33

"You mean, no way of asking permission. You can't just waltz into this pack and pretend like everything is all fine and dandy—"

"I'm not going to make the same mistakes, Alpha. I just want a fresh start and to prove myself."

Chesca narrowed her eyes, hating the way Caleb was looking at her so innocently. She didn't believe his act for a second. "I highly doubt you've changed, Caleb. Men like you don't change so easily. If anything, they grow worse with age. So tell me—"

"Is that what you think? You're not even going to hear me out and see what I've become now?"

"I'm sure you're very well-meaning, but I really don't think you should be here, not today." She started to close the door, something she would never normally do to anyone, but Caleb wasn't just anyone.

He'd flirted and hit on her as soon as she'd met him, all that time ago after Kaiden and Chesca survived the brutal attack on their packs and worked to rebuild and forge them together. She had immediately demanded he respect that she was interested in only her mate, but Caleb hadn't backed off entirely. He'd continued to make comments and remarks that would sweep most shewolves off their feet. When he finally got the clear message from Kaiden to stay clear of Chesca, he'd gone after Miranda, Kaiden's old girlfriend.

She'd seen some good in him, heaven knows what, and they'd grown close. But their relationship had gone south, and Miranda had come to Chesca one night distraught over how much Caleb was pressuring her. It was in everyone's best interest to send the amorous male packing. "You should just leave before any trouble—"

"Seriously? You think I'm here to cause trouble? For crying out loud..." Caleb sighed and stepped back, rubbing his forehead dramatically. Then he looked at her with a mixture of anger and desperation, all part of the show she presumed. "Can you not just put the past behind us? It was, how many years ago? Six? What do I need to do to prove I'm not like that anymore? Kiss your feet and worship the ground you walk on? Join a monastery and meditate on the holy grail—"

"Enough!" Chesca held up her hand. "How dare you mock me! Are you trying to get thrown out again?"

"Are you trying to be so unforgiving?"

"That's not—"

"Hey, what's going on here?"

Chesca sagged in relief when her mate arrived and stood behind her.

She leaned into Kaiden's embrace. "Look who showed up."

"Caleb! It's good to see you, man," Kaiden moved past her and clasped the other man's arm, slapping him on the back in a bro hug.

It was not the reaction she was expecting.

"Come on in, brother. You probably want to see Miranda? She's out back."

"Kaiden," Chesca gripped his forearm. "We can't trust him and let him in—"

"Ches, it's fine. Of course he can be here," Kaiden looked at her strangely, like she was making a big deal out of nothing and for no reason. After Caleb moved smoothly into the house and headed towards the festivities out back, Chesca pulled Kaiden into a room and shut the door.

"I can't believe you just let him into our house like that, to join the party!"

"What's the problem with that?"

"He's been banished from the pack for over six years! And it was for very good reason we sent him away. We can't just accept him back without any apology or proof of good behaviour."

"I'll keep an eye on him. I doubt there'll be any trouble."

"But who knows what he's like. We can't trust him around the shewolves and children," Chesca crossed her arms and tried to get her boiling blood under control. She hated it when men just walked all over her like this.

"Chesca, just calm down. It's probably just the stress talking. I'm sure we can trust Caleb. He's a good man at the end of the day."

"But we don't know—"

"Just give him a chance, okay? Aren't you the one who's been trying to trust more and not worry so much? You said you always wished you trusted me more in the beginning, and not let your misgivings cause so much pain to everyone." Kaiden spoke firmly, his deep brown eyes flashing with a fire she normally loved. But now it cut her, knowing it was being used against her.

Chesca resisted the urge to slap him in the face. "Oh, don't compare that to this, Kaiden. That was an entirely different situation. You were my mate, and I should've realised the significance of the mate bond. Miranda and Caleb aren't mates, and that's why their relationship could get so messy."

"You can't blame it on that. People who aren't mates can still have good relationships."

"Name one couple you know that's worked out."

Kaiden stuttered, then stopped. It was true that not many found second chance mates or were able to make other relationships stable. Losing a mate or never finding the other half of your soul changed a wolf, most often for the worse.

