The moment we had stepped into the pack, I had asked my Dad for the keys to the Alpha suite. This was to be mine and Bella’s home. I had crashed here a few times with dates in the past, and I had used it many a time for movie night with friends. But, to know it would be my home with my fated mate, felt unreal. I had messaged my Mum and asked her to arrange for the place to be given a once over whilst we were out, so I could only hope the place was sorted for us. I wanted everything to be perfect.I waved my family and friends off as they made their way up to the family homes at the top of the pack, and the warriors too, as they left for their own family homes dotted across pack, some making their way into the packhouse along with Bella and I, as I took her hand as we stepped from the car. Oddly, I was beginning to feel a little nervous, despite this being the moment I had been waiting for...“Your pack is beautiful.” She whispered,
felt like I was on cloud nine and had done since Landon had spoken to me. I finally knew what was happening. Where my future would be. All I had to do now was wait…“CC, are you even listening to us?” My Dad’s voice interrupted my wandering thoughts, already following Landon as he had left the house to go to his meeting he had arranged back at his pack. And, oh boy were they wandering! Already imagining the home we could build... the relationship we could have... our official ceremony... our dates... my heart raced at the idea of it all. So much had changed in so little time, but at least now there was no more doubts.As I glanced upward at my Dad, I found his narrowed eyes scowling at me, and I sighed heavily. I wasn’t even sure this chat was necessary. I was not naïve. I knew the issues Landon was battling. All of us had been in the room when he had opened up to us, so talking about it seemed a little futile. But, my parents were d
I was loving this new found confidence. This new faith Landon had in Kent and I. To believe we would be capable of helping him run his pack was something I had never envisioned. We had gone from being run of the mill warriors overnight to being lead warriors, and it felt good. Someone having faith in us. We worked damn hard during our training, but in such a big facility it often went unnoticed. But, now we would have the opportunity to prove ourselves. And, we would have a new home. A fresh start. We had nothing to fear from the Alpha family of our former home, and neither would our family. We could not ask for more, and our cousin had ensured of that.I don’t think the smile had slipped from my face since Landon had asked me, and that had been in spite of how hectic things had been. And that was because we had been spending the days shadowing Manuel and Gabriel. Landon decided it would be beneficial to spend some time with the two cousin warriors he had taken his inspiration from.
My eyes are darting across the busy dining hall, trying to focus upon where that scent is coming from. A small crowd of rowdy guys have just walked in, and my heart dropped. Well, the scent surely would not be from them. I moved my head side to side trying to catch a glimpse of my potential mate, the sound of Gabriel, or potentially Manuel talking has faded to background noise along with the rest of the noise within the hall now. It has become incredibly hard to concentrate with the noise my wolf is currently making, not to mention, my focus is now purely upon finding the source of that appealing smell…I felt a hand slap down upon my shoulder, making me jump slightly, and bringing me crashing back down to earth with a heavy thud. “Are you going to keep ignoring us?” Gabriel’s voice interrupted my thoughts, and I have to say he does not sound too impressed. This was a much respected senior warrior who was taking time out of what I imagined was a busy schedue to train me and my brother
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
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
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
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...
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