The Alpha’s Substitute Mate

Malcolm

Mum sure knew how to keep her secrets. Although I was convinced that she was in contact with them, she never revealed anything, not even a hint. I guess she was scared of what Arden was capable of doing if he found out about their whereabouts.

The truth is that nobody really believed that Arden had changed that much. He might feel some sense of loss that she had broken the bond and left the pack. But I think it is really his pride that was hurt, not his heart.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I do not believe for one moment that he ever loved her. How could he? When he always looked at her with pure hatred and resentment.

My gut instinct had insisted that the source of the renewed happy glow in Mum had to do with her being in constant contact with them.

I’d nearly given up hope, till I saw Mum one early morning sneaking out from the vault holding a brown bag stashed with money and carrying a small duffel bag with her. I hid behind one of the pillars so she wouldn’t see me. She was wearing a black cloak, and its hood was over her head.

I glanced around the arch hallway and wondered why she hadn’t asked the vault guard to get the cash, as he was the one who brought money, documents, or any valuables needed from the vault. The fact that Mum had gone there was odd, something she had never done before. It made me very suspicious. The cogs in my mind had begun to revolve and I could see clues to something I had been searching for.

As she got close to where I was, I crouched further behind the pillars trying to melt into the wall behind me.

As she walked out of the arch and moved towards the back door, I followed her. I ensured to stay close to the pillars. She came out and got into the car and drove out, I secretly followed her immediately after she left the pack grounds.

After a few hours, she pulled into a classy boutique, parked her car, and got into a cab that was already waiting for her and they took off. I smiled knowing that Mum would lead me straight to what I had been looking for these past weeks. I pulled out into the traffic and carefully followed the cab. The cab drove a few miles and dropped her off at an unsuspecting cafe at a truck shop. I watched Mum bounce out of the cab and practically jigged into the cafe.

I wanted so badly to follow her inside. I knew my mate was near, I could feel the tingling sensation in my body. I was overwhelmed with the need to see her, to touch her and it was making me feel physically ill.

But if I could feel the strong mate pull for her, chances are she could feel me especially if I attempted to enter the cafe.

I circled the parking lot impatiently and spotted the car that Lance had taken from the pack and fled with it after he deactivated all the tracking gadgets. I found a spot that gave me a clear view of the front door and the vehicle. And I sat there for what seemed like an eternity feeling anxious, thirsty, and hungry.

I gulped nervously every time the door to the cafe opened, couples, travelers, and small families went in and out of the cafe.

Finally, the door opened and I spotted Lance wearing a black striped shirt, smiling and holding hands with Mum. I held my breath, as Lance held the cafe door and finally, I saw Her. The face that had given me sleepless nights for the past weeks.

Her face was luminous and smiling, her silver eyes were dancing around with some kind of restless energy as if she was looking for something.

Her curly blond hair was piled carelessly on top of her head, leaving the elegant sweep of her neck bare. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was wearing a loose pink crop top that showed her flat tummy and the leggings she wore showed off her curvy hourglass shape.

She looked like Aglaea, the Greek goddess of beauty in human form.

They followed Mum to her cab and she stopped to hug Lance and kiss Bella’s cheek and forehead. She left the cash bag and the duffel bag she had carried with Bella, probably full of gifts or clothes. And she entered the cab and drove off.

Lance and Bella turned and headed to the car. Lance kept his hand protectively over her back and I felt a little stab of jealousy. I knew my little brother Lance very well, he cared for Bella as a little sister and I knew that there could not be anything sexual between them. Just the fact that he got to touch her and I didn’t, made my blood boil. I watched as they got into the car and pulled out of the cafe and I quickly got into my car and followed them.

I silently hoped that they would lead me straight to wherever they were hiding. But instead, they drove outside of town and parked in front of a guest inn. I had to stop a few blocks away, so they wouldn’t notice me pulling in after them.

Once they were out of the garage and inside the inn, I pulled into the garage and parked near the building. I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel and pondered on what to do. I didn’t want to scare her or make her run.

I desperately needed to see her, I needed to talk to her, I needed to touch her, I needed to hug her to calm my aching heart, and above all, I needed to apologize and bare my heart to her.

I went inside the inn and rented a room for myself. And then I took a deep breath and walked down the hallway and I heard her voice and stopped in front of the closed door.

I could hear her talking and laughing behind the closed door, and I felt a stab of fear. She was fine. She was obviously happy and enjoying her life. She didn’t need me. But I desperately needed her.

But what if!!!

What if she rejected me, just as she had rejected Arden?