Mine. Mate

13: I can only think of Rain

I don't know how long we stayed without talking to each other. Our wolves ended up snuggling and taking a nap. 

After a while he says "There is a small gathering at Kate's house tomorrow. Her daughter turns 16 and the whole pack is invited. Not everyone can make it but I would like you to come," he tell me. 

"I'll think about it," I tell him. 

"Okay. I have some meetings to attend," he stands and turns to leave. 

As he walks to the door I want to ask him to stay. I want to him to hold me and tell me everything is going to be okay. I want to feel his strong arms wrap around me and squeeze me tight. I want to breathe in his scent with every breath I take. The Police, oh man lyrics just keep coming to me. 

But I don't know how and I'm too afraid to ask and before I know it the door clicks shut. 

___________________________________________________________

Tristan:

I feel her wolf pleading for me to stay but she says nothing. My heart is sore but I know she needs time and space. 

I want to turn around and order her to be the mate she supposed to be, in love at least, then hold her till all her pain goes away. 

But shit. She'd probably knock me out and drive herself pack to the Forest Pack. 

I sense her tossing and turning behind the door but I force myself against the pain and head back downstairs. 

Damien and Ron are finishing cleaning up as I arrive. 

"Get ready. We are driving back down to the Forest Pack," I tell them. 

"Yes, sir," they respond. 

I go to my council chambers to get my shotgun and head to the SUV. 

_______________________________________________________________________________

We arrive late but Alpha Storm is up and waiting for us. We are greeted by a few body guards as we enter the pack house. Before I reach Alpha Storm I see Rain's cousin Mountain. 

"Hey man," he shakes my hand and give me a small hug. 

"How's the cracker jack?" he asks. 

"She's hanging in there. She's eating a little more now," I tell him. 

"Not warming up to you yet?" he asks. 

I stare at him. How would he know?

"Eh, give her some time. Don't worry, she'll be putty in your hands before you know it," he says.

"Any pointers for me?" I ask. 

He thinks for a moment. "Sweets, any kind of dark chocolate or cookies, or any chocolates I think. I don't know but she always wants chocolate," he says. 

"Thanks," I say. 

I finally reach the kitchen where I see Alpha Storm stand up to greet me. 

"Alpha Tristan," he says and gives me a hug. 

"How's the Yogi Bear?" he asks. 

"She's doing better than when she first came," I tell him. 

"How are you doing?" he asks me. 

"I'm okay," I tell him.

"She's still angry with you yeah?" he asks. 

What is up with this family? I ask my wolf. Is there love sick puppy stamped on my forehead?

He laughs. "I know my sister. Don't worry, she just needs time. Always was a stubborn kid. Only one of us who had the balls to call out my father on shit." He shakes his head with a grin. 

Then he sobers. "We buried our parents and the rest of those killed yesterday."

"Like you said my sisters bodies weren't found," he stops to take a deep breath. "Did you tell Rain our sisters could still be alive?," he asks. 

"No," I tell him. 

He stares at me. "I'm not sure whether to be angry or thank you," he says. 

Storm continues, "We found some information on those books you mentioned. They are held at the council den. Only the council members are allowed to view them."

"Do you have any idea what are in those books?" he asks. 

"No," I tell him. "How many others know your sisters bodies weren't found?" I ask him. 

"Two pack members and the four pack elders. It was a closed casket ceremony." 

He clenches his fist. 

"Our perimeter was breeched on the day back to my pack," I tell him. 

"They were after Rain," he says. 

I nod, "I believe they were."

"I've told our pack members to be careful especially true mates and their children," Storm tells me with a pained expression. 

He continues," We've been on lock down since the attack. Whoever did this were skilled professionals." He brings out a map and places it on the table. 

"My parents party was moving along this road. They were ambushed around this blind bend. There is no way for the attackers to have seen my parents coming."

"Unless they knew were coming," I finish. 

He nods. "They shot everyone with silver bullets in the head. No signs of a shoot out or struggle. I'm assuming they had some sort of distraction like a stalled car or something. Maybe three or four of them. Quick. There were my parents, two sisters, and five body guards."

"They must have shot the guards, then my parents, then subdued my sisters," he tells me.

I lean back into the chair. I don't know any pack or wolf team capable of executing this, I tell my wolf. 

Storm confirms, "I don't know who could have pulled this off. These were our best body guards. Fast. Efficient. Thorough.

I nod. Yes, but they weren't on high alert, my wolf chides. I think back to the wedding when they didn't notice my shift in mood. No, they weren't, I agree. 

"We need to know what could be in those books. It could help explain why they need your sisters and their next move," I tell him. 

"Elder Maria has an insider at the council. She's told me the attack wasn't sanctioned by the council therefore it must be rouges," he says. 

"Or hired wolves," I comment. 

"Who would benefit from warring? They wanted to bring peace, dammit!" he slams his fist on the table. 

"How many members do you have in your pack?" I ask. 

"548 and two expecting" he replies. 

"That's a strong number," I tell him. 

He looks up at me red eyed. "But we didn't want a war," he says. 

"That doesn't matter. You're bigger and that makes others scared."

"Okay, Obi One Kenobi. You're right." He leans back into his chair and wipes his face with both his hands. 

"Do me a favor. Tell Rain about our sisters. She'd want to know."

I nod then get up to leave. He gets up to shake my hand. 

"Mountain is getting something for you to take to Rain. He should be outside."

I tell him, "I'll be back in a couple of weeks. Let's hope for some good new by then."

I walk outside with my guards and see Mountain. He hands me a large container. I look inside cookies. 

"Rain always loves cookies," he says. "This should warm her up a little."

"Thanks," and I bid him goodbye. 

As we drive back I can only think of Rain.