Alpha Cole’s POV
The night is upon us, and Raven looks stunning. Olivia has outdone herself as the whole place looks wonderful. We have stayed quiet the last two weeks as we didn’t want Raven to worry or be concerned about leaving us. I know that she may be scared after what that jerk Justin did to her, but not all men are willing to reject their true mates, just to get a title. There are plenty of great men out there, and my baby girl lucked out with getting one of them for her second chance mate. I admire him, and I am very good friends with his parents. As a matter of fact, their daughter, Simone, is a year older than Carter, and we used to joke that we would love to end up related if our children became mates. We just never suspected that the children we thought would be together as mates, were the wrong ones from who we originally believed.
Carter and Simone were fast friends from the moment they met as young children, at 3 and 4 years old. They enjoyed playing and hanging out with each other, when we saw how well they bonded, I thought, no wait let me clarify, we ALL thought that we would find out that when they were old enough, we would find out that they were mates. I guess not since we were all at the mall, and Carter and Simone didn’t scent each other. I am disappointed but glad that Brandon, was my daughter’s second chance mate. I remember the call we received from him a little over two weeks ago.
FLASHBACK
I was just starting my paperwork after we got back to the pack when Olivia entered my office with a big mug of coffee for me. She knows that the paperwork can get a little boring, and I like to stay focused especially when I have to wade through a lot of it. I gave her a smile and put my mug down and motioned to her to come to sit with me for a minute. I wanted to give her a hug and a kiss. I was so thankful that Olivia accepted Raven from the first time she saw her. I know that Amanda had given her a heads-up on some things that she had noticed about Raven and some things that Stella had mentioned to Amanda. Olivia felt like she was a kindred spirit to Raven, she knew the intense pain of your mate deceiving and betraying you, when they decided that they wanted another she-wolf more than they wanted their true mate. It really didn't even matter what the reasoning for it actually was, it didn't change the amount of heartbreak that it caused the innocent victim.
Olivia is fine now because as soon as we met, we knew we were mates. But I still remember how sad she looked the night that I met her at the winter ball. Sitting alone at her table, not dancing, not interacting with anyone. Just keeping her head down, physically there, but keeping herself apart from the others. Because she was still upset about what all she had gone through. It is hard to get back on the horse, to trust, to have faith in another. For you to believe that when you meet your second chance mate, they will be the right mate for you. Especially when your first mate was truly a horrible person. It makes you fear who you will actually be getting for the next one. Will they be horrible too? Or will you get the mate of your dreams? It was hard on her what she went through, and for me as well, after what our original mates had done. As soon as I caught her scent, I strode across the room quickly as I was not going to lose this precious she-wolf. I was taking no chances with my second chance mate, I could not lose her. I would get no other chances for mates if I did. I remember her looking up as she caught my scent the moment I stopped across from her at her table. I couldn't wait to get my first look at my gorgeous mate. What I feel for Olivia blew what I had felt for Cassandra right out of the water. It was double the feelings and emotions that I felt for my first mate, and I wanted to claim Olivia right then and there.
I get pulled out of my memories by Olivia grinning at me as she taps me lightly on my chest, and I heard my cell phone ringing. I wonder how long I was mesmerized looking at my mate currently sitting in my lap. I was so caught up in my memories. “Alpha Cole” I answered my phone and then leaned forward to give Olivia a quick kiss. I had answered it on speaker so I could just set it back down on the desk to listen while I gave my mate quiet little kisses. It was rare for us to get some time alone together, and I was not going to lose this precious opportunity.
“Alpha Cole, this is Alpha Brandon Adams, of the Black Adder pack. Are you free to speak for a little while? I have something important that I need to discuss with you” Brandon said to me.
“Of course, I am free. What can I help you with?” I asked him as Olivia got up to leave as it was business. I grabbed her hand and shook my head to tell her she was not leaving and motioned for her to sit back down on my lap when the next words we heard stopped her in her tracks.
