CHAPTER 8
977 Words
Garrett showed up in seconds like he had been running. He was breathing hard, his hair messy.
"Ashley, " he said, slowing down as he reached me. Then he looked at Kaleb.
Kaleb stood with his hands in his pockets calm. Something about him had changed. He looked at Garrett and me trying to figure out how apart we were.
"I think you should go see the alpha, " Garrett said to Kaleb. "Something important is coming up in a few days."
I watched Kaleb's jaw tighten. His eyes flicked back to Garrett.
"What kind of something?"
Garrett glanced at me with a warning look. "The planning kind. Your father wants to talk to you about it."
Kaleb didn't move. He kept looking at me waiting for me to say something.
The silence between us felt like a thing.
Finally Kaleb sighed. He shifted his weight looking uncomfortable. His eyes stayed on me a beat long.
"You'll still be here when I get back?"
It wasn't a question for Garrett. I didn't answer.
He stared at me, something flickering across his face. Frustration, maybe. Then he walked toward the alphas house, his footsteps slow.
Garrett waited until Kaleb was out of earshot. Then he moved.
He walked up to me. Put a hand on my shoulder rubbing it casually. It was a gesture, comforting.
A low growl came from where Kaleb had gone. I looked up and saw Kaleb standing by the alphas house, his body rigid, his hands clenched.
He was watching Garrett's hand on my shoulder like he wanted to tear it off.
Something twisted in my chest. Possessiveness, sure.. Also something else. I grabbed Garrett's hand and pulled him away, not breaking eye contact with Kaleb, I wanted him to watch and seethe.
"You're enjoying that too much, " Garrett said as I dragged him down the path.
"Don't know what you're talking about."
"You're a liar."
I dropped his hand when we were far enough away. The adrenaline was fading, leaving an ache in my chest.
"What happened at the meeting?"
Garrett's expression sobered. "Your dad wants to throw a party for Kaleb. Welcome him back and introduce him to the pack."
I nodded. That made sense. The alpha's son returned after seven years. Of course there would be a celebration.
"Then your stepmother threw a tantrum."
I swallowed. That sounds more like Diane. "She said Kaleb needs to be crowned probably tomorrow as the alpha."
I stopped walking. My heart stuttered. "Tomorrow?"
Garrett nodded.
"That's insane, " I said. "He's been back for less than a week. That's too soon, we don't know if he's really Kaleb.” Garrett rubbed his temple.
“I thought we've gone past this Ash..”
“I know I'm just saying,’’ I grumbled.
"And that can't be possible unless he gets a mate." Garrett sighed.
The words hit me like a blow. I felt the blood drain from my face. "What?"
Garrett looked at me with pity in his eyes. "The ceremony can't happen until the alpha has a mate. You know the rules. The pack needs a luna to balance the alpha's power."
"So the event is a two-in-one, " I said slowly.
"Kaleb is going to be welcomed and Lunas from other packs would be invited. His mate might be among them."
I clenched my fist. I forced my fingers to relax. The tightness in my chest wouldn't go away.
"His mate might not be among them, " I repeated. "What's the assurance that she's going to be a Luna? "
Garrett chuckled, but there was no humor. "You know how your stepmother is."
I did. Diane had always been obsessed with status and appearances which is exactly why I'm staying in a secluded part of the pack house. My mom was of low birth. An oracle who existed solely to pleasure men.
I swallowed the bitterness. My mother had been low-born, a woman whose purpose was to serve.
"You might have to let go of your grudge and help your brother find his mate, " Garrett said carefully.
"I would do no such thing."
The words came out sharper than I intended. Garrett's eyes widened, taken aback by my voice.
"Ashley…"
"No." I shook my head, my heart pounding. "I'm not helping him find anyone. I don't care if it's a party or a coronation or a mating ritual. I'm not getting involved."
Garrett studied me, his brow furrowed. "Has he found her already?"
My head snapped up. "What?"
"You heard me." Garrett crossed his arms. "You reacted strongly to the idea of him finding a mate. Has he already found someone?"
"No. No I just…" I stumbled over my words. "I just felt like his mom would not like it if I'm around him."
His mother. Not my mother. Never my mother.
I fiddled with my fingers avoiding Garrett's gaze. The lie tasted wrong.
Garrett was quiet. Then he chuckled softly. Patted my hair. "You're impossible."
A smile fought its way through my features. I smiled back at him, small and tired.
We parted ways after. Garrett had patrol duty. I needed to be alone. I kicked stones as I walked watching them skitter across the dirt path.
My stepmother was going to throw Luna after Luna, at Kaleb until one of them stuck.
The thought made my stomach turn.
I pushed open the door of my apartment, the familiar creak welcoming me home.
A hand grabbed me.
Rough. Calloused. Strong.
I got pulled inside before I could even shout the door crashing shut behind me. My back slammed into the wall with force that took my breath away. Dark shapes moved around me too quickly for my eyes to follow.
A body crushed against mine holding me tight.
Then a voice, low and familiar yet somehow twisted, spoke into my ear.
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