Chapter 10

(Kaeleigh’s POV)

I sighed as I hung my coat and bag up in the staff room at The Cove. I had missed the last few shifts after finding out about Ezra’s accident. I couldn’t bring myself to leave the apartment and had spent the last three days on the sofa with Tatum and Luke just watching movies and trying to process what had happened. 

I wanted to be there so much for the twins, but Ezra’s death had brought back feelings of loss from my own parents and we had all ended up just supporting each other through our grief. The twins had probably fared better than me. Luke was mostly silent and just went with the flow. He had the occasional outburst but would then be back to his cool, calm self. And Tatum was a rock for everyone. She switched between being with us and helping Elaina with the funeral arrangements. 

I, of course, was a big mess of emotions, dealing with that and the revelations of not only finding my fated mate but the fact that he was an Alpha too. It had been a whole day before Tatum had finally demanded I tell her what had happened to my phone. 

“Oh my goddess,” she said after I had told her everything from staying with Jensen and his Alpha walking in on us and then me running away. “I mean, that must have been so awkward,” she started giggling, and I looked at her in disbelief.

“Thanks,” I scoffed, but then felt a smile on my face. She was right, as far as introductions to your fated mates went. Being in bed with his Beta must have been up there with the best.

“What are you going to do about it?” Tatum asked, and I shook my head.

“Erm, nothing,“ I said. “We are leaving after the funeral. I’ll never see him again. Problem sorted,” and Tatum frowned. 

“Kae, this isn’t just some guy, this is your fated mate,” she said, and I sighed. Despite her more eccentric ways, I knew Tatum was a romantic at heart.

“Tay, he’s an Alpha,” I said, and she grinned.

“I know,” she wiggled her eyebrows, and I laughed.

“It’s more than just sex,” I said. “I can’t, not to an Alpha. I can’t let him have such control over me.” 

“Would it really be so bad?” Tatum asked, “I mean the Dark Moon pack, they are a big pack right?” and I nodded, “So he’s an important Alpha, or will be when he takes over,” 

“Exactly,” I said, “And what if he was like Callum? I was powerless against him,”

“Kae, you were sixteen!” Tatum exclaimed, “And he was a bastard. No one is like him.” 

“I’m not much stronger now, not without my wolf,” I said “And with the fated bond, I wouldn’t stand a chance,” The fated bond was a powerful one, and the higher-ranking mate was always the more dominant one of the pair, even if the lower ranked mate ranked up they would still be the one that could be beat into submission easily. Even if I had my wolf, I was still only a Gamma rank, so my fated mate being an Alpha rank meant that he would hold the control in our bond. The wrong type of Alpha, and my experience, showed me that there weren’t too many good Alphas, and I would be powerless against him.

“And what if he was one of the good ones?” Tatum asked and I screwed my face up.

“You didn’t see the way he reacted when he found us. I mean, according to Jensen, they are good friends, but that didn’t stop him from kicking the shit out of him. I’m sorry, but no, I think he is just like the rest. All power in their head and self important egos,”

“And do you really think he will stop looking for you?” Tatum asked, and I sighed, “Let’s just get through the funeral, we’ll be gone by the end of the week,” 

“And your phone?” Tatum asked, and I groaned. I had realised that morning that I didn’t have it and had sent the wipe code on my laptop for precaution. Hopefully it would be enough, but then I didn’t keep anything too personal in there. A lifetime of hiding meant that we were all cautious about that sort of thing.

“Tay, please don’t tell anyone,” I begged her and even though she looked conflicted, she nodded. I knew she didn’t want to keep secrets from the family, but I couldn’t risk Elaina and Jeremy finding out about this. I had a feeling that if they knew, it would complicate things.

“What are you doing here?” a voice pulled me from my thoughts and I rolled my eyes and turned to Bobby, “Kaeleigh, you don’t have to be at work right now,” He reached out and pulled me into a hug. I wrinkled my nose at the slightly musty smell all vampires seemed to emit, but let him hug me. He finally let me go and held me at arm’s reach to look at me. 

“Thanks Bobby,” I said and forced a smile onto my face, “Please, I just need to do something normal, besides I need the money.” 

“I’m still paying you,” he scoffed. “You don’t need to work, plus I spoke to Jeremy. He told me you guys are leaving.” I looked at him in surprise. I had no idea that Bobby and Jeremy knew each other. He laughed and winked at me. 

“Sorry kid, I know more than you thought I did.” 

“Oh,” I said, “I didn’t know you knew him,” and he nodded and smiled sadly.

