by Lola Gabriel
“I can say the same about you,” he answered huskily.
“I’m just me,” she shrugged dismissively. “I’m an only child; my father passed away a while ago. I am a chef; I was born on a full moon night, which is apparently a good sign for my life. I have an overprotective mother, and an even worse grandmother who thinks that she can dictate my life the way she wants.”
“That sounds terrible.”
“Tell me about it. I gave up smoking yesterday, and that’s why I’m here,” she explained.
“To feed off the second-hand smoke,” he stated.
“That’s it. How pathetic am I?”
“Well, let me give it a go,” he said, taking a deep breath. “I lost both my parents in a fire, my four younger brothers and I have not spoken to or seen one another for a long time. I quit a job that I loved because it was too dangerous for people close to me. I do have a crazy ex-girlfriend stalking my ass, so you were right about that. My two best friends expect me to be like them, hopping from one woman to the next, which I did. It just becomes lonely. I’ve been misunderstood my entire life, been treated like the villain so many times that I started to think that I was the villain.”
Her eyes softened, and she shook her head in disapproval. “Whoever told you that is an asshole and doesn't know you at all.”
Cole flashed her a smile, and she took his hand.
“I’m sorry about your parents, and that you had to quit your job, and about everything else,” she said softly. “But I don’t think you’re a bad guy.”
“You met me today. You can’t possibly know that,” he pointed out.
“I can see it in your eyes,” she answered. “Besides, I’m a great judge of character. It’s kind of a gift.”
“Is that why you were staring at my ass in the hardware store?” he smirked.
Her face paled slightly, and immediately flushed with embarrassment. She covered her face with her hands and burst out laughing. “I am so sorry about that. It’s just...”
“What?”
“You have a really great ass,” she cringed.
“Thank you,” he said and burst out laughing as well.
Asra let out a shriek, and with a frown, he watched as she slid her phone out of her pocket. “Oh, great,” she muttered. “Do you mind if I take this?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Thank you,” she smiled apologetically. “Grandmother.”
Cole chuckled as she turned away slightly and he could clearly hear her grandmother’s frantic voice on the other end of the line. Asra didn't really manage to get in a word, but when she finally turned back to him, she sighed and ran her free hand through her hair.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, that was my grandmother. She wants me to go there. There’s something she wants to talk about,” Asra said as she took a bill out of her wallet and placed it on the bar counter.
“Now?” he asked, and she nodded. “Is it really that urgent?”
“It is, actually. I’m so sorry. This was great, but I really have to go,” she answered apologetically and slid off the barstool.
“Can I give you my number?” he asked with a frown.
“Yes, that would be amazing. I would love to see you again,” she said with a nod and handed her phone to him.
To say that he was elated as he punched his number into her phone was the understatement of the century and as he handed it back to her, she smiled at him, which sent all his senses into overdrive.
“You know, Asra,” he said before she could say or do anything else, “they can only dictate your life as long as you allow them to.”
“You obviously don’t know them at all,” she chuckled. “I’ll see you.”
He watched as she reluctantly turned away, quickly leaving the bar. Turning back in his seat, he rested his elbows on the counter.
For some strange reason, he wished he could take out his phone and call his own mother. He wanted to tell her that he had found the woman he was meant to spend the rest of his existence with. He wanted to describe to her the magnitude of emotions which flowed inside him, and a deep longing for his mother surfaced.
As the eldest, he had gotten undivided attention when he was young, and had enjoyed being the only child for a while. He definitely didn't resent his parents having more children; he just wished that they took the time to get to know him. His brothers had a misconception of Cole, and that was probably the thing which stung the most. The memories he had of his brothers were mostly good, but usually, when the going got tough, they blamed Cole.
He recalled a very vivid memory he had in the winter of 1843, when his family lived in their home in Silverthorne, Minnesota. Cole had come across an abandoned cabin in the woods which belonged to a Crescent who he had killed, as it was incredibly close to their family home in the woods. He didn’t want anyone to find out about it, and the only person he told about it was his father, Luther. He and Luther were very close, and as the eldest, Cole spent a lot of time with Luther, who explained the role of the eldest and how important it was for him to learn the ways of the Alpha. Luther had every intention of making him the Alpha, and the only time Cole ever felt worthy was when he was alone with his father in his study.
He recalled the fear he felt every time he stepped foot inside the cabin, as it was the only place that he’d return to after killing a Crescent. He believed the other members of the pack would come looking for their pack member, only to find a Wylde seeking refuge there.
The other reason why Cole didn't want to tell his brothers about the cabin was that there was Crescent currency, a lot of it, in fact, stashed inside the cabin. Cole was well aware of his brothers’ opinions of him and he didn't want them to think that he was consorting with the Crescents, or had anything to do with them.
