My Best Friends Mate

Chapter Thirty Four

KIARA

I needed to talk to Ryan. He had been here evidenced by my bag of clothes and a photo of him and I. I looked at the clock. It was 2300 hours. I decided then and there Id go see him tonight.
I transformed into my wolf and ran as fast as I could to Ryans cabin. It didnt take me long and when I arrived it was dark. I walked in and it barely looked as if anyone had been there. Smelling the air I caught a faint scent of Ryan. He had been here but it had been a while ago. His desk was neatly arranged and his bed still made from this morning. My curling iron and other bathroom items were still in the drawer in his bathroom.I began to wonder if he forgot those or was hoping after a night or two id be back. I stepped in his closet and there were no clothes out of place. I grabbed one of the shirts hanging up and brought it to my face inhaling Ryans scent. When I did I was reminded of Craigs though and how much Craig smelled like the ocean.
After putting his shirt back, I left the closet and sat down on his bed. My photo still stood on his bed stand but beside it,laying on its back was the photo of Ryan and Craig. It was the photo I saw days earlier of them in the ring, embracing and Ryan holding his fist up in the air. They were both smiling and happy. I examined the photo, running my fingers over both of them. I sighed deeply and placing it back down how it was, I made my way to Ryans bookshelf. I reached for the book with all the bookmarks in it, flipping through it until I reached the end where I found writing on the last page.
"To my brother,
I hope this brings you peace as it did for me overseas. Always beside you.... Craig"
So Craig had given him this book. I waited for Ryan to return a little longer, laying on his side of the bed and staring at the ceiling until I drifted off to sleep.

RYANS POV.

I quickly grabbed Kiaras bag and took it back to her cabin. It barely smelled like her anymore but not much had changed. Gabriel stayed tidy that's for sure.
Being back here, I remembered when I first kissed her. All the memories flooded me. Laying her bag down, I transitioned to my wolf and ran into the forest as fast as I could, with no destination in my mind. I came across the patrol units Dustin had dispatched days ago. As I watched them circle the pack boundaries anger swelled up inside me even more. Craigs father is a monster, he is behind everything we have been working against and now Kiara was at a greater risk. Despite her particular skill set, I felt this overwhelming desire to protect her always. Deep in thought, Gabriel in his Lycan form caught me off guard when he jumped in front of me while I was mid run. I dug my claws into the dirt attempting to stop myself from barrelling into him. We both returned to our human form
"what are you doing here?" I asked.
He looked annoyed.
"You know Alpha, I dont get in the middle of people's relationship drama. Its not my business. However, when my only neice is involved, it kind of becomes my business "

"Just say what you need to say Gabriel" I retorted with aggravation.

I saw Gabriel sigh and lower his head as he stepped forward.
"I like you and youve been good to Kiara. I know this must be hard for you but I need you to consider that our moon goddess doesnt make mistakes and maybe theres a reason behind all of this"

I was about say fuck all this moon goddess bullshit when he continued.
"I know you two have a purpose in eachothers lives and who knows what the future holds but I need you to trust that her plans are higher than ours and do not put any extra pressure on Kiara to accept or reject either one of you"

He was right but I wouldn't admit that. I knew Kiara was being torn in two different directions and that puzzled me more. Mate bonds are supernatural and supposed to make you one with your mate. Gabriel interrupted my thoughts again.

"I need to talk to you, Dustin and the redwood alpha tomorrow. Ive brought Lennox here and shes willing to help. We're working on finding and recruiting the remaining Lycans to help us in this fight. Ill be honest though, they dont want their identity or whereabouts known"

I nodded in agreement. "We can meet tomorrow after breakfast."

"great" he said and with that returned to his Lycan form and returned to the forest. I spent the remainder of the night with the patrol unit. I wasnt ready to go home and be alone. I needed to distract myself and letting me wolf patrol was a good way to do it.

CRAIGS POV

Returning to the packhouse, I saw Beta Jasmine waiting for me. When she saw me she nearly knocked me over.

"Ive missed you so much! I cant believe youre here! You know, it wouldn't kill you to stay in touch with me. I worry about you Craig."

"I know mom, im sorry" I said
She had been my mom for 15 years now, ever since my birth mother was murdered. I knew I looked like my father for the most part and I couldn't help but wonder if it pained her to see so much of him in me.

We stood in the main room of the packhouse and the majority of the wolves had gone to bed. Jasmine had wanted me to stay with her in her home like old times but I needed some space. I watched a few shewolves pass me, each of them looking at me lustfully. Jasmine saw it too and rolled her eyes, smiling.

"some things never change." she said and sat down on a chair in the main room.

"actually.. thats something I need to talk to you about " I informed her as I sat down in the big leather chair across from her. She looked at me with an all knowing smile.

"who is she?" she asked.

"Kiara Huddleston. Kiara is my mate, mom"

If her head wasn't holding her eyes in they would have fallen out.

"Dustins sister?!" she exclaimed.

"the very same" I said flatly.

"oh.. wow..well im glad youre not mated to a bimbo" and she chuckled.

Jasmine knew I was always popular with ladies. She watched me grow up and even chased off a few. She wasnt wrong, I used to easily pick up women lacking any depth or substance. They were easy.
I recalled a memory of me and Ryan in a NYC bar. The women were basically throwing themselves at us. Ryan was always so cold and closed off and I always turned on the charm. It seems Ryan had begun to open up and enjoy life a little more. He seemed happy over the phone but when I got here he was back to his old self. I had only seen him happy when he was in the ring.

I stopped myself from going down that rabbit hole and returned my attention to Jasmine.

"how did Dustin act?" she asked.
"Fine, actually" I said surprised myself.

She leaned over and put her hand on mine. She looked me in the eye.

"you are a good man Craig. You are not your father." and she squeezed my hand again.
I offered her a reassuring smile.
"Thanks mom... I took her to the beach tonight. " I said.
Jasmine raised her eyebrow in amusement.
"the special place where you and your mom use to go?"

"yep."

"wow"

" I dont know how mate bonds work mom but when I saw a photo of her a couple years ago, I felt a pull towards her. She was young in the picture and it was her and Dustin beside their mom in a bed of wildflowers. It took all I had not to keep the photo. Why is that?"

Jasmine gave me a softened expression.
"the moon goddess has been preparing you two for a long time baby. You saw your future mate and your heart felt that need to be with her"

" I love her.I do." shrugging and falling back into the big leather chair.
Running my fingers over my hair I thought about Kiara. How she smelled like the earth when it rained, how her eyes reminded me of the ocean and how I admired her strength but also her softness.

"I better get to bed. I need to meet with Alpha Ethan tomorrow and discuss with him about me being back"
Jasmine got up to hug me and we went our separate ways. Finally reaching my room, I showered and fell asleep as soon as I hit the pillow.
I was only asleep for an hour maybe two when I woke up screaming and gasping for air.
I had been back in Afghanistan. Gun fire was raining over my head and I saw one of my guys get shot. I pulled him to safety but the smoke was so thick and the ringing in my ears loud. I never got good sleep anymore since returning home. I took a drink of water and went back to sleep, purposely thinking of Kiara