AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Only a few days ago, I would’ve been ecstatic to hear that. I shouldn’t need my brother to fight my battles for me, but if there was one soul who might get through to West to get him to see how reckless his taking me the way he had was, it’s Bishop.
West is the Beta of our pack. More than that, he’s Bishop’s closest advisor and most trusted friend. Except for Sofia and me, he’s the only wolf who can look the Alpha in the eyes without immediately showing his throat. He would never challenge Bishop and every member of the Sylvan Pack knows it.
But that trust goes both ways. West is loyal to Bishop, and Bishop doesn’t order his Beta to do anything. He doesn’t have to. As though West is tapped into the Alpha’s brain, he knows what Bishop wants done and always makes sure itgetsdone.
“No exactly.”
“What does that mean?”
“I told you, Helene.Hefelt you. He won’t wait until the Luna to have you safe on his territory. Yourmate”—he spits out the word—“wants to be the one to protect you. Maybe he can do a better job than I ever could”
What?
“I don’t understand…”
“That’s okay. You don’t have to.” West’s nostrils flare. Still running on high alert since last night, he must scent something that my dulled senses can’t. “They’re here.”
The little hairs on the back of my neck go up. “Who?”
West doesn’t say anything.
“Luna damn it, West! I’m tired of you thinking you always know what’s better for me than I do!”
His lips quirk up in a wry grin that doesn’t quite meet the sad look in his dark grey eyes. “Then you’ll be glad to know that you won’t have to put up with me anymore.”
* * *
Darkwoods.
Fitting name, I think, as the Jeep I’m in goes off-road, tucking into a copse of live oak trees. Growing lower to the ground than my beloved hickories, their branches intertwined, they manage to block out the Texas sun.
It’s late October, but with the sun shining down, you’d think it was still August. Once we disappear among the trees, the temperature drops a good fifteen degrees. Shadows are everywhere, too, and I don’t see a single wildflower anywhere.
I’m in the lead Jeep with Francois, the Beta of the Gravetail pack. Behind us, there’s another Jeep, with two other Gravetail shifters: Michael is the dark-skinned male, though I didn’t catch the name of the blond. Too stunned that West was quick to pass me into their care, I’m lucky I learned the first two names.
He’s not Rafael. I’ve only met the Gravetail Alpha once, but Rafael Cruces has bronzed skin, rich black hair, dark gold eyes, and a smile that never quite reached them.
I’m not surprised that my intended sent three of his packmates to retrieve me for him. He’s the new Alpha of his pack. If he left Darkwoods, he’s only invited a challenger to try to move in on his territory while he’s gone.
Maybe if I was his chosen mate, he’d risk it. But I’m not. I’m the fated mate that he imprinted on once three years ago, then was content to ignore until he became Alpha and pack tradition said he could finally mate me.
And, no, I’m not bitter about that at all. Why would I be? Up until the moment terror led me to cry out for help for anyone who could hear me, I purposely kept my bond with Rafael closed off. I would be his mate when the time came.
Now it has.
Besides, I made my choice, didn’t I?
I falter in my step as that realization slams into me. I did. All this time, I’ve told myself that my future was out of my hands. That the Luna decided I would mate Rafael Cruces, so I would.
The blond shifter looks at me, eyebrows raising at my near-stumble. “You okay, Omega?”
I nod, and that’s the last thing he says to me.
Leaving me in a small, cozy cabin that smells of cleaner and fresh air, the blond shifter tells me that the Alpha will come by to see me as soon as he can.
I thought it would take a few minutes, but I was wrong. I’m left alone in that cabin for about threehoursbefore I hear a knock at the door.
Feeling spiteful and annoyed that I was retrieved then abandoned, I almost refuse to answer. Of course, then that reminds me of how I almost did the same thing to West. Now, just like then, I huff out a breath and, like a good omega she-wolf, call out, “Come in.”
