The next few days were a blur. Alpha Rhodes had kept to his promise, and hosted a beautiful candlelight ceremony honouring Mains in the library. Pack members old and new sipped at tea and guzzled down pastries and we laughed and told stories from all over the world. My mother's spirits had lifted greatly after this night, she went back to work and her step seemed lighter. We would be broken by Mains' passing for as long as I lived, but the pain was no longer searing my every movement.
Alpha Rhodes had kept me off of patrol duty for the time being, letting me mourn and recoup as I needed. I knew I would eventually be called to serve, but the quiet for now had helped me heal immensely. Even Torrance offered me space, letting me come to her, and not overwhelming me in our visits. She knew I needed space to heal and grow, and she offered me that.
It took me almost a week to muster up the courage to go back into the study. I knew Mains' cherry wood scent wound lin
My mother had eagerly agreed to join in the crusade, I think she'd been chomping at the bit to join in Mains' and my mystery for some time now. We came up with a plan for when we would work, Sherry agreeing to take on more responsibility running the shop. We would only be downstairs, so any one of us would be available to help at a moments notice. Luckily as the air chilled and school settled in the foot traffic had slowed, especially in the mornings.The BEta had taken little convincing when asked to spare Alex from training, both persuaded by the direness of the situation before us and Alex's proven inaptitude, "Kid, taking a few months off can't hurt." He'd joked, and Alex was relieved to be spared his weekly embarrasment as he got his ass handed to him by wolves half his size.The three of us spent nearly every morning poring through archives and photos, their ahrp minds offering new perspectives on things Mains and I had brushed off as unimportant coinci
Alpha Rhodes descended upon us within moments, the promise of a map to guide us at the forefront of his mind. His towering frame burst into our crowded workspace, hands grasping for the flimsy piece of waxy paper."Great work, Theo," he said gruffly as he studies the crude drawings ont he page."Actually, this was Alex and my mom's find," I said, gesturing to my genius compatriots, who nervously stood off to the side, bubbling over with pride. The Alpha nodded at Alex and he let out a gust of air he'd been holding in his chest, spilling over as he explained how they'd found the map.Satisfied with his explanation, the Alpha turned back to me, "We'll set out first thing tomorrow, at dawn. I have every intention of seeing this through.""Alpha, sorry- I'm needed here," my mother chimed in, a worried look on her face."No, I meant Theo and myself. We'll follow the map. You two continue your research," he said, pointing one finger towards t
I jumped out of bed refreshed before my early morning alarm ever sounded, the anticipation of the hunt waking me up and leaving me buzzing where I stood. I showered, keeping it quick but paying extra close attention to my hair and skin. Something told me it may be a while before I showered again, depending on how many days our journey kept us away from home. The close quarters I was promised with the Aloha meant I wanted to soak good scents deep into my skin, maybe that way they'd last longer. I scrunched my curls and hoped they would air dry in a nice pattern, before sauntering over to my closet to choose the day's clothes. Our mission was secret, filled with espionage and high stakes. I felt like the main character in a spy movie, one that Torrance would no doubt swoon over. I grabbed my favourite pair of distressed black jeans and a dark grey long sleeve shirt to go with it, throwing over it all a motorcycle jacket I hardly ever wore. I never wore them, but instinctively I grabbe
The late afternoon sun crackled in through the windshield as we grew closer and closer to our GPS destination. We'd driven all day, stopping only for dinner. The radio hummed on, low and melodic, as the repetition of tires moved us slowly on. In the distance, a road sign boasted a nearing motel and Alpha Rhodes pointed towards it, "I'll secure us a room for tonight, at least we'll have somewhere to crash," he stated simply, pulling out onto the exit and up the gravelly lane to the dilapidated motel. He paid for a room, and collected the keys, then we were on the road again.It was nearing 7 o'clock, dusk had begun to settle in on the horizon. Inky clouds scattered through the sky as the little red dot of our destination drew nearer. Soon we were as close as the road could take us and Rhodes pulled off onto the sandy shoulder, manoeuvring the clunky car as far from the road as he could, "Ready for a hike?" he asked, and we were on our way.Though there was no bru
Rhodes' towering body took up most of the small motel bed, and I shimmied myself far over to the side to give him as much room as possible. Night had fully set in, and the effects of the long day we'd endured began to really set in. I felt my body relax despite the less than comfortable motel bed beneath me, but my mind was swimming with conflicting thoughts about the man now resting next to me. I could tell he wasn't asleep, though he lay still on his back a few inches away. He was likely tuned in to the link, hearing the reports from his people back home. I tried to focus on my breathing, quieting my mind and relaxing myself to beckon sleep. Deep down I knew it was useless, my whole body was lit like a live wire, mixed signals bouncing off all throughout my body. Rhodes shifted next to me, rolling over to his side and slowing his breathing. His back was to me, the haunches of his shoulders visible in the full light coming through the waxy motel curtains. I marveled at how fit he w