But unwilling to admit defeat, the male Alpha hurried to say, "So are you saying Caleb or Miranda will never be together? Just because Caleb's real mate died, and Miranda never found hers, they're destined to be alone forever?"

"That's not what I mean! I'm sure if they found second chance mates, they could be happy with them. But maybe it's just Caleb's arrogance that's standing in his way of happiness. You can't deny that he's quite a jerk sometimes."

Kaiden stood still and breathed deeply, obviously hating this disagreement as much as Chesca. She never wanted to ever fight with her mate, but they couldn't escape the times he saw things from a completely different angle and wasn't willing to back down from his views. In all honesty, she could be just as stubborn.

"The only thing I won't deny is his chance to prove himself. I'll keep a watch on him, but I'm sure he knows how to behave himself," Kaiden said with finality.

Pressing her lips together, Chesca bit back the arguments she knew were futile. Only time would tell if Caleb was trustworthy or not, and despite the heavy feeling in her gut, Chesca had to smile and get on with the show.

Heading back out to the party was hard. She was so tired, yet the noisy atmosphere just kept growing. A headache began brewing in the back of her head but Chesca bore it like she was good at doing. Nothing would spoil her daughter's party.

Her eyes drifted over the pack members who were enjoying themselves on the back deck. Her gaze lingered in Miranda, who was leaning against the railing with Caleb close by, his hand reaching for hers. She drew it back from him, remaining distant, and Chesca glared at the back of his head. Picking up two drinks, she walked over to the two of them. With a smile, she handed them each a drink, earning a wink and charmed smile from Caleb. Her stomach twisted, and she turned to face Miranda.

Be careful, sister, she mindlinked the woman who had become one of her closest friends over the years.

I know. I'm not letting him get to me, not again.

Chesca was confident that Miranda knew how to handle herself. Still, she would look out for her, knowing how easy it was to fall for smooth words and a disarming smile. Caleb had those mastered down to a fine art.

The Alpha's keen eye collided with Jakara, Miranda's younger sister. She was glaring daggers at Caleb, obviously upset that he was back in Miranda's life again.

"Between you and me, Girl, I think he's nothing but trouble," Chesca nudged Jakara's shoulder, and she nodded her agreement.

"If he even looks at her dirty, I'm gonna tear his eyes out," Jakara spoke quietly, but Chesca heard the threat in every syllable.

"And I give you my full permission."

She laughed darkly, a sound that was eclipsed by a lighthearted laugh. Miranda's. She was smiling happily, and it irked Chesca that she could fall under Caleb's charm so quickly. Maybe she was playing along for the sake of appearances, and Chesca hoped so.

"Are you feeling alright? You don't look so good." Lexi came up to the women and placed a gentle arm around her Alpha.

"I was doing just fine, until he showed up," Chesca nodded her head at the man in question. "And Kaiden has let him just come and stay, like nothing happened before. 'It's in the past,' they say. I could strangle someone."

"Okay, yeah, I get that. But it's not good for you to stress, Ches. Not with how close the baby is due..." Lexi trailed off, her eyes full of concern.

Chesca stilled herself, realising she'd been holding her belly unusually firmly. She dropped her hands and tried erasing the grimace from her face.

"Maybe you should go rest. You look worn out."

"I am tired. But the party..."

"We've got it under control," Kira joined them, warming Chesca's heart with the amount of support around her. These shewolves had become her dearest friends and she couldn't imagine doing life without them. They loved each other, their children loved each other, and life was so beautiful. She just wished it could stay that way.

"Okay, if you're sure..."

"We're sure," Jakara nodded affirmingly. "I'll make sure the drinks are still cool."

"I'll keep the food coming out."

"And I'll stop the kiddos from breaking their necks on Savannah's new unicycle."

Chesca smiled in appreciation. As she walked upstairs to her room, her feet were killing her, her back was aching, her bladder bursting, but her heart was full of love and light.

Yet her mind was still dark with worrisome thoughts.

"Just what are we going to do with Caleb, hey Baby?" She patted her belly and felt his responding kick.

Cornflakes crunch in my mouth, their cracking sound the only thing I can hear in this silent and empty house.

