Chapter 143: Chapter 37

COLE

Lexi’s soft kisses on my cheek wake me. I open my eyes and remove my earbuds. “We’re here.”

I sit up and steal a quick peck. “Thanks, my beautiful Magnolia.”

She softly smiles, and we grab our bags to exit the plane.

We all load into my truck and head to Lexi’s place. Her paintings are hung, and things are set up for her. I had it done while we were away, and Lexi nearly drops her bag when she sees her place.

“Cole, did you do this?”

“I had Emmett and Josie set it up.”

She stops in front of her Monet painting, then looks into her room. “It’s perfect. Thank you so much!”

She reaches up to my shoulders, so I pull her in to me. “You’re welcome.”

I turn her back into the living area where Wyatt and Jane are waiting. “It’s only a few hours’ drive to the Weston Pack. I have business there, so I’ll be taking you.”

Jane looks at Lexi questioningly.

“It’s okay, Jane. I promised.”

Lexi looks back to me. “Jane is nervous to meet another Starlight Sister. I promised I would stay with her until she’s completely comfortable. I figured if it’s safe enough for her, I would be safe too.”

I let out a single chuckle and shake my head. I love that she’s not asking. “It’ll be safe enough. I’m going to the Ramirez pack right after though.”

“That’s your sister’s pack, right?”

I nod. “Right. In fact, I would love for you to meet her. Grab a change of clothes, you’ll need them.”

She rushes around me to grab her things. “Do we have time to stop at Dorothy’s? I’m starving.”

I nod. “Sure thing.”

The crowd at Dorothy’s is small, and we’re all stuffing our faces when Jane gasps and her eyes go large. I look behind me to find Ian standing still in the doorway, staring directly at her.

I clear my throat, and Ian looks at me. I check his wolf again. He’s pacing, but still a good wolf. He cocks his brow at me. “Alpha.”

He greets with a sneer then turns and walks back out the door. I still have no idea what the hell his problem is. I guess now is as good a time as any to find out. “Excuse me. Please, continue. I’ll be right back.”

Ian is pacing in the tree line. He stops to face me as soon as I step out of the diner. He clenches and unclenches his fists as we begin to stalk toward each other.

“Ian,” I warn with a growl in my voice. “You have a problem? Let’s talk it out.”

I can feel the threat he is as he steps closer. “Yeah, I have a problem. You’re my problem.”

“What the fuck did I ever do to you?”

He shakes his head with a sarcastic chuckle. “You. You have no idea. Of course not because the world revolves around you. You don’t give a damn about anyone else. Everyone already knows you’ve made your choice, you’re the only idiot too stubborn to let her go.”

“You better watch yourself, Ian. My mates are none of your business,” I warn with authority.

He scoffs. “Do you even hear yourself? No one has two mates, not even you, Alpha Prince. You get one, just like everyone else. You can’t have both of them. The longer you string her along the more selfish you’re being. Give her up already!”

I growl. “Fuck you. What would you know? You just wallow in self-pity and avoid everyone and everything. You don’t know shit!”

Ian swings faster than I see and I catch his fist on the left side of my jaw. I don’t mean to, but I automatically react and swing back, but he catches me first. The bastard gets two shots in on me.

“You’re a selfish bastard and you don’t care about anyone but yourself,” he yells before swinging again. This time I block him and land a shot to his gut. He doesn’t back down and swings again, landing more blows than I want to admit. I give him a shot to the face and he goes down. He shakes it off and stands up for more. We go blow for blow until I knock him back to the ground.

Ian growls then stands with fire coming from his fists like some comic book character. I take a step back, but he doesn’t hold back. Each fist he lands burns, causing my skin to blister instantly.

“Goddess, Cole!” I hear Lexi from behind, but I keep my focus on Ian, landing a few blows of my own. He swings again and I let my alpha power out. He stutter steps but doesn’t back down. I release more power and Ian drops to his knees.

I land another blow. It’s a cheap shot, but the fucker started this mess. He opens his hands and fire bursts around me. I’m engulfed in flames. I grit my teeth to hold back my scream of pain. The flame sears my skin wherever it touches. The fire goes out and Ian and I are both on our knees.

“Ian. You should not have done that.” Dara’s gentle hand covers my burns, healing them instantly. I breathe in relief then slowly get to my feet. I reach for her, but she’s kneeling in front of Ian, holding his chin up. She swipes his hair out of his sweaty face.

“You could have been killed. You are quite lucky he held back. He might not have if I did not arrive in time. This was foolish. What were you thinking?”

He answers her as she heals his injuries. “I was thinking of you and how he keeps hurting you. You don’t deserve to be ignored. I thought I could knock some sense into him. I’m sorry, I got carried away. I wasn’t planning on using fire.”

Ian hangs his head, but Dara has a slight smile as she looks at him.

Dara’s attention is completely locked on Ian. She tilts his chin up and he stares lovingly into her eyes. To my surprise, she stares back with the same gaze. I understand why Ian has been so bitter and sullen with me. They love each other. Goddess, I’ve been so blind.

“Starlight Sister Dara. I, Colton Declan James, reject you as my mate.” The words leave my mouth and my heart thumps in agony.

I drop to my knees, exhausted. I barely hold myself up as she turns to look at me with those emerald eyes.

“I, Starlight Sister Dara, accept your rejection, Colton James.” She takes a breath then lets it out as if being released from captivity. “Thank you, Colton.” She looks past me and gives a nod.

“I’m so sorry, Dara. I had no idea.”

She gives me a soft smile.

