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“Are you sure you don’t need anything? I could send another one of our pack members to guide you back to your territory.” Malvina smiled reassuringly.

Rowan shook his head. ‘We’re fine. We can find our way back on our own.”

The pack alpha nodded and Rowan shifted, joining the rest of us at the edge of the clearing. Malvina waved to us one more time before we sprinted off into the forest.

I loved being in wolf form with Rowan. I loved the connection we shared. I could see the things his mind pictured and he could see mine. We shared a special bond. I jumped over a log and waited for the pups to do the same before re-joining Rowan.

He looked a little unfocused, as if he were worrying about something.

I relaxed letting my mind slip into his. If there was anything that I could do to stop him from being upset, I would want to know if I could do it. I could see the world through Rowan’s eyes. I could hear his heartbeat and I could smell what he smelt. I was right; Rowan was distracted. It was something to do with the talk that he and Malvina had shared; the talk that he had said shouldn’t concern me.

His mind kept flashing back to moments in the conversation, in which Malvina explained to him about treaties, and that she would love to ally with the Silver Talon pack.

“Of course,” Rowan said, nodding his head.

Malvina smiled. “Of course you and I would like to receive an extra benefit, so here is my idea.” The woman tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and exhaled. “It may be a bit pushy of me, but I would like you to marry my daughter, Khione. She told me that you were very kind to her when she stayed with you, and I would be very happy to know that she has a husband as strong and caring as I know you are.”

My mate didn’t say anything. Before he opened his mouth, I pulled out

I shook my head, waiting to see if I would wake up and this would just be a terrible dream. But perhaps he rejected the offer, telling Malvina that he already had a mate. Maybe he even told her that I was his mate and that he had no interest in she-wolves. I had to check. I had to know that he had said ‘no’.

Malvina’s smile grew wider as she clasped Rowan’s hand. “That’s fantastic!” she cried in excitement. “Oh, the whole pack will have to prepare!” She looked him straight in the eyes. “I will send you details,” she promised, letting go of the strong hold Rowan’s hand was in. “I congratulate you and hope your life will be fulfilled.”

My heart sank. That was something you would normally say to an engaged couple. He hadn’t rejected the offer at all. Doubt filled my mind as I thought back to enjoyable moments in our relationship. To me, it had seemed as though we would be together forever. But was it all a lie? Was Rowan really and truly only straight?

Perhaps it was my fault. After all, I was the one who had forced this mate concept onto him. For all I knew, he could be playing along out of pity, or, even worse, just playing.

It struck me that I knew next to nothing about Rowan. I knew that he had played football in high school, but it was Issy who had told me that, not Rowan. I knew that he had a brother and a sister, but was that all? He could have more siblings that I didn’t know about. Heck, I could have met his siblings and not even known!

I sighed. I had to wait until we arrived back home. I could confront him about it then.

~~~*~~~

“Goodnight, guys,” I whispered, closing the door to the kids’ bedroom. I slowly made my way down stairs. I had to talk to Rowan. I had to have my answers.

Rowan was half lying and half sitting on the couch. His eyes were closed and his breathing was steady; obvious signs of sleep.

I bit my lip. I couldn’t do it. There was no way that my mate could betray me like that. I didn’t want to wake him up just to stress him out. Rowan was busy enough as it was, and, with this trip to Alaska, he would have been exhausted. I grabbed a blanket and draped it over him, keeping him warm while he slept. I would wait. I would wait until Rowan wasn’t both physically and mentally exhausted.

~~~*~~~

School was a blur. I spent most of the time worrying about Rowan and me. When I wasn’t stressed about that, I was busy wondering whether or not our entire relationship was a lie.

I didn’t notice when Issy had appeared next to me, but she spoke, scaring me out of my daze. “JJ, why do you look so depressed?” she asked.

Shaking my head, I looked down. “I’m not depressed,” I said, not wanting to speak, for fear that I would break down if I talked any more.

