We had been on the road for twenty minutes, I just stared out the window. Everything was changing, and I was losing all control of my life.
"This is a good thing, I told you everything makes sense" Layla excitedly said in my head.
"This is what you meant, finding our mate? How does that make any sense Layla, this isn't a good thing? He is taking us away from our family. It's a disaster"
She didn't agree; I pushed her out, blocking her from my mind; I knew she was excited, but I didn't share that excitement with her. I never wanted a mate; it would only end badly with the wolf I have. Why couldn't Damien see that? Why couldn't Layla see that?
When we were nearly to the city limits, my phone started ringing in my pocket. I tried to reach my chained hands back to retrieve it before giving up.
"Lean forward" Damien said. Making me jump, it was the first time he said anything since we started driving. I leant forward, and he snuck his hand into the back pocket of my pants, pulling out my phone. He glanced at the screen.
"It's your grandmother" He said before answering the call and putting it on loudspeaker.
"Lily, you there dear" I nearly broke hearing her voice. I was going to miss her.
"Yes grandma, I'm here" I said, my voice breaking with emotion.
"Oh honey, have you left the City yet?" She asked.
"We are about to." I said, not even trying to hide my disappointment.
Alpha Damien suddenly pulled off the road to the side. He then turned the car around, making me look at him.
"Do you want to see her before we leave?" He asked, glancing over at me. I nodded my head.
"Grandma, the Alpha is going to let me see you before I leave," I tell her.
"That's great news dear, I will see you soon" She said before hanging up. I could hear the excitement in her voice. Becoming excited myself, I would be able to say goodbye to her, but not only that, maybe I could use this as my chance to escape.
I gave Damien the address, I didn't know how he knew where he was going. But when we were nearly there. He pulled over. I watched as he pulled a key from his pocket and reached forward, undoing the padlock on my hands and feet.
"Don't make me regret this Lily, you won't like the consequences if you try anything" His voice held a warning. I quickly nodded before rubbing my wrists.
Damien pulled back onto the road. After five minutes more of driving, we pulled up out the front of Joe's diner. My grandmother was standing out the front, a huge grin lighting up her face when we pulled up. I jumped out of the car and ran to her, throwing myself in her arms. She hugged me just as tight before kissing my head. Alpha Damien hopped out of the car.
Grandma lifted her head and smiled at him. "You must be Damien, Aria told me about you being Lily's mate" She spoke softly.
"Nice to meet you, Ma'am," He said.
"Hush call me grandma; we are all family now" She said before escorting us inside. I didn't like the way she said we were all family. I barely knew Alpha Damien, and he was currently trying to kidnap me. Why doesn't anyone see anything wrong with the entire situation? Walking inside, I walked straight to one of the booths.
"Is Abel here?" I asked hopefully. Grandma Zoe shook her head.
"He still isn't back, I am sorry Lily I know you miss him" She whispered, seeing the disappointment in my eyes. Abel may not be my father, but ever since the attack he has been travelling the globe, trying to find a way to help me and my wolf. Trying to find anyone else with the same problem or anyone who could possibly help our tethered bond. I think he felt responsible for what happened. He would come home every few months and check on everyone before leaving again. But after twelve years I knew he wouldn't find anything; I don't know why he continues to look. Everyone else has given up, but not him.
I walked behind the counter and retrieved some mugs and the coffee before pouring everyone a mug. I was familiar with everything here, having spent most of my childhood here, and my teenage years. I used to come every afternoon after school when I was in my early teens to help grandma. I loved this place, it always felt like home. Grandma and Damien seemed to hit off right away. They were happily chatting when I handed them their cups.
"Are you excited Lily that you found your mate?" Grandma asked. I looked at Damien and I could tell he was interested to hear what I had to say. I have made it very clear I don't want a mate, so he wasn't surprised at my words.
"Layla is" I told her.
"You will come around dear; Mates are a blessing from the moon goddess. You'll see" I raised an eyebrow.
I found nothing great about Mate bonds. Hated the idea of being forced to be with someone just because of a bond. I sat in my seat when I felt my phone Bing in my pocket. I reached for it and saw that Brent sent me a text message. When I suddenly got an idea.
I message him back.
Meet me out in the back alleyway of Joe's diner. I sent him. He replies instantly. He knows I don't want a mate. Brent agreed. I just now had to find a way to sneak away from the Alpha.
We chatted quietly for a while, when a customer came in and Grandma Zoe had to get up and quickly serve them.