Good Mate, Bad Mate

5 - Arriving at the Forest Pack

Andrea POV

    I was completely devastated that Bethany left without giving me a chance to tell her bye.  I never took her for the type to run away from her problems.  She was always the one to dive head first into anything.  I just couldn't understand what made her to decide to leave.

    On top of her leaving, she was keeping her mind link blocked, so I couldn't talk to her that way, either.  I just wanted to hear her voice, and know she was okay.  

    I had a special bond with her, after she saved me, using her healing ability when I got kidnapped and beaten by Lexi.  Now I felt so lost without her here.  

    As soon as James Jr. gave me the handwritten letter from her, I opened it and read the words she had written.  I could see spots where her tears dropped onto the paper and smeared the ink, but I could still read every word.  

    When I had read the entire letter, I ran straight to her bedroom, and locked myself in there.  I threw myself on her bed, and cried for hours.  After three hours of crying, and ignoring everybody who came to check on me, James Sr. kicked the door in.  

    As soon as he saw me curled in a ball, still sobbing, he ran straight to me.  He sat on the edge of the bed, then pulled me into his lap.  He hugged me, with my head was resting against his chest, while he soothingly rubbed his hand up and down my back.  

    I fisted his shirt, as I whined, "Why didn't she tell us bye?  Why is she blocking her mind link?  I need to hear her voice."

    "I know, love.  I don't understand it either, but you know we raised her to be a wonderful, and strong shewolf.  I am sure, she will be fine.  Just like, I am sure, she will get in contact with you soon," he affectionately assured me.

    I snuggled my face into the crook of his neck, and took several deep inhales of his scent, in an attempt to calm me and my wolf down.  Rea was just as upset about her leaving, as I was.  She was angrily pacing in my head, asking me how we missed the signs that Bethany was in love with Jackson.  The problem was, Bethany never said anything to me about her feelings toward Jackson.  

    It made me so sad to learn that Bethany couldn't open up to me about it, and I had to find out this way.  After a few more minutes, my sweet mate stood up, then carried me down to our bedroom.  Right away, he laid me on our bed, then he mumbled, "Andrea, you need to eat something.  I'm going to get you some food.  I'll be right back."

    I watched his retreating figure and smiled.  James Sr. had always been a wonderful mate to me, and I was glad I had him.  

    When he returned, he was carrying a tray.  As soon as he set it on the bed, I noticed my favorite fruit salad with his amazing fruit dip, and there was a huge slice of what looked like chocolate cake.  When I leaned down and smelled it, I glanced at him and beamed a smile.  

    While I was crying in Bethany's room, he baked my favorite chocolate coffee cake.  James was going out of his way to cheer me up, and it was definitely working.  

    He climbed onto the other side of the bed, then he scooted over until our shoulders were touching.  After that, he pecked a kiss on my cheek, then murmured, "I hope this comfort food helps."

    I quickly turned my head and caught his lips with mine.  However, I didn't kiss him for long, because my stomach picked that moment to growl insanely loud.  

    James pulled his lips away, then he chuckled before he mumbled, "You need to eat, love."

    I ate the delicious food my loving mate brought to me, then James moved the tray, and set it on the dresser.  When he returned to the bed, he propped his back against the headboard, then pulled me down, so my head was resting on his lap.  He gently ran his fingers through my hair, as he murmured, "I'm so glad you finally ate something."

    "Thank you for the delicious food," I drowsily mumbled.

    "You're welcome, love.  Now you can get some rest.  I know you must be tired from all of that crying," he lovingly stated.

    "Um...hum..." was all I could muster at the moment.  I really was tired, and at that moment, I was ready to welcome sleep.  I could feel the tingly sparks brush across my scalp, as James continued to play with my hair, and it wasn't long before I drifted to sleep.

Bethany POV

    After dinner, I followed Carly to her room, and helped her pack some of her stuff.  Once we were finished, we hung out for a little while before I went back to Aunt Sydney's room.  We had a plan to leave after breakfast, so I decided it was time to mind link my mum, and ask her to let Anton know to expect us.  

    As soon as I was back in Sydney's room, I got comfy on her couch, then opened up my mind link.  The second I opened it, I heard my mum's worried voice ask, 'Bethany, my darling, please tell me you are okay.'

    'I'm good, mum.  Sorry I left so suddenly, but I couldn't stay.  You need to keep an eye on Jackson.  I am very disappointed in him,' I quickly replied.

    'What? Why?' she asked in confusion.

    'Mum, when I was sneaking away, he stopped me, then he begged me to stay and be his chosen mate.  I would never betray Estella like that, so I felt even more pressure to leave, and leave fast,' I explained.

