Fate's Divide

5. Lows and Highs

Branches reach out and smack Lena in the face as she sprints. She's panicking, her chest heaving from exertion. Looking to the south, she sees that not only is the castle on fire, but her entire pack is on fire, every single building, and there's screaming she can hear, burning bodies she can smell. She looks forward and can see a clearing just past the forest. Mountains loom ahead of her, and they seem like a reprieve from the danger. Ferocious growling comes from behind, and Lena pushes her feet faster. She looks down and sees her two human feet. Why is she in human form? Desperate, she calls her wolf but hears no answer. She feels human, only human, no power of the wolf within. Sweat clings to her skin, sticking black hair to her face. Suddenly, daylight fades, and the forest is pitch black. Lena can barely see the edge of the clearing but trips just as she reaches it, and the snarling surrounds her. Rolling over to her back, she sees her attacker - a wererat. The size of a car, beady eyes shining blood red. Searing pain consumes her as it sinks teeth into her torso.

A scream fills the bedroom. Lena kicks the covers off of her bed, looking around for her aggressor. When she doesn't see it, she realizes she had a nightmare and starts to calm down. She urgently calls for Rendell.

After a pregnant pause, Rendell replies, I'm here.

Lena sighed, relieved to know her wolf was still with her. That nightmare felt too real. The pain was palpable, and Rendell’s absence was paralyzing. She glanced at the time on her phone. It's time for a cup of coffee and fresh air.

Once outside, the doctor thought about Dominic. She reminisced about their first evening together as she sipped coffee, trying to distract herself from the nightmare. She craved his scent. The way tingles erupted when he touched her. Their exquisite first kiss. His baritone voice calmed her, and he spoke so eloquently. He was clearly an intelligent, thoughtful man. She thought about the efforts it would take to close the distance between them. It wouldn't be easy. Lena would have to give up her career, but only if Alpha Lane approved. If he didn't, then she would have no choice but to stay at White Haven. She wasn't a free woman yet, though.

A quick text and thirty minutes later, Lena was at Tristan's doorstep, nerves winding her up tight. He opened the door, smiling at her, but grew apprehensive when she didn't greet him with a kiss. Her full pink lips were pressed into a thin line. Tristan didn't want to think about where this morning visit was heading.

“What's going on?” he asked.

Lena glanced up at him for a moment, then looked away. She gathered her thoughts and took a deep breath. “About moving in with you,” she replied, her gaze returning to him. “I can't.”

Tristan looked dejected. It was difficult to maintain eye contact, but Lena knew he deserved a straightforward explanation.

She continued, “When I was at the castle two nights ago, I found my mate. I am sorry, but I can't ignore the bond.” Lena opened her mouth to say more, but only silence followed.

“Oh,” He said slowly. “I understand.” Tristan turned away from her, holding back tears. He didn't want to care so much, but he did. A few moments passed. He hardened his emotions and turned to her with a blank face.

“There are some clothes you left here a few months ago. In the laundry room.” Lena nodded, gathering her things and quickly leaving. Not the way she wanted it to go, but breakups generally don't go well.

Back at her own house, Lena replayed the scene in her head over and over again, making her cringe. It was a hard thing to do, and the cold shoulder he gave her immediately hurt. She understood his reaction, though. It would be hard not to react if she were in his shoes. She picked up her phone and called Sophie, hoping her best friend would be able to get her out of her own thoughts, but there was no answer. Busy. Lena frowned. She sighed, settling for watching TV for the remainder of the day while she waited for Dominic to call. Lena's favorite drama, ‘The Tournament of Kings’ was running a marathon, so she popped some popcorn and plopped down on her couch, checking her phone frequently for either her best friend or mate.

Several hours later, Dominic finally called. Lena picked up quickly.

“Hello?” She said. She was nervous to talk to him, though she didn't know why.

“Hello, pretty lady,” he replied, his voice buttery smooth. “What are you doing right now?”

A few minutes into their conversation, Dominic posed a question. “Would you like to take a grand tour of my home?” He was dying to see her again. The sooner, the better. Lena smiled, twirling her hair around her finger.

“I would like that very much.”

“Good,” he replied. “How soon can you come?”

Lena frowned. It would be a while. “My fearless leader needs to know ahead of time when I will be leaving because I'm the only doctor here. But I'll let you know as soon as possible.”

Two long days later, Lena hit the road, using GPS on her cell to navigate the long drive north. A massive stone and wrought iron fence stretched ahead of her as she approached the destination. It seemed to go on for miles. This pack was huge. And very affluent. She pressed her foot gently on the brake pedal as she approached the large gates, pulling close to a speaker system. Lena noted two cameras on either side of each gate.

“Name?” A voice asked through the device.

“Lena Axtell.”

A few seconds passed. Finally, the gates swung outward, allowing her to proceed to the pack grounds. Her jaw nearly dropped to the floor when the place unfolded ahead of her. A picturesque blue sky, huge oak trees providing cool shade in late summer, the greenest grass she's ever seen, and colorful flowers lining the paved sidewalks. A large, sleek, modern building stood at the forefront of the grounds. It must be their pack house. The front of the building was mostly glass, giving a clear view of the inside. Lena drove her car around the back of the building and parked, her hand trembling slightly on the shifter.

Looking into the rearview mirror, she tucked away a few loose strands of hair, cursing her curls for falling apart. She brushed her eyelashes upward and gave herself one final look before turning off the engine. Different from her usual look, Lena styled her long hair into loose curls, applied eyeshadow, and a little mascara to her lashes. She wore acid wash jeans that hugged her curves and a dark green scoop neck blouse.

Dominic approached her car, opening the door for her. She stepped out, thanking him with a smile.

“Long time, no see,” he said. “Ready for the grand tour?” Lena nodded, and they began walking, her mate leading her by the hand.

The Alderson pack's territory was luxurious, featuring many newly renovated structures and a large pristine pond. Lena felt overwhelmed. This place was beyond perfect, and she wasn't sure she would be able to get used to it. Dominic knew the history of this place well, retelling stories as they walked along. They circled back to the pack house, the last building left in Lena's tour. The first floor was designed with an open layout. The beta led Lena to the kitchen and handed her a bottle of water.

Lena was introduced to two Gammas, each female, in their sixties. They smiled sweetly at her, treating Lena like she was already a member. Word spreads fast around here, she thought.

“The alpha is gone today, and everyone else is running around here somewhere. You'll meet them in due time,” Dominic explained, leaning against the kitchen bar. Lena smiled, glad that she didn't have to meet more people for the remainder of the day. Not particularly outgoing, the doctor was already tired of shaking hands and smiling at passers-by. She asked for the bathroom and freshened up. When she got back, Dominic pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply.

“Finally,” She said, pulling away from him to take a breath. Dominic took her hand in his and led her toward the staircase, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“I've got one last thing to show you.”