Not-So-Fated Mates

Chapter 35: Goodbye

Drake POV

It had been a long few hours since Drake had woken, what with packing the rest of his stuff, meeting with Alpha Richard and his beta to let them know he and Jackson would be leaving soon, and being consumed by his own confusing thoughts the entire time. He let out a sigh as he put his luggage in the SUV before backing away to give Jackson room to throw in his own. Chelsea had come down with him and Jackson, a sorrowful look in her eyes every time she looked at her newly-found mate. As much as he hated that Jackson would have to be going without his mate for a bit, part of him was relieved she was staying behind with Layla for a while. He could see from the first day how close the two were, and although he knew Layla had other loved ones in her pack, he knew it was going to be hard for her to say goodbye to her best friend when the time came.

He scanned the area again, hoping Layla would suddenly appear to say goodbye. He knew it would be easier for both of them if she stayed away, but he wanted so badly to see her, kiss her one last time that it made his heart ache. Every time he thought about the fact that this could be the last time he’d see her, his stomach rolled and his heart screamed in protest. But what else could he do? He just couldn’t give her what she needed from him, and he refused to have her go through all the trouble of leaving her pack, her position, her home just to not be able to give her the life she so deserved. He couldn’t doom her to that kind of a sad excuse for a life. No matter how much he ached to hold her and never let her go.

“She’ll come,” Jackson said confidently, coming to stand next to him.

“Yeah, well, maybe it’s better for her not to,” Drake grumbled.

“Yeah, well, maybe it would be better for you not to be such a bonehead,” Chelsea retorted, curling her lip in a small snarl, shocking Drake with her ferocity.

“She’s right,” Jackson said with a smile, kissing the top of Chelsea’s head affectionately as Drake’s eyes widened further.

“What the hell? I already told you-”

“Yeah, yeah, we know all about your bullshit excuses,” Chelsea said, waving his words away in irritation. “Doesn’t change the fact that you’re an i***t for not even trying.”

“So you’d rather I uproot her whole life when I can’t give her what she deserves?” he asked incredulously.

“That’s not what we’re saying,” Jackson said, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “All we’re saying is that you shouldn’t just throw this all away without even trying to find a way to make it work.”

“Whatever,” Drake growled. “We’re not discussing this anymore.”

“You just don’t like the truth,” Chelsea said, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest. Drake gave her a menacing look, but the little imp just smiled sadistically at him.

Before he could respond, Layla’s lovely scent hit his nose, causing him to jerk his head up and look. There she was, just coming out of the front door of the pack house, her beautiful hair in a braid that rested over her shoulder, a shirt and pants that clung to her frame in all the right ways, a soft smile on her face as her gorgeous blue eyes looked into his. His brain shut down, his entire being only focused on her. His heartbeat picked up more and more as she came closer, and he was forced to take in a ragged breath when he realized he’d stopped breathing altogether.

“Hey,” she said a bit shyly as she reached them, still looking only at Drake. Jackson and Chelsea retreated a few feet, giving the two space, though neither noticed, their attention focused on each other.

“Hey,” he responded hoarsely. Waking from his stupor, he cleared his throat, blinking back to reality. “I was starting to think you wouldn’t make it to say goodbye.”

“Yeah, sorry, I had to take a shower before coming down,” she said. “But I’m glad I didn’t miss you.”

“Yeah, uh, me too,” he said, nerves rising and causing him to struggle for words.

They stood in silence for a moment, each struggling with what to say next. Finally, Layla took a breath and said, “Honestly, I’m kinda hating this.”

Drake laughed softly, “Yeah, me too.”

She seemed to search his eyes for something, before saying, “Um, would-would you mind if we kept in touch?”

Surprised, he nodded. “Yeah, yeah I’d like that. Maybe when I get a chance after dealing with whatever the hell is going on with the rogues, I can call you.”

At that, she smiled big. “That sounds good. Could you text me when you get back to your pack?” His inquiring look had her rushing to explain, “Sorry, I just prefer to know. I tend to worry a lot.”

His eyes softened as his lips turned up. “Yeah, sure. And if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call me, or even Jackson.”

“Thanks.”

“Can I-I mean, can we…what I mean to say is-” As if she could read his mind, she wrapped her arms around him, taking his lips in a tender kiss. Everything melted away, and it almost felt as if they were the only ones in the world as that kiss turned more and more passionate. In fact, they only pulled away when they heard Jackson clear his throat and Chelsea giggle. Breathing hard, they slowly parted, and he noticed a pretty blush coloring her cheeks. He smiled and stroked the heated skin with a gentle thumb before taking his hand away and clearing his throat. “I guess we should get going.”

Layla nodded, though he noticed the sadness in her eyes. “Yeah, your pack needs you,” she said as though trying to remind herself that he couldn’t stay any longer.

“I guess I’ll talk to you later,” he said with a sad smile. “But do me a favor, take care of yourself.”

She laughed quietly, “Only if you do the same.”

He nodded, pausing as his eyes insisted on taking her in one last time, just in case. “I’ll see you, then.”

“Goodbye, Drake,” she said sadly, still trying to keep that brave smile on her face.

“Goodbye, Layla,” he said, before turning to get into the SUV as Jackson got into the driver’s seat, giving Chelsea one last kiss after he’d gotten settled. Just as he was about to shut the door, something made him stop and look back at the girl that had turned his life upside down in such little time, the one that had already started to go back inside. “Layla!” he called, causing her to turn slowly, confusion written on her face. He struggled with himself, dying to say the words he’d resolved never to say again. Instead, all that managed to come out was, “Thanks. For everything.”

She smiled again, nodding her head before turning and going inside with Chelsea not far behind her. “Well, that went well,” Jackson commented.

“Yeah, f*****g peachy,” Drake said with a surly look on his face, angry at himself for not being able to force the words out, yet somewhat relieved at the same time. Jackson just nodded knowingly as he started the car and began driving down the long driveway. Home, here we come, Drake thought to himself, not remotely enthused at the prospect.