Page 11

Marissa

I woke up this morning to the sound of my cell phone ringing.

They had confiscated my old one when I was arrested at the pack house.

I managed to visit the nearest kiosk store and buy a new device.

During the brief time I was incarcerated, I contacted my attorney.

He's an on-again, off-again lover of mine. It’s him.

I slip out from underneath a sleeping Remington. Wrapping a sheet around myself, I gather my clothes from the floor and walk into the ensuite bathroom. "Hello?" I whisper.

Hey, Love. How are you this morning?" Bradley's sexy voice vibrates over the line.

"Bradley," I purr. "Do you have an update for me?" Sitting on the bathtub lip, I stretch and yawn.

"I do," he drawls. "I saw on the news that you escaped. "

Technically, I was broken out. The place had been blown apart, Bradley, and I wasn't about to hang around. It was too dangerous.

"Yeah, okay,” he scoffs at my flimsy alibi.

“Anyway, I spoke to the prosecutor's office, and they don't want to deal with your case.

They said it might set a precedent." He snickers.

"Reading between the lines, too many in power here in the city don't want their little playhouses messed up.

Technically, tampering with a mate bond is illegal.

However, you simply had consensual sex with a mated male. They dropped your case."

"You’re freaking kidding me?" I laugh. "That's great news!"

"The only thing you have to do is turn yourself in at headquarters," he advised. "I can meet you there so that you can be processed out."

"Bradley, you’re the best," I coo. “What then?”

Then we find a room and have a bite to eat at the motel next door," he promises.

Bradley, you’re a naughty boy," I taunt. "Sounds like fun. I will see you in about an hour."

"Make it 30 minutes. I’m anxious to see you again," he says thirstily into the phone, his voice tinged with lust .

I take a quick shower and get dressed. As I walk out of the bathroom, Remington is now awake. "Where are you going?" he leers at me, pulling the sheet back to invite me back into bed.

Remington is another pleasant diversion, but I need to deal with this matter and pay my attorney's fees. I giggle to myself. Getting back to Miles before he slips out of my control again is also a priority.

Oooh, babe. I’d love to, but I just found out that my case has been dropped. So, I need to go to headquarters to get processed out.

"That's great news," Remington presses. "We’re heading out to the country estate later this afternoon. You can join us then."

"I got your number. I’ll let you know how it goes." I pick up my cell phone to see that the Uber I called for is almost here. "See you later." I kiss his cheek. He swipes at me, but I dodge. "Later." I tease.

Miles

I feel like a creeper. Ever since Paisley returned, I can't seem to get her out of my mind. About a week has passed, and she’s back to work teaching. Alpha Stone moved her from my place to a secluded cabin in the woods. When not on duty, the mountainside overlooking her cabin becomes my refuge.

Watching her come home and prepare dinner, or clean her cabin, then sitting to grade papers or work on lesson plans, just like during the past year we lived together.

Right before I leave for perimeter checks with the enforcers, I see her curl up alone in bed, her shoulders shaking with sobs. I know she cries for me, her mate.

I miss her touch, her skin, her kisses, her warm body.

I need to be near her. But I broke her heart and trust in the worst way.

I can't even defend myself. Despite what I did to her and my guilt, I love Marissa too.

I always have. I don't know how to break my connection with Marissa.

I worry I might do it again if she gets out and comes back for me.

As Paisley lies down and turns off the light, I stalk closer to her cabin.

Just feet from her open window, I stop and lean against an old oak tree.

The need to be near her overpowers me. I inhale deeply, taking in her sweet scent of wildflowers and honey, now tinged with the salt of her tears.

She softly sobs into her pillow. She does this every night.

I’m powerless to ease her pain. I told Alpha I’d wait for her to come to me, but I don’t think that will happen.

Sighing, I straighten and head out to relieve Knight.

Knight

I think Paisley is my second chance mate, and I’m hers.

As soon as she spoke the words releasing her bond from Miles, I felt it in my chest. I’ve never heard of that happening before.

I admit, when she kissed me, before breaking her mate bond, I felt a tug towards her.

Not as strong as a mate bond pull, but a warmth, a longing.

Then, when she broke her bond with Miles and I walked into that room afterward, a tethering to her formed, similar to the feeling of a mate bond snapping into place, and I felt a connection to her.

I don’t know what it means, but I could tell she felt it, too.

I knew she had a tough week with Miles' drama, so I didn't press her for anything. She's overwhelmed, so I need to let her settle and process everything.

Paisley keeps to herself, doing her job and mainly staying in her cabin.

She only shows up occasionally at the pack house for meals.

Fortunately, Miles has left her alone for the most part, on the surface, but he’s stalking her, and I have to admit, I guess I am too.

I complete my shifts, and then Miles takes over.

It’s after I go to her cabin, drawn there by the pull to protect and keep her safe.

As I approach, I hear her wrenching sobs, and they cut through me. The enticing smell of wildflowers and honey wraps around me, almost too much to bear. I want to comfort her, fold her in my arms, and make all the hurt go away as only a mate can do.

Her bond with Miles may be broken, but when you love someone, it doesn't just end. If she lets me, I’ll do everything I can to heal her heart.

On the first night, after our kiss, I started watching over her.

That’s when I saw Miles walking away from her cabin.

I can smell when he’s been prowling around, and the scent is fresh every night.

I always spray myself with a scent neutralizer, so I don't trigger his territorial instincts or frighten Paisley.

All I can do is be patient, and I will be for her.

Paisley, a gentle and childlike she-wolf, is loved by everyone in the pack for her kindness and sweetness. Miles and Marissa have earned the pack's disgust because of how they mistreat Paisley, although they still have some support from a few drama-loving wolves.

I curl up under Paisley's open window to get as close to her as possible. I know that being near your mate is comforting. I want to be able to do that for her. Within a few minutes of my being there, her crying ceases, and she falls asleep.

That's when I rise and look into her window. Her soft blonde hair is spread across the pillows. A moonbeam shines directly on her beautiful face. I ache to caress her tear-streaked cheek and press a tender kiss on her sweet lips. As I take in her lovely face, I notice her eyes are open, and she’s gazing at me.

"Knight?"

“I'm sorry, Paisley. I-I didn't mean to scare you.”

“You didn't. I can sense when you're here," she says softly. "It feels good when you're around."

I place my hands on the window screen. “I'm glad, Paisley. It makes me happy to be close to you as well. I just didn't want to overwhelm you or cause you any pain or discomfort.”

"Will you hold me?" she pleads.

I nod quickly, feeling blessed that this tender-hearted female might be my mate.

Without hesitation, I remove the screen from her window and climb through.

After replacing the screen, I turn to Paisley and gather her onto my chest. Are these feelings I have when I hold her a sign of the mate bond?

My heart warms as she curves into me, resting her head on my chest, making these adorable little sounds.

She wraps her arms around my torso. Within minutes, I hear her soft snores.

Peppering her head with gentle kisses, I close my eyes and hum in contentment, knowing that at least tonight, I can soothe her pain. I want to make sure she’s always safe and happy.

In the stillness, as I lie next to her, I gently brush her hair away from her face, my heart overflowing. I whisper comforting words to her sleeping form, promising never to leave her side, through thick or thin. Knowing that I can bring her this kind of contentment and peace fills me with joy.