Chapter 6 | Stupid Mate Bond

Riley

I’ve never seen Dani and Rich so angry with us. They’re frustrated over the situation, but they're angry because we didn’t come straight home.

This was made into such a big deal because I “jeopardized my safety” that I am getting a call from my biological parents, the Alpha King and Luna Queen.

I settle into my room, waiting for my phone to ring. It’s going to be an unknown number; it always is. I’m not allowed the freedom to contact my parents whenever I want. I have to wait for them to approach me.

The phone rings and my stomach twists with anxiety. Taking a deep breath, I answer, “Hello.””

“Rieka.” My father’s voice is deep and demands respect. It’s like I can feel his royal aura through the phone.

He said my real name, which I rarely hear, only when I say it to myself.

“Yes, sir,” I respond, trying not to sound sheepish.

My mother, Camille, speaks, her tone laced with a motherly worry, “Are you okay, Rieka?”

“I’m fine. It’s not a big deal, I promise.”

My father responds to that, “If it wasn’t a big deal, then a future Alpha wouldn’t have shifted in the middle of a public place. From what we’ve heard, you were involved in this altercation. So, explain, why were you wrapped up in something that poses danger to you?”

I bite the inside of my cheek so hard that it hurts. The last thing I want to bring up is Zane and his rejection. No one knows that he was my true mate, and I would like to keep it that way.

I sigh, “I don’t know what to tell you.”

Camille jumps to the worst possible scenario: “Do they know who you are?”

“No,” I respond quickly, “Everyone believes I’m an annoying human who needs to keep her mouth shut.”

There’s background noise on their end, someone requesting their presence. They need to leave now. 

The call ends without even a real goodbye. I take a deep breath and allow the tension in my body to release. 

Lying on my bed, I stare up at the ceiling. It’s one more year. One more year, and I will be living in the same home as them and taking my place as Luna Queen.

Why does that thought bring me anxiety?

My phone buzzes, pulling me from my thoughts. I smile softly as I see the text from Archer says: It was great meeting you, Riley.

I smirk. This guy seems pretty smitten. I set my phone on the nightstand, unsure how to respond to him, but it’s probably smart for me to hold off. I don’t want him to think I’m as eager as he is; I don’t want him to read into the situation.

He might be handsome as hell, but I’ve already loved and lost. I’m not sure if my heart can bear doing that again so soon.

Archer

Riley is a human; she doesn’t feel connection the same way I do. She’s also 17! Even if she were a werewolf, she wouldn’t feel the same way as me, not until she turns 18.

These are the things I tell myself when she doesn’t respond to my text, leaving my wolf, Atticus, pacing in my mind, fueling me with anxiety as we impatiently wait.

I’m unable to sleep because she didn’t respond to me. Did I blow this chance to be with her? Did I push too hard? All I said was it was nice to meet her. Is it possible for that to be read into as something way deeper?

A low growl escapes my lips, and I tug on my hair in frustration. I need to go do something, anything, to distract me from my phone. Atticus perks up at the thought of moving, and I know that I should shift and let him get his anxious energy out.

Once outside, I take a backseat in my mind, allowing Atticus to push our body to its limits and decide on which path to go.

I don’t pay attention to the day as it blurs by. The sun is beginning to set, but I’m still moving until my mom mind-links me: "Hey, Arch, will you be back for dinner?"

I blink, dazed and surprised as I now notice the setting sun and realize that I have been out here for at least 5 hours. Neither Atticus nor I feel winded, but I respond to her, “Yeah, I’m on my way back now, Mom.”

Back home, Mom is already at the table along with Caleb, Brandon, and their parents. The parents all talk, and the guys look at me with concern.

My mom looks to me, her eyebrows furrowing as she asks, “So, son, what have you been up to today?”

I lie smoothly, “Just patrolling.”

Her eyes narrow; she doesn’t believe me, but my phone vibrates and time stops as I look at it.

Riley: It was nice hanging out with you.

I’m eager to respond to her, but I don’t want to come across desperate; this is new to me. I’ve never been attached to anyone before. I moved between different packs so much over the past five years that I never made a deep commitment. 

The deepest I ever got was having one-night stands here and there. Girls would throw themselves at me, knowing I’m a future Alpha, and there were a few times I let myself act like a normal teen and have fun.

This is different, though. This is Riley, and she is my mate. I don’t want to just hook up and leave. I want to build a good foundation for us to be together.

Dinner wraps up; I’m not focused on the conversation, too busy thinking about how to respond when Brandon asks, “Hey, do you want to play some video games or something, Archer?”

I mutter, “Yeah, sure.”

I follow him and Caleb to the game room, but I tune them out as I message Riley: Any chance I can see you again?

I expect to wait another day before I hear back from her, but her response is almost instant, making me grin in excitement: I think that’s a strong possibility. When would you want to meet?

I glance at the time and smile when I see it’s only 6. I respond: The guys and I were about to play some video games; you’re more than welcome to join us.

The phone rings, surprising me, but I smile as I answer, “Hello?”

“So,” She says, her voice trailing off, and then asks, “Will we be at your pack?”

I chuckle, almost forgetting that she’s human, and respond, “Yeah, we will be.”

“And by ‘the guys’ did you mean Brandon and Caleb?”

“Yup,” I respond, popping the ‘p’. 

“Anyone else?”

“I mean, our parents live at the packhouse, but they’re in a whole different area, so I don’t think that counts.”

She sighs and says, “My parents want to meet the boy who kept my brothers and me safe. They said I could go but only if you pick me up and promise to have me back by midnight.”

My smile gets wider as I say, “I promise.”

“Okay, then I guess you can come and get me. I’ll send you my address.”

“Cool, I’ll see you soon,” I say as nonchalantly as I can. I don’t want her to know how excited she’s making me; Atticus is howling loudly in my head at the thought of seeing her again. I get up from the chair and say, “I’m picking up Riley; I'll be back soon.”

Neither of the guys responded, but I noticed their knowing smirks as I walked away. I roll my eyes; I don’t care if they think I’m whipped. I just need to see her again.