Page 3 of Fractured Mates

Because you’re doing it wrong.

I’m halfway out the diner door when her words make me stumble. I’m not sure if I should be entertained or insulted.

Both, she answers for me, all too smugly.

Damn wolf.

That’s enough from you, I reply, my irritation back in full force. It doesn’t last long, though. We’re going to East Texas, and then maybe we’ll stop in New Orleans to see Matt.

She sighs. I guess he’ll do. His wolf is only mildly annoying.

I chuckle as I get into my car. Strong, horny, and picky. That’s my wolf.

Glancing back at the diner, I’m already having regrets about not taking my leftovers, but I don’t dwell for long.

I’ve made up my mind. We’re going to show Cait and Roman the respect they deserve, and then we’re going to make our way back to South Carolina.

I have no clue if I’ll be welcomed. Especially after having killed a pack member. While I know it was in self-defense and the protectors promised me that I was safe from retribution, that doesn’t mean his family hasn’t held a grudge or even my parents for the ramifications I’m sure they dealt with from my leaving.

I haven’t spoken to them in years—really, only my mother—but at the same time, this isn’t about them. It’s about me. Nothing is going to stop me from getting the closure I seek.

Returning to my pack will either give me back the home I’ve been running from for far too long, or it will give me absolution from the guilt I’ve been holding on to.

Either way, I’ll get what I need. I’m done waiting.

Chapter Two

Sophie

Driving up the tree-lined road toward the pack house in East Texas, I’m consumed with feelings I don’t bother to sort out. I’m here for one reason and one reason only. I might have preferred to be on my own for the most part over the years, but I still respect the hierarchy.

Nobody greets me when I park my car in front of the two-story white house. Then again, nobody is expecting me. I take in the pristine siding and admire the two turrets, only one of which I’ve been in to speak with Roman.

I spent most of my time here avoiding the pack house. I thought that was just because I’m not much of a people person, but staring out the window, I can admit that trying to be part of their pack only served as a reminder of what I’d lost.

Sure, I’m the one who ran away, but thanks to Thane and his pompous family, not once did my parents ask me to come back once they’d learned what I’d done. I can assume all the reasons for that as I’ve done many times in the past, but I’m not doing that any longer.

Gods, this is possibly the dumbest thing I’ve ever done or the smartest. Either way, I’m not backing down. I can’t live with what ifs any longer. I refuse.

No more wondering what might have been if Thane had never shown his smug face in my pack. No more wondering what my life would be like if he hadn’t been the world’s biggest douchebag.

Just no more.

I catch my reflection in the rearview mirror before I open the car door. My light-green eyes look tired from all the driving I’ve been doing, but my sleek, chestnut hair shines, thanks to the shower in the hotel last night.

A small, white scar at my hairline glints under the sunlight filtering through the window. One of two physical reminders that Thane was ever part of my life. I close my eyes, turn away from the mirror, and get out of the car.

If I’m going to move on, I need to get that fucker out of my thoughts and keep him out.

As I step onto the first stair, the front door opens and there stands Dawsyn. I expected Cait, but seeing her daughter is no hardship. She’s just as kind as her mother and equally as understanding, especially when it comes to me wanting to be on my own. At least, she had been. Becoming the official alpha might change that.

“Sophie,” she says with a friendly grin. “You’re the last person I expected to see today.”

I shrug and continue up the steps to shake her hand. “I was in the area.”

“Bullshit.” She chuckles. “Now, get in here and tell me what’s going on.”

My brows raise at her command, and I toss a curious glance her way. “Tell you? Not your parents?”

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