Chapter 3

Sam’s POV

“Wake up, sis, we are here,” Jake says with a smooth, calm voice while he gently rubbed my shoulder for me to wake up.

I stared out the window and realized it was just a dream. Or a nightmare, whatever you would like to call it.

I was thankful. This year being it the 100th evening games, we would not be practicing at the old camp, close to the Black Wolf's territory. And to be honest, that was the only reason I had accepted to participate again. The thoughts of the Black Wolf pack made me shiver of terror, and I didn’t want to be close to that area again. Never again.

I had a habit of getting into trouble, and I could recall many situations where I had been too drunk to realize my mistake. And even sober, I would get myself into trouble. Jesus, I thought. If Jake only knew half of it… The last year I worked at a nightclub, and boy, did that sit well with Lily. She thrived in that sort of surrounding—cunning people for extra tips, or even worse, participating in gambling and fighting. I sighed loudly and realized I lived a completely different life than my brother, and he didn’t know my other life.

We arrived at the location simultaneously as some other wolves from our pack made our way to the camp. We were on high alert and were trying to seize our competition up, but in the end, we all knew that this was a close call for all of us. Attending the competition was the best of the best warriors from all packs.

A girl around my age that would be around 18, welcomed us with a warm smile. Like the all wolfs from southern California, she was blonde, tall, and with a scent of fresh seawater. I tried to smile at her, but I was sure she could sense the deep sorrow that filled my aura. They all did. I was part of the pack but could easily be mistaken for a lone wolf since my aura is filled with loneliness and sadness. If it hadn’t been for my brother Jake, I would probably be one. I looked at him as he smiled at the girl we had just met. I wished with all my heart that he would have the chance to meet his fated mate. I wanted him to be happy, and I wanted to leave. He was the only thing holding me back. I was destined to be a lone wolf on the run. That was the fate of my heritage. I had always known, but it didn’t make it less depressing.

“Okay, so you all know.., “my brother started saying, but I was already lost. I caught his smell as soon he arrived at camp. Blake. The Beta of my pack, well, his former pack. He had found his fated mate 24 months ago and had left. He had left me. Even though no one knew, we had dated each other for quite some time, and I was head over heels for him. I was in love with him, still as bright and clear as when he left me two years ago to be with his true mate.

I could feel him cheerfully walking through our small group of warriors and his hesitation as he felt my presence. It made him stop for a second before he continued to stride toward us. I froze, and his sent once again hit my nostrils, and I tried to hide behind my brother. He greeted everyone in our small warrior group, and when he came to my brother, he hugged him dearly. They were best friends, and I was his baby sister hiding behind him like so many times before.

“Don’t be shy, my brother said to me.” He laughed and thought I still had some silly crush on Blake. But he was wrong. My crush on him was never foolish; it was vivid, fully devolved, and heartbreakingly still there.

I slowly moved in front of Jake and gave Blake a slight nod. I focused my gaze on his green t-shirt that I bought him over two years ago. I sighed. Why would he choose to wear that when he knew I was coming? To rub it in my face?

I didn’t look him in the eye, and I could feel his eyes on me.

“Nice to see you all,” Blake then formally said. It felt like the past was just a distant memory, and here we were meeting each other as former pack-members. Lost was the memory of us being madly in love and devoted to each other—when we were craving each other's touch.

“I’m glad to see you are here to fight for my former pack. I sure miss you all”.

Again I could feel him looking my way. But I had decided long ago that if I ever met him again, I would never let myself cry or show any emotions toward him. It was a closed chapter of my life. I wasn’t even the same girl anymore. Everything changed that day two years ago. If only people knew what had become of me.

“Well, let me show you where you will be staying.” Blake pointed towards a couple of green bunks, which I assumed were our sleeping quarters. He took charge and led us to one of the many bunkers in the area.

“So usually, we would leave your group here in the same bunk, but as Sam is the only female, I thought maybe you want a single room. So your room will be in another bunker, next to the café.“

“No, that’s fine. If you don’t mind, I rather stay with my pack.” I said, trying not to sound so nervous.

