by Tami Payton
MASON
I stare at Cammie’s arm, she’s wearing the Alpha band of not only the Hollow’s pack but it interwind’s with mine. What the fuck! She’s shaking her head, she looks over at me and her eyes are wide as she stares at my arm. I look down and notice that my Alpha band had changed overnight, it now has the Hollow packs markings wound into it. “Sam, what the fuck is going on? I mean how did this happen?” I can’t make sense of this, he has to explain this to me. Cammie is quiet and seems to be in shock, Sam sighs and runs his hands through his hair. “Mason, it seems that you and Cammie are one of the very, very few. We already knew that Cammie was one of the select few.” He looks at her and smiles, “with everything else she has been able to accomplish this should be no surprise to anyone. It seems that you two are fated mates, and not just any mates it seems two powerful fated mates.” I drop down into my seat, this is bad, very bad.
I look at Cameron and he’s all smiles. I can’t seem to figure out why he’s smiling. This is a disaster. I mean fated? This isn’t a good thing, if something happens to one of us, the other is doomed. I can’t handle this right now, this makes both of us a target and we can’t deal with that. Cammie is already a target since she’s an Alpha female. She’s an Alpha’s daughter, and her brother is in line to become an Alpha. “Look Sam, this can’t happen it’s to dangerous for everyone. Cammie has been labeled an Alpha female, you’re stepping down as Alpha soon, Cameron will be taking over. Once the word gets out that Cammie is an Alpha female, she will be a target as will Cameron.” Cameron shakes his head, “What do mean we will be targeted? I don’t see why?” Man, I love the boy like a brother. But he doesn’t always think clearly, “Cameron, think about it, if you’re taken out as Alpha who takes over?” Cameron’s eyes go wide, “Cammie, oh shit.” I nod “Yes. Since she’s your twin, and an Alpha female, she’s next in line. Regardless of the fact that she’s a female. It’s a no brainer, come after you, then her, your pack is wide open.” I’m getting frustrated as I explain everything, Cameron is catching on now and he looks worried now.
Sam tries to calm me down, “Mason you’re getting ahead of yourself, calm down.” I start pacing the room, “No Sam, that’s only one issue. Now that Cammie and I are fated there’s an even bigger issue.” I look over to Cammie, who is still sitting at the table just staring at her hands. She hasn’t said a word, she’s just sitting there listening to everything. I think she’s in shock. God, just the other day I would have loved this to have happened, I wanted this more than anything. “With me being an Alpha, being fated to an Alpha female could be deadly. That makes me a target as well, my pack is in danger with Cammie being an Alpha female.” I hang my head and wonder what I ever did for the world to be against me and take away the one thing that I can’t have. “There’s got to be something that we can do, I mean there’s been fated mates before, you said so yourself dad. This can’t be that bad right?” Cameron looks at Sam, I look at Cammie hoping Sam has an answer, but knowing in my gut he doesn’t. “The only fated mates that there are records of are just pack wolves. There are no records of Alpha wolves, and definitely no Alpha female wolves. I mean hell, there’s only been a record of two other Alpha female wolves that I heard of before Cammie. As much as I hate to even suggest this because I love both of you.” Before Sam can even continue to say what, he was going to suggest Cammie stands up, shoving her chair back. “I refuse the mating bond.” She states as strong as her voice will allow her as she stares straight ahead at the wall. She then turns to me, looks me straight in the eyes and I see so much hurt, pain, and love at the same time my heart shatters. Her eyes have turned a cloudy gray color. “Mason, Alpha of the Gentry pack, I refuse the mating bond with you.” It feels as if a knife has been shoved into my gut.
CAMMIE
Everyone is arguing back and forth, and my mind and heart is going a mile a minute. I mean fated, why would God punish me like that, what did I ever do to Him? I listen to everyone and hear what they’re saying and some of it makes sense but as Mason keeps talking my anger rises. I’m a danger? I mean what the fuck? How can he look at me and see me as a weak, vulnerable thing? I can’t believe he thinks so little of me. I’m staring down at my hands as I try to think of something to say. I did a lot of research on mates and fated mates after they told me about them, I spoke to the oldest members of the pack and learned everything I could. I had a feeling that Mason was my mate, now I wasn’t thinking fated, not at all, but I was at least thinking mated so I wanted more information. I’ve also made some friends here and some are mated so they’ve filled me in. When I hear Sam talking I finally snap out of my thoughts and cut him off, “I refuse the mating bond.” I turn towards Mason, “Alpha of the Gentry pack, I refuse the mating bond with you.”