    'Oh dear, thanks for giving me the heads up about this.  I guess that explains why he looks so sad.  Where are you at right now?' she replied.

    'Right now, I am with Aunt Sydney.  Carly and I will be leaving here together in the morning.  We are going to visit Uncle Anton.  Can you please let him know to be expecting us?' I informed her.

    'Of course, sweetie.  Now get some rest.  I don't want you getting in an accident, because you didn't get enough rest.  Also, please mind link me, when you get there, so I know you are safe,' she immediately linked back.

    'Okay, mum.  I will, and sorry again for leaving the way I did.  I love you,' I quickly replied.

    'I love you, sweetie.  Stay safe, and send my love to your aunt,' she said, before she cut the link.

    I laid there for awhile thinking about how much better that conversation went, than I was expecting.  My mum sounded worried at first, but that quickly changed to relief.  She seemed to understand why I needed to leave, and that made me feel a lot better about my choice.

    After about an hour of being lost in my thoughts, I felt my eyelids begin to droop.  I rolled to my side, and pulled the blanket up to my face.  As soon as I closed my eyes, I could feel myself quickly drifting off to sleep.  

    I woke up the next morning feeling more excited than I had in awhile.  Sydney and I joined the pack for breakfast, then I told my aunt, Lucy and Charlie, "bye," and gave them all a hug.  Carly did the same, then we grabbed her stuff from her room and headed out to my Jeep.

    Once we got her suitcases loaded in the trunk, I grabbed the backpack full of snacks, then I hopped in the driver's seat.  I handed Carly the backpack, as I happily chirped, "Snacks and water for the ride."

    "Sweet," she exclaimed, then she opened the bag and peeked in.  As I backed out of the driveway, she squealed before she cheerfully stated, "There's cheesy puffs in here.  Those are my favorite."

    I giggled at my childhood friend, then I replied, "Feel free to snack on them whenever you want."

    "I'm still full, but I will definitely be snacking on those later," she cheekily responded.

    As I drove down the road, leaving the Bright Star Pack, I glanced over at Carly, and saw an ear to ear grin plastered to her face.  Seeing her smile, made my smile stretch even wider.  I thought about how awesome it would be if we found our mates in the same pack, like my mum and Ace did at the Silver Moon Pack, with my dad and Shelly.  

    We had a nice ride to the Forest Pack, and I was super excited to see my Uncle Anton, but oddly, I was even more excited to see my Aunt Coralanna.  She was very special to me, and I couldn't wait to talk to her about what happened when I ran from Jackson.  I felt the power surge through me, before my legs took off like a rocket.  I was hoping it was the same ability she had unlocked, so she could help me master it.

    Not only that, I was also excited to see her working in the clinic.  I was already missing my work at the pack clinic back home.  I didn't go there every day, but most days, I would at least stop in, and see if anybody needed my help.

    When we pulled onto the road leading back to the pack house, I started bouncing in my seat.  Carly quickly followed my lead and bounced in her seat, as she happily asked, "Are we almost there?"

    "We just crossed the border.  We will be at the pack house in about ten minutes," I gushed in excitement.

    "Oh, I can't wait.  When is the celebration," she curiously asked.

    "I believe it's in two weeks, but I can double check, once we get there," I nonchalantly replied.  

    I continued to drive down the deserted road, while enjoying the familiarity of my surroundings.  When I saw the pack house come into view, I started squealing.  Within minutes, I had my Jeep parked, and wasted no time jumping out of it.  

    Right away, I noticed my Aunt Coralanna was sitting on the porch, with my cousins Alexandria and Jasmine.  As soon as they saw me, they all squealed, then sprinted in my direction.  Within seconds, I was engulfed in a group hug.  When they finally released me, I introduced them to Carly, before we walked into the pack house.  

    I could tell Carly was impressed by the pack house, as Coralanna led us to Alpha Damien's office.  As soon as we got there, the Alpha gave me warm hug, as he stated, "Welcome back to the Forest Pack.  I had Sasha and Coralanna get the Beta's suite ready for you and your friend to stay in, while you are here."

    "Oh, that's not necessary," I quickly assured him.

    "Nonsense, you are family to my Beta.  Who better to stay there, than Andrea's oldest daughter, and Anton's beautiful niece.  You know, if not for your eye color, you would be the spitting image of your mum," he affectionately replied.

    "Thank you, Alpha Damien.  I promise, we won't cause you any problems while we're here," I gushed in response.

    "Okay, dear.  Coralanna, you are welcome to lead them to the suite now," he happily stated.  

    My aunt grabbed my hand, then led us upstairs to the Beta's suite.  When we walked in, it was exactly as I remembered it.