Chapter 15
treathing deeply, Karden took the long way hark in the village, telling himmelf he should check on the guests who had arrived recently and were moving into the caluns and not because he wanted to get away from that girl. As he walked and opened his lungs as wide as possible, he realized no amount of fresh autumn air was going to soothe him.
Cursing under has breath, he kicked a pinecone so hard that it flew into the woods by the side of the path and hit a tree trunk, shattering into a million parces as if it were made of glass. That’s how he felt right now like he was made of glass. And Sienna was threatening to shatter him.
He couldn’t let his feelings get in the way of what he needed to do. She was just a girl, after all, Just another girl. Just another beautiful, mysterious, intriguing girl whose hair needed to run through his fingers and whose cheek needed to restan his chest..
Kaden stopped and growled again, making a fut. There was a tree nearby that needed punching. The fact that he might shatter his hand and end with as many bandages around it as Sylvia had didn’t cross his mind unul le brand a familiar voice.
“Are you all right, Alpha Kaden. Sir?“
ress in his hand dissipate, even
He nearly jumped when he saw Jolin coming through the trees. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine, Kaden said, Jetting the stress in though it was hard. “How’s it going!”
John did not seem convinced, but he wasn’t nosy either. There was something about John’s eyes that caught Kaden’s attention, something that seemed familiar in a way he hadn’t noticed before. It distracted him from hearing the answer. Kaden shook his head to clear it and waited a moment before he went back over what John had probably said.
“Are you sure you’re all right, Sir!” John tipped his head to the side and looked at him for a moment, concerned.
was usually on
“Yes. Just this whole ball. I’m so busy. You haven’t heard anything about any more of Zane’s folks poking around have you?” John was top of those sorts of things, even if his responsibilities were closer to home than the lands Zane had been spotted in.
No, not recently, Sir. I’ve heard that he’s laying low since he knows there are plenty of Alphas here. No sense getting wrapped up with several packs
at orice, Tauime.
“That makes sense,” Kaden said. “Zane’s unpredictable though. We’ll have to keep an eye on him. And
‘s got
other enemies here too
A far–off look in John’s eyes had Kaden arching an eyebrow, but he nodded. “I’ll be in the shadows, Sir, keeping an eye on things.”
“Thanks, John” Kaden knew that John was good at slinking in the shadows and watching for threats. He needed to get on with his list of items, so Kaden beaded on his way, taking a path through the forest to circle toward his office so that he was less likely to run into anyone who would stop
him
Unfortunately, the second he stepped out into the street to cross to his office, Sylvia came running from the events center, shouting his name. “Kaden Kadent
The fact that she wasn’t using his title was a little irritating, but then everything was irritating at the moment, “Yes, Sylvia”
“Did you talk to that girl? That hideous girl?”
“I talked to her, Sylvia. Her name is Sienna”
“I don’t care what her name is Sylvia went to jam her hands down on her hips and hit her hurt finger, Wincing, she shook her hand and cradled it with her other hand Kaden hid a laugh. “What did you tell her?”
“Sylvia, why don’t you juu leave her alone? Everyone is allowed inside of the event center, not just our packinates.”
Her eyes gave away the fair that the way about to die. “I know that,” she said. Then, she gasped. “Dad that beich say I said otherwiset She approached
Fighting with Sylvia would du no good. Kadens raised his lands. “Just – Irave her alone, okay? There are a lot of guests here who have servants, Jamily member, and friends with them. We need to treat everyour like they are welcome liere?
“Clearly, she’s h even appreciated by her usa Alphia’s family.” Sylvia pointed out.
The words stung for seasons Karen didn’t even want to acknowledge. He couldn’t blame Sylvia for noticing that. Still, it made him angry that it was true. “Mayaway from her, Sylvia. That is an onder”
door beland her opened, and Aler came out with a concerned look on his tare.
ine a dance, rightTM
“Tone,” Sylvia saal, posting. She took a deep barath and straightened her shoulders. “You’re, uli, mill sav
Kaden needed a moment to compose himself. The stupid ball was all anyone could talk about. “Yes. Yeal, I sure an,” he said, knowing that would make her happy–and make her love. “Now, if you’ll cau
He gestured at Alec.
jaid with a big smile
in Kaden had never been so happy to see someone leave.
steps quickly, he headed into the office, followed by Alec “What the hell was that all about?” the Beta asked.
Kaden didn’t want to talk about it. “It doesn’t matter. Did you check in with the trainers?”
“Yes, Kaden Everything’s fine. I’ve checked with everyone. You are spending an awful lot of time looking for distractions, brother. What’s going
Kaden sat down behind his desk with an exhausted sigh. Alec was one of those people who could sense when there was something wrong,
nething out of sorts with him, and he would pester him about it until Kaden cracked and told him everything
There wo
wording it. “Sit down, Alec
Hin Beta arched an eyebrow and sat down in the seat across from Kaden’s desk. He swiveled around and folded his hands on top of his desk calendar taking his time. Deflecting was the easiest thing to do, so he started with a question. “I saw you took Sienna out in the woods for a chat.” Alecfare tumed red. “Why did you do that!”
Alec shrugged “I don’t know. I feel bad for her. She’s nice. And. Everyone’s so mean to her, you know? When she got here, she fell out of the back of Alpha Kent’s St, and no one cared. No one would help her. I saw Sylvia and those other b*tches harassing her, and she’s one tough little chick. I just wanted to get to know her better, that’s all. Don’t worry. I didn’t imprint on her or anything.” He looked sheepish, and his cheeks flushed.
His choice of words got a gut response from Kaden. Imprint. Another word for finding one’s fated mate.
He still wasn’t ready to tell Alec his secret, so he pressed on. “Why did you say it like that, Alec? What do you mean don’t worry? Why would that
Again, Aler shrugged. He reminded Kaden of a middle–school student being called out for a crush. Maybe that’s what this was–just his Beta being a smitten kitten. “You aren’t so keen on finding your own fated match right now, so I figured you wouldn’t want me finding mine.”
“You’re only twenty, Alec. It probably won’t happen for you until you’re twenty–one,” Kaden reminded him.
“I know. I just… I didn’t want you to think I was catching feelings. Though I do like her. She’s really pretty. Oh, and she can get animals to come to ber
Kaden’s eyebrows furrowed. He wasn’t sure what Alec meant by that, but he wasn’t going to ask at the moment. “I’m glad you like her and are looking out for her. Alec. It seems like someone needs to Memories of all of the bruises and scratches he’d seen on her porcelain skin while they were talking in the woods came back to him, and that same anger he’d felt earlier when he’d annihilated the pinecone, came back to him. Before, he’d been mad at fate. Now, he was mad at the people who’d hurt her. Being mad was becoming his calling card, and he didn’t like it Relief washed over Alec’s face as he heard that he could continue to be friends with the girl. “That’s good. So do you like her too?” Kaden shrugged. “I have no idea. I just met her. She seems nice enough. I’m not looking to make new friends, buddy”
“I know. No friends. No fated matches. I got it.” Alec shook his head, looking disappointed. “So what is it? What is it that’s got you acting so weird
this afternoon?
Kaden couldn’t avoid telling him the truth anymore. He blew out a hot breath and ran his hand through his hair, ready to spit it out. “I knew Sienna wasn’t your fated mate before you told me, Alec”
“How’s that?” His Beta leaned forward in his chuir, his eyes glued to Kaden’s face.
Before he could stop himself, he blurted it out. “Because she’s mine.”
