Tate

The last couple of days of my trip had been slow. I couldn't wait to get home, to see Ally. She was the only thing that had been on my mind. As our flight got closer and closer to home, I became more and more anxious, ready to be there already. To wrap my arms around her, to smack her intoxicating scent of apples and cinnamon, then I would truly know that I was home.

Once our flight landed, I rushed off the plane as quickly as I could and ran as quickly as I could to claim baggage. Unfortunately, the baggage claim was not going as quickly as I knew it would and 10 minutes later, I was still waiting for them to release the luggage. Which gave my father time to catch up to me, "What's your ass on fire?" he said gruffly.

Shaking my head, I answered, "Ready to be home." As flatly as I could.

"Doesn't have anything to do with a curly haired girl, does it?" He questioned.

Knowing how my father was, it didn't really surprise me that he knew about Ally. However, I really didn't want to know him, especially that she was my mate, at least not until I was ready. So again, I flatly replied to him, "No."

Setting his eyes on me, in his true Alpha way, he said, "Are you sure about that? You know lying to your father is unacceptable, lying to your Alpha is worse. "

Feeling the intensity of his gaze, I finally caved. Even with being future Alpha I still didn't have the ability to resist answering, "Fine." You grumbled. "Yes, yes. I want to get home because of a certain curly haired girl. " I slumped my shoulders in defeat.

My father had an amused look come across his face, "So she is your mate?" He asked, but I knew by the way he said it was more of a statement than a question. I just nodded my head. My father just nodded his head and stalked off to the luggage carousel, where our bags were now making their way around for us to pick up.

As we made our way out to my father's car we settled into an uncomfortable silence. I could tell that there was more he had to say, why he was waiting made little sense to me. Unless, he was trying to make me squirm, which he was doing a good job of. Our previous exchange, coupled with my need to see Ally, and the impending doom of the car ride had my anxiety at an all time high, meaning my wolf was also on edge.

I could feel Knox thumping against my restraints, "I need to run! I need to run! Need to see mate! "

"Calm down, Knox!" I scolded him. "We will be home soon and then we will go to Ally."

"Need Ally now. Run! Run to here! "

I knew that if anyone were to look into my eyes, they would be able to see me struggling to control my wolf. I can only imagine that my eyes are changing color rapidly from their usual emerald green to black, hitting every shade of green in between as I tried to reign Knox in. My father spoke snapping me from my internal battle, "Control your wolf boy."

It was just enough to give me something else to focus on, "Don't you think I'm trying?" I snapped. Instantly regretting my tone.

"Don't speak to me like that! Not only and I am your father, I am your Alpha and I will NOT have you speaking in that tone to me. Now control yourself, there are humans around. " My father spits at me, growling so low that only those close to or with enhanced hearing abilities would be able to hear him.

Dropping my head in submission I responded, "Sorry father, forgive me. I am trying to control my wolf. "

When we reached the car, my father popped the trunk and we loaded our bags. That's when he finally responded, "As a future Alpha there are certain things that are expected of you. First, is knowing how to control your wolf. The pack depends on you to be level and just in your actions, responding with the appropriate reason in all situations. " Great! I was getting the Alpha scolding again, thanks Knox. We both walked to the car and opened the doors climbing into the front seat.

Once he started the car he continued, "Second, having a Luna that will bring order and balance to the pack, that will provide good strong pups for your legacy to continue." My father and Beta Adam's had it planned from the time that Kimber and I were young that she would be my Luna, of course they just assumed we would be mates, especially since we had dated for so long, but I was hoping beyond hope that now that I found my true mate that my father, Beta Adam's and Kimber would let go of this notion.

"I know father. My Luna is strong, resilient, and all around an amazing person. I know the pack will love her. " I responded to him.

My father seemed to think a few minutes before he continued with what he was saying, like he was almost torn, "Kimber is a good she-wolf, she is from a strong bloodline."

"Yes, she is." I agreed. "My Luna is so much more than a good bloodline Dad. She ... "

He cut me off before I could continue raising his hand, "Let me be clear," he started, "Kimber is the future Luna. If you think for a second that I will allow you to accept anyone else, you are mistaken. Kimber was raised to be a Luna. "

"But she isn't my mate." I said, almost disbelieving what I was hearing him say.

"The mate bond is a strong force, but that does not dictate that that is the person you need to be with. As a future Alpha you must choose to make the decision that is in the best interest of your pack. Do you understand? "

"So, you want me to choose Kimber?"

"I want you to make the best choice for the pack." I knew my father was too smart to answer that question out right, that he would skirt around the answer, leaving me to read between the lines of what he was saying. Although he did not tell me to choose Kimber, he was telling me to choose Kimber.

After my father was done speaking, leaving me to stew in his words and with the frustration that I was feeling.