As I pour milk into my bowl, I wonder where everyone is, and figure they must be out training, working hard, or avoiding me. The last realisation stings, as I know that Malachi never came home last night. Our bed remained cold and empty beside me.

I don't know where he went or why he just ran from me last night. It had been going so well, the pizza and fellowship night I organised in full swing, and I was sure Malachi was happy and proud of what I'd done. I'd seen it in the way his blue eyes were watching me the entire time I told my story. I felt it in his racing heartbeat when I led him to the dance area and wrapped my arms around him.

I'd heard it in the gentle way he said my name.

But then he was gone.

Pushing through the crowd and disappearing into the shadowed forest like my touch was burning him, like the bonfire behind us was consuming his sense and reason.

What reason could he have for staying away all night? Did I do something wrong? If he was unhappy with me or didn't like what I said, why couldn't he just tell me?

My cornflakes are soggy by the time I finish staring down at the cereal, lost in thought and lost inside. I thought I was doing alright, but then these strange moods come over Malachi and he'll act so strangely. Actually, most of the time he'll be quiet and pensive, dark and brooding and keeping everything to himself. I recognise the serious look of responsibility on an Alpha, but Malachi is like that most of the time.

I just want to make him smile.

I just want him to laugh and be carefree for once in a while, setting his blue eyes to sparkling and shining with a thousand tiny flecks of silver.

I make my way back to my room, telling myself not to go out looking for him. I won't go crawling to him like I'm needy.

If he wants to spend time with me, he'll come to me.

He'll find me.

My mouth tugs into a smile as I see my violin case, sitting unopened on top of a shelf near the window. I haven't played it for weeks, yet my fingers find their place as I draw the bow across the strings. Instinct takes over, my thoughts speak through the simple melody that comes out of the instrument, and it turns haunting yet harmonising as I process what I'm feeling.

Music has always been a part of my soul, and I close my eyes and let it flow through me. The excitement builds as I change to something more upbeat, as the stress and worry slip from me with each note and trill I play. This makes me happy, this relaxes me, and I can't help but sway around the room.

I then want to hear the echoes of the song in the hallways, with the high ceilings reverberating the strains back to me. The music soars through the empty mansion as I dance down the corridor and lose myself in the enjoyment of what I'm creating. The music flows from my imagination to my fingers, through the strings and back to my ears. It is almost magical.

"What is that terrible noise?! What are you doing to me?"

I gasp and slide on my toes as I come to a halt. The angry words reach me and I flinch.

"What are you doing? Are you trying to be the death of me?" Seneca staggers from a doorway on the upper level, in the eastern section of the mansion, right in front of me where I'd been exploring the richly carpeted hallway.

All I can do is gape at her as she clutches the doorframe, leaning against the wall as if she has no energy to stand. Her long black hair is tangled around her shoulders, her eyes wild and her face pinched in misery.

"I hate violins!" She looks at me with such spite in her black eyes, that it sends chills running up and down every bone in my body.

"I'm sorry, Luna Seneca, I—I didn't know," I stutter, my heart beating wildly as guilt washes over me.

She just glares at me, then grips her head and groans deeply, a sound that makes my heart cold. Digging her fingers into her hair, she screws up her face in obvious pain.

Suddenly remembering she had a bad migraine yesterday, I step closer against my better judgment. "Are you okay? Would you like me to get you anything—"

"Get out! Just leave me!" She screeches when I reach out a hand to help steady her, but she lashes out and the venom in her words makes me jump back.

"Why are you cursing me?" Seneca cries out as she drops to her knees, her nails scraping down the wall. "Why are you cursing me?!" Her head falls back as she shouts at the ceiling.

I'm transfixed by the frightening scene for a moment before my feet remember themselves. I turn and walk as quickly as I can away from Seneca and the heaviness in the air around her. I can only take a deep breath once I'm back in my room. I fling my violin on the bed and only have time to grab a sweater before I'm out the door again, heading to the back garden, the training field, the forest...

Anywhere.

Anywhere away from Seneca and her ferocious obsidian eyes that I'm sure will haunt me for days to come. I wanted to help her, but she made it impossible. Everything within me hates seeing someone suffering, but what can I do if I'm the one causing her pain? Her deep and guttural voice as she snarled at me still plays in my head.

