Just Like That

The Turn

Amara's POV

I only have to wait less than a minute before Liam texts me his location. What in the hell is he doing in Alabama? These past eight months Liam has barely spoken a word to anyone. He ensures that the pack runs smoothly but has disengaged from everyone including me. Even when he just called, the orders were barked. Ella leaving has made him so distant and cold.

Don't get me wrong, Liam has always done what he has to do, ensuring the safety of his pack. Many people have called him ruthless and unforgiving. Which isn't far from the truth, but it is only against our enemies and anyone who poses a threat to us. Growing up with Liam though, I know the true nature of the man. He is kind and too caring. He puts everyone before himself.

I remember the first time I met Liam. It was in the seventh grade. Jesse Lafferty had started calling me names for being as he called it, from a poor mutt family. I remember how all the kids started laughing and pointing at me. I cowered in my chair as the tears kept streaming down my face. That's when Liam walked into class. He seen Jesse standing over me, heard what he was saying and watched the other kids laughing at me. Without saying a word he punched Jesse right in the face. Blood started pouring out of his nose and the room went silent.

"why don't you try picking on me instead Jesse," He said coldly as Jesse started to cry. No one dared to speak a word. " Anyone else want to say something like," he looked around the room and everyone out their heads down. No one dared challenge the Alpha's son.

Next thing that happened still blows my mind. The teacher walks in and asks what happened. Liam took the blame for the entire situation. Told the teacher that he didn't like the way Jesse looked that day. He got a three day suspension and his parents grounded him for a month. After that, no one dared to pick on me. Liam ensured that I stayed close to his side.

I remember a few years after the incident asking him why he did what he did. "I'm going to be Alpha one day Amara you know this. Every single member plays an important role in our pack. If we start turning against each other now, how will we ever survive in the future. I took blame because it was my fault that anyone even thought it would be ok to look down on someone else. We now and forever are a family. We build on our strengths and lean towards each other on our weaknesses. Plus I really didn't like he was wearing that day, " Liam says the last part in a teasing manner.

I had already so much respect for Liam but after those words he had my full trust, loyalty and respect. I knew then that he would be one of the greatest Alphas our pack has ever had. When Ella left, we not only lost our Luna but a part of our Alpha had died that day.

I suppose I don't blame him, I don't know what I would do if I lost my mate. Rumors speculate that she just up and ran away, but I don't believe that for one second. Ella loved him just as much as he loved her. We would sit in her room for hours talking and laughing about our mates while they were in their meetings. I shake off my thoughts and go find my mate.

"Carter I just got done speaking with Alpha Liam. I need you to get the jet ready apparently I am heading to Benton Alabama, " I says kindly to my mate. The look on his face is pure amusement. I raise my eyebrow at him and he just chuckles and leaves the room. I instantly start to follow him. ," Carter what do you know love," I ask him.

"Here take this with you, I have a feeling Liam is going to need this," he chuckles as he throws me a duffel bag. "Don't worry love, you will find out soon enough what's going on call me when you get a chance , I love you," and with that he heads out to make the preparations. Whatever he knows it must be good. I honestly can't wait to get to this small town and figure out what the hell is going on.

Liam seriously picked the smallest town I have ever seen. I find the motel easily and go to the door number he instructed. Not sure what I am about to walk in on, I decide to just fling the door right open.

Ella. Well hot damn, now I know why Carter was cryptic.

"Hello Ella, it's been a while," I say while smiling. She look like a mess. Holy s**t is that a pup in her hand? It seems there's so much more to this story than I could have ever imagined. Before I can speak any more words I mind link Liam, amused at what he has to say about all of this. I can sense that Ella wants to say something, but she doesn't get the chance. Liam mind links me, informing me he needs clothes. Good ole Carter, if I didn't know any better I swear he can see into the future. I turn around and leave the room before either Ella or I can muster another word.

After I throw Liam the bag I decide to send Carter a quick message. Well well now I see what you mean. Made it here safe, I will call you in a bit. I love you.

With that I turn to face Liam.

"So care to fill me in," I say with a grin plastered to my face. He puts his head down and for the first time I realize he is in emotional turmoil. What in the hell is going on around here? Finding his mate, I thought for sure he would be filled with joy. So why is there so much sadness and anger in him? That's when reality hits me. Maybe the rumors really are true. She ran away from her mate. Son of a Bitch

I start to get mad myself. What was her plan? I clearly saw the love in her eyes for our Alpha. Was it because she didn't have a wolf of her own? We all knew Ella wasn't born into our way of life, but we all accepted her regardless. She truly made Liam happy and vise versa. Did she reject the idea of a werewolf for a mate? I know the human way of living is much different than our own. Humans seems to fall in and out of love quickly. Did her human way make her fall out of love? I truly can not fathom ever falling out of love with my mate, but then again that's one of the things that separate us from them. One thing I do know, I have plenty of questions for my long lost friend.

I clear my throat and look at Liam, "Whenever you're ready boss," I say as he is looking at the door entrance. Those simple words seem to snap him out of his own thoughts. He stands up straight and opens the door.

Liam's POV

I quickly get dressed and head to the motel door. That's where I completely freeze. I can't wrap my head around why Ella is the way she is. I remember when I first met her. The smell that filled my nose and lungs was like none other.

I was up in the VIP room having a meeting with our rival pack. They had wanted a portion of our territory to expand their hotel chain. Negotiations were going pretty good but to be frank I was never very fond of their Alpha. He treated his members as if they were expendable and smaller packs as if they were garbage. Even though the part of the territory they wanted wasn't being used, I wasn't too fond of just giving it to them unless they agreed to my proposition.

"I will give you this territory, but in return I would like fifteen percent of profits for my Pack and fifteen percent profit to go into the New hope fund." I say dryly to Alpha Matteo.

"That's ridiculous Liam and you know it. 30 percent profit for a little bit of land. Absolutely not." Matteo is clearly getting upset.

"If that's the case then I guess we have nothing further to discuss," I get up to dismiss him.

"Wait, ok fine deal," Matteo says as he runs his hands through his hair. We didn't need the money but like I said before, I wasn't too fond of him. I would end up transferring our portion of the profit to the new hope fund anyways.

I started the fund a few years back. To try and eliminate rogues, we created The New Hope house. Any rogue who left their pack due to abuse, loss or any reason that seemed fitting was welcome. From there punishment to the packs responsible was handled and any other members who wanted to leave could free of conviction. Just in the few years the numbers have reached to 3,000. The contribute to the house and society to help give back to the foundation. Eventually I plan to make Carter the Alpha of all the lone wolves. He is the only person I trust besides myself to run a pack and treat his members with the respect that they deserve.

Thank you for your time Alpha Liam, I will send my Beta next week with the contracts," Matteo says and with that he leaves the club.

I get up to leave myself and that's when I smell her. A mix of lavender and honey. I instantly froze. Mate I hear my wolf say. Following the scent it led me to the most beautiful woman I had ever met in my life. As she turns around I grab her in an embrace and whisper mine. Her face instantly flushes red and she looks up into my eyes. I had given up on finding my mate years ago. Most of my pack had found their mates by their twenty first birthdays. But the moon goddess knew what she was doing, she led me to the most spectacular woman I had ever laid eyes upon.

"Whenever you're ready boss," Amara's voice pierces through my memory. I quickly straighten myself and let go of the past. I curse to myself and open the door. As I enter the room I see Ella dozing off with Xavier in her arms.