The Missing Mate

Chapter 6: Heart Ache

I felt his arms wrap around me. I could feel his smile against my neck. "Do you know how much I love you?" Ryan asked me, spinning me around to face him. I wound my arms around his neck kissing gently. He deepened the kiss, his hands climbing up under my shirt. He started kissing my neck and then I heard it. A howl, then a growl. All of a sudden it was dark and we were running. We couldn't see through the fog, I tripped and landed on my face. I watched as they crowded Ryan snapping at his neck before one finally bit down. I woke up with a start, it was all a dream. The first part was a memory but then it turned jaded. I looked at the alarm blaring 2 am at me, reminding me that I haven't had a peaceful night in so long. I checked Adira, she was still asleep, Mave wasn't in her bed. I just laid there awake just thinking about everything. What would he say when he saw me? What would he be like with Adira, a loving father no doubt. Would Adira warm up to him immediately like she did Raiden? As soon as that thought popped into my head the devil himself walked in carrying a sleeping Mave. I didn't dare say a word, hoping he didn't notice I was awake and restless. I watched how his muscles moved as he laid her down, how gentle he was, how he covered her up and kissed her head. He still loved her there was no doubt in my mind, maybe Mave still loved him too. I didn't think he was a bad guy, but I could definitely see the rough around the edges parts of him. Adi adored him and I wasn't sure that was a good thing. I didn't want her getting attached. Once we found her father we'd go back to living a normal life. I'm not sure Adi even knows what a werewolf is even though she is one. Mave and I have led a normal life her whole life. I couldn't even tell you the last time we shifted, probably the day she was born. I don't even remember what my wolf looked like. When Ryan and I were together we'd run for hours chasing each other, my wolf loved running from him, she loved growling at him too. Our mate bond was strong but our wolves never got along. His loved me but mine hated him, especially after we got pregnant. I asked him one time why my wolf didn't like his, he said there was a chance I had another mate out there and just didn't realize that we had already met, that my bond was stronger with that mate than with him. He was always very jealous of other males, that's why it was always just the two of us. I was used to being alone though. I grew up alone, abandoned by my pack when I was a pup. I learned to fend for myself, I hunted and fought by myself. I was an expert at alluding other wolves, at running from my problems. I was just lucky I was fast, but one day I knew it'd catch up with me. I was happy as a werewolf, never was interested in being human, a pack or any of that, until I met Ryan. He was alone to, said he never had a family either. We made sense. Thinking about the past made my heart ache.

~hours later~

I must have fallen asleep sometime this morning while thinking because when I woke up it was almost noon. Ugh. Mave and Adi were already up and out of bed. I quickly showered and got dressed before walking into the kitchen. Mave and Adi were at the table eating waffles, Mave, a cup of coffee in her hands and Adi, orange juice. "Goodmorning." Raiden plopped some waffles on a plate, handing them to me. "Thank you." I said as I sat down next to Adi. A few moments later there was a cup of coffee just how I like it right in front of me and Raiden was sitting down in between Mave and I. All around us people were coming and going In a rush, I assumed for our departure. "Raiden, what are all dees people doogin?" Adi asked. "They are getting ready for an adventure." Raiden said it in such an enthusiastic way that it sounded like we weren't going to be in any danger. "Oh can I come to?" Adi asked. "Well of course. Who else is going to be in charge?" Adi had a huge smile on her face after hearing that. "Yay mommy I'm in charge!" She cheered before running off. I just took a sip of my coffee, giving Raiden the "I hope you know what you just got yourself into" look. All he did was chuckle. "When I told my pack they were excited to be taking orders from a child instead of me for once." He had a great smile, I caught myself thinking. "That's because she's cute and you're an ugly brute." Levi claimed as he was walking in. "Oof watch out my pride." He fained a pain in his heart. "Oh yeah wouldn't want to hurt that fragile ego now would we? But the kid truly does have you beat, you could never match her cuteness or intelligence." Levi laughed and Raiden just smiled. You could tell they were brothers just by their banter. Adi came bounding in the room again. "Hey sweetheart you should ask Levi if he has everything ready to go, I heard he forgot to pack socks." Raiden whispered into Adira's ear making her giggle. "Levi did you forget your socks?" She asked him. "I did indeed." He looked shocked as he gave Raiden a how did you know look. Raiden just smiled smugly. "Good job sweetheart now when shall we leave?" He asked her. "Right now!" She giggled. "Pack I believe your new leader has an announcement to make." Raiden immediately got everyone's attention, you could tell he was a well respected leader. "We are leaving in 30!" Adi loudly announced before adding a quick "please." In there. Everyone looked at their alpha waiting for him to confirm what they just heard. He gave a quick nod and just like that they were back to work. "I knew I made the right decision leaving you in charge! You're a great leader, being nice is what makes them listen to you." He high fived Adi again and the look on my daughters face was one of pure join and satisfaction. All I could do was smile.