Life Without You

Chapter 3 - Rex

Today is going to be a good day, I tell myself as I walk to the beach front rental properties that belong to the pack. The sun is shining, and there’s not a cloud in the sky, making the shops look even more beautiful and appealing. Danny, the young local lad that works as a general dog’s body for me, showed one of them to some potential tenants yesterday. They were keen to discuss figures, so it’s now up to me to secure the best deal for the pack. However my jubilant mood is brought to an abrupt end when I come face to face with the prospective renter.

“Mr Barton?” I ask hesitantly, hoping the stereotypical surfer-dude stood infront of the shop is not the retired surfer that wants to open a surf school, that Danny talked adoringly about yesterday.

“Yes, you must be Rex. It’s lovely to meet you.” He smiles, extending his hand to me.

“Yes. Likewise.” I responded shaking his hand and trying not to wrinkle my nose as I smell the familiar scent of werewolf on him. Faint but unmistakable nonetheless. I unlock the door, leading him inside and away from the hustle and bustle of the beach. “Is there anything you want to ask about the property?” I ask gruffly, hoping he has some questions that I can answer negatively to dissuade him from taking on the shop.

“No, your colleague answered everything. I’m ready to do a deal.” His easy smile widens as he looks around the shop.

“We can’t drop the price I’m afraid.” I add quickly.

“No. I can see it’s a great opportunity. I’m happy to pay full price.” He responds without missing a beat.

“We need first and last month’s rent upfront.” I say earnestly.

“That’s fine. I have the funds ready.” His eyes widen as if he is envisioning his dream come to life in front of him. I want to bluntly tell him that he can’t rent the shop, but he looks so happy with it, I don’t have the heart.

“There is a bond to pay too.” I say instead.

“I expected there would be.” He replies gleefully.

“Erm I guess we have a deal then.” I state defeated. “I’ll have to check with my boss when you can start the lease.”

“I thought you were the boss.” His eyes narrow as he finally asks me a question.

“I am, but I still have to clear it with my boss.” I mumble, already dreading having to have that conversation with my Alpha.

“Ok, here’s my number. Let me know as soon as everything is sorted on your end. We are keen to get going on this before we lose the best of the weather.” I slowly take the card from his extended hand, before glancing at the number on it, as he walks out of the shop. I wouldn’t normally bother my Alpha with the day to day running of the pack’s businesses, but I can’t not tell him about what I have just smelt. Not again.

***

I’m really sorry for bothering you Alpha. I can see that you’re busy right now, and it’s probably nothing. I mean, I’m sure it’s nothing, but I thought I should tell you anyway. Especially after everything that happened, after the last time this happened. I mean, I should have told you straight away then. I know you never said it, but I could have saved you all a lot of trouble if I’d just said something as soon as I realised, but I’m sure it’s nothing like that this time.” I mumble almost incoherently to one of my best friends, the Alpha of the Silver Tides pack, Alpha Hayden Oliver.

“Rex, relax. I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, but I have never thought that you weren’t being anything but completely honest with me.” He states reassuringly. I take several deep breaths preparing myself to deliver the news. “One of the shops that the pack rents out on the beach. I’ve just met with a new tenant.” I pause to take another deep breath.

“And they are causing you problems already?” Alpha Hayden asks teasingly.

“No, no, not problems, not as such, but as I said I just met with him and he smells … slightly like a wolf. He’s not a wolf though, the smell is definitely not from him, but he has definitely spent time with a wolf, long enough for the scent to linger on him.” I explain hurriedly.

“This pack?” He asks and I get a strange feeling of deja vu as a shiver runs down my spine.

“No not a pack wolf, but definitely not a rogue either. Probably a lone wolf.” I explain, knowing I’m probably not making a whole heap of sense.

“A lone wolf? Like Lettie was?” He asks slowly, and I can see that the feeling of deja vu has spread to him too.

“Yes, it’s exactly the same as how I smelt Lettie on the Luna, very faint but definitely a wolf smell.”

“Thank you for telling me. I’ll get Felix to set up extra patrols for tonight. We will meet as soon as I get back tomorrow. I want you to stay in the pack for now, just incase Felix needs you. You know me and Georgia are going to the Dark Moon pack tonight, right?” Alpha Hayden orders and I nod in agreement. Although my duties with the pack are now more financial than anything else, I am still one of the pack’s strongest fighters. If we did happen to come under attack, my older brother, The Beta of the pack would need my assistance.

“Good goddess. It’s Lettie’s birthday today. I completely forgot. Wish her a very happy one from me. I bet Bren can’t wait to see her.” I add, fondly thinking about the feisty little she-wolf that has enthralled the whole pack with her spirit and her boyfriend, the Alpha’s son, the future Alpha of our pack.

“I will do. I have a feeling it’s not going to be the best birthday for her though. Bren’s decided he isn’t going tonight. He’s convinced himself that Lettie isn’t going to be his fated mate and he will have to watch her be marked by someone else if he goes.” Alpha Hayden affirms with a scowl.

“That’s ridiculous. There’s no way that those two aren’t mates. Watching their wolves run around the pack and play with each other is like going back in time and watching Felix and Belle’s wolves just before Belle’s 18th birthday.” I explain reminiscing about my older brother and his mate. I was 13 when they found out they were fated mates, and I can remember being almost physically sick watching the affectionate way that they jumped on top of each other and rubbed their faces against the other one’s neck. Almost as if they were desperately searching for their mates scent in amongst their fur. Goddess it still makes me feel sick thinking about it now.

“I know and I’ve told him that, Tommo says that he’s told him that, I even walked into the Beta suite earlier to hear Belle telling him that, very loudly, repeatedly, down the phone with a couple of expletives thrown in for good measure. But what can I say, my son can be a huge i***t sometimes.”

“His heart is in the right place though.” I reassure my friend. His son lost his mother at 15, and for two years he was a total mess. He barely had a relationship with his father and withdrew almost completely from pack life. However when he started dating Lettie, the spark returned in him, the way that only his fated mate could ignite that fire back within him. No one has any doubts that those two will be mates, except apparently Bren.

“I know but sometimes he is so infuriating.” Hayden says balling his fists in frustration.

“I can only imagine.” I retort with a chuckle.

“You will have it all to come.” Alpha Hayden replies knowingly.

“Well Logan is still of the opinion that all she-wolves, with the exception of his mother, smell like sweaty cheese. He says that he’s never going to have a mate cos the thought of having to smell cheese all the time will make him sick.”

“Give it a couple of years and he might change his mind.” Alpha Hayden says animatedly.

“I’d rather not think about that, thank you very much.” I add before walking out of the Alpha office, towards the dining hall. If I am to stay in the pack as reinforcements, I need to make sure I am at full strength with full energy levels and that involves having a full stomach.