Chapter 15: 15: Ghosts of the Past

ARIEL

Mere inches before our lips connect, I place a hand against Alex’s chest, stopping him.

“We’re not doing anything like we did the other night,” I say.

Even though I loved the way his fingers and his tongue made me feel, I have to make sure he knows that I have boundaries. “This isn’t a late-night booty call.”

“You’re right, it isn’t,” he says, turning his head and smirking. “This is a burglary. I just came here to steal something from you.”

“Steal something?” I ask skeptically.

Alex’s lips are suddenly pressed against mine and I feel lighter than air as he scoops me up and places me in bed.

“Yep, just a kiss, though,” he says, winking.

Alex crosses the room and starts climbing back out the window, but before he jumps out, he turns to me. “Feel free to come steal it back anytime.”

As he disappears, I have the widest, happiest smile on my face.

~You’re on, Your Majesty. I’ll be stealing a kiss from you tomorrow at the mating event.~

***

This morning has been hectic, finalizing the arrangements for the arrival of all the other packs this afternoon.

I’m on border control, which means I’ll be seeing every single person who comes in for the mating weekend.

I can’t help but feel that Maria pulled some strings to make sure I’d be here to watch Alex greet all the pretty young girls entering his pack.

My only solace is that Dom is on patrol with me. He may be participating in the weekend, but he still has to work the opening.

Dom and I lounge under a large tree with Lyle, another of my squadmates, waiting for the first pack to show up.

“Think you’ll find your mate? She’ll definitely be able to smell ya,” I say to Dom teasingly.

“Wait...I think I’m catching her scent!” Dom says, suddenly standing up. “Oh my Goddess, yes!”

As his eyes widen and he reaches out, Lyle and I look at each other, confused.

“She’s...she’s...RIGHT HERE!” Dom says, whipping around and grabbing my shoulders, while comically puckering his lips.

Laughing hysterically, I throw him to the ground and make sure to give him a good kick while he’s down there.

“You asshole,” I say, trying to stop laughing. “I actually thought you might’ve found her for a second.”

Dom stands up and brushes the dirt from his pants. “If only. I have a feeling I’ll be back at the ~Full Moon~ tonight, drowning my sorrows.”

“Heads up, guys, wolves approaching,” Lyle says as his advanced senses pick up the first pack.

He’s a trained tracker, so he can pick up sounds and scents faster than most.

“Rogues or festivalgoers?” I ask, feeling like I’m not prepared for either.

“Way too big to be a group of rogues,” Lyle responds. “Definitely a pack.”

“I’ll send Alex the heads-up,” I say, pulling out my phone.

Ariel

First pack is incoming

Ariel

We’ll set up for your greeting

Alex

I’m on my way.

Alex

Ariel…

Alex

About last night…

Ariel

We should talk about this later, Alex

Ariel

We have a lot of work to do over here

I’m not intentionally trying to blow Alex off. Honestly, I want to spend all of tonight with him.

Alex’s stolen kiss last night felt amazing.

Whenever our lips connect, it’s like the whole world blooms into color. All the darkness in my past just fades away.

I want to go find him now, to tell him everything in my head, to kiss him again and again and again…

But if his mother sees me away from my post—or worse, getting ~close~ to him—she’ll have me thrown out before I can utter a single word.

There is another factor making me hesitate from getting close to Alex: behind his dazzling green eyes, I can also see pain.

He’s still not over his dead mate.

I’m still struggling with the demons in my past too.

Would we be able to heal and move on…together?

Or should I concentrate on fixing myself before I get entangled in a relationship?

***

I stand by with Dom and Lyle as the Blue Stone Pack approaches the border gate.

Alex has arrived to greet them, the first pack to arrive for the mating weekend.

“Alpha Tyler, it’s so good to see you again,” Alex says, shaking the hand of a tall, but otherwise unimposing man in sapphire-colored robes.

“Likewise, Alex. I don’t think I’ve seen you since your wed—” Alpha Tyler quickly cuts himself off when he realizes what he’s about to say.

He stumbles over a few words before finding something to say.

“Uh, this mating weekend is an inspired idea. I’m looking forward to the festivities,” he says awkwardly as he continues through the gate.

I didn’t even think about it, but most of the alphas from nearby packs were probably at Alex’s wedding.

This is going to bring up a lot of painful memories for him.

I clock the rest of the pack as they shuffle in. It’s a small pack, less than thirty members, most of them female.

Dom bumps into me suddenly as his eyes glow and he begins sniffing the air.

“Hey, watch it!” I yell, but he’s completely ignoring me.

“I…I smell wildflowers, but…where is she? I don’t see her!” Dom says in frustration.

“Knock it off, Dom. That bit is funny when it’s just us, but we have guests now and we’re on duty,” I say, reprimanding him.

As Dom starts hurriedly pushing through the crowd of people entering the gates, I quickly realize...

~He isn’t joking around.~

“Dom, what the hell are you doing?” Alex asks, also noticing Dom’s strange behavior.

As the crowd starts to thin and clear away, only two people are left, locked onto each other’s eyes like there’s no one else in the world.

