I awoke with a serious crick in my neck. The sofa was most definitely not designed for sleeping on. And not to mention the fact that Kai had been pacing the room in the early hours, only added to the difficulty of sleeping. I knew he was struggling. Even I could sense that in him and we weren’t particularly close. I may not like the guy, but I felt bad for him. He clearly wanted his mate, as you should, but I knew there was next to no chance of that.
The Alpha here was not one to mess with. And he now saw Bella as his. He had got into a fit of rage over his fated mate catching up with a few college friends for coffee, including a few guys, from what I understood. The argument got out of control and he lashed out. I don’t think for a moment he meant to kill her, but falling the way she had down the stairs had broken her neck, I believed, and she had died almost instantly. I hadn’t been here when it happened, I had been on one of my many visits back to see my
Unfortunately, I had to crash at Aunty T’s, sleeping on her tiny little sofa. Or it sure as hell felt tiny to me. I would rather have taken the room in the packhouse that Alpha Grayson had offered me, but Mum was adamant we stayed with her Aunty. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my Aunty, but I did not love her lumpy sofa and neither did my back…“Oh, Finn… sunshine…” Aunty T’s voice was bright and cheerful from the kitchen, and as I forced open my eyes, the strong smell of coffee hit my nose. Along with the smell of cooking. “Breakfast is ready.” she called, sounding far too bright and breezy for a morning.I felt almost guilty now for saying I hadn't wanted to stay with her. I mean, how could I think badly of her after she has made me food? I chuckled, throwing back the crocheted blanket that had been covering me, as I plodded my way into the kitchen. “Morning Aunty T.” I greeted her, bending down
My Mum was busy at an appointment having flowers finalized for the funeral, with Aunt Indie. Dad had said he would stay at the house with me and Grandma, so at least I had him here to help, because I found it difficult to know what to say to her. It had never been like that with Grandma before, but she wasn't herself right now. She seemed to be in almost a trance, bless her. Staring off into the distance more often than not, and when she was talking it was so often about memories of Grandpa.Dad reassured me this was normal and just because her and her wolf were struggling with the loss of their mate. It was hard for someone to lose their mate, especially when they had been together so long. But I hated seeing my Grandma like this. She was usually so strong. So confident. Right now she was nothing but a shell of her former self.Having sat in an awkward silence for what felt like an eternity in the lounge, I wandered through to the kitchen. “You want a cup of tea
I had already had to endure the pleasure of Kai’s company over breakfast, and the sheer happiness that exuded from him as he realized that his mate would not be coming down to the dining hall for breakfast. He looked at me like it was my fault. Snapped at me like it was something I had control over. I had just about tolerated all I could with him today, and it wasn't even halfway through the morning yet.I still had to endure the journey home with him, which could be absolute carnage if the meeting with his mate did not go as Kai hoped. But, I tried not to think of that.And, thankfully, my cousin, Jack had been dropping into the dining hall to grab some food like he always did before he headed to training, so I quickly pulled him to one side and asked him to mindlink the upcoming Luna discreetly, saying I needed advice as the next Alpha of River Ash. Thankfully, she thought nothing of it, and from what Jack said, she sounded quite proud of the fact I had come to
I walked through the trees, rushing quickly to get further into the forest and away from my Dad and Grandma. I did not want to risk them hearing this call. Especially after what had just been said. My phone was in my hand, with Landon on loudspeaker. And his words felt like they had wounded me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How could I have been so foolish as to think he had changed his mind? I kept allowing myself to build my hopes up, only for him to bring them crashing down again.“What the fuck is that meant to mean?” I snapped. I was sick of his weird way of twisting his words, so I didn’t quite know what he meant. Why could he not just want me? I was meant to be with him. That is what the moon goddess had decided, wasn’t it? Why could things not just go right for a change? Was it not bad enough I had to lose my Grandpa, without this on top of it?“Cleo, I think you are amazing. Incredibly beautiful. The sweetest girl I know&
Sitting sharing breakfast looking at the ugly face of Landon was far from ideal. And having to listen to the mundane and forced, polite conversation he was creating was almost torture. But he was helping me today, so I had to be civil. Even if the fucker was still hellbent on breaking my sister’s heart. Right now, he was the only way I could get to talk to my fated mate, so I would allow him to assist me with that, and deal with his sorry ass once I had fixed my mess. So, I did my best to zone out from his wittering, and almost look through him, focusing my thoughts on my plans for the day... and of course, my mate.Thankfully, Bella had been more than willing to agree to meet Landon, which instantly made me suspicious. Just how close were they? Had something gone on between them? Would he sink that low as to try to steal another Alpha’s planned mate? Or was that just my over-suspicious mind working overtime because I had barely slept and was ter
