The Beta's Missing Mate (Book 16 Of The Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 19

The plane coasted to a smooth landing and stopped. Aidan looked out the window at the blue waters of Lake Michigan in the distance. He sighed softly. He was dreading this so much.

"You ready?" Zane asked him. He was seated across from Aidan and had been reading a book most of the flight.

Aidan couldn't read. All he could think about was Ana and how he was betraying her. It went against everything within him to do this, but he didn't have a choice.

Ghost was furious with him, the beast not fully understanding how Aidan could give up on Ana. Aidan had tried to explain, even though he knew that Ghost really did know why. It didn't make him happy though. Ghost was completely in love with Ana, and Aidan knew this very well might drive a bigger wedge between the two of them. His wolf had barely spoken to him for the last five months, and they hadn't shifted once.

He hated it too, feeling like there was an itch he couldn't scratch as the need to shift had started to really bother him. Combine that with his growing need to mark his mate, and he was completely miserable. It was like Ghost was trying to punish them both.

He'd never been at odds with his wolf before, but Ghost hated this idea. He hoped once the bond was formed between him and this Bianca, if she accepted him, that his wolf would finally come around and be accepting of her.

'Fat chance,' his wolf muttered in his mind, completely disgusted by Aidan's choices.

Aidan rolled his eyes at him, but didn't bother to respond. There was no reasoning with the jaded wolf and his pissiness over losing their fated mate.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Aidan muttered as he stood and grabbed his bag. Why did he feel like he was heading to his own death?

Zane glanced up at him, but didn't say anything. Zane had pretty much kept his nose out of everything, but he had been supportive of whatever Aidan chose to do. He headed off the plane, Aidan close behind him.

It had been two days since Aidan had met with both Daniel and Zane in the gaming room. Two days for him to get used to the idea that he was probably going to be mating a she-wolf he had no interest in. Two days for him to come to terms with the fact that he had to give up on Ana, as much as he absolutely hated to.

He'd given Daniel the green light on Bianca, and the Alpha had contacted Great Lakes Pack. He'd spoken to Alpha Ross and informed him that Aidan was coming out for his pack visit early.

Aidan knew it had probably raised suspicions with the Alpha. He wasn't due here for another two months, and the fact that it had been Daniel that had contacted them instead of Aidan would definitely raise a red flag. Aidan knew he should have contacted them himself, but frankly, he didn't want to.

He didn't want anything to do with any of this. He felt so horrid, like he was cheating on her, betraying her. He stopped at the top of the stairs, looking down and closed his eyes. I'm so sorry, Ana.

Are you okay? If you can't do this, tell me, and we'll get back on the plane and fly home. Zane's mind link cut through his thoughts and Aidan opened his eyes.

I don't have a choice but I feel horrible about it. Like I'm betraying her. He forced himself to start down the steps, his gaze on his brother. Zane would have his back.

He was aware of the Beta standing off in the distance, watching him. Bianca's father. The man had no idea that Aidan was there to offer his daughter a chance at another mate. Aidan would prefer that he never knew it either. He wanted to take Zane up on his offer and get back on the plane and fly home. Or better yet, fly to Missouri and look for Ana some more.