Chapter 11 - Stalker Mode

I had already shut my alarm off. I was already awake so there was no point in listening to the ridiculous tune blare out the reminder that I needed to pretend to be a normal person who wasn't having a crisis. I much preferred to stay in bed but knew that it wasn't an option. I was actually surprised that I hadn't been dragged from my home and shoved into a black van. It wasn't like Nick didn't know where I lived or who I left with.

I hope Theo didn't get in trouble because of me. Thankfully he didn't mention my sudden and teary departure but I imagine he already knew and that Nick wasn't too kind to him. I was grateful that Theo was more the strong, silent type.

We shouldn't have ran! I'm sure it will only make things worse with mate. He'll think we don't want him.

Amara was angry with me, angry with Nick, angry with the whole situation we found ourselves in. It wasn't fair to either of us. After years of abuse we had a small sliver of hope dashed away because our mate didn't believe we were good enough to be his Luna Queen. Not that it was my aspiration but the fact that he didn't give me the chance, didn't know me, didn't even think to spend time getting to know me before deciding I wasn't enough. That is what broke my heart. The feeling that I wasn't enough for him. I wanted him to want me, all of me. I wanted to be loved wholly and not as a simple convince to have around when the time calls for it. Mates were supposed to be all consuming, a wild burning passion, an insatiable urge to consume each other. Why couldn't I have that? Why couldn't I find the love that I knew I deserved? I could feel the tears forming in my already burning eyes. Refusing to allow myself to wallow in my own self-pity I decided to get up! Get my ass out of my bed and do something!

I dragged myself to the bathroom – turning on one of the softer lights, not wanting to see the tortured mess that I must have looked like. I turned the shower on to the hottest setting I could, allowing the small space to fill with steam, stepping in allowing the water to scald my skin – taking the time washing my hair and body using my favorite washes. I wrapped myself in the fluffiest cotton towel I had and made my way to the kitchen to find a note from my mother saying her and Olivia were out for the morning running errands. Since my Mom didn't have to work anymore she decided to have designated days, Tuesday being Mimi and Olivia day. I hadn't told her what had happened the night before but I knew that at some point I would. Especially if he was going to reject me but I wouldn't think about that right now.

Mate won't reject us. Amara was clinging to hope but I wasn't so sure.

Grateful to have the house to myself I turned my Bluetooth speaker on that I kept in the kitchen and blared some tunes while I made some coffee only to be interrupted by a text from my supervisor saying that everyone was given the rest of the week off due to the coming celebrations.

Seems a little strange that a Nicholas owned company that we work for is suddenly closed for the week. Amara expressed my exact thoughts back to me. We weren't dumb. Something was up and it was best if we weren't home when it happened.

AMARA! How does a spa day sound? I was answered with her excited yipping. Sending a quick text out to my mother to let her know where I was going I called two people. First, I rang Janie inviting her to join me and then I called Ryan to set everything up at his salon. He was all too excited to get his hands on my hair. I knew that I couldn't spend the entire day hiding under the covers even though I knew I wouldn't be judged after the situation I was in but I couldn't do that. I refused. I headed to my room to find my comfiest leggings and an over sized shirt to wear under my teddy jacket, slipping on my favorite pair of boots.

Janie arrived wearing a black turtle neck under a camel corduroy jumper, after complimenting her on how adorable she was we quickly made our way to the closest coffee shop grabbing three iced coffees before making our way to Ryan, who was beyond excited that we were there and with coffee. He quickly escorted me to my seat and placed Janie next to me with his coworker Bridgette. She was gorgeous, not a hair out of place, her makeup immaculately applied to give her caramel skin that airbrushed appearance. She wore a skin tight black tank top with black leather pants finishing her look off with a pair of red bottom heels. She seemed to barely speak and after a quick explanation from Ryan that her boyfriend had ghosted her this morning it made sense but she still made quick work of applying foils to Janie while Ryan got to work with me.

We were laughing so much that I had almost forgotten everything that happened until I noticed a large black SUV parked next to my car. I tried my best to act natural but that nagging feeling that he was here watching me continued to plague me. Amara wanting nothing more than to run out to him and throw ourselves into his arms. I couldn't let that happen - I couldn't allow myself to fall for a man who wouldn't treat me the way I deserved so I focused back on my friends. The salon wasn't busy so Ryan blared some dance music and passed out champagne so we could really have fun. He started by pulling Janie out of her seat at the hair dryer and began twirling her around while singing along to Beyoncé. Champagne continued flowing, knowing that it would burn out of our system quickly since we were shifters. We even got Bridgette to open up a little and dance with us. Before I knew it, I had forgotten all about the SUV and enjoyed myself. The music and laughter continued as our hair was washed, deep conditioned and cut. Janie opting for a fresh start and choosing a longer bob that reached just past her shoulders. I went wanted to keep my longer hair but wanted some more layers, it had been so long since I had long hair that I wasn't ready to give it up. My copper hair looked incredibly healthy and reminded me of fire with the soft golden baby-lights that Ryan had added.

