Page 44 of Fated Alpha Protector

At least, not until he finds a way to save his sister from marrying the Blackclaw Alpha. Even I’ve been hesitant to make things official now that there’s an unearthed piece of my past somewhere in Rocheport.

“Fine!” Anastasia scoffs. “If you don’t wanna tell me, you can leave right now.”

“Ana?!” I exclaim, surprised by her sudden bluntness toward me.

But when she giggles and turns back to me, I’m relieved.

“Oh, come on, Mia!” she smirks. She nods toward the bottom of the balcony. “He’s already waiting for you.”

“Oh…”

Our final goodbyes are sad as we cling to each other a little longer. Since I didn’t bring anything with me, I leave with nothing.

Nothing except the memories of Overton. The picture of this place has been etched into my mind. While the hospitality of the Alpha’s sister remains carved in my heart.

And the one whose soul is tethered to mine by an unbreakable bond waits for me on the porch.

“Ready?” he asks despondently as he reaches out his hand.

Sliding my hand into his, I offer him a tentative smile. Taking a deep breath, I say, “Yes. I’m ready.”

All Theo does is nod his head as he leads me down the stone path. Walking hand in hand toward the now-darkening horizon, we enter the woods.

“Theo…” I touch his arm to stop him. He’s like a man on a mission, marching along without even glancing back.

I know he’s hurting. So am I.

And I can’t just leave him like this.

When he stops and turns, I force a smile on my face. For his sake. “Would you like to run the rest of the way?” I ask.

Theo’s breath visibly catches in his throat. As soon as I make the suggestion, he becomes sad all over again. I can see it in his eyes, the way they twinkle with tears he refuses to show.

“I would like that,” he says as he swallows hard. He forces his lips into a smile as he releases my hand. He turns toward the deep of the woods and throws over his shoulder, “Wanna chase me this time?”

I immediately flash into wolf form and reply through the telepathic link we share. ‘Think you’re fast enough?’

Theo shifts then, his voice taunting as it enters my mind. ‘Let’s see if you can keep up.’

Giggling mentally, I wait for him to take off before I give chase. Running through the woods as fast as our paws can carry us, I realize that I am really quite agile in wolf form.

I easily catch up with Theo, pouncing on his back as I giggle internally. We both tumble the rest of the way toward the river. Shifting in unison in a fit of laughter.

We roll to a stop with me on top of him. Sighing, we cherish this moment as he smooths his palms over my back.

Staring into his eyes, I crush my lips to his. The kiss is slow, unhurried as we savor the dance and taste of our tongues. One last time.

I’ve decided that if fate brought us together once, it will do the same again.

“So, this is it?” Theo asks, maintaining his firm grip on my hand when we’ve gotten back to our feet.

I take a deep, staggered breath as I nod. “I guess it is.”

“Mia…” Theo calls from behind me. When I turn around, he says, “I’ll be back for you. I promise.”

“I know,” I smile as I etch his features into every part of my mind. To keep it there, to cherish it. And then I turn back toward the river.

As I cross the river in wolf form, I don’t look back as I head toward Rocheport. Theo’s parting howl in the distance is the only sound I hear for miles. The only sound I remain fixated on as I make the journey back to my old pack.

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