"He wants us to be with someone who is not our mate." Knox chimed in, finally having settled a bit that we were now on our way to the pack lands.

" I know." I snapped at Knox. " I will fix this. I want Ally! " I said changing my tone. I really shouldn't snap at Knox, he is only a wolf who wants his mate.

A few minutes later we hit our territory lines. I could feel the excitement building in my system. The closer I got to home, the closer I was to Ally. As we pulled up to the Pack House, I could feel this gnawing in the pit of my stomach, something felt off. Ignoring it I climbed out of the car, walking to the trunk to gather my bag. Whatever was wrong was going to have to wait. As soon as I showered, I was going to find Ally.

My father popped the trunk and I grabbed my luggage, my father rolled down the window, "I am going home. Your mother is going to expect you for dinner tomorrow night. Good night, son. "

"Good night, father." I replied, turning my back and walking into the pack house. A sense of relief washed over me, getting away from the intensity of my father was a great feeling. I was never happier in the moment that I chose to move into the Alpha's quarters of the packhouse.

I started up the stairs to my room, as I got to the first floor, I saw Mark and Lukas in one of the lounges, so I stopped popping my head in, "Hey guys!"

"Hmm ... Luke do you hear anything?" Markus said, looking around like an idiot.

"Nope. I think you heard a fan? " Luke responded with a similarly stupid comment.

I lifted one eye brow at them, wondering why they were being asses. "What the hell are you two morons going on about?" I crossed my arms over my chest as I leaned on the door jam.

The Twins stood up and walked over to me, both with pissed looks on their faces. I have no idea what I could have done, I wasn't even here. Next thing I knew a plain envelope with my name scrawled across it was slammed into my chest. "Ask Ally." Markus scoffed, giving me a nasty look.

"What the hell are you going on about? What's wrong with Ally? " I said getting worried.

"So now you act like the protective mate? How rich. " Luke said, glaring at me.

I was now getting pissed. "Seriously!" I yelled at them, "What are you talking about?!?" I looked down at the envelope in my hand, puzzled as to what it could be.

"We told you, but you just couldn't listen, could you?" Markus' voice was dripping with me and I had no idea why.

Being future Alpha I wasn't going to be spoken to like this, especially not by my future Beta or Third, "Enough!" I growled at them, "I won't have you speaking to me like this! You two need to go and cool off, then we can talk about whatever issue you have. "

"Whatever you say, Alpha. "They both said in unison, before walking past me, Markus knocking into me with his shoulder on his way by. Luke just glared at me. Honestly, if looks could kill I would be dead. They both walked down the stairs and straight out the front door, not looking back at me.

Unsure about what the hell just happened or why Mark and Lukas were acting the way they were I decided I was just going to drop my bag off in my room before going to see Ally, forgoing any shower. I wanted to see her and was tired of the delays that had held me up. Knox was also becoming increasingly agitated and was scratching the back of my mind.

"Mate! Mate! Mate! " He said, over and over. "That smells like mate." Referring to the letter, that I had not put much thought into since Markus as slammed it into my chest.

Deciding to take a few minutes I looked over the letter and scrawled in Ally's elegant handwriting was my name. Why had she written me a letter? I furrowed my brow and sat on my bed and opened the envelope, pulling out the letter, my curiosity winning out for the moment.

Tate,

This is the hardest letter I've ever had to write, because maybe that's because it's the only good-bye letter I've ever written. By the time you get this I'm already going to go, Beta Adams is a sneaky one and got McKenna and I an earlier flight. I know him and Kimber just want me out of the way, so I guess they are getting what they want.

I need to know that I had an amazing summer, you breathed life back into my life. For that I will always be grateful. I was able to find a piece of myself that I thought I lost a long time ago.

While you were away, I was forced to realize that we were never going to be able to be together. It was made painfully obvious to me, on the phone call with Kimber... Did you know about that?

Anyways, if you didn't you do now. When she answered your phone, it shattered my heart. Knowing she was with you when it should have been me, made me realize that things were not going to work. She reminded me I made a deal with your father, a deal I have to follow through on. If I don't hold up my end of the deal then my word means nothing and at this point in my life, my word is all that I have.

So, thank you. Thank you for making me feel special, if only for a little while. I wish you nothing but the best and I truly hope that you and Kimber can be happy together. But I'm not going to lie, this hurts. This hurts so much!

Please don't come after me, it will only make things harder for both of us! This is the path we both need to take. Maybe one day it will bring us back together, but for now we must travel on our own, finding our own way. I will cherish every moment I spent with you.

I hope you know that I do and always will love you, but we need to let go, move on. A piece of me will always belong to you.

Forever yours,

Allison

As I read through her letter, I couldn't believe it. It felt like a dagger had pierced my heart. She wasn't leaving until Sunday. This has got to be a joke. I dropped to my knees and read it again. This time getting angrier with each letter that I read.