The room gets quiet and everyone looks at me like I’ve grown two heads, “um, Cammie I’m not an expert but I don’t think you can do that. It’s kinda something that stays with you. Especially a fated bond.” Cameron looks at me with a sad look on his face. I turn towards Mason and the look on his face almost kills me and makes me want to take back my words. I have to stand strong, so I stand a little taller and look him in the eye. “Cammie, what are you doing? You can’t do this. That is putting both of us at risk.” Mason starts and runs his hands through his hair. I shake my head, “No. I’ve studied all of the mating bonds, being fated is a serious bond. The full moon was two nights ago, we became fated mates last night, as long as we don’t actually mate before the next full moon the bond won’t be complete. The bands will fade, and we will go back to the way things were and you will be free to find another mate of your choice.” Mason looks at Sam to confirm, Sam is staring at me as I stare at him. Sam sighs, “she’s right, there is a way out of it and that’s the way. Cammie are you sure you want to do this? You do realize what the risk and consequences are of refusing a mate bond are right?” Sam looks at me with concern and worry in his eyes. I nod, aware of everything but I won’t be mated to someone who doesn’t want me. “I’m aware Sam, and I fully accept them.” I turn to Mason holding my head high and hope my voice is strong, “There you go Mason, problem solved, your pack is safe. You won’t have to worry about a weak vulnerable, girl there in your way. Have a nice life.” With that I walk out of the hall, I need to get out of here.
I don’t stop, I just keep going I jump into one of the trucks and head into the next town over. I know there’s a bar there and man, do I need a drink. My senses are going wild. I’ve been out around other people a couple times since I’ve been here but not that many times. I smell a couple of other wolves but can’t really pin point them or sort the humans from the wolves. I’m sitting at the bar working on my fourth shot and second beer when the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I look around but don’t see anything out of the ordinary so just decide to keep my eyes open. I realize that I’m not getting drunk and it sucks, my wolf burns liquor off to quick, well so much for drowning my misery. After about an hour of sitting by myself I’m ready to leave, I figure I’ve cooled down enough to home. I’m getting ready to leave when I hear my name being called and I’m swept into a big hug and surrounded in a familiar scent. “Oh my God, Cammie! Where have you been? I have looked everywhere for you. Do you know how worried I have been? You took off, didn’t take your phone, I haven’t heard anything since you left me that weird message weeks ago. I mean what the hell?” I’m shocked as I look up at Gage and wonder why he’s here, how he’s here? “Gage, what are you doing here?” He shakes his head, “I’m on my way back from my dad’s, I’ve been taking different routes since you left. I traced the call from the voicemail that you left me, it said you were down here. I mean what the hell Cammie? Why are you here?” I shake my head, “it’s a long story Gage, and I really don’t want to get into it right now. I’m tired and worn out, and just plain exhausted. Are you heading home tonight?” He shakes his head, “No, not now that I’ve found you. I want you to come with me. I’m not leaving without you and an explanation. Where
are you staying?” I start to squirm, that’s not something I can tell him. “I’m staying with some family, like I said it’s a really long story.” I’m about to say more when I feel more than see him enter the bar, my whole body goes on alert. I turn, and Mason has walked through the door, Cameron and Sam follow behind him. Our eyes lock, and I swear I hear him growl as his eyes break from mine and lock on Gage’s hand wrapped in mine. I swallow, oh boy this might not be good.
