Another Forever
Chapter 16

Thomas POV

Twigs snap under my paws as I push my wolf to runs faster. My muscles stretching and burning but I won't stop.

I need some space, some air to clear the fog that has settled in my brain. Even though every time I close my eyes, the fog does settle and it's Hailey's face that I see.

Her voice floats on the wind, beckoning me to go back to her.

This morning, when I woke up with her in my arms, was heaven. It felt like every missing piece I ever had, aren't missing anymore.

I was finally complete.

Then everything went to complete shit in two point seven seconds.

I had promised her that we would go as slow as she needed, as she wanted, but at the first test of that, we fought and I snapped.

I tried to be understanding, I really did. Truth is though, I don't know how it feels to have another mate.

My anger and jealousy got the best of me and fueled my words before I could think of how harsh it all sounded.

I was angry, but I wasn't wrong.

It's the way she kept talking about him like I wasn't even there. Like I wasn't her mate now. It hurt like a thousand red-hot knives being stabbed into my chest. And what's worse, she didn't notice.

She didn't even flinch when I said that I might be in love with her.

There is no might. From the moment she kicked my knees out and sent me to the ground to protect her brothers' beta from me, I was captivated and in love.

Alpha, we have some information from the captured Rogue. Ethan, my beta, informed me through the link.

I hadn't realized I had been running long enough for them to interrogate him already.

This is exactly what I'm talking about though! Hailey gets into my head and I completely lose myself to her.

Heading back now. I cut the link off as I turn and run towards their pack house.

Hailey's scent gets stronger the closer I get. Or maybe I'm just more in tune to the sweet cinnamon sugar scent. Either way, my wolf whimpers in my head, just as hurt by our mate as I am.

"Alpha," Ethan stands at the edge of the woods, holding some clothes out towards me.

I shift back, my bones cracking into place like one would crack their knuckles. Ethan looks away, giving me some privacy but with how often we shift, nudity is just something we are accustom to.

"The Alpha and Beta are awake and in their office expecting you." I nod at Ethan's words as I finish slipping the black cotton shirt over my chest.

"That's good. Do they remember anything?"

"Nothing helpful. But they're ready to get their mates and pack members pack," Ethan matches his stride to mine as we walk to the pack house.

I don't doubt they're ready, even if they just came to. If it were Hailey missing, I'd hit the ground running, knocking down every rogue within a five hundred mile radius to get her back.

Even if she did wish I was Cade, I think bitterly as I take the stairs two at a time.

"Here is the camp the rogue remembers, but he said whenever someone is captured, they move," Jake circles something on a map that is completely covering his fathers' desk when I open the office door.

"Alpha Aiden, Beta Mason. Glad to see you better. I apologize for my tardiness." I bend my neck a little out of respect.

"Actually, you're right on time. The rogue Jake interrogated gave a location with no trouble. We were about to send some scouts," Aiden walks around the desk and shakes my hand before pointing to the large red circle on the map.

"He just gave up the information?" I ask skeptically, little red flags waving in my mind as I stare at the map.

Rogues don't just give out information. Something unsettling stirs in my stomach, but I can't place it.

There has to be more to this.

Aiden opens his mouth to speak, but is cut off when the office door opens with a bang.

The scent of cinnamon sugar surrounds me like a warm blanket. My body tenses as I fight the urge to turn around and look at Hailey.

I keep my eyes on the map, not really seeing any of it, as my traitours body is so in tune with Hailey's movements.

"Dad, it's all my fault!" My heart clenches at the emotions that thicken her voice.

"N0t even a little bit, Kiddo," Aiden answers with finality.

I risk a glance up at them. Hailey's hair is a mess and her eyes are red-rimmed. Even so, she still looks so beautiful.

Aiden softly kisses her forehead, before walking over to talk to Jake.

My eyes stayed glued on Hailey as she wipes her tears with her hand. It should be me that's comforting her and wiping her tears, but dammit, I'm still so mad!

Mad or hurt? I ask myself.

Suddenly, she looks up at me from under lashes and her gaze meets mine. If I wasn't frozen in my spot before, I surely am now.

Fresh tears flood her eyes, spilling over and following the salt trail down her cheeks.

Her mouth open and closes like she is trying to say something but no words come out.

I fight myself to stay in place. The need to comfort her is overwhelming. She may want me now, but as soon as his name comes around again, she'll just push me away.

But she looks so scared, so helpless as she hugs her arms around her and crumbles slightly in defeat.

Fuck this.

She may still be in love with him, but my need to comfort my mate outweighs everything.

I move towards her, wrapping my arms tightly around her slightly shaking frame.

Hailey wastes no time responding to my embrace. Her hands grabbing fistfuls of my shirt, holding me in place, as she buries her face into my chest.

"I'm so s-sorry, T-Thomas," she hiccups before breaking into another sob.

My hand strokes down her hair in a calming manner. My wolf purring at the feeling of our mate in our arms again, but I know she is waiting for me to accept her apology.

I just don't know if I can yet. I don't know that she means it and if she doesn't that might hurt more.

"Shh. It's been a long day. Why don't you go lay down?" I try to pull myself away gently, but she won't let me go.

"Lay with me?" She says softly, making my breath hitch as I search her hazel eyes.

My mind runs in a million different directions as the conflicting emotions clash within me.

Obviously, she is upset. Her own emotions all over the place but does that mean she only wants me until she calms down?

"Please, Thomas," she whispers and every defensive wall I had up, crumbled to dust around me.

"Okay," I breathe out, completely ignoring every thought that doesn't involve Hailey in my arms.

A shiver moves up my spine as her hand travels down my arm softly before she intertwines her fingers with mine.

Sparks fire off through my body as she tugs my hand gently after her, leading me from the office.

I'd like to say I noticed how far we traveled from her dad's office or even noticed when she closed the bedroom door behind us. But that would be a lie.

All I see is her.

She leads me to her bed and drops my hand as she climbs in, leaving just enough space for me.

Just staring down at her, I am overcome with the urge to close the distance and place my lips against hers. To claim and mark her as my own.

But now isn't the time. Especially with our fight and him still lingering around us.

For now, I will lay beside her and deal with the pain of all that later.

The minute my back hits the soft mattress, Hailey rests her head on my chest. I supress another shudder when her fingers start idly drawing patterns over my stomach.

I can't deny how perfectly our bodies mold together and she is making it really hard to stay mad. But as much as I may be falling in love with her, I will nopt settle for being second to another.

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