Not-So-Fated Mates

Chapter 38: Gut Feeling

Drake POV

Drake sat back with a troubled sigh, drumming his fingers in agitation on the top of his desk. He hadn’t been back more than forty-eight hours since he and Jackson had returned, and yet his scouts were already reporting a rapid reduction in the numbers of rogues near their territory. Of course, it could be that they’d seen the opportunity to stay nearby while he was away, likely thinking they could have a few days without being chased out by the pack. It was the simplest answer and, in his experience, rogues seemed to live by the idea of simplicity, whether it was because they were forced to or because life was easier for them that way. The problem was, that answer didn’t calm the heavy feeling in his gut that all was not well. Rogues didn’t tend to group around a territory en masse like this, and, after going with one of his scouts to check out the rogues yesterday, he had to agree with the warrior’s assessment of the situation. Their moves were too smooth, almost like they all knew where the others were, like it was all choreographed ahead of time. But, if they were all working together, why the hell were they suddenly leaving?

It didn’t help that he hadn’t heard from Layla since the first night he’d been home. His mind kept wandering to that gorgeous, ferocious shifter, wondering what she was doing, how she was doing, if she missed him. If he was being honest with himself, the distance between them had started affecting everything, from his sleep to his work and even his appetite hadn’t been the same. He was starting to feel zombified. In fairness, he’d only attempted to text her the morning after their brief conversation, but he figured she probably didn’t need him blowing up her phone when she was most likely busy with her duties, so he’d only left a couple messages asking how she was doing and the like. Still, something about it was fraying his nerves.

Of course, part of it was the fact that he was missing her like a starving man misses food. His heart ached for her, even as his mind continued to argue that this was what was best for both of them. But, after only a few days, it already seemed that even his mind was getting tired of fighting the pull he felt for her. If this kept going on, he knew his mind would eventually lose, and he’d go back for her, as much as he was afraid that he would end up hurting her in the long run.

He rubbed his eyes wearily, picking up his cell phone to check it for the millionth time in the last hour. Both disappointment and that weird gut feeling raged full force inside his head when he saw no new notifications. He set his phone down as he heaved another sigh. It seemed like he did that more and more ever since he had gotten home; sighing to himself all the time, as if it would allow him to expel his troubles on his breath as it passed his lips. Unfortunately, it didn’t work that way, or he’d have been trouble-free long before now.

He looked back at the reports on his desk, picking them up to read through them again, as if he could extract more information that way. Anything to explain this stupid feeling he had. Yet, after another half an hour of going through them with a fine-tooth comb, he was still coming up empty. Letting out a frustrated growl, he stood up with enough force that it sent his desk chair rolling back until it hit the wall with a small thud. He angrily stuffed the papers back into his file cabinet as if they’d personally done him wrong before storming out of the room.

As he passed on his way outside, his pack members hurriedly got out of his way the second they saw the mood he was in. While his pack appreciated all he did for them, and some even loved him, most knew from past experiences to stay the f**k out of the way when he was in a bad mood. Apparently a certain pack member didn’t understand this, however, as she stood directly in his way with a sickeningly coy smile on her face.

“What do you want, May?” Drake ground out, frustration mounting as the admittedly beautiful she-wolf stopped him from getting outside so he could go for a run in his wolf form.

“You seem upset,” she said, fluttering her eyelashes in a way that told him exactly what she wanted from him. “I thought I might offer my…assistance.”

“May, I need to go for a run, get out of my way,” he responded gruffly. Normally, he probably would’ve taken her up on her offer, like he had quite a few times in the past, but since he’d gotten back none of the girls he used to have a bit of fun with even remotely appealed to him. They just weren’t Layla. Most of the girls had already noticed the change in him after he’d turned them down a few times in the last few days, and were wise enough not to ask after he’d literally had to shove one of them off of him yesterday. May, apparently, had not gotten the memo. Not that that surprised him, she’d always been stubborn whenever it came to something she wanted, and she’d never been afraid to use her body to get what she wanted. He’d indulged her for a long time, and, though he’d made it clear that he was not going to be taking a luna about a thousand times, he’d bet good money that she still thought she could get through to him and change his mind. Unfortunately for her, he wasn’t going to fall for that then, and he certainly wasn’t going to now. After being with Layla, he just seemed to lose all interest in any other woman. Which sucked, considering he couldn’t have her either, and he was a man with needs. Maybe, hopefully, after some time he could enjoy another woman’s company again, like he had a year after Jess had left him.

“Aw, you don’t mean that, big boy,” she said in a sickeningly sweet voice as she came closer and pressed her breasts to his chest, looking at him with doe eyes. “Come on, you know I’ll take care of you. I always do.”

“I do mean it. Get the f**k out of my way before I move you myself.”

Shock crossed her face, and, after a second, she silently stepped aside so he could pass. He strode quickly towards the back door. He wouldn’t have hurt her if she hadn’t moved, but he would have literally moved her out of the way if he’d had to. As much as he had a temper, he was taught to never raise his hand to a woman unless to save his life. Either way, it was a relief when she finally figured out that he didn’t want any of her “fun.” That probably wouldn’t last, of course, but hopefully it would be a while before she tried hitting on him again.

When he finally got outside, he didn’t bother waiting to reach the treeline before he called forth the change, shredding the clothing he hadn’t bothered to remove. He needed to run, and he needed it now.