I woke up to the sound of the shower starting, the bed empty beside me where Rhodes had once slept. My heart hammered in my chest. My dream couldn't have lasted all night, could it? The image of those haunting, unsafe eyes burned into the backs of my eyelids. I worried they were a warning, an omen to not wander further into the cage. The other half of me saw it as a sign of the danger to come, that only our answers lie beyond the mouth of that cave.I stood, gathering my change of clothes and pacing in circles around the room as I struggled to gather some semblance of what to do next. I battled within myself whether or not to tell Alpha Rhodes about my ominous dream, let him play dream weaver and decipher its meaning. Before long he emerged from the steaming bathroom, and I ducked in after him, shakily brushing my teeth and pulling on my clothes. I wrestled with my own mind as I stared at myself in the mirror, rolling my bottom lip between my teeth as I jumped between t
I woke up the next morning in my own bed, the sun streaming in through the windows. It took only a moment for me to register my surroundings, gather my head enough to shake me to consciousness. I leapt from bed, showering in record time and hastily throwing on the nearest clean clothes to my touch. Alpha Rhodes hadn't expressly said he'd wait for me to open the box, but he had hinted that should I make myself known during the proceedings he would include me in the process. I sped out of the house, car keys in hand and my hair still sopping wet. In mere minutes I had pulled up at the pack house, my hands wrapped around the heavy iron doorknocker. I stood on the stoop, the autumn breeze whipping around me. The chill of the air made itself known as my wet hair dampened my thin shirt. I shivered as the cold set into my bones, knocking once more.The door swung open and an exhausted Alpha stood before me, eyes thick with sleep."Did I wake you?" I asked, stepping into t
Author's Note: When it rains it pours! So sorry for the lack of uploads the past few weeks. From a lost job to a business closure to a flood in my home- it's been one thing after the other, and everything in between! I promise I'll be back to regular updates very soon! I'm writing when I can to get a few chapters ready for posting and I'll try to update every day in April! Here's a shorter chapter for now-- things are about to get serious in Stay's Landing!____________________________________________________________________________I stumbled back, words swirling in my mouth, thick and acidic. My stomach churned as the page before me blurred. I stole a glance at Alpha Rhodes' stone hard stare, his face had paled and his jaw was taut as he stirred over his next move internally. I ached to say something, to bring comfort to the room swelling in silence, but noting surfaced aside from pure fear and bile."Theo
The rest of the day milled on, dry and aching as I felt out in the space for my mate. I wanted nothing more than to be with him, surrounded by him and the electric heat that closed the space between us. I so longed for him, but the turmoil of my body and mind were not in harmony. Inwardly my thoughts were muddled, painful. Normally I would turn to my mom in times like these. I would spill my fears over her perfectly cooked eggs at the counter in our little cottage, the hot coffee and morning sunbeams washing away my dread. I thought now to the charred walls and burnt memories, our cottage another ruin in the wasteland my land has become. Even my beloved dock, steadfast and strong as it was, had become much to dangerous for me to sit alone and work through my maze of thoughts. I felt so alone under the weight of my life. What a way to spend your birthday. I thought of my friends, how I so desperately wanted to let them in and to celebrate. I had found my mate! He loved me too! I
As the strategy meeting came to a close and we all retreated to our preparation points I felt the calloused hand of Jonas meet my elbow, his low whisper in my ear."Alpha's chambers, now."His voice was gruff and bone chilling, the fear lingered on the back of my neck as I swallowed it down. Funny how I was not afraid of the battle ahead, but the scolding tone of my own packmate sent my senses into a fight or flight frenzy.As we walked through the wooden corridor towards the office I could pick up the residual hints of my mate's scent wafting in the air. Somehow that reminder of him, that hint of his once-before closeness worked magic in calming my nerves. Seeing his towering, chiseled frame as we broke the threshhold of his office even more so. His back was turned, he'd clearly been pacing, but the crease of his furrowed brow softened as our eyes met.This miniscule act of intimacy was enough to send Jonas back into a rage. His low, ne
The Pack House's Great Hall was a room rarely used. It was reserved for tactical meetings and the occasional party, but I couldn't remember the last time the wide oak doors were swung open, the room aired out and the curtains drawn. With all of our warriors and the visiting help we found ourselves with way too many ranks for any other room, so here we stood.I timed my entrance, not wanting to walk in with Rhodes, knowing I couldn't stop myself from standing too close, his scent intoxicating and the invisible strings tied around our souls straining to pull us back together. I was only a few feet away from him and yet I missed him. I yearned to be next to him, buried safe in his arms and drunk with love and comfort. But being with him had to wait. As blurred as our minds both were with the confirmation of our hunch, there were more important tasks at hand.I stepped over the threshhold, my eyes taking in the rows and rows of brave men and women we had gather
