Mates Conquer Everything, Right?

It has been two weeks since I moved into the packhouse. Sometimes it feels like home, especially when Igétas is by my side.

We didn’t tell anyone about our theory regarding our mating bond. Igétas still believes we are a gold tier, or at least a green level. No one asks, so we don’t tell. Only Amanda has some knowledge, because of our mating talk a couple of weeks ago.

Mating is the other thing that is running around in my head. I feel like I need to be with him all the time. Also, it is hard to keep our distance. He still hasn’t kissed me on the mouth. I have read in some books about mating that it is possible to kiss your mate without wanting to complete the mating. But when I broached the subject, he just looked so pained. He said he wanted to, but was too afraid Vasil would take over. And if he did, it would give Tharros an excuse to kick us out of the pack, since I am not a pack member.

There are two teams. The team who “wants Violet gone” consists of mainly young wolves, mostly men who work close to Tharros. The team who “wants Violet to stay” are families. I know this has everything to do with the rogue attack. I saved their children, and they won’t forget my actions that easily.

I don’t see Taylor and Tiffany much, only in school if I go at all. Igétas has a way in and it seems like I don’t have to do much to succeed. I don’t care as much about school as I used to. I feel like my priorities have shifted. Igétas has become my main one, always on my mind.

“Come on, Violet!” I hear my mate’s voice while I try to conquer the obstacle run. He was the first one to finish it, of course. My strong man. I am hanging upside down in the ropes trying to make it across. This is the fifth time I’m trying to pass this obstacle and I’ve never made it across. With all the training every morning with the pack and the training I do with Oliver and Ela in the afternoon, I’ve created some serious muscles.

“Violet, grab the bar!” I hear Oliver yell and I look forward, climbing all the way to the end. I grab the bar and untangle my feet from the rope.

“I did it!” I yell on top of the obstacle, and I get a little applause from the audience. Most of the pack members are already done with the course. Only I and four younger members are trying to finish it. But we are too late and I hear the Alpha voice roar: “Time, get back here!”

I run to Igétas. I only needed to do two more obstacles. “Good job, Violet!” He says and gives me a side hug. I have no idea how he stays relatively clean when I am covered in mud and sweat. Tharros stands before us.

“We are only as strong as our weakest links. You just saw them in action. When we get another attack, watch out for them. That’s all for this morning. Let’s eat!”

Most of the members sprint to the pack house, but I walk quietly with Igétas. “I am so proud of you.”

“Well, thank you, however I didn’t finish it.”

“You are making progress and it shows. Did you see how people were looking at you?”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, confused.

“They applaud you for your efforts. They see your motivation and the determination in you.”

I take a deep breath: “Well, not everyone.”

“Give it time. Remember our plan? Try to stay in contact with Yolanda.”

I laugh humorlessly, “as if they let me.” Yolanda is indeed our way in with the Alpha, but she is monitored closely by her guards and as soon as I talk to her, she is taken away.

“Just keep trying to talk to her or help her with tasks.” He kisses me on top of my head, and I sigh, feeling warm.

We eat our breakfast at the table with the Alpha. I am used to the egg and bacon breakfast now, but I still eat a lot; not as much as the wolves though. After everyone is finished eating, Igétas leaves me to go to work and I seek out Amanda.

“Hi, are you busy?” I look inside her room, and she waves me in while talking on the phone.

Her room is a dark green, with forest pictures and crystal stones. I also spot an amethyst stone, just like my necklace. It smells a little like lavender.

Her room is much more homely than mine. I’ve been given a room as far away as possible from Igétas, as he predicted. I spend most of my free time in his spacious living area, so I only go to my room to sleep. Every night, he guides me back to make sure no one will try anything.

“What brings you here?” Amanda asks while sitting on her bed.

“I think you know already, right?” She gives me a half-smile and her eyes flash brightly.

“You finally want to know about my gifts?” She exclaims dramatically.

“Yahtzee.” I say, and she smiles.

“Why now?” She looks completely comfortable with my request.

“Well, I didn’t want to pry, and if it was really important for me to know before now you would have told me, right?” She nods at my question.

“Also, it seems like people are secretive about it. And the first time I met you…”

“You watched me getting a beating for it.” She tells me, staring into my eyes.

“You got a beating for it?” I ask with horror; I don’t remember that. She laughs hard.

“No, it is a saying. You saw Oliver growling at me and me lowering my head and showing submission.”

“So are you going to elaborate on it?” I’m suddenly so curious about her.

“Of course, it took you long enough to come to me. I thought you would have come sooner.”

“Well, not to make up an excuse, but I do have a lot on my mind lately.”

“I know,” she winks.

This is going to be interesting.