Chapter 4 - Kane

I stare out the side window of the car and blankly watch the scenery flash by.  My heart aches from earlier watching Tommy and Finn in the university’s cafeteria with their friends. 

I’m happy they have made a few friends in college, but they are both still really quiet and reserved.  However, I know it isn’t easy after what both of them have gone through.  To say that Tommy and Finn have had a rough life is an understatement.  I can’t think of what else can happen to them to make things harder on them than they already are.  Well, there is one.  That is the one thing that has me on edge nowadays. 

Ben taps the steering wheel and sighs.  “Stop worrying about them.  Tommy and Finn are adults now.  We can’t keep them under our wing forever.  Plus, we have our own babies to take care of now.”

I sigh.  “I know, but I can’t help it.  It is my Luna side that wants them to be not only safe, but to also be happy.  I know they will never have tons of friends.  They are too afraid of being abandoned for that to happen, but I hope they can make more than just two friends.”

I turn in my seat and face my friend.  “My primary concern since they have turned 18 is about when they will find their mates.  I was hoping initially that their mates were within our pack.  Our pack members already know what the two have gone through and wouldn’t have made it difficult for them.  However, it is very apparent now that their mates aren’t even within the local vicinity of our pack.  As an older brother for them, I can’t help but to worry about who their mates are.”

I bit my lower lip as my chest tightens.  “It will not only crush their hearts, but mine too if anything happens between them and their mates.”

Ben keeps his focus on the road and nods.  “Me too.  I don’t want any harm to come to those two.  They are the pack’s precious, scarred angels.”

I nod my head.  “Yes.  I think everyone in the pack is keeping a close eye on them, especially the older ones.”

I turn back towards the road.  “Where do you think their mates are?  Do you think we should start having them travel during their breaks?  Maybe then they can find their mates.”

Ben shakes his head.  “No.  Don’t force it.  The moon goddess must not think they are ready for their mates yet.  Just let things work out on its own.  If we force anything, things might not work out how we expect them.”

I softly mumble, “I guess.”

Once again, I turn and stare out the passenger window. 

A part of me wants Tommy and Flinn to feel the joy and happiness of finding their mates.  However, another part of me is still worried.  I don’t want either of them to go through what I did.  Watching your true mate claim someone else is not fun. 

It nearly tore me apart, but looking back, I’m also happy it happened, even though at the time, I thought my world was crumbling down around me.  If Mike hadn’t listened to his father and Bambi, I would have never run away and found Wyatt.  Now, I can’t think of my life without him or without being the Luna of Sun Moon pack. 

Ben playfully nudges my arm.  “Hey.  Did you pay attention to the fact that neither Dee nor Shane have gone through the updated werewolf training?  I think we need to let Alpha Mike know about it, plus we need to find a pack that will welcome Shane and his family in with no problems.  Maybe Alpha Mike can handle both issues.”

I turn back towards him and hum.  “Yeah, I think you are right.  I’ll double check with Wyatt tonight and make sure that is the right thing to do.  Last year, I hoped Shane’s family would find a pack to join, but I don’t think they ever really tried to find one.  Now, though, it is getting to the point where they need to join one.  I was also hoping Shane would find his mate and then his family could join his mate’s pack, but that didn’t happen either.”

I pause for a moment.  “Can you tell if their mates have been killed or not?”

I’m still impressed with what Ben can do now.  When he was pregnant with Max, his abilities amplified, just like mine did.  Not only can Ben now locate and contact all werewolves, but he can also locate any human, too.  Well, he has to focus on something specific which only that human has or can do, but usually if we need to find someone, Ben can locate them.

In addition, his ability to analyze and figure out the best method for attack has improved a lot too. 

I also wonder what his next ability will be the next time he gets pregnant.  I know it is only a matter of time.  Actually, I’m kind of surprised he hasn’t already gotten pregnant again.

