by Leila Vy
Patience.
The only person that ran through my head. The only thing that stirred up an emotion so raw inside of me. I shook my head. This was not happening.
No.
My pack came to help me. Beta Roy hooked my arms over his shoulder as he carried me inside to the bedroom. Tears streamed down my face. I cried for the loss of the bond. I cried for the loss of Patience. I cried for my sorry life. I cried because I felt as empty as ever even when I could still faintly feel her. It was the weakest bond ever.
Roy placed me on the bed. I rolled around in it for what seemed like forever until I fell asleep in exhaustion.
When I awoke, I was alone in my room. The pack house was dark. I stared blankly at the ceiling, fighting back the tears that threatened to slip.
I am an alpha.
I do not cry.
I will not shed a tear.
Even then, I felt the hot tears sliding down the corner of my eyes. My life was crumbling before me. I stayed because of my duty as an alpha. I couldn’t leave my pack stranded. They were my family, but because of another decision, I lost the chance to stop something that could be possibly prevented. My heart was twisting with so much pain inside of me.
“Patience,” I whispered her name, and even then, it hurt. “Goddess, why?”
Anger rose inside of me. I was angry with what happened in my life. I was angry at the fact that I couldn’t even do a single thing to protect what was mine.
And there was Kailyn…
The loss of her was devastating to me. I knew I hurt her with the words I threw at her. I knew I wasn’t worthy of a chosen mate for her. With her being so far away from me, the bond was weakening. I could barely feel her now too.
Emptiness.
Total emptiness.
That was all I felt. I was as hollow as could be. I threw the covers off me and walked over to my phone. I picked it up and looked at the screen. I stared at it for what seemed like an eternity as I fought an internal battle.
Was it better to just let them go?
What was the use of chasing something I had already lost?
I put the phone back down with a decision that would change my life. I was going to let them go. They deserved better than someone like me. I glanced at the phone again, and this time, I picked it back up and threw it across the room. The phone shattered as it hit the wall, bits and pieces falling to the ground.
My knees wobbled, and I fell onto my knees as I clutched at my chest. I hoped they’re happy. That was all I want if I couldn’t have them.
***
Titus
I woke up with Patience’s naked body wrapped around me. What happened last night brought her and my bond a little closer. I could feel her wolf faintly in the back of my mind. A thin barrier only separated us. She exhaled softly and snuggled closer. Her face was moving to the crook of my neck where she inhaled deeply.
“Yummy,” she mumbled in her sleep.
“What is yummy?” I asked.
She sighed and intertwined her legs with mine. “You are, silly.”
“How yummy? Yummy enough to go another round?” I asked. I felt her sigh and then stiffened. Her body went completely rigid as consciousness finally came. Slowly, she pulled back and looked up at me. A blush formed on her cheeks as she realized just how skin to skin we were. She began pulling back, but I tightened my arms around her. She turned to me with a pout.
I chuckled as I kissed her lips. She responded instantly, her tongue shyly coming out to play with mine as we tasted each other. Something inside me stirred and made my heart swell up.
When she broke the kiss, her eyes were glimmering with desire and lust. It was hot, and all I wanted to do was take her again. Many emotions ran through my mind.
She was almost mine, and all I had to do now was mark her. This would break the bond between our destined mates—freeing them and us from our bonds.
Patience adjusted her position so that she was now sitting up with our blanket wrapped around her chest. Her dark brown hair was a mess on her head, and I couldn’t help but grin. She looked adorable and sexy. I sat up next to her and kissed her shoulder. She turned slightly to look at me. I smoothed back her hair from her neck and kissed the place where I was going to mark her. She shivered and leaned into my body.
“Titus,” she whispered. I hummed my answer, and she tilted her head to give me better access. I trailed kisses up her neck to the back of her ear. “We should really get going.”
My hand snaked around her front and pulled her closer to me.
“Tell me, when did you decide to start learning French?” I asked her. I saw her eyebrows come together, and she turned slightly to look at me.
“If I am going to be staying here, I should be learning French. It is a language that a lot of people use here,” she stated.
“Who taught you?” I asked.
She blushed a little. “I did a little bit of researching here and there while I had time to myself. I hope I said it correctly.”
She looked a little uncertain, and immediately, I wanted to take that away. My fingers touched her chin and turned her towards me. I placed a quick kiss on her lips.
“You did wonderful. If you want, I can help you learn.” I offered, and her eyes lit up. That was much better. I couldn’t help but kiss her again. “J’ai envie de toi.”
Her lips pursed again. “What did you just say?”
I smirked and shrugged. Getting up, I slipped on my boxer. “You will have to figure it out. Once you do, I will give you your reward and your next lesson.”
“What? Wait. Say it again.” She quickly struggled to get out of bed with the blanket wrapped around her. I repeated what I said earlier, and she stared at me with a blank face. I laughed at her reaction before turning into the bathroom. I heard her mumbling something about learning French and how a pain in the ass it was before I closed the door.
