“Kate, I was just about to mindlink you.” I pull her in for a tight hug.
“What’s going on?” She nervously asks as she looks around.
“We’re leaving to go help another pack from a rogue attack.” I look her in the eyes.
“But… Kelsey’s wedding.” She is nervous and breathing heavily.
“We’ll be back in time. Trust me. Kate, I love you.” I kiss her tenderly and turn, leaving her standing in the same spot. I keep walking, despite wanting to turn around and pull her into my arms. If I don’t keep walking, I may not leave here, and I’m sure Alpha will lock me in the dungeon and give me daily lashings.
My chest tightens as I load into the SUV with Zane and Kelsey. I know that I’m feeling her sadness and anxiety as well as my own. As we pull away, I see her standing in the packhouse’s doorway with tears in her eyes and my heart sinks to the pit of my stomach. I hate leaving her.
“Bro, the first time leaving them behind is always the hardest.” Zane pats my shoulder.
“The girls will take care of her,” Kelsey adds.
“Yeah, this sucks.” I press my head against the glass and look out the window. I need to get ahold of my emotions before we battle, or mistakes will be made. “Let’s fucking make this quick. I have someone I need to get home to.” I watch the world out my window as we zoom by at top speeds.
Kate
Stunned and with tears rolling down my face, I watch as Ian’s SUV leaves. As they pass, I see the pain in his eyes. I’m honestly not too sure what just happened or where they’re going. I just know they’re going to help another pack. Does that mean he just left for battle? What if he doesn’t come home? I just decided to give him a chance and now he may not come back at all.What the hell?
“Hey,” Rebeka wraps her arm around my shoulder. “The first time is the hardest. He’ll… they’ll be ok.”
“It was all so fast,” I whisper through tears.
“Yeah, it happens like that sometimes.” Sonia stands in front of me, rubbing my arms.
“How do you handle it so well?” I ask, holding my chest.
“First, we rid our mind of all nervous energy. They can feel our feelings.” Sonia replies.
“Then we drink margaritas, watch chick flicks, and eat junk.” Rebeka laughs.
Sonja and I spend the night locked away with Rebeka in her and Zane’s family suite on the sixth floor. We spend the evening eating nachos, drinking margaritas, and watching our favorite chick flicks. At about two a.m. we sneak past Rebeka’s sleeping twins and down to the kitchen looking for some peach ice cream that Chef Marcie put aside for us. We laugh and talk, and most importantly, we try not to think about the guys and their mission.
Since my dad is Gamma and needs to be closest to the warriors, I wasn’t raised in the packhouse, so I’m unfamiliar with the family suites and who lives here on the sixth floor. It’s basically a small two-bedroom apartment with a small kitchen, dining area, and living room. Kelsey and Sonia’s suite is on the left and Ian’s suite is on the right. Sonia tells me that all three suites are identical, and when I decide to move forward with Ian that we’ll be neighbors. As excited as I am about being close to these two wonderful she-wolves, I still have my reservations about Ian and my future. This jumping and running off to battle doesn’t sit well with me at all.
“I was thinking of calling Ian to see how it’s going.” I pick up my phone.
“NO!” Rebeka shouts as Sonia snatches it from my hands. “We aren’t allowed to contact them while they’re on the battlefield.”
“You both are ok with not being able to contact them? That seems like a strange rule.” I look between the two of them, bewildered.
“They need full concentration and no distractions from us.” Sonia says with certainty while nodding her head.
“Their phones could give away their position as well. It could get them ki…” Rebeka looks down without finishing her sentence. I can tell from the look on both of their faces the possibilities of their mates not coming home is something they don’t speak about.
“I understand.” I lie, because I don’t really understand fully. I don’t remember my mom not being able to contact my dad while he was away on a mission. Why can’t I remember a detail like that? I’ve either been away from pack life too long or maybe it’s my lack of trust with Ian… I’m just not sure. “Can I have my phone back, please?” I hold my hand out.
“Promise me you won’t call Ian. They will contact us when they can.” Rebeka says in an authoritative tone that I’ve never heard from her before.
“I promise.” I gulp and take a deep breath. Rebeka and Sonia exchange a look, then my phone is placed in my hand. “Thank you for trusting me.” I smile at them both.
Ian has been gone for twenty-four hours now, and I haven’t heard a word from him. I’m not too sure how I feel about it. Part of me is wondering if he is off with one of his many bimbos, the other part of me worries about his safety. I’m not a fighter, which is the complete opposite of Ian. You’d think being the daughter of the Gamma and being raised near warriors I’d be a fighter, but the truth is, it all makes me sick to my stomach. Plus, I’m my dad’s princess. Between him and my brother, I’ve never been worried about my safety.
Today I’m running last-minute wedding errands with Rebeka, Sonia, and Sonia’s three sisters. I’m really just going through the motions, because my heart is not into this today. I woke up late and missed my parents before they left for the day. Mom, Luna, and Ian’s mom have their own day of wedding preps to take care of. Today, of all days, I really need to talk to my mom. I check my phone for the five hundredth time… still no Ian.
“Have you two heard from the guys?” I look at my phone again.