Fated to the Werewolf King

Chapter Two

CHLEO

Present

In that time since Jake’s rejection and accepting Alpha Johnson’s job offer, I’d learned the ins and outs of Pearl, moved up from Assistant to Executive Coordinator and become a highly respected member of the pack. Several unmated, high positioned males from my pack and other packs had proposed to make me their chosen mate, but I was just twenty-one, I enjoyed my life at home and was in no rush to mate.

“Chleo,” Alpha Johnson called as I sat down at my desk. “Please come to my office.”

“Yes, sir?” I asked.

“Do you have any pressing plans for the next ten days?”

“I don’t think so, sir,” I answered, “why?”

“As I’m sure you know, your father is taking your mother on a cruise for their anniversary.”

“Yes, sir. My mother is very excited.”

“Well, as it turns out, I am expected at a retreat for every Gem Alpha and their Betas. Since your father is unavailable, I hoped you would accompany me in your father’s place.”

“Of course, sir. Where are we going?”

“The retreat is being held in Diamond territory.”

“Diamond?” I asked. “As in, the royal pack?”

“That is correct.”

“Oh wow,” I exclaimed. “Are you sure I’m qualified?”

“Chleo, you are more than qualified. Plus, this will give you some time away, I know the last few months have been difficult.”

Jake and Rebecca had their mating ceremony three months prior. They announced their plan to mate right after graduation but given their disrespect to the mate bond, Alpha Johnson ordered them to wait three years to prove their choice was for real love and not teenaged lust. Alpha Johnson knew how difficult that was, not just for me but for Owen Pierce as well. Owen gained employment as Delta Harris’ assistant a year ago and we’d become really good friends. Owen met and fell in love with Mia James, a wolf from Topaz pack, a year after graduation and will be claiming her as his chosen mate in six months.

“I’m fine, Alpha.” I said. Liar, my wolf said.

“It’s okay not to be,” he said. “Jake hurt you and though the bond was severed the day of your rejection, the hurt will remain until you accept a chosen. I would know.”

Alpha Johnson’s mate didn’t reject him, she died in a car accident a few years after they mated. She’d been pregnant with their first baby at the time. Alpha Johnson was a zombie for many years before he met Fiona, his chosen mate. He told me after he claimed Fiona, the pain from his mate’s death became just a dull throb that went away completely after their first child was born.

“I know,” I said. “Really, I’m fine.” Keep telling yourself that, my wolf snarled.

“Alright.”

“When do we leave for Diamond?”

“Tomorrow night, if that’s alright?”

“Perfect,” I said. “I’ll ask Adam and Natalie to keep Dash for me.” Dash is my Bengal cat, I found him in a dumpster shortly after I accepted my job. I stepped out of my office and called Natalie.

“Hey sis, what’s up?”

“Hey Nat,” I said. “I have a favor to ask.”

“Hit me.”

“Alpha Johnson needs me to accompany him to Diamond pack for the Alphas retreat since mom and dad are going on their cruise. Could you and Adam keep Dash for me? I’ll be gone for a week.”

“Absolutely, you don’t even need to ask. Leah will be thrilled, she loves Dash.” My niece was born two weeks after my graduation.

“Thank you, so much.”

“Of course,” she said. “Maybe you’ll meet a man worthy of being your chosen.”

“Ha,” I shouted, “I doubt it but thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Anytime, sis.”

I hung up the phone and got back to work. I had three documents to file before the end of the day and they were going to take time. As I sent off the last document, I received a text from Adam.

Adam: Nat told me we’re keeping my kitty nephew for a few days.

Chleo: Yeah, Alpha Johnson needs me to go to the Alphas retreat

Adam: No problem at all. Leah’s already setting up a kitty apartment in her bedroom. She’s so excited.

Chleo: LOL

Chleo: I’m glad Dash is so loved

Adam: Leah wants a cat, this will be good practice.

Chleo: I’ll bring him over in the morning

Adam: We’ll be here

On my way out of the office, I ran into Rebecca, literally.

“s**t,” I said, dropping my phone.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“It’s fine, it’s in a case.” I looked up and came face to face with her baby bump. “Oh,” I said. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” I started to walk away. “Chleo, wait.”

“What do you want, Rebecca?”

“It’s been three years, can I please just talk to you?”

I put my bag down and crossed my arms.

“Chleo, I know how badly Jake and I hurt you. It was never my intention, I didn’t know you’d be his mate.”

I shook my head. “Rebecca, I know you didn’t know. But the fact is, you planned to hurt your fated mates just to be together.”

“I know, we know, and we’re sorry.”

“I accept your apology, but I don’t forgive you.”

“That’s fair,” she said. “I hope you’re doing well,” and she walked away.

When I made it home, I called Owen.

“Hey C,” he said.