“I believe that your daughter, is my mate, Sir. I saw you all at the mall today, as I needed a new tuxedo for the ball, and took Simone to get her dress. I scented my mate on the women’s side of the store when I went to go meet back up with my sister. I caught the scent again in another store for, um, underclothes, and again at a shoe store which is when I finally saw her, and you. She is beautiful with long dark hair, but I didn’t get to see her face just yet” Brandon told me.
“If you didn’t see her face, how do you know that she is beautiful?” I couldn’t help teasing the young Alpha.
“I can feel it. The pull to come over and introduce myself was very strong. I just didn’t want to interrupt. Also, my parents had mentioned to me two days ago when we got the invitation, that this was indeed a special circumstance and to be very careful with your daughter. My mother had a dream from the Moon Goddess that your daughter was special to our pack, we just didn’t know why. Mom and dad left the day after the invitation came, and were going to come by to speak to you about it, but I guess I found out why she was special to our pack on my own.” Brandon told me, and I had forgotten that his mom has had visions before. Which was amazing to me, as she had not even seen my daughter yet, but knew that we needed to deal with her gently because she was special. I believed him, and I was glad that my daughter had received a good man as her mate. He didn't have to call me, he could have just walked up to us, and laid claim to her right then.
“I appreciate the call, Brandon. I know that you didn’t have to wait, you could have just claimed her there in the store, you didn't have to wait until you see her at the ball. But I am glad you notified me. I would like to speak to you in person before you approach her at the ball. There are some things that you need to know before I introduce you two. She has had some hardships, and I want you to come with me so she will know that I support your union and you being her mate. It will help you out in the long run, believe me. You could have stepped up and introduced yourself though, you must have been the reason for her to check out the area at the shoe store and at the food court, right Brandon?” I asked him, I know how hard it is to not be around your mate. It feels like it is killing you.
“I did sir, but as happy as she was with being with you and your family, I could tell that she was very sad. It poured off of her, and I didn’t want to cause her any more grief than she was already feeling. I respect you, Alpha Cole, and I wanted you to know my intentions. I also had a second thing that I wanted to mention to you as well. I have a she-wolf in my pack, my Gamma’s daughter, Cheryl, who has been causing me problems. She, and her father, want me to pick her as a chosen mate to be my Luna. I rejected that idea, as I want my true mate. I was happy I have found my mate, and I am getting my pack ready for her to arrive. These two weeks will allow me to get that done. I fully intend to have this settled before I bring your daughter here, to the Black Adder pack” Brandon said, and we both froze. Neither of us wants Raven to have to keep struggling all her life, and most certainly not have to fight for her mate again.
“Brandon, this is Luna Olivia, sorry for interrupting your conversation with Cole. Are you going to be able to sort this out before the ball? Our daughter has been through enough in her short life. We would like to discuss that with you, in person, not over the phone. But I don’t want her to have to deal with any more devious girls if I can avoid it. We will work on helping her on our end, to get her ready to be able to leave here and feel safe there. That way we won’t worry about her, well not as much as we would have. She is so precious to us, and we don’t want her hurt. Do you really think that you will be able to get this situation handled before the ball?” Olivia asked Brandon, and truthfully I wanted to know the answer too.
“Yes, I promise Luna Olivia. I want my mate to be safe here too. I will get it taken care of the day my parents return from their trip. I will send them what I have and tell them what my plan is to deal with this problem. I will be calling them next and then informing my brother, as he will be the last one to hear about it. I just wanted to speak with you first, because we are allies, and I have a lot of respect for you Alpha Cole, even before I found out that you were the father of my mate. I know that it will be hard to wait for her, but I plan on trying to leave my mate alone, until the night of the ball. I can’t promise you that I will make it that long, but I plan on respecting your wishes, sir. I cannot wait to get to meet my mate, but if I were to come here early, I will call to notify you of it before I arrive” Brandon tells me. I know that he is telling me the truth. I hear the want and need for his mate coming through my phone. The Goddess has blessed Raven with this mate. He and his family are honorable people. I will be glad for our packs to be joined together, I am still very good friends with his parents, the former Alpha Jackson Adams, and former Luna, Angie Adams.