“How could you? I never said anything because I wasn’t aware myself. I had an inkling, but the bond stopped me from feeling anything more.”

“Thank you for healing me, my lady.”

“You are welcome, Alpha Prince.”

She kneels beside Ian to help him up, his arm draped over her shoulder.

He holds his stomach but gives me a nod.

He could’ve just told me.

Actually, I probably would’ve killed him.

I nod in return and they slowly walk away.

“Cole!”

Lexi rushes to my side.

“Goddess, are you all right? Dad was holding me back. I couldn’t do anything to help you.”

She helps me to stand.

I look up into her eyes and my heart slams against my ribcage as if trying to escape.

Her scent engulfs me and it’s like my first breath of life.

She’s so beautiful.

My hand touches her soft cheek.

“Lexi,” I whisper in wonder, caught in the beauty of my perfect mate.

Lexi smiles at me.

“Hi,” she meekly says as she stares back into my eyes.

“Hi, my mate,” I reply, then kiss her with everything I have.

I feel her very being as she kisses me back.

I feel her wolf begin to stir within her.

My wolf reaches to wake her, but she’s still not quite coming to the surface.

Lexi pulls away first and looks into my eyes.

“Something has changed. I feel different.”

“It’s your wolf. She’s starting to awaken.”

Lexi’s pupils dilate for a split second.

“I’m going to try to command you to shift. Ready?”

Lexi swallows then nods.

“ALEXIS, SHIFT.”

She shudders, but again nothing happens.

Her eyes are innocently pleading.

I feel out for her wolf.

She’s still asleep.

“Damn it. I’m sorry, my Magnolia.”

“It’s okay. We’ll figure it out… my mate.”

She says the last part with a smile, and I completely engulf her in my embrace.

“Alpha? Sorry to interrupt, but are we still going to the Weston Pack?” Wyatt asks, standing with his hands in his pockets.

“Yeah. Did you all finish eating?”

He tilts his head toward the diner. “I told Jane to stay inside. Lex and I still need to finish eating.”

I nod, then lead her back inside by the small of her back.

“I’m so relieved you’re all right. He lit you on fire.”

“Yeah. That was the most pain I’ve ever felt. I’m glad Dara showed up when she did. I was going to release all of my alpha power.”

I open the door to the diner. “I am too.”

“He’s blessed too. Isn’t he? That man,” Jane asks as we sit back into the booth.

I nod with a smile. “Yeah, he is. Although he thinks it’s a curse.”

Jane bites her lip, then timidly asks, “Are you blessed too? I felt something when you were looking at him earlier.”

“I am. I was blessed by the Moon Goddess herself.”

Jane gets overexcited and begins asking question after question about the Goddess.

We finish up, then make our way to the Weston Pack.

Uncle Ryan and Aunt Realta greet us as soon as we pull up at their house.

Jane hides behind Lexi, so she reaches back to hold the girl’s hand.

“Aunt Realta, may I present Jane Drake?” I step back to allow Lexi to bring Jane forward.

Aunt Realta smiles sweetly to Jane and addresses her directly. “It’s a pleasure. I see you’re fire blessed.”

Jane nods. “Are you really a Starlight Sister?” she timidly asks.

“I was, sweetie. I’m a wolf now, just as you are. This is my mate Ryan Weston. He’s the former alpha of this pack. Alpha Blaine and his Luna Kristina are finishing up some business, but you’ll meet them in the morning. Would you like to introduce your friends?”

“They’re my family. This is my Uncle Wyatt and my cousin Lexi,” she introduces proudly. “Uncle Wyatt is watching over me and Lexi is Alpha James’s mate.”

Aunt Realta looks to me. “Is that right? I’m very glad to meet you both.”

She shakes their hands, stopping at Wyatt.

“Your wolf is pacing in anguish. Do you require healing?”

Wyatt bows respectfully.

“No, my lady. My mate passed a few days ago.”

“I’m sorry for your loss. I know very well how you’re feeling. My son and finding my nieces are the only things that got me through the loss of my previous mate,” Uncle Ryan says.

He braces Realta by the small of her back. “Realta healed my heart. I hope you find comfort in your family.”

“Thank you, Alpha Weston,” Wyatt says as he shakes his hand.

“We have you staying with us. Now, Miss Jane, do you prefer purple or navy blue?” Uncle Ryan asks.

“Um… Blue?” Jane answers.

“I hope you don’t mind staying in Haley’s old room. It has twinkle lights,” Realta tells her then leads the way inside. “Wyatt, I have you in Blaine’s old room. I hope you like hot rods. Cole, you can take Bristol’s room. You know where to go. Please show Lexi to Glory’s room.”

Aunt Realta gives me a pointed look and I’m reminded of our last conversation.

“Auntie. Lexi is my mate. I rejected Dara just this evening.”

I wait for her to lash out at me but after a moment’s pause she just smiles.

“It’s about time. Congratulations to the both of you. You can take Bristol’s room. She has a larger bed. No mating.” She points stubbornly at me.

“Yes ma’am. Lexi’s wolf is still asleep anyway,” I inform her.

She looks Lexi over, causing her to shiver. “She is, but she’s no longer repressed.” She looks back to our group. “I’ll let Jane and Wyatt get comfortable then we’ll start honing her new gift the day after tomorrow.”

I kiss her cheek then get a hug from Uncle Ryan.

After a hot shower, I lay behind Lexi and pull her closer.

She hums. “You don’t smell like a barbecue anymore.”

I chuckle then kiss her cheek. “Sweet dreams, my Magnolia.”