Chapter Fifty-One
e pulled up to the house, and I drew in a deep steading breath. I didn’t want to be here, but I knew I had to be. I had to face everything that was done. Even if it hadn’t happened yet, I knew, given the chance,W they would do it again. Brandon was a foolish man that was easily swayed. And Shannon would kill anyone to get what she wanted, and that just happened to be my mate.
A pathetic mate at that. Nix’s voice whispered in my mind and I snorted.
Ronnie looked over at me with a lifted brow.
“Nix just said something funny.” I took another deep breath.
“You have to see this through.” Ronnie’s voice was quiet.
“I know.” I take one more minute before I step out of the car. Before I could do much more, my mom was jumping into my arms.
“I missed you so much, baby.”
“I missed you too, mom.” I pulled away and smiled. “Let me at least get fully out of the car.”
My mom scoffed and hugged me tight again. “I came out to warn you.”
Her words were whispered into my ear. “Brandon and the Alpha are here.
They are certain you are mates and won’t leave until it’s confirmed.”
I pulled back with a smile plastered on my face. “Okay. Let me free. I need to grab my stuff.” I pushed away what she just told me and I trusted that Nix and Megan were keeping their focus on my changed scent. It had become second nature already.
We have it covered. Megan’s voice cut through the worry.
“Ainsley, can I have a word?” Ronnie’s voice was a little shaky, but my mom froze. This was the first time since I could remember that Ronnie even spoke my mother’s name, never mind speaking directly to her.
She used to speak to him when I was younger, but he remained quiet and stoic. But something has shifted. And I think she realized it. Her eyes darted to mine and I think she saw the truth there, and she nearly crumpled.
“Yeah.” Her voice was tight, but she nodded and stepped away from me.
Lynn had already grabbed her bag from the trunk and was waiting patiently for me off to the side behind the car. I made my way around the car and grabbed the rest of my stuff. I wheeled the two suitcases up to the front of the car and then I strapped my new laptop case onto the first case, covering it with my backpack so it was hidden.
I tried my best to ignore the conversation between Ronnie and my mom, but it was hard. I wanted to know what was being said, even if I knew it was just between the two of them. They needed this. Not just for their relationship, but just for themselves.
They were friends before everything happened. And Ronnie was forced to pick sides, when he shouldn’t have had to. Now he was regretting the things he had said, and I’m sure my mom was too. She had to make choices that not only made her hate herself, but also hate Ronnie and my father. She blamed my father for a lot. But when the truth came out, hopefully they could forgive each other.
I was hoping Ronnie and my mom were forgiving each other right now but as I listened to their mumbled words I felt guilty. I shouldn’t be listening. I turned around and pulled my suitcases to where Lynn was waiting and I watched their interactions. Ronnie was saying a lot, and my mom was just shaking her head back and forth.
Finally, Ronnie dropped to his knee and bowed his head. My mom gasped, and I started over. My mother crouched and grabbed his hands.
“Get up Ronnie. This isn’t necessary.” She tried to pull him up, but he shook his bowed head.
“It is Ains. I was your best friend, and I turned my back on you. You needed me. You called me and I ignored you. I did it at first because I was hurt that you left. I didn’t understand why you had to run away.”
“You know why I did it.” My mom sounded a little defeated as she said it.
“Soon, I think everyone will find out the truth and I just hope that when that happens, you will forgive me.” Ronnie bowed to the ground and touched his head to the cement at her feet.
“Get up. I’m not your Luna anymore. Whoever Gavin married is your Luna now.” She pulled Ronnie to his feet and looked away. “Please don’t upset her because of me.”
“Ainsley. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a new Luna to the Silvermoon pack.” Ronnie kissed her hand and then dropped it, leaving her stunned. He nodded my way once and then turned back to the car, slipping behind the wheel and leaving.
“What?” My mom turned to me, but I refused to meet her eyes.
“Let’s go in.” I gestured to my home. “I’ll introduce you to the Alpha.”
