Today's the day. She will be mine and we will be happy together.

I look out over the clearing in front of Claire's house from the cluster of bushes I am hiding in, her scent thick in the air. She must've gone for a run this morning. 

I had successfully managed to slip past her pack's border patrol by the skin of my teeth. Turns out, rolling around in the dirt enough and then crossing over in my human form rather than my wolf form managed to not disturb the peace too much. However, I am going to need a really good shower after this is all over.

It's almost midday and unfortunately, the longer I wait, the more risk I am exposing myself to. But hopefully, I shouldn't have to wait too much longer. I texted Claire asking her to come and meet me in a clearing just outside her territory so hopefully she texts back soon. Once she does, I will slip away from my hiding spot and meet her there. I don't want to have to fight anyone. What I'm doing isn't great but I don't want anyone to get hurt in the process. 

I just want her.

James's words keep replaying in my head - about the fact that her pack is his old one before the war my stepbrother and his father started over ten years ago. Hell, he wasn't even my stepbrother back then either. His father got together with my mother five years ago and then a year later, got themselves killed in a rouge fight. Hence why Zane became my guardian and I stuck around so long, I owed it to him. Because if it was my choice, I wouldn't have anything to do with him. Our parents wouldn't have gotten married. 

Zane was a bad person, but his father was worse.

I honestly don't know what my mother saw in his father but either way, I got stuck with them. And that year before they died was my living nightmare. I think she liked the idea of a better life. A sense of belonging. I couldn't leave, I was too young. Zane protected me as best he could but even then it wasn't enough to escape the evil that was his father.

"You know if we manage to do this, we aren't much better than him or his father, you know that right?" my wolf chimes in quietly. 

"Shut up dickhead, you know this is a different situation," I growl back, observing the clearing again.

"Is it?"

"Yes. I don't want people dead in the process. Zane wanted everyone in his path destroyed."

"True. But doesn't change the fact that we are still planning to kidnap her. You don't wanna play the long game and wait."

"Hey, man! Why the sudden change of heart?! You were on board with this plan earlier!"

"Yes I was, but that was before we got here... Now that we are here... I just don't want to do anything to make her mad, I want her to love us."

"And she will love us! Now shut up and focus" I growl again.

Suddenly, my attention snaps back to the clearing as a nondescript black SUV pulls up. Two men dressed in black step out, followed by an older man dressed in a royal blue suit. The two men, who I can only assume are some sort of bodyguards, quickly flank him as they wait just in front of the car.

The front door of the house opens and I watch as Claire bounces down the stairs, carrying a few bags in her arms. Her parents walk outside and follow her, closely followed by Alpha Hays and Acacia. Being around Zane a lot meant that I knew exactly who they were and what they looked like. Acacia especially, she was so young when Zane took her. Hell, I'm only like a year older than her. I wasn't even in the picture when he took her but I'll never forget the way her eyes pierced into my soul the first time I saw her when he and his father were showing me around.

Claire dumps her bags on the ground, distracting me from my thoughts with a shiver, and rushes over to the man in blue to give him a hug. Who is he? My wolf grumbles quietly as we watch them embrace before they eventually break apart and her parents, Alpha Hays and Acacia exchange pleasantries with him. 

They all continue to talk for a moment, the odd laugh carrying its way through the air to me. Claire then proceeds to give Acacia, Grayson, and her parents hugs, lingering on her mother for a moment longer than the rest before turning her attention back to the man in blue.

I watch as he grins and asks her something and she nods in return before scooping her bags back into her arms. One of the men wearing black swiftly takes the nags from her arms whilst the other opens the car door. The man in blue ushers her into the car and she gives them all a final wave before following his instructions.

Shit.

Within seconds, all of the men pile into the car after her before swiftly pulling out of the clearing and back down the driveway, leaving her parents, Alpha Hays and Acacia to meander their way back into the house as they talk amongst themselves.

What the fuck just happened?!

Panicking, I quickly check that the coast is clear before racing my way out of the bushes and off their territory, only stopping briefly to evade the border patrol again. With any luck, I can catch the SUV before they make it too far.

I run alongside the forest road for about five minutes but unfortunately, the car is nowhere to be seen. I've missed them.

Fuck!

Who were those men and why did they take Claire?! 

Annoyed, I slam my foot into the nearest tree, a crackling sound echoing from the trunk. Now how am I supposed to have her?

"Why don't you try calling her? Maybe she needs our help? Surely she has her phone on her?" my wolf asks, trying to offer some help.

"She went willingly, you idiot. I doubt she needs our help" I growl back as I begin to pace between the trees.

"Well, it doesn't hurt to try. She just can't know that we know she got into a car with those men, because if she finds out we trespassed on her land, she'll hate us."

I groan and rub my hands over my face.

"Why have you suddenly gone all soft on me? What happened to wanting to do anything it takes to get her?!"

"Because the more I think about it, the more James is right and the more we become exactly like Zane and his father. We vowed to each other that we would be nothing like them and yet here were are, planning to kidnap her the same way Zane did with Acacia. I don't want to be that person Rhys, and I know you don't either, especially now that we think she could be our mate."

"So what do you suggest then?"

"I don't know. Start by calling her and finding out where she is going. That might be a good start. Maybe then we could willingly convince her to come to be with us instead."

A sigh escapes my lips. I know he's right.

Pulling out my phone, I quickly dial her number. It rings for what seems like a lifetime before she finally picks up.

"Rhys! Hey! I'm really sorry I didn't message back sooner. I'm just super busy at the moment. Could I call you-" she blurts out all in one go but I quickly cut her off.

"What's going on? You don't sound like you... Is everything okay?" I ask careful not to hint at what I know.

"Oh, nothing. Everything's great... I just..."

