Haiden:
Watching Clentine stand in the doorway, waiting to say goodbye, was so hard for . Every part of wanted to take her with , but I couldn’t. There were things going on that I knew would hurt her badly. And it was tied more to my life, to how I lived it now.
After my shower, I threw on a white shirt and gray pants, then slung my bag over my shoulder. The envelope sat snug in my pocket.
"Okay guys, take care of yourselves. We’ll et again," I told them, giving Yorick a side hug and trading a tight fist bump with Troy before pulling him into a hug. Then I walked over to Ian’s bed and patted his shoulder. "Take care, man," I uttered.
Honestly, I wasn’t upset that Clentine wasn’t going with him. Although we all looked upset with Ian in the beginning, in the long run I realized it was better this way. She would be much safer away from him. Or maybe I would be less jealous if she wasn’t staying with anyone else either.
I would’ve been so uncomfortable. It was better she stayed behind. I knew it was selfish, but at least she wouldn’t be sowhere her life was in danger. She’d probably enjoy it more on her own anyway. That was who she’d always been, a loner.
After saying goodbye to everyone else, I turned to the door and looked at Clentine. Every part of wanted to hold her, to kiss her. But after what happened up North, when she made it clear none of us could touch her without her permission, I knew I had to keep my hands to myself. Just because she was my mate didn’t an she’d automatically accept my touch, or that it was okay for to reach for her whenever I wanted.
I stepped up in front of her, staring at her innocent little face. Her curly red hair was perfect. I loved its color, its texture, and its sll. She carried this natural sandalwood scent. Everything about her felt special.
"Take care of yourself, okay?" I told her. She raised her head and gave a small, uneasy nod, fidgeting with her fingers. She was nervous.
"You too. Have fun with your family," she replied quickly, looking away.
"Goodbye," I said, holding my hand out for a shake. She gave it right away, probably scared that if she didn’t, I’d try to kiss her. I smiled at that.
Still, I leaned down toward her hand, watching her eyes. I waited to see if she’d pull away. When she didn’t, I pressed a kiss to the back of it. It felt like the right kind of goodbye. And I knew it didn’t make her uncomfortable, because she smiled softly.
"Take care," she whispered.
Then I walked out, following the second lurker who had co to fetch .
"Haiden, you’re the first one getting picked from your squad." I heard Oriana’s voice behind .
I turned to my side and watched her run toward on the road. I didn’t know she was out there just wandering around. We were always so busy in our own selves that we barely paid attention to the other squads.
"Yeah, why? Is there a problem?" I asked, confused.
"Oh no, there’s no problem. I just wanted to talk to you." she smiled.
"Okay, goodbye," I said, shrugging.
"Are you excited?" she pressed again.
I slowed down after a few steps and turned to her.
"Yeah," I replied. I wasn’t excited, but I didn’t want to stand here and talk with her about my personal issues.
" too. I’m so excited. You know, my father, he loves so much," she said, clapping her hands happily.
"Your father is an alpha?" I asked, and she nodded.
"Oh, I didn’t know," I mumbled. "So, why did he send you to the academy?"
As soon as I asked, I noticed her smile start to fade.
"Well, he had to send soone, and it’s not like it was his fault. The council decided it," she answered hesitantly, almost as if she was offended or didn’t want to talk about it.
"Okay, relax, I just asked. Not that you should be so frustrated," I muttered with an eye roll and noticed how she started to calm down.
"I’m not frustrated or anything. I was just responding. Everybody thinks my father doesn’t like , that’s why I’m here. That’s not the truth. We didn’t have a choice. Circumstances made him send here." Now that she realized I was calling her out for her agitation, she began to change her tone.
"Anyway, have fun," she uttered softly.
"Yeah, bye," I said, walking away.
"Listen, is it true that you and Clentine are mates?" she whispered, and I turned around just to give her a head nod before walking away again.
I didn’t understand why Clentine was friends with her. Maybe because Oriana was desperate for a friend, and Clentine was the type who felt bad for people and just took care of them.
Once we reached the road, I noticed Joshua standing by the roadside, waiting for his own car. He acknowledged but stayed silent. I knew he was still angry about losing Suki. But that wasn’t on us. Suki made that bed for herself.
My car arrived before Joshua’s, so I took a deep breath and got in. Sitting inside, I opened the envelope and found details about an outdoor retreat, a cabin high up in the mountains. It was a full retreat, a beautiful lodge with cabin-style rooms.
I noticed several cabins were booked for and my family, which made wonder if they had all co just to ruin my peace. I would have much preferred to be alone, like Clentine, but I wasn’t that lucky. I had to endure it.
Once I reached the mountains, I got out and walked across the wide grounds, taking in the signs. The place had a beautiful trail. Other visitors, the kind who usually ca to spend their vacations there, weren’t allowed this ti.
It was just , my family, and the staff. That was the strangest part. With my hands shoved into my pockets, I looked around. It seed to be a Chinese-style retreat, and honestly, it was stunning.
I just wished the others weren’t here. There was a sauna, everything was perfect until I saw my family.
My uncle, who wasn’t really my uncle but my father’s old best friend, stood there with a huge grin. He’d once been the royal beta of our pack, for a short ti, until my father figured things out.
He was useless, but when my father died, guess what? This man sohow took over, because in his final days my father had given him the crown out of all people. It made no sense. I hadn’t had much choice either, since soon after I was told to marry his daughter or leave for the academy. I chose the academy.
"Haiden, my son." Uncle Patrick stepped forward, pulled into a hug, and patted my back. I didn’t return it.
"How are you? Look at you. Have you been working out?" He gripped my arms and pinched my biceps. I clenched my fists. My jaw tightened. He noticed and let go quickly.
"You’ve gotten broader, more manly than I rember," he comnted before turning to his daughter, who he’d of course brought along to ruin my mood.
She stood there, smiling ekly. She looked like Snow White ca to life—short black hair, blue eyes, pale skin. She was tiny. Then there was her twin, who had long hair and brown eyes, just like her mother.
"Welco back ho, Haiden," Fauna said shyly, glancing away.
"Thank you. I’ll be heading to my room. I want to rest," I replied, hurrying past them.
Where Fauna had greeted , Mariana didn’t even bother saying hello. I’d heard she was getting married soon, so at least one of them would finally be off starting her own family. Together, that family was toxic for anyone to be around.
Once in my room, I locked the door quickly and took deep breaths. Facing them was unbearable.
No matter how hard I tried to avoid them, I had to face them eventually. They asked to join them for lunch. The food was served hot, the kind of dishes I’d only imagined eating up North, but sitting with this family, I couldn’t stomach it.
My uncle’s wife, who I called Aunt, was always distant, glued to her phone like her daughters. And Fauna kept fussing over more than I liked.
"Anyway, Haiden, do you know who Mariana is getting married to?" he asked, grinning. I already knew it wasn’t good news.
"One of your crusader’s brothers. She’s marrying Troy’s brother," he announced.
I rolled my eyes. They were rging packs now? I couldn’t believe it. What would happen to our pack’s future? It was going straight into the hands of Troy’s older stepbrother.
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