The Lost Mate
4 Congratulations

Max

We travelled a couple of days until we arrived at Hannah’s pack. After transforming and dressing, we reached the territory border and walked in on the main road. We were quickly met by a pair of fighters who had been running the perimeter.

Before they had a chance to transform, I spoke. “I’m Max Bernard and this is my packmate Nash Tyndale. I’m here to visit Hannah Robert, my mate’s sister. She should have let them know we were coming.”

They paused, clearly checking for confirmation with someone above them in the hierarchy through their link, and a moment later the closest one nodded and gestured with a turn of his maw for us to follow. We did. Nash was quiet and stiff and more jittery than normal as he walked beside me, as if he expected to be attacked at any moment, his tension increasing with every further step into the territory.

We were led to the pack house and the imposing beta met us outside. He clearly remembered me from the previous times I’d been there. “Good to see you again, Max. Any luck?”

“Not yet. Maybe this is the time.”

“And this is your pack mate?” he asked, turning his attention to Nash. His slight nervous tick was inconveniently present, and he did look suspicious. His rogue-like scent also did nothing to put pack wolves at ease.

“Yes. Nash joined us and has come with me for backup, and he’ll be with me the whole time we’re here. I’ll vouch for him.”

The beta looked between Nash and I again. “Alright. Just stay out of trouble.” The warning was clearly directed at Nash.

“Of course, Beta.” I nodded for emphasis. Nash copied me, glad to be escaping from the sharp focus of the beta.

Freed from the small interrogation, we headed towards Hannah’s house. She had found her mate a couple of years ago, an ordinary pack wolf named Darcy Fabel who worked part time in the human world and part time dealing with pack finances.

I knocked on the front door. It opened moments later, revealing a werewolf who looked exactly like the accountant he was. Darcy grinned as he stepped back to let me inside. “Welcome back,” he said. Hannah called a greeting from further in the house.

“Thanks. Darcy, Hannah, this is Nash. I mentioned he was a pack mate of mine?”

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too.” Nash sounded like he would happily chew his own arm off to escape the situation.

My sister-by-bond smiled cheerfully. “We’re just getting supper ready. Hungry?”

“Yes, thanks,” I agreed. Our wolves were strong and fast and could overpower most game easily, but we also needed a lot of calories to keep going so travelling by wolf could be a hungry business.

Once the meal was ready, we all sat down to eat. Nash shovelled food down his throat like he usually did, but once his plate was cleared he simply watched, his eyes wary.

“It’s fine, Nash. Help yourself to some more. She wants you to eat. She knows we need energy to run,” I said to him.

He glanced at me, but then picked up a serving spoon and filled his plate.

“So, what are your plans this time?” Hannah asked between bites.

“New places, new people, same story. One of these times something will turn up. Unless you’ve heard anything new since I last talked to you.”

She smiled regretfully. “You know that I would call you if I heard anything.”

“I know.” But I always could hope.

“Unrelated to Lillian, we do have some news.”

“Oh? What is it?”

Hannah looked nervous, but Darcy grinned so it was easy to guess before being told.

“We’re going to have a pup!” Hannah said, eyes sparkling in spite of her hesitancy.

“Congratulations! I always wanted to be an uncle!” Lillian would have been so excited to hear this if she were here. Another moment that was forever lost to us. My excitement dimmed, but I forced a smile. “So, how far along are you?”

“Only three months.” She and her mate exchanged adoring smiles, before she stood up. “But I’m going to get dessert,” she said.

“You should relax,” Darcy protested.

“Don’t be silly. I’ll be fine,” she said, waving away his concern.

Darcy cleared his throat and turned to Nash. “So, Nash, you joined Glenshadow?”

His eyes darted around. “Yeah. Pretty recently.”

“He joined along with his brother and brother’s mate. She’s pregnant, too. Formerly of Bluegorge.”

Darcy nodded. “Ah, I’ve heard of them, although I’ve never had any real contact. What pack are you originally from, Nash?”

Nash shifted uncomfortably. “Rustknoll.”

I caught Darcy’s eye and shook my head slightly, hoping he’d leave the questioning alone. Nash was already uneasy enough without the spotlight and I didn’t want him more on edge.

Hannah came in and distracted everyone with a berry cobbler. This was a good place to refuel for what would probably be an exhausting journey, and my visit made Hannah feel closer to her lost sister.

I had to replace Lillian not only for myself, but also for what was left of her family. We had all already lost too much.

At a certain point, Nash claimed tiredness and headed off to his guest room, leaving me with our hosts. “Thanks for having me again,” I told them.

“Of course. You know how much this means to Hannah,” Darcy said, and she nodded.

“It’s the least I can do,” she agreed.

“So, that Nash is a strange one, huh?” Darcy asked.

He was. “He and his brother were rogue from a young age. It wasn’t easy on them. But he’s pack now. That’s what matters.”

Darcy nodded and stretched. He kissed Hannah quickly on the lips. “I’ve got work tomorrow so I’d better hit the hay. Don’t stay up too late, honey.”

She grinned. “Like I could. I’m so tired.”

He left with another affectionate look and a goodnight to me.

Hannah stretched herself out onto the couch and got more comfortable. “So, what do you think you’ll replace at Sterling?” she asked.

“Probably nothing new. But it’s worth asking around again, since the dean lets me get away with it.”

“I hope they have something this time. I wonder where they are,” she said, referring not only to Lillian, but also to their missing father. Hannah was a firm believer that wherever they were, they were together, since the three had been released from Stonemason at the same time.

“Me too.” She knew there was nothing I thought about more.

“Sometimes...” she trailed off.

“Sometimes, what?” I asked.

She sighed. “Sometimes I wonder if maybe they’re gone, and you just can’t sense that she is. I haven’t been able to feel her or Dad since the pack bond snapped, that day...”

“I still feel her. I don’t know about your father for sure, but Lillian’s still out there. Somewhere.”

“But then why haven’t they tried to replace us? Everyone was hiding at first, but it’s not like that anymore. If they wanted to replace survivors from Glenhaven, it wouldn’t be that hard. And if they’re still alive, why wouldn’t they?”

“Well, she must not be able to for some reason. She’s in a coma? She has amnesia? I don’t know. Something. Some reason she can’t get back to me on her own.”

“Yeah,” she said but her voice wavered. “Maybe it’s something like that.” She wiped her eyes.

“Hannah? You okay?”

“No. Yes.” She pulled her knees up towards her chest and wrapped her arms around them. “It’s just... Max, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? Why?”

She shook her head. “If I hadn’t let myself get separated from her and Dad...” Tears started running down her cheeks.

“Hannah, it’s not like you wanted to get separated. It’s not your fault. Whatever happened to them, having you there wouldn’t have made a difference.”

“Sorry. I’m just extra weepy right now. Hormones.” She wiped her eyes.

I crouched down on the floor next to her. “Hannah, listen, I’ve never blamed you for it. Never. Now let’s get you to bed.” And to Darcy. I helped her up and steered her towards their room. He could comfort her far better than I could ever hope to. I knew the power of the connection. I knew the power of the one between Lillian and me.

I knew that it was still alive.

I would replace her again and nothing would stop me.