Broken Halves

Chapter One

I am his mate.

I understand he's dead.

I say he's not.

I dream he isn't.

I try to believe.

I hope I'm wrong.

I am his mate.

POV: Cole

Blue. A striking blue. Blue like the endless sea; or the unlimited sky. A shade of blue that I've only ever seen one set of eyes to possess. A set of eyes I have not seen in years. Eyes belonging to a person in which I love. A person who was ripped away from me before I even got the chance to know her. But, despite odds, I was her world; I've always been her world. Nothing in her home country of France could ever compare to the beauty of this woman in my eyes. My eyes; the eyes of the man she fell in love with.

She was it all, nurturing, comforting, fair, trustworthy, brave, strong, and intelligent. She was my mother; the woman who held me in her womb for nine months. The woman, who rocked me to sleep as a baby, and watched me play in the woods as a toddler. The woman whose death I have mourned every day since I was the tender age of six.

"Mama." I whisper breathlessly as she lifts her hand to caress my cheek. "My boy; my strong little boy. You have done well." She places a kiss on my forehead and turns around to look at the approaching figures. I look over her shoulder to meet the eyes of my Grandfather; his mate on his arm. A single tear rolls down my face.

"Nona, Grandad." My voices chokes as the memories of their sudden deaths come to the forefront of my mind. Grandad just smiles and places his hand on my shoulder. "Alpha, you have done well." With pride, he recites the words I only spoke to him three days prior. I close my eyes and release a breath as Nona begins to speak. 

"The Moon Goddess has guided you safely to us bambino." Nona's words hit me hard as the realization dawns on me. "I'm dead?" My heart skips a beat and despair is quick to wash over me. Just like any grandmother, her eyes soften at my inner turmoil. "Yes bambino."

White hot panic surges through me as she confirms the thoughts that are swirling endlessly through my mind. "But Dani! And Jorden. Oh goddess, the pack!" "Shhh." My mother is quick to reach for me and pull me towards her bosom in a gesture to soothe my frayed nerves. "You have served well Cole. Your time is over now. You are at peace here." She pulls away from me enough for me to see her dazzling smile however, our moment is soon disrupted by a shimmer of white.

"Colton Jameson Richards." The voice is strong and commanding, yet gentle and caring. "Son of Dalton Willis Richards and Isabelle Renee Du Val Richards." The voice pauses. "Ex Alpha of the Blood Moon pack and wolf who carries royal blood through his veins." "Age of death, 24." "And three days." I find myself mumbling under my breath, Dani's face flashing quickly through my mind. I left her. My heart skips again and I find my teeth subconsciously clenching. I fucking left her on her 18th birthday; the same damn day her mother left her.

I close my eyes hopelessly willing the tears away. She lost the two most important people in her life on the same day and I can't comfort her; I will never be able to hold her in my arms again and soothe all of her worries and fears. I ball my fists attempting to suppress my growing anger. Now is not the time to lose my shit. Like always, I imagine Dani's gentle fingers weaving their way through my slightly shaggy hair. As if by her command, I release my breath and relax into the temporary calm the memory has brought me.

"My Mr. Richards, you have a long list of people who want to talk to you." "Should I send them in?" I jump slightly startled by the voice. I turn around only to see that my mother and grandparents have left. Furrowing my brows slightly, I straighten my back and portray a false aura of confidence. "To whom am I speaking?" The voice only laughs in response, "All will be revealed in due time Mr. Richards." "Now, do you wish to speak with the others?" "Yes ma'am." I find myself answering despite still not knowing the entirety of the situation. "Very well, I will send them in one by one." The shimmering white disappears and a door appears in its place.