Chapter 32 After dinner, Kent needed to meet with some of the warriors before his departure so Riley found herself wandering outside, wanting to stretch her legs. The air was cool against her face as she walked from the pack house towards the town, taking in the small homes and shops. A couple kids played at a little park, swinging from the monkey bars and yelling at one another. The sun was slowly going down, casting long shadows across the park. A hand landed on her shoulder and Riley started, turning to see Wesley. "Sorry," he said with a wry smile, "didn't mean to startle you. I saw you leaving and thought you might like some company." She smiled. "Thanks. I appreciate it. I thought some fresh air might clear my head." "I imagine you have a lot to think about," he said as they started walking down the street. "I know you want to keep your mind on your work, but you can't tell me that this whole thing with the alpha isn't consuming a lot of headspace." She sighed. "It really is, honestly. My wolf barely wants to talk about anything else and I can't even think straight when he's around." "Maybe you shouldn't put this decision on the back burner," he suggested, glancing at her. "Maybe you need to make a decision." "It's not that simple." She shook her head. "I don't know," he replied, putting his hands in his pockets. "It's obvious that the two of you like each other." She frowned, looking down the road towards a couple who were pushing a baby in a stroller. They were lost in conversation, the woman talking animatedly with her hands as her mate pushed the baby. "Everyone thinks that having a mate is like a fairy tale," she murmured as the couple passed them. "I thought that too when I was a kid. But it's not. You have no idea how bad things can go." "What happened with your first mate?" he asked gently. "I already told everyone on my first night here." She really didn't want to go into it. "Yeah, but that clearly wasn't the whole story. If it was as straightforward as you tried to make it sound, you wouldn't be this cut up about it." She looked at Wesley. "I don't want to talk about it with you. No offense, I just don't want to relive those memories." "Have you at least talked to the alpha about it?" They reached a corner and stopped, taking in the row of small shops to the right of them. "I told him some of it," she muttered. "Maybe you should tell him the rest." Wesley bumped her shoulder gently with his own and started walking again. "Maybe if he really understands what happened..." Wesley trailed off, rubbing his forehead. "Are you ok?" she asked, looking at him again. 1/4 < Chapter 32 +8 Points > "Yeah," he muttered, "my wolf is just a little restless. He's pacing like crazy. He's been like this ever since I left the pack house. I'm starting to get a headache." "Oh," Riley whispered, her eyes widening. "What?" Wesley narrowed his eyes as he looked at her. Before she could say anything his whole body spun around. A young woman came around the far corner, her black hair flying behind her in the breeze. She stopped, locking eyes with Wesley. "Mate," he whispered, his eyes widening. He ran down the road, pulling to a stop in front of her. He reached out to touch her cheeks with the tips of his finger, as if he thought she wasn't real. Suddenly she launched herself into his arms and they embraced. Riley watched for a moment, smiling as Wesley stroked her hair. She could tell he was talking, but couldn't hear him from a distance. The woman tipped her head up, her face beaming as she looked at him. Riley turned, heading back towards the pack house. She didn't want to intrude on their special moment. She smiled as she walked. Goddess knows he deserved to find his mate. Her body was feeling achy as she approached the pack house, her head hurting yet again. She walked on, feeling sluggish and wanting nothing more than to lay down in her room. As she approached the pack house, she could see Patrick standing on the steps outside. He raised his hand to wave as she approached. "Where did you go?" "Just took a walk," she said as she got closer. "What are you doing?" "Waiting for a coworker of Lana's to drop off some paperwork she forgot. She didn't feel like coming downstairs so I told her I would wait for it." He c****d his head to the side as Riley started up the steps. "You don't look so good." "I don't feel too great," she muttered. "I want to lay down." He took her elbow and she leaned against him, acutely aware of how tired she felt. "You shouldn't have gone for a walk by yourself" he chided gently. "I didn't," she explained. "Wes was with me but he found his mate, so I left them alone." Patrick smiled slightly. "He found his mate here? Who is it?" "No idea. I didn't approach her. I'm sure he'll introduce her." She leaned into Patrick slightly and he frowned. "I'll take you upstairs," he said, turning towards the door. "You're waiting for someone," she pointed out. "It's fine. It will only take a minute to get you upstairs." She wanted to argue, but it was pointless. Instead she let Patrick guide her inside and took the elevator to the fifth floor. Kent was waiting on the other side of the doors when they slid open. He immediately took her arm from Patrick, "Thanks for letting me know," he said to Patrick as he guided her out of the elevator. "I mindlinked him when we were coming up. I don't want to get shoved into another wall." Patrick grinned at Riley as he stepped back into the elevator and she laughed as the doors slid shut. 2/4 < Chapter 32 +8 Points Kent shook his head and then turned to Riley, holding both her arms. "What happened? Where did you go?" "I went for a walk with Wes." "Why didn't he walk you back?" Kent demanded, his face dark. She rolled her eyes and explained that Wesley had found his mate. Kent's expression softened as he listened. "Well, I guess that's understandable. How are you feeling now?" "Better actually," she murmured, "but I still want to lie down." He nodded and slowly let go of her arms. He swallowed hard, rubbing his forehead. "I have to go pack, but honestly, Riley, I don't want to go on this trip if you're still getting sick." "Don't be foolish, Kent," she replied, shaking her head. "This alliance is important to protect your pack. We need those warriors here. You can't just not go." "I know you're right." He chewed on the corner of his mouth for a moment. "But you'll go to Lana if you get sick again. Go to the hospital and have her run tests, please." She sighed. "I promise to go if I get worse." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her tightly against his chest. The hug took her by surprise, but after a moment she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I need to finish packing," he said into her hair. "Please come sit with me." "In your room?" "Yes." He smiled into her hair. "That's where my stuff is." "I'm not coming into your room," she said adamantly as she leaned back to look up at him. "Please." He let go of her, taking a step back. "I won't do anything. I'd just feel better having you close until I go." The common sense part of her wanted to say no. That part of her brain knew that going to his room was a bad idea, but the rest of her didn't care. Especially her wolf, who was begging her to go with him. "Ok," she whispered. He smiled and she felt her heart skip a beat. She followed him into his room. It was huge. A large king bed sat in the center of the room, covered by a large gray and black bedspread. There was a couch and chairs off to one side of the room. She could see the door to the ensuite bathroom ajar and a second door that appeared to be a walk-in closet. Riley walked over to the sitting area to sit on the couch, positive that she should avoid the bed at all costs. She could see an open suitcase on the bed with some clothes scattered around it. She leaned back into the couch, watching Kent start to pack. The room smelled of him, like everything in here was infused with his scent. Something about his scent was calming to her, soothing away her headache. She felt herself sinking backwards into the couch, the exhaustion of her illness and the last couple days coming over her. Comments 524 M Vote 3/4