My Best Friends Mate

Chapter Forty Four

Gabriels POV

The sun was coming up and I could see the main gate to the Silvermoon Territory up ahead. Behind me Mt Rainier basked in all her glory. Being here and seeing that mountain reminded me of the very few times I came to see Selene and at that moment my heart ached. I missed my siblings. After this meeting, I'd reunite with Kiara and Dustin to begin their training.  Sam and Julien were in the back sleeping while Lennox was next to me, dozing in and out of consciousness. She grabbed my hand, giving me a sleepy smile and rested her head back against the window.
"Hey..." I whispered, not wanting to wake Sam and Julien. 
"We're almost there".
She opened her eyes slowly and covered a yawn. I know it had been a long couple of weeks for her. I know she didn't have to be here but she was.. for me and for the future of the lycan species.
There had always been an unspoken attraction between Lennox and I that I had never acted upon. We weren't just friends but we also weren't lovers. We fell in that gray space. We grew up together as best friends and she knew me like the back of her hand. I recalled all the times she had made it blatantly obvious to me that she wanted more than friendship but I was caught up in my own world and my own problems. It didn't help I was gone all the time. I would finally come home one summer to find out she had mated with my brother Benjamin. I still remember putting on my best smile for her and telling her I was happy for both of them. When my brother was killed, it was as if she had lost two men she loved in one lifetime.
She squeezed my hand interrupting my thoughts as she always did and I shook my ahead ridding them of my mind temporarily.
We crossed through the main gate after giving the guard our IDs and as I pulled into the front of the pack house, Sam and Julien finally awoke.
"So this is the silvermoon.." said Julien.
"Your sis was here right Gabe?" same quickly chimed in. I winced.
"yes she was.. my niece and nephew belong to this pack as well" I replied and we quickly got out. Closing the door, I gently shut my eyes and inhaled the air. I caught the scent of the Alpha.
I smirked silently to myself.  Exactly who I needed to see. I was pleased that Ryan was up early. To say I'm anxious to return to Kiara and Dustin would be an understatement. They needed to begin connecting with their lycan form. Their lineage would give life to the lycan future and the royal line continuing. More than that, I missed them, my family.
"Sam, Julien, why don't you two go find the Betas John and Emily. Lennox and I will meet you back here after we talk to the Alpha.
Sam and Julien gave us a shrug and walked into the packhouse where they were met by guards, surely to bring them to the betas.
"This way" and I grabbed Lenny's hand as I led her north into the forest that lined the territory.
"You haven't lost your touch" she said to me gripping my hand tightly.
"Or maybe you're just cheating.." She teased.
I gave her a crooked smile and wink. Lycans were more powerful than werewolves but being lycan royalty made me more elite in my abilities.
We followed his scent finally getting close enough to hear his heart beat. It was racing. I stopped, keeping my distance but advanced just slightly further where I saw the outline of his wolf.What was he up to?
I turned to look at Lenny who was watching and listening attentively. 
The sun was slowing starting to rise and strands of light peeked through the trees,the stray beams illuminating her cheek bones,nose and lips.
She turned to me and smiled and right as I was about to compliment her beauty, I heard a voice and caught a very familiar scent.
Kiara?

Ryan's POV

Arriving at the knotted tree I returned to my human form. Looking over my shoulder, I could have sworn I heard foot steps behind me but I couldn't hear anything and smelled nothing but the earth. That is until I caught Kiaras scent. It was slightly different but still the petrichor scent remained. I watched as she cautiously walked out from behind a thick patch of pines. Her attention wasn't on me immediately but instead she was crouched low with her head down and ears perched as she looked around. Her gold fur instantaneously disappeared as she transformed.  We stood there in our nudity, staring at one another. I didn't allow the awkward silence to linger much longer.
"Kiara..." I mind linked her.
"Ryan.." She replied in the link.
I stepped closer to her until we were less than an arms length apart.  Her facial expression was one part curiosity and the other analytical.
Her body language was neither that of welcoming or stand off-ish. She was being cautious and I knew why. I had left her.
"What is this about Alpha?" She mind linked me in a sarcastic tone.
I grimaced at first but when I saw the side of her mouth slightly rise, her best effort to conceil a smile, I smirked.
She was feeling fiesty today.
"Shall I make you submit to me, beta kiara?" I retorted in an equally sarcastic and instigating tone through our mind linked.  Her facade broke to reveal a grin and slight giggle.
I stepped closer, face to face, looking down at those big emerald green eyes.
"Kiara, I.." I began as I pushed her hair behind her ears like old times.
My heart stopped and what felt like a blaze lit inside of me. Craig marked her.
She grabbed my hand pulling it down but not letting it go. She said nothing but her eyes searched mine, every move on my face. I let go and took a deep breath.
"Well that was fast.." I said annoyed.
"You made it quicker" she offered an instant rebuttal, her voice fierce and u wavering.
I could feel the fire ready to spew out of me. I was pissed. I was pissed at her, at Craig, at the whole damn situation but mostly pissed at myself.
She was too and to an outsider looking at us they'd be watching with anticipation at who would strike first.  You could cut the tension with a knife.
I turned ready to walk away before I said something I would regret. Fuck it.
She grabbed my arm hoping to keep me from leaving but when she did, I pulled her into me. She didn't try to get out when I knew she could.
She just stared up at me. My fingers ran over her face and her lips and finally to her mark.
"You will always be mine Kiara.. and you will always have my heart" I continued in mind link, as my fingers passed over her collarbone and to the necklace I gave her.
She pulled away but this time, she broke the mind link.
"you did this Ryan!  This was you! You made this decision for me so stop playing these fucking games! You bring me out here where you saved me and tell me that I'm yours?!" She yelled at me with an intensity of a gale force wind.
"I hoped to save you again!" I yelled back at her and almost exherting my alpha dominance. Kiara didn't budge though.
"Save me from who?! Craig?! " and scoffed. "Too late Ryan!" And pointed to her neck.
I stood there in silence. Her green eyes had been flashing between green and gold.
After a few minutes of neither one of us backing down she finally caved.
"You know what, this was a mistake. I don't know why I even came here" and began to leave.
"Because you still love me Kiara! That's why.  And I still love you! Just admit it!" I grabbed her wrists with all my strength and pressed my lips to hers firmly as I pushed her against the closest tree. She didn't resist and I kissed her hard and passionate until we finally came up from air.
She looked past me with sadness. I rested my head against hers and took a deep breath. 
Two loud thumps landed behind me.
I straightened my body and released my grasp on her wrists.
"Gabriel.." I said calmly.
I turned to see Gabriel and his friend with their gaze upon us and arms crossed.
"Alpha" he said then looked at Kiara. His face changed when he looked at her.
"We've all got to stop meeting like this.." he continued.  "Let's get back to the pack house shall we? I think we have some important things to discuss.

