Chapter 30
Kaden
On a normal day, Kaiden got interrupted at least once an hour, sometimes brice. Today, he’d had more people come into his office–or knock on the door and find it locked so that they sent him a mind–link message–than he could keep up with. It was ridiculous. By two o’clock, he decided to call at a day and put away all of the things he’d been working on, folding up the map and putting it inside of his desk drawer and straightening up
Even though he’d been for a run earlier that day, he felt like another one. In these tense situations, the best way for him to clear his mind and regain his focus was by letting his wolf take over and healing off through the forest
Sometimes, he appreciated having Alec or someone che with him. Today, he juu wanted in he one, to be free to let his mind wander without anyone interupting-
He approached his offer door with caution. A few hours lud passed since Jenna and Sylvia had wanted to come in and question him about Sienna, and he knew neither of those girls would be able to stand mutside of his office and remain quiet for this long, but there was a chance they could be coming up the lane or someone else could be waiting for him.
Slowly, Kaden opened the door and stuck has head out. He was relieved to see no one nearby. He stepped outside, locking the door behind him, and rushed off toward his favorite trail, hoping to see no one on his way there, at least no one who would demand his attention.
As he went, he kept his head down and focused on the path in front of him. Familiar laughing up ahead and to his right alerted him that both Sylvia and Jenna were over there. He glanced in that direction and saw them sitting on a bench with dispensable cups from the coffee shop in their hands, smiling and laughing with one another. The idea that those two could be friends when all either one of them seemed to want was him made no sense. But in his experience, Sylvia rarely made sense, and anyone who treated Sienna the way that Jenna did couldn’t be the most logical person in the world either. He rushed behind a nearby tree and entered the forest, deciding to work his way to the path under the cover of trees
He will needed to talk to Kent Hurk Sienna had made it clear that she didn’t want him to, but Grandma Hannah was right. If there was something he could do to help her, he should do it. Thinking of the look she’d had on her face when he’d told her he was going to ask her to dance brought a smile to his face. And then He slipped up and told her she was pretty. He’d actually said much more than that. What were his exact words! That she’d be the most beautiful girl at the ball? A blush warmed his cheeks just thinking of it.
He shouldn’t have said that. He was sending her mixed messages, and that wasn’t nice. He’d made it clear that he wasn’t intending to follow the mate pull, but then, he was also flirting with her. What was the matter with him!
He knew the answer to that question, but he didn’t want to face it. The match between them was formed by an intense bond. He couldn’t expect it to just go away because he wanted it to–not unless he formally rejected her. Doing that would be damaging for both of them. It would be best to ju pretend it didn’t exist.
That would be easier said than done. Now that he knew she would be at the ball, he felt both excited to see her and nervous about what might happen. He truly hoped he didn’t make things worse for her.
He hoped he didn’t make things worse on himself either, for that matter.
Kaden stripped, stored his clothes in a tree, and shifted, taking off at a high rate of speed. His wolf wasn’t tired from the earlier run. He wanted to stretch his legs, so he let him go, running at full speed for nearly an hour before he turned back and headed for home–not because he was tired but because he had things to do.
Kaden looked around this time before he shufted back into his human form and was slightly disappointed not to see Sienna anywhere. Not that he wanted to embarrass her again, but it had been preity telling to see her face this morning after he’ll caught her watching him. She might not be impressed with lunir as a person, but she couldn’t hide the way she reacted to his body.
Onor he was dressed. Kaden took a moment to enjoy the way the sky was beginning to turn pink in the distance already. It would be an early sunset, and the moon would be up soon. By the time of the ball, it would be full, and it would do its darndest to work its magic. He couldn’t let it
“Alplu Kaden, Sir, I don’t mean to interrupt. How are you??
John’s youur behind him had Kadep turning with a smile. “1,” he said. “Tim okay. How are you? Did you need something?
“No, no. Em good, thanks. Everything is fur. I’ve checked with the security patrol, and there’s nothing to worry about. I just couldn’t help but notice you look like you’er got something on your mind, that’s all”
Kaden nodded, John was one of those perceptive people who could usually see right through him, sort of like his grandmother. Perhaps it was part of the wisdom that came with age. “Oh, just thinking about the ball. That’s all,” he said, trying to play is off,
“I see. Well, it sleodd be a gred time” A found undle came over his face as Jolin said, “I met my wife at a Moon hall.
rally?” Kaden was surprised to hear that. In fact, he wasn’t she realized John had ever had a wife. “Was she your fate
fated match?
John nod–led, and las unile widened “She was the most beautiful g have to ask her to ilance. We just sort of fell into each other’s
at that ball, that’s for darn sure. I walked right over to her and didn’t even before he lowered it. “That was a long time ago, though”
uus” He looked up at the sky and rubbed his hunul across his chin, shaking his head
1/2
10:00 AM
Chapter 301
It was clear there was a lot of emotion tied to that event for John, and Kaden didn’t want to drag up anything he wasn’t ready to experience, but he also didn’t want to be impolite. He gave John a second and asked. “You were sure, then? Did you know for a fact she was the one you were meant to be with and never wavered?”
“Absolutely. I knew,” he said. “I never thought about it for a second, even though she was from another pack. I was the son of a Beta, ready to become the Beta of our pack soon enough. She was the daughter of a Gamma, but she was special. I found out later that her grandfather had been an Alpha. He’d been killed by rogues, and their pack had had some problems, so her current station wasn’t indicative of the bloodline or how special she truly was.”
Kaden nodded, finding his smile widening as he looked at how happy John was when he spoke of her. “What was her name?”
“Jodi,” John said. His eyes were glistening slightly as he added, “Not a day goes by that I don’t miss her or think about her or.. our daughter.”
Kaden hadn’t realized John had a daughter either. He had to assume they’d both died, but seeing that there were tears in the man’s eyes now, he decided not to ask. Instead, he said. “I’m sorry for your loss”
“Thank you, Sir John said before clearing his throat and taking a moment to regain his composure. “If I can give you one bit of unsolicited advice, Alpha, it would be that if the Moon Goddess is kind enough to bless you with love, don’t let it pass you by. Even if you think there’s no way it can be right and it can’t work, she knows what she’s doing. Not everyone is so lucky to have her choose someone specifically for them, so when she does, be grateful Cherish her for as long as you are lucky enough to have her in your life.”
Normally, Kaden hated unsolicited advice, but he appreciated this thoughtful wisdom imparted on him from John. “Thanks,” he said before John turned and walked away, giving him a little wave
Kaden slowly began to head back home, thinking about what John had said. It was too bad he’d lost his wife and daughter. He was a good guy. Even though what he’d said about the Moon Goddess made perfect sense, Kaden wasn’t John. He wasn’t ready for a Luna, and he sure the hell wasn’t ready to get married. Not even if the girl the Goddess had picked out for him did turn out to be the most beautiful girl at the ball.
The most beautiful girl anywhere.
