Unlovable but Unbroken

Anya Lane

“Hey little Cuz, long time no chat” he answered “We just talked yesterday, Ian” I responded with an eye roll that I am sure he could hear in my voice. “Well yea, but with all of these exams and the internship I've been losing days man, I don’t even know what month it is any more, I'm running on zombie mode at this point.”

“I’m so sorry, I completely forgot how busy you would be right now” I said rubbing the back of my neck

“Any chance you would have a little time to do me a favor?”

“Ughhhhhh...” he let out an exasperated groan but I could hear the humor in his voice still.

“Just kidding, I always have time for my alpha, it’s my duty as a cousin and future beta, plus, you’re like the brother I always wanted but never got. So, how can I serve you today, my liege?” Goddess, I really miss having his goofy ass around the ranked house lately.

I had to think of how to go about this without sounding like a complete creep. I guess the truth would probably work best at this point. I know I can trust Ian with this. I am just not really sure I can trust anyone else.

Kate and I had been together for so long and, since everyone assumed we were going to be mated, she had convinced herself that she was going to be Luna. Hell, she already acted like she was, bossing people around and demanding the respect that “the Luna deserved” as she always put it. She also had a bit of a mean streak.

Her father was my father's beta and she was his only child, so she had been spoiled rotten. Her being her father's only child was the reason I was free to choose my own beta. Usually, the position was passed down generations from father to son, just like the Alpha position. But he had no son to pass the title to.

No, I couldn’t have this getting out, it could cause big problems, especially with her father still in a position of power. I didn’t know what she was capable of and I had to be careful, he had to be sworn to secrecy.

“Before I ask, I have to make sure you know that you can tell absolutely no one. Not even someone you think you can trust. This cannot get out.” I said with a completely serious tone, so he knew this was important.

In true Ian fashion, he just had to make a joke out of it. “Ooo sounds like espionage, I am so in!” he chuckled.

“Ian! I’m serious, this is important, like future of the pack important, and it can’t get out to anyone.”

“I’m just joking, you know you can trust me with anything, I won't tell a soul.” I sighed and continued

“I need to find out who a person is and where she lives, and anything else you can find on her, and I need it quick.” The line was so silent for a moment that I thought he hung up, but then he spoke.

“Whoa bro, not to mean anything bad by saying this, and I can totally do it for you, but that sounds a whole lot like stalking... Mind telling me why you need me to do this?” I was hoping he would just agree and I wouldn’t have to explain, man, this is embarrassing.

I took a deep breath and tried to get through it as quickly as possible.

“She’s a girl that I guess I go to school with, but I never noticed her before today when I ran into her in the library. I’ve never seen her around at pack events either. She’s is gorgeous and perfect and I’m pretty sure she’s my mate, but I won’t know until after I’m 18 and she won't be at my party for me to find out right away, because she’s dating some ass wipe named Jax who’s older than her and has convinced her that she’s his mate, but I don’t think she’s ever even felt any part of the mate bond for him, and I don’t know why he would lie to her, but seeing them together drove me a little crazy and I might have followed her through the hallway and pushed her into a supply closet and made out with her, but then she said she already has a mate and ran out on me after telling me she wasn’t even going to be at prom so I don’t know when I will even see her again and I didn’t even think to ask her full name so all I have is Anya.” I got it all out in one breath and was panting by the time I was done, and once again the line had gone silent.

“Hello...Ian? You still there buddy?” I didn't get a response for what felt like a million years but was probably about a minute or two.

“Did you say Jax? Jax Stephens?” he asked out of nowhere.

“I’m not sure what his last name is?” I said.

“Is he tall, just a little smaller than you, super blue eyes, s**t eating grin that you just want to slap off of him?” Ian pried.

“Yea that sounds like him, why?”

“That’s the prick that broke my nose at that bonfire” he said

“Wait, he broke your nose, why?” I knew he was a d**k but now I was just curious.

“Well, when I was getting a drink, I ran into one of my friend's little sisters that I kind of used to have a thing for and he tried to rip me to shreds for talking to his.....Oh shit...”

“What? Oh s**t what?”

“Dude, I know who she is, Anya. She’s the girl that I ran into, my friend’s sister.”

“What friend?”

“Jessica Lane”

What? “Jessica Lane? From the basketball team?”

“Yea, that’s the one.”

“What the hell, everyone knows her, I never knew she had a sister!”

