Alpha Grant: Book 3 of The Alpha Series

26. Madison

Madison

My alarm sounded on my phone, softly waking me up. I enjoyed having soft music play as my alarm instead of some loud noise to scare the s**t out of me. I opened my eyes and moved to turn off my alarm. I sighed heavily as I felt another headache coming on. I had a horrible one in the night and had to take medicine to calm it down.

I slowly got up from my bed and felt the headache come on even stronger. I practically fell to the floor in discomfort before dragging myself to my bathroom for water and meds.

When I reached my bathroom, I didn’t bother with the glass on the counter as I felt the horrible cotton mouth I had. I felt like I had been drinking all night but I hadn’t. I turned the faucet on and drank water straight from the tap. I drank until I felt like my belly was full and I probably wouldn’t eat breakfast because of it. I stood up and turned the faucet off, then looked into the mirror. I took a deep breath before I realized what today was. Oh my Goddess, it’s my eighteenth birthday! Grant will be coming here today!

“You’re awfully excited about a guy that might not even be our mate,” a voice said in my head.

It was my wolf and she was already raining on my f*****g parade. Now I know what Grant was talking about when it came to being frustrated with Skoll.

“He might be and he might not be. I know this already. What’s your name?” I asked.

“Valda. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.”

“I know, but I feel like it’s already too late for that.”

I sighed and felt her fade into the back of my mind. I relieved myself then went to my bedroom to get dressed for school. As I was getting dressed, I heard my text tone go off on my phone. I walked over to see who it was. It was Grant.

“Good morning and Happy eighteenth Birthday!”

“Thank you!”

“You’re welcome. I’m currently getting on the Hunter’s Moon jet to head that way for today.”

“I’m so excited to see your face!”

“Lol, I’m excited too. What’s your wolf’s name?”

“Valda.”

“Strong name.”

“Lol, idiot.”

“Lmao.”

I smiled as I put my phone in the back pocket of my blue jeans, then grabbed my backpack. I walked out of my room to the kitchen. Mom and dad were already up and I could smell bacon cooking. I smiled as I stepped into the kitchen and saw them cooking together. They were so adorable.

“Happy Birthday!” they told me.

“Thank you,” I said back.

“We have eggs and waffles with strawberries ready for you. We are finishing up with the bacon then we can eat,” mom told me.

“Sounds amazing,” I said happily.

I walked into the dining room to see Logan and Sebastian sitting there already. They both got up when they saw me and gave me a hug.

“Happy Birthday,” Logan said as we sat down.

“Thank you. What are you two up to today?” I asked.

“Our usual before you get out of school,” Sebastian said.

“Yeah. We plan to walk you home so you can change for your party,” Logan told me.

“Awesome!”

Mom and dad brought plates for us in the dining room then went to get theirs before they joined us. We all sat down and started talking about my party later today and my wolf.

“I went out to the meadow and it's still covered in flowers,” mom commented.

“Yeah. Normally, they are all gone by now but they aren’t. I think Luna Jamie had something to do with that. It’s beautiful though,” I told her.

“She might have kept them going just for today. We all know you love that meadow,” she said.

I smiled at her and took a bite of breakfast.

“I’m sure you’ve talked with your wolf already, so what’s her name?” Logan asked.

“Valda.”

“That’s pretty,” mom said and I just smiled even more.

We ate our breakfast before Logan and Sebastian stepped out of the house with me. We were met by Jaxson, Josie and Jade in front of the house, then walked to school. When we reached school, I told Logan and Sebastian bye. The rest of us went inside and went our own ways. I really didn’t hang around Jaxson too much this year because of what happened last year. He understood and didn’t take offense to it. He was still my friend but I kept distance between me and everyone lately.

When the bell rang, I hurried off to my class and sat in my seat in the back of the math room. I didn’t really have any friends my own age and that was fine. I will get to see my best friend today. I couldn’t wait to see him again. To hug him again. I missed him so much. This time away from him was torture.

I was secretly happy that he hadn’t found his mate yet. I wanted to be that for him. I wanted him to be mine. I don't know how I would react if I wasn’t his, but I will find out later today. It would probably crush me to know that he wasn’t mine.

School went by slowly and it was painful as hell. All I wanted to do was get out of here and go to my birthday party. I knew Grant was already on pack territory but we hadn’t talked at all. I’m sure he was busy with Eric and his parents.

When class was over, I ran to my locker and put my books away before meeting with Jaxson and the twins so we could leave school. We walked out of the building and saw Logan, Sebastian and Owen out front waiting for us. To have almost everyone together was a rare treat and I missed this large gang we had going while we were growing up. All nine of us together just meant trouble, but it was fun.

We all walked to my house so I could change and the others could put their stuff away. I stepped up to the door and opened it before looking back at everyone.

“We are going to go out to the meadow to help everyone finish setting up,” Logan told me before I could step inside.

“Ok. I'll see y’all out there.”

They walked off while I stepped into the house and closed the door. I could feel the butterflies erupt in my stomach and I thought I was about to bring up my lunch. I took a deep breath and started to walk down the hallway to my room. I dropped my backpack on the floor and took another deep breath while getting my white dress out of the closet. It was knee length with sleeves that ended at my elbows. It wasn’t anything fancy but I liked the way it looked on me.

