Love Thy Alpha Book 2

JENNESSA

Lindsey ordered a B.L.T. and sweet tea from the waiter, who was poised with his notepad.

I opted for a turkey club on flatbread and a glass of water. The waiter collected our menus and disappeared into the kitchen.

We had decided to grab a bite at a local sandwich shop before tackling the rest of our day.

After the morning’s events, we were both famished, and the idea of a lunch date was appealing.

Lindsey seemed to be doing better, even though she hadn’t said much since we left the Millers’.

I hoped that venting some of her anger had helped, even if just a little.

“How are you feeling?” I asked gently, needing to know that my best friend was on the mend.

Her hazel eyes lacked their usual sparkle as she shook her head, choosing not to answer. I understood her reluctance to talk, especially in such a public setting.

“I can go alone to the Cash family, or we can reschedule if it’s too much,” I offered, feeling a pang of guilt.

The Cash family was important to our pack, and I didn’t want to neglect them. They needed our support, just like the other grieving families. But if Lindsey needed me, I would be there for her.

Lindsey considered my offer, her gaze fixed on her hands under the table.

After a moment, she looked up, determination in her eyes. “No, they need us. And honestly, I need to feel like I’m helping someone after what happened today.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, a proud smile spreading across my face.

“Yes, of course,” she replied, her resolve evident. “Marcus is hurting. I don’t blame him for his reaction today. But his pain is more of a reason to keep going. There are more families out there going through what he is, and we have to help them in any way that we can.”

I smiled at her again. “I agree.”

“But what about Marcus?” Lindsey asked, her gaze returning to her hands.

“Well, they obviously still need help, but I think it’s best if you don’t come for a while. At least until they’ve healed some,” I suggested, my heart aching as I saw her shoulders slump.

“I may ask my mother to join me. She’s so much better at these things, and the Millers are dealing with the loss of their son as well as the guilt for all the other families their son may have helped hurt.”

“That sounds like a good idea” was all Lindsey said before our waiter returned with our drinks.

***

After lunch, we headed to the Cashes’.

I could tell Lindsey was nervous. We’d been to Linda’s home many times and always received a warm welcome, but this was the first time we were meeting her and Michael’s son. There was no telling how this teenager was really feeling, what he might say or do.

I was a bit nervous myself.

We arrived at Linda’s house and knocked on her front door.

She greeted us with a warm smile and sad eyes. After exchanging hugs, we settled into the living room.

“How have you been? It’s been a little over a week since the last time we saw you. How’s everything going for your family?” I asked, hoping for some positive news.

Linda’s eyes dropped to the floor. “I’m fine,” she said, her arms wrapping around herself. “Or I will be fine. I don’t know, I miss my husband, my mate. It’s been hard for me without him.”

My eyes welled up as I absorbed her words.

I’d never lost a mate, but it was almost inevitable that Clay and I wouldn’t grow old together. As the alpha, the older he got, the more likely he would be challenged for his position. There would be that one fight that he wouldn’t win.

It’s the way of our kind. You can’t just hand over the pack to another alpha and retire. No, as an alpha you have to be killed to lose your position. It’s how all alphas inherit their titles. Whoever kills the alpha becomes the alpha.

I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat at these grim reminders.

It’s not like I could ever forget there’s a clock on my mate’s life, although it might be easier if I could. I certainly didn’t like thinking about it.

Finding your mate is the most special moment of a wolf’s life.

The Moon Goddess created one soul and split it into two people, and it’s our duty as her children to strengthen our packs by finding the other half of our soul. Not everyone finds their mate, which is a harsh reality for some, but to find them and lose them? It’s a pain beyond comprehension.

I watched my mother endure that loss when my father died, and not too long ago I had no intention of ever finding my mate.

My father was also an alpha of my pack. Clay’s father killed him brutally to become the alpha. Clay had to kill his father, which is how he became alpha.

The pain I watched my mother recover from was the reason why when I found out Clay was my mate, I didn’t want him.

I didn’t want to be mated to the alpha, especially since Clay’s father was the reason my father was dead.

That was a tough pill to swallow.

It took some time, but now I can’t even imagine my life without Clay. He is the centerpiece of everything.

“Jennessa?” Lindsey’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Yes?” I replied, hoping Linda hadn’t noticed my distraction. I had been so lost in my own thoughts and fears that I hadn’t heard a word they said.

I was the worst luna ever.

Lindsey gave me a strange look but continued.

“Linda said her son, Hunter, won’t be here for a few hours. He’s training with Clay again today.”

“He’s been there all day,” Linda confirmed, sniffling. “He’s been there every day.”

“All day?” I asked, confused. “I thought he was in school?”

“Yes, he is, but he’s graduating next month,” Linda explained, shrugging her shoulders.

“That’s a little early for a sixteen-year-old,” I mused.

“Oh, no honey, he just turned eighteen last week. He’s graduating only one semester earlier than the rest of his class. He’s a very bright, dedicated young man. Just like his father was.” There was pride in her voice, which made me perk up.

“And you’re worried about him?” Lindsey asked, echoing my thoughts. If Hunter was doing so well, why was Linda so concerned?

“Yes, that’s correct,” Linda nodded. “Can you explain why?” I asked, my lips pursed.

“All this training he’s been doing recently,” Linda began, brushing her dirty-blonde hair out of her face.

“Yes, but that could simply be him following his father’s footsteps,” Lindsey suggested cautiously.

“I thought that at first, too,” Linda admitted, standing up and pacing her living room. She had a look on her face that told me not to question her motherly instincts. “He’s been distant and aggressive, and he’s never in a good mood anymore. I can’t remember the last time I saw my son smile or laugh, and that breaks my damn heart!

