Second Chance Mates

-22- 🌹 Storm To Weather

^ Picture of Easton Butler 🥺

TRIGGER WARNING: anxiety attack

"So, before you go, was there something I could've said to make your heart beat better? If only I'd have known you had a storm to weather."
~Lewis Capaldi, 'Before You Go'

~~~

*Landon's POV*

The guard wolves at the entrance of the Crescent Sun Pack give me a friendly smile as they see me approaching. I wave as I drive past the gates, making the familiar drive to Ryland's house.

Lately, it's been nearly painful to be away from Ryland. Scratch that — it is painful to be away from him. My chest aches, as if my heart longs to be near him again.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a familiar head of dark red hair, and slam on the breaks. No.

'It can't be,' Leo whimpers in my head.

My breathing begins to pick up as my chest tightens with panic. Why is he here? He can't be here. Turning my head, dread settles in when I confirm that he wasn't a figment of my imagination.

Leon.

He halts walking to look up curiously when I abruptly stop the car. When our eyes meet, his green eyes darken considerably. Greens eyes that match those of Easton's, only Leon's are full of burning hatred.

A low growl rumbles, shaking the earth. Gulping, I make the stupid decision of leaving the safety of my car.

"Leon," I choke out, already nearly crying. He used to practically be my brother-in-law, and now all the love he once held for me has been replaced with contempt. "What are you doing here?"

"You don't get to question me," he spits back with a growl. "You lost your right to ask me anything when you killed my brother."

"I didn't kill him!" I shout, years of suppressed anger boiling over. "Those rogues tormented him! He was suffering, no matter what we tried to do to help!"

"It was your job to protect him! If you had done your one job as Luna, Easton wouldn't have been taken, and he wouldn't have hurt himself. He died because you failed as his mate!"

I clench my fists so tightly that my nails dig into my palm. I want to scream that it wasn't only my responsibility to protect Easton. Their family shared that responsibility, and we all failed. But I would never say that. I know how badly it hurts to have that thrown into your face. Easton had struggled with anxiety and depression for a long time after he was rescued. Even with all of our support and therapy, the storm he weathered never seemed to let up. And it's not fair of us to go back and forth, placing the blame on one another.

"Think what you want," I respond dryly. "I have somewhere to be."

I've barely turned to walk away when I hear footsteps pounding on the sidewalk, rushing towards me. Leon whips me around, delivering a solid punch to my jaw.

"Don't walk away from me!" Leon shouts, grabbing the front of my shirt. "Why are you here, anyway? Does this pack have a habit of picking up strays?"

"I'm here to see my mate," I answer without thinking. Leon releases my shirt, eyes widening as his face pales.

"W-What did you just say?" He whispers in shock.

There's no use in lying about it now. While I didn't really plan on telling the Butlers about my mate, I can't go back now.