I could not wait to see my friends, admittedly a day at the art store set up by my Aunts so hardly a day doing nothing, but it was still time with my friends, and we got paid for it. And a day away from studying. I twisted my dark hair up into a bun and adjusted my tank top, before throwing on my jacket and rushed down the stairs to find my parents both enjoying a mug of coffee and toast. They tried to make sure they had the time each day to have breakfast and dinner together, with their hectic schedules of Mum's hospital work and Dad's training, so their meals together guaranteed them time together. I guess it was sweet in a sickly kind of way...“Where are you rushing off to Bella?” Dad asked kindly, leaning against the kitchen counter, his eyes watching me closely. He was far too protective of me and my older sister. My brother, however, got away with pretty much everything...“Gabe, she told us yesterday the girls were helping in the store while Indie was over at River Ash.” Mum r
The shift in the gallery was boring, there were days we worked there, and it was so quiet it made you wonder how it stayed in business, then other days it was so busy we barely got a moment to breathe. Both Aunt Indie and Aunt Lilah were amazing at art, and had been painting since their teens. The store was used to sell their art, as well as other crafts made within the pack. Aunt Ruby and Aunt Lola had decided to add in a little coffee store to make the store unique, and their idea had definitely been a good one.Our little family business was booming and had been for many years, and was a popular place within the small town in which we lived close to. And the good thing was, with it being a family run, we often got free cakes. The not so good thing was we often got guilt-tripped into working shifts when we wanted to do other things..“Slow today, isn’t it?” Angel sighed, her feet resting upon the counter. She was so laid back it was unreal. Sitting on the stool behind the counter, l
I had been unable to clear my mind as I sat in the house alone. The pains resided as quickly as they came, but the memory of them was strong in my mind. Cleo had been with Finn in some way or form… she had to have been for me to experience those betrayal pains from the matebond… and despite me sending her into his arms, I cannot explain the hurt they caused me.‘Because you actually want your mate, you fuckwit.’ Dex said bluntly. My wolf was pissed off with me.‘Fuck off. It isn’t about me wanting her. It is me letting her have the life she deserves.’ I reminded him, to which I received a growl.‘I need a run.’ He snapped.He was right, a run would be a perfect way to burn off some pent-up energy. Attempting once more to distract my mind from the overactive whirlpool of thoughts that were taking over…I left my grandparent’s house and headed for the nearest treeline, stripping myself of my clothes and my shoes, pushing them into a nearby damaged tree trunk. Dex picked my shorts up in
I loved being surrounded by my Mum’s family when we visited their pack. They were always so welcoming. But damn did I hate their weather! Always so much cooler than home, and it seemed to love to rain. A definite downside to our visits here.“Have you seen Sergio?” Rico asked, walking down the stairs of our grandparents' house. I shook my head at him as I finished my toast. To be fair, I had barely seen my brother since we had arrived, and he had gone a little weird in the packhouse. Other than the occasional passing of paths in the house, he had barely been around.I swallowed my food quickly, before looking at him. “He has barely been here. Grandpa said he had things to see to. I assumed he meant training, that is usually what you guys have to do.”“Hmm. He came to a training session, but other than that, I have barely seen him. So he isn't spending time training like usual. Or at least not with me. He isn’t even eating with us now.” Rico’s eyes narrowed. “You think he has been on
I saw the look of shock upon my brother and sister’s faces. Of course, I knew it would not be the news they expected to hear. And this was not the way I had wanted to tell them. I had wanted to break it to them gently...“You can’t be serious.” Rico’s voice sounded angry, if anything. “We are part of the elite warriors back home, Gio. Why would you give that up? She should be coming to the pack to be with you. She realizes that, right?”I found myself holding back so much anger at his words. Trying hard to tell myself it was just shock that was making him think like that. But I wasn’t about to go head-to-head with my brother over this. “She is my mate, that is why I would give that up, Rico. I don’t expect you to understand that until you meet yours. The pull you feel to your mate is exactly as they tell you when we learn of fated mates. I need to be with her. I cannot stomach the thought of leaving her here now I have met her. Now I know that she is mine. She takes care of her mother
The family had returned to the house after what had felt like a long day, all of us now together, but not one of us with a word to say. Mum and Dad had spent most of the day at the hospital with Grandpa. Mum needed that time to say goodbye. Kaleb and I had spent time there, said our goodbyes, but both of us struggled seeing him like that, and had chosen not to go back. So we decided to spend our day training instead. And spending time with pack members. Everyone seemed to want to see us, so it seemed like a good way to spend our time. Hearing tales of our Grandpa from so many...Our grandfather was like a hero to us growing up. So hearing so many people tell us how highly they thought of him only made me prouder to call him family. There had been a multitude of happy memories shared with us that had made us smile. Our Grandpa was a wonderful Beta to this pack, and we had every reason to remember him and be proud. Seeing him at his weakest was not the way I wanted to remember him. It
The mere mention of Landon set my heart into a panic. Why was Kai bringing him up? And what had given him the idea that I had a thing for him? That seemed so out of left-field. Never had anything like that been mentioned before…And just looking at the expression upon his face told me that my delightful big brother did not like that idea, so I could only imagine the reaction he would have if he was to discover that he was my fated mate.‘Fuck off Kai.’ I said, before moving out of the room where our family were sitting, albeit awkwardly. We had been sitting there having polite and dispersed conversation since we all arrived home and had dinner together. This was not the family I was used to. This was an uneasy and uncomfortable one. I did not like it. I tried my hardest to hold back the tears that were threatening. I did not want to think of Landon.I had avoided thinking of him as much as I possibly could. Thinking of him hurt. I hated the thought of my fated mate rejecting me. I h
I could see my sister was withdrawing. Sinking inside herself the way she does when she is battling with her emotions, and I know that was not a good thing. She is not going to give me any further information. So, I do what is the best thing to do, and I agree with her. I smiled, and nodded. I ruffled her hair the way she hates, and told her things would be okay. Said that the next few days are going to be difficult but that things will improve. Then I leave her alone in her room to give her the space she is craving, while I go out for a walk. Or so she thinks…But, instead, I reach for my phone and call the one person who will be able to give me the truth. I did not want Cleo to know I planned to talk to him because the moment I mentioned talking to him, I saw the response upon her face. That was the last thing she wanted. So, that told me that he held the truth. I wanted the truth. Despise him or not, I needed to talk to Landon.“Hello?” His voice sounded uncertain as he answered m