~Dom has found his destined mate.~

“What’s your name?” Dom asks as he takes the hand of the beautiful, petite blonde woman in front of him.

Her wispy hair is lined with delicate white flowers and her dress is long and silky.

“I’m...I’m Helena,” she says shyly.

“I’m Dominic, beta of the Royal Pack and...and your mate,” he says, grinning from ear to ear.

“The first match of the festival!” Alex suddenly shouts, roaring over the crowd. “The first match is my beta, Dom, and we haven’t even started yet!”

Cheers and laughter emanate from the crowd and I join in as well. I couldn’t be happier for Dom.

***

Several hours pass as more and more packs make their way through the gates and Alex continues to greet everyone.

Security detail is down to just me and Lyle as Dom has unsurprisingly disappeared with his new mate.

“Who’s left?” I ask, yawning. “There can’t be many more.”

“Just the Blood Moon Pack,” Lyle responds, checking over his notes.

“Good, that’s a small one. They’re known for having some of the fiercest warriors of any pack,” I say admiringly.

I throw my arm around Lyle’s shoulder. “Well, it’s just you and me holding down the fort, champ. Dom ditched us for a pretty blonde.”

Lyle laughs. “That bastard will do anything to get out of work. Even getting mated.”

“Get your FILTHY hands off him, you ~hussie~!”

A ferocious growl rips through our laughter as an imposing-looking she-wolf stomps toward us.

She’s wearing a full set of warrior armor and her short, cropped hair nicely frames her angular face...but the expression on that face is frightening.

“He’s MINE,” she says, roaring. “I’m Valeria, beta of the Blood Moon Pack, and I will not stand for this infidelity!”

I notice that Lyle has suddenly gone stiff as he stares directly at the woman. “Mate,” he says in a quiet, terrified voice.

Valeria’s gaze abruptly changes to me and my wolf begins to stir.

~Oh shit, she thinks I’m into her mate.~

“Wait, this is all a misunderstanding—” Valeria’s hand wraps around my neck and she begins to choke me out. I can see Alex in the distance, running toward us.

“There’s nothing going on between us! Please release her!” Lyle says, pleading with his new mate not to crush my windpipe.

I manage to lodge my foot in between Valeria’s legs and twist, dropping her to the ground.

She loses her grip and now I’m on top of her, pinning her down.

“Listen to me!” I shout in her face. “I know what it’s like to feel like someone is threatening your mating bond, but trust me, that’s not what’s happening here.”

Alex steps to the side when he sees I have this under control. Valeria looks up at me and actually ~smiles.~

“You’re a formidable opponent,” she says, as I stand up and help her to her feet. “No one takes me down like that. I’m impressed.”

“Yes, well, I understand that you were just claiming your mate,” I say, a little unnerved by this woman’s sudden shift in personality.

“You’re a friend of my mate?” she asks.

“Yes?” I say hesitantly, hoping that’s the right answer.

Valeria pauses and looks at me intensely. “Then you’re a friend of MINE too,” she shouts, wrapping me in a bear hug.

This lady is crazy, but I can’t help but like her a little.

I shoot Lyle a “good luck” look as she releases me and pulls him off into the city.

“This mating weekend is already pretty intense, huh?” Alex says as he sidles up to me.

It’s just us and a few other guards now, the entrance ceremony officially over. It’s nice to finally have a moment alone with Alex.

“How are you holding up? You must be exhausted,” I say, rubbing his back.

“Honestly, Ariel, I don’t know how I’m going to make it to the end of this ridiculous mating weekend,” he says, sighing. “At least I have you here.”

I blush as he affectionately pushes some strands of hair out of my face.

“You know, I was skeptical before, but now I don’t think this is such a bad idea,” I say, turning and facing Alex.

He gives me a puzzled look, so I explain.

“Your best friend has found his mate. Several of our other friends have found theirs too. And I’m sure plenty of people who don’t find their destined mates will still make a connection with someone.”

“Even me?” Alex asks, raising his eyebrows and putting his hands on my shoulders.

“I suppose anything is possible,” I say, giving him a smirk.

As Alex’s face inches closer, I feel my heart flutter.

“What if I’ve already made a connection with someone?” he asks. “Should I just say ‘fuck it’ to this whole mating weekend and spend time with her instead?”

I still have my doubts about Alex being ready, but in this moment, I feel myself wanting him ~so~ badly.

I stare into his gorgeous green eyes and pout my lips a little, leaning in. “I think that sounds like a great…”

Alex’s eyes suddenly grow wide and his jaw slackens.

He’s no longer looking at me, but rather looking ~past~ me. His face is pale white, as if he’s seen a ghost.

“Oh my…my Goddess,” he says, his voice shaking.

I turn around to see a lone girl walking through the gates.

She has honey blonde hair and bright purple eyes, with a perfect rosy, heart-shaped face.

She’s absolutely stunning, but I know that’s not why Alex’s eyes are locked on to her.

I’ve seen the portrait in the grand hall…

This mysterious latecomer looks ~exactly~ like Alex’s deceased mate, Olivia.