"Just what? I know we haven't known each other very long but you can tell me the truth, Claire. You can trust me..."

"I know... I just don't want to upset you because you're not going to like the answer..."

"Try me."

"Okay..." she sighs, pausing for a moment. "I, umm, took a job with the Werewolf Council..."

Oh shit.

The Werewolf Council... That makes her untouchable.

Fuck!

My wolf whines and I kick the tree again, this time hard enough to crack it completely and send it crashing to the ground.

How the fuck am I mean to have her in my life now?! It's not like I can get to her and I doubt she will want to leave if she took the job willingly. Hell, I'm never going to see her ever again at this rate. I knew I should have trusted my gut and just kidnapped her sooner. Then all of this could have been avoided.

"Rhys... Are you still there?" Claire asks quietly, breaking me from my thoughts.

"Yeah... I am," I reply through gritted teeth in an effort to not growl at her.

"Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I only accepted the job last night and it all happened so quickly. It's just such an amazing opportunity and with my dad being super controlling of my life, I knew I needed to take it."

"I see..."

"I'm really sorry Rhys..."

"Mmmm. How long is this job for?" I ask, although I don't think I really want to know the answer.

"A few years at least... But I promise you we will stay in touch the whole time I'm gone..."

"Okay..."

"Rhys?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm really sorry."

Goddamit. I can't say mad at her. It's not her fault. She doesn't owe me anything.

"Don't be. You don't owe me anything... I'm happy for you and I'm sure you'll be amazing and it will be well worth it" I lie, trying to keep my tone happy even though my heart feels like it's breaking a little.

"Aww, thanks Rhys, you're the best... Hey, I have to go but I'll message you once I'm all settled in, okay?"

"Okay..." 

"Great! Bye, Rhys!" and with that, she swiftly hangs up the phone, leaving me all alone in the forest. I was so close to having her and now she's gone for good. What am I meant to do now?

"Maybe we should call James? I'm sure he'll be able to help us figure things out?" my wolf mumbles quietly.

"Yeah, I guess so. But let's head back to the hotel and shower first though, I feel horrible" I reply, a sadness settling in my chest as I begin to jog my way back into the human city nearby.

"What do you want, Rhys? I thought I told you not to come crying to me when-" James grunts through the phone.

"She's gone" I cut him off, my voice lifeless as I lay on the hotel bed. It had taken me just over an hour to get back to the hotel and get cleaned up and in that time, the ache in my chest has only gotten worse. Hell, I don't even know for sure if she is my mate, why is the pain this bad?

"Who's gone? Claire?"

"Yes James, Claire is gone. She took a job with the Werewolf Council... She's untouchable..."

"Oh shit. I'm sorry man. I know how much you wanted her in your life. But hey, maybe it's for the best?"

"What do you mean?" I grunt, mildly annoyed at his response.

"Well... maybe it's a good thing that she's untouchable. It means you can't do something you'll regret. It gives you both time to do some growing up and actually live your lives for a little while, making yourselves better people. And then if you are actually mates, you'll find your way back to each other as even better versions of yourselves..."

"How philosophical of you" I mutter, rolling my eyes.

Surely he can't be serious?

"I'm serious, Rhys" he insists, as if having read my mind. "Go and live your life for once instead of living in Zane's ugly shadow. Go travel or get a job. Become someone who Claire would be proud to have as her mate rather than trying to find a new solution to a plan that would just make her upset."

"I mean, I guess you're right..."

"Of course I am. In fact, I've just heard that the Nightshade Pack are looking to fill a hunter guard position..."

"Nightshade... Where have I... Wait, do you mean the Nightshade Pack as in the Werewolf Royal Family? The same royal family that hasn't been heard from in decades and has their infamous Nightwalker Guard?"

"Yes sir, that Royal family indeed," he chuckles.

"Shit, I didn't even know that they were still alive and kicking anymore. How do you know they are looking to fill a Nightwalker position?" I ask, shocked.

"Olive has a friend who lives up that way. Told us to let her know if we have anyone we might want to recommend for the role... Shall I tell her you're interested?"

"I mean I guess so. As of now, I have no plans left in my life and you keep saying I should do some living."

"Amazing! I will let her know and pass on your details."

"Thanks, I guess," I sigh and rub my hand over my face. James is right. This is probably for the best.

"Hey, Rhys?"

"Yeah?"

"It'll get easier, I promise," he says gently, obviously sensing my mood through my tone. "Plus, I'm always here if you need to talk about anything."

"Thanks, James. I appreciate it. I'll let you go though, I've got some stuff to think about."

"Okay man, take care and I'll be in touch."

The line goes dead and I end the call, dropping my phone onto the bed next to me. God, what a horrible day. Here I thought I would be able to hold Claire in my arms this afternoon, but instead, I'm in this hotel room alone with a job prospect hanging in the air and promises that feel empty.

"If you tell me that it's going to be okay too, I'm going to be really pissed off" I growl as my wolf stirs, wanting to say something. He instantly recoils, disappearing completely. Fuck, now I've done it. What is wrong with me?

I groan and crawl my way under the covers of the plush bed. Even though it's still daytime outside, maybe some sleep will do me good. And then maybe I'll be able to sort my bloody life out.

I close my eyes and try to relax but James' words continue to ring in my head. 

'Become someone who Claire would be proud to have as her mate.' 

A chuckle escapes my lips at the thought. God I hope he is right about all this, otherwise I'm screwed.

_________________________________

Hey Guys,

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I'm super excited about what's coming next so keep on the lookout for that!!

As always, if you've made it this far, thanks for sticking around! It means so much to me! Please vote and comment and please also check out my other books including my new romance novel, Passengers.

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Thanks,

Allamy xx