Unbreakable

Rose

After pulling myself together and giving myself a little too much attention in the shower to calm myself down, Tate was already gone. I came out to find a text saying he returned to sparring and another text asking about the size of Ryan’s… TATE damn it. I send a couple eye roll emojis before I replied, “I wasn’t looking perv!”. I decided to return to the library and investigate my trap door. I waltzed down the stairs and picked up the papasan chair that was still overturned, and I took in that scent one more time. I was practically salivating when the faintest concert of strawberries with a hint of watermelon danced in my nostrils. Was that a hint of pine? I sighed in remembrance that the source of this amazing scent was nothing more than the man who tells me I’m not deserving of his mark. Alina winced and I reached down to open the door once more.

It was a dark circular path carved into the stone beneath. But where did it lead? I debated going underground to follow but thought twice. Tate is at sparring evals and all the warriors that live along this side of the border line are likely there as well. Being wolf-less for all these years I learned to be safe rather than sorry. The fear of exploring alone had me shutting the door, placing the chair back on top, and piling books on top of the chair. It’s silly and definitely will not stop a werewolf that wants in, but hopefully hearing someone if they decide to come in will be enough. As I ventured up the stairs and shake that delicious aroma from my nose, I can’t help but feel sad at it’s absence.

Tate returned that afternoon and told me all about how he climbed to the top in the sparring rounds. They apparently lined everyone up for 1-minute bouts together unless the opponent conceded the round and the wolves would battle their way up the line with the winner of the round advancing to the next opponent. “You should have seen Alpha Ryan almost rip Halie’s head off when she told him that you were disqualified from sparring! Can you say wrong choice much?!” Tate cackled while shaking his head and as if sensing my reaction he gave me a smirk while looking at me from the corner of his eyes. I could feel Alina’s happiness and an image of her running circles elegantly with her gorgeous black and white striped paws barely touching the ground and she bounded around in my head. My eyes were wide, and I was overwhelmed yet again. She was becoming more clear to me. I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a chance that things could work out. And as if sensing my consideration Tate smacked my knee, grabbing it and wiggling it back and forth with a firm grip, “Mate or not, do not let the bond rule out how he treats you. His wolf loves you with no regard for the human, but the human half and human actions matter most. I couldn’t help but agree and wonder if this was wise advice or Tate’s resentment for his mate’s actions before the bond was broken for them. Either way, I am not a punching bag anymore. I left that Tess back in Crescent Rain. 

"All new pack members please report to the pack house in one hour", a female voice chimed over the speaker in the corner as we lounged on my couch watching one of Tate's cheesy reality show favorites, "Dress formal but bring a change of clothes for the pack run following our welcome feast". Tate practically glared at the speaker, "1 hour is not long enough with these ads!" he grumbled. 

"Tate, 1 hour is not long enough for you to even pick out what you want to wear".. I laughed as his eyes widened. He glared at me before sticking his tongue out at me as he grabbed my remote, stomping off to his cottage. Every time. Whenever we were watching something together and Tate didn't want me to watch without him he would take my remote until we finished the episode. Old inside joke that leaves me frustrated and ordering a universal online already. His way of making sure I don't watch without him or lose our spot. I rolled my eyes and stretched as I rose from the couch. My back was finally feeling loose again, which was still surprising given that it would normally leave me aching for days to fall half as far. I decided to go scour my closet. The weather here was colder than what I was used to so I wasn't sure what formal items I would even have that wouldn't leave me shivering by the time we made it up the path to the Packhouse. I was stuck in a debate between a longer white dress with lace across the shoulders reaching into a short sleeve, or a long green dress that had a strappy top. I pulled out my black strappy shoes with a small heel when I heard a knock at the door. By the time I made it out to the living room nobody was there. Tate's cabin was undisturbed and the only people visible were a ways up headed to the Packhouse already. I looked down and saw a white rose. I didn't smell anyone's scent in particular on it, but the rose had such a beautiful and strong scent of it's own. Well. I guess I am going with the white dress.