Shattered Soulmates, Stone Mountain Shifters, Book 4

Chapter 1 - Betrayal

Paisley POV

Day Before the Bonding Ceremony

Miles and I are snuggling on the couch. I don't know how I got so lucky. He is so good to me and treats me like I'm a treasure. My eyes sting as moisture wells. "Hey! What's this about?" Miles tips my head back. "Why are you crying? I promise nothing is going to happen tonight at the bachelor party. I want no one but you." He smiles at me and dips down to press the sweetest kiss on my lips. "I won't have a bachelor party if it upsets you."

"No. It's not that, Miles." I blink. "I just love you so much. I don't know what I did to deserve such happiness." My heart is full. The past year with Miles has been a dream. He is kind, considerate and responsible. I am so blessed.

"Aw, baby." He pulls me onto his lap. "I love you. I am so glad I finally found you. You hung the moon, my little mate." We spend the afternoon entwined in each other. The first day we met, we mated, made it legal and have lived together since. But we decided because of his past, we would wait one year to complete the bonding ceremony and mark each other. I wasn't fully on board with that idea, because I felt it left things open for her to return. Miles swore it didn't, but I wanted to stake my claim. The bond is dangerous to attempt to remove and he didn't want me stuck with him and all his baggage.

He told me about his past. He had been with his ex for ten years. They knew each other for years prior. But she never treated him well. From the very beginning, she would treat him like an afterthought, dumping him when she got bored. Then she would come running back after she had sowed some wild oats. She doesn't sound like a very good person. Miles is too good for her. I will take him, baggage and all.

Our relationship has been great. For the last year, I have been teaching high school students, but I am also taking courses and writing my dissertation so I can teach at the community college level. There is a potential to lead some online college classes in the fall. I have always been advanced in my studies, having graduated high school at the age of 16. I have an eidetic memory, in that I have an extraordinarily accurate and vivid recall, especially of visual images. Therefore, education and learning has always been easy for me. On the other hand, I am slightly socially inept. So I have been taking training on how to be a Beta's mate, and learning other societal niceties. I have come a long way. At least I can speak my mind now. Opening my mouth in public used to be impossible. I have come a long way.

Our pack house structure is similar to other packs.  Our apartment is on the third floor. This is where the Alpha and Beta quarters, offices and a couple of visitors' suites are located. Second floor is the singles quarters and a few small family suites. The main floor has the pack gathering areas, living room, kitchen and dining hall. The basement has the prison cells, security offices and medical bay. Unfortunately, we don't currently have a licensed and trained doctor, just medical assistants. Wolves are relatively healthy, but if someone needs serious medical attention, we have a chopper to fly out patients to the nearest hospital in Sparksburg.

Suddenly, the sound of banging interrupts our lovemaking. "Come on, Paisley, send Miles out! It's time for his bachelor party." One of his friends yells through the locked door. I blush furiously.

Miles kisses me gently. "I'm sorry little mate. I promise, you'll be having so much fun at your bachelorette party, you won't even miss me. Then I will see you tomorrow night and we will be bonded forever." His smile reaches his eyes. I have never felt so cherished.

"Tomorrow night." I whisper. "I miss you already." My heart aches in my breast at the thought of not spending the night together like we always have.

The banging continues unabated. "We know you're in there, Miles. You can't hide from us."

Miles sighs heavily and kisses me one last time. Sitting me from his lap, he puts on his boots and stands. "I love you, little mate."