Chapter 145
Blair POV
Sarah's expression was one of awe and fear as she stared at the man in front of her, whose yell had filled the air with the word 'mate'. Her eyes were filled with hope as well as dread. I could tell that she was anticipating that he would reject her as well, but he looked as though he was struggling inwardly with his emotions as he strode over to her, Sarah's lips slightly parted, her hair cascading down her back in soft waves. He gripped her by the shoulders, his eyes glinting, a look of possessiveness on his face. "Mate" he growled.
I watched with amusement. Sarah found her voice "But aren't you going to reject me as well?" she stammered, a bewildered expression on her face.
His eyes narrowed "Do you want me to reject you?" he demanded chillingly, his grip tightening on her as she winced slightly.
I saw tears appear in her eyes "No, but, I thought you hated me" she admitted, her voice a mere whisper of confusion. "Right now, my wolf wants nothing more than to claim you" James growled "And it's killing me not to pick you up and drag you back to the pack house" he added saucily, making Sarah's eyes widen in shock and her mouth to drop slightly open.
I tried hard not to giggle. For two people who had done nothing but fight, they were struggling to keep their hands off each other. I might as well have been invisible right then and there for all the attention they were paying to me.
James cupped Sarah's chin, tipping her face towards him. He planted his lips on hers, making her gasp, before her arms went around his neck, her body pressing eagerly against him. I felt like an interloper, but they were now between me and the marquee so all I could do was stand there and wait for them to finish, feeling awkward and yet, not able to turn away. It was a very passionate kiss and I was quite impressed by James, who twisted his hand in her hair as she moaned, causing me to clench my stomach. Damn, where was my mate when I needed him? As if I had summoned him out of nowhere, Braedon appeared in the doorway, his eyes sweeping the darkness, before his mouth fell open in surprise. He looked so stunned that it was almost comical.
I giggled again. Sarah finally pulled back, panting, frantically drawing in oxygen, her face bright red and her eyes shining. "Great" Braedon muttered "I see the two of you are mates" he added darkly as James turned and looked at him apologetically "Try to keep it PG 13 in front of me" he advised "As much as we are best friends Sarah is still my sister," he told James "and I don't need to see you two trying to get with each other" he finished tersely.
"Sorry," James said sheepishly, his ears turning red while Sarah blushed and held onto James's arm, gripping it tightly, her body stumbling slightly.
"I take it you're not rejecting her?" Braedon asked evenly.
James glanced at Sarah and shook his head. Braedon's face smoothed out. "Good" he bit out "Then I'm happy for you both. Blair," he said with a pause and gesturing to me "I doubt these two are going to make it back to the summit" he added meaningfully, Sarah and James already looking deeply into each other's eyes and oblivious to us again "but I was hoping you would come back with me" he said calmly.
I grinned and headed back towards him, my heels sinking slightly into the grass, taking hold of his arm. Braedon exhaled and glanced at the happy couple, shaking his head wryly. "I never would have thought," he said wrily "but how...?" he trailed off still sounding slightly amazed.
"Her original mate rejected her and I guess James turned out to be her second chance one" I supplied as we turned and headed back in.
Braedon let out a low growl "Her mate did what" he snarled, looking ready to kill the man into tiny pieces.
"Calm down, if he hadn't then James wouldn't be her mate now," I said reminding him of the positive outcome that had come from the rejection. He exhaled, still looking pissed, and began to introduce me to another Alpha and Luna.
"This is Alpha Romero and Luna Delilah," he said as the two smiled politely at us.
"It's nice to meet you," I said graciously.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Luna Queen" Luna Delilah said, her blue eyes sparkling as she bowed her head.
"You have a beautiful mate King Braedon" Alpha Romero told him.
Braedon put his arm around my waist "I am lucky to be blessed with her" he agreed with a chuckle "How is your pack faring?" he enquired.
The Alpha smiled "Well thanks to your treaty King Braedon. We have managed to strengthen our numbers and have even negotiated treaties with our neighbors. The rogue attacks have lessened and our pack is thriving. There have been fewer deaths and since the abolishment of that horrible breeding program, our women are much happier and less fearful of being forced into something they had no desire to participate in. However, I have heard of omegas and rogues disappearing from other packs and being trafficked elsewhere where the program is still being illegally implemented" he said in a low tone of voice.
Braedon stiffened "So you are aware of it as well," he said grimly.
"Yes," Luna Delilah said quietly "However all of our investigations have turned up nothing. Whoever is responsible is extremely secretive. Without endangering any of our own people, we haven't managed to turn up anything" she admitted apologetically. Braedon nodded "I would not ask you to endanger anyone from your pack. Rest assured we are looking into it and we are aware of the packs that are not abolishing the breeding program and they will be dealt with," he said smoothly "But please, enjoy your night here and don't let us keep you" he added and the Alpha and Luna smiled, dipping their heads and heading respectfully off.