We made our way to the front desk ready to pay and head to the nail salon with Ryan joining since he had no appointments for the rest of the day only to be told that our balance was already paid for. A man had called to offer to pay for our bill, preferring to remain anonymous but I had a feeling who it was when I turned to see that the SUV was gone.

He cares – just give him time Cate. You're mad that he shut you out but you're doing the same now. She was pleading with me to rethink the situation.

Amara. That's extremely toxic. I'm going to need you to chill out with the pheromones.

We were seated together at the nail salon preparing for our pedicures, drinking more champagne, when Ryan had a "brilliant idea".

"Bitches. We should go to Chaos on Friday! The dinner at the castle will have all the Alphas and Betas occupied so we can get wild! We have to!" Janie was immediately down – even texting Sebastian letting him know our plans. I was obviously very apprehensive stating that I needed to see how Olivia was doing that night before I committed followed by Ryan fighting me for my cell phone and calling my mother who immediately agreed that I needed a night out.

"I love so don't be mad but do you have anything to wear that isn't plaid?" I gave Janie a death stare – how dare she question my plaid.

"That's a no. We're going shopping after this." Ryan commandeered that afternoon, dragging us from store to store to find the PERFECT outfit for Friday night. I reluctantly agreed to a skin tight black skirt and a low cut lace bodysuit. We made plans to meet at Janie's house to get ready with her stating she would wear a leather dress that she owned and Ryan to wear black leather pants and a black vest so that we could all be matching with our leather outfits. With everything solidified we headed our separate ways. I was ready to go home and see my baby. I had missed her and couldn't wait to see her smiling face.

Nick's POV

"Stalking your mate again?" Caleb came up behind me. I was standing within the tree line across from her house watching her dance around the living room with her daughter. I was shocked when I read her file and learned that he had been mated and had child with another wolf. At first my rage consumed me and would have destroyed my office if Caleb and Theo had not stepped in to help gain control of Ashur. Blinded by my fury that my mate would be with another man, another man touching her, tasting her. But then I looked further into the details, a forced mating for ten years before an application was submitted for a termination of the mate bond. I was seething, finding it hard to believe that any man in his right mind would reject her. She was stunning – bright copper hair, gray-blue eyes, high cheekbones with full cupid's bow lips.

I kept replaying the night before, I wanted nothing more than to strip every piece of fabric from her curvy body and run my hands over every inch of her skin. She took my breath away the moment I saw her and I tried to keep my distance but all I could imagine was getting down on my knees in front of her, sucking and teasing her until she burst in my mouth. I was so close to tasting her perfect lips last night until I said the dumbest fucking thing. She was right though. I didn't know her and I was quick to dismiss her based on some sorted sense of duty. I was the fucking King. I don't give a damn what people thought. She was my fated mate and there was a reason for it. The Moon Goddess didn't make decisions on a whim.

"Did you fuck my mate?" The thought was nagging me – that my Beta had been with her. It didn't escape my attention that they clearly had a bond. He had been disappearing for hours at a time, never having a clear answer about where he had been and now I understood why.

"No. I'm her friend. That's it. In fact, I planned on presenting her at the Ball as a candidate." I smiled at the thought, never taking my eyes away from her window as she lifted her pup in the air, singing and twirling her around. Both smiling and giggling. I wanted nothing more than to be with both of them but I knew I wouldn't be welcomed right now.

I found that she worked for one of my companies, giving them the week off in an attempt to free up her time but as my driver pulled around the corner to her home I caught her driving away so I followed her. Watched her as she went into Bridgette's salon, wanting so badly to barge in there but knowing that I would cause a scene that wouldn't help my cause not taking into consideration that I was pulling away from Bridgette. I could barely see inside with the windows they were so dark but just knowing she was close was enough for now. Ashur urging me, desperate to mark our mate right then and there. I struggled with the internal battle to stay where I was or walk through the doors and take her away to somewhere more private.

"Your Majesty, you have a meeting shortly." My driver brought me back to reality, a deep growl released at my frustration. I instructed him to call the salon and pay for her and her friend's services. She would know it was me but I wanted to spoil her, it was the only thing that I could do at the moment. During the meeting she was all I could think about – so much so that I was compelled to hide within the woods just to watch her the moment I was free only to be disturbed by my Beta.

"Caleb, you wanna tell me why there is a patrol already around my mate's house?" I had gone to the captain of the guard to place a watch on her house only to discover that there was one already in place from my Beta.

"Look. Nick. I know you read her file but Theo and I have spent a lot of time with her and....well....we believe that someone, probably her former mate, might have hurt her." A thundering roar broke free at the thought that someone had put his hands on her, immediately mind linking Theo to advise him that we needed to make a document request from the council for more information regarding Cate's former mate. He was about to receive a visit from his King.

"What the fuck are you two doing in front of my house?" Turning to see my mate standing across from me, her eyes filled with fury that drove me mad wanting nothing more than to fuck her right there against a tree.

"Get in the house before more people notice you! Try to control the urge to make a scene."

I turned to Caleb who simply shrugged before following her.

Here we go Ashur. Behave yourself. This is our chance to convince them to be with us.