Her True Mate

Chapter 11 - Preperations

Present Day

Blayn's POV

After Kaitlin's speech to Ryan, I couldn’t help but feel immense pride for how she handled everything. This girl has every reason to be, well, for lack of a better word, a fücking bïtch after everything she had been through from the loss of her mate to her family. Yet, here she is seizing every opportunity and turning every difficult situation into a learning experience, growing from each challenge. She is starting to fulfill her destiny as a true Alpha. I can feel it.

Her natural Alpha grace shone bright as she let him work out his wrongdoing while gently explaining how he was wrong; her words were truly eloquent, and he even used them when describing himself back to her. I felt our Alpha/Beta bond getting stronger by that moment downstairs, which meant her path was staying true. I feel my wolf’s excitement at that rise, and a jolt of energy shoots through me, keeping a stupid grin plastered on my face.

When I found out I was to be her Beta, I immediately inherited my own unique gifts from Selene. I was gifted with the ability to sense Kaitlin’s emotions; I can calm, soothe, and give her hope when needed, very similarly to a Gamma’s gift for their Luna, but this was on steroids. I could also sense whether she was on target for passing her test or way off, but, like the oath, I couldn't do anything to influence her. However, it was very handy when I could give her my wisdom on situations where she was struggling to trust her intuition.

Selene had told me that if she is on track, a part of herself will manifest, breaking the spells in place that were made for Kaitlin’s protection to unlock the full potential of who she is. Selene told me that if Kait follows the proper steps to pass her test, little things will become more apparent to her, helping her to trust herself and her judgement. No one else knows I can do this.

Well, Tyler does. I couldn't keep anything from my mate, but I was visited by Selene the day Kaitlin took her oath as Alpha, and since then, it is only the two of us who know what is truly happening with our Alpha.

We both agree this does feel a little like Selene is not allowing her free will and instead dictating her life, but I am not bringing that up to the goddess.

Inside thoughts, Blayne, Tyler always tells me.

It was a mind-blowing experience being in Selene’s lush and beautiful meadow when she summoned me, though. She told me I would be able to help regulate Kaitlin’s emotions, as she could not control them on her own, with what was to come. I wouldn’t be able to influence her choices, but I would be able to provide what she needed most from me.

The only drawback is that it drained me. This ensured I couldn't overinfluence Kait, and I understood completely. I never wanted to push Kait in any way, especially when the decision wasn't mine to make. Kaitlin was strong all on her own. I know deep down she can do it herself. We all need a push now and then.

I trained harder than ever to keep my energy up. I liked the effect it had on my body, especially on Tyler, but in turn, I made Kait suffer with me in preparation for what was to come. I knew today would take a lot out of me, but I was ready. The endless hours of training, both physically and mentally, had prepared me for anything. At least I hoped so.

Now, the little thing in the elevator... I couldn't hold in my surprise at her declaration, but something deep inside of me was elated over her reaction.

Is her true mate here?

Is this happening so soon?

Her parents didn’t say anything about when it would happen for her. I know that with each step she takes toward her future, a small piece of her authentic self is released back to her, so a glimpse of a scent could be one of those steps. My interest in this revelation piques, and I pull out my phone. I need to call my mate and get his opinion.

I dial his number, and it barely rings before his sweet tenor comes over the line, “Baby! I have missed you. You forgot to check in last night, and I forgot to text with the recruits driving me up the wall for Elite Warrior training.” I heard his sweet voice ring out.

My heart tightened in my chest, “I know. I am sorry our flight was late; by the time we checked in, it was 11:45 PM, and we were exhausted. Kaitlin was all over the place last night, and I used a lot of my aura to keep her calm the whole flight, honestly. I was afraid she was going to jump out of the plane at one point. Then, she woke me up around 3 AM with her moans of pain that we know are from memories of her family.” I said softly.

“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry. Is she okay?” He says softly back to me, despite the distance between us, I can feel his heart breaking a little, just as mine.

“Yeah, she was dreaming of Mark. My heart hurts for her, but she joked with me over text right after I reached out, so I think we are getting her back gradually.” I stated, and we talked about what she said in the elevator.

“Shït, it’s definitely happening! Just keep her straight. It’s going to take all your attention with äss-hat Dakota being there.” He spits the name with venom. Tyler remembers how poorly Dakota treated lesser wolves when he stayed in the pack, and despite Tyler being one of the strongest wolves, his family doesn’t come from any ranked lineage.

“I know. I think he is the acting Alpha of the Cold Creek Pack.” I told him with equal venom in my voice. “We will find out soon enough what he is even doing here.”

We talked a little more and said our goodbyes as Tyler started getting after some wolves on the phone. He knows that in the next few days, he will probably hear very little from me. I begin to get ready, but before I do, I reach out and try to sense Kaitlin's mood. She seems calm, and I relax. I need to save my energy for whatever we will face later. I check the clock and have about five more minutes before I need to start getting ready.

I lay back on the mattress, taking deep, relaxing breaths. I know I must run interference if Dakota takes over as Alpha, as he will likely make Kaitlin’s life miserable. He may attempt to sabotage Kaitlin’s character today, even. I honestly wouldn't put it past him.

He didn't even get to know her in the few weeks he stayed in our pack. I could see the manipulation game he was playing with her, and every time Kait tried to open up to him, he got this dazed look like he wasn’t even listening to her. I can almost guarantee he wasn’t.

She was mad at me when I tried to tell Kaitlin what I had noticed. She told me I was a possessive, jealous drama queen and that Dakota had warned her something like this would happen.

I was more shocked by how quickly her character changed than by what she said. The real Kaitlin would never have said anything like that to anyone.

Dakota had somehow twisted her into thinking the pack didn’t care about her because she wasn’t a ranking wolf, which always confused me. After all, she is Alpha-blooded; everyone knew that. He told her she would have an enforced rank with him as her mate and "influence" in his pack once he took over as Alpha. I always found it funny. Our pack couldn’t care less about ranks, and Kaitlin knew that. I think she was under the spell of having a handsome mate and didn’t realize how delusional he was. The type of wolf he was.

Having influence? No, he would keep her demure and locked away from everyone, including Amy and me, her best friends.

Kaitlin was the one who helped establish the pack’s accountability by setting examples of how things should be herself. The pack idolized her in all those years leading up to before she met him for the goodness of her soul; even after, and even more, she is now our Alpha. Regardless, she quickly realized how much bullshït he was blowing out at her with the constant slip-ups of half-truths, disappearances, and excuses he made when she caught him saying the wrong thing when he told her a different thing previously.

I was proud of how far she had come. The day he rejected her, the Silver Lake Pack, and left was our greatest blessing before we knew what it truly meant. Regardless, his rejection of her saved Kaitlin’s beautiful soul, made her realize that her worth is more than a position or title, and taught her a hard lesson in trust.

She was worthy of so much more if she believed it, and she finally did. She grew into herself these last few weeks, becoming an even stronger woman, strengthening our pack accountability and resourcefulness, forging intense bonds with our warriors by showing grace in losing when sparring with them, and maintaining a personal connection with the young wolves looking to immerse themselves in pack businesses and other means of growing us forward. It kept us from the pack the last week and a half, but every second of it was worth it.

She was going to kill it today. I couldn’t wait. I looked over at the clock: 10:50 AM. Well, it's time to suit up and rock this thing. I can't help the shït-eating grin on my face.