“You will never guess what happened tonight,” I said.

“Lay it on me.” I told him everything about running into Rebecca, the baby bump, and her apology. “Damn, that’s a lot to unpack and process. I mean, I forgave them a long time ago when I met Mia. I understand how they felt and still feel, about each other.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” he said. “I mean, if they hadn’t done what they did, I would’ve never met Mia. I thank them for that. Yes, it hurt like hell then, but now, I don’t feel the pain. I hope one day you find the same thing.”

“I guess you’re right, maybe I’m bitter.”

“Maybe but you’re still hurt and it's okay.”

We talked for a bit longer and said goodnight. I packed my suitcase and before I settled down for the night, Alpha Johnson texted me.

Alpha: Change of plans

Alpha: We have to leave tonight

Alpha: I’m so sorry, I was just informed

Chleo: Oh, okay. My bags are already packed. Let me call my brother and let him know I need to bring Dash now.

Alpha: I’m so sorry

Chleo: It’s alright

I called Adam.

“Hey sis,” he said.

“Hey, I have to bring Dash now. Alpha Johnson texted, we have to leave tonight.”

“No problem, I’m up. Nat and Leah went to bed an hour ago but Leah will be thrilled to wake up to Dash.”

“Thank you, I’ll be there soon.” I hung up the phone, packed Dash’s bed, food, bowls, and toys, put Dash in his carrier, and put him, his things and my suitcase in the car. When I pulled into Adam’s driveway, he was waiting outside.

“No need to get out, sis. I got it from here.”

“Let me at least say goodbye to my baby.” I looked down at Dash’s carrier in my passenger seat and nuzzled my nose to his. “You’re gonna stay with uncle Adam and play with Leah for a bit, okay?” He let out a little meow. “I love you buddy.”

“He’ll be fine, have fun at the retreat,” Adam said.

“Thanks, I’ll call to check in.” He waved as I put the car in reverse and left.

When I arrived at the pack house, Alpha Johnson was already loading his things into his SUV so he met me at my car and offered to load my suitcase.

“I’ve got it, thanks though.”

“Alright, well, we’re driving straight through, so take a nap and we’ll stop for coffee. Diamond is six hours away.”

“Oh wow, okay,” I said. “I’ll take a nap for three hours but then we’re switching so you can nap.”

“I took a nap earlier, I always take one after work.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely, I’ll be fine. Besides, we’ll reach Diamond around 3AM and our hotel rooms are already booked. We can get a few hours of sleep then.”

“Well, in that case, I’ll stay up with you. I have a Red Bull,” I laughed.

“Let’s hit the road, then.”

Five and a half hours later, we arrived at our hotel. I was exhausted but excited. After we received our room keys, we went our separate ways into our own rooms. I unpacked my suitcase into the dresser in the room, put on my pajamas, set my alarm for 8AM, and went to bed.

The dream began as normal but it was different, too.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers to me.

“Why am I still dreaming of you?” I asked. “You rejected me.”

He didn’t, my wolf said. He’s been waiting for us. That was the first time she’s ever spoken in my dreams.

“Never, Little Star,” he claimed. “We’re closer than we’ve ever been.” When I turned around I came face to face with a tall, blue-eyed, masked man. “You’re mine.” He sank to his knees, leaving kisses down my neck, breasts, and stomach, setting my skin on fire, before his teeth grazed my panties and he stopped.

“Please,” I begged.

“So eager,” he laughed. “Soon, Little Star. I burn for you, too.”

I shot up into a sitting position, my heart racing faster than ever. The clock on my nightstand said 7:41AM. I pulled my knees to my chest and buried my face between them. “What the hell is going on?” Mate, my wolf said. “That’s impossible, Jake was our mate and he rejected us,” I argued. He’s close, I feel him.

I shook off her words in my head and went to the bathroom to shower. I’d forgotten to pack my vibrator but I was so horny from my dream that my fingers had to be enough. I leaned back against the tile walls, letting my fingers find my c**t before pushing two of them inside my aching core. I pictured the man from my dreams; his smile, his breath, his voice, and then I imagined what his tongue would feel like. I rubbed my c**t with my thumb while I pumped my fingers in and out. “Oh god,” I said, biting my free hand. I dropped to the floor of the shower as I came. Our mate can help with that, my wolf said.

“Our mate rejected us, he’s having a baby with Rebecca.” Our mate is here. I feel him. “This must be a result of withdrawal from s*x,” I said to myself. “I’m going crazy.”

I finished my shower, got dressed, and styled my hair. As I put my earrings in, Alpha Johnson knocked on my door. “Come in,” I shouted.

“Are you ready to go?” He asked. “The first order of business is breakfast with the other alphas, then each alpha has a meeting with the King.”

“The King? We’re meeting the King?”

