Page 30 of Lost Fate

No matter what, I can do anything with him. He believes in me, he knows that I’m predisposed to being an alpha. And he accepts me for it.

Meeting my dad, finding the pack that he runs, sounds scary.

But with Leander, I think it’s something else, too.

It sounds really… exciting.

Dinner with Terra is the hardest part. First, explaining that I’m leaving sucks. Terra gives me a look with a lip tremble that I know all too well, but I power through while giving her a hug.

Explaining that my mom and Leander’s alpha are my parents? That takes longer.

By the time Leander and I are done sharing, both Rylan and Terra look shocked. Rylan looks us over and walks out of the cabin. Terra watches him, then turns back and smiles.

“First, I want to say that I’m super happy for you.”

As my best friend, I’d expect nothing less. “I’m sensing a ‘but.’”

She sighs. “I mean, this is just all very sudden. Haven’t you been happy here, Ember? Are you sure you want to go to Florida and not just, like… video chat with your dad?”

I glance over at Leander, who shrugs.

“I want to meet him, Terra. I know that you are, and have always been, my best friend. But honestly…” I hum a little, thinking of how to tell her. “I just… I’ve always felt… different.”

“Because you’d be a good candidate for an alpha?”

I shake my head, the shock of hearing her words totally erased now that I’m not worried about who I am. “More than that. Oakwood is a great pack. It’s just not… mine.”

It’s putting a name to something I’ve always felt, and saying it feels hard, but right.

Leander’s hand rests on my shoulder. His strength shines through the bond, and I look at my best friend.

“I love you, Terra. I always will. But I need to do this. I need to go see if this is the feeling I’ve been looking for. If this is what it means to truly belong,” I whisper.

There’s a long moment where Terra studies us. Finally, she looks at Leander.

“Take care of her,” she says, her voice thick with tears. “Or I’ll kick your ass.”

“I think you’ll have to get in line,” Leander says with a smile. “Ember would kick my ass first. Her dad would finish me.”

Terra laughs at that, then sighs. “Well. Have fun explaining to your alpha that you’ve mated his lost daughter. If you do survive, then I can’t wait to plan all my winter vacations to visit.”

I lean forward and hug my best friend.

Terra and Rylan leave, and Leander and I watch them go. When their car disappears into the darkness, Leander turns. “I guess I do have to explain to my alpha that I’ve been banging his daughter,” he grimaces.

I laugh and pull his hand to my lips. “We could stop.”

Leander’s eyes widen with horror, and I laugh again. The laugh changes to a squeak as he lifts me up, growling as he bites at my neck. “Don’t say that kind of stuff to me, Ember.”

“What kind of stuff?”

“I never want to stop,” he murmurs as he kisses a line down my neck.

When he tosses me on the bed, I tear at my clothes. Leander leans down and swoops me up for another kiss, and against his lips, I tell him, “I never want you to, either, my mate.”

Chapter 10

Leander

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