KIARAS POV

Blue flames danced in Ryan's eyes.
Damn him.  This wasn't supposed to be happening. None of this. I wasn't supposed to have a mate who wasn't Ryan. I wasn't supposed to fall in love with Craig, which was indeed happening. I wasn't supposed to still have feelings for Ryan.  What is the purpose of a mate bond if it doesn't redirect your heart to one person?
I lost it back there. I lost my calm. The voice of my father echoed in my ear.
"Never lose your cool Kiara."
I walked with Lennox as Ryan and Gabriel walked together ahead of us. My uncle walked with dignity and demanded respect, even next to an alpha. Occasionally he would look back at me and Lennox and smile.
We walked in silence until we reached the packhouse and finally Ryans office. 
Ryan sat down at his desk while my uncle stood by the window, looking out of it like a bird on a perch.
I would catch Lennox looking at my uncle with a look of adoration. 
Ryan clasped his fingers together and rested his arms on his desk.
"What do I owe the pleasure, Gabriel " Ryan asked. Gabriel looked at him and smiled but returned his gaze to the window.
"Give me about 11 seconds." And he turned to look at the door. We heard barreling foot steps approaching his office and the voices of two individuals cursing one another in their native tongue.
The door slammed open and in walked two lycans. Their degrading remarks ceased when Ryan stood.
"Alpha.. this is Sam and Julien. Friends of mine."
After exchanging pleasantries, we all sat down and listened to my uncle speak of his recruitment of lycans.
"The vampires are here." I cut in.
Everyone turned to look at me sitting in the corner.
Gabriel stepped away from the window and stepped closer to me.
"Gustav sent Max and a few others here" I said flatly.
My uncle only smiled. 
"Fantastic " he said returning to look out the window.
Ryan bit his lip and his squinted slightly.
"You've recruited lycans, vampires.." he began.
"We're waiting on the witches" Gabriel interrupted.
"And witches" Ryan deadpanned

Silence surrounded the room until Sam spoke. 
"And IF the witches get on board, then what?"

"We all train together and we kill Michael and the hunters" Lennox replied, not looking up from her downwards gaze.

Gabriel cleared his throat.
"In the meantime.." he offered me his hand. "Kiara will be training with us. We need to control your Lycan form. Right now, your emotions influence your ability to transition to your Lycan."

I didn't have to ask. He already answered it.
"That's why your eyes flashed gold earlier".
Lennox masked a chuckle with a fake cough and Ryan rolled his eyes.

CRAIGS POV

I stayed back far enough to see through the scope of my sniper rifle what had happened. There was no way I could get close enough to hear and see it all, while remaining undetected. I knew Kiara left and I knew it was to see Ryan. As badly as I wanted to stop her, I had to give her her freedom and trust that nothing would happen, atleast not from her.. Watching it all unplay was like having a hot scour into my heart. I stayed there, leaned against grassy knoll as she walked away with her uncle who intervened at the right time. I believe that was no coincidence. 
As of now I wouldn't let either of them know. I cared too much about the both of them and I needed to focus on killing Michael. I made my way back to the packhouse after I felt they had a good enough head start.
Walking up the steps to the packhouse, I heard them coming down. I would act surprised.

Her uncle and Ryan walked down the stairs first exhuberating radiance and respect and there for a moment I felt inferior but I pushed that thought aside. I knew who I was and I knew who's I was. Kiara smiled at me and I stepped up the stairs to embrace her.
Gabriel extended his hand to me and without a hint of knowing anything he smiled and said it was good to see me. He was good.
Ryan stood there at the bottom of the staircase as we released from our embrace. He was about to say something when his phone binged.
He looked down to read it and then looked at us all.

"Its Dustin. We have our alliance with Janeen and the Aurora coven" he smiled.

"The Aurora coven?" Said a lycan in a British accent.  "I've heard of them!"

"Of course you have dumbass" said the Frenchman who slapped him upside the back of the head.

"How about that plan Gabriel?" Ryan could have stared a hole into him.

"Now we prepare for war "