Chapter Four
1452 Words
VIOLET POV
My mom is fluttering around the pack house when I reluctantly arrive. She’s directing maids, and inspecting gift baskets, checking off things on her clipboard as she fingers linens. “Is this the Egyptian cotton I requested?” She demands of the teenage girl holding them.
She nods sheepishly before darting down the hall, desperate to get away from the former Beta’s wife.
When my mother sees me she breaks into a huge smile. Too huge. What is she up to?
“Violet! I’m so glad you showed up,” she exclaims as she makes her way over to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders in a tight hug. “I wasn’t sure you’d come seeing as how… you know… you try not to come here unless you have to.”
“What’s going on, mom?” I ask her, annoyed that I’m even standing in this place. She’s right about that, I avoid the pack house like a plague. “I was on my way to train with Zane.”
“Cancel that, honey, I have a huge favor to ask of you.” I stare her down, already not liking where this is going. “Lana’s water broke about an hour ago and your brother wants me to come out to his pack for a few days to help with the baby.”
“What?!” I exclaim. “My niece is on the way and you want me to do what exactly?!”
“Someone has to stay here and assist with the King!” She insists.
“Isn’t that what a Luna is for?!” I demand.
“The Luna,” someone says from behind me. “Is planning her mating ceremony.” He snakes his arm nonchalantly around my shoulders. I roll my eyes as he winks at my mom. “I’ll take a rain check on the training. As Beta, I should probably be helping coordinate the King’s stay anyway.”
My mom raises an eyebrow at me, looking skeptically between us.
“Make sure the Alpha King has everything he needs, Violet. It’s important that our pack make a good impression while he’s here. Just greet him when he arrives, lead him to the Alpha’s office, and then just be available in case he needs anything—extra towels, room service, coffee, literally anything.”
I nod, not liking this one bit. She hands me her clipboard and gives me a kiss on the cheek, eyeing Zane once more as she leaves.
“You’ll be the middleman, right?” I plead with Zane the moment she’s gone. “You’ll take him to his office?”
Zane frowns at me. “Does it still bother you that much?” He asks me, almost seeming sincerely upset by that.
“I never doubted for a second that I was his mate,” I explain to him quietly. “And then in front of the entire pack, I had to find out that my best friend was actually his mate. That kind of humiliation doesn’t just go away, Zane. It haunts you. It’s been four years and people still gawk at me with their sympathetic poor-you puppy dog eyes. I can’t stand it, and if I don’t have to see either of them, then I don’t want to.”
He nods thoughtfully. “Makes sense. Yeah, I can handle all Jordan interactions. For a price.” He smirks at me and pulls me close. “A repeat of last night would be sufficient.”
“Done.” I answer him quickly. I would do anything to never have to see Jordan or Fallon ever again.
“We have a deal.” He looks me up and down. “You’d better leave the clipboard with me and run home to change. Can’t meet an Alpha King dressed like that.”
I look down at my sports bra and shorts and realize he’s right. “You sure you can handle the clipboard?”
“Oh, I can handle the clipboard,” he laughs, placing his lips against mine and then quickly pulling away. “Go get all dolled up for me,” he whispers in my ear before slapping my ass. I’m not sure what’s gotten into him, but this is a side of him I’ve never seen. I walk away, dazed and a little confused. “Where’s my Egyptian cotton?!” I hear him yell as I close the front door behind me. Giggling at him, I head to my small two-bedroom townhome to get ready.
I curl my dark auburn hair quickly and then apply a light layer of makeup. I decide on a mustard-colored floral dress that falls above my knees, and some tan boots. Feeling satisfied with my appearance, I head back to check on Zane and the preparations.
When I arrive everything seems to be in its place. Zane nods his acknowledgment and hands me the clipboard before he leaves for Beta duty. I sigh and check, and then double check, everything on my mother’s list. I’m about to go grab a drink when there’s a knock on the door and a guard pokes his head in.
“The Alpha King’s cars have just pulled up.” He informs me. I thank him and shoot Zane a quick text. He meets me in the foyer and we walk to retrieve the King and his mate. Zane takes my hand, and I wonder for the second time today what’s gotten into him. He’s acting very much like we’re a couple.
As we’re walking, a nice cool breeze drifts by us. Bringing the most amazing smell with it. It smells woodsy, but also like cinnamon. Very fitting for Fall. I would think it’s someone’s cologne if Astoria, my wolf, wasn’t going crazy.
Our mate, she hums in excitement.
Our mate?
She must be mistaken. I’m suddenly nervous, and I grip tightly onto Zane’s hand. He squeezes back, completely unaware of what’s going on in my head.
Is it one of the King’s guards? I wonder.
We stop in front of a large black SUV and a man exits, and then holds his hand out for the woman next to him. This must be the King and his mate.
When he turns to greet us he freezes. Our eyes connect and we both instantly know what’s just happened.
Mate.
The woman holds his hand firmly in his, smiling at Zane and I, completely unaware. “Hi,” she greets us, reaching to shake mine and Zane’s hands. “I am Daphne, the Luna of the Silver Lake pack.”
She nudges the man next to her, urging him to speak. He clears his throat, still looking at me. “I am Maxwell, Alpha King of the Silver Lake Pack.”
I can only stare in shock. I’ve found my mate… and he already has a mate… Astoria whines loudly in my head, heartbroken. Been there, done that. I shove the pain aside to deal with later.
“Hi, my name is Violet. I’m here for anything you need during your stay here. This is Zane, Beta of Blue Stone pack, and he’s going to lead you to Alpha Jordan’s office. I’ll meet you back in the foyer to show you to your rooms.”
I don’t give them time to respond. Maybe it’s rude—he is the King, after all, but I have to get away from him. I have to breathe.
I’ve just found my mate, who isn’t Jordan, and he’s already got a mate. Has that ever happened in werewolf history? Two mates? Regardless, I’m not okay with that.
Will he reject me?
Something isn’t right, Astoria says. We’re missing something. That woman is not his mate. She can’t be.
What have I done? What did I do that was bad enough to deserve this kind of punishment?
Moon Goddess, why do you hate me?
- Writer