Her arms wrapped around me in a hug. “Will you talk to me at lunch?” she asked and I nodded. “Great,” she smiled and tousled my hair. “I’ll see you then,” she said.

Lunch came quickly. Issy and I had found a private spot outside on the grass to chat.

“Okay, JJ; what’s wrong?”

I had no idea where to begin, so I started with Khione. I told Issy about the fact that she had answers to the questions I had about my heritage. I continued on about the pack in Alaska, and Malvina, until I finally got to the conversation she and Rowan had had together.

Issy frowned. “JJ,” she said, as if she could think of nothing else to say. We sat quietly for a minute before she sat up straighter and stretched out her hand. “Hand me your phone.”

My eyebrows knitted together as I obliged, taking the phone from my pocket and dropping it into her hand.

The girl slid the phone open and began furiously mashing the buttons. When she was done, Issy  handed the phone back to me.

“What did you just do?” I asked, going to the phone’s history.

hi bb. this is issy. jj wil b stayin wit me 4 3 days. have fun. <3

I frowned. “Your grammar is horrible.”

“Whatever,” Issy said, rolling her eyes.

“What will happen with the kids?”

Issy hugged me. “That’s another reason for Rowan to realise that he needs you.” She smiled. “So, I hope you’re willing to ditch school tomorrow, ‘cause you’re spending the weekend with moi.”

I laughed and looked down at my hands. “Thank you,” I said softly.