“If you were not already mated, Blake, I sure would like to think you have a soft spot for my sister.” Jake laughed, and so did the rest of the group. Unknowing of our history.

I continued to look at the floor.

“Please, Sam he said whit the softest whisper to my ear. I made this for your sake, Please.”

I finally nodded. I just wanted it all to be over with. I knew he was mated to a girl from this pack, so what did he want with me? Probably nothing. Maybe he felt terrible and just wanted to be nice? The mate-bond was some serious shit, and it was useless to fight it. The moon goodness chooses for us; we just follow.

I took my bag and followed him. We didn’t talk. He took me four bunkers away, on the east of the territory close indeed to the cafeteria. My room would be in the back, and as he unlocked the door from me, I froze.

In the room was not a tiny TV and a nice single bed. It was a double room with a king-size bed in the middle and a big flat TV. I went silent. “I- I…” tried to speak, but I could not get any words to leave my mouth.

“I thought you would like this, Sam, he whispered to my ear, too close to me to feel comfortable.

“Why are you doing this? I said it so quietly that if he weren’t, I werewolf too, he probably wouldn’t have heard it”.

“Because after two years, I still can’t get you out of my fucking mind.” I was heartbroken when I didn’t get to see you for the last two years of evening games. I have missed you.” He was towering over me and roaming my body. I could easily get lost in the past, thinking about only him and me and all those deeps feeling we shared for one another. He was tall, over 6 feet tall, and his hair was almost black. His eyes were green, and I could easily drown in them. He looked more fit than ever before, and I could not resist sweeping my eyes over the t-shirt that hugged his muscles perfectly. He was still as good-looking, and every inch of me craved his touch.

“Oh hey.” Someone just entered the dormitory.

“Hey, babe,” Blake answered, surprised.

I froze. It was his mate who had come to look for him. "You must be Sam." She smiled a genially warm smile and then hugged me dearly. I have heard so much about you! But she also looked surprised? Why?

“I- I- Nice to meet you too.”

"I knew my man would make the extra means to look after his baby-sis."

I choked. What?

“He always told me how much he loves you and that you are close like siblings.”

I couldn’t get anything out. I just nodded and walked into the room. It was a huge king-size bed, and I was still unsure why Blake had done this for me. Was he sorry, or did he think we could pick up where we left?

She was stroking his arm, and I had to bite my lip not to show any emotions. Blake knew me too well; I could easily see that he noticed my uncomfortableness.

“Well, maybe we should leave,” he said and tried to look me in the eyes.

“I swallowed harshly and then looked and his mate and him, and said, “Thank you.”

I was about to reach for the door to close it when she took the door and said something. I was not sure what, but Blake did not like it. He looked like she had given him some terrible news.

Suddenly a tall, light brown-haired man with a beaming smile stood before us. “So Caroline is my cousin, and she said we could share a room since there is no room left. I was the last-minute call.” He smiled. Then he also looked surprised and looked at Caroline.

I just looked at him and didn’t know what to believe. Would he be staying here with me? Why? I looked to Blake for answers, but he tried not to show any emotion. But was that jealousy I sow flashing through his eyes? Did he think he could have his way with me still? After all this time and still being mated?

I was so angry at him. I was shooting daggers at him. Fine, is this want he want? I can also play this game.

I put my bag down, loosened my hair from my ponytail at let my long hair fall over my shoulders. Blake had always loved to caress my hair, to hold it tight when I was riding him naked under the light of the moon. God, I missed that. But that was in the past. I put a fake smile up. I let my one arm stand at my hip and then looked with pure joy at the man standing in front of me.

“Sure, no problem.” I smiled towards the stranger again. “Which side of the bed do you want?” “The left or the right?” and then I met eyes with Blake before I slammed the door in his face. I did not miss his furious eyes.

Fucking asshole.