My Soldier Mate

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:

ZANE POV:

That day, Nala had left to go to training. I was so depressed, and I just started to train more and work more. I haven't really talked to her much but the distance hurts. I keep doing the same things on repeat. I worked, trained, then worked some more. Then, I would somehow get to my room and pass out. And I did that on repeat. But one afternoon, I had to go check the borders and make sure everything was okay. I realized I had checked up on the rogues that Nala asked me to house. So I figured I could see how they were doing and if they needed anything. With that in my mind, I set out to see what was going on. On my way to the border, I passed Ashley on the way. She said “hi.”

I replied, “How are you doing, Ashley?”

She replied, “I am not great. I miss you. I miss how we were. But I have to understand there is nothing here for us anymore and that is my fault for pushing like I did.”

I replied “I am glad you understood that and accepted it.”

Ashley said, “Maybe we can still hang out just as friends, because I do miss my friend.”

I answered “maybe, but I have to go.”

She said “Well, have fun and be safe.” I nodded and I left. Once I was far enough away, I looked back and saw she was standing there just talking to some people. My wolf said, “Dude, don’t you dare start crap because we have a mate and I want my mate.”

I replied “I know. But I just miss my friend. That is all. And I couldn’t believe she had completed one hundred and eighty in a few weeks. I mean, since Nala left, all we have been doing is really missing her, and we haven’t really been paying attention to her for weeks. But it has been nine weeks. Yeah, getting updates from Alex is great, but it is not enough.”

Drake replied, “I know, I miss her so much. And the updates are nice. But she will be back in time. Just be patient.”

I replied “I am trying, dude. I really am. "Alright, let’s get this done so we can go to get food, and then we can go for a run for a little bit.” He agreed, and we started to walk faster to get everything done. We got there. We had a pleasant conversation with the rogues about what they went through in their previous pack and why they became rogues and how they got under the guy, who named himself the Rogue King. But the only reason why they joined the Rogue King is that they threatened them and their lives. So they had no choice. Once our conversation was done. I went back to the packhouse to go get food. It is about to be dinner time. So I decided to eat in the dining room with all the pack members. Once, I walked inside the dining hall, and everyone stopped what they were doing and just stared at me. I then walked to the front of the table and sat down. I said “Okay, everyone back to what you were doing.” With that, Ashley came up to me and asked if she could sit with me. I said “sure.” I then got pulled away from talking to her and got to talking to my Beta about the rogue problem. While I was eating, I was talking to my Beta a lot more, while Ashley kept trying to get my attention. I finally stopped talking to my Beta and said “Ashley, I am talking to my Beta about something important. What can I do for you?”

Ashley replied “Oh, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out with me tonight for a little bit?”

I replied “Ashley, that could have waited until I was done talking to him. But not tonight because I have to go back to work soon. I was only down here because I had to do something outside the packhouse. So that is why I am down here eating.” With that, I looked at her. I knew she was getting pissed because I wasn’t really paying attention. I then turned back to my Beta about the conversation we were in before we were interrupted. Once I was done eating, I went back to my office. I sat down and looked at the time. It was the time I said I was going to call Alex. So I picked up my phone and hit the call button on the video chat. It rang twice before he answered. Alex said “Hello, Zane. "What’s up?” I was really wondering if Nala was there with him because the days before, when I called, she wasn’t there. She was either still training or eating in her room and studying. I replied, “We are good. Just checking on you and what has been happening?”

Alex replied, “Well, I get my assignment in a little bit, so I know where I am going to stop after next week.”

I was nervous about my brother, but I replied “Well, you need to be careful, because you are my little brother and I want to make sure you are safe. But I also know you know how to take care of yourself without a problem. "Hey, where are you?”

Alex replied, “Chow hall, it is dinner time.”

I didn’t realize the time and I replied “Oh, I am sorry to be calling you when you are at dinner. Should I let you go?”

Alex replied, “No, it is okay. Why don’t you say hi to everyone? Zane, you are on speaker with Nala, Julia, and Jason.”

I instantly had a smile come on my face when I heard Nala was there this time with them eating. I replied “Hey everyone. If you all need anything please try to let me know, and I will try my best to help as much as I can.”

Jason replied, “Thanks man.”