“I knew your parents too. How do you think they met?” I frowned at that. I always thought my parents were from the same pack. A look came over Bobby’s face like he realised what he said and then he laughed nervously. 

“Okay, fine,” he said, “I will let you work, but if you need to go then do, I’m still paying you till the end of the month.”

“Bobby!” I exclaimed. There were at least two more weeks in the month. He just shook his head.

“No arguments,” he said with finality, and turned and walked away. I shook my head. The money would come in handy until we got set up in the new place, and Jeremy had already broached the subject of me helping him in the business once everything settled down.

I headed into the bar. It was still quiet. There were a couple of witches in one of the corner tables and a werewolf sat at the bar. I could tell by his scent that he was a pack wolf and that he was a high ranking one. A Beta was my guess. I was good at guessing ranks. Ezra had told me that not all werewolves could recognise a rank unless the werewolf in question chose to reveal it, but I seemed to just know. Ezra had said it was clearly my keen senses or something. A quick sniff told me that the Beta wasn’t from a pack I knew, although familiar. But I relaxed, knowing he wasn’t from Dark Moon. I knew their scent well from my time with Jensen.

The Beta noticed me and smiled. I smiled back out of politeness but saw his glass was half full so continued on into the bar to where a witch was waiting at the other end. I kept myself busy for the next half hour, serving customers and stocking the shelves and fridges for the rush. It was Thursday night and would likely get busy very soon. 

A movement caught my eye, and I looked over to see the Beta waving. I smiled and headed down to that end of the bar. I got a good look at him as I did. I could see that he was built like most werewolves, albeit more slender. But he was covered in tattoos. Both arms were full tattoo sleeves and from what I could see under his black shirt that the tattoos continued all the way up onto his neck. 

“Can I get another love?” he said in a really thick Irish accent when I reached him.

 “Sure thing,” I smiled, and reached for another glass under the bar. “Vodka and lime?” I raised an eyebrow, and he laughed a rich laugh. 

“What can I say? I like them sweet,” he said with a wink and I couldn’t help but grin. I poured his drink just as a few more werewolves came into the bar. 

“Aw love, better get one for the boss too,” he said “top shelf whisky and coke for that one,” he said and I looked up to see the Alpha from the other night among the new wolves. I forced a smile on and reached for another glass and poured the drink. I placed it down just as the Alpha sat down and he smiled at me. 

“Ah thank you,” he said with a bright smile. “You haven’t been working lately. I thought I had scared you off.” I smiled and shrugged, taking the money from the Beta.

“Girl needs a holiday every now and then,” I said as I rang up the order. I went to hand the change to the Beta, and he shook his head.

“Keep it love,” he said, and I smiled a thanks and dropped it into the tip jar. I went to head off down the bar when the Alpha spoke again.

“Still alone?” he asked, and I smiled and nodded. “Ever thought about joining a pack?” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and the Beta laughed.

“Bet a pretty one like you gets that question a lot,” he said and patted his Alpha on the back.

“Sorry man, I can spot a lone wolf when I see one,” he said with a wink, “I reckon she would be too much trouble to add to your list anyways,” The Alpha glared at his Beta for a moment but then rolled his eyes,

“Oh I don’t know Cade,” he said, his eyes looking me up and down, “There are some she-wolves who could make a guy want to settle down,“ the Beta responded by almost choking on his drink. I raised an eyebrow at the pair. I was used to attention from werewolves, mostly rogues, but I did seem to attract the attention of the Alphas too. 

“Bloody hell!” the Beta exclaimed. “That’d be a sight, the all mighty Asher settling down with one woman,” he laughed again. The Alpha just rolled his eyes and then smiled at me.

“Don’t listen to him darling,” he said, “And if you ever do want to put down pack roots, then I’m sure we would always have room for a wolf such as yourself,” he winked at me and I forced a smile on my face again.

“Thanks for the offer,” I replied, “But I as I said the other day, I am good by myself.” 

I heard the door open before the scent hit me. I was still facing the two werewolves at the time, but noticed the Alpha stiffen and glanced to the side towards the door. 

“All alone but not alone again,” he said, and grinned at me. I didn’t even need to turn around to know who had just walked in.

“Kae,” I stiffened at the voice and sighed. The Alpha gave me a curious look before turning to his Beta, but I knew he was still watching.

“Kae, please, we need to talk,” the voice at the other end of the bar called. 

I plastered a smile on my face and turned to face Jensen, and standing right behind him was his Alpha and my fated mate.