“If you are sure of her safety then I give you my blessing on your upcoming union. I look forward to seeing you at the ball young Alpha. I am glad that our daughter has such a loving mate. You gave her what she needed, and I know how hard it is to wait for your mate once you have found them. I will keep her safe here until you arrive to take her back. I will make accommodations for your whole family to stay here after the ball, so she can pack up and leave with you the next day. Is that acceptable for you and your family?” I asked Brandon.
“Yes, sir. Thank you so much, I will tell them so they can pack for overnight. I will see you all then” Brandon said and the call dropped.
We sat there stunned for some time. We just got her, and now she will be leaving us. We know that it is in the Goddess's time, but I was really wanting some more time, like a year with her here at Blood Walker. I just have to be thankful that first of all, he is a good man, and second that they will be fairly close to our pack. It is basically a 40-minute trip, well it is with my driving. Olivia rubbed my back, as she was deep in thought, making plans for what we needed to do for Raven, but knew that I needed comfort. I know how attached she is to Raven, and that she is hurting too. But her saying “our” daughter to Brandon on the phone made my heart explode with joy. I know my mate loves Raven, but that was wonderful hearing her say our daughter on the call.
FLASHBACK ENDS
Olivia continued to rub my back while we made plans. We had made some plans the day after we met her, but now we had to step them up and condense them into the next two weeks. We both originally thought that we had a year to get it done in. We cannot send our daughter off to where she might not be safe, and not know how to defend herself. So we got with Stella who was glad to take her to be trained. I also got with Lanie and Charlie to also train her here, and I stepped in occasionally to add my opinions too. I told them all not to go easy on her, that she had to learn exactly how to protect herself. They didn’t go easy on her, but my Raven turned out to be a natural fighter. She absorbed all the instructions that she got and applied them. She is calm and level-headed while fighting, making sure she is was few steps ahead of her opponents. I am so proud of her, and all that she has accomplished in such a short time shows just what a powerhouse she and Emerald are. They are going to give Brandon a great deal of additional strength, and Raven is really going to flourish with her mate.
We kept the news to ourselves. Her brothers would be upset at her leaving, but she has a mate, and she belongs with him. Once they meet their mate’s they will understand. It is almost unbelievable that he is nice enough to allow her to stay with us. I know that it is only because we just got her back, and he knows that I need time with her too. Even with her being so close, every time we think about it we tear up. Stella is going to be heartbroken at Raven leaving her. I am glad the school year is over now so if Stella wanted to, she could go with Raven for a month, get her settled in, and continue to train her. If that girl even thinks about hurting my daughter, I will show her the true error of her ways.
So we loaded Raven up with potential hobbies, training, dance lessons, just to make sure that when she leaves here, that she will be a lean mean fighting machine, cooking machine, and dancing machine, I just wanted my daughter to be happy, and loved. I can tell from the sadness in his voice that he was missing her and wanted her there. That is all Raven wanted, and I am so glad her prayers were answered this time around. I will leave nothing to chance with this party. The stakes are high as I am quite sure that there is more to this story than what Brandon said. I will make sure that the security the night of the ball was tight. I will make sure that Stella, the boys, or Joshua, were with Raven the whole night. I will tell all three of them what had happened, and that Raven had met her mate, but didn’t know it yet.
They all need to keep quiet about it, which is why I am telling them all right before the party. That way her brothers know to protect her, I want her to be safe and I will have extra security for the night. I will make sure that they dress for the event, and that they know to keep Raven safe from Reagan. I will make sure that there is a security detail that stays with Reagan and her family, as well as whoever this other girl from Black Adder. I just got my daughter back. I want grandpups and I will not be letting any clowning, and jealous wolves, get in the way of it. No matter what I needed to do to get this done, Raven will be ready to take on Reagan, or this other girl, by the time the ball rolls around.
Getting Rid of the Troublemakers