Moon Bound

17. Ryder

“Give her time to figure it out. In the meantime, study the history of your pack.”

The strange witch’s words echoed in my head all night as I laid awake in bed, fighting the itch search for Carina. To be told to let her go is the opposite of my wolf’s instincts, directing me to find her. Being in the bed without her was all sorts of torture, since her heady scent clung to my pillow, and coupled with the aroma of her pleasure, sleep was nearly impossible. Between Father’s death and learning of Carina’s new position in my life, exhaustion won out and I somehow finally managed to sleep.

My mate. I still can’t believe it.

Lucas remains the only one to know, but I can’t keep it from the pack for long. Once I got back from my expedition, I slunk away into my cabin for the rest of the night, only half-listening to the celebration still occurring.

Well, Father, you got your wish. I found the one.

The break of dawn peeks through the bottom of my door, and while I know I need to get up, I resist, remaining in bed with my face in the pillows and taking in the only part of her I have.

A few more minutes of lying there passes before I force myself out of bed. After a quick shower, I dress, mindful of her clothes still remaining untouched on the floor. She ran out in my shirt and has likely tossed it into the garbage by now—the thought has me frowning.

It’s been only a few hours since I last saw her—since that witch took her away—but I imagine she’s home, pleased to be back in her old bed. As a nurse, she’s probably waking up now and preparing to get back to her life and pretend none of this happened.

Pretend I didn’t happen.

Too bad my body can’t do the same.

The future is unknown. While I know I should leave her alone, the thought has my insides twisting, and I can’t imagine feeling this forever. Old books have described the bond as something that makes each mate feel ill until knowing the other is safe by their side. If Carina doesn’t come back to me, I’ll spend the rest of my life with bile in my throat and a sore stomach. An entire half of me will remain unsatisfied.

The pack is already hard at work. Most linger around the fire, cooking an animal for breakfast, while others clean the camp from last night’s activities. The other packs have vacated, presumably taking off earlier. Alphas prefer not to linger in territory that isn’t theirs for any longer than they need to.

“Morning, alpha,” Mia greets as I approach her and Lucas.

My teeth sink down on the inside of my mouth and I give one quick nod, hating that her words are the complete truth now. Day one of being alpha. The first full day he’ll be absent from our lives. My heart skips a beat.

Lucas gestures to my face. “Nice dark spots. Restless sleep?” His hike of his eyebrow suggests his actual question.

“Yeah,” I respond, conflicted. “Lots on my mind.”

“I was thinking of a morning patrol. I need to run off the hangover,” Mia pipes in.

Her subject change is a welcome topic and I wave her off, grateful for the time alone with Lucas.

The second she’s out of hearing, Lucas’s calm exterior swaps to a more panicked one and his arm reaches out to nudge me. “You didn’t find her?” When I shake my head, he adds, “She couldn’t have gotten far.”

“I met one of her other witches.”

He rears back, eyes going wide and mouth falling open. “Another one?”

“Apparently this one’s their version of an alpha or something. She has direct communication with their goddess. She told me to give it time.” Despite the logic and truth Mary gave me, she still has my stomach in knots.

Give it time. But what if time changes nothing for Carina?

His surprise drops into a ruffled brow. “Wait for what? And you’re listening to this witch?”

Barely. “I want to search for her, but this witch is insisting it’s best if I don’t. She’s saying to let Carina get her affairs in order first.”

“I guess.” But his firm mouth, moved to the side, says the opposite. “Still makes no sense how any of this is possible.”

“Agreed.” My arms cross, stance going rigid. “Logically, I see the witch’s point, but I want to hunt her out. To officially claim her as mine. Emotionally and mentally, she’s all my mind can focus on.”

Lucas’s mouth opens to speak, but Amos’s waving hand by Father’s cabin catches my attention.

“Hey, I need to go. Will you manage patrols today?” At his nod, I give him a quick slap on his arm before jogging over to Amos.

As I make it to him, Marissa exits the cabin, her face going brighter than the rising sun. “Morning.”

In pack life, the world constantly moves on. Yesterday was a time for mourning, but today is a new day. Still, it has my head clouding with emotion. Even Amos appears peaceful for the first time in days as he stands slouched, his hands behind his back.

I force a smile on my face, despite my nerves wishing I didn’t have to fake happiness. Between Carina’s absence and Father’s death, what’s there to be pleased about right now?

“Hey,” I say through the ball in my throat.

Marissa hooks a thumb over her shoulder. “Cabin has been cleaned up and is all ready for you.”

The alpha’s cabin. Tradition says I’m supposed to move out of mine and into this one. It’s a bit larger than the others, with a small bedroom attached to it. The pack’s way of hinting at the fact that an alpha should be producing offspring.

I frown. It’s been less than a day. “I’m not ready to move in.”

Pleasure falls from both their faces and Amos straightens out of his relaxed posture. “Ryder, you know the tradition. You’re alpha now. You’ll move in and take a mate soon. Speaking of, is there anyone here you would like to consider?”

My snort is silent. He could say that again.

“Yes,” I tell them, opting for truth. “In fact, I have something I need to tell everyone. Ten minutes. Gather the pack for a meeting.”

Marissa and Amos share another look. This one wary, but I turn away before they can ask me anything and wave anyone nearby to the pit.

Within ten minutes, the entire pack is surrounding me. Mia and anyone else outside the camp has been called back. As I scan the sea of faces, I’m met with a mixture of interest, confusion, and anticipation.

My hands fist by my side and I shift my weight from foot to foot before saying, “I met my mate last night.”

My words instantly spark conversation. Whoops and other sounds of joy travel through the pack, complete with Marissa’s expression turning sunny once again. I give her a moment of peace before I drag the gloomy clouds back over her head.

“It’s Carina.”

All whispers and buzz stop instantly and the camp drops to a silence. So silent, the breeze in the trees can be heard from faraway. I find Lucas’s gaze and he grimaces.

“She’s my true mate. I’m bonded to her. I feel it.”

Finally, someone speaks. “How?”

Mark adds, “But she’s a witch.”

“I’m not sure how it’s possible,” I start, “but I was close to claiming her last night. Through a series of stupid decisions, I released her. She’s went back home now.”

Multiple faces blanch at my words. Women from the pack glance around at each other. “What does this mean for you? For the future?” one calls.

What does it mean for me? I’m positive my wolf won’t allow myself to be with another woman, even if I wanted to.

“This is a true mate,” Evan chimes in. “Your entire being is connected to her. Go find her.”

Lucas stands, yanking everyone’s attention to his standing form. He spins, focusing his gaze on the elders in the back. “How is any of this possible? True mates are a rarity on its own, but between two species? Have we been wrong this whole time in thinking they only occur between shifters?”

I stop breathing, waiting for their response, as does everyone else.

Marissa’s hand lifts, landing on Amos’s shoulder, and after a long, shared look, she says, “It’s time you learn something about our pack history.”