She laughed. “No problem. So, tonight, we’re going to have an amazing night in, and you’re going to forget all about your boyfriend for now and relax.” She ordered.

~~~*~~~

Issy giggled when I came down the stairs dressed in a large t-shirt her older brother had left here before he went to college.

I laughed as well, turning around to show her the entire look.

“Are you wearing anything under that?” Issy asked, curiously lifting up the hem of the shirt. There was no doubt that her brother was a pretty big guy.

Blushing I swatted her hand away. “Underwear, of course,” I hissed. I was covered, but I didn’t want her seeing the light blue boxer-briefs I was wearing underneath the green t-shirt. I looked up, and noticed she was staring at me. “What are you looking at?” I asked.

“Your eyes,” she said simply, causing me to become extremely self-conscious. “I like the colour.”

I smiled. “Thanks,” I said as I sat down on the couch in front of the television and grabbed a handful of the popcorn that had just been made.

Issy sat next to me. “I hope you don’t mind, but I invited someone over here. I think they might help.

My eyebrows furrowed and, as if on cue, the doorbell rang.

The girl stood up and went to answer the door. From the living room, I couldn’t hear what they were saying, nor could I tell who it was. But, when the two of them walked through the entrance, I instantly knew what Issy’s plan was.

“Hey, Jay,” River said, his green eyes glistening under the artificial lighting. “Your friend told me you’d run into some problems with your mate… again,” he added.

I sighed and looked at the ground, nodding as I reached for more popcorn.

“I told him I didn’t know the full details,” Issy explained. “I was going to let you explain.”

Nodding, I thanked her. Issy excused herself to her own room, leaving River and I alone. I gingerly patted the seat beside me, signalling for him to sit down next to me. “You’re not the only one who deserves answers, you know.” I laughed humourlessly.

River sat down, smiling sadly. “You want to know more about Ruby and I, right?”

“Yeah,” I said and apologised.

“Don’t feel sorry,” River said. “It’s my fault for not telling you. But hey, we hand only known each other for two minutes.”

I felt my face grow red. He was right. I had no business asking about his personal life. “I’m sorry,” I said yet again.

“There you go with the ‘sorry’ again. You haven’t done anything wrong.”

The room was silent. My whole life had been filled with me apologising. Even if I didn’t do anything wrong, an apology would mostly get me out of unnecessary trouble.

“I’ll go first, then,” River said, causing me to look up. “Ruby and I met when we were thirteen.” He laughed. “It was love at first sight, and I spent the next two years trying to get her to like me back. Of course, she was just playing hard to get, but there were times when I doubted that she would ever like me back.” River nudged me for emphasis. “When we were sixteen, I got her pregnant and she got sick.” He grew quieter and I knew what happened next.

“You don’t have to finish,” I said. “I know.” I smiled gave him a short hug. “Rowan’s getting married,” I said.

River smiled. “That’s great! When is your ceremony? Am I invited?” he asked.

I shook my head and my bottom lip began to tremble. “He’s not engaged to me,” I explained, trying as hard as I could not to sob loudly.

His smile fell and he wrapped his arms around me. “You poor thing,” he whispered, letting me rest my head on his shoulder.

“River?”

“What is it?” he replied softly.

“I don’t want to seem rude, but I’m a little uncomfortable being this close to you,” I said awkwardly, trying to choose my words carefully.

River chuckled ad let me go. “Sorry,” he said.

I shook my head. “Don’t worry,” I smiled. “I-it’s just…”

“Yeah, I know.”

An awkward silence filled the room and I stood up, dusting popcorn crumbs off of the t-shirt. “Was this all you came for?” I asked, sounding a little ruder than I had meant to.

River stood as well, looking at my attire before nodding. “Sorry to take up your time,” he said.

I shook my head. “No, I needed someone to talk to.” I laughed. “It seems I’m always using you in situations like this.”

He laughed too. ‘About that whole relationship thing we had going on –”

“Forget it,” I said quickly.

River smiled, heading for the door. “I was about to say the exact same thing.”

As soon as the door closed, Issy came running down the stairs. “You and River dated?” she asked incredulously.

My eyes widened. “You were listening in on our conversation?”

“Of course I was,” she said defensively. “Who do you think I am?”

I laughed and followed her upstairs.

“You can take my brother’s room,” she said. “He said he wouldn’t be back until summer.”

I nodded. “Thanks for all of this,” I said. “You’re a wonderful friend.”

Issy shook her head and waved the compliment off. “Please,” she said. “You’re making me blush.” A light dust of pink was evident on her cheeks.

“By the way, where are your parents?” I asked.

The girl grinned. “They’re on a business trip together and won’t be back until next Tuesday. I’m sure you know what that means.”

I gulped. “Are you having a wild and crazy party?”

“Pssh no,” she snorted. “It means you can stay and know that no one will question why you’re here.” A short laugh escaped my mouth and Issy smiled. “Finally, you seem happier.”

I stuck my tongue out at her, smiling and laughing as I did.

Issy grinned as well. “Aww, you look so cute when you’re being flirty and weird!” she cooed, wrapping her arm around my neck and pulling my head down and ruffling my hair.

“Oww,” I whined, fighting her off.

She finally let go and slapped my butt. “Go to bed,” she grinned. “You and I are going out tomorrow.”

I nodded, making my way to the household’s spare bedroom. “Good night, Issy,” I called as I shut the door. I flopped onto the bed and snuggled under the sheets and heaved a sigh. I missed Rowan. I hated the fact that I couldn’t smell his scent, and that he wasn’t here, lying beside me. I rolled over and closed my eyes. The whole reason I was staying with Issy was to forget him for a while. But was it really possible to forget your mate?

~~~*~~~

Rowan’s hand rested on my waist, his hot breath on my neck. I giggled and shifted on the mattress as his hand trailed lower down my hip and to my thigh.

My eyes shot open and I let out a disappointed sigh. It was just a dream. The clock on the nightstand said that it was just after two in the morning: nowhere near the time to wake up. I shifted my leg, feeling the hand slide back up my thigh, and froze. Someone was in my room. Someone was in my bed. I inhaled deeply, trying to detect who it was. The scent was familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it.

I couldn’t bare the nagging feeling. I slowly rolled over, trying to see who was lying next to me without being noticed.

Red eyes stared back at me as the intruder smiled and placed his hand over my mouth. “Good morning, Runt.”

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