Heading downstairs, we could see mom waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs in a gorgeous gunmetal gray dress shirt that off set his sliver white hair that was braided over his left shoulder and a pair of black slacks.
“Oh my, don't you boys look so handsome!” he squealed as we stopped in front of him.
“Thanks mom. You look gorgeous yourself but did you see Madox? Talk about sexy” Ty teased watching me.
“I did and he looks fantastic. I'd have never guessed that timid scrawny boy would transform into that muscled and confident man in a matter of months! I'm so proud of you both for working so closely with him to give him that boost” mom said with a wink.
“Okay, would you two cut it out please” I pleaded not wanting to think about how sexy my best friend looks when I should be more worried about finding my mate.
“Okay, okay but I must add that Liah looked gorgeous too” mom said before taking each of our hands and wrapping them around his elbows before escorting us into the garden where the entire pack and some of the members of the Wind Walker pack were waiting. As we walked to the stage, I took a deep breath to settle my nerves since I hate being the center of attention causing mom to whisper “don't worry, everything will be fine just relax.” At the bottom of the stairs to the stage, mom pulled us to a stop and kissed each of our heads before sending us to where dad was waiting for us. Once we were on stage positioned on either side of our father, he began his birthday speech with a laugh. As he spoke, I scanned the crowd eventually locating Madox and Liah who were smiling and laughing at something. Watching them brought a smile to my face just as dad said “okay, now let's enjoy the party and pray that my boys find and confirm their mates tonight.” Heading off the stage, I went straight to my two friends who were now standing with their backs to me. Intending to scare Liah again as I approached, I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard Madox say “well this sucks” followed by Liah saying “yeah, maybe don't tell Con yet though. We wouldn't wanna upset him on his birthday.”
“Too late. Don't tell me what?” I asked from where I had stopped not two feet behind them.
“Crap” Liah said turning to look at me followed by Madox saying “well I guess there's no point hiding it now” as he also turned to look at me. After a hesitant pause he continued “I... I'm leaving tomorrow. Since my dad and brother came back in terrible condition, the pack needs me to fill in as Beta until dad is fully healed.”
“Okay, yeah I'm a little upset but I understand. That just means we have to make the most of tonight” I said with a smile I definitely didn't feel anymore.
“You know you don't have to hide your feelings from us right?” Madox asked.
“I know and who says I am?” I asked before adding “Imma go grab a drink” and walking off without another word. The rest of the evening I spent trying not to think about it until 11:50 rolled around and we were called back to the stage. Without checking a clock, I knew the second it became midnight because I smelled the most delectable scent of eucalyptus and chocolate. Without moving a single muscle, I immediately pinpointed where the scent was coming from and panicked for a split second without showing it. I didn't want anyone to know the scent led me straight to Madox because while my heart did a happy dance I remembered he was leaving tomorrow. Letting some of my pain show in my eyes as they locked with Liahs, I opened my link to Moon instead.
“Moon, I know you and Reign can feel the mate bond already but since Madox isn't 17 he won't know yet. I don't want him to know just yet since he has a job to do and I don't wanna take that from him. Please, can you ask Reign to keep it from him too” I said letting my pain seep into my internal voice.
“I understand, I'll ask him” Moon said sounding resigned.
“I know it's not ideal but I want to give him the chance to fulfill his duty without worry or being distracted by us. I know it'll be painful but we've waited this long, I think we can wait a little longer” I said still wanting to cry despite my decision.
“I know and I trust your judgment” Moon said and then after a silent pause added “Reign agreed to wait. He said to tell you he understands why were doing this.”
“Thank you and tell Reign I said thanks too please” I said. Waiting a few extra seconds, I gave the crowd watching a sad smile and half-hearted shrug before leaving the stage heading further into the garden. Stopping in a mildly dark corner, I let my tears fall for a few minutes until I felt someone coming. Wiping my eyes, I felt arms wrap around my torso from behind and Liahs' scent of roses and lilies wrapped around me as she said “I'm so sorry baby.”
“For what?” I asked through my tears.
“That you didn't find your mate” she said sadly tightening her grip on my chest. Turning to look at her, I sniffed to make sure we were alone still before saying “I never said I didn't find my mate.” With a shocked expression, she stepped back before saying “what?”
“Exactly what I said” I shrugged with a pained expression.
“Wait then what's with the pained look on your face? Who is it? And why not tell anyone?” she asked clearly confused. Opening our mind link, I said “because he's leaving tomorrow.” Waiting in silence, I gave her time to put the pieces together. When she had finally figured it out, she basically screamed in my head “MADOX IS YOUR MATE!” Wincing I nodded and said “thanks for the headache and yes but don't tell anyone least of all him. I've even asked our wolves to stay quiet about it.”
“But why? He deserves to know who his mate is” she asked confused by my decision.
“Because he has a job to do and I don't wanna be the one to take it from him or to distract him from his job” I said as more tears slid down my cheeks. I hadn't even realize she cut the connection until I heard her say aloud “oh baby” before wiping my tears just in time for my mate to round the corner with a sad look in his eyes. Pausing to watch the two of us, he said “I'm sorry Conner” coming to the wrong conclusion but not moving since Liah was still hugging me. Wrapping my arms around her, I nodded before laying my head on her shoulder and cried not because I didn't have a mate like everyone assumed but because I did and I couldn't even tell him how much I loved him and had loved him all this time. Eventually, my parents and Kyle came looking for us and stumbled on the same scene causing my mom to cry and dad to give me a sad look. “Boy will they be pissed at me when they find out I lied to them” I thought as I cried. At that point, Liah opened our link again and said “I know what you're thinking and it's technically not lying since they came to their own conclusion. However, I have to say this is the dumbest plan you've ever concocted. I'm not saying I don't understand it, just that I wish it didn't have to be this way.”
“I know. I hate it too but I don't wanna be the reason he has to chose between me and his duty and family. It wouldn't be fair and I would hate myself even more for it” I said glancing back up over her shoulder at him. Thankfully, he was still watching my parents and didn't see the look of pain and longing I gave him. Unfortunately for me, Ty rounded the corner at that exact moment and did. So, I opened our mind link and said “say anything about that and you're dead. I promise I'll explain everything later just please trust me and don't say anything.” Nodding, he gave me a confused look but played along.
Comments (6)
See all