Her True Mate

Chapter 2 - Needing Sleep

Present Day

Kaitlin's POV

I picked my phone back up. Unlocking the device, I hit reply.

To Blayn:

Yeah, all good. Thinking of Mark.

The phone buzzes almost instantly.

From Blayn:

Would you like me to come over?

Do I? I feel like I am giving this guy whiplash with all my emotions. Even as my best friend, I have been more than complex lately. He takes it in stride, though.

To Blayn:

No. Get some sleep. Sorry for waking you up.

I took another deep breath. I am beyond grateful to Blayn. When I finally returned home after getting the news, he was there to pick me up from the airport, despite all that had happened between us. His comforting presence was precisely what I needed. Aside from Mark, he was my best friend and even closer to me than any of the she-wolves our age. It got a little weird between us before I left.

I said some hurtful things to him once ‘the ïdiot’ was in the picture, but here we are, picking up right where we left off. He had hugged me tightly, and in that hug, I knew I had been forgiven. I never thought I would deserve it.

My parents were just the acting Alpha and Luna, so they sent Blayn to pick me up. I understood it would fall to me as the next Alpha child, but I never trained for it. I thought I had time to figure it all out with them. We weren't expecting my parents to pass the titles to us once we got back to the pack house.

I was taking over as Alpha. Me. In one blow, I just lost my lifetime best friend, my brother, his mate, and Peter. My parents were struggling with his loss as well. They loved Mark and Sara. They loved me, too, but knew I never wanted this life, to be forever in this town, and the responsibility of being Alpha.

We cried all day together and I said I would do what needed to be done. Then, they were gone the next day, both of them. Dr. Owen said they died of a broken heart. I collapsed right there on the spot.

Blayn stayed with me till I could function and snapped me into work mode. Mark had done an excellent job at being Alpha. All the records and paperwork were immaculate and up to date. I spent days returning to pack life and reviewing his meticulous records. The warmth of pack members made my heart swell with pride.

They never even blinked when I, a woman, was sworn in as Alpha three months ago. It almost made me feel like this was where I belonged. I shake my head, try to clear my thoughts, and remember why we are here. This stupid training is a formality that I had never heard of before. I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to be home. I was tired from all the traveling we had been doing. My phone buzzed again.

From Blayn:

I can still hear you thinking in there. Do I need to bust down the door?

This man was amazing. Blayn found his mate at 18. At first, though, no one knew that he was gay. I did, and I loved him all the same. His mate, Tyler, was a warrior in our pack and also not out – I remember hearing the overjoyed call from my family when they announced their mating in training. We all knew it was perfect.

We never discriminated in our pack. My grandfather made sure we were welcoming in every sense of the word. We were often the haven for wolves looking for a safe place to call home without fear of persecution. It's now up to me to protect all of it, and I intend to. I smile mischievously at what I am about to text back, and my mood brightens slightly.

To Blayn:

And I can smell you from here. Stop farting.

I giggled, Blayn would die before anyone heard him fart.

From Blayn:

Oh, missy, your ass is mine in the gym at 06:00.

Oh hell. I glanced up at the time: 04:43 AM. Sighing, I set an alarm for 05:30 and settled in. What feels like 10 minutes later, the annoying alarm is blaring in my ear. Time to get my ass handed to me.

I pull on my leggings, sports bra, and a cropped hoodie, leaving my long brown hair down. Trying to find my shoes in my bag, I hurried, laced them up, and grabbed my purse before heading downstairs to the gym. I see Blayn leaning against his door, “Good Morning.” He smirks at me. “Fück Off.” I smile sweetly back, making a vulgar gesture, and he stands up—his tall 6-foot 2-inch drool-worthy ripped frame tenses at those two words.

He's wearing the most minuscule shorts I have ever seen and a loose tank that leaves everything on display. It's such a shame he bats for the other team. “Excuse me, missy?” He glares through slitted eyes. “Oh, I am sorry, Your Highness. Was I supposed to wish you a great morning? You forget who is more important here.” I chuckled and pretended to model strut down the hallway. He is stunned for a second and quickly catches up to me before slapping my ass. “That is for the sass missy! I am here for you, but I refuse to be a punching bag before coffee. Understood?”

“Understood. However, it hasn't been a good morning in a few weeks, and you know it, I can't say it yet,” I say, bringing down the mood, and he tenses up again but eases quickly as we punch the elevator button to the lower levels. “I am sorry, Kait, you know that, but I also need to remind you life is currently happening around you.” He has a point as he waives his arms in a circular motion. I smiled wearily at him. “I know. Just this city puts me on edge.” I say softly. “That is why I have a morning planned for you to get you through it!” He says, grinning from ear to ear.

Shït.