The Heir's Shadow

CRACKS IN THE MATE BOND

Chapter 1

Mireya’s POV

“Kick higher at the man, Grace. He is an enemy not a friend” I shouted, eyeing the kick one of the female soldiers landed on the straw man we were using for practice. “Caleb, you should swing harder, keep your thumb out while throwing a punch” I corrected, moving through the soldiers that were all training.

We might not have a reason to train now, but one couldn’t really know what the future holds. “Reya, don’t work these poor wolves into the ground” A voice rumbled out. I rolled my eyes at Alec, his broad frame clouding my sight. I opened my arms, the big sod lifted me off my feet.

“I missed you something fierce, old friend” He smacked his lips on my cheek, patting me on the back. Alec and I were playmates when we were younger, our friendship grew into something more. He wasn’t just my friend; he was my brother.

“I wonder how Finn deals with your sappy ass” I joked, my gaze swing back to the training soldiers. “He deals with me just fine” He declared, his lips splitting into a silly grin. He had found his fated mate of recent. His mate, Finn, was a male Omega. A living myth that shocked everyone when Alec had brought him into the pack the first time.

“I don’t want to hear anymore mate jokes, Alec. Don’t even think about it” I glared halfheartedly at him. He laughed out, his face becoming even more boyish than before. He was besotted with his mate; it was a wonder he had left his side this morning. “I can’t help it, Reya” I huffed shaking my head at him.

As I looked my gaze back to the training wolves, I felt…restless, my body humming with something I couldn’t place a hand on. “How about a little spar, ehn?” Alec nudged me with his shoulder, eyebrows raised. “Okay, I would blow on your booboos when you lose” I taunted, slapping him on the back.

“Don’t say anything you would come to regret, Mimi” He called out, eyes glinting with mischief. The stupid nickname irked me to no end. Alec wouldn’t stop using it since the time he heard Xander call me that. At the thought of him, my mood soured.

“Don’t get distracted, princess” Alec called out as he tapped my arm, dancing on his feet. I couldn’t afford to lose this spar. Alec would hold it over my head forever, shaking off my thoughts I focused on his big frame.

My eyes locked on the pattern his legs took, in accordance with the way he positioned his torso and feet. When the first jab came, I deflected. Dancing around the small clearing beside the training ground. The second jab I avoided, striking at his side.

“Huff, don’t go damaging my kidney just because I called you Mimi” He groaned out, bending slightly as he stalked around the clearing eyes locked on me. “You are just getting soft, Al baby” I mocked, watching as his cheeks grew red. Gotcha, that was what his mate called him.

I moved closer, scrapping him off his feet with quick swipe of my calf to his. He groaned as he landed on the ground, his breathe coming out in heavy pants. “Would it be fair to say I have won this round?” I smirked at him, offering a hand to help him up.

He grasped my hand tight, a little too tight. His eyes glinted with glee, before I could snatch my hand away, he pulled me down, hard. I let out a pained groan as I thudded against the floor, my back screaming out in pain.

“I swear I am getting too old for your games, Alec” I groaned out, standing to my feet. “That is a lie, you taught me everything I knew, Sergeant Honeynotsweet” I roared out laughing, my sides pinching in pain. “Well what can I say? You learnt from the best” I walked over to the training ground dusting the dirty on my body.

“Mireya!” Someone called out, I looked around to discover it was Xander, my mate. A radiant smile split his lips, his Auburn coloured hair glinting in the ray of sunlight.

A small smile bloomed on my face as I looked at him. Maybe what we needed was more communication and spending quality time together. “Hey, I waved back to him as he jogged to where I stood.

“I know I said some really hurtful things this morning, I didn't mean it” he cupped my cheek, a hand resting on the small of my back. “I know, don't do it again” I whispered to him, looking into his ocean blue eyes.

He dropped his lips against mine, sucking my mouth into his as his hand grasped my ass hard. I shoved at him, glancing around at the soldiers training. “I told you not to grab me like that in front of people” I gritted out.

“Don't start again, Mimi. What is wrong with two mates showing each other love? Don't be so uptight” he rumbled out, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to calm myself down.

He pulled me into his arms, his hand squeezing at my ass again. “Xander!” I whispered hotly, shoving his hand away from my ass. “Can you show a little decency?”

He scoffed, his face twisting anger. “You always have a problem with everything I do. Xander don't touch me I am too tired, Xander you don't show enough emotion, what exactly do you want from me?!” He roared out.

Everyone stopped what they were doing, eyes turning in our direction. I ran a hand through my hair, embarrassment burning my cheeks. I clenched my fist, determined not to break down in front of my people. “Xander, that is enough” I mumbled out.

His eyes narrowed, something flashing in their depths before he opened his mouth to land a blow on a matter I was not ready for. “You are too controlling, no w

onder you have never carried a pup to term”