Your Mate Runs Away
+25 BONUS
Your Mate Runs Away
(Amber’s POV)
The drive to Howling Riverside
was filled with Paige’s nervous chatter. She’d changed outfits three times before
settling on a blue dress that comes her eyes and showed off her slender figure.
“Do you think Ryan will like this?” she asked for the fifth time, smoothing down the fabric.
“He’d be blind not to,” I assured her, squeezing her hand. “You look beautiful.”
The restaurant sat on the banks of the Silver River, its elegant stone facade illuminated by soft lighting. According to Dominic, Ryan had personally selected and booked a private room for us with a stunning view of the water.
“I feel sick,” Paige whispered as we approached the entrance. “Maybe this was a mistake.”
“It wasn’t,” I said firmly. “You need closure, one way or another.”
The hostess recognized me immediately, her eyes widening slightly as she bowed her head in respect.
“Luna Blackwood,” she said, using my new title. “Your party is already gathered in the Moonlight Room. Please, follow me.”
Paige shot me a questioning look. “Party? I thought it was just us and the guys.”
I shrugged, equally confused. “Dominic mentioned some friends might join.”
The hostess led us up a curved staircase to the second floor and opened a set of ornate wooden doors. Inside, I was surprised to find a group of werewolves engaged in a lively card game. Four males and their companions sat around a large table, laughing and placing bets.
Dominic and Ryan were nowhere to be seen.
One of the wolves noticed us first, his head snapping up as he caught our scents. The others followed his gaze, and a hush fell over the room.
“Luna,” the first wolf said, standing quickly. “We didn’t expect you so soon.”
The others scrambled to their feet, showing proper respect to the mate of their Alpha.
“Dominic stepped out to take a call from Felix about the northern wolves,” explained a tall, lean werewolf with friendly eyes. And Ryan’s stuck in downtown traffic. Please, join us.”
He pulled out chairs for Paige and me, while another wolf poured us glasses of moonshine wine.
“I’m Connor,” the friendly wolf introduced himself. “Dominic and I were in the same combat training cohort in college.”
The others introduced themselves as well – Patrick, Daniel, and Elliot – along with their mates. I didn’t recognize any of them, though Paige seemed to know Patrick and Daniel vaguely from events at the Quinn estate.
“Dominic’s told us so much about you,” Connor’s mate Emma said warmly. “We’re delighted to finally meet you.”
I was saved from responding by the doors swinging open. Dominicstood there, his powerful frame filling the doorway. His evos found mine immediately, and I felt a tingle of awareness through our mate bond.
“Amber,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. I sensed you’d arrived.”
He crossed the room in a few long strides, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead before greeting Paige with a polite nod.
“I see you’ve met my college friends,” he said, taking the seat beside me. His thigh pressed against mine under the table, a casual touch that felt anything but casual.
“I’ve ordered your favorite venison dish,” he told me, sliding a menu toward me. “But feel free to add anything else you’d like.”
1/3
+25 BONUS
I glanced at the menu, touched by his thoughtfulness. “This is perfect, thank you.”
As the conversation resumed around us, I found myself studying Dominic from the corner of my eye. He wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up halfway, revealing the firm muscles of his forearms. The fabric stretched across his broad shoulders, hinting at the power beneath.
My gaze drifted to his waist, and I remembered our conversation about the “five minutes” he’d needed at the house: Had he really meant what I thought he meant? Surely not. A man like Dom hic wouldn’t….
Cora, my wolf, stirred within me. *Look at the size of him. Every part must be proportional.*
Heat rushed to my cheeks at my wolf’s inappropriate observation. took a large gulp of moonshine wine, nearly choking on it. “Are you alright?” Dominic asked, his hand warm on my back.
“Fine,” I squeaked. “Just… need some air. Excuse me
I stood abruptly, needing to escape before my thoughts became even more embarrassing.
“The private powder room is upstairs,” Dominic said, concern in his eyes. “Second door on the right.”
I nodded gratefully and fled the room.
The second–floor hallway was mercifully quiet and empty. banish the inappropriate images Cora had conjured.
eaned against the wall, fanning my heated face and trying to
*Get it together, Amber,* I scolded myself. *You’re acting like a teenager.
Just as I’d composed myself enough to consider returning to the group, voices drifted from around the corner. I recognized one immediately – Ethan.
“…can’t believe you actually married her,” said an unfamiliar male voice, likely one of Lucas’s friends. “An Omega? Really? Do you know how embarrassing that is for the pack?”
“Keep your voice down,” Ethan hissed.
“I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking,” the friend continued. You had Amber Chase a pure–blooded Alpha female with connections to two powerful packs. And you threw it away for what? A secretary with no wolf?”
I inched closer to the corner, my curiosity overwhelming my better judgment.
“Melissa is my choice,” Ethan said, though his voice lacked conviction.
The friend snorted. “Your choice is costing the Blackwood pack valuable alliances. Your mother is humiliated. Even your father
can barely look at you.”
“What do you want me to do about it now?” Ethan snapped. “The marriage is done.”
“There are ways,” the friend said slyly. “You could still consummate with Amber. Create a mating bond. It wouldn’t be … first time a wolf took multiple mates for political reasons.”
I nearly gasped aloud at the audacity. As if I would ever allow Ethan to touch me again!
Apparently the man’s offer pleased the other men inside, who echoed his suggestion. He was smug.
“Seriously Ethan, were you overcome by Melissa’s bedside manner. It’s understandable, Amber’s temper is too big, no one can stand her Missy temper and I don’t know what your uncle thinks. “he said with flirtation in his voice.
Another unfamiliar male voice joined the discussion, “Melissa is different, such omega she–wolves are so charged, especially in bed, they can come in any position, can’t they Ethan? Don’t you glare at me. “His laugh was tinged with lewdness.
“Shut up, you idiots. “Ethan’s voice was muffled.
Your Mate Runs Away
+25 BONUS
A small sound from behind me made me turn. Melissa stood frozen a few feet away, tears streaming down her face. She must have heard everything.
Our eyes met, and I saw the humiliation and pain in hers. For a moment, I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.
Then I remembered how she’d schemed with Victoria, how she’d played the victim while actively trying to destroy my engagement. Any sympathy vanished.
I turned toward the voices, stepping into view with a bright smile.
“Hello, niece–in–law,” I said loudly, my amber eyes twinkling will mischievous contentment.
Ethan and his friend whipped around, shock evident on their faces. Behind me, I heard Melissa’s choked sob before the sound of her heels clicking rapidly down the hallway.
“Nephew,” I called out to Ethan, practically grinning with smug satisfaction, “your mate runs away!”
Before I could savor the moment further, Ryan Quinn’s angry voice echoed from behind me.
“Paige! Get back here!”