I loved the cute little coffee shop, Cozy Corner Coffee. I often brought myself here to escape the hecticness that was my new pack. Life there was certainly not what I had expected it to be. I had expected a nice, relaxed little pack similar to my own. A chilled out Alpha, much like my Dad. But, no… instead I was sent to a large and extremely busy pack, mainly due to the warrior training facility that it enclosed, with an overbearing and controlling Alpha, that I was unfortunately expected to marry.So, my regular trips to the coffee shop were becoming a regular excuse for me to flee the madness for even just a short spell of tranquility, and a moment of peace from the pressure of my soon-to-be husband and mate. He was quite, erm, domineering, shall we say. Again, not what I had expected of a relatively young Alpha.I had been surprised that Landon had asked to meet me, but had felt a sense of pride too. I had heard of him, of course I had. He was extremely popu
Okay, so my attempt at a joke had gone down like a lead balloon. Now Bella thought I was arrogant. Wonderful. Just what I needed. I don’t think this could go much worse. I had so wanted to make a good impression, and already I don't think I could have made more a worse one...And, to top it off, Nyko was already in a mood with me, and off in the nether reaches of my mind, refusing to talk right now. Not that I minded, as my head was enough of a mess without his added input. But as the two of us sat in an awkward silence, both cradling our mugs of coffee awkwardly, I couldn’t help but wonder if Bella would be even be willing to listen to me at all now.I raised my gaze to look at her, and she was staring off into the distance, her big green eyes looking like she was off in her own world, as she twiddled her hair around her finger. I sighed heavily. “I am sorry, I was only messing, I am not good at this.” I mumbled awkwardly.“What? M
I looked toward Kai, hating the hurt expression upon his face. I had warned him he would not like what I had to say. He was an upcoming Alpha, he had to know that arranged marriages still occurred. Especially when they are of benefit to packs. Sadly, when that was the case, fated mates meant nothing. Obviously, my soon-to-be husband didn’t have to consider a fated mate having lost his in an unfortunate accident, where she slipped on the stairs.But, the fact they all knew I would have a fated mate somewhere out there had gone disregarded, without a second thought. And when I asked my father, I was told not to make things difficult for him, or mess up the arrangements for him or our pack. I knew then I would not get a say in any of this. I could not be seen to be disappointing my pack. Although now I had met my fated mate, I was beginning to wonder if I had made the right choice or not…“What if we arrange a meeting?” Kai spoke, his face more de
An unexpected business meeting overseas was not what I had needed, but I had done as my father had asked, and I had attended. Now I could not wait to return home. I just needed to survive the hassle of a long-haul flight. Thankfully, we had managed to get me an earlier flight home than the original one I had planned, as the pack I had visited was an absolute hellhole and I did not want to stay there longer than necessary. As soon as all the meetings were held, I was out of there as fast as my feet could carry me...I had rushed through the airport, running late as I so often did, and got to the gate at the very last minute. I am sure the flight attendants must love people like me who had a tendency to hold the flights up as they waited for me. But I showed them my boarding pass and rushed down the aisle to where my seat number should be.I was in the aisle seat, it seemed, but there was a bag already sitting there, and I was ready to snap, not needing
Our time visiting our family had been wonderful as always, but this time it held a lingering shadow that hung heavy over me. Knowing that when we left for home, Sergio would not be returning with us, and it simply did not feel right. I knew the reasons why, and I think it was such a noble thing for him to have offered to do for his mate, but I still felt like it was wrong. But we had spoken this over many times with our parents, and they surprised me by being fully supportive of his decision. They wanted their son to be happy, and they, understandably, respected Tatiana’s need to stay and assist in the care of her mother.When there had been the family meeting, between my grandparents, my uncle, us, Tatiana and her father, and my parents on video call, everything was discussed in detail, and Tatiana was very quiet, like she was reluctant to admit she wanted this, or she did not wish to seem it was her that pushing for it. I knew that Sergio was already smitten by his mate and would d
My body froze as my Mum’s words registered. A cold chill spread over my body. This was not what I wanted to happen. ‘Mami, no.’ I mindlinked her, only to find the link blocked once again. She was determined. She wanted revenge on the man standing next to us.“Erm, I do believe I have things to do, actually, Mrs…” Luka began, but my Dad stood up suddenly, interrupting him, gripping him by the front of his shirt, and Luka’s face was swiftly pale.“I think you had come here for a reason, so you had some free time, and that free time is about to be used to chat to us. Or more specifically me.” My Dad snarled, telling me that my Mum had already broken my trust and told him everything that she knew.Dad maneuvered Luka to the seat he had moments ago stood from and sat him down, maybe a little forcibly, while Alexis stood to grab another table from a nearby table for my Dad. I was trembling by this point, so aware of the curious gazes that were coming our way. I think it would be hard for t
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