I pushed the door open, and a feeling of dread settled in my stomach.
What would happen if this didn’t work? What would I do?
You can always reject him. Nix tossed out.
I scoffed as I dragged my stuff in. “Yeah, like rejecting an Alpha would go over well.”
“Rejecting an Alpha? Who would be that stupid?” Alpha Vince’s voice had a shiver going down my spine. I thought I would have more than one second before I had to face him, but how was I to know he was waiting by the door?
“Some wolves prefer a lower rank mate, or freedom compared to the duties and responsibilities that come with mating an Alpha. Specifically Alphas that follow some of the older laws.” Lynn cut in, saving me but painting a target on her back.
“You mean weak and stupid she-wolves?” His scoff had me rolling my eyes before I could stop it, but thankfully I had my face settled before I turned the corner into the living room.
“Alpha Vince. I didn’t expect you here to welcome me back home. I would have brought Gamma Lynn to meet you as soon as we dropped our luggage off here.” I gave a polite smile as I pushed my suitcase further into the room, letting Lynn and my mother follow closely behind me. I gestured toward the staircase and turned to head up. “We will be right down.”
“Nonsense. Come here and greet your Alpha.” His voice cut in and stopped me in my tracks. Nix’s back bristled as he tried to command me, but his Alpha wolf was weaker than my own.
I slowly turned with straight shoulders. I faced Vince with the polite smile still on my lips. “Sure.”
I watched Vince’s eyes tighten when he realized his command had failed.
I looked over at Lynn, who was wavering under his aura. Lynn bowed her head. “Alpha Vince, I am here on a mate visa, so the command is unnecessary.” Her words were short, and I raised a brow as I turned back.
“Alpha Vince. Your aura and your Alpha command are making the others in the room uncomfortable. Including your son.” I pointed out that everyone else was sweating, but still on their feet, except for Shannon, who was already on her knees.
His eyes closed a little as his aura increased. Morgan hit his knees, as did Lynn. My mother hit the wall, but was still standing. Brandon dropped to one of his knees and Shannon was almost flat on the ground. “Impressive.”
Alpha Vince increased the pressure again, but I was losing my patience.
“Alpha Vince. Is there a reason you are pushing so much power out?” I looked him in the eye and let my voice drop as I stepped up to him. I leaned over and whispered directly into his ear. “I would caution against measuring your power against mine. It would be embarrassing to be dropped on your ass by an Alpha female who just had her first shift, wouldn’t it?” I pulled back and met his eyes again. I let Nix come forward and flash in my eyes.
He wasn’t strong enough to make me bow down.
If looks could kill, Vince’s look would have struck me down at that moment. But he wasn’t strong enough to take me on and now he knew it for sure. He stepped back and laughed. “Just a little test. No harm, no fowl.” He clapped me on my shoulder and his face was filled with mirth as he turned back to everyone else.
But I saw his true feelings. He wanted me under his control or dead. But I was safe for now. Everyone got back to their feet and laughed along with him, no one was stupid enough to say what really happened. But from the looks on my mother’s and Lynn’s face, they knew exactly what just happened, and they were terrified.
“Alpha, thank you for coming to my home.” Morgan recovered first. He rushed over to the little bar table he had and came back with two whiskeys.
He handed one to Vince and took a deep gulp from his own.
Watching the two interact was so jarring after spending the summer with my dad. Ronnie and my father were best friends, and they acted like it. But Vince and Morgan were completely different. Their relationship was
superior and subordinate through and through. I couldn’t even tell if they were friends, like they pretended to be.
“Oh Morgan, it’s my pleasure.” Vince turned back to his son and waved his hand. “You know Brandon is sure your girl is his mate.”
I turned to Shannon and smiled and clapped. “Oh yay. You guys are officially mates. When is the mating ceremony?” I played stupid and rushed over to Shannon’s side. I picked her off the ground and grabbed her arm.
“I’m so happy for you.” But Shannon glared at me, and the room was dead silent. I turned to face everyone staring at me.