***
Patience
I glared at the door as he disappeared behind it. I repeated what he said in my head and made a point in asking around to see if someone would tell me what it was. I peeked again at the door and noticed he was not out yet. I slipped the blanket off and pulled on a t-shirt and a pair of yoga shorts. I walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs to find Kailyn.
I found her sitting with Christian and Emily on the breakfast table. They all looked up when they saw me. I walked over and sat next to Kailyn.
“Good morning,” Kailyn leaned in and whispered. “I just wanted to tell you that Micah and I have to go back to his territory.”
She scooted closer to me. “Do you think what I am doing is right? I feel guilty and sad. Goddess, Patience, I feel so many emotions.”
“What does your heart tell you?” I asked.
“To go, bu—”
“Then go,” I replied easily. “I felt the same way when I first found out about Kyle. I waited for so many years, deciding if I should just move on or wait. It takes a lot of guts to do what you believe is right. If you believe this is what you want, then go.”
“Am I not selfish?” she asked.
“Never, Kailyn,” I said instantly. She nodded, feeling slightly satisfied with my answer before eating again.
I turned to look at Christian. “What does ‘J’ai envie de toi’ mean?”
Christian and Emily broke into grins as soon as I said it before they shook their head. “Figure it out on your own.”
I pouted, but at the corner of my eyes, I caught movement. I turned to see a male staring right at me. He was staring at me boldly, and it kind of unnerved me. I wondered who he was. I turned back to the group.
“Who is that male over there?” I pointed to the now empty area. Christian followed where I pointed but saw no one. He turned back to me, looking confused.
“Who?”
“Where did he go?” I asked as I looked around the room again. He was nowhere to be found. It must’ve been my imagination. “Never mind.”
Titus came dow
n shortly and walked over to me. He leaned down to my ear and whispered, “Did you find out yet?”
“No,” I replied while pursing my lips. Learning French was difficult. “I’m going to the library later.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Patience
I stared at the French to English translation book, and so far, I got nothing. I huffed and flipped a few more pages before I slammed it shut and pinched the bridge of my nose. It was giving me a headache. I moved a little on the couch until I was comfortably nestled into the plush cushion.
“If I can’t translate a phrase through a book, I need to get myself an instructor—someone besides him,” I mumbled to myself. It was late, and I told no one to bother me, as I was determined to figure out what the phrase was.
Just a nap and I would begin again where I started. I just needed to rest my mind just for a moment. A good rest would clear my mind. I could feel my body giving in and my muscles relaxing as my eyes fluttered close. I exhaled slowly, and soon, the comfortable darkness took over.
I awoke when I felt myself being pushed down. Instantly, my eyes opened to see the male from breakfast this morning hovering and staring down at me. I inched back as far as I could.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“It doesn’t matter who I am.” His eyes glinted with desires. His nose flared with lust. “You are truly beautiful like what they have been saying.”
“Yes. Well, I am not yours. Now, leave me alone.” I tried to push him off, but his grip on the couch tightened. He had me trapped between the sofa and him.
His free hand came to cup my cheek before moving lower to expose my neck. An evil grin came on his face. “You are no one’s. That means you are free to claim.”
“Touch me, and you’re dead.” I threatened as I felt a new anger course through me. He chuckled sarcastically before licking his lip.
“I always like a good fight. Now, be a good kitty and let me taste you.” His face moved closer to mine, and I let out a warning growl. I saw his chapped lips curl into a smile.
When he was close enough, I head-butted him. He was taken aback for a moment before he growled and pinned me down on the couch, his weight completely on top of mine. I could feel his arousal against my stomach and bile rose up in my throat.
“Bitch, well then, if you won’t play nice, I don’t mind playing rough,” he growled out as his lips crashed down on mine. His tongue was licking my lips, trying to force his way into my mouth.
I struggled and thrashed against him, trying to get him off me. My heart was beating so fast; I had never felt it move at this rate before. It was fear. I was scared for what he was going to do. It disgusted me.
“You and Amelia are two complete opposites. She came willingly to my bed. You, on the other hand, will be a lot harder to claim.”
The male’s hand came up my side towards my breast, and I grabbed onto his hand to get him to stop. Surprisingly, the male’s weight was completely lifted off me seconds later. I turned to see Titus’s cold eyes looking at me. It held no warmth—only fury. It made me flinch as his eyes were looking at me accusingly. He turned towards the male with a predatory look. His skin was already prickling with hair.
The male scrambled to get up, but Titus was faster than he was. His hand came to the male’s throat and squeezed tightly.
“She’s mine!” Titus growled, and I heard the male gurgle as his air circulation was cut off.
“She’s not marked, and she was willing to let me kiss and fuck her.” The male taunted, and a roar escaped Titus’s lips.
His hands were coming up to swipe at Titus’s chest in weak attempts to free him. In one swift movement, Titus ripped the male’s throat with no mercy.
The male’s body fell to the ground, lifeless and dead. When Titus turned to look at me, his eyes still looked at me with accusations.
“Titus, let me explain.”
