Page 57 of Challenged Mate
And, if he did, would I want to fulfill our bond?
If I didn’t mate Axel, the terms of the Alpha Games prize would be broken. I would have no obligation to stay in the Wilds Pack. I could return to the Summit Pack, but then there would be trouble for my pack.
I might no longer be the next Summit alpha, but I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to my home pack. Not from decisions I made.
“Thanks for telling me.” I grabbed a plate and started assembling my own fajita, hoping if Axel noticed the moisture in my eyes, he would blame the onions. “I’ll clear the air between me and Asher the next time we see each other.”
“Thank you, Blair. That means a lot. I want everyone to get along and be one happy family.”
Family.
My stomach churned.
Axel didn’t know it, but me joining his family was destined to tear his family apart.
And there was nothing we could do about it.
Fourteen
After lunch,I sought solace in my guest apartment. Every now and again, the floorboards above me creaked, reminding me the alpha lived above, and we would soon be mates.
The question of when our mating would occur had sat on the tip of my tongue during lunch, but no matter how many times I tried to broach the subject, I just couldn’t.
My fate was already sealed. I accepted that. But knowing the date of a mating ceremony screamed of finality that I wasn’t ready to face.
I’m pathetic.
My thoughts circled around in a cyclone of despair. I was close to letting them tear me away from the thin hold I had on my emotions when a familiar ringtone filled the cozy bedroom.
Confused, I rolled onto my side and looked at my nightstand, shocked to see my phone sitting there.
I hadn’t made it to town to pick it up. Someone must’ve done it for me. I bet it was Kayla.
My shock dwindled, and I finally registered the name on the caller ID.
I contemplated letting it go to voicemail, but at the last moment, I reached over and slid my finger over the screen to answer the call. I hit the speakerphone button and flopped back onto the bed.
“Hello?”
“Blair! Oh my Mother, I didn’t think you would answer! Something must be wrong. Iknewsomething was wrong. I could feel it in my bones. What’s going on? What’s happened?” Stephanie didn’t take a breath.
Normally, I would tease her about her rambling, but the sound of her voice was just so freaking good to hear.
“Blair? Talk to me. What’s going on?”
I ignored her questions. “I’m so happy to hear from you. I miss you.”
“Oh, Blair.” Her voice cracked. “I miss you too. I should’ve called sooner. I was trying to give you space, but I shouldn’t have.”
“No, no, you were right.” I wiped the tears that rolled down my cheeks. “I was a mess when I arrived. I needed time to adjust.”
“And this is younota mess?” I could picture her shaking her head.
I choked out a laugh. “No, you’re right. I’m still a mess, but I’m so glad to hear from you. How’s the pack? Tell me everything.”
“Things are tense, but otherwise fine.”
“Tense?”
