Share

Ch. 3 Hanging By A Thread

Penulis: Cara Anderson
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2023-03-20 14:33:03

Finnick’s POV

“Fuck!!” I screamed as I slammed my fist into the steering wheel of my Jeep. After five long years I was going back to the one place I never wanted to be again. I was going home to RedWoods. Back to the place where I would have to face the memories of the one person I wanted to forget. Sarah. She was the reason I stayed away all those years. 

But despite my absence, my best friend, who also happened to be her brother, always stayed in touch. Seth stuck by me, never letting our friendship fade away as I’d thought it would when I left for reasons I could never share with him. But now, he needed me and I couldn’t let him down. Even if it destroyed me. 

When Seth had called me a few weeks ago to ask me to come to RedWoods to train him for his tryouts for the Lead Warrior position, I was hesitant to say the least. My sole tactic for surviving life without my mate was maintaining my distance. But I would have to be physically present to train him effectively. There would be no way to avoid the memories and the longing for her I’d become so good at burying. 

Despite not having Beta blood, I was a skilled fighter and had been able to earn my role as the Crimson Moon Beta by proving myself to the Alpha. I’d won multiple fighting championships throughout the nation and could probably challenge an Alpha and win if I wanted to. I couldn’t deny I was Seth’s best shot if he wanted to learn techniques to bring down any competitor. So, I’d agreed to help, even knowing it would mean a few weeks of hell for me. He’d been my best friend since we were five years old. So I couldn’t let him down, no matter how painful it would be for me to go back there.   

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” I screamed again, as if cursing would make this nightmare all go away. I knew it wouldn’t, but it did make me feel a little better. 

“You can do this, Finn!” I tried a different tactic, positive self talk. “Just go in, help Seth with his little issue, and get out. You won’t even have to see her. Just hold yourself together and no one will be the wiser.”

Only Seth’s problem wasn’t little, probably requiring me to be there for weeks. And holding myself together with a wolf who desperately wanted his mate would be no small feat. My wolf, Callum, and I had been at odds since the day I left RedWoods without our mate five years ago. 

Who’s fault is that?” He grumbled in my head. 

I know you blame me, Callum. I blame me too. And I’m sorry you are suffering for my mistakes.” I apologized to him for the millionth time. 

Hmmph!” Was his only response, stomping off to the back of my mind. 

As he walked away, I started to ponder just how I was going to survive the next few weeks. I thought back to the last conversation I’d had with Seth. It had at least given me a little bit of hope that I could get through it unscathed. 

“Hey, brother! How are you? Ready to come teach me to kick some ass?” He’d asked when I answered the phone.

“You already know how to kick ass. I’m just going to help you refine your skills, make you at least half the fighter I am.” I boasted teasingly. “How are you? How’s the family?”

I really was interested. Seth’s family had been as much mine as my own family had been growing up and I missed them. But I couldn’t deny I had an ulterior motive in asking. My wolf needed to know how his mate was doing and I needed to know how I was going to avoid staying in the same house with her while I was there.  

“Everyone’s good! Mom and dad are actually out of town and Sarah just told me she’s going to visit our cousin Hallie in Fair Winds pack too. I know you would’ve liked to see her while you’re here, but look on the bright side. We’ll have the place to ourselves, our very own bachelor pad. And don’t tell me you won’t enjoy that because I won’t believe you. Your reputation precedes you, my friend.” He rambled on.

His hint at my reputation as a player stung. But I couldn’t dwell on it too much. I’d mostly stopped listening, stuck on the part about Sarah being out of town. He actually thought I’d be disappointed that I wouldn’t see her during my stay and I let him believe I was. Well, part of me was disappointed, the part that wanted his mate desperately.

 But a bigger part of me, the part that knew having my mate wasn’t possible, was relieved. At least I wouldn’t have to face her. If that happened, there would be no controlling my wolf. He’d wanted her so long that if he ever came face to face with her, I wouldn’t be able to stop him from claiming her. The fact that I wouldn’t have to keep making excuses not to see her the whole time was a load off my mind. Just being in the same town, let alone staying in the house filled with her scent, was going to be torture. 

It’s good we’re going home. We can wait for mate to come home and take her back with us!” My wolf started in again. 

He’d been repeating that argument like a broken record this week. He was trying to wear me down but as much as I wished he was right, that was no longer an option. It hadn’t been for a long time now and he knew it as well as I did.

Callum, I’m not having this conversation with you again! You know we can’t do that and you know why so just drop it!” I snapped at him. 

I hated the distance this caused between him and I but I hated thinking about her even more. The pain of knowing she’d never be mine was more than I could take.

I know it’s your fault we’re not with our mate! And I know you haven’t even tried to fix it!” He snarled back at me.  

I let out a deep sigh but I didn’t respond. Arguing with him was pointless. In the end, I understood what he never would. There was no fixing what I’d done. If I was a better man, I’d reject her so she’d be free to find a second chance mate. 

It was beyond cowardly of me to leave her trapped in this bond she wasn’t even aware of, probably wondering why she hadn’t found her mate yet. But every time I worked up the courage to let her go, I’d get as far as picking up the phone, determined to call and ask her to meet up, before losing my nerve. Of course my wolf never consented to that plan either, only further shaking my resolve. So here I was, still holding on to the threads of an unacknowledged bond.

Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi
Komen (3)
goodnovel comment avatar
Dawn Cochran
Go back and read the Prologue. The answer is there!! But the author obviously changed course after she wrote it.
goodnovel comment avatar
Karen Tolley
I'm wondering the same thing
goodnovel comment avatar
Valerie363
I don’t understand. I thought he only went away so she could turn 18 then he would happily run home to claim her. Why 5 years later and he angry about the return? Interesting…can’t wait to find out
LIHAT SEMUA KOMENTAR

Bab terbaru

  • A Tangled Fate: Bound By Her Betas   Author's Note

    To all my lovely readers, Thank you so much for the love and loyalty you've shown the Celtic Wolf series so far! I am so thankful to each and every one of you for sharing this journey with me! I will be taking a little time to do some more writing and editing on book 3 before I begin publishing but it will be coming soon! The final book in the series will follow Dillon and Zoe's story. It will begin a little earlier in the timeline from where book 2 ended, taking us to the currrent time and beyond, culminating in the final showdown between the wolves, Light and Dark Fae. Stay tuned to find out what fate has in store for Dillon and Zoe, and all wolf kind! Much love to you all, Cara Update: The title for book 3 is A Cruel Fate: Her Gamma's Regret. I plan to begin publishing in early July. Hope you will all join me for the final book in the series!

  • A Tangled Fate: Bound By Her Betas   Epilogue

    (Four Months Later) Sarah’s POV “Aaagh! I can’t do this anymore!” I cried, falling back into Zayne’s arms, totally spent. “Yes, you can, princess! You’re almost there.” he encouraged, brushing my hair back out of my face and wiping the sweat off my forehead. “You’ve got this, kitten. Just keep thinking about holding our pup in your arms.” Finn added. “Why is it taking so long? Kat pushed out two babies in less than an hour.” I complained at the unfairness of my situation. “My babies were smaller because there were two of them, sweetie.” Kat explained. “”But I had to do this part twice and it hurt like a bitch both times if that makes you feel any better.” “It doesn’t!” I pouted. “I’m so tired. And Sadie is pacing in my mind, worried about the pup. It’s too much!” Finn pressed his forehead to mine. “Callum and Triton will calm Sadie. Just try to relax until the next contraction.” I’d gone into labor nearly twelve hours ago and our stubborn little pup was still refusing to

  • A Tangled Fate: Bound By Her Betas   Ch. 116 Inseparable

    Sarah’s POV Reaching the exit of the goddess forsaken prison we were being held in was easier than expected. The arrogance of the Dark Fae in thinking themselves too superior to wolves, even gifted wolves, to even consider we might be capable of such a thing made our work that much easier. Only three creatures stood in our way as we ran through the barren corridors and Kat easily took them down. It was only once we actually made it outside that the real obstacles appeared. Nearly running smack into the back of the colossal Dark Fae army could have easily ended our bid for freedom. Miraculously, Kat was able to create an invisible wall of air between us and them, Zoe and I bouncing off of it and falling back on our assess. Still, we somehow went unnoticed. The Moon Goddess was definitely with us. Kat quickly helped me to my feet and we both lifted Zoe from the ground. My sister-in-law was shaking so violently, she could barely force her legs to move. Kat was already heading for cover

  • A Tangled Fate: Bound By Her Betas   Ch. 115 Aine's Gift

    Zayne’s POV As we pulled away from Glass Lake territory, an entire cavalcade of vehicles trailed behind us, all filled with our best fighters. But knowing what the Dark Fae could do, I wasn’t sure it would be enough. At most, a wolf attack would provide a distraction, but that distraction could mean the difference between success and failure. Guilt slithered through my veins at the thought we were leading them like lambs to a slaughter. “How many Light Fae do you think will come?” I asked Finn for the hundredth time, my leg bouncing nervously and bumping into his. “Enough, I hope.” Finn answered vaguely, placing a steadying hand on my knee. Finn slid his hand into mine, lacing our fingers together. It was comforting to feel his warm body pressed into my side and his strong hand gripping mine. But even so, the fear and uncertainty passing back and forth between us through the bond was like an elephant on my chest, crushing me. My free hand slipped inside my jacket pocket, feelin

  • A Tangled Fate: Bound By Her Betas   Ch. 114 Imprisoned

    Sarah’s POV I woke with a start and immediately missed the coolness of the stone my face had been pressed against. My stomach roiled and bile burned in my throat. I tried to breathe through my nose but it didn’t help and before I knew it, dry heaves wracked my body. I tried to brush my hair out of my face but the motion produced a loud clanking sound and a searing pain in my wrists as my arms were yanked back. It was then I realized I was sitting on a dirt floor, my arms bound in silver and chained to the wall. Suddenly it all came rushing back. Attempting to clear the grogginess, I shook my head but that only made the nausea return. I rested my cheek against the cool stone wall and waited for the churning in my gut to subside. And while I waited, I tried to make sense of my surroundings. Where the fuck was I? I had no idea how far we’d run when the Dark Fae found us. And we’d covered our scent so wherever we were, no one would be able to track us here. We were just going to h

  • A Tangled Fate: Bound By Her Betas   Ch. 113 Fae Magic

    Finn’s POV Hours passed while we ran in circles, chasing scents that had somehow ceased to exist. Zayne and I felt nothing through the bond. No fear, no pain. It was as if our mate had disappeared completely, along with her scent. Dillon and Zoe had not sealed their bond so he couldn’t tell, but the Alphas said their connection with Kat felt the same. Simply empty. None of us wanted to admit defeat but it was painfully clear we were getting nowhere. Finally Reegan and Ryan suggested we return to the packhouse to regroup and gather reinforcements. The rest of us reluctantly agreed, having no better options. “We are too far to reach the pack through mindlink, but I will call Elder Alma on our way home and ask her to contact the Fae Queen. Maybe she will know how we can find them.” Ryan offered up what seemed to be our only remaining option. Reegan nodded curtly, acknowledging his brother, but otherwise he hadn’t spoken a word in the last hour. I knew he was trying to maintain the o

Bab Lainnya
Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status