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 hand upon my shoulder dropped onto the breakfast bar. “I am sorry if I am being harsh, son, but I don’t want you to look back in a few years when you realize you are not the monster you seem to have yourself imagined as, and regret your choices. There is no greater bond than that of the matebond. A chosen mate could be wonderful, but I don’t think that is the same. Plus, you and Cleo have history. It could be so good.”I looked up at my Grandpa and nodded. I didn't doubt for a second that he believed what he was telling me. He believed that Cleo and I could be good together... and more importantly, he didn't believe I was the monster that I feared I was. His eyes were full of nothing but love and support. I knew I was lucky to have had him and my Grandma. Maybe I did better having them there for me growing up, than I ever would have done if my parents had survived… who knows…“But, I will leave you to consider what I said. But, with regard to part of that conversation, finding the
I woke to the sound of my Mum crying in the hallway. Today was the day we had dreaded. The funeral. Yesterday we spent the day together as a family. Looking through so many pictures and videos of Grandpa... sharing our memories of him. I lost count of the times I had cried. But, I have to say it was nice. We all had so many good memories of him; and today was going to be difficult.Thankfully, spending time solely with my family, at my Grandparents' home, meant I could avoid everyone... or one person in particular. And, to a degree, I could keep distracted... so, I had avoided all talk of Landon, and all thought too. Kai had known not to mention him, and had been chatting to Dad many times, about what I was unsure. I could only hope it had not been me, and my sorry mess.Hearing the pain in my Mum's sobs, I slid from my bed, and opened the bedroom door, wondering if my Mum needed someone to talk to. But, as I stepped out of the room, I found my Mum already wrapped in the arms of my D
It was the day of the funeral. One we had been talking of since we had heard of Uncle Trent passing away. He may not have been blood family to us, but through Aunt Lilah he had become like family. And, of course, he was the father-in-law to my Uncle, Knox. I could not begin to imagine the pain they must be in right now. The thought of losing any of my grandparents on my mother’s or my father’s side was devastating… family was everything to us.The long line of cars had been speeding along. Following one another since we left our pack. It had been a long time since I had been to River Ash, I have to say. We used to come together all the time when we were young children, visiting often with our mothers, spending time with Aunt Lilah’s family here, and seeing Landon too. All the children enjoying time together in the many open spaces they had here. But as our teen years came, those visits dwindled, and we all tended to want to do different things.I sat silently looking out of the windo
I felt Nori’s whole body tense in my arms. I brought my gaze to meet hers and she smiled awkwardly, before she pulled away from me. “Hey Dad.” She said, turning to look at a well-built guy, dressed smartly in black pants and shirt. His thick black hair slicked back. He was making his way to us at quite some speed. In all honesty, he looked like he was about to take my head off…“Don’t give me, hey Dad, Nori. Care to explain what is going on?” He demanded, giving me one hell of a dirty look. I could sense my mate’s discomfort through the bond we shared, and that was before even marking her. I hoped that was a good sign for the strength of our connection. But, right now, I knew she was not wanting her father to find out about us like this, and just as I was about to speak to explain, a petite dark-haired woman followed the man, near jogging to keep up. She shared the same eyes as my mate, so I could only assume
This felt different. No. I felt different. This she-wolf by my side did something to me. Something I didn’t quite understand. But as we walked side by side through the tree line to give us a little privacy before we would have to go and join the ever-building crowds for the ceremony, I found myself glancing at Nori in what I guess could only be considered as awe. Vala was making the strangest sound, somewhere between a purr and a whimper… I think he may be content… and oddly, I think I may be too…I had been dreading today only a short time ago. Fearing seeing Cleo moving on with her life. Seeing her with the mate mark that proved she would never be mine. Seeing her become Luna of another pack. But now none of that mattered. All that mattered in this moment was the she-wolf by my side. I just wished I could have found her sooner. I felt like I had missed out on so much. If this was the affect the matebond could have on you, I truly
Controlling parents, or more an over-protective father were beyond a joke, and it was rare we came back to visit family here. Though, I have to say I do love my Mum’s home pack. And I loved seeing my Grandparents and Uncle and his family. But they all tended to visit us. Obviously the fact we lived quite the distance away was not helpful. I had been surprised when Mum had said she wanted to come back for the Alpha ceremony when she had not come home for the funeral of the former Beta.A little disrespectful in my mind, but hell, what do I know? “Quinn, will you just stay with us please?” My Dad called to me from the lounge of the packhouse that he had made his way to after having yet another falling out with my Uncle Archie. They clashed to say the least. I had already lost count of the arguments since our arrival late last night.I was already up and walking away, but Dad was on my tail. Could I not go and see my damn cousins?! My D
