Chasing A Runaway Mate

Chapter 3

Rose

Rose liked these quiet moments in between engagements where nobody was vying for her attention, or she didn't have to make some decision for someone else. Since Black left, Rose had finally gotten a taste of what it truly meant to be Luna. There were plenty of business decisions which Alex made without her, as he was standing in while the Alpha was away.

However, when it came to the pack everyone seemed to want her opinion, including Alex. There were big arrangements to be made, like arranging counseling for all those who had lost someone during the recent war; and there were small disputes, like the gardener arguing with Pat over where the new vegetable garden ought to be planted. It seemed everything that happened in the pack needed to be authorized by her, occupying Rose's days completely.

Rose had also made it clear to all that Alina was not to be disturbed with these matters, and was certain she would manage to get the hang of things on her own. With Alina back in her own house, they saw less and less of the old Luna, and Rose began to wonder if she shouldn't include Alina more. She knew it helped to ease grief from the mind, for a short while at least, when the mind was otherwise occupied.

With one hand resting on her belly and the other on the windowsill, Rose gazed out of the window from the second-floor landing. She was up high enough to see across the tops of the trees as she watched the comings and goings of the pack. In the distance she could see where the number of trees began to thin out and knew the lake was in that direction. She remembered fondly her and Black's first, and only, run together as wolves along the lake's bank.

Our time will come again, Rose.

Hearing Rayne's voice in her mind no longer startled Rose, as the wolf had gotten more vocal of late. They missed their mate and drew comfort from the unique bond which exists between a woman and her wolf.

I hope you are right, Rayne. I won't be able to go on without him. We haven't had enough time together.

No amount of time will ever be enough. Not for mates.

Is that supposed to make me feel better?

No, but it is the truth.

"I suppose it is," Rose said out loud as she dropped her hand from the windowsill and turned to leave.

A flash of silver hair caught her eye and Rose turned back to the window just in time to see Kat rushing towards the pack-house. Curious as to what her notoriously troublesome sister-in-law was up to, Rose rushed down the stairs.

"Is everything all right, Kat?" Rose stopped two steps short from the bottom and looked perplexingly at Kat.

"Rose, there you are. I need your help," Kat said business-like, and made to grab Rose's hand.

"You and everyone else. What's up with you?"

"Not here. Come to your office."

"You know, I'm starting to see why you were such a big pain in the ass to your brother," Rose said, somewhat frustrated, but allowed the small woman to lead her away.

The Luna's office was located down a small hallway to the right of the kitchens. The only other rooms in the hallway were storerooms. This, combined with the general noisiness of the kitchen, provided the office with privacy. Something which was difficult to come by in a community of werewolves whose hearing was too damn good.

Kat closed the door behind Rose as she walked in. The office was not as large as the Alpha's office, but still spacious and comfortably furnished. The soft pastel shades of lavender and green reflected Alina's tastes, but Rose had not seen the need to redecorate. Rose made herself comfortable in one of the armchairs facing her desk and was watching Kat as the woman nervously looked out the window. After she was sure the coast was clear, she yanked the curtains closed for good measure.

"Are you going to tell me what is going on now?" Rose asked, trying to keep her irritation in check.

"I need your help with something," Kat confessed.

"The impression I got from the get-go was that you don't need anyone's help." Rose stared at Kat evenly, the latter finally settling down enough to sit in the other armchair.

"Look, I've been a brat and a pain in the ass, especially to my brother," Kat began, her eyes wide and guileless. Rose nodded for her to continue.

"I need to find my purpose, Rose. I'm not like you. Hell, I wish I was. It would've made things a lot simpler for me, but I could never sit back and accept the role the goddess or my mother wanted me to have."

"Does this have something to do with a certain red-headed Scotsman?"

"Yes, and no."

Surprised by Kat's truthful answer, Rose decided to change tactic.

"I'm not sure I can help you. Everyone needs to figure out their own path. I will say this, Kat. There is great comfort to be taken when one accepts the path you are on. It will eventually lead you to where you are supposed to go," Rose said, thinking back to the labyrinth in the gardens of the Blood Moon pack.

"That is exactly my point. Look, if it weren't for... Wren, I don't know when I would've gotten out of this slump. When I accept my mate, I want to make sure I know who I am."

It didn't go unnoticed to Rose that Kat had said when she accepted her mate, not if, but thought it wise not to mention it at that moment.

"So you're carving out your own path by accepting the path that's been laid in front of you?"

"I knew you would get it!"

"And how are you planning on doing that?" Rose crossed her arms and legs, knowing what Kat was to say next will not go down smoothly with anyone.

"I want to join the Council and train as an Enforcer."