house, and the sound of my Mum sobbing filtered through. I looked back at Cleo, and I saw the instant look of horror upon her face. She had hoped things would have improved since she had dashed out earlier, but if anything I would say they had got worse…‘K, we should go.’ Cleo mindlinked. ‘They are clearly dealing with stuff. I don't think we should be here.’I looked at my sister in disgust. She was
I felt the wave of pain spreading through my body as my mind tried to register my Mum’s words. My Grandpa Trent was gone? I had only seen him last week… he had come to visit me while I was at training in the Warrior Facility. Yes, I had thought he looked a little frail, but he had told me he had injured himself when training, and would be back to normal soon enough; and me being me, had believed him. Plus, I assumed age was playing a part.He should never have had to continue his Beta role for as long as he did. But, Uncle Grayson losing his son had meant the two friends had come to a mutual agreement that they would stay in their Alpha and Beta roles until Landon, Uncle Grayson’s grandson, and heir to the Alpha title was ready to take over the pack. Admittedly, I think they had thought it might have happened before now, as he had approached 25.My ears rang with the sound of sobbing. Those of my Mum, who was now enveloped in my the arms of my Dad; and those of my sister who was bein
I sat in the lounge long after my brothers and my Dad had walked out to get things arranged for our visit to River Ash Pack. I don’t think I could describe the feelings running through my body right now. Hurt… yet numb… anger… distress… My wolf, Terra, was whimpering at the loss to our family too, and that only added to the chaos within my mind. Grandpa Trent was gone. And we didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye.I saw my Mum standing from her place on the sofa opposite me. “Come on C-C, we need to get some things together. I want to get going as soon as possible.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. She looked in pieces, and I hated seeing my Mum like that. She was so strong. I know when she was a little younger than I am now she struggled, but when she met my Dad he brought out her strengths, and after being here in our pack, and having us she blossomed into the strong Luna she was destined to be.Seeing her broken like this did not seem right. But, even the strongest person h
The moment I heard my Uncle telling my Dad the news of Cleo’s grandfather passing on, I knew I had to reach out to her. She must be falling apart right now. And when she said she needed a hug, I was not going to deny her that. I felt closer to Cleo than any of our other friends. I couldn’t explain why. We had both struggled at times with low moods, and feeling anxious, spending time together chatting about things, and it had brought us both closer.She was like an angel to me. I knew she needed me, so I was not going to not be there. And the moment I saw her, I could see the pain within her eyes. I could only imagine how the rest of the family must be feeling; especially Aunt Lilah. Holding Cleo close to me I felt her body sag against mine, and knew she was relaxing. She needed comfort, and I was glad she had turned to me for it.I had wished so hard for this girl to be my fated mate, but fate had decided what my heart craved would not be my destiny, so Cleo was only ever to be my f
I felt beyond angry after having had a lecture from the senior staff of the pack. Not to mention lecture after lecture since, from my Aunt. My Uncle was away on pack business right now, otherwise he would be giving me even more sermons to add to the previously applied ones from every fucker who felt they had something to say. Yes, I should not be acting like that in pack… I should be setting an example… I was offered so much here and should not throw it back in their face… people look up to me…blah blah fucking blah…I only knew I would be receiving further admonishing when my Uncle did return home. No, I shouldn’t have flown at my cousin the way that I did. I fucking knew that of course I did. But he also knew what my triggers were. It wasn’t like we didn’t speak often enough about things. He knew my reasonings for not wanting to go back to River Ash.I avoided everybody for the rest of the day. Even missing training, which was not something I had ever done since I had arrived here.
I couldn’t bear to hear the two guys arguing. I knew Leo was defending me, which I truly appreciated, but right now, my focus was on my family, and the moment I saw my Mum step from the house I knew she was falling apart. Two guys having an argument, all but competing over me, which was all but the same as a dick measuring competition. Definitely not something I need right now.I saw the hurt expressions upon their faces, but they would have to deal with it. They were grown-ups, or they were meant to be, not that you would think so listening to them bicker. I made my way to join my brothers by the car. “We are sorted to go?” I asked, and they nodded. Kaleb wrapped his arms around me.“You okay sissy?” he sounded like he had been crying.I nodded, not wanting to get into a big discussion right now about everything. I could already see Kai eyeing Finn, and knew things were bordering on an argument if something was mentioned about earlier. Because the moment Kaleb learned about it too, h
The celebrations were just beginning. Our family and friend group beginning to dissipate from the area in which we had been seated, and the many guests who had arrived to attend the ceremony were making their way over in this direction, no doubt to speak to Uncle Knox, and of course, the man of the hour, the new Alpha of our pack, my cousin, Kai. I was so glad I was not him. So much pressure being in charge of a pack, though he was most definitely built for that. The mind and body for it, much like his Dad.I, however, was more like my own Dad. The mind and body of a warrior. A warrior who was now ready to party! I looked to my brother, Rocky, whose eyes were already wandering across the busy training field, likely looking for the next she-wolf he could work his charms upon, as chairs were being cleared to the edges into small groups to make way for a dancefloor area, in preparation for the celebration.“Beer?” I suggested and Rocky grinned.“O
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