I remember telling Grant a little over a year ago that the next time I saw him I would wear a dress and this was it.

I took my time changing and brushed my long dark brown hair out before looking at myself in the mirror. I didn’t have any makeup on but I didn’t need it. I was lucky to have a natural clear skin tone and long dark eyelashes.

“You’re beautiful Maddy. Our mate will be lucky to have you at his side,” Valda told me.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I know you're nervous about what might not happen. No matter what, I’m here with you. I will always help mend your pain.”

“That means a lot to me. I promise you that, no matter what, I will do right by you.”

“Thank you.”

I didn’t say anything else but I smiled warmly. I took a deep breath, then started to walk out of the house to the meadow. I had no nerves about letting Valda out, just massive nerves about seeing Grant again. I knew what to expect when it came to shifting and I could take physical pain, I just wasn’t good with emotional pain.

As I walked closer and closer to the meadow, I swallowed my nerves and walked with determination. There was nothing that I could do if he wasn’t mine. I just needed to rip the bandaid off. Get it over with.

I stepped up to the edge of the meadow and I could smell everyone’s scents that showed up for my party. I smelled the scent of Bergamot. It smells like lime but has a floral note to it. I knew it was Grant’s scent but it was so strong today. Stronger than I had ever smelled him before.

I rounded the corner following my nose and saw him standing there next to Eric looking for me with everyone else talking behind them. My heart leapt into my throat when I saw Grant again. He looked so handsome with the short scruff on his face and mid-length hair.

“Mate! He’s all ours,” Valda howled in my head as I stared into Grant’s gray eyes.

Goosebumps rose all over my skin as I realized I was really his and he was really mine. I could have screamed and cried with happiness. Instead, I ran for him.

~

Grant

I arrived at Hunter’s Moon mid-morning and was prepared to spend most of the day with Eric. I was calm and collected on the outside about today, but on the inside I was going f*****g crazy. It was finally the day I would find out if Madison was mine or not. I was nervous as hell. I couldn’t watch her be mated to someone else. That would tear me apart.

When I got to the packhouse, I stepped up onto the porch and turned the knob. As I was opening the door, Eric was trying to open it from the inside. We both ended up laughing as we opened the door together before we hugged.

“Let’s go see mom and dad,” he told me.

“Sounds good. Did you take the rest of the day off?” I asked.

“Yeah. I’m caught up on work for now.”

“Great!”

We walked to the village and I could smell the flowering blackthorn that was Madison’s scent as we passed her house. It was strong today and I smiled as I savored it. I missed that smell as much as I missed seeing her pretty face.

Eric and I stepped into mom and dad's house to find them talking in the kitchen and dining room area with Rambo and Sage. I greeted everyone with a hug before watching Sage and mom get the last of the things ready for Madison's birthday party.

“Where are we setting her party up at?” I asked.

“In the clearing that is covered in aster flowers this time of year. That’s the spot she requested,” Sage said.

I nodded my head but didn’t show my happiness about the place she had picked. She wanted to be at our spot for her party and shift. That meant a lot to us, but no one really knew that. We kept so much secret from everyone.

We spent the day with my parents, Rambo and Sage, and had lunch at mom’s favorite cafe in the village. I wanted to text Madison while she was in class, but I refrained from doing so and just enjoyed my time with my brother and my parents.

When all the food and drinks were prepared for the party, all of us grabbed the supplies and headed out to the meadow. We set up tables and chairs along with games and decorations that Madison loved. We set the food out and soon people started to arrive. Her party wasn’t nearly as big as mine or , but she would be happy with it.

It wasn’t long and I noticed three pups with big bright smiles as they ran towards me. Jaxson practically plowed me over as he collided with me to give me a hug. I hugged him tightly in greeting before giving the twins a big hug. They were all happy to see me. This was the first time I had been back in over a year, so their excitement was understandable.

I saw Sebastian, Logan and Owen show up. I hugged Sebastian as I looked around for Madison.

“Where’s Madison?” I asked.

“She went home to change,” Logan said as she hugged me.

I didn’t say anything more as I hugged Owen, then started to talk with everyone while waiting for the birthday girl. As I talked with everyone and looked around, I saw Eric on the edge of the party waiting for Madison to arrive.

When I saw her step into the clearing, I smiled widely. She had on a simple white dress that she could shift in and tear up. She looked beautiful even if it was a simple dress. I stepped up beside Eric and took a deep breath. I could smell Madison’s scent of flowering blackthorn getting stronger as she got closer. I released my breath and Skoll let a low rumble of happiness out. He was happy to see her again.

A breeze blew right in my face and I was enveloped in the scent of Madison. Skoll and Wraith both fought to let out a low rumble from my chest. They were in a full frenzy inside of my head.

“I’ve always known it,” Skoll said happily.

“Madison’s ours!” Wraith howled happily.