MASON
What the fuck?! Can she do that, can she refuse the mating bond? I literally just had my heart torn out. She turns to me her gray eyes showing so many emotions, but right now the biggest one is anger. “There you go Mason, problem solved, your pack is safe. You won’t have to worry about a weak vulnerable, girl there in your way. Have a nice life.” Then Cammie shoves past me and stomps out of the hall and doesn’t even look back. I drop down into my seat and can’t even comprehend what just happened. I look at Sam and he looks torn, and then it hits me, “What did you mean when you asked her if she understood the risk and consequences?” Sam shakes his head, “She’s looked into this and has spoken to quite a few elders about all the mating bonds, since she’s a new wolf she wanted to know everything she could. She also had a feeling that you were her mate, so she wanted to see how that worked. Guess she wasn’t counting on being fated with you.” I nod. Yeah, I wasn’t either, I also wasn’t planning on feeling like I was dying on the inside either. “Well, she learned that as long as the bond isn’t completed than it can be refused. No sexual intercourse for the course of one full moon cycle of when the mating bands appear, and you will be fine, the mate bond will cease to exist. Although, there will be a risk and consequences for the one who refuses the bond, and it’s a heavy penalty.” My heart races, what has Cammie done? Sam continues, “I tried to talk to her, but I guess she made her mind up. Then I guess listening to you two just now sealed the deal. If this bond is refused, she will never find a mate again. You, Mason will be able to mate again, Cammie will be forced to stay alone for the rest of her life. She may also risk the chance of never shifting again, as when a wolf loses a mate, he or she loses their wolf as well. Which means she could also lose her life, if she loses her wolf, she loses herself. Cammie was aware of this, yet she decided to do it anyway.” Cameron jumps up, “Oh hell no! Mason you fix this and fix it NOW! I will not lose my sister. This is not how this is supposed to turn out.” Cameron is pissed at me and I don’t blame him, there is no way that I can let Cammie do this. Because let’s face it, I want that woman more than anything in the world. Everything else be damned.
I’m in shock, I can’t believe that she would take that risk. Why would she put herself at risk like that, am I that bad that she would risk her life? I shake my head, no I’m not allowing her to do this. If I lose her it will kill me, I can feel it. I look up at Cameron and if looks could kill I’d already be dead. I’ve never seen him so mad. “Cameron, I’m not gonna let her go, it may seem like I don’t want her, but God help me I do. I just don’t want to see her hurt and I don’t know how to prevent that from happening.” He shakes his head, “Mason, she’s a big girl, you have to trust her and right now the only thing that matters is getting her back. So, go fix this now!” I nod because he’s right, I must go get my girl. Sam smiles and pats me on the back, “So, we’re getting the girl?” I laugh at how he sounds like a country song. “Yeah, let’s go get my girl.” We head outside to look for Cammie and after searching everywhere for her we can’t find her, I’m starting to freak out. “Where the hell did she go? We’ve looked everywhere, she’s not here.” I’m basically shouting at this point. Quinn is walking towards us and has overheard me and yells to us. “Hey, are you guys looking for Cammie?” I snap my head towards him a little defensive, wondering what he knows. “Yeah. You know where she is?” He nods. “Yeah, she came in a while ago, grabbed some keys, talking about how she needed to get out of here and away from assholes. I asked her if she was ok, she said yeah, that she just needed some space, so she was gonna go check out the bar in the next town over. I told her not to drink and drive and to call if she needed a ride.” Sam nods and shakes his hand, “thanks Quinn, appreciate it.” Quinn nods, “no problem, if ya’ll need any help give me a call.” I shake my head, she went to a fucking bar. What the fuck?
We get to the bar and before we walk in, I must stop and gather myself, so I take a couple of deep breaths. Our wolves don’t like crowded spaces, so bars aren’t really a great spot to hang out. I mean we come every now and then but don’t really stay long. This bar is a rough one, it’s known for a lot of fights and packs from all over hang out here. Sam, Cameron, and I are all worried about Cammie. She’s still new to her wolf, she’s learned a lot in her short time but she’s still not able to sniff out a wolf right off the bat, it takes her a while. She also can’t tell if she’s in trouble, if someone is a threat to her. So, her being here isn’t a good thing, she’s made herself a target, exactly what I was worried about. I walk in and can automatically feel her, my skin prickles, my eyes go straight to her and I hear myself growl. There’s a guy in the seat next to her and he’s holding her hand and leaning in towards her. All I hear in my head is my wolf screaming MINE and he’ going crazy wanting out. Cameron and Sam walk up behind me and Cameron slams into me because I’ve stopped in my tracks. “What the fuck dude?” Cameron starts asking and then follows my trail of sight and sees what I do. He places his hand on my shoulder, “easy man, you can’t flip out in a bar and kill the man. Let’s walk over there and see what’s going on, calmly.” I swallow and nod, my eyes haven’t left the two of them, it seems like people have cleared a path for us as we make our way towards the bar.
