The Claimed Promise

Doubt

The end of the phone call signals the moment both Arezu and I have been consumed over, finding Samara and getting answers. My thoughts of the current situations weigh heavily on my mind as I push the door open and head down the elevator to Samara’s office. As soon as I’m standing in front of the door, I know she’s not in there. Her scent is no where to be found on the floor and I decide to head downstairs to see if maybe she went to get food. As soon as the door opened, the smell of delicious food filled my senses, and I followed the mouth-watering smell to the dining room. As I entered, my eyes went to straight to the front where I had expected to see Samara sitting. Instead, the chair sat empty. Lindsey and Liam were both sitting at the table, however, and I decided to join them.

As I approached them, Arezu immediately noticed something different about Lindsey. Her scent had changed, and she seemed different.

 “Arezu, what’s going on?”

“Lindsey has been turned, the smell of her wolf is there, though its very faint.”

When Lindsey realized I was there, she jumped up and wrapped me into a tight hug. “Kora! I’m glad you came to breakfast! How are you?”

“Lindsey, why didn’t’ you have Liam turn you during a ceremony?” Anger has flushed my face and Lindsey’s face has now dropped and she looks guilty.

“Well, after everything that happened, Liam felt it best to turn me as soon as possible so my wolf could start to connect with my human form.”

“What if you had died though?” Panic is clearly laced through my voice and Lindsey just gives me a small smile.

“We felt very confident in our bond, that we were meant to be together and that I would be worthy of a wolf. So, we took the chance. I’m sorry it has worried you Kora, but I’m here, and I’m turned.” Liam looks me over carefully, perhaps trying to decipher my feelings before I express them. However, Arezu and I are in agreement about being happy about this situation. That means that we have another beta wolf to rely on for the pack and my best friend was able to prove how worthy she really is.

“Congratulations to Lindsey. I am so happy that your turning was successful and I’m so proud to call you my best friend. I knew you’d be worthy.” Tears flooded my eyes and I pulled her into a tight hug. We stay this way for quite a while before we finally break apart at the sound of my grumbling stomach.

“Well, guess it’s time to eat.” I laugh shyly and take my seat, even though the one next to me is empty. The thought of Samara not being next to me makes me sad, but I decide to not let it affect the moment with Lindsey and Liam and dig into the food on the table. 

Laughter and conversation filled the table as we all eat together. Lindsey talks about how excited she is to be fully connected with her wolf and I can’t help but feel extremely grateful for the blessing I received on being connected to my own so quickly. Even everything had been sorted out with Lindsey and Liam, my wolf had remained quiet for most of the meal and conversation.

“Arezu, what’s wrong? You usually have a ton to say and you’re so quiet even with the good news we received.”

There’s a long pause and it’s almost like I can see her hesitating to answer me. “Well, I believe Lindsey is already marked. The higher the rank, the more possessive the mate and Liam has proven this by marking Lindsey right away after the successful turning.”

This news is surprising, and my eyes shot straight to Lindsey’s neck where she would be marked and I realized, for once in her life, she’s wearing a shirt that actually covers her cleavage. However, my wolf is right. Lindsey’s scent is definitely mixed with Liam’s and it’s different than her getting a wolf.

“Lindsey, did you and Liam mark each other?” I’m straight to the point and Lindsey instantly makes eye contact with me and her face turns bright red.

“How did you know I was marked?”

“My wolf and I could smell it.” I gave her a smile to reassure her.

“Yes, Liam and I marked each other to deepen the bond so that we’d have the extra connection in case anything happened. With the extra connection, I can link him no matter what and him me to ensure both our safety.” Liam stares at her lovingly and the sting of jealousy shoots through my heart.

“I’m so happy for you, Lindsey. Liam is such a great guy and I’m so happy that he’ll always be able to help you no matter the circumstances.” Again, I plaster a smile on my face to reassure her and she instinctively cuddles into Liam. 

After breakfast, I set out to find Samara. Samara is not only an Alpha, but she is THE

Alpha of all Alphas. Her drive to mark me should be stronger than any other wolf, including that of her beta wolf.

I wander through the hallways following her faint smell in the house. Arezu and I end up following her scent to the fourth floor, where we stop in front of a closed office door. The scent radiating from the room is that of Samara's, but also Claudia's. . Doubt had fully clouded my mind and I instinctively pressed my ear to the door to try and hear what was being said inside.

“How can you just turn your back on the beta family that has always stood behind their Alpha? We have status, we’re strong. Who knows what will happen with her wolf?”

“She is my mate, your Queen Luna, and her getting a wolf is a sign of strength on its own terms.”

“Samara, we clearly have chemistry, and we were already promised to one another. Why deny what fate set in place?”

All the is heard now is scuffling and Arezu is in a rage. How dare she try to take our mate from us? We burst through the door and as we do, we catch Claudia planting her lips to Samara’s. The intrusion thrusts them apart and it’s everything I can do to hold back Arezu from taking over.

“How could you? Mates were supposed to be something special, cherished and respected. Yet here you are with someone else. Why even bring me here and tear me away from my family if you weren’t going to follow through with the mate bond?”

Before Samara can even answer, my hand pops into the air to silence her. “You know what? Never mind. I don’t want or need the answer. Goodbye, Samara.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind me and head towards our shared floor. Once on our floor, I walked over to Samara’s door before heading to my own and tried the handle. To my surprise, the handle turned, and I was now standing in her room. The room was bigger than my current room with a king-sized bed, his and her night stands, dressers and armoires. Looking around, I notice a desk sitting in front of a large window with documents littering the surface. Curiosity gets the better of me and I’m soon looking through documents that I don’t understand and eventually move to drawers. The bottom drawer contains wrapped stacks of hundred-dollar bills and the thought of my parents, and their struggle instantly flashes through my mind. Maybe I could take what I needed and pay Samara back as soon as I had it? I could even leave a note letting Samara know that I planned to pay her back and leave the amount I borrowed. My hands move quickly as I count a wrapped stack. Each stack equals ten thousand dollars and I decide to grab three to be sure I have enough to bail my parents out. I exit the room as fast as possible and as soon as I’m in my room, I grab a bag and put a change of clothes and the satellite phone my parents had gotten me into the bag. After getting a few necessities, I headed back down to the main entrance and straight out the door. I made quick work of the distance between the house and the airport landing. As soon as I arrived, a couple of pack members approached me.

“Queen Luna, what are you doing out here?”

“I need a flight immediately back to the states.”

Both pack members looked at each other and hesitated before the one that talked to me originally spoke up. “Why would you need to leave the territory? Is the Alpha ok with you leaving?”

Arezu instantly takes over when her authority is questioned. “I am your Queen Luna and there is no reason for you to question my intention or authority. Put me on a plane to the states, now.” The sound of my voice takes on a dominant tone and, without a second thought, the two wolves usher me forward and we’re on the plane. After a few moments, they get us into the air and, to my relief, we’re headed towards the US. Had Samara and I marked each other, she'd probably be yelling at me through mind link to come back, but then, I probably wouldn't be leaving. Thinking about the events that just transpired hurts more than I can bare, and I decide would probably be best to just sleep the flight away. Soon I’ll be home with my parents, and I’ll put my focus on them and the café.