“Well, yea, that’s the way she wants it. The whole family is so mean to that poor girl, it’s no wonder she keeps to herself. The couple of times she tried to go out and do stuff, Jessica completely roasted her in front of the whole party...She is your mate? Are you sure? Maybe you should find out first before jumping the gun man...”

“I’m pretty sure yea, why? Why are you acting like this is a bad thing? I found my mate dude, I am an alpha, this is one of the most important things to me”. I started to panic.

“Well, you don’t go through all of the stuff she has, and look at yourself the way she does without having some problems, and Jax is super possessive and dominating over her. Just don’t dive in head first without being sure is all I’m saying.”

“What do you mean all the stuff she’s been through and why is she even with that jerk?”

“Well, the way her family treats her, and all the stuff that happened when they were growing up. I’m just saying be careful is all.”

“What happened to her Ian?” I couldn’t control the little growl that slipped through my lips at the thought of something bad happening to her, I just wanted to protect her, and love her.

“That is something you will have to talk to her about, man. It is not my place to share. I can tell you where she lives though, she lives in the pack house with the other young unmated wolves. Although she spends 99% of her time in Jax’s suite, her room is basically just a storage unit.”

At least I knew that much. Anya Lane. My little wolf. Now I just needed to see her, to talk to her. Before I got off the phone with Ian, I remembered something he said. “Wait, did you say you used to have a thing for her? For my mate?” I said with a growl.

“Chill man, it was just a little school boy crush, nothing happened and I would never try to step on your toes. It was nice catching up and if you need anything give me a call. Graduation will be in two months and then I’ll be home for good and the pack will be ours. I hope you’re ready!” he said before hanging up.

I have never been more ready for anything in my life, and hopefully, I will have my Luna, my Anya by my side.

Jax POV

After I left the school at lunch, I had an uneasy feeling. There were too many loose ends and it could all fall apart in an instant. I knew this would happen eventually, but I did not know it would happen so soon. I needed to do something about the mutt and his she-wolf, but I found out he was the Alpha's son and I couldn’t do anything too obvious.

Finding my mate on top of it was just like the icing on the cake. Luckily, she is not 18 yet, so she won't know for sure, but with the way she froze and was sniffing around, I knew she was scenting me and it would be all too soon that she would find out. I feel like the moon goddess is punishing me.

What did I ever do? I mean, my mate was gorgeous, and smelled delectable, but she could never be my Anya. I have loved her since the moment I saw her at the lake the summer before high school. She was being introduced to some of the other kids that would be going into 7th grade.

My parents had told me that she had just moved here and I should introduce myself. She looked so beautiful in her swimsuit and white sundress with her hair braided down the sides. She was so timid and shy, but the way she looked at me I knew she felt the same.

It was just by chance that she showed up at the park that day, but I knew then it was a sign from the moon goddess that she was meant to be mine. She is mine and until I figure out what to do I need to buy myself some time. I cannot let either of them be around either of us or they will know.

His birthday is tomorrow and all he would need is to see her to find out. I cannot let that happen. Time to visit an old friend.

Anya would be out of school in about two and a half hours, so I should have time.

The drive to her cottage was only about thirty-five minutes and I should not have any problem leaving pack grounds. For the most part, our pack borders were pretty lenient with traveling. Obviously, we still had patrols and guards stationed at all major entrance points but we weren't in any kind of open wars currently and we didn’t have any known enemies, so pack members coming and going was allowed without much question, especially because there was a city not too far that had a mall and a bunch of restaurants as well as some fun attractions, so it was fairly common for pack members to cross over the borders and go out for leisure.

The drive felt like it took forever. Winding through the mountain roads was tedious. I had headed in the opposite direction of the city because she lived secluded and alone and had to be hidden from humans' prying eyes. She was who I had gone to when I wanted to sway Anya to me. It was not as strong as the mate bond but it did the trick to get her to fall for me instantly.

I was 16 when a friend introduced me to her and I bought the ring from her. The ring that held the spell that drew Anya to me, as long as I had it on, she would always love me. Sure, she might have fallen for me without it. But I was not willing to risk her getting away. I wanted her so badly, I needed her.

I thank the moon goddess that I was wearing the ring when she came to the park that day. Although, I had a feeling she would be there. I have watched her and Sara ditch classes many times and watched them go and sit on the swings talking and laughing. How I wanted to be a part of it, of her world, and now I am her entire world.

All Genivive needed to spell the ring was a single strand of Anya’s hair. It was a cumbersome task following her around and watching from the shadows to get it, but so worth it. Look at us now, we have been together for three years and she is none the wiser, and I intend to keep it that way. I may just need a little help.