P.S. You're My Mate

Chapter 04

GRACE

"Mom, can we not talk about this," I groaned, walking up to her and placing a kiss onto her cheek, "I came here with the hope of getting away from it for a while. Just a little while."

"I don't think that's going to be possible because Rykes is on his way to see you," Aphrodite informed, "He's not mad so don't worry about that but he really wants to talk to you."

"Are you sure he isn't mad? I mean, I did attack an alpha wolf that had permission to be on our territory," I began fumbling with my fingers, anxiety rising within me. I was ready to face any punishment he would offer. To attack without reason or cause was against pack law.

"Alpha Silas spoke to Rykes and requested that he let you off with a warning. He seems to understand why you refuse to accept the bond," she said before her eyes glazed over. Aphrodite had the uncanny ability to communicate within a mind link and still talk to someone in person at the same time. I had no idea how she did it, but it seemed to be a special talent possessed only by her. 

I snarled at the mention of Silas' name, "I don't need his help. I wish he would just stay out of my business."

"Grace," my mother said in a low warning tone.

"Don't 'Grace' me, mother," I gave her an exasperated look, "You and dad wouldn't know what this feels like because you've been together since you guys met. He's the only mate you've ever known and vice versa. I have these conflicting feelings inside of me right now and I hate having that feeling of betraying Carter. I just can't accept this bond."

"I'm not saying accept it. I'm only saying be more respectful of it. I raised you with the decency to always have manners no matter the situation," my mother said flatly.

I spotted Alpha Rykes' black wolf barreling toward us, his one white ear being the most noticeable thing. He stopped behind a tree, shifting into his human form and changing into the clothes he had in his mouth before stepping out to meet us.

"My Luna," he greeted Aphrodite, the loving look in his eyes as he stared at his mate making me feel even worse than I felt.

I wanted what they had, what my parents had but I wanted it with Carter. He was my first mate, my true mate. If he hadn't given up his life for me that day maybe things would have been better. If I was a normal werewolf that passed on directly after their mater, that would have definitely been better. Instead, I found myself stuck in this position.

"Gloria," Alpha Rykes greeted my mother before turning to me, "Grace, do you mind if we have a little talk?"

Shaking away my thoughts, I replied, "Uh, sure."

The four of us filed into the cottage, heading over to the small dining table my parents owned and taking a seat. The dining table only accommodated four people because there were four people in my family and we hardly received visitors. If we needed to see anyone, we would just take a walk to the pack house. After my sister, Diana, found her mate in a pack located in Washington, she left to stay with him. When I found my mate, we moved into a small cottage of our own but after he passed on, I couldn't stay there anymore. There were just too many painful memories so I ended up at the pack house.

Alpha Rykes cleared his throat, waking me up from my reverie, "About what happened earlier today..." He trailed off, his wife placing a hand on his on top of the table and giving him a reassuring smile, "Alpha Silas had decided to give you a week to think about what you want to do. That is the duration of time he will be spending here."

"And you think a week is long enough for me to change my mind?"

"It may not be but if you still don't want to accept him as your mate then you will have to reject him. We're unsure how that might affect you considering past experiences but we hope your wolf would survive and you will be allowed to stay in this pack," Alpha Rykes informed, "During this week, since you both will be in the same pack house and will eventually run into one another, please try and be civil. If you try to kill him again you could potentially start a war between our two packs."