No! No! No! I let out a thunderous growl, I knew the entire pack house heard it. I smashed and broke every piece of furniture in my room. I was angry, lashing out at the objects that sat in front of me. My mind running wild and my wolf on edge. Once I had destroyed my room beyond recognition I stormed out of my room. Shattering my door behind me. Slamming through the house, everyone that I stormed past cowering down in fear of what I might do. I ran through the front door, shifting as I flew off the steps. When my paws hit the ground I ran to Allison's house. This has got to be some sick joke, it can't be true.

I ran up to Allison's front door, shifting on the steps not caring that I was naked. I banged on the door, "ALLISON! ALLISON! " I probably banged on her door for five minutes before someone answered the door. It was her mother, she looked less than impressed that I was banging on her door.

"You know some people are sleeping!" She seethed at me. Leaving the door open she turned and walked away from me. A few feet later she turned and said, "Well? Don't stand there with the door open all day. You're gonna let the bugs in! "

Quietly, I walked in the front door. I don't know why, but I felt like a young kid who had just slapped his hand when caught with it in the cookie jar. "There are a pair of sweats on the shelf there. Cover yourself up. "

After pulling on the old gray sweatpants I walked over to the kitchen table where Allison's mother was now sitting. Without saying a word, I sat on the chair opposite of her, my head hanging in shame as her heated gauze washed over me. After a few more minutes of silence I couldn't take it anymore, "Where is she?" I whispered.

Her mother remained silent, studying me as I looked into her troubled eyes. Taking a deep breath, she finally answered me, "Allison left for school. Some idiot broke her heart. " The snarky tone of her voice didn't sit well with me and I couldn't hold back the growl that broke through. Without missing a beat, she continued, this time scolding me, "You may be our Future Alpha, but you are in my home. You came banging on my door, getting me out of bed. Don't growl at me. "

"Sorry." I said, hanging my head again. Then I spoke truthfully to her mother, "Whatever happened, I promise I didn't do it." Her mother sat there quietly assessing me. "I love your daughter. She is my mate. I would never intentionally hurt here. " Her eyes continued to scrutinize me, I was squirming under her gaze.

Finally, she spoke again, like she was trying to digest the words I had said. Trying to determine if she really believed I loved her daughter. "You have people who are willing to go to any length to make sure you end up with Kimber. Do you know that? "

I looked at her questioningly, I knew my father wanted me with Kimber. I also knew that Beta Adams wanted me with her, but I guess I never realized that they would do anything to make it happen. I shook my head, "I knew that my father and Kimber's father wanted us together. I guess I just assumed that when / if I found my mate they would back off. I mean what if Kimber finds hers? She is going to want to be with him. Isn't she? " Suddenly I felt the need to question everything in my life.

"I know that my daughter left here with a broken heart. And I know you're the one who broke it. Whether intentional or not, you did it. " Her mother spoke to me with deep sadness, as if she knew the pain I was feeling. Which I know she did because she lost her mate too. The only difference being that I could get mine back, the thought of which brought hope fluttering to my heart.

"How? How did I do it? I didn't do anything. " I asked and weakly defended myself.

"By doing nothing. Whether you realize it or not you hid her away, maybe she didn't even realize it. You masked it like wanting to spend time alone with her, but you were never honest with your father, Kimber, or Beta Adams. " She reached for my hand, "I know my daughter, she is doing what she feels is best. Right now, she needs time to figure out who she is and where her place is in this world. " I sat silently listening, pleading for her to give me the answers to heal my heart and bring Ally back to me.

"I don't have a simple solution for you young Alpha. But I will tell you this, Ally needs time. The Moon Goddess may have made you mates, but that doesn't mean she intends for you to be together. We are all meant to travel our own paths, teaching our souls lessons that will make us stronger, better in the next life. This is your path, Allison's path. I suggest you let it lead you. It will make you a better Alpha when the time comes for you to take over the pack. Give Ally her space. Let her find herself, let her get lost. She needs that. "

Ally's mother stood up and pushed her chair in. She started walking down the hallway, when she was outside what I assume was her bedroom by turning back, "I suspect you can let yourself out, Alpha. Please lock the door behind you. " With that she walked into the room and closed her door. I continued to sit at the table for a while longer, letting everything simmer in my mind. How could I have been so blind? How could I not have seen what Kimber was doing? What she was after? How could I have hurt Ally? My sweat, sweet Ally. I was lost.

My wolf howled in my head, his heart broken.

I silently got up, pushing my chair in. At the front door I took off the borrowed sweatpants, folding them and returning them to the shelf where I had found them. I slowly opened the front door, locked the handle and then pulled it closed behind him. Shifting into my wolf I ran, letting Knox take full control. That night the pack could hear the broken heart of their future Alpha as I howled into the night sky.