Upon further investigation of the contents inside the shed, he found documents belonging to the Crescent he had killed. It was a man named Seth Duncan, son of the Crescent Alpha, and even though he knew that his father would forgive his actions and protect him if any Crescent were to come after him, his brothers would be less forgiving. One afternoon when Cole had arrived home, he and Luther sat down in his study to discuss the possibility of approaching the Crescents with the currency, but was rudely interrupted by Kodiak, who banged on the study door before bursting into the office, accusing Cole of working with the Crescents and putting their lives and the lives of their pack in danger. Kodiak, who had been the emotional brother, much like their mother, was prone to outbursts like that, but the final nail in the coffin to Cole was the fact that Kodiak threw the Crescent coins at him. He still recalled the shocked and disappointed expression on his mother’s face, and Kodiak’s flaring nostrils. Shortly after, they packed their belongings and moved away to North Dakota to start a new life, running away once again.
Cole knew his brothers blamed him for that, but if they only knew the truth of the situation, they wouldn't have. But Cole knew better than to try to make them understand what his intentions were.
Always honorable, but never acknowledged.
Misunderstood.
But talking to Asra had been better than he had anticipated. He finally started to feel like less of a villain when he was with her. He just hoped she would call him, because he already felt that she was gone for too long.
Cole stared at the empty glass in front of him for a few seconds and finally slid off the barstool. He placed a bill on the counter, and as the bartender approached him, Cole said, “Thanks, dude. Keep the change,” before walking out of the bar.
Back to reality.
The sun was about to set when Cole stepped outside and climbed on his motorcycle. Kissing Asra had still been on his mind when he arrived home, but the euphoric feeling was short-lived when he noticed a red Volvo parked on the side of the road.
“Oh, shit,” he muttered as he drove past his house. He followed the road, which led to another entrance to his property, hoping to not be spotted by the occupant
of the red car, but as he drove up the grassy path, he noticed her standing inside the house, talking with Orin.
She had found him.
“Shit,” he muttered under his breath.
Knowing there was no way out of this, he parked his motorcycle on the grass and climbed off.
He walked to the back door, opened it and stepped inside.
As Cole approached them, Orin turned to him and shrugged a shoulder apologetically.
“Hey, Orin,” Cole greeted him tightly. “Alora.”
“Cole,” Alora said, her tone brittle, and crossed her arms.
“I take it you two want some privacy,” Orin said uncomfortably and stepped away.
“Thanks, Orin,” Alora said and waited until Orin left before she said anything.
“Where have you been lately, Cole?” she asked.
“Been living my life,” he answered vaguely.
“I can see that.”
“What are you doing here?” he asked impatiently.
“I haven't seen you in over two weeks, and you’re as nonchalant about it as you always are,” she pointed out and flicked her long blonde hair over her shoulder.
“That doesn't answer my question, Alora.”
“Are you serious right now?” she asked with exasperation in her shrill voice.
“What the hell do you want me to say? I’ve already told you that I don't want to see you anymore, or ever. What didn't you understand about that?” he asked.
“You and I were good together, Cole. Come on. Can’t we just try again?” she asked with a pout and sidled up to him. She touched his shoulder and whispered, “I’ll do that thing you like so much.”
Cole backed away from her and shook his head. “I never liked it.”
“I have a video that proves otherwise,” Alora said, arching an eyebrow.
“I told you to delete that thing,” he grumbled.
“Like you deleted me out of your life?” she asked.
“Could you just stop, please?” Cole sighed and ran his fingers irately through his hair. “I am not in the mood for this, or for you, ever again. I am done with everything. Especially you.”
“You don't mean that,” she countered.
“Like hell I do. You’re overbearing, incredibly controlling, off the charts jealous, batshit crazy and all the things I don’t want,” he responded. “So just leave, please.”
“There’s someone else, isn't there?” she demanded.
“I’m not even going to answer that question,” he muttered and turned away.
“I saw you with her, the woman with the long brown hair. She drives a blue Toyota, right?”
Cole whirled around and approached Alora with a growl. “You stay the hell away from her.”
Alora laughed with amusement and held her hands in the air. “Wow, relax. I just saw you at the bar. I’m not going to do anything to her.”
“You better not.”
“What’s she to you?”
Cole glared at her, compressing his lips into a thin line.
Alora’s shoulders drooped slightly, and her eyes turned sad. “You imprinted on her, didn't you?”
“I did.”
“Wow,” she breathed. “She’s a lucky woman.”
“Alora, look. I’m sorry, but you and I both know that we were never a good fit to start off with,” he explained.
“You don’t have to spell it out. It wasn't your choice to imprint on her. It’s the way it’s supposed to be, and even though it hurts like a bitch, I’m happy for you,” she said.
Cole frowned and studied her apprehensively. He didn't trust the words coming from her mouth, but her eyes seemed sincere, which confused him.
He had considered Alora to be a crazy and possessive woman, and he had known her for a long time. For the first time since he’d known her, she was acting normally.
“You look confused, Cole,” she observed.
“I am. I was expecting you to freak out like you usually do,” he admitted.
“Well, normally I would, because that’s just the way I am, but imprinting is serious. It’s a special thing given to us by Mother Nature herself, and there is absolutely no greater thing in life than finding the one person who you’re destined to spend the rest of your life with. Honestly, I am a bit saddened, because I’d hoped you would have been mine, but nature knows best. I probably would have driven you crazy by the first year.”
