An Alpha's Love And Fire

Note: This series is a darker werewolf series not following the usual "plot" of fated mates. Be aware of darker elements such a described violence, k*dnapping, murder, cheating (not between main characters) and death. -Cecilia- It was raining a little as I went for my morning run, but I didn’t care. I always got up early to go for a little run. The sun was barely up, as I ran through the woods, feeling the nice summer breeze run over my heated skin and keeping me cool, as I pushed myself harder and harder. I ran over a small hill and then stopped, feeling my heart beating like crazy inside of my chest, but it was in those moments that I actually felt a little alive. I thought I would feel free once I cut the connection with my old mate, but I realized I was just left with an empty hole. It was why I came back. That was why I stopped traveling around the world, because I knew nothing could fill the empty hole … nothing but one thing, and I was never going back. Never again, would I let someone else tear my heart and soul out, and I knew I would not get any help from the Spirituals. After Selene, they refused to help anymore. I had heard they had helped Kate get together with her mate, but it wasn’t at all as we had hoped for. She was sent to the other world, instead of pulling Chris to her. It was so wrong … But at least we had peace now. No one won a war sadly. It always demanded sacrifices, but since Connor was gone, things had been quiet. It had only been a few months, we were in mid-August now, but it was nice. It felt like you could finally take a deep breath, without being afraid someone might come stabbing you in the back. I, of course, didn’t relax much. I was the beta after all, and since Lara was always working, I was too … except some things had changed. After Lara had made up with James, she became better at making room for other people and not focusing only on work. I was now working almost more than her. I wasn’t sure how she could forgive him. I knew better than anyone what it was like never being someone’s first choice, despite being true mates. How could she just forgive him?! I didn’t get it, and I actually tried avoiding James as much as I could, because just the sight of him made me angry, and he was the alpha after all. I didn’t want to risk making him mad, because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. I sighed a little, as I watched the sun come up. It was beautiful and its warm rays started to heat up my skin right away and the rain slowly stopped. I knew it meant I had to go back. I had more work to do. I turned around and ran back to the house. I knew most people were still sleeping. Some pack members lived outside the territory, which was rather normal these days, because there wasn’t as much forest and we weren’t living like animals as we once did, so it meant they liked to come around the house and just hang out. It was nice being a part of a pack again. I had been accepted into one when I found my other mate. Before that, I lived as a lone wolf like my mother. She had had a child with my father, who was a beta, but he had never really wanted anything to do with either of us. Like me, my mother was not of a high enough status, but this time I was part of a pack I really liked. I walked to my room and quickly showered before getting dressed in some blue jeans and a dark t-shirt, then I put on some sneakers and went to Lara’s office. She had not gotten up yet, and I found it strange, but then I saw two glasses standing on her desk, and knew James was here too. So, that was why she wasn’t up early like she used to. Whenever her mate was around, she always stayed up late and got up late. They tried spending as much time together as they could since James was often working with the king, but he was coming around more. Connor was gone now and things were running more smoothly, which meant he had more free time. I cleaned up everything on her desk before I found my computer and sat down in front of her empty seat. Then I began to work. *** “Cecilia?” I looked to my side, seeing Lara had appeared. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but I realized I had zoned out. I did that a lot, and I quickly turned my eyes to my computer again. “Morning luna,” I said as I started to type away. “When did you get up?” Lara asked and went to take a seat. “Around 3:30. Like I always do,” I said. “A little later when it is winter.” “You remember to sleep too, right?” she asked. I nodded. “Of course.” I glanced up from my computer and saw her watching me. “Is there something wrong?” I asked. Lara tapped her finger against the desk, but then shook her head. “Nothing wrong. I just want to make sure you remember to rest too.” “I do, luna,” I said. “I always thought I got up early,” she said. “Well, you had someone visiting.” Lara’s smile grew and I saw her completely change in front of me. She always looked rather controlled and like the tough luna she was, but when someone mentioned James, she turned almost giddy. You could see the love she had for him in her eyes, which I really didn’t get. He had let her down. I didn’t get how she could trust him. “Yeah … he came over late,” she said. “So, you probably stayed up late,” I said while looking at my computer. “Yeah.” I could hear the almost unspoken words in her voice. We both knew why they had stayed up late, but I didn’t mention that. There was no reason to talk about that. We were not “girlfriends” who shared all our secrets. We were beta and luna working together, and that was it. I didn’t really have any friends, and I was fine with that. I liked being on my own. “So, do you have any plans for tonight?” Lara asked. “Are your father and brothers coming over?” I asked, thinking she was going to invite me to eat with them. I had a few times, but I often refused. Her family was nice, don’t get me wrong, but as I said, I liked being on my own, and her brothers could be rather flirty, and I didn’t want to be at the receiving end of their lustful eyes. “No,” she said. “I’m going to the castle.” “Oh … need me to get some things done?” I didn’t even look at her, I just continued to work. “I was thinking perhaps you wanted to come.” My fingers froze and I slowly looked up, seeing Lara watching me with a little smile. “Why?” I asked. I had only been to the castle … two times perhaps, and it was only when there was something important the king and Lara had to discuss. The last time I was there was a few weeks after the war ended. I didn’t really know any of the others who lived there, except for Selene. Everyone else was a stranger to me. Some I had never even met. “Because I think you should come,” she said. “Why?” I asked again. Her smile grew a little. “So, you don’t have to sit here alone.” “I’m fine.” “Come now, Cecilia, it’s great over there. It’s really fun actually, and it is just dinner,” she said. “I just don’t get why I should come. I don’t know them,” I said. “But you could get to know them.” I shook my head. “I think I will pass.” “Why? Why would you rather sit here alone? Where is the fun in that?” she asked me. I sighed and closed my eyes for a moment because I wasn’t sure how I was going to explain it to her. She couldn’t understand what it was like. I thought I was finally free when I had my mark removed, but slowly an empty feeling took over and I turned so damn numb. I was lacking a whole piece of me that I knew I couldn’t get back unless I wanted to risk my heart again. “Because I like it like that,” I said and looked at her again. “I don’t want you to sit here alone and work,” she said. “I want you to come with me and meet the others.” “Why is this suddenly so important to you?” I asked. She shrugged. “Maybe because there is finally peace,” she said. “Finally, we can relax a little and have some fun. Come with me tonight. Just once. Try it and if you don’t like it, I will never ask you again. “Ever?” “Never again,” she said and smiled. I sighed. “Fine, but only this once.” Lara nodded happily, and then we began to work.