I saw the look of realization upon Finn’s face, and the moment he uttered the words, I knew I was in trouble.“Landon?” he demanded.I could see the fury upon his handsome face. A face I was so used to seeing looking at me with nothing but care and affection. Right now it was filled with rage and animosity. He was likely to go and take his anger out on Landon given a chance, and that would not end well. Not to mention, it would draw attention to the situation we had found ourselves in…“Finn, please…” I begged, reaching for his arm. “You promised you wouldn’t say a word. This cannot come out right now. Not with everyone struggling with losing my Grandpa. Please.” I am terrified right now of the mess this could create. I could cause such chaos in a pack that was already in disarray having lost their Beta. We did not need to make the situation worse. I needed to do all I could to stop Finn finding Landon and taking his anger out on him.“But Landon?!” Finn all but roared.“I know.” I whi
I had chosen to attend warrior training this morning. The beginning of my plan to get myself involved a little more with the pack. This, after all, was going to be my pack. My people. I hoped the more I told myself that, the more I would start to believe it. The more I could accept that I could be an Alpha, because I could not shake the doubt within my mind that me replacing my Grandpa as Alpha was going to be the fall of the River Ash Pack. The fall of the pack that had been in my family for generations.It had been so good to see Kaleb at training too. Being able to spend some time with him after only briefly seeing him yesterday, and most of that had been distracted by the fact I had discovered I was fated for his sister. I hated that I could not share that piece of news with him, but at the same time, I knew he would hate me for the fact I planned to reject her. Hate me for the hurt I would cause her. But, a part of me did wonder if he would understand I was doing it with her best
I had sat through far too many lectures for the day, and was already ready to make my way from the classroom and home to try to allow my brain to relax a little before even beginning to think of making a start on my paper that we had been assigned. Another one. But, this is what I wanted. I knew what I was signing up for when I decided to follow in my Mum's footsteps to become a doctor. I wanted this. And I was determined to make my parents proud.“Miss Garcia” a familiar voice called from behind me on the corridor just as I exited the classroom. A voice that made my heart flutter, and made me want to throw caution to the wind and rush to him. The same as it did any time I heard his voice. But I knew at this time of day the corridors were busy, we would be seen. Something that can not be risked.I turned to the source of the voice, knowing I would find his handsome face awaiting me. His icy blue eyes were already waiting for me. A familiar look within them that pulled at my heart strin
My feet felt heavy on my legs as I made my way down the corridors of college. Earlier, I had wanted to get home, now it was more a case of I needed to. I needed to be in my own space to fall apart in privacy. I would not allow that piece of shit to see the effect his selfishness had had on me. I was better than that. I needed to get away from Lukas. From the lies and deception he had built around the bubble that was us. I was nothing but a fool. I know that now. Admittedly a fool in love it would seem, going off the pain within my heart, but a fool non the less…I had fallen for all his charm… all his words telling me how I was everything he had dreamed of in a woman. That he had never met anyone that fitted with him like I did. That he was excited to see what the future could hold for us... how beautiful our children could be. That coming to teach here had been twisted into fate because it had meant he had met me. But then came the lies, the reasons for not being able to be with me i
I loved the feel of Cleo’s hand within mine, and as she slipped her hand into mine while we walked away from Landon that feeling rushed through me. “Thank you for not starting anything with him.” she whispered.I could not help but smile at her. She was the sweetest. I knew her mind was in a million and one different places right now, but despite that, she was thinking of the well-being of her family. She did not want them finding out about the situation with Landon just yet while they were mourning the loss of her Grandpa. I could understand that, because, in all seriousness, all hell would break loose when they do discover he is rejecting her! I would not want to be him when Uncle Knox or Kai get a hold on him... or Kaleb for that matter... hell, any one of our group of friends would be there to defend Cleo, as would her father's friends. She was certainly loved, and Landon would be made to suffer when this all came out, of that I had no doubt.I could sense Cleo's eyes upon me, so
I was in the one place in this pack, a home away from home, that brought me peace. It was a place my Mum had brought me to, to escape the madness of the house one time, her place of peace too when she had grown up. And now, I felt a sense of calm spread over me as Finn’s arms embraced me. I knew he wanted to be there for me. To try to make things better for me. I just wish he could. But right now, I don't know how to make all of this better.I stared down at the pool of water at the bottom of the waterfall. I could spend so long, lost in my thoughts just watching the water falling. I needed to clear my thoughts. Try to decide what I do from here. How I move forward knowing the life with a fated mate I had expected would now no longer be happening…I felt Finn’s arms tighten around me as if he sensed my unease, pulling me closer, more snugly against his chest. The warmth of his body spreading through my own. I could not feel anything but safe in his arms. Safe and content. Something I