“Probably,” Cole scoffed. “Thank you for understanding, Alora. Your reaction really surprised me, and I appreciate it. I also hope that you get to experience what I feel right now very soon.”
“Let’s just hope he’s as crazy as I am,” she chuckled, “although judging by your facial expression, I doubt any other person can compare to my level of crazy.”
Cole smiled at her apologetically, more than a little relieved.
“Anyway,” she mumbled. “I better go.”
Cole watched as Alora turned away and he walked with her to the front door. He opened the door for her, and she stepped outside.
“You’re a good guy, Cole, and you’re lucky to have found her. I hope you’ll finally be happy now,” she said before kissing him on the cheek and heading out the door.
Cole stood silently in the doorway and watched as she walked to her car, climbed inside and drove away.
As he closed the door and turned around, he saw Orin watching him with a surprised look on his face.
“What the hell was that?” Orin asked.
“You heard it all,” Cole pointed out and walked past Orin to the kitchen.
“I know, but I almost couldn't believe it,” Orin said. “Do you think she’s ill or something?”
“I doubt it. She smelled fine to me.”
“Why would she say all that, Cole? Ten minutes ago she was still completely obsessed with you,” Orin said, clearly bewildered.
“I don’t know. I guess my imprinting on Asra draws a line in the sand for her, and she knows that we’re not meant to be together as she had hoped,” Cole stated.
“That’s very mature of her,” Orin muttered.
“It’s almost too good to be true.”
The front door burst open, and Cole and Orin turned abruptly in its direction. Mash stood in the doorway with a panicked look on his face.
“Crescents at Broken Top,” Mash said, “and they’re asking for you, Cole.”
“What? Why?” Cole asked.
“I don’t know. They wouldn't tell me, but I’m guessing it has something to do with your father,” Mash answered.
Cole’s jaw clenched, and he nodded slowly. “Let’s go, then. You and Mash keep a safe distance, but if you feel or sense any change in their demeanor, you’re welcome to rip them to shreds.”
Orin and Mash exchanged satisfied smiles, and soon Cole and his two Betas were heading out the door to meet the two Crescent wolves on top of Broken Top Peak.
The air was cool, and there was still snow on the peak as Cole glanced back at Orin and Mash standing on guard behind him. Cole walked to where he noticed the two Crescents standing in the snow close to a large rock formation which towered out behind them. They looked vaguely familiar, but their scent was as distinct as any Crescent’s was. They were dressed much more casually than Cole was used to seeing. Their jeans were faded, hanging off their snow boots, and their puffy windbreaker jackets made them look much larger than Cole anticipated they were.
“You requested to speak with me,” Cole said as he approached them, but still keeping a fair distance between them. The Crescents were notorious for not being trustworthy, and Cole knew that from first-hand experience.
“I’m DeGraw,” the taller one of the two said and motioned to his buddy beside him, “and this is Laswell.”
Laswell nodded without so much as a word and Cole reciprocated the gesture.
“What is this about?” Cole asked. “I have better things to do than standing around all day in the snow waiting for you to start talking.”
“You’re mouthy, just like your mother,” DeGraw said, and Cole’s eyes blazed.
Instead of ripping them to shreds right there, he refrained from doing so, as he knew their Alpha would send more subordinates to either give them the message, or to kill him. Cole had been known to lack self-control, especially when it came to the Crescents, which was completely justified. Their family had been hunted down by the Crescents ever since Cole could remember, and frankly, he was sick of running from them.
“The truth is, Cole, we weren't always Crescents,” Laswell said.
“What? Then why are you here?” Cole asked, shifting his weight.
“We knew your father,” DeGraw answered.
“That doesn't make you special at all,” Cole muttered. “A lot of people did.”
“Not like we did, Cole,” DeGraw said.
Cole was perplexed by the two men standing in front of him. He had never seen them before in his life, and was quite surprised that they weren't in fact Crescents, as they reeked of the distinct Crescent scent.
“Who are you?” Cole asked again, growing impatient with these two.
“Your father entrusted us with something, something very important. Something he wanted to give to you when you were appointed as the Alpha of his pack in Minnesota,” Laswell said and held out a wooden box to him.
“What is it?”
“Just open it, preferably after we’ve left. You’ll know exactly what it is,” DeGraw said.
“Why would he give this to you? Who are you to him?”
“We were his Betas, before he decided to let us go,” Laswell explained. “And we’re your mother’s brothers.”
Cole’s eyes widened, and he took a step backward. “You’re my uncles.”
“Yeah, we are.”
“Why now? Why are you only giving this to me now?” Cole asked and glanced down at the carved wooden box in his hands.
“Because you imprinted, Cole, and we promised your father, and your mother, that we’d give this to you when that day came,” Laswell answered.
“They knew they weren't going to be around when it did happen?” Cole asked and looked at them. “They knew they were going to die in that fire?”