“As a mother, all you try to do is keep your children safe and happy. That’s all that matters in the end,” Linda continued, tears starting to roll down her cheeks again. She brushed them away quickly.

“That’s all Michael and I ever wanted for our children. But Hunter isn’t happy anymore, ever. And I get it, he just lost his father. It will take a lot of time for him to be normal, to feel normal, but the way he’s been acting out lately isn’t like my son. Not at all.

“I can sense something’s off. I just know it,” she said, her voice heavy with worry. “But he won’t open up to me,” she sighed, throwing her hands up in frustration. “He’s a grown man now. I can’t force him to talk. And he’s hardly ever home for me to even try.”

Her anxiety was palpable, her breathing becoming more labored as she spoke. I could tell she was genuinely concerned about Hunter. I had to trust her instincts, even though I suspected this was just a normal part of grieving. I remembered how I was after my dad passed away, so I could relate. But I hadn’t met Hunter yet, so I decided to reserve judgment until we had a chance to talk.

“Hey, hey, hey,” I said, standing up and taking Linda’s hands to stop her pacing. Her brown eyes met mine, silently begging for help. “We’ll talk to him. We’ll try to help him deal with your husband’s…passing.”

“And if that doesn’t work, I’ll bring it up with Clay. They’ve been spending a lot of time together since he took over Michael’s position at the Training Hill,” I added, hoping to reassure her that we were taking this seriously. “We’ll make sure he knows he’s not alone. That there are people who care about him and are here for him.”

“Thank you,” Linda said, pulling me into a hug. “That means the world to me.”

“No problem,” I assured her.

***

Lindsey and I stayed with Linda until the sun set. We cleaned her kitchen, vacuumed her living room, dusted her library, and helped her sort through the pile of mail on her dining room table. We kept busy until Hunter came home. By then, I was worn out from the long day, but I pushed through.

“Hunter! You’re home,” Linda called out excitedly as I was stirring the noodles for the chicken Alfredo I was making for dinner. I heard the sound of footsteps and the front door closing.

“Hi, Mom,” a voice responded, presumably Hunter’s. Lindsey and I exchanged glances in the kitchen before heading to the entryway.

“How was training tonight?” Linda asked Hunter as we entered the room.

“It was good. Intense. I like having our alpha out there pushing us,” he replied, kicking off his shoes.

I was taken aback when I saw Hunter. He was nearly as tall as Clay, or maybe even the same height. It was hard to tell.

I had expected him to still look like a kid, but he didn’t. Hunter was huge. He was wearing a black tank top and basketball shorts, which highlighted every muscle on his torso, arms, and back. I would never have guessed he was only eighteen. Hell, I wouldn’t have guessed he was twenty-five.

“Hey, mate,” Lindsey called out, announcing our presence. I gave her a puzzled look. Hunter was still facing away from us, but he turned around. His eyes met mine first, then Lindsey’s, who gasped.

I watched in confusion as Hunter and Lindsey were drawn to each other like magnets. They met in the middle of the room and embraced. I looked away after a moment, but something was nagging at me. I brushed it off and let the new couple have their moment.

“Well,” Linda said, stepping around Lindsey and Hunter as they shared their first kiss. “Maybe we should give these two some privacy.”

I nodded and left the room, feeling a mix of confusion and happiness for my best friend. She had been dreaming of this day since we were kids. She was a hopeless romantic. She deserved some happiness after all the tragedy.

But how did she know?

That was the only question on my mind. How did she know before they even made eye contact? He hadn’t even turned around yet, and she knew instantly.

“That was a nice surprise, don’t you think?” Linda said, giggling to herself.

I looked at her and noticed a change. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were brighter, and she was smiling. I didn’t fully understand what was happening, but it was clear that the three most miserable people in the room were now the happiest.

It was a good look on Linda. I hoped it would last. She deserved some happiness after everything she’d been through. They all did. And I was glad they had found it, even if it was just a glimmer.

Lindsey and Hunter came back into the room, hand in hand, both glowing with happiness. This was the happiest I’d ever seen Lindsey. They seemed completely at ease with each other, as if they’d known each other forever. I knew then that Lindsey would be okay. She would have a happy life with Hunter.

Lindsey and I sat with Linda and Hunter, trying to make sure they were okay. Talking about Michael’s death was still painful, but it was hard to have a serious conversation with Lindsey and Hunter making googly eyes at each other and Linda looking on with a smile.

“I don’t want you to go,” Hunter said to Lindsey as we stood by my SUV. He had his arms wrapped around her waist and his face buried in her neck. “I just found you.”

“I feel the same way,” Lindsey assured him, her arms around his neck and her hands in his hair.

“Then stay,” Hunter pleaded. “My mom and I would love it if you stayed. I haven’t seen her smile like that since my dad.”

Lindsey looked at me over Hunter’s shoulder, her eyes pleading. I shrugged and gave her a thumbs up. I wasn’t about to stand in their way.

“Okay,” Lindsey whispered to Hunter, turning her attention back to him.

In a burst of joy, Hunter picked Lindsey up and slung her over his shoulder. Lindsey shrieked and then laughed, playfully slapping Hunter’s back. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Jennessa.”

“Like hell you will,” Hunter growled, clearly staking his claim on Lindsey.

Lindsey giggled as Hunter carried her back toward the house. “All right, I’ll see you…soon… Bye!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of my best friend finding the happiness she’d always wanted.

I watched them in awe. They made it look so easy to accept their bond.

I got in my car and drove away quickly. A strange feeling twisted in my stomach. I was happy for Lindsey, truly, but I also felt a pang of melancholy. I didn’t understand why.