I worked on massaging her upper back and neck. My mated carried so much tension. Little by little I felt her relaxing. After thirty minutes, her breathing changed, and I could tell she was asleep. I gently placed a kiss on her shoulder blade and rolled over to my pillow.
I sent an email to myself, Gage, and Phil to get a spa day together for Melanie and her friends. After that I set my phonedown and fell asleep. I woke up with a start, feeling very ready for the day. Oden snorted, “Mate had more coffee. She’s probably just implemented her plan of one regular coffee then a decaf coffee.” I snorted and got up.
I walked downstairs and smelled the coffee pot was definitely on. I walked outside and met my brothers for our run. I beat them easily again. I teased them once they made it back, “I guess I’ll have to start coming down here at six thirty instead of six.” Preston muttered, “Please do.”
I smirked and we walked inside where I literally bumped into Phil. My Beta sighed, “Did you wake up alone without your mate?” I raised an eyebrow pointing out, “That’s not exactly an uncommon occurrence for me.”
Phil grumbled, “It’s abnormal for me. Sierra was gone when I woke up; therefore, I did NOT have my normal wake up and Elise’s office is locked.” Gage interjected, “My mate is also gone. So, Sierra probably pulled her in.”
Phil questioned, “Do they go to ninja skills school in Nashville to be quiet? I am NOT a light sleeper. How do they do it?” Gage pointed out, “My mate is not from Nashville.” Phil amended, “The bad packs are sending women to ninja quiet school. Where they learn only to escape a room with making no noise. They don’t even teach the fighting skills. Melanie did that. They suck.” Oden agreed, “They do.” We all knew that.
EJ snorted, “I don’t know how your mates do that, but you have a key to Elise’s office.” Phil raised an eyebrow retorting, “No, I have a normal key, but I can’t get in the door with said key. We are dealing with things outside our control and capabilities.”
EJ frowned and conjured the key and walked to Elise’s office. We heard the door unlock, but the knob wouldn’t even turn when he tried. Phil smiled, “See? I already tried that.” I reasoned, “You could portal in.” Phil sighed, “Yes, I know that.Clearly, I’m not wanted. I’ve also been trying to figure out how the HELL they kept me out when I used the key.”
Gage offered, “He even had me try the key thinking it was just him, but it’s not.” Phil groaned, “My brain has been occupied with more questions that further inspire more questions. I long for the days when I used to know things.” Gage chuckled, “Lean into not knowing things, Phil. It’s karmic justice for us Gamma’s.” Phil groaned.
We walked into our office and did some paperwork until someone knocked on the door. EJ called, “Come in.” To my astonishment Warriors led in Bradford, Patricia, and Mike, Bradford’s dad. Warriors guided them to sit down at the conference table and left.
Patricia smiled asking, “Alphas, what can we help you with?” Mike sighed. EJ answered, “I’m not sure. Toby?” Toby said, “I was locked out of this meeting invite. I have no idea what it’s for and could not possibly tell you why they are here. Remember?”
Phil snorted, “I’m getting an idea and it’s a doozy.” Elise added, “I’m also getting that idea. At least I’m pretty sure.” I asked, “What would that be?” Elise laughed, “I recall someone saying they’d be keeping an eye on someone in this room.” Oh my god.
I felt a jolt from my mom in the bond. I looked at her trying to decipher what that was about, but her walls slammed down in the bond. Mom put a piece of paper in her pocket. I linked EJ, “What was that?” EJ answered, “I’m not sure. I wasn’t looking, but that paper was from one of our files.”
I didn’t like this one bit. My mom spoke out loud, “Patricia, I’ll say this as nicely as I fucking can. You have one chance to tell your Alpha’s what you’ve done. Whatever it is has been discovered. Do the right thing and tell everyone.”
So whatever mom saw had nothing to do with what was going on now. What did my mom see in our files? Bradford looked atthe wall while Mike glared at Patricia. EJ linked me, “Do you not find that odd? Mike is glaring at his mate? I know they are divorced but he doesn’t usually glare.”
