Braided Fate - A Werewolf Romance

You Can't Leave

(Mari POV)

 I was absolutely relieved when the meeting ended early. Aria had looked so disappointed when I had to leave for my meeting. She had been so distant lately. I had tried asking Chris and Kate why Aria pushed me away, but they just told me that she would tell me when she was ready to share. I hated that they were right, but I couldn’t force my mate to trust me. So, I showered her in love and attention. In between meetings, I’d walk through the gardens with her or just hold her on the couch in my office.

    Except the part where our wolves would stop us from Marking each other, those moments of quiet, intense intimacy were some of my favorites. I had mentioned that we could be more intimate without marking and that seemed to upset Aria, so I hadn’t brought it up again. I loved this little, fierce woman. But I couldn’t force her to love me back.

      I entered our room and a cold gust hit my face. The window was open. Why was the window open? I took a deep breath and looked around the room frantically.

     “Aria?!” I called out. There weren't any signs of a fight or that she was hurt. How did anyone even get close to the pack house-

     I froze as I saw our half empty closet. She had left. She had made a choice to leave. I had thought this was just a lack of confidence. I thought I had made it clear that I wanted her here. I thought time would make it better. I never could have imagined this. My heart was in full panic mode.

     Secure the perimeter, now. Your Luna seems to think she can leave without saying goodbye.  I growled into the pack link. I couldn’t feel her because I hadn’t Marked her yet. She wasn’t a part of our pack yet. Not until I Marked her. I was so irritated at my wolf, I couldn’t even acknowledge her. She wanted my attention, but I couldn’t bring myself to talk to her. It was their fault she left, I was sure of it. Aria had mentioned one time that we might not actually be mates and I should have known that our delayed Marking would mean more to her.

      Copy that Alpha.

      No one has left the perimeter yet, Alpha.

      Alpha, I have the Luna at the border. What would you like me to do?  I heard the clear voice of my Gamma, Anthony. I took a deep breath.

      Bring my mate to me. It’s time your Luna learns some manners about proper goodbyes.  I growled through the link. I sat on our bed, waiting. I went over and over in my head what had just happened. What was she thinking? Had I done something wrong? Could I have done anything differently? I was pissed at my wolf for waiting, but I also knew better than to question my wolf.

      Forty minutes later, Anthony and Simon came in, each holding an arm of my beautiful mate. To my brief amusement, my Beta and Gamma looked beat up. They had deep cuts, dirt and twigs all over them. I had seen my mate in training; she was deceptively built. She was insanely strong for such a tiny thing. It pleased me to know that my best warriors had struggled to keep her against her will. It would help me prove my point that she belonged here with me.

       Aria had a resigned look on her face. She had given up. She stared at the ground, tears rolling down her cheeks. Anthony tossed her bag on the floor. I saw the five warriors waiting in the hall. My eyebrow raised. From the look of the rest of the team, it had taken more than just Anthony and Simon to capture my mate.

      Have a rough time, boys? I chuckled internally.

      Yes, Alpha. Your mate put up quite the fight. One of the warriors responded. I nodded.

      “Well, hello, little mate.” I addressed Aria. She refused to meet my eyes.

      “What do you think should happen next, Beta Simon?” I asked my Beta out loud. I had been a part of a power play similar to this, but it was for when Simon’s mate had made decisions that put herself in danger. Simon caught on quickly and grinned.

       “You know what happens when Elizabeth makes rash decisions. I believe the last time Beth put herself in harm’s way, I took my belt to her backside to help her remember to keep herself safe.” Simon added conversationally. Aria paled and looked at me in horror and panic.

      “Y-you wouldn’t.” She stammered.

       “I am the Alpha, Aria. Your Alpha. Your mate. I’ve disciplined other members of this pack in many different ways, including my own hand and belt.” I remembered the outrage my pack had initially held for me disciplining pack members myself. But, as I held them to the same standards as any other Alpha had, my s*x had quickly been forgotten.

        “Y-you’re a woman! How could you be okay with this?” Aria seemed outraged. I took a deep breath.

       “You seem to be forgetting something important, little Luna.” I stepped up close to her and lowered my voice, “I may be a woman, but I am an Alpha. The Bond roars through my blood. I have the same urges and responsibilities that other Alphas do. I cannot let obvious disregard for your safety go unchecked. You all are dismissed. Si, lock the door behind you.” I ordered firmly. Aria shivered but didn’t move. I waited until everyone was gone. 

        “I wasn’t in danger.” Aria muttered to the floor. I walked right into her space and pushed her chin up so she had to look at me.

       “I’m not saying you can’t defend yourself. I’ve seen that you can. But if I hadn’t warned the Patrol, how do you think they would have responded to an unannounced wolf?” I posited. She blushed. I nodded, knowing that she probably hadn’t thought of that.

        “Now, before your punishment, would you like to tell me what in the hell you were thinking?” I demanded, sitting on the edge of the bed. Aria looked frozen to the spot. She was obviously distressed.

        “I h-had to.” She squeaked. I raised an eyebrow.

        “Why?” I pressed. Her eyes met mine and I could see her begging me not to push. But, enough was enough.

        “Why, Aria? I have given you enough space. Literally to the point that you’ve endangered yourself. Tell me what was worth risking your life.” I demanded. I saw her tipping point coming. She was close to tears.

         “I don’t think I’m your mate.” She barely whispered. Disbelief and anger rocked through my system. I stood to my feet and walked back to her.

        “What makes you think that?” I demanded. She closed her eyes. I touched her arm. By the way her breath caught I knew she could feel the spark that I did.

        “That spark is there for both of us, Aria.” I growled. She began to cry. Her beautiful eyes glistened with tears.

        “Mari, I can’t give you pups, I’m so small and weak. I’m not enough! I have to leave. Maybe the Goddess picked me so that I could give you up so you could find someone else.” Aria stammered out. 

          “I-I have to leave.” She stammered again. I let out a low growl and walked her back into the door of our room. Time for my Luna to learn that she belonged next to me. I let Kya put a little bit of our Alpha Bond into my next words.

        “You can’t leave me.” I growled, feeling Aria tremble underneath me.