The Delta's Cursed Mate

Depression and Plans

Reina’s POV

The days blurred as I watched the sun rise and fall.

Leon had made sure I got a room with both eastern and western windows. He must have known how much I loved watching the sun rise and fall.

As much as Emerald had rejected the bond, the official rejection did something to her and she hadn’t spoken to me in days. Everything in me itched to run back to Leon, to beg him to take me back, but it wouldn’t be fair. He had done so much for me over the months we had spent together, but I couldn’t give him the same. All I could give him was almonds.

I sighed as I sank deeper into the pillow. I didn’t like the way it smelled. Too clean. All packs had a natural earthy scent to them, what with living in the woods, but the air outside the hotel smelled like mold and sludge. So, I had stayed here. Leon gave me three weeks and enough cash to order food for the three weeks, but I hadn’t touched it. I didn’t bother ordering. I wouldn’t be wasteful.

Emerald?

Nothing, like it had been. I sat in the silence. No one would be coming to check on me, I had put the sign on the door. Not that I had anyone to check on me anyway. Everything at Golden Sun was Leon’s. I had no memories of home, and I refused to go back to Blackstone. I was a wolf, and wolves didn’t do good in human cities. Especially not a wolf as temperamental as Emerald. I needed to do something.

I got up and went to the shower and looked at myself in the mirror, my hair had sat in the same sloppy bun it had been in for days and really needed a good wash. I lifted my shirt to my face and almost gagged. I did too. I stripped and put the clothes in a laundry bag making sure it was sealed tight. The water pretty much came out steaming and I immediately began washing my body. A cut that ran from the top of my right shoulder blade across my back to just the top of my butt began to burn again. It never healed and I wasn’t sure what it was. It would begin to form a scar but then would open again and burn.

We’re going to the Iris pack. Emerald growled.

Why? What’s the Iris pack?

Emerald didn’t respond. Not that I really expected her too. She never told me anything. She just kept her secrets, and I had no choice but to let her. She was her own spirit and stronger than me somehow. I got out of the shower and got dressed. It had really begun to snow, and I didn’t grab any real winter clothes, so I layered the three hoodies that Leon had packed for me and threw the largest jacket over it.

I made my way to the lobby in the first time since coming to the hotel and went to the desk. The same man that was here that night stood behind the computer desk. Something about him felt familiar, but I brushed it off. Nothing I felt was right.

“Checking out?” He signed.

I shook my fist up and down to sign ‘yes’.

“Why instead of checking out, why don’t you go wherever it is you’re going and then if you need to come back?” He signed flawlessly.

We don’t need to come back. Tell him we are leaving. Emerald growled.

I pinched my forefinger and thumb together, “No. It’s okay. I won’t be coming back.”

The man shrugged as his fingers flew across the keyboard. I waited until he waved his hand in front of me, “You’re all set. Good luck.”

I gave him a small wave. I handed him my valet ticket and he called for my car. When I got outside the black sedan was waiting for me. It was a typical black car; except I knew where this car came from. Leon was never one for flashy cars even though he had more money than anyone could ever need. This sedan was the same one he would take me on trips around the territory in. I could smell his almond scent.

I pulled up the navigation system and typed in the Iris pack. With the fact that Leon was an Alpha, he had information on every pack in the world. It was in Southern California, and a 36-hour drive, but so much better than running as a wolf. I set the information and found the closest gas station. I would need all of the snacks. After I made sure the tank was filled and had all my favorite snacks I set on the road.

Leon’s POV

My best friends did their jobs and forced me out of bed. I made the phone call to the Iris pack, and got my uncle transferred. It was a nice distraction from the fact that Kane hadn’t even whimpered since she left.

I spent days finding distractions, working myself until I passed out and had no real time to think about the cold spot in my bed. I hadn’t even slept in it since the day the guys pulled me out. I trained harder than I had in the past two years, my paperwork had never been so organized, and my training schedule was complete for the next six months.

The only thing that I couldn’t shake was my mom’s pity glances. Every time she would come into my office, she would sigh and hand me a drink. She never came out and told me she could see through my bullshit, and I wouldn’t tell her it was just that. I would sit in my office looking for extra work until I couldn’t anymore. Then spend the hours on the training fields. I had taken both Kiera’s and Masen’s jobs from them.

“Are you really okay, Leon?” Mom asked one day. Instead of sitting in the chair in front of my desk she walked to the window. The same window, she would stare at for hours.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just trying to get the warriors ready for anything.” I half chucked.

She snorted. She knew better. She heaved a sigh, “When’s the last time you shifted, or even heard from Kane? I’ve watched you training with the warriors. You’ve taken on their wolves but haven’t shown yours.”

I shrugged. “Kane’s still healing. At least now I know I can take on a wolf without needing him.”

She turned to look at me, a small tear rolled down her face.

“Mom, what’s going on?”

“When you were… sick. I spent the entire first year avoiding your bedroom. I couldn’t be there. It hurt too much. So, I planned parties, and organized meetings, scheduled the staff for months in advance. It wasn’t until your fifth birthday did I finally go into your room. I sat on your bed and cried.”

I stood and pulled my mom into my arms. She never talked about those first few years. Never.

“It wasn’t until I got your room packed did I realize that I had pushed my wolf so far back that she was close to disappearing. I broke her spirit more than losing our pup did.”

I looked down at my mom. She was beautiful. Her black curls were pulled into a sophisticated bun. Her warm brown eyes were full of worry for her pup, because no matter how old I got I would always be her baby. She gave a soft smile.

“I don’t want Kane to lose the one person who can understand him, because- “

“He already did, Mom. She rejected us, and he almost died.” I scoffed. “He almost died because she didn’t want us.”

“Oh, honey.” Mom pulled my face into her neck. I wrapped my arms around her tighter.

That’s the reality. She didn’t want us. It didn’t matter if Reina did or not. Her wolf hated us. Kane would be able to bond with Reina, but he would still feel the rejection of his mate. I would still be unmarked, and we would still be strangers.

Maybe that’s just how it was supposed to be. I would be Alpha and then Keira’s son would be the next Alpha. It would get complicated from there, but I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else. She was all I had ever wanted, and she was gone.

“Maybe the Goddess will give you a second chance.” Mom whispered as I sniffled into her shirt.

I hated that I was crying so much, but I felt empty. I felt cold. At least when I was in the lab I had something to distract me from the pain. James and Axel. Now they had their own mates, so did Delilah. I couldn’t call them and tell them how broken I was. No one could know. I would be strong for my pack.

“Why don’t you go on a vacation? You’ve been here for three years and haven’t taken a true break. Go see James.”

I shook my head, “He’s busy with his mate and kids. I’ll be alright Mom. I promise.”

She sighed and kissed my cheek before she left. I stood in front of the window and watched as the sun fell from the sky.

Another day had passed, and I was just as cold as the snow that glistened on the ground. My mind wandered to Reina. I wonder if she was still at the hotel. Dad said I was a fool for taking care of her even after she broke my heart, but I couldn’t let her be feral. The idea of some wolf taking her life just about made my heart stop beating. I couldn’t have her heart, but I would always want her safe.

My phone pulled me from my thoughts. I looked at the number, it was the Beta from the Iris pack. I had asked him to let me know when my uncle arrived.

“Beta Jeremy, has my uncle arrived?” I asked. There was no need for pleasantries. I didn’t really care. It was only a favor for Keira.

“Uh, no. Alpha. He’s not set to arrive until tomorrow. We… there’s a she-wolf here driving a vehicle registered to you.”