Fate’s Design

Luna

Kelsey POV

As much as I hated to admit it, Mason had a point. All these losers were gonna talk and I might as well give them facts before they let their imaginations create more problems for me. So I linked a blabbermouth.

‘Hey, thought you might want to know, I found my mate. Alpha Mason Stone of Harvest Moon.’ Then put up a block so I didn’t have to deal with her over-excited nonsense.

“There, that should do it.”

Mason looked at me, slightly confused. I shrugged. “Vanessa can’t keep a secret to save her life. The whole pack will know in minutes.”

Jordan chuckled. “Vanessa is definitely the most efficient way to spread news around here.” He agreed.

Alex POV

I had to find a way to get Kelsey peeled away from her new man. I wanted to hear it from her. She said she didn’t have a mate, but Vanessa was here telling the whole pack the new Harvest Moon alpha was her mate. He sure didn’t seem interested in leaving her alone any time soon, and Durian had made it clear he didn’t want me near the guy. Which, in all fairness, made sense. I’m sure he wanted a piece of me. Even if Kelsey hadn’t told him about us, which I had a feeling she did, there was no way he didn’t pick up my scent on her, and those shorts looked suspiciously like the pair Kelsey had claimed a while back. And I sure as hell wasn’t gonna just let him forget it. I had her first. Just because we weren’t exclusive didn’t mean I was ok with losing her to some random Alpha claiming to be her mate. And really, if he were her mate, he would have already rejected her. Jessica told me she felt it every time I was with somebody else. I would bet her mate felt it with Kelsey. He knew what she was. And what man would want a mate like that? Nah, I didn’t buy it. Unfortunately, I couldn’t prove it, which meant Durian was making me keep my distance. I wasn’t an id*ot. I wouldn’t challenge him for her, I’d lose. Not to mention if I did challenge and somehow got lucky, I would then have to mark her and all that mess, which neither of us was interested in.

I finally got my opening when she went into the packhouse alone a little later. I waited a bit, then went in after her. I found her stepping out of the restroom.

“Your sticker bur let you breathe a bit, I see.” I commented from the side.

“Alex!” She said, startled. I just smirked. That guy had put her off her game, I’d give him that. And she was cute like this.

“Hey, beautiful. We never did get to have our talk, with Alpha Stick-In-The-Mud breathing down your neck.”

“Oh, be nice.” She said with an eye roll, leaning against a nearby wall. “He’s not that bad.”

“Wow. What a ringing endorsement.” I said sarcastically with another grin. She playfully hit my chest, trying to look annoyed. “Listen, Kiki, whatever you’ve got going on with him, you know I don’t care.” I said, putting my hands on her hips. “But I’m glad we have a moment to ourselves. He seems a bit… overbearing.”

I pressed her against a wall, but to my surprise, she turned away when I moved in to kiss her.

“Alex, knock it off. This is serious. I promised Mason I’d give him a fair shot. I’m not gonna hurt him anymore than I already have.” She said.

“Wow. Never thought I’d see you get serious about your mate. That is what he is, isn’t it? You were lying earlier.”

“Yeah.” She answered quietly. “Listen, Alex…”

I raised a hand to cut her off.

“You don’t have to explain yourself. This was fun, but we always knew what it was and what it wasn’t. I thought your mate would reject you like mine did me. But he wants you, Kelsey. Have fun.” I didn’t particularly want to watch her walk away with some other guy, but what else could I do? Especially if he was her mate. Besides, she’d be available again soon enough. There was no way he’d stick around. I knew what a mess Kelsey was better than anyone, and I knew I was the only guy messed up enough to actually stick around. Alpha Perfect over there might have some noble ideal of standing by his mate no matter what, but he had no idea what he was really getting into. When he did, he’d drop her like a hot potato and she’d come right back to me like she always did. I wasn’t worried.

Kelsey POV

I don’t know how long I stared at him after he said that. I thought this was going to be a lot harder and a lot more awkward. “Just like that? I found my mate and you’re just ok with that?”

“Kels, come on. We both know how this is gonna go. There’s nothing for me to ‘be ok’ with. We’ve never been exclusive. This is nothing.”

“You don’t think we can make this work.” I was a little hurt, but I couldn’t really blame him. I didn’t think we could make it work. I just didn’t want Alex saying it.

He laughed. “Come on, Kelsey. Look at us. We’re both as good as the other is ever gonna get. It just is what it is. You’re gonna get your heart broke. But that’s your business.” He warned with a shrug, turning to leave. “I’ll be here when you’re ready.” He said over his shoulder. Asshole.

Don’t listen to him. What does he know, anyway?

He knows me better than anyone.

He knows what you’ve let him see.

Tanya’s pep talk skills needed work.

I made my way back out to Mason. He was speaking with another man that looked like Seth with a couple gray hairs and a few extra pounds added. Seth had said he was the next Beta. That likely meant this man was the current one.

“This is her. My mate, Kelsey James.” Mason said, reaching a hand out to me. I hesitated for a moment, then took his hand. I had said I would give him a chance, after all.

“It’s a pleasure, Miss James.” The other man said with a polite nod.

“Kelsey, this is Adrian, my dad’s Beta.”

“Mr. Beta.” I greeted with a salute. Adrian’s face was priceless. Mason just sighed wearily.

“It’s a shame Mason’s mother won’t be able to show you the ropes. She was an outstanding Luna.” Adrian commented. I looked up innocently at him, pretending not to notice the thinly-veiled implication that I wouldn’t be an outstanding Luna. I mean… he was right. I had no illusions of being some great leader. Mason was just going to have to deal with that. But after a moment, the Beta’s words registered.

“Won’t be around?” I asked, looking at Mason.

“My mother is with the ancestors. That’s actually why my dad is retiring a little early.” He answered. His beautifully sculpted face was hard to read in that moment, but I knew the pain that he had to be hiding. Without thinking, I reached out to cup his face.

“I’m sure she’s proud of you, Mason. It’s clear you’re a good man. I know how hard it is to be there. It doesn’t get any easier, but… you’ll learn how to carry her with you so the burden doesn’t seem so heavy.”