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
I had made a mistake. A huge fucking mistake. I could only assume that the reason he wanted to see me was because Cleo had told him. Was that not an easy assumption to make? Especially considering the way he sounded on the phone? He had sounded angry, though in all fairness, I think Kai always sounds angry… but looking at the anger upon his face now, I can see that I made a huge fucking mistake. It would appear he didn’t actually know anything. Or, to put it correctly, he hadn't known anything until I had opened my big fucking mouth; and now he knew it all. And Cleo was going to be broken by this…“Yes. She is my fated mate. But I am trying to do the decent thing by her, Kai.” I urged him to see the good in my actions. I know how he sees me. He has not thought particularly highly of me for a long time. I don’t think anyone has in my reluctance to take my place as Alpha. So surely Kai would want better for his sister than me? Anybody would want better than me, right? Cleo should want
I continued to drive along the road, an awkward silence sitting between us now as Kai’s words echoed in my mind. I tapped my thumbs on the steering wheel almost nervously. Maybe asking Kai to come along with me was not the best idea in the world...“Quit doing that, will you?” Kai snapped, telling me my tapping irritated him.I nodded, battling hard to stop myself with the nervous movement of my thumbs. I heard Kai sigh deeply. “You don’t see it, do you? You don’t see this the way I do? I hate that it is you. I truly do. Cleo deserves the best. She deserves to be happy. She will have been like every she-wolf out there, dreaming of the perfect happy ending the moment she met her fated mate. All hearts and roses... the racing heart and her heart being swept away in the moment. Everything so perfect, and you..." he gave me the dirtiest look I think I have ever been given before continuing. "And you are going to destroy that by deciding you are going to reject her the moment you discover
I stood in the kitchen for a moment after my sister had left the room, giving me a sad glance as she did, filling my body with guilt. I was still in shock at how my brother had acted, and now my sister was making me feel guilty too? I needed to compose myself. That was not how I had wanted things to go. I wanted them to be happy for me. Was that too much to ask? This was one of the biggest moments of my life. It hurt they were not sharing my excitement. Yes, I saw Ana was trying to be happy for me, and to some degree she had attempted to defend me, but I could also feel her pain, not to mention see the pained expression upon her face.And then there was my brother. One of my closest friends. I had dreaded telling him. And I think this had been the reason why. He and I had trained alongside one another as warriors. Brothers in arms as well as in blood. He saw this as a betrayal to that bond. But it wasn't that, or I did not view it that way. We would always have that connection. I had
My heart felt like it was going to race right on out of my chest, as Sergio’s hands settled upon my hips, his big brown eyes looked up at me almost adoringly. This guy seemed ready to drop everything for me, and I didn’t know if I could let him do that, but the pull to him was overwhelming…The matebond made it extremely difficult to look at things logically. Because the matebond just made me want him. I wanted him so terribly. He was the one for me. For my wolf. The one the moon goddess had chosen for us. She had selected the two of us for one another. Decided we were fated to be together. From opposite sides of the globe, but she decided we would be the perfect fit for one another. How could I fight the pull to him? Even knowing he had to sacrifice so much for me?My heart ached at the thought of not being with him. The pain of simply thinking of not being him was too much to bear, so physically rejecting one another to allow him to return home would destroy me. I just knew it. His
The drive to Lunar River Pack was far from ideal. Sitting with Landon was not usually a way I would choose to spend my free time, I had to admit, but it was what I had decided to do, in order to find out what secrets he had been hiding. Not that I had ever expected to discover he was fated to my sister. I still did not know what to think… the fact he was planning to reject her infuriated me. No man should be willing to reject their mate. Especially not my sister, she was a good woman. From a good family. There seemed no logical reason in my mind why Landon would not want her nor turn her away.But he had withdrawn himself the way he so often did, and I could get nothing else from him now. He was reluctant to talk, and even less willing to listen to me. It evidently was not my place to dictate to him what he should and should not do. But this was something that needed discussing with the senior positions within the two packs. And those would be my father and Landon’s grandfather. They
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
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
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
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.
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
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,
I had rushed back to pack, knowing I had a meeting waiting for me. I needed to get things in place... I wanted to do this the right way, and I think it had waited long enough. The meeting room was already set up for me and my new team, but before Daxton and Kaleb arrived, I had my cousins call in to see me. They had travelled over from Lunar River soon after everyone else had left. I didn't wonder it would be long that the rest of their family headed here too, accroding to the information my Grandpa gave me. Their family having been invited to make a fresh start here too...“Hey Joey.” I smiled across at him, my feet rested against the table. “Kent.” I took a long sip of my coffee, more than ready for a drink after today. It had been a long day.“Don’t get up or anything, will you Lan?” Kent shook his head at me in disbelief, I had literally just sat down, with a mug of coffee, so I had no intention of standing up anytime soon. Instead giving my cousin a playful grin.I shrugged. "Sit
I realized my mistake the moment my Mum’s eyes changed. It was not often she became angry like that. She and my Dad were relatively chilled, I suppose, compared to some, but they were both incredibly protective. I don’t know what made me say the words that I did. I had been hurting, I guess with the lack of contact today, and that had been my first thought when I had seen Landon. That it would be the only reason he could have been here.My Mum’s eyes darted between Landon and me, before meeting my terrified gaze. The eyes of her wolf, Sky met mine. Still within my Mum’s body, but pushing forward, her wolf evidently felt the need to come and protect me. “What the hell is going on?” she demanded, and Landon stepped forward, his gaze looking far less confident than he had done a few moments ago; and even then he had not looked overly assured.“Aunt Lilah…” he began.“I am not your Aunt right now. I am Cleo’s Mum.” Her voice was icy cold. Harsh. She never spoke to him that way. My stomac
I stood at the top of the packhouse steps of the Lunar River Pack, my Grandfather had notified me of the official decision of the Council, so I knew our mission had been a success. This pack would be in disarray for a short time, but the Council would ensure it survived; it would also ensure the training facility survived, which I was glad of, because, despite it being set up by a brutal and merciless family, the idea behind the facility was not a bad one. It had benefitted many packs.I saw Kai, hand in hand with Bella, a look within his eyes that I don’t think I have seen from him before. He looked truly content. This girl could be the making of him. Not only as a man, but as an Alpha. I was glad I had been able to help. Dex whimpered within my mind, and I knew where he was going. Where my mind had drifted so many times already today…Despite having told Kaleb and Daxton I wanted to begin setting things up when we returned back today, and having sent Kent and Joey a message to ask