To Mate or not to Mate?

Confusion.

I ended up running until sunlight kissed the tips of the trees. I rounded my way back to the cabin, and shifted before stepping inside.

I was fully nude, not bothering to think about the dress that was in shreds somewhere in the forest. I could slip on my clothes from last night since they were still in my guest bedroom. Not that I wanted to go back inside.

I made my way through the kitchen, noting a half a dozen passed out weres along the way. I rounded the stairs, and slowly paced down the white carpeted hallway. Surprised, since the carpet was still white after last night.

I opened the bedroom door, half expecting him to be waiting for me. Opening the door, I scanned the vacant room, and was... almost disappointed? What the hell.

It still smelled like him. The scent was heavier now that I was aware of it. I ran to the closet and quickly slipped on the tee shirt and jeans I wore last night to the house. Should I go home? I didn't want to risk him tracing my scent there. If he was to wait, he would choose the pack house first. He'd have to ask the alpha about me, and then he would find out I'm the alpha's daughter. I shuddered at the thought of seeing him again.

I checked my texts from last night. 17 unread messages? Shit. I scoured the names, and none were from my parents. Kahlia, Bex and Connor. All of whom I could deal with later. I called Bex's cell.

"Hello?" a groggy voice answered.

"Bex! Are you home? I need to talk. Something happened last ni-"

"CAM oh my GOD. Are you okay? Connor told me what happened last night and he was really worried."

"Yeah, can I come over? I can be there in fifteen minutes." I sighed heavily. I don't think Connor told her everything.

"Yes, meet me at the back door, I'll make some coffee." 

I hung up, relieved to hear coffee would be involved. Maybe I could spike it enough to deal with the epic amount of trouble I was going to be in.

When my dad finds out that I ran from my mate, he is going to flip. My parents are true mates, and they were strong believers in the bond and embracing it. Kahlia had always kept the same beliefs, and she wanted to find her mate. I on the other hand... had a bad experience last year. It made me never want to look at another male ever again.

Last night with Connor was the first bold thing I had done since the incident with Mason Simmons, and I didn't want to think about it ever again.

I arrived at Becca's in exactly 15 minutes. I went around to her back door and stepped in, joining her silently at their dining room table. Their kitchen was small, yet cozy. Their dining room table was surrounded with two large window panes, and growing up we loved to stare outside and watch the birds.

"Cam." She broke the silence. I sipped my coffee. "What exactly did Connor say about last night?" I mused, curious if he had told her we had been on our way to the bedroom for a reason.

"Well, he said that some guy identified you as his mate, and that you ran. And that the guy had been in bed with Kahlia.." she trailed off, avoiding my eyes. He definitely didn't tell her everything.

"Pretty much. I mean they weren't naked, so that wasn't super awkward. But I just... I just couldn't stay there. It was too much. I just turned eighteen! I'm not ready for a damn mate!" At the end I was screaming. I cupped my mouth, and stared at Becca. We both laughed.

"Well, kinda late now Cam. And I'm assuming you haven't read your texts, either." She raised a brow. I shook my head. "Why?" "Well, turns out he's kind of... at your house. With your dad." She mumbled the last part. My heart sank. Shit.

"So... how long can I stay here before your parents force me out?" I laughed loudly, half serious. "I'm not sure. A couple weeks maybe? Or a couple hours until your dad ordered you home. Ha ha." She laughed, almost spitting out her coffee.

"You can stay in my room, if you want." A familiar voice echoed in the doorway. We both turned to see Connor leaning against the door frame. He was in sweats, shirtless. His washboard abs rippled as he walked to the fridge and grabbed some juice. My face blushed beat red. Becca looked at me and giggled.

"Yeah. I kinda put two and two together after Connor's story about discovering another couple in a bedroom." She scoffed. I lowered my head.

"Of course, that mate of yours would probably rip my head off, so probably a bad idea." Connor shrugged as he sat next to me. I elbowed him in his ribcage.

"He's not my mate." I said sternly. Connor snorted. "Yeah? How about you go home, and tell him that. Let me know how it goes for you." He put his hand in my thigh under the table. I put mine on top of it, and squeezed his fingers so hard I heard one of them snap. He winced and put his hand in between his legs.

"Bex... just letting you know, I'm leaving everything to you in my will." I said somberly. I stood up and made my way towards the back door. Becca smiled and raised her coffee cup.
"Don't worry Cam, I'll make sure your vinyl collection finds a good home." I heard both her and Connor laughing at me as I shut the door.

I checked my texts and, sure enough, he was at my house. Kahlia was sending me minute by minute updates of the mysterious stranger and our father. Well, here goes nothing.