There is also an impression that I can't ignore. It almost felt like she wasn't even talking to me. How was I cursing her? Did she really hate me that much and not approve of me for her son? Was my presence in her pack like a curse?

Or did she mean something else?

My feet take me absently down paths through the Alpha's estate, and I vaguely keep the treeline in view to my right. I don't want to get lost in the forest, though I'm sure I could track my way back.

Another thought presents itself: why didn't I feel Seneca's presence in the house? I thought I'd been all alone, so I was happily playing my violin as loud as I wanted. If I'd known she was there resting with her migraine, I wouldn't have been so inconsiderate.

"Hello! Uh— hi!"

I stop at the sound of a child's voice and look around, but see no one. "Hello?"

"Hi," it repeats, and I glance over my shoulder. The cool wind blows through the trees around me, caressing my skin eerily. I move to take a step forward, but the voice stops me.

"Don't step on my kite!"

I look down and see a blue and yellow striped kite right before my feet. A few leaves fall around me from the branches above, and I look up.

A little boy is clinging to a branch a few metres up in the tree, and my eyebrows lift in surprise. "How did you get up so high?"

"I climbed the tree."

He must be only six or seven, with light brown hair and a cute little face that is grave and serious.

"Can you get down?" I put my hands on my hips and feel genuine worry for him. Did he climb it by himself? Are his parents around here? Do they know he's really high up in a tree and could fall out if he's not careful?

"I uh... yes I tried, but... But I..."

I'm instantly reaching for the first branch and pulling myself up. He doesn't sound okay, and I don't want him falling and getting hurt if I can help it.

"What are you doing?" he asks, his little voice full of wonder. "You know how to climb a tree? Girls don't climb trees."

"Well, good thing I'm not like the girls you know. I happen to love climbing trees, no matter what anyone says."

"Wow. Have you ever got stuck in a tree? You know, climbing is hard and I normally don't..."

"It's okay, I can help you down," I reach his level, perching on a branch just beside him, and introduce myself. "I'm Ariella, and we're going to climb down together. What is your name?"

"I'm Sammy. Well, Samson is my real name but Daddy just calls me Sammy," he shrugs and gives me half a smile, and I see a dimple in his cheek.

"Okay, Sammy," I smile. "Is your daddy around here? Does he know you're climbing trees so high like a brave little panther?"

He laughs at my choice of words. But then he frowns. "Daddy doesn't care." His button nose crinkles as he says that, and my chest tightens.

"And your mom?"

He shrugs his slender shoulders. "She's dead."

"Oh, I—I'm sorry," I stutter at his abrupt way of saying that. A tug of kinship sparks between us. "My mom died too when I was a little girl."

"She did?" Sammy's eyes widen, the brown irises peering at me with his full attention.

I nod, "It was during a fight. She was protecting me from bad wolves."

"Do you miss her? I try and not miss my mommy, but it's hard. Daddy says I need to be tough and not sad, but.." a frown squeezes his eyebrows together and I reach out to pat his shoulder.

"Sure, I miss her lots. And I know it's okay to be sad, it doesn't make you any less brave and strong. I'm sure your mom wouldn't want you to forget about her."

Nodding his head as he listens to my words, Sammy avoids my eyes and I see a tear or two glisten on his long lashes.

"Let's climb down now, hey? I'm sure your dad is wondering where you are."

Sammy shrugs his shoulders again, but he lets me guide him down, following my instructions. I point out exactly which branches to hold onto and step on, and soon we both jump down to the ground.

"Do you want to fly your kite now?" I ask as he picks it up.

"Nah, there's not enough wind. I just want to go home."

"Okay." I'm unsure what to do as he walks away a few steps, because I'm wanting to talk more and be his friend.

Then suddenly he halts and turns back to me with a question mark on his face. "You coming?"

"Sure. You're inviting me to your place?"

With a serious look he nods. "Mom always said to be kind to our leaders. And you're going to be our Luna soon, so I guess I should show you my home. Be friendly and neighbourly like. She would do that, anyway," he plays with the kite tail in his hands and speaks shyly.