From Heartbreak to Mate

Chapter 8

Andrew Fenn was lost in thought as he gazed out the window of the Blue Moon pack's private jet. He watched the snowy landscape far below and sighed. He had things he needed to see to in the pack and did not want to be attending a party. However, John Evans was one of the few humans he worked with who knew his secret: that he was a werewolf. Of those who knew, John was the only one who did not treat him differently since discovering the truth. John was a true friend, and if he insisted that Drew attend the party, he would.

His cell phone rang, jerking him out of his thoughts. He removed it from his inner jacket pocket and sighed. It was his Beta, Lucas, whom he had left in charge of the pack. He was hoping he would not be gone more than a day, or possibly overnight, but the weather in the mountains often had a mind of its own and could change his plans with little to no warning.

“Luke, please tell me that everything is fine,” Drew said as he answered the phone, pinching the bridge of his nose as he spoke.

“Everything is fine,” Luke chuckled. “Why do you sound so stressed out and disagreeable? You are going to your friend’s house for a party—a friend who has a reputation for having delightfully entertaining and enjoyable parties. I will watch over the pack until you return. Knowing those things, you should be happy and relaxed, not grumpy and tense.”

“I know,” Drew sighed. “I have a lot of work that needs to be done after the first of the year, and there is prep work for that. I’m Alpha. I should be at home, in the pack doing that, not partying the night away.”

“Drew,” Luke said softly, his tone of voice changing from happy to quiet and comforting. “You are my Alpha and are like a brother to me. I say this with all the love in the world. You have got to give yourself a break. Take the day, heck, take two or three days. Enjoy some time with your friend and relax. I promise I won’t do all of your work for you, and if you like, I will even create more for you so you don’t feel slighted.”

Drew smiled and replied, “You are a horrible man. Thanks for the offer, but I will pass on the extra work.” He sighed and continued, “I get it, and I will do my best to have fun. John owns quite a bit of land, so maybe I will shift and go for a midnight run if the crowd gets on my nerves.”

“He wouldn’t mind. He might insist on giving you a good scratch behind the ears or a belly rub in exchange, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you letting your wolf out for a run,” Luke replied.

“I could live with that,” Drew chuckled. “Hey, the plane is banking to come in for the approach to the airport. I will call you later. Call me if anything happens or if you need me to come home.”

“Deal! Enjoy your party!” Luke laughed before he ended the call.

Drew leaned his head back and sighed as he slipped his phone back into his pocket. He thought back to when he revealed to John that he was a werewolf. They had been out snowshoeing and were caught in a sudden and quite unexpected snowstorm. They had no choice but to hunker down and build a snow cave as a shelter until the storm passed. It wasn't until John began to exhibit the first signs of hypothermia that Drew decided to tell him what he was and shift into his wolf form to help keep his friend warm and safe. After John had recovered from his shock, he was happy to cuddle up with Drew’s massive black wolf, and it had done the trick. They had survived their adventure and were none the worse for it.

He leaned back in his seat and settled in for the landing. With luck, Alice would be waiting for him at the airport, and soon, he would be at his friend’s house, where he could relax after he checked in on the progress his Beta was making.

-

Alice was smiling as she held a cup of coffee near the main door of the airport lobby. While John regularly traveled to see Drew Fenn for business, it was rare for Drew to visit John. Alice had already decided to encourage the man to visit more often, and that included waiting with a smile and his favorite coffee to help him fend off the cold on the drive back to the house.

Moments later, Alice saw Drew making his way toward her in the crowd. It was easy to pick him out. He stood at least a few inches taller than almost everyone in the room. Alice waved to him and was happy to see him wave back.

Drew gave her a crooked smile as he approached and said, “I hope that’s coffee, and it’s for me.”

“It is, and it is,” Alice laughed as she gave him the cup. “Extra large black with three sugars, just how you like it, Alpha.”

“You spoil me, Alice,” Drew said. He took a sip of the brew and let out a low moan. “This is just what I needed. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Are you ready to go? John is so happy you are here that he is giddy,” Alice said as she reached for Drew’s bag.

“I can get my own bag,” Drew chuckled as he lifted it out of Alice’s reach. “Lead the way. Do we need to stop anywhere on the way to John’s house?”

“Only if you need something,” Alice said as they walked out of the terminal and to the SUV she was using for the day. “I picked up orders at the grocery store on the way here.”

Drew placed his carry-on bag in the backseat before climbing in the front seat as Alice got behind the wheel. He let out a sigh as he fastened his seatbelt. That made Alice look at him, tip her head to the side, and raise an eyebrow at him.

“Is something wrong?” Alice asked as she started the vehicle.

“That depends. Is John’s daughter Hailey going to be there?” Drew asked.

Alice laughed, “She is, and I hate to tell you this, but she is in full heat-seeking mode. I was in the room when she explained to her friend Carissa who you are and how gorgeous you are. I tried to discourage her, but I don’t think it worked. I recommend you stick close to her friend Carrie. She is a teacher and has an idea that she would like to bounce off you. Not for financial reasons, mind you. She simply wants your input about an idea she has involving something like an at-home head start program.”

“Are you sure that won’t doom me to dodging the hands of two young women with romance on their minds?” Drew smirked.

“I’m sure. Carrie is in a committed relationship with someone, although I believe she would be better off if he were left in the forest for nature to take its course,” Alice said, wrinkling her nose. “I originally wanted to leave him for wolves to eat, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that the wolves might get sick if they ate him.”

“That bad?” Drew asked as he sipped his coffee.

“Opportunistic, self-centered weasel,” Alice spat as she drove. “However, as I say that, that is an insult to all weasels around the world.”

Drew scoffed and, with a sarcastic drawl, said, “He sounds lovely.”

“Drew, Carrie is a wonderful young woman, and she deserves someone better than what that man is. To be honest, there is a little part of me that hopes that she is your mate. You would be good together. The only problem with that is that she is human, not a werewolf.”

“That would be an issue. Human Lunas are not common and often looked down upon,” Drew nodded as he sipped from his cup. “Although I doubt it would happen, I am not opposed to a human Luna. If that is who the moon goddess chooses for me, then there is a reason.”

“Then please excuse my rather vocal prayers to the moon goddess that you are Carrie’s mate and that you will take her away from Kyle, the jerk,” Alice grinned.

“Kyle?” Drew muttered with a chuckle. “Why am I not surprised his name is Kyle?”

Alice snorted, “If you think his name is bad, just wait until you meet him.”