“Yes, King Killian Chase,” he said. “Our appointment is for 3PM.”

“Oh,” I replied, “okay.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I didn’t know we were meeting the King, that’s all.”

“Well, let's go to breakfast.”

I grabbed my phone and purse and followed Alpha Johnson to the banquet hall. As we passed the ballroom, a delicious aroma hit my nose. “What is that amazing smell?” I asked.

“I don’t smell anything,” Alpha Johnson said.

“Really?” I asked. “It smells like cinnamon and honey.”

“You must really be hungry, come on, breakfast is down the hall.”

KILLIAN

“An Alphas retreat,” I asked my Beta, Greg. “Really?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he said. “There’s a retreat every year, this year is Diamond’s turn to host. I know it’s inconvenient but it’s just for a week.”

“Greg,” I said, “I need to talk to you.”

“Majesty?”

“Not as my Beta, as my brother in-law.”

“Okay,” he said, “what’s going on, Killian?”

“The dreams are back,” I said.

“What? It’s been three years.”

“I know, but they came back last night. The same masked woman but this time it was different.”

“Different how?”

“She said I rejected her, why would I reject my mate? I told her we’re closer than ever.”

“Oh,” Greg said.

“I think she’s close.”

“Is that why you don’t want to do this retreat? You want to go out to find her?”

“Yes, but I’m aware I have a responsibility.”

“Meet with the alphas today, and we’ll go out tonight.”

“Alright,” I said. “Deal.”

“Let’s get down to the ballroom, your first meeting is in an hour.”

Greg lead me down to the ballroom and I settled into the temporary ‘thrown’ the hotel set up for me. My wolf started getting antsy, that made two of us. “Calm down,” I said to him. She’s here, he replied. “Excuse me?” Our mate, she’s here, in this hotel.

“Greg!”

“Killian?”

“My wolf says she’s here,” I said.

“Who?” He asked.

“My mate,” I explained. “He says our mate is here, in this building, right now.”

“We’ll find her, I promise you,” he told me.

I started pacing around the room, I couldn’t get through these meetings fast enough. Suddenly the scent of strawberries and roses hit my nose, the most amazing scent I’d ever smelled. Mate, my wolf said.

“What is that amazing smell?” I heard a woman ask in the hallway.

“I don’t smell anything,” a man replied.

“It smells like cinnamon and honey,” she said.

“You must really be hungry, come on, breakfast is down the hall.”

Her scent slowly faded away and as I reached for the door handle, it opened and my assistant entered. “Your majesty, may I present Alpha Toura of Amethyst pack.”

By 2:30PM I was even antsier than ever. I couldn’t wait to get through these meetings so I could find her, my mate. “You have one more meeting today and you’ll do the rest tomorrow,” Greg whispered.

“Okay, let’s just get this over with.”

“Majesty,” my assistant said. “Alpha Johnson of Pearl pack.”

As Alpha Johnson entered the room, the strawberry and roses scent hit my nose again and I looked up to see the source of that delicious scent following behind the Alpha. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen; with chestnut brown hair that sat just below her shoulders and emerald green eyes. “Mate,” I said and before anyone could react to my words, I was across the room, pushing the woman against the wall and burying my nose in her neck, breathing her in.

“Your Majesty,” she said, confusion in her tone. Damn, even her voice was beautiful, and so familiar. Then it hit me, it’s the voice I’ve heard in my dreams.

“Your name?” I asked. I was met with silence and she looked terrified. “Please, tell me your name.”

“Chleo, Your Majesty,” she said. “My name is Chleo Evers”

“Such a beautiful name,” I told her.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Killian,” I corrected her. “My name is Killian. Please don’t be so formal with me, you’re my mate.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, “you must have me confused with someone else. My mate rejected me three years ago.”

“I did no such thing,” I replied. “I would never diminish the sanctity of the mate bond. I’ve waited for you for twenty-five years.”

“Your Majesty,” Alpha Johnson said. “My apologies, but Miss Evers speaks the truth.”

I whipped around, anger ablaze. “Excuse me, Alpha?” I said, my royal aura sending him to his knees.

“Please, Your Majesty, I mean no disrespect,” he said.

“Speak,” I commanded.

“Miss Evers’ fated mate, Jacob Reynolds, rejected her on her eighteenth birthday and claimed her best friend instead.” I whipped around to face Chleo.

“This is true?” I asked, her eyes filling with tears, and I could see the heartbreak she and her wolf had endured. She merely nodded. I dropped to my knees before her. “I can see how he broke your heart. Please, let me show you how the bond is supposed to feel. I know you feel the bond.”

“I don’t know what I feel,” she said, taking a deep breath through her nose, “but you smell incredible.”

“Like cinnamon and honey?” I asked, with a smirk.