Bryce POV
My eyes flutter open, and I'm disappointed when I realize I'm alone. Reese's scent is faint, which means he has been gone for a while. I never expected everything to go to sh*t so quickly. I knew Rosalyn would eventually find out about us. When I realized that Rosalyn was mated to the man that I've loved since I was sixteen, I was angry. I couldn't understand how the goddess could get it so wrong.
The night that Reese claimed Rosalyn at her party killed me. I know it's not Rosalyn's fault, but seeing her touch him and claim him made my blood boil. I couldn't stop the anger that took root inside of me, knowing she was going to bear his mark. The sister that I once protected and loved had become the only thing that stood between me and Reese.
"You should have been happy with our mate instead of wanting what was never meant to be ours. You destroyed our chance at happiness for someone who will never choose us," Amos says. He and I have been at odds since I rejected our mate a year ago. "Your wrong, Reese loves us. He will choose us. He may need Rosalyn for an heir, but he doesn't love her."
The door to my room opens and my father steps inside. My heart sinks when I see the pain written on his face as he moves toward me. A feeling of dread bubbles up inside me. "Dad, what's wrong? Did something happen to mom?" I'm not sure what I expected but feeling the sting on my cheek where he slaps me, isn't it. "This is all your fault. I've lost everything because of you. You are so selfish. You have ruined everything."
"What the hell are you talking about, dad?" "Your mother is gone. She broke our bond. My mate is gone because you couldn't keep your d**k in your pants. You couldn't honor the goddess' wishes and allow Reese to be with his true mate." Panic rises in my body as I throw the blankets off me. "She wouldn't leave. She loves you dad. She wouldn't abandon the pack and her family," I say pulling on my shorts. I need to find Reese. Find out what the hell has happened.
My father's eyes darken and I take a step back. "My mate is gone. I feel empty you stupid pup. Not only is she gone, but so is your sister and brother. You have destroyed this family with your selfishness." I make the mistake of smiling when I hear that Rosalyn managed to leave the pack.
Despite my father's weakened state, I'm pinned to the wall. My father has his hand around my throat. "You have nothing to smile about Bryce. If we don't find your sister, what do you think Fallon will do? Do you think he will mark you? You are fooling yourself. He will probably kill you for costing him his mate."
Fallon's words from earlier replay in my mind. I grip my father's hand and look into his eyes. I can see unshed tears and pain shining brightly. He looks broken and a wave of guilt threatens to drown me. "Dad, let me find Reese. We will find mom and Rosalyn. I'll do whatever it takes to convince her to come home." "Goddess, you are such a liar. I don't know how I got paired with such a pathetic human," Amos says. I put a block up not wanting to listen to my wolf's incessant chatter about all the ways I've screwed up.
Beckham POV
"It's been three years, Beck, and you haven't been on one date since," Stacey starts to say, but I cut her off. "I'm not talking about this again. I am happy working and taking care of Lily. I don't need to complicate my life. I had a mate once, and I lost her. I won't put myself or Lily through that kind of pain." "Lily deserves to have a mother." I can't help the low growl that escapes me.
"Deborah is the only mother that Lily will ever have. I will make sure that Lily knows how much her mother loved her." "Fine, I give up. If you want to live the rest of your life without having someone to share the happiness that is your daughter, then so be it." "I share her with you. She has her Auntie Stacey to do all the girly things that Deborah would have done with her." She steps closer and lays her hand on my forearm.
"I love you Beckham. You are my best friend, but you are letting fear dictate your happiness. Deborah was my sister, and she would never have wanted you to give up on having someone to share your life with. I will always be here for you and Lily, but I'm going to keep holding onto hope that the goddess blesses you with a second chance to love and be loved. That is what Deb would have wanted," she says before she leaves my office.
Stacey is the only person I have left from my old life. She's wrong, this isn't about fear. This is my reality. She has no idea what it feels like to feel the bond that tethers your soul to your mate snap. The gaping hole it leaves in your soul. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about Deborah. She was the most amazing woman. The day I realized she was my mate was the best day of my life. If it wasn't for Lily, Gideon and I would have lost ourselves in our grief.
The door to my office opens and Lily comes bounding in. "Daddy, can we go to the bakery today? I want a pink cupcake with sprinkles." I smile scooping her up in my arms. "Daddy has a few more things he needs to finish, but when I'm done, we will head to the bakery after we pick up dinner." She squeals and presses a sloppy kiss on my cheek. I chuckle and set her on her feet.
She rushes back out of my office and I can't help but smile. I take a seat behind my desk and look over the progress my three crews are making on the properties I purchased last month. The phone on my desk rings twice before I grab it. "Forester Construction and Real Estate, can I help you?"
"Hi, my name is Miranda Myers. I'm new in town and looking for a rental property." "Miranda, my name is Beckham Forester. What type of property are you looking for?" "A home for myself and my two children. We need three bedrooms and preferably something on the edge of town that has some land attached," she says.
"I'm not sure that I really have anything like that right now. I'm remodeling a house that could work, but it won't be ready for a few months. Would you want to look at something in town that you can stay in until the house is ready?" "I guess that could work for now. When would you be able to show us the apartments," she asks. "I can make some time tomorrow if that works for you, Miranda."
"That would be great. I have the address of your building. Would nine work for you?" "Yes, that will work out perfectly. I can head over after I drop my daughter off at preschool. I'll see you tomorrow." I cut the call and grab my keys heading out of my office. When I reach the office lobby, Lily is bouncing on the balls of her feet as she tells Stacey about her friends at school. "Well ladies, are we ready to grab some dinner and a cupcake?" This time they both squeal, and we make our way out to my truck.
Stacey straps Lily into her booster seat, and we take off for the diner. I grab the to go order I called in earlier before we make our way to the Batter Up Bakery. Once Lily is out of her seat and her hand is firmly in mine, we cross the street. As I push open the door, the most intoxicating scent of coconut and vanilla invades my nose. Gideon growls, and my heart starts to race.
I push him to the back of my mind and focus on Lily as she points to the brightest pink cupcake in the case. "How about you Mr. Forester? Can I interest you in anything sweet," Holly asks trying to be seductive. I resist the urge to roll my eyes. She hits on me every time we come in here, but I just remain friendly. "Actually, do you have anything that has coconut and vanilla in it?"