Blake

Chapter 4

FLASHBACK:

"This is good... I love this."

The happiness flowed through Catleya's face after tasting the food I offered to her. I bought it after I went to Cordella's house. Cordella is now living in the city, trying to live normal just like what humans do.

"Really?" I asked and took a bite as well.

"Uh-huh! So are you planning to visit the Red Valley? My brother and Luna Kira had been talking about you. They were actually wondering when you'd pay them a visit."

"I have things to settle here first before I go there."

"I see. So are we going for a swim later? You promised. Remember?"

"Haha! Sure!"

"Alrighty! Gosh! I'm so excited! I can't wait!"

The exhilaration was so visible on her face in which I reciprocated.

Two weeks being with her was so fun and it's never a dull moment being with her. She's so bubbly that made my mood elated.

Present time...

That memory with her and her sweet voice reverberate. That was our second week spending time together in Florida. I could say, it was one of my happiest days.

I always enjoyed her company, so did she. Even when Skye and Caspian got married, Catleya had kept me occupied from mourning of my broken heart. I spent my days helping her in her boutique. She's just so fun and enjoyable to be with. She's so young but she didn't look like her age. She's full of ideas and her prowess as an international model at the same time an interior designer attracted a lot of men. Yet, she chose to be with me. I felt a sense of pride with that.

We have a three-year age gap, however the way she thinks is like a gamma, so profound and deep.

After spending our time together while I was staying in the pack for a month, I found myself looking for her whenever she was not around. It was her presence that I had kept looking forward to. She accompanied me every time I visited the pack as well. Then one day she told her parents to go with me, to experience what humans do in the city, without chaperone, like her parents.

Caspian and Cody were the first people to contradict, but they couldn't stop her. Cody had a soft heart for his sister so he immediately agreed, while Caspian couldn't say no to Skye's plead to let her sister go with me, which I assured them Catleya's safety.

Catleya knew her eldest brother would hinder her, so she asked help from Skye and that's the reason she was with me. Her parents loved her so much that they could just agree to whatever she wanted.

Now that I mull over about those things we did in Florida, my heart feels a sense of longingness and regret.

Ugh!

"It's so great to love and to be loved, isn't it?" Madic interrupts my reminisce.

"I don't know."

"Oh, come on! I know you were longing for that feeling too. And I know one woman who can give you that."

"Oh- don't start, Madic. We're not having that kind of conversation."

"You have changed, Blake. You're not the same person I knew. After you broke up with her. I felt you regretted it. I knew it, because I am your wolf. We're one, Blake. So don't you lie to me."

"Regret is nothing compared to getting hurt, Madic."

"That's part of life! That's what exactly what the moon goddess wanted. She wanted you to live free. This is what we were wanting for so long, isn't it? To be free from her curse. To get a life without a chain binding you? This is your chance!"

"I know! But we will have our mate, too! She's already at a legal age. Perhaps, it's just a matter of days or weeks that she'd meet her mate. The two of us were not meant for each other. You should know that!"

"But at least you have experienced to be happy while waiting."

"Wait... Are you not excited to meet our mate, too? You're my wolf, Madic! You of all creatures should be the first one to know about this. Are you not excited to meet her?"

"Blake what I tried to tell you was that you could enjoy your life while our mate hasn't given to us yet, or at least we haven't met yet. And I know Catleya can bring out what's best in you. I like her and I miss them. She and her wolf... I want to see them!"

"She hates us!"

"Oh boy! Don't include me. Catleya only hates you."

"Are you really my wolf?? Why are you going against me?"

"Hahaha! I am not." He's teasing me.

"Ugh! You fucker!" I retort. Of course he feels I'm starting to loose patience.

"So are you! Hahaha!" He's even pissing me off.

I quickly block Madic from talking to me again. I have no time for his empty rhetoric. It would only make no sense for me even if he insisted. I get that maybe he is right, but I still don't agree.

A call comes in while I'm preparing my food. Later, all unmated she-wolves from age 16 and above will go to the wide open field so alpha Valkan can do his purpose.

"Blake speaking..." I say as soon as I answer the call.

"Hey, Blake. Are you at home?" It's Cierra.

"Yes."

"Can I ask you a favor? Kent and I are so busy because of alpha Valkan. Also, alpha Caspian wanted us to be there in the field, so I would like to ask you a favor."

"What is it?"

"The twins are with Catleya in her boutique. Can you accompany her while we're busy. Those two are so handful. I doubt Catleya can manage."

It's Catleya again...

"Don't you have nannies for them? Why did you let Catleya take care of them if they're really that handful?"

"They resigned. I'll explain later. I just don't have enough time right now. Can you go and check on them please?"

"I'll see what I can do."

"Blake just do it... please. Besides, alpha doesn't want Catleya to partake for tonight. You know Catleya is quite a catch, so it's not just me and Caspian want to hide her from alpha Valkan's eyes. Luna Kira also doesn't want to put her in danger if alpha Valkan sees her."

Something triggers inside me. A surge of anger towards Valkan. I can't let him have her. She's too good and he's the exact opposite.

"Didn't he say he's looking for a mate?"

"Yes! But, if he doesn't find his mate here, he would still choose one to bring with him."

"What??!" Surprise to hear that.

"That's true. Alpha Caspian explained to us the reputation of alpha Valkan. You know our alpha. He's so protective to anyone and he wanted none of his pack to be in danger. But if alpha Valkan finds his mate here, alpha Caspian will give way. He will allow alpha Valkan to take her. But if not, and still insist to get one, chaos will happen. Alpha Caspian won't let alpha Valkan to take what does not belong to him. That's why we need to be there. And you, should be with Catleya and the twins. Protect them for us, for alpha Caspian and Luna Kira."

"Okay. I'll go."

"Just go now. And make sure they won't be back here until tomorrow!"

"What?"

"Just do as I say, Blake."

"Alright! Fine!"

Catleya's boutique has gotten bigger. But where is she? It's just five in the afternoon, but her store is already closed. Usually, she closes it by six.

Still walking closer to the entrance. Then I hear faint sounds inside. I try to open the door but it's locked, so I knock.

The sounds die down, but I don't see anyone coming closer to the door. I wait for another five minutes and nothing comes up, so I dial her number. I pause when I realize it's been a long time I haven't called her.

"Hello?"

"Cat-"

Then I hear a disconnected sound. She hung up on me. I re-dial but it's disconnected again.

"Cat! Open the door! I know you're in there."

I've been knocking for several times before she opens it.

"What do you want, Blake?" An annoyance from her is visible.

"Are the twins here?" I step inside even she doesn't invite me in yet.

"They're sleeping, so tone down your voice!" She hisses.

A sigh escapes my lips. "Okay."

"Why are you here?"

"To help you with the twins."

"Well it's clear that I don't need your help, Blake. Now get out."

"I can't. Cierra asked me to baby sit the twins, too."

"Ugh! Fine! Go there and check if they wake up! Just don't come out not until they're awake. I have to go home-"

I quickly stop her. "You can't leave."

"What?!"

"We'll baby sit them together." But right then I inhale her scent which lingers longer in my nostril. I feel Madic wants to come out right away.

'Let me out, Blake!' Madic shouts.

'No!' I forcefully puts him behind my mind and blocks again.

"Get off me!" says Catleya. Shrugging her arms to release from my hold.

"You can't leave, Cat."

"You know what? I am not like you and I am not going to lie with you. Your presence makes me uncomfortable, so please stay away from me, Blake. You should know why."

After a few seconds of silence, I compose myself. It was disarrayed because of her scent. It felt like the old times. The times when we were together.