As I storm across the pathways of the pack, I am fully aware that I have absolutely no right to feel hurt that Cleo is with Finn. I all but pushed her into his arms. Not to mention the fact I had told her she would not be my mate the moment that both of us had realized we were fated. Surely, in her mind, it is me saying she is free to go and do as she pleases? Ultimately, that is what I am saying, right?‘See, you don’t even know if you fucking want her or not.’ Dex grumbled angrily. 'So how the hell is she supposed to know what to think? She isn't a mind reader.'‘It isn’t about wanting her, and you know it. I have made myself clear with her. She knows what I need her to, and that is all there is to say on the matter.’I know I am being blunt with my wolf, but I do not want to even think about how I have been with Cleo right now. I know my actions have hurt her, and that fills me with nothing but guilt. It caused me pain, knowing she could be hurting. Thankfully, the paths of the pac
“You want me to be your mate?!” Tatiana asked me in astonishment, as I explained my plan to stay here in my grandparents' pack, so I could be with her, which in turn would allow her to continue to care for her mother. All I wanted was my fated mate. I wanted her. And would do all I could to ensure we could be together. I knew she had reasons to stay behind, and I was not about to force her to come with me and leave everything she knew behind; not when she was needed at home. I wanted Tatiana to be happy. And I want that happiness to be because of me...“Oh, Carino, was there ever any doubt that I wanted you?” I asked, shocked she had ever thought for a moment that the matebond was something I had questioned. Did she truly think I could ever not want her?! It was me that had feared she was about to reject me! Sure, fate had thrown us a curveball, but from the tales we heard from my parents and their friends, it seems good at that. “Why would you ever think that? You are like heaven in
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
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
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 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
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
Today had gone as well as a funeral and a memorial service could be expected to go. Everyone had been respectful, and the patrols were going well, so the pack was well guarded. We had had no issues with visitors from outside packs, not that we had expected any. Beta Trent was well respected, and they were all here to pay their respects and say goodbye to a good man. As we all were.After that brief moment we had shared in our seats, I had barely seen Cleo. In truth, I didn't know how I felt about that, but she had been swept up in time with her family and her friends, I had assumed, and time with them was likely what she needed right now. Time with me was not. I did not need to mess with her mind any more than I already had. She needed this time with her family.I had said what I needed to, to Daxton and Kaleb, and I hoped they would do me the honor of joining me here to run the pack when I took over as Alpha in the near future. I was in no rush for an answer from them, but I could no
I saw the fear within Jared’s eyes, and I began to worry that this was all becoming too much for him. Yes, my Papi is more than a little protective, but I did not want him scaring away my fated mate before I had a chance with him! Had a she-wolf ever been rejected because of an overly protective father? I could well be the first if my Papi continued along this path I feared...“Papi!” I warned him. “Can you stop? You are embarrassing me. Yes, this is my fated mate, and I would appreciate you stopping giving him a hard time. We would have come to find you sooner, but he was on duty.”A light appeared within my father’s eyes, before he turned to Jared. “You chose to work today?” he questioned, and I saw a small smile teasing at my Mum’s lips.‘Ah, don’t think I don’t know what you were doing.’ She mindlinked with a chuckle. ‘That will impress him, and you know it.’Dammit, I had hoped that might go unnoticed… it certainly seemed to have gone unnoticed by my Dad, who right now is deep in
Sofia had forgiven me a lot easier than I had expected her to. I had been about to mark her without her permission. And that, in many cases, would be seen as forcibly marking, whether she was my fated mate or not. I could not rid myself of the sickly feeling within my stomach as guilt flooded my body. But, the urge from my wolf had been overwhelming. Combined with the need within myself. It was hard to describe…I am just glad she had stopped me when she did, and that she seemed to be so forgiving about it. I wanted the moment we mark one another to be perfect, like she had suggested, and I had been so close to ruining that. Marking her in the treeline of the northern forest of the pack was never going to be perfect...But, no matter how forgiving my sweet girl may be, I, however, am likely not to be so forgiving of myself. Although, right now, I had the bigger worry of meeting her family, and apparently her Papi, would want to kick my ass, and that is before he
His kisses felt so good. And our bodies felt so natural against one another. My wolf, Hera, was as giddy with excitement as I was. She wanted her mate as much as I did. I felt Jared move toward me suddenly, and Hera became even more excited. But something inside me shifted. This didn't feel right. I instinctively shoved him backward, knocking him almost to the ground. I clearly had taken him by surprise, because otherwise I would not be taking a man of his size to the ground with one shove…He steadied himself, initially doing all he could to avoid my gaze. The tension in the air was palpable... what had I done? Now Jared stood with sorry eyes looking down at me. Guilt. Remorse filled them, while my heart pounded in my chest. My wolf was whimpering at me that I had shoved my mate away. That I had stopped him from doing what I believe had been attempting to mark me. In no scenario had I ever imagined that I would shove my mate away when it came to him trying to mark me...‘What did you