Rhodes drew in a sharp breath, almost a gasp. We stared at each other, in disbelief, drinking the moment. I felt myself being drawn to him, as if a thread was holding us together, pulling us nearer. The only thing I could see were his amber eyes, boring into mine, I swear I could hear the thump of our hearts beating in time, could feel the blood pulsating through my veins. It’s as if the whole world fell away and there was only him.“Come with me.” Rhodes said gruffly, “Now.” His eyes darkened and his voice was rough, he wrapped his calloused hand around my wrist, sparks emanating from his palm as he gently pulled me through the pack house corridors and towards his bedroom.Once we were alone he turned to me,“Is it? Are you…&rd
Sleep came easy, but rest was unrelenting. As soon as my eyes closed I was tormented by images of shadows draping themselves sickeningly across the swells of Stay's landing. Their menacing black grip grasped at our buildings, dragging them from the light and into the clutches of a ravenous night. Truth be told, I had expected the nightmares to come. I had expected the feeling of ice in my veins, of panic and cold sweats and fear as I lie between sleep and waking. In a way this prepared me for the mania that would come, the fear that would undoubtedly paralyse me where I stood. The shadows slunk along the stone pathways of my home, hissing as they slithered like indiscernible snakes around the structures of town. They singed the ground beneath them, the air around them growing thick and warm as the world burned. I felt myself gasping for air as the embers in the shadow's wake begain to flutter as the flames caught. Smoke was billowing all aro
Torrance’s bedroom was already emptier than I had expected. She’d gone ahead and wrestled all of her summer clothes, every tank top and sparkly sandal shoved into trunks and boxes. Her round, bubbly handwriting decorated the sides, little hearts dotting the i’s and swirling underlines cementing in that she was really leaving.“Don’t look so sad, Red. I’ll be back to visit!” She said, sticking out her bottom lip as she hugged me into her.“I can’t help it,” I said, trying to make my tone sound light even though it was weighed down with merciless grief, “you’re my best friend and you’re leaving me.”“I’m going with my mate!”“Why couldn’t you have mated with an orphan with no responsibilities that loves mountains? Maybe a geologist. A geologist would be happy here.”Torrance only rolled her eyes at my antics, her sparkling grin both
The next two weeks were here and gone in a blur, between training and studying and battening down the hatches I began to know myself in a whole new level of exhaustion. Muscles I didn't even know existed ached, I loaded up on more carbs than I even thought possible, I pushed myself past the limit and past the next one too. Even Sage, deep within me, panted for a rest.The promised week of rest could not come faster, I yearned for the days of easy patrol runs and light agility training. I hadn't run for leisure in weeks, and the feeling was sorely missed. I felt a lot of myself slipping. I hadn't been back to my pier since the day my mother left. I hadn't run for myself, I hadn't read a piece of broken poetry or breathed in the calming sense of nature. It felt like an eternity since I paused and felt the earth under my feet, since I felt the swimming thoughts in my mind clear. I felt like I was but a blur.Rhodes had pulled away, too, the pressure of the imp
I was no stranger to the falsified sense of peace that had graced our dinner table the evening before. Everything and everyone I loved shared in the final meal, my mother to my right and Alpha Rhodes seated at the head of the table to my left. Torrance and her newfound mate were cuddled up, sharing in hushed whispers as they got to know one another. Her parents looked on adoringly, and laughter and warmth radiated across the room. I was all but haunted by my conversation with Clarice, the promise of a new and unfamiliar future on the horizon. When morning came, everything would change.As the dawning light crept in the Alpha and I sighed. Neither of us had slept a wink, but we hadn’t shared a word either. It was as if we were both in denial of what was to come. As the frost settled and the cold winter air whipped around the pack house, the haunting whistles made soundtrack to our somber morning. We worked in tandem, handing each other
"Mate."Torrance replied, stepping out from behind me, her breathing heavy. They drifted towards each other weightlessly, almost as if on autopilot, They glided into one another's arms, holding each other at the elbows. Their conversation was hushed, in whispers, as the familiarity of their souls called out to their mate.Leona sighed, and I looked back at her beaming smile, her eyes brimming with tears and pride as she watched her daughter meeting her other half. I beamed, squeezing the Alpha's hand in excitement as I watched my best friend accept her new role. The daughter of a Beta now the mate of another. A Goddess perfect pairing.Moments passed, no one dare interrupt the fate's meeting. The duo seemed to hold the same regard for public forum, however, and they pulled apart to let the official meeting commence. Torrance stood nervously close to her new mate, their arms touching as she let the Alpha speak."Well! Even more now than b