“That’s what she exactly said when I caught her,” Titus growled out angrily, and in a flash, he was in front of me. His hand came around my neck, gripping it tightly that I let out a whimper of pain.
“Titus, please,” I whispered trying to calm him, but I only saw black pools of darkness. His anger was beyond control.
“He was on top of you! Don’t deny what I saw.” He accused angrily.
“No! He—”
His grip on my neck tightened even more, and I tried to remove his grip from me.
“Let me go! You are hurting me!” I growled out.
“No!” he roared back. “You will listen. You are mine. You are not to be near any other males!”
“Titus, let me go, or I swear to goddess I will fucking run away from you.” I tugged on his arm harder.
“You will not run away from me, and I will make sure of it,” he roared before his canine elongated and came at my throat. I did not want this. No. I did not want him to mark me out of anger. Completing the mating process should be something consensual. I was about to say something, but I felt it. I felt the moment his teeth pierced my skin. I felt the moment his canine sunk in completely, and I felt the moment my soul combined with his.
I pounded and slapped on his chest to get him to stop. I knew he felt what I felt but only stronger. He now has the presence of my soul and my wolf in his mind. I heard him inhale sharply before releasing my neck. He took a step back.
I saw blood dripping down his mouth and chin. I clutched at my neck from the mark he made. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I shook my head. He looked guilty.
“Patience.” He was the first to talk.
“No,” I said. “You don’t get to talk. I do. How could you do this? Are you happy now? Do you feel what I felt what the male did to me earlier? Do you see that I was telling the truth? I understand you were hurt, but you should remember that I was too.”
“Patience.” His hands came out to grab for me, but I took a step back.
“No.” I repeated. “Don’t. You don’t get to do this. I can’t believe you, Titus. You let your animal take over. You wouldn’t even listen to me. J-just don’t.”
I moved around him and darted out of the room. Tears were streaming down my cheeks as I ran as fast as I could to the bedroom. When I got inside, I slammed the door close and ran to the bathroom. I moved to take a shower and scrub my body from everything.
I felt pain in my chest, and I clutched at it. The bond with Kyle was living on a thread as the bond with Titus intensified. I knew Titus could feel what I was feeling. I was feeling betrayed and hurt.
I pulled on one of his t-shirts and crawled into bed where I pulled my knees up to my chest as I cried.
***
Titus
I stood outside our bedroom door, and I could hear Patience’s soft cries from the other side. My hand came out to touch the door, wishing it was her who I was touching. I didn’t know why I did that. I was so blinded by anger and jealousy. I forgot she was not Amelia. I marked Patience unwillingly.
I could feel her presence in my mind. Her emotions could be read like a book. Her heart could be heard from miles away. She was there with me, and she was beautiful. Her heart was pure and gentle.
I had hurt her.
I had betrayed her.
I did the weakest and most shameful thing a werewolf could do.
But…
I couldn’t leave her. I was crazily drawn to her. It was unexplainable that I found myself standing here. I placed my forehead against the cold door and exhaled as I closed my eyes. The need to be next to her was strong. The marking was still so new and fresh. My wolf and I both needed to be next to her. It was a way of marking. It was a bond that was only halfway created and the bond needed to feel complete. I was lost without her, even if she was on the other side of the door.
I could only hope she would forgive me.
The look I saw on her face in the library killed me inside, and if she ever forgave me, I would make sure she never looked at me that way again. I felt a stab of pain in my chest, and I knew it was her
pain mixed with mine. She was hurting.
I inaudibly whispered her name as I heard her crying slowing down.
I didn’t know how long I stood outside the door, waiting and listening to her, but when there was nothing but silence, I opened the door slowly to see her sleeping on top of the covers curled up in a fetal position. My feet started moving, and soon, I was next to the bed. I sat down as I lifted my hand to smooth back her hair. Her cheeks were wet with tears.
The amount of guilt I felt was torturous. I realized just how much I didn’t want to see her hurt. To know that it was me who put it there—it was what was killing me inside.
Slowly, I lifted her body and placed her under the cover. I was happy that even though she was angry with me, she still found comfort in my scent as she had on my shirt. After I tucked her in, I slipped in behind her and pulled her close. I knew she would probably be angry in the morning, but I needed her close. It soothed both of our wolves.
She turned in her sleep and snuggled closer to me. Her face was in the crook of my neck and her leg in between mine.
***
Kailyn
I needed to do this.
I stared at the phone for a moment before I started dialing. It was late, and Micah was asleep. I snuck my way into Alpha Titus’s office with one intention on my mind.
When someone picked up on the other line, it was a voice that no longer had an effect on me, but it still brought back a nostalgic feeling. We went around life the wrong way and in turn, hurt all of us.
“Kyle?” I asked.
“Kailyn?” He sounded surprised.
“Yes, it is me,” I replied sadly.
There was a moment of silence before I spoke up again.
“I want to say—”
“I am sorry.”
We both began at once, and then we both gave a sad laugh before I spoke up again, “You go first.”