I smiled and took a few steps toward Madison right as she started running toward me. She knew she was mine. I reached out to her and right as she got close, she jumped into my arms to hug me. Her arms wrapped around my neck as I held her tightly to me. Her face was against mine and I felt the sparks between us. This was everything that I had wanted.

As our hug came to an end, I placed Madison back down onto her feet. I didn’t want to let go of her and I had missed those lips entirely too much. I didn’t care that there were others around. She was mine!

I took her face in the palms of my hands and our lips found one another. I wasn’t just going to give her a little peck. No, I was going to devour this little mate of mine. I had waited long enough to find out if she was mine and now we would celebrate.

When I finally pulled my lips away from hers, I felt her hands gripping my shirt tightly at my chest. I looked into her eyes and smiled as I breathed heavily.

I ran my thumb over her lips, feeling the sparks of our mate bond and said, “Happy Birthday Mads.”

“Best birthday ever,” she said softly.

We both smiled before we began to move and look around. We found everyone looking at us and I felt horrible about the display we had just made. I took Madison's hand in mine and we walked into the party area with smiles on our faces. I saw Madison’s family watching us and Madison pulled at my hand.

I looked down at her and she said, “Let me go talk to my parents.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” I asked.

“Not yet. Give me a second.”

“Ok, I’ll be over there in a minute.”

She nodded her head and we reluctantly let go of one another. Madison walked to her parents and I walked over to Eric.

“I would hate to be you, dude,” Eric said.

I looked at him funny and asked, “Why?”

“Because Rambo is your father-in-law and that’s his little girl you were just slobbering all over,” he explained while pointing at Madison.

Slobbering all over her? It was slobber out of affection! I loved the hell out of Madison and she was my best friend. We told each other everything and we had just been set free. I was going to play it cool though.

“s**t. Well, it’s too late to ask the Moon Goddess to take it back now. I’m too attached,” I said with a shrug.

“You’ve been attached since you two were pups,” Eric protested.

“Fair. How much of this do you think mom knew?” I asked, deflecting his stupid tantrum.

“Probably all of it.”

“You think she will tell us?” I asked.

“Let’s go see,” he said, pointing my head towards mom.

Both of us turned to face mom, who was watching from the edge of the crowd.

“MOM!” we both called out with wide grins.

“Yes my boys?” mom asked with a bright smile as she walked up to us.

“Did you know that Madison was mine?” I asked with squinted and playful eyes.

“Yes. I’ve always known. That’s why I kept such a close eye on you two. I didn’t want either of you to do anything stupid,” she said.

Oh, if only she knew the things we had already done. But this raised another question for me. If she knew about Madison, why didn’t she have more of an answer for me when it came to my prophecy? Was my cryptic and secretive mother lying to me?

“What else do you know? Tell us your secrets,” Eric joked with her.

She laughed and said, “like I’m going to tell you shit.”

I busted out laughing at her and Eric just shook his head while smiling. She smiled at us and returned to dad's side as he talked with her Beta, Ben. I watched as dad wrapped his arm around her as always and they shared a kiss. Those two always seemed to be love-struck and I had no doubt that I would have that with Madison.

I looked at Eric and found him staring at our parents for longer than I had. I got his attention by poking him in the chest. He looked at me with a frown and I just smiled. I was about to be a jackass.

“You still have to honor our pact while I get to have my mate,” I said, pushing it in his face.

His shoulders slumped a little before he punched me in the arm and said, “fucker.”

“Oh, I’m going to,” I said with a big smile before looking over at Madison.

I listened as he groaned in irritation and it just made me smile that much more. I left Eric's side and walked over to Madison as she was still talking with her parents. I’m sure this was going to be awkward as hell.

Sage smiled at me and said, “I'm so happy that we know Madison is in good hands with you.”

I smiled at her comment and said, “Of course she is.”

“Madison had been talking about leaving after today no matter what and I was trying to find a good reason to make her stay to finish school. I can’t do that to the two of you now,” Rambo said while shaking his head.

I gave him a warm smile and told him, “I'll make sure she finishes school and I’ll take care of her.”

He nodded his head. Madison was their last pup, so this was going to be difficult for him. I’m surprised that it’s not difficult for Sage to. We talked with them until it was time for Madison to shift.

I let go of her hand and let Rambo talk with her in private as she got ready to let Valda out. When Rambo was done, I stood in front of everyone to watch Madison shift for the first time. I stood there and watched her and listened. She turned her head up to the sky and looked at the clouds since the stars weren't out yet. I smiled at her. She took a deep breath of the crisp fall air before closing her eyes.

She let her breath out right as her wolf started to take over. We watched and listened as bones broke, fabric tore and she panted heavily. Her shift was quick, one of the quietest I had ever seen. Her wolf was strong and took over within minutes. Not once did she scream out in pain or make a sound other than her breathing.

When she was fully shifted into her soft gray Omega, I walked up to her and ran my fingers through her soft fur as I said, “Hi, Valda.”

She looked at me with her big blue eyes and Wraith urged me to let him out with her. I obliged and let him take over, tearing my clothes apart to be with his mate. Once Wraith was out, he and Valda took off into the woods together for a run. Wraith was happy and I could feel Skoll’s happiness too.