Lessons in Love

Chapter 10: Emotional Rollercoaster

POV: Riley Campbell

A surge of anger washed through me as I read the word spinster. I didn’t realize I had thrown my mug until it exploded against the opposite wall of the kitchen. I was actually shaking with rage and growling as I gripped the letter in my hand. What the hell kind of place had I come to? I marched to my front door, rammed my feet in my shoes, and headed out. Without the mind-link, I’d have to go to the packhouse to confront Rick and the Beta about this.

I was halfway there when I remembered that Marcus Stanford was the Alpha of this pack, not George Westlake. Then that name registered. Westlake! The Beta’s name was Ben Westlake. Was this George character related to Ben? Did Ben and George share a similar attitude about women’s education because I’d reject him in a heartbeat if he did. My chest got tight, and I felt a sharp pain deep in my chest as I reached the side door to the packhouse.

My hand grabbed the door handle, and I felt my nerve slipping. As if on cue, that rage rolled through me again, washing away my doubt and marching me through that door. I flung the door open and came to a halt. If I went upstairs to confront Ben and Rick, I would have to meet my mate. I risked being trapped in a matehood I didn’t necessarily want. I stood in the kitchen of the packhouse, gripping the counter, trying to balance out my emotions before going any further.

“Six bottles! Can you believe it?” The maid said as she entered the kitchen with another girl carrying armfuls of bottles. “Oh!” She jumped with surprise when she saw me. “Can I help you?”

“I need to speak with Delta Rick.” I growled viciously, my aura spilling out before I could lock it down. “Where do I find him?” The maid gave me directions, and I went out the door they’d come through into the lobby of the packhouse. The smell of savory apples was thick and knocked all the anger out of me, calming me almost instantly. I caught myself instinctually following the scent toward the front doors. I was reaching for the door when I shook my head and spun around on my heel.

I took the stairs two at a time and found the second-floor landing smelled more like my mate than the lobby had. The Beta’s living quarters were to the right. Again, I caught myself following that scent. I reached his door and caught the faint hint of whiskey that lingered near it. Great, I thought, my mate is an alcoholic and a misogynist. I pulled away from his door and moved to the left of the staircase, where the maid said I’d find Rick. I rang the bell and heard the door unlatch, like he was expecting me. “We need to talk.” I demanded as soon as I pushed the door open.

Rick stood in the middle of his living room in a pair of boxers. He was stunned at first but recovered quickly. “What are you doing here?” He asked gruffly.

“I want to know what the hell you people are playing at?” I demanded, holding out the letter I’d received.

Rick took two steps forward and snatched the letter out of my hand with a growl, letting me know he didn’t appreciate my tone. As he scanned the letter, though, it was clear he didn’t agree with the contents.

“Where did you get this?” He asked.

“You.” I replied. “That’s the letter your Beta asked you to deliver. How are they related?” I demanded.

“George is not our Alpha. He’s Ben’s father, and he’s …” Whatever ugly thing Rick was going to say, died on his lips, and his features went blank to hide the disdain he clearly felt toward the senior Westlake.

“I’ll talk to Ben about this. You can ignore this. This is not how Ben and I view anything.” Rick assured me. “I’ll make sure to find you tomorrow and talk to you once I’ve talked to Ben.”

“Thanks,” I said. I went home after that, and as I walked along the road, I felt an immense sadness wash over me. It was crushing me, and I actually doubled over from it at first. My eyes welled with tears, and I genuinely started questioning my sanity.

The only explanation was that I was feeling my mate. If that was the case, then he knew I was here. Some connection had formed. I raced home and grabbed my laptop. I needed to understand this bond before I accidentally ran into the Beta.

POV: Beta Ben Westlake

I breathed in the night air as I made my way back to the packhouse. My chest felt tight thinking about my mother and how I left her. I needed to find a way to protect her. She was so vulnerable. I got to the steps of the packhouse and smelled that perfect floral scent. She was here. My mate was here. Not miles away in some distant pack. Here, in Sapphire Lake. It was too fresh and strong not to be the real thing. The timing of this couldn’t be worse, I thought as I instinctually moved in the direction the scent had gone.

Off in the distance, I could see the silhouette of a person walking away. I took off after them, running for a moment, before skidding to a halt. I couldn’t do this. I was a huge danger to my mate. Not just because of my aura, but because of my father. I was in his crosshairs. My father already had too much power over the people I cared about. I wouldn’t bring another person into his line of fire. I watched until the figure disappeared from my sight before turning back toward the packhouse.

My mate had been in the building, I noticed as I came into the lobby. I walked up the stairs, their scent swirling around me. I followed the smell to my own front door. They knew, I thought. They had smelled me and had come to all the way to my front door looking for me.

I flung my door open, sniffing and looking around. For what exactly, I didn’t know. I scanned the floor and furniture for a note, a sign, a something that they may have left behind. I knew they hadn’t come in here, though. All I could smell was stale whiskey and leftover chicken. I left my place and headed over to Rick’s.

I could smell that my mate had been at his door too and was irrationally angry about it. Rick opened his door when I rang the bell, and as I stepped inside, that beautiful flowery scent hit me all at once. It was everywhere and strong. I heard the door close behind me, and Rick was moving toward the couch. I turned on him and growled violently. I even took a step in on him before I caught myself and turned around. I slammed my fist into the door and pressed my forehead against the wood.

“I’m really sick of getting growled at tonight.” Rick snapped from behind me.

“I’m sorry,” I tried to clear the growl out of my throat, but it persisted.

“What the hell is going on with you?” He demanded.

“I can’t …” My growl broadened. I was practically choking on the smell of my mate. “Who are they?” I demanded, my claws sliding painfully from my fingertips into the door.

“They who?” Rick practically yelled at me.

“Who was in here?” I screamed at him. My aura burst from my body and hit him. I heard him grunt behind me when it did. I’d been holding that in all night, between my father and Marcus, the smell of my mate in another man’s home, my mother weeping, I couldn’t hold it together a second longer. The minute I pushed it out, though, I was able to pull it back in and breathe. My claws retracted from the door, and I dropped my arms limp at my sides.

I kept my back to Rick and my forehead against his door. “I’m sorry.” I said quickly. “You don’t need to answer that.”

I felt Rick’s hand on my shoulder, and I straightened up. I turned to face him and saw complete concern, not a hint of anger. “I’m sorry.” I said again, raking my hands through my hair and moving to the living room. I flopped down in a chair miserably.