I replied, “They are chosen mates. From what mom said Patricia was sweet until after he marked her, then she showed her real personality. Mike probably doesn't even like her anymore.” Patricia spoke hastily, “Princess, I have no idea what this is about.” Mike snorted.
Bradford’s broken voice whispered, “Mom, please. Just tell them and then maybe they will go easier on you.” Mike actually laughed this time. Oden warned me, “I don’t like the sound of that.” Patricia looked confused, “What is with the two of you? You both disappeared yesterday, and you’ve been acting strangely ever since.”
Mike advised, “Leave it, Bradford. Patricia can reap the consequences of the damage she’s caused. She’s not remorseful about anything she does. Trust me, that’s something I learned the hard way. Just be glad you’ve held out for your fated mate instead of the women she parades around to entice you as options.”
Patricia frowned acting hurt by saying, “How can you say that, Mike?” Her tone was off though, and her motivations told me his words didn’t hurt her. Patricia’s motivations were to manipulate. Oden growled, “I’m not liking this at all.” Neither was I.
Mike said, “You know how. I have stood by as you corrupted our son. I’m just thankful he’s trying to rise above it now. I, Mike Patterson, reject you, Patricia Patterson, as my mate.” My eyes widened and my mom actually gasped.
Bradford had tears streaming down his face. I linked my dad, “How does that work when they are marked?” My dad sighed, “It’s rare. Actually, it’s practically unheard of. Until you pups were ten, I didn’t even know it could be done.”
“Both wolf and human have to agree, which tends to be the problem. The bond won’t sever completely though. They won’t feel the full pain of the mate bonds betrayal if they have sex with others, but they will have a dull ache.”
“As long as they are both alive, there is no second chance out there for either of them. They could take another chosen mate, then their marks would fade. It would still cause them both pain though, to mark another. It’s a whole long ordeal.” Whatever happened was extreme enough for Mike to take that step.
Just then Cousin Emmaline popped in with Lucas and Dylan. Dylan grinned broadly and sat down. Emmaline walked over purposefully to Mike. She smiled at my pack member, “You are Mike Patterson, I presume.” Mike nodded, “Yes, Duchess Luna Emmaline.”
Emmaline smiled telling him, “Just call me Emmaline. I received a call about your situation yesterday and I found it rather sad. Finn reached out to Toby and Phil to get your file. You are a good man.” Patricia snorted, “A good man who just rejected his mate.” Mike had a good reason, and I knew it.
Patricia warned, “You’ll never be happy without me, Mike. You’ll never find anyone to share your life with you. That’s what you’ve always wanted, and I won’t mark another. I’ll file paperwork if you try to and stop it.”
“The only thing that would make the Werewolf, or the Supernatural Council, side with you would be a fated mate. Without me marking someone or dying, that will NEVER happen. I’ll be around for centuries, just as you will be. Enjoy loneliness.” Why did she know so much about this process offhand?
Emmaline spoke, “You are just as described, Patricia. Which is why I was called.” My mom snorted, “No fucking way.” Emmaline smiled and her hands glowed pink. My cousin put her hands on Mike’s chest and said, “As the Soul Searcher, I grantMike Patterson a second chance mate.” Uncle Aiden popped in, grinning.
Patricia growled, “She’d have to show up after I died! He’ll still be alone for centuries.” Uncle Aiden said, “I was also called about this, and I did some digging. Once Emmaline grants a second chance mate, they are able to come in no matter what.” Holy fucking shit. Oden purred, “Mate is perfect.”
Uncle Aiden continued, “Emmaline’s magic as the Soul Searcher outweighs that of your rejected mate bond. Mike will be able to mark his second chance as soon as they decide that is what they want. Your input will not be required or desired for that matter. Nor would I count on your life expectancy to be as long as you think it is.” Emmaline smirked at Patricia while my mom laughed really hard.