Alex said, “Okay man, I have to go. "I will talk to you later when I tell you where I am going to the station. "Alright, talk soon brother.” With that he hung up the phone. I was happy she was in the room relaxing, I hope. I know Alex was telling me that she was barely relaxing. That she is always training. I know my human mate is hard core, but I never realized just how hard core. Then there was a knock on my office door that brought me out of my thoughts. I snapped out of it. I said “come in.” To give permission to whoever was ever at my door. When I looked at the door and walked Ashley. I said, “Ashley, what can I do for you?”

Ashley said, “Well, I was wondering if you were okay. You just seemed stressed and that the whole world was on your shoulders. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help with the workload.”

I replied “Thank you, Ashley, but this is not something you can help with. But I appreciate the sentiment.”

Ashley replied, “Well, I was only making sure you were okay, as a friend. Would you at least like a shoulder rub? To get out the knocks I bet you are carrying.”

That is when Drake started to stir and said “You better not let her touch us. I want a mate.”

I replied “Drake, can you trust me please.”

Drake replied “I do trust you, but if you screw up with me, get a chance with my fated mate. I swear I will not shift for a whole year or maybe longer. Or at least until I can get my mate back, and she will give us a chance.”

I then replied, “Ashley, we are friends, but I do not want you to touch me. "Like at all. "I promise.” Just then Ashley walked up to me and said “Can we have a little fun like we used to? "I didn’t realize the last time was going to be our last time together.” I just stared at her. Drake was screaming inside my head, saying no. I then just blocked him out and said “one last time. And no more. "I mean it, Ashley.” That is when Ashley came straight up to me and started kissing me. And the next thing, I knew we were going to my bedroom, and we were both in my bed without clothes on. I was trying to just finish because I did need release and that was it. I just wanted my mate, but I couldn’t have her because she was in training. And this was killing me. I knew I was going to regret this in the morning. Afterward, we were both done and reached our climax. I took off the condom and went to wash up, and I laid down and Ashley was then out cold in my bed. So I wasn’t going to wake her up. I just figure to let her sleep a little bit longer. Then I just fell asleep. The next thing I knew, my cell phone was going off, and I woke up, realizing Ashley was still there in the room with me. When I looked at the caller, it was Alex. I immediately picked it up thinking something was wrong and something happened to Nala. I answered and said “Hello, Alex, are you okay?” I knew right then he saw Ashley in my bed right next to me and we both had no clothes on. But Alex replied, “Yeah, everything is fine. "But I need to talk to you about something that is important.” I got up and started to walk to my office, which is connected to my room. I turned on the light and went to sit down at my desk and said “Okay, what’s up?”

Alex replied “Well, I am going to tell Nala about what we are because when we will be over in Afghanistan and I don’t want to keep lying to her because she has had our backs over here, but it feels wrong. What do you think?”

I replied, “Yeah, that will work when you and her comeback home. So she won't be freaked out about what we are.”

Alex then said “Okay, cool. Oh, and Jason wants to ask you something.” That is when the phone was handed over. Jason got on the phone and said “Alpha Zane, I was wondering if I could come and transfer into your pack, so I can be with my mate that I found here in training.”

I replied, “Of course, I won't have a problem with that. "Just let me know when you are back, and we can get everything squared away.” We finished talking for a little bit about everything, and then he said he had to go because training was about to start. That put me on edge because I knew Nala was possibly getting hit and having bruises on her body and my wolf, and I did not like that idea. Just then, my office door opened up and in walked a very naked Ashley. She had a smile on her face like she had just won a prize. Ashley asked, “Why did you come here? I thought we were going to have a good morning with s*x and climax?”

I replied “had to take a phone call. It was important. But look Ashley, you know what happened last night was just s*x, a way to get released, right? We are not together, right.”

Ashley’s smile dropped a little, and then it was back, and she replied, “Yeah, I know that. But I will always be here when you need a release and to relieve stress, because I know you have been stressed out a lot lately. And I just want to help that is all. With that, she walked out of the office and shut the door behind her. I let out a sigh of relief because she can be crazy, but she was the perfect distraction while my mate was away. With that thought, my wolf started to go crazy. He didn’t agree with it because Ashley wasn’t my mate. I literally had to block him out because he was going mad saying that he would kill her if we touched Ashley or anyone else that was not our mate. I know he was not happy with my decision, but I just needed a distraction from everything that was going on. With my mate not here, the rogues. I am just releasing stress until my mate can be in my arms where she belongs.