“Well, you two look awfully comfortable. We really hope we’re not interrupting anything.” Cameron plops down beside Gage. I didn’t realize who it was from across the room but as we got closer, I knew who it was. Gage turns to Cameron and narrows his eyes, “as a matter of fact you are. Please leave.” He growls out. Cameron laughs, I growl. “Yeah, not happening asshole. Now how about you move your hand before you no longer have it?” Cammie’s eyes are wide as she looks at me and Cameron, like she can’t believe that we’re here. She then looks at Sam like he’s gonna help, he just shrugs his shoulders. She’s pissed at this point, “who the hell do you two think you are? You have no right to come in here and act like this.” Cameron stands up and slings his arm around her shoulder. “Come on lil sis. I’m just trying to warn this asshole here that if he doesn’t back down, he’s gonna have to deal with me.” I growl, “and me.” Cammie looks at me and growls. I look at Gage and am ready to tear his head off, “Gage, why don’t you go find another female to try and pick up while you’re making your way though town? Because you’re not taking this one, she’s off limits.” He looks confused, “Cammie, how do you know Cameron and Mason?” He turns back to Cammie and asks her at the same time Cammie is asking us, “How do you guys know Gage?”
CAMMIE
“How do you guys know Gage?” I don’t know how everyone knows each other, and I really hate being out of the loop. “Cammie, how do you know Cameron and Mason?” Gage keeps asking me, he’s leaning around Mason now, since Mason is blocking his view of me. Fucking asshole. I roll my eyes and push Mason out of the way, “remember when I said it’s a long story? Well, Cameron is part of it, turns out that Sam is my dad and Cameron is my long, lost twin brother. I came out here a couple of weeks ago so I could get to know them.” I just shrug, I figured Gage didn’t need to know anymore than that. He shakes his head as he’s looking from Cameron to Mason, he then asks. “ok, and Mason, where does he fit into this story?” I swallow, “Mason is Cameron’s best friend, apparently he spends a lot of time with Cameron. He’s been around here and there. It’s kinda like having another brother around sometimes.” I bite the inside of my lip as I spit out my lies, hoping that it passes. Cameron laughs, Sam snorts, and Mason growls, yeah, that sure worked out great, I roll my eyes. “Ok, your questions have been
answered asshole, now mine.” Cameron jumps up and blocks off my view of Gage, so he has my full attention. “Cammie, how do you know Gage?” I look at him like he’s crazy, I mean I’ve told them all about him. “Gage is my best friend, Cameron. I’ve told all of you all about him. This is Gage.” I see Mason’s eyes go wide and his jaw clenches. Sam stands straight as an arrow, I’m on red alert now, something’s not right. Cameron leans in real close, “Cammie, was that his house that you were staying in when we picked you up? Just nod yes or no?” I look up at him confused but just nod anyways, he looks over to Sam, who has stepped up to us quick.
“Well it’s late, I think we need to be getting you home Cammie.” Sam looks at me as he puts his hand on my lower back and goes to move me out of the way. I look at him confused, he leans down into my ear, “trust me sweetheart, I will explain later but we need to go.” I sigh and decide to just accept it, “well I guess I have to go. Gage, are you heading home tonight? I will call you at your house in a couple of days.” Mason has a look on his face that could kill. Well, know what? Fuck him. Gage shakes his head, “no, I’m hanging around for a few days. Call my cell and we can meet up.” He moves to give me a hug, but Cameron and Mason stop him before he can even move two steps towards me. I shoot them both deadly glares before turning back to Gage, “ok, that sounds good. Night Gage.” I walk out with Sam slowly, I want to hear what Cameron and Mason have to say to Gage. I stop by the door and refuse to move no matter how much Sam tries as I listen to the guys. “You stay the fuck away from her, do you hear me mother fucker? If I find out that you come anywhere near her they will never find your body.” Mason is in Gage’s face. Gage is sitting there with a content look on his face. Cameron takes his turn next, “this is your only warning Gage, my sister is off limits. If I find out you try to pursue this you will regret it, and you know what I can do.” Gage laughs, “well, well, well, who knew that my best friend was such a wanted item? I mean I knew I had something special the whole time, but damn and your sister Cameron. I mean damn, that’s something. Oh, and you Mason, no female gets you worked up, so what does this mean?” Gage stands and takes the last drink of his beer, “boys this is far from over, I will see you soon.”