“He meant you, Amy.” My mother’s voice was soft.
I slowly turned away from Shannon, dropping her arm. I let my mouth drop open to keep my ruse going and to show my shock. “Why would he think I’m his mate?” I found Brandon, who was arrogantly staring at me with hunger in his eyes. I wanted to grimace, but I swallowed the need. “We haven’t even talked before.”
“Shannon admitted to wearing your clothes around Brandon.” Vince smirked like that was the missing piece of information that would make me jump at the chance of being Brandon’s mate. But I just lifted my brow.
“So?” I let it hang there. The simple word that held my disbelief.
“Soooo. It means that it was your scent that I liked, that my wolf was attracted to.” Brandon stepped toward me and went to grab my hand, but I pulled away.
“Or…it was our combined scent that you liked.” I lied through my teeth. I felt a pang in my chest and I felt the pain radiating from my wolf. I sent a pulse of love to Megan. This was her mate, after all.
It’s okay. Megan’s words were strong, but tinged with sadness. He doesn’t deserve us.
Nix’s voice floated out to us. During our first life, I felt your bond with this idiot and I was content. You will feel a proper bond if we ever find my mate. Do not despair. This is not your only shot at a bond.
I felt Megan perk up with that thought. So I refocused on the conversation at hand. “Look, Brandon. I can appreciate trying to find your mate, but it’s not me.” I smiled, and I turned to leave.
I couldn’t let him touch me. If he touched me, he would feel the mate bond, and that wasn’t something I wanted to deal with.
Megan pushed forward a little. When we have time, I will reject him so the mate bond severs on my side.
I wanted to do it now, but Nix spoke up. You need to speak the words, and if you do that now, everything would be for nothing. Dodge the touching for now and maybe we can use our power to dull the shocks.
I walked away from everyone gathered in the living room, but Lynn’s eyes widened subtly, and I knew to turn. Brandon, again, had grabbed for me and I barely dodged him. “Wait.” He tried again but I backed up a step.
“I said I could appreciate the search, but don’t press your luck. You have no reason to touch me. And I would ask you not to.”
“Watch yourself.” Vince’s words were sharp, but I just cut my eyes to his.
“I will, once you teach your son not to touch unwilling females.” I lifted my lips and made a big deal of scenting the room. “I have no mate in this room, and I would appreciate it if you respected my space.” I glared at Brandon.
Megan was doing her best to hold herself back, as she was affected by his scent. But Nix moved closer to the forefront and lent me her strength not to react to his scent. The idiot in question froze and finally scented the room.
Alpha Vince walked closer to him and grabbed his shoulder.
“Son?” He continued to scent the air, but it was Shannon that caught my eye. Her eyes were mere slits, and she was glaring straight at me, as if she knew exactly what he was going to say.
But Brandon remained silent. He walked closer, and I backed away, keeping the distance. “Amy. I promise I won’t touch you. I just want to smell you.” I scoffed. The look in his eyes told me he was lying. The man never could lie. I ripped my shirt off, leaving me in my sports bra, and tossed it to him. I wasn’t going to let him anywhere near me. His eyes narrowed as I tilted my head at him.
“Nothing against the future Alpha. I just only want to be touched by my family and my mate. You understand, don’t you?” My eyes darted to Shannon. “The bond between wolves is sacred and any relationship or intimate touching before the mate bond diminishes it. My mother taught me to hold true to my mate and just my mate. I hope you can understand.” I gave another polite smile and pointed to the shirt. “That should work for scenting me, right?”
Brandon glared at me for another moment before lifting my shift to his nose. Everyone in the room heard him inhale, and we all froze. Well, I froze. I trusted my power, but my Goddess, I was worried. He inhaled again and then slowly lowered my shirt.
“So?” Vince’s smirk was infuriating.
“No.” Brandon’s voice was low. “But that is impossible. I swore it was her scent.” He glared at me.
