Mine, Forever Mine

Chapter 32: Love Is Not a Choice

Alexa
I slink past the pack towards my home. And no one tries to stop me. I shift back to open the door and am met with Zan and Ghost. "You've gotten so big!" I say once I have the door closed behind me. Zan was now at my knee and Ghost at my hip. His bright silver eyes look up at me then he rubs his head against my thigh. Zan jumps in circles while barking. "Yes, how may I help you?" I ask him playfully and he heads towards the stairs. I follow after him and he stops by my door. I open it and Zan runs in. He sniffs around and sits by my bathroom. I walk in slowly and the door slams shut behind me. I pound my fists against the door, "Let me out!" I scream, still pounding on the door. "No. Sorry Lex. It's just until your heat ends." I hear Kane say quietly then slides until he sits with his back to the door. I do the same and lean my head back against the door. "I put ice already in your bathroom in a cooler. Pour as much as you need. I'll bring more tomorrow morning." He says and I feel his weight leave the door. Ghost and Zan look up at me with question and I sigh. "Kane locked us all in here." I say and Ghost sits at my feet. Zan whines loudly and jumps onto my bed, then curls up.

  I walk into the bathroom and close the door before Zan or Ghost followed me in. I lock it and turn the water on to freezing for the tub. I unclothe and step in. I shiver then it feels good. I lay my head back and close my eyes.
Brayden?
Hey, are you okay?
Why wouldn't I be?
I just got word that your King is calling his top four Royal packs.
What? Why?
Don't know. But it is said that his son is coming for his heir. And they're coming to your pack.
The three other packs...
Yeah.
That means the HellHounds, WildOaks, and the LaCrescents. They're coming here.
With the King's pack.
Yeah. The BrokenBanes.
A neighboring cougar pack told me that they're headed your way already.
Great. And Kane locked me in my restroom.
He what?!
I got locked in. He said it's just until my heat ends.
I don't like this at all.
Neither do I, but I have no way out so I'm just taking a cold bath.
I wish I was there now.
Brayden!
It's true!
I'll be with you in mere months.
I'll hold you to that.
Go ahead. I'll return to you always.

I play the song Girls/Girls/Boys by Panic! At The Disco and sing along softly to it, letting it soothe me. Soon after, Nicotine plays and it reminds me of Kyle, the one wolf I don't think I'll ever stop loving. I start nodding off and I let sleep consume me.

  I wake up to a bright light in my eyes. My eyes flicker open and I'm not in the bath anymore, but in the same grassy hill from when I got Echo. I am once again in the white dress and I run to the sound of howls, growls, and snarls. I am soon stopped by a beautiful woman with flowing white hair and bright white eyes. "Do not worry of them. It is only a trap." She says and brushes her fingers against my forehead and the sounds end. The only sounds are of the songbirds. "Come with me, Alexa. We have much to discuss." She says and smiles kindly. I follow warily, but a sense of calm comes over me. She goes to the very top of the hill and continues down to a meadow of wildflowers. The sweet strong scent makes me want to roll around in it. Then a stronger scent comes, and makes my mouth water. "Alexa, I made a mistake with you. I've let you down too many times and I apologize. Yes, you joining together with Brayden is a good cause, but you are not meant to be with the cougar. Kyle was one of your potential mates not a true mate, but Liam was not. Yes, Alphas can have multiple mates, but only one True Mate. Yours is coming very soon, and I have complete faith that you two will be a perfect match. He will be the fuel to your fire, and bring you your greatest challenge. He is your other half." She says and I tilt my head. "Will Brayden find his happiness?" I ask hesitantly. "Yes, my child. He will be happy and have cubs with his mate, yet he will always love you. No matter how much he loves his mate, you always will hold his heart." She says and I feel the tears streaming down my face. Her soft hands wipe them away, "Do not cry. Brayden will be happy. And so will you." She says and I nod. "Who will be my mate? And will he stay with me?" I ask. "I cannot tell you who he is, but he will stay at your side until death do you apart. But you will have bumps in the road, but don't lose faith in him. I will keep contact with you." She says and I wake up.

     I sit straight up and look around. I step out and wrap a towel around myself. I grab my phone and Death of a Bachelor is playing. I laugh to myself, "Only I play Panic! At The Disco too many times." I skip to play Hallelujah and sing along loudly. I dance my way into my closet and change into my Johnny Depp hoodie and a pair of dark blue boyfriend jeans. I tie on my platform Converse and adjust my choker. I try to door from the bathroom to outside and find it unlocked. I close it behind me and open my bedroom door, letting Ghost and Zan out.
I come downstairs to find Kane sitting on the sofa, watching TV. He looks up then back at the TV, "Finally you come." He says playfully and I growl, a twinkle in my eye. He looks at me again, "What took you so long?" He asks. "Our Creator. She visited me." I say and he looks at me in awe. "Ya lying." He says and I shake my head, laughing. "She told me that I don't belong with Brayden, no matter how good the cause. And that my true mate is coming soon." I say and he looks at me. "Wonder who he is. But he better meet my standards." He says and I laugh loudly. "Really? You sound like you're going to be mated to him." I say and he growls. "Um Kane. My heat's over now." I mutter and he looks at me. "You sure?" He asks. "Positive. Now that I'm away from Brayden, it ended." I say and he nods. "Come on. Briar's been crying for you." He chuckles and I snicker. "I feel bad though." I say. "Why? She challenged you. You defended your rank." He replies and I nod.
We walk together to the house and are met by Bren. He envelops me in a hug and I rest my head on his right shoulder, "I missed you Alex." He whispers and I hit his head playfully. He laughs and swings his arm loosely around my shoulders.

We walk in laughing at a joke Bren had made and many eyes look up at us. Kaye's and Briar's are bright with fear while Elle gets up. I stiffen and she hugs me. "I've missed you." She says and I hug her back. Slowly Kaye comes and I hug her tightly. "I'm so sorry." I whisper and she shakes her head. "I am too." Briar says quietly and I turn to her. I pull her in for a hug and she hugs me back. "It's okay now. I promise you that." I say and pull away. I look back at Bren and he smirks. I quickly turn my head and Kane snaps his head up. "There are wolves coming." He growls and the guys stand up. "Alexa, go upstairs with the girls. We'll stay down here." Kane says without looking at me. I nod, resisting my growl. We go up the stairs into my old room. "You guys wait up here. I'm going." I say, turning to leave when a hand grabs my arm. "Wait. Shift." Kaye says and I do. She slips on a leather necklace, "Our gift to our Alpha." She says and they dip their heads. I dip my own and Kaye opens the door for me. I race down the stairs, hearing a low howl.