Shoot.  I’ve already had another pup.  What is he waiting for? 

Ben chuckles.  “When we get back to the pack house and after we check on the kids, I’ll try to see if I can locate them.  If I’m not able to find them, I will presume their first mates have died, but I won’t tell you anything else.  I don’t want you to run off after their mates if I find them.  Okay.”

Reluctantly, I smile and nod my head.  “Okay.  I promise not to act like a crazy person if they are alive.”

***

Ben and I walk into Wyatt’s office, and I chime, “Baby, we are back.  Here are the documents you need.”

My gorgeous mate looks up from his computer monitor with his dark brown eyes and smiles.  “Thanks, babe.  You are the best.”

Smiling, I walk around the desk and hand him the documents before quickly kissing his moist lips.  Wyatt instantly snakes his hand around my waist and pulls me down onto his lap.  His warm breath cascades across my neck, making goosebumps explode along the way. 

Oh, I miss this.  I don’t care if it is 10 minutes or 10 days since we have been apart.  I will always miss my mate’s touch and his warmth.

A small giggle escapes my mouth as I lean against his broad chest.

“Tsk.  Tsk.  Can you two even keep your hands off each other while others are in the room?  This is why you two already have two pups.  I wouldn’t be surprised if you are going to have another one soon.”

I roll my eyes and ignore Ben.  What a way to ruin the mood? 

Wyatt’s hearty chuckle fills the room.  “Okay, Ben.  Maybe you have a point, however if I want to kiss my Luna, I’m going to do it regardless of who is in the room.”

My conversation with my friend from earlier suddenly pops into my mind.  “On a more serious note, Ben, can you try to locate Finn and Tommy’s mates, along with Shane and Dee’s mates too?  I just want to see if their mates are still out there.”

Ben sits down in the chair in front of Wyatt’s desk while he nods.  “Yeah.  Give me a minute.”

My mate’s arms tighten around me and pull me flush against him.  “Baby, are you still worried about their mates?  You know, even the Supreme Elder said when the time comes, Finn and Tommy will find their mates.  If I remember correctly, the Supreme Elder also said both the boys have some personal demons they need to address before they will be ready to meet their mates.  Everyone can easily figure out that those demons relate to their time in their former packs, especially Tommy.  I don’t know if I could ever forgive my former pack for almost killing me.  That is something that is unforgivable in my book.”

My heart twists at his words.

I know.  To be honest, I don’t know if I could forgive them either.  However, for Tommy, his entire pack has been wiped out, even the ones that were living away from the pack in the human world.  So, there isn’t anyone to forgive, except for him to forgive himself for not running away from it. 

He has to remember that he was young and couldn’t do much.

“Hmm.  I think I have something.”

Ben’s promising words instantly pull my attention back to him. 

Please tell me they are still alive.

The seconds drag on for what feels like minutes as I anxiously stare at him.

He smiles, but his eyes are still closed.  “They are alive, but they aren’t close by.  Finn’s mate is Owen, while Jimmy is Tommy’s mate.”

Relief instantly washes over me.  They are alive.

Wyatt’s warm breath dances around my ear.  “You can breathe now, baby.  They will be all right.”

As if following his command, I take a deep breath. 

At least one of my worries has been taken care of.

As if Ben knows what I’m going to say next, he adds, “It looks like it will be awhile before Finn and Tommy meet them though.  So, they will have plenty of time to address their hidden demons before they face their happiness and their next fear.  It isn’t going to be easy for them, though, but I’m sure they can handle it.”

I slowly nod.  Yes.  I’m sure they can handle it too, but I’m going to make sure they have all the help they need. 

With his eyes still closed, Ben hesitantly adds, “I can’t find Shane and Dee’s mates.  I’m coming up with nothing.”

Dang it.  If I would have to guess, I would say their mates were killed in the war.  Now, all we have to do is wait for the moon goddess to give them their second mate.  I wonder who that will be.