I held up my hands in mock surrender. “I told you it might have been a mixture of Shannon’s scent and my own mixing.” I shrugged my shoulders and turned back to the stairs. I gave a small wave. “I’m going to head up to my room now, unless there is anything else?” I looked over my shoulder and waited. But my mother waved me off.
I made my escape with my suitcases, with Lynn trailing behind me. I stopped in the spare bedroom and opened the door. Lynn looked at me.
“Me?”
“Yeah. This is you.” I pointed to the far side of the room. “That’s the bathroom. But yeah, this is your room while you’re here.”
“Thank you.” Lynn dropped her suitcase and stared at me expectantly.
“What?” I stared at her with a confused look, but she still stared at me.
“Take me to your room.” Lynn lifted her arm, gesturing me to continue, but I was still confused.
“Why?” Now we were both frozen, staring at each other.
“Because when I’m here, my job is to protect you.” Lynn slowly answered as she stared at me. “Remember…”
“Yeah…” That clicked nothing for me. I was still staring at her when she closed her eyes.
“You don’t have to stand here and insult me, Amy.” Lynn’s eyes grew angry. But I raised my hands in mock surrender.
“Wait a second, I’m not insulting you. I'm genuinely confused.” Lynn’s eyes flashed back to confused.
“I need to know where your room is so that I can watch it. Keep track of you when you are in it. Watch the area when you are out.” Lynn leaned against her door frame. “I’d honestly like a full tour where I see inside every room so I can make a mental map of the entire house.”
“Oh my Goddess. Of course. Come on.” I felt stupid, and I deserved to.
Of course, she would need to get the full tour. “Come on.” I brought her around the house, showing her all the rooms. Once we were done upstairs and my bags were securely back in my room, we headed back down the stairs. Thankfully, everyone was gone except my mother. “Everyone left?”
My mother snorted. “After you two went upstairs, Alpha Vince started to ‘talk’ to Brandon. They headed out the door, and Morgan and Shannon went
with them, following the two like lost puppies.” My mother washed another dish as she shook her head.
“Mom, let’s leave.” I walked into the kitchen followed by Lynn. “We can just transfer to a new pack. You didn’t need permission to leave dad’s pack and we don’t need Vince’s. We can handle the divorce later.” I had tried this a million times, but I hoped this time would be different.
My mother froze, and I watched her close her eyes slowly, almost
painfully. “We can’t.”
“We can!”
She turned to face me and I could see the pain she carried etched into her face. “We can’t. You haven’t shifted yet. And even if you did, you would have to do it in front of the pack to prove you have. Until that happens, we are stuck.”
“But-” I opened my mouth to explain but I stopped when I heard a scuff from the front of the house.
“We’re back.” Morgan called from the front as he opened the door. I watched as my mother shivered, and I backed down.
It wasn’t time to tell her I can shift. I would have to do it in front of the pack first before she would even consider it. I looked back to Lynn, and she had a look in her eyes that made me want to question what she was thinking. She was staring at my mom with this look on her face; she’d thought of something, but Morgan walked in and her look vanished.
My mother straightened her shoulders and smiled. “Hey honey.”
I wanted to puke. This was a mess and now that I knew the truth all around, I wanted to save my parents from their own idiocy.
“Hey babe.” Morgan cut his eyes to me and his eyes turned icy. “What were you all talking about in here?” His tone was carefree and open, but his eyes told another story.
“We were talking about my summer with dad.” I smiled. “So much happened. It was an exciting and productive summer.”
“Productive?” His tone shifted.
“Yeah. I was telling mom I restarted her female training course. And Cass mated the second Gamma, Greyson.”
“Is that why you brought…I’m sorry dear, I never caught your name.”
Morgan walked over and held out his hand to Lynn. I gritted my teeth because he was full of shit. My mom cut her eyes to me and subtly shook her head.
“I’m Gamma Lynn. And yes, that is why I came here. I heard your new Gamma is still mateless. Now that the second Gamma is mated, I am free to search for my mate.” Lynn smiled.