I smiled across at my cousin. I would leave him alone if that is what he was wanting. But, I could tell from the expression upon his face that there was a little more to this than he was letting on. And, I hoped to find out. I had hated seeing Jorge hurting after his fated walked away from him. I truly thought we may lose him. We as wolves wait for our fated, and he was no different.The thing was, his fated had chosen to date, and settled down with the guy she was dating. In her mind, sadly, choosing a future with him was better than one with her fated. It took us a lot to bring Jorge back from the brink, and if there was even the slightest hope of happiness for my guy, then I wanted to ensure he had that opportunity, and I did not doubt for a moment I would not be the only one.“Sure thing, J.” I nodded. “Too damn busy here today.” I rolled my eyes. I could see my sister, Ana, up ahead with her new mate. My Mum and Dad alread
The amount of people here today was ridiculous. I thought there had been a lot for the life celebration of Beta Trent, but I am certain there is going on double the amount for the Alpha Ceremony. Though these types of events were huge celebrations, not only involving the whole pack, but packs from across the country. There were a great number of people from Midnight Forest, but that was merely because of the connections between our two packs, otherwise it was likely it would be the higher-ups within pack, like so many other packs would have sent. I could only imagine the organization that had to have gone into today's events.River Ash had many visiting families from past times, she-wolves who had left, and come back to see Landon made the new Alpha. A new beginning for their pack. One, that in many people’s views was long overdue. And, as I caught sight of Cleo walking through the pack, hand in hand with the guy, I have to say, it was a new beginning for our little CC too. I
All those times I have questioned where my fated mate could be… as I have watched my friends begin to settle down… and it turned out, all along, he was in a pack closer to where my Mum was from… a pack Dad was never too fussed about visiting… more because of the distance it involved to get here. But, it made me ponder now, would I have found Finn sooner had I visited more?“Are you staying for long?” Finn asked me gently, as he offered me his hand again, he seemed to be finding any chance to touch me, and I have to say it was incredibly endearing. We had decided taking a walk away from the main area of the pack might provide us some privacy, but I doubted we would have much time.“Until tomorrow I think.” I offered, already questioning how soon I would be able to return to be with this handsome young man by my side. The man chosen for me by our Moon Goddess. That was of course, if he decided he wante
My heart was pounding heavily in my chest and my head felt like a fuzzy mess right now, as my eyes darted across the busying space in front of me. People were arriving for this Alpha ceremony, which meant the pack was gradually filling up, only making my job harder. That scent was faint, but damn was it overwhelming.Vala was pacing so intensly now, it was becoming distracting, as I continued my search. ‘You know you could always help me look.’ I mumbled.‘If I look, I am shfting, and with all these people around and the fact my head is not thinking straight, that is not going to be for the best.’ Vala snapped, and I knew he was struggling worse than I was.My wolf had been like all wolves. He wanted his fated. He had partially, over the years, resigned himself to the fact I had not been quite so much the traditionalist and was not focusing on finding my fated. But, with that scent lingering in my nose, I cannot help but question why that was. Maybe it was the feelings I had felt for
I can't say if today was a day I was looking forward to or not. I knew it was a day I would see Cleo again, and that was something I was more than a little anxious about. I had walked from her family home having learned of her leaving, and gone to the gym to work myself hard, to the point of pain. Trying hard to cause myself more pain than I had been currently feeling hearing that Cleo had not thought to let me know she was leaving, even if it had just been a text. I knew now I was not a priority, her mate always should be, but I had thought as a friend I may be someone she would want to tell, and from what I had heard later, it seemed my sister had had a message or two, and I have to say that hit pretty hard...The arrival of the day had loomed for a whole new reason now. Knowing there was the chance of seeing the girl I did not know how I felt about right now. But, how I felt was irrelevant. The day arrived, regardless, and we had set off early to River As
I had showered, and now sat at the edge of the bed, all suited up, in my black suit pants and black shirt and tie. I was going without the jacket as I truly hated wearing them. My hair was slicked back, and I was doing my best to look as smart as I could for my pack today. I wanted to make a good impression. I mean, after all, today was the beginning of my reign as Alpha. Though the first opportunity I had, and the tie would be off, and the top few buttons of this short would be undone. Man, was I uncomfortable!Nerves were beginning to get the better of me, which was one of the reasons I had hoped for some time with Cleo before the mayehm of the day took over, but with the very little sleep we had got last night, we had both slept a little later than planned this morning, meaning we had to get up almost immediately. And, I was waiting now on my adorable mate.I could hear her singing in the bathroom that adjoined to our room, and despite the fact she