Her Mate

Chapter twenty-five

The entire drive back to Lakeside had me wondering if I did the right thing. Truth be told I was more than a little off guard by Ashley's sudden change in attitude and Joann's. I might not know Ashley very well but my sister I sure do and that was completely out of left field.

The more I thought about it the more I was certain that Ashley would protect her. She did stand up for me with Jake afterall and while she was responsible for the attack on Jake's pack I was sure that she didn't with Joann. As far as Jake's pack was concerned... it... it wasn't against humans. It felt bad to think that. But I did have to face facts. There was a whole different set a rules than what i was use to living by at work here. One where vampires who can drink from women till they pass out face first on the ground and where we could be practically killed by jealous wives of the people we're fucking only to have her decide to "claim" you... yeah, that still drives me crazy  in a very hot and exciting way. Don't ask!

A sharp spike of pain shot across my chest from me sighing at the thought of Nancy. Talk about another set of rules... she was off on her own. I had no idea what was going through her mind and with her I'm supposed to know. Maybe not full thoughts but I've picked up on changes in her mood just by feel. It's like trying to explain the color to a person who's never had sight. I just want us to get past this and all the shit with Jake and I wasn't sure how that was going to happen.

Before I knew it I was driving down Linnea's street. I was about to give myself some kudos for remembering the way as that's so not me when my brain shut down on remembering which house it was.

I pulled up in front of a grey house that seemed right only to spot Linnea waving at me from the steps of a small white house across the street. Well I was close...

Linnea came out to the car barefoot wearing only a pair of sweatpants and a faded that had to be Greg's as it was not even close to her size and hanging off her left shoulder. She looked for someone who's been up all night. You'd never know it just looking at her.

"Where's the - Oh fuck! Jake did that?!

Linnea asked appalled taking a step back from the car. I looked at myself in the rear view and my left eye looked like a raccoon. It had swollen up a lot since I last looked at it.

I gave her a weak smile and tried to reassure her that I was fine. Werewolf senses or just common sense she didn't buy it.

"What about your sister, where is she? Is she okay?"

"She lost her damn mind and decided to stay with Ashley's pack. I shouldn't of went over there but... well I wanted to know what she was thinking and I certainly wasn't expecting Joann would wanna stay."

"You went to Ashley's? Are you out of your damn mind, Crystal?" She looked around quickly seeing if anyone was nearby then moved around the car and got in the passenger side.

"Roll up your window!" She demanded before laying into me. Great, as if I didn't have enough already.

"Nancy's going to go full Alpha on you and this time I won't be risking my ass to save yours! There are two things that werewolves value over anything. First and foremost is the mate. Nothing is more important than that! The idea of mate hurt and knowing there isn't a fuckin thing you can do about it... there isn't anything worse. Trust me." The way she said nothing worse sent a chill through me. She was clearly talking from personal experience but I couldn't think about what.

"Is Greg alright?"

I asked in a momentary pause as if she had lost herself. Her crunched up brows relaxed indicating she was back to now.

"He's fine." She said harshly making it clear she didn't want to discuss it. I stiffened by it which she must of noticed as she gave me a forced smile "He will be. I'm going to make sure of it. Nancy might not want to admit it but she's the same way. All of us are. That's why when she sees you...