All Chapters of Onyx Flame (A Fated Mate's Romance): Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

** Trigger Warning ** The second my son and his mate leave, the scorching tears set themselves free. Hearing how Charles feels about Paige took me for a ride down memory lane. Twenty-two years ago, I was a lot like Paige. My future should’ve been bright, but the Moon Goddess had different plans for me. Don’t blame her for our mate’s insolence, Faith’s voice rings out in my head. I often wonder what my life would be had I not met Charles at the annual mating ball. Maybe I would’ve continued onto the warrior path and served my pack. Maybe I would’ve traveled or joined the werewolf military. It doesn’t really matter now though, does it? I remember the moment his hazelnut scent hit me. My heart was pounding, and my wolf was howling with glee. His ocean eyes locked with mine, and right then, I knew I was in love. I imagined a life of unconditional love, respect, and happiness. Oh, how wrong I was. Charles was amazing that night and for the year that followed it. I kept training in his

“Nolan, I know you love my mom, but this changes nothing for the plan,” James says.“It changes everything.” I gulp the last of my whiskey. “I’m out. I refuse to be a part of your plan any longer. I’m done. You are not Charles, James. You are not the rogue that murdered your family. You are not evil in any sense. Don’t let hate sculpt you into one of them.”My words hang over James like a dark cloud. His eyes tell me he is fighting with himself. Colin and Alex return with maps of the packs within 200 miles of ours. Colin rolls them all out one by one on his desk. I recognize the maps as Moonbeam Hills, Diamond Fang, Onyx Moon, Silver Shadow, Raven’s Blood, and Lunar Harvest.“Which territory is my dad most likely to run to?” Colin asks.“He still has friends in Moonbeam Hills and Lunar Harvest,” I say.“I think it’s best to split up the warriors and check all six packs.”

The ability to argue leaves me, so I just nod my head.“Come help me in the garden before we lose the daylight.”“Ah, so the real reason you wanted me to stay was to put me to work?”“What can I say? You have a destiny to fulfill.”“I highly doubt that destiny has anything to do with your garden. Nevertheless, I shall appease an old lady such as yourself. I wouldn’t want you to break a hip.”Spending the day with my grandma made my bones hurt with sadness. I hadn’t realized how much I truly missed her. After I had helped her with the garden, we pulled vegetables to make her gumbo. Her gumbo made me feel loved. It wasn’t as fancy as what I ate with the Blackburn’s, but it was home. It was genuine, and it reminded me of my life before my parents died. Her chocolate chip cookies soothed aches I didn’t know I had. I feel better after today. Maybe she’s right about my fate. Maybe, jus

The rain patters against the umbrella as Paige and I make our way back to the packhouse hand in hand. The past two days have been a blur, but Paige and I handled them together, like a true Alpha and Luna. “The service was beautiful. Thank you for doing that for her,” I say. She had put aside her dislike for Sammie and worked with her family to plan a service. She was already the best Luna. I’m not sure that I could do the same if I were in her shoes. “Of course,” Paige says. I sighed before stepping inside. Chaos awaited me, this much I knew. The dining hall was full of pack members. Most of them are dressed in black. Paige squeezes my hand and pulls me into my office. This has become our second home while trying to find my father. The search has been disappointing. The warriors have found nothing, and the other packs swear they haven’t seen him. He’s a ghost right now. A ghost who co

I wake up, tangled in the cold bed. Colin never made it to bed. I tossed and turned all night. He probably just slept in his office. He’s working all the time now. I pull myself up. My head throbs with every step I take. My appearance in the mirror illustrates how well I didn’t sleep last night. I brush out my long hair, and I pull it into a bun. I don’t change from my sweats and hoodie. I knock on Colin’s office door to tell him I’m leaving the packhouse, but there is no answer. I peek inside, only to find everything empty. Weird. I check my phone; there are no messages from him. My heart rate spikes. Where is he, and why didn’t he tell me he wasn’t coming home at all? My confusion only heightens when I see Harrison laughing with Tally at breakfast. I walk into the dining hall, and it falls quiet. The eerie silence gives me goosebumps. I look at Harrison and gesture for him to come. “Where is Colin, and what is going on?” I ask.