My Best Friends Mate

Chapter Forty Two

RYANS POV

Wait, what did I just hear. Craig finally returned my calls and the first thing I hear is that they're on their way to silvermoon and that Michael is here.
What the fuck was happening?
I held the phone in silence.
"Michael is there?!" I nearly crushed the cell phone with my hand.
"Not here at this moment, just a few of his pack but..." and he fell silent.
"But what?" I said impatiently.
"But Kiara saw him. She didn't know it but she saw him. He found me Ryan but more importantly, he's found her. She thinks we are coming up there as a birthday present, so I can see where she grew up. While that's mostly true, I also need to get her away from here" he admitted.
If Kiara found out about this, she was going to be pissed. I understood what Craig was thinking, he wanted to protect the woman I.. he loved but Kiara was fiercely independent and would not be lied to.
I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I agreed with Craig. Naturally I wanted her to be safe, I knew she could take care of herself but I just couldn't help but feel the need to protect her. When it was revealed that her and Craig were destined mates, I feared her being in danger. Michael killed his mother, Michael wants to kill Craig, and if Michael will kill his own son, he will use whatever it takes to get to him. This includes Kiara. What I don't understand is why he didn't immediately kill her when she saw him. He's playing with us.
My sigh was deep and breathy. Of course they need to come here but I needed to stay out of the way. Still the dreams haunted me. The moon goddess appeared to me yet again, her cool soft hands running over my cheek as she whispered in my ear "almost" then she just disappeared. I had woken up from my nap in a cold sweat with Dustin's call in the background. I wondered if she had been appearing to Kiara too.
"There's one more thing " He said.
"Goddess, what?" I replied frustrated and running my hands through my hair.
"We have a brood of vampires that'll be coming with us, Max to be more specific" and he actually chuckled under his breath.
What. the. fuck.

CRAIGS POV.

I put the phone in my pocket quickly when I saw Kiara excuse herself from Max and his clan. I knew she had heard me and I needed to come clean. I had stood there watching her interact so casually yet so regally with this vampire cluth standing before us. I was thankful for them, despite my utter disdain for Max. Last time I had seen him was when my mate bond with Kiara revealed itself but before then, at an underground tournament with Ryan. Max and Ryan were in eachothers weight class but they rocked eachother with their unique species abilities. Ryan ultimately submitted Max. I quickly replayed the memory of more simple times until Kiara turned looked at me. That squinted side eye,and scowl told me everything I needed to know. She had kindly excused her self from Max and the others and had walked towards me with a determination I hadn't seen in any woman before. Stopping before me, with her arms crossed and gaze not leaving mine, she maintained the angry demeanor on her face.
I quickly searched my thoughts, desperate to find some way to tell her the truth without upsetting her.
"Kiara, I.." but before I could finish she placed her hand on my chest and stopped me. All anger and frustration left her face and she leaned into embrace me, wrapping her arms around my back firmly.
I returned with the same, engulfing her in my arms and breathing in her scent.
"I'm sorry" I admitted.
She didn't pull away from me at first but after a few minutes she released her hold on me. She looked at the ground before finally making eye contact with me. When the glow of the late afternoon sun hit her eyes, they almost sparkled.
"Craig.. I know why you didn't tell me." she said.
I began to interrupt her but she held her hand up to stop me.
"I know why you didn't tell me. I know you're trying to protect me. I know you're just doing what you've always done your entire life in regards to your father, You're running, you're hiding but it's time.to.stop" emphasizing the last three words. She reached for my hand and firmly grasping it leaned in a little closer. I couldn't form words. My eyes searched her face, waiting for anticipation in what she was going to say next.
"We're not running anymore ok? And Craig, I'm not Michael. I'll never be disappointed in you. I swear to the moon goddess if you lie to me again though.."
I didn't let her finish. I pulled her in, kissing her, running my right hand through her hair and the other against her lower back. I released her, keep my face still buried in her neck.
"I love you Kiara.." I told her and before I could exhale she said "I love you too"
I just held her tighter. She had finally said it to me and I think she had finally meant it. I looked past her to see Max and his buddies snickering. We both gave them a go to hell look. I pulled out my phone to call Ryan back just to realize that the call never ended. He had just heard it all.