I could sense the fury radiating from Kai, and in all seriousness, I don’t think I could blame him. He was having his fated mate ripped away from him. And the option to fight, while there, brought risk to both his fated mate, and his own pack...Not to mention, I didn’t think it was what his family needed right now. They had so much to cope with, having just lost Aunt Lilah's father, and his looming funeral. Kai did not need to be going into the house full of fire and fury, ready to burst; because his parents would surely sense something was wrong. And as we pulled back into River Ash, the only thing I could think of was suggesting a run.“I know it will be hell, Kai. But, she is doing what she feels is right for her family. They made the arrangement for the sake of the pack. I have a feeling she will be in touch.” I told him.“I offered to try to buy them out of the arrangement.” He muttered under his breath, taking me by surprise. That would have been a lot of money, I would imagin
I had needed to get away the moment we stepped from the car. Landon's suggestion of a run had made sense. I did not want to be explaining the mess I found myself in to my family right now. Not in this state, anyway. I was ready to kill for Bella, and that was not the state of mind I should be in to discuss this with them. They had so much to cope with right now; the last thing they needed was to worry about my out of control temper or the possibility of me having lost my mate to another Alpha... I would calm myself, somehow, and find a moment where I could discuss things with my Dad and hope he had more ideas for a solution than me...Right now my mind was on the run that lay ahead, and Nyko, being Nyko, had seen Landon’s suggestion of a race as a challenge and wasted no time in pushing forward and urging me to shift to allow us to get the lead. My wolf did not like to lose. I knew Landon would see it as a direct challenge now too. He was an Alpha wolf, just like I was, whether he tr
I moved. Walking aimlessly. My mind was a whirlpool of emotion and mess right now, but all I know is that I need to get away. I cannot stand and watch Finn touch Cleo that way. It causes pain I can’t describe, and they aren’t even doing anything major… imagine if he took things further… that look in his eyes tells me he wants to…‘Fucking stop!’ Dex growled angrily at me. My wolf did not like that thought. He did not like the thought of my mate with another man. He did not agree with me on the reasoning for letting her go. He never had, I don’t think. He saw her as ours, and that was it. That was how the matebond worked. But I knew I had to protect her. Dex said we would protect her. That was our job as her mate. He failed to see she would need protecting from us…“Landon!” A voice from behind me told me that Kai had shifted. Wonderful, just what I needed.I kept moving. I had no intention of stopping. I did not want his company right now. I had shown weakness in my reaction to seein
I had felt so low. So fed up, and seeing my Grandma struggle was making me feel like I was falling apart. She was fine when she was with her friends, almost like she was putting on a brave face. But the moment she was back at her house, she seemed to withdraw. She sat in her chair, her mind wandering, and her eyes off in another world. I liked to think she was thinking of my Grandad.But seeing a woman who had been so strong now so weak and vulnerable was almost soul-destroying. And then I was there battling the desire to message Landon…Terra missed him. Of course, I knew my wolf would be missing her fated mate. It would be natural. We had yet to officially reject one another, so we still shared the bond. The pull to one another was still strong… and, I would not lie, I missed him too, and was wondering how he was getting on at his family’s pack. I was surprised when I had heard he was staying a little longer than expected, and could not help but wonder if that was in a bid to avoid
I could not help myself with the sly dig at Cleo, or more so at Finn, when I saw his smirk. He was enjoying it. It was almost like he was attempting to rub it in my face. I knew he would take my fated mate if given a chance. The look within his eyes when he looked upon her said a thousand words without uttering a thing... Though was Cleo even considered my fated mate anymore when she knew I planned to reject her? Maybe she already planned to move on?Finn snarled, the anger more than evident on his handsome features and I expected him to come for me. Though he would be a fool to, I knew that much, and he had to too. I was an Alpha, he was simply a Gamma. And the anger simmering through me right now would be enough to kill him, of that I was certain.But he had stronger self-control than me as he held himself back. His eyes simply darkened, angrily glowering at me. His jaw was tight with irritation... I knew he loved and cared for Cleo, and could I blame him for that? Could I be angry
Landon’s face as he screwed up his nose and looked truly disgusted was, actually, quite adorable, and I couldn’t hold back the little laugh that sneaked from my lips. I saw the look he gave me. The way his eyes drifted over my face... I am sure there was hope there… had something changed?“Right. I am covered, and you two need to give your heads a shake and realize that being together is not the hell you seem to have it imagined as.” Kai’s voice was loud and full of authority as he approached, like he planned to take over what this was about to be. But in storming over, he had also managed to disturb any atmosphere that was building between Landon and I. Though considering the awkward expression appearing upon Landon's face, maybe that was a good thing?I watched the two of them and the brief nod they shared. Where had this sudden friendship between my brother and Landon come from? Kai usually did nothing to hide his dislike for Landon, yet here he was pushing for the two of us to be
It had all but destroyed me walking away from Cleo. I knew that had been the perfect opportunity to make my choice. And the thing that terrified me more than anything was that everything Kai had said resonated with me. I hated to admit that perhaps he was right.I have allowed my parents to affect so many aspects of my life growing up. The pain of their absence was far too great, but I had to try so hard to hide that from my grandparents. I never wanted them to know I suffered because of it. I knew they struggled enough after losing my Dad. They did so much for me, and gave me all that I needed, and wanted… likely too much at times… and I know I took advantage of that at times… and it was all to make up for the fact my parents had not been around.Guilt was a terrible thing. But, deep down, I knew they had no real reason for their guilt, and I think if they looked deeper they would know that too. My Grandpa did what he had to do. He did the honorable thing that night. I have heard the
I braced myself for the imminent storm that was coming my way. The look upon my grandfather’s face told me everything I needed to know. But he simply sighed, shaking his head. “Why in all the world would you do that, Landon?” and the disappointment within his voice was cutting. I think I would have rather him yelled…I moved to the stools next to the breakfast bar, sitting down. “GG, it isn’t as easy as you think.” I muttered, dreading his reaction when he realized that the one I planned to reject was Cleo. He saw Aunt Lilah and her family as an extended part of our family. Had watched her children growing up…“Why isn’t it? The moon goddess chose that girl for you. And I know that no, not all mates are perfect for one another, but that is something that is discovered in time, son. It is unlikely you would know immediately. You need to allow the relationship to develop. But one thing I can tell you is that you are not your father, and you are most certainly not your mother.” He ran hi
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