Gamma Kailen Steele
It’s been three weeks since I killed Marcus and became the Alpha of the Opal Mountain pack. I decided to leave my father’s beta, Thomas, in charge of the pack until I could figure out what I was going to do. When we were leaving the pack, Owen and Finn both found their mates. And as much as I didn’t want to feel anything for Owen, I was happy that he finally had a second chance at love. I was never going to be his Luna. And the fact that he followed Hunter to Opal Mountian to help save me really surprised me. Hopefully, after finding his second chance, he won’t waste it.
I learned that Cathy is Thomas’ sister, and they were both ordered by my father to protect me. Cathy moved back to Opal Mountain, and she was devastated to learn about the abuse I had suffered at the hands of her mate. She sold her house at Blue Crescent, and they informed her that I had paid it off. She tried to give me the money from the sale, but I told her to use it to start a new life. If Jim wasn’t already marked for dead, Thomas said that he would have killed him on the spot. And I also learned that Thomas was the one that got me away from Marcus the first time. He felt guilty that he took him so long to get me out, but I was just so grateful that someone cared enough about me to help me.
Maya and Jim were both tried and sentenced to death. They were still looking for the former beta, but I have a feeling he is already dead. I thought I’d feel bad for their deaths, but I felt relieved that justice had finally caught up to them. It seemed that the only thing that we had to do now was to track down where the human sales were happening. Thomas was working closely with another gamma of the king, to hopefully shut it down. I hope we can track down the rest of the people that were branded and sold. I was taking a backseat on the case because my therapist thought that would be best under the circumstances.
I had to start daily therapy again and my night terrors had started up again. I found myself wandering, not really sure where I belong in my own life. Overwhelmed by all my newfound responsibilities. Some days are easier than others. Some days I wish I could run away and some I wake up with a newfound determination to be the best version of myself. The therapist assured me that how I was feeling was normal after everything I had been through. It was like ripping the band aid off a wound that wasn’t fully healed. And now I had to work harder to seal it up again.
Hunter has been completely understanding, which makes me feel even more guilty about how I’ve been feeling. Before, I was alone at the beginning of my recovery. I shouldn’t be ashamed of my feelings, but it’s hard to explain them to someone who has never experienced what I’ve gone through. No matter how hard he tries. I love him and I thought of coming back here should be easy. I had Hunter this time, but for whatever reason, it seems harder.
I was sitting at my desk in my classroom. I’ve been back at work for the last two weeks now. Sitting around was making me go insane. My students hadn’t arrived yet, and I was looking over my lesson plan for the day. I think the worst part of coming back this time was that everyone seemed to be walking on eggshells around me. They were treating me like I would break at any moment, not the King’s Gamma that I worked so hard to become. Even my students treated me differently and I hated it. Before I was a nobody here, and it was easy to hide.
The door to my classroom opened up, and I thought that some of my students had arrived, until I looked up to see Hunter walking down the stairs towards me. I gave him a smile as he approached my desk.
“Hunter, what’s up? My class is about to start.” I told him, looking at my phone, checking the time.
“I canceled class today.” He told me, leaning on my desk beside me.
“Hunter?” I asked him suspiciously.
“Beautiful?” He leaned down and kissed my forehead.
“What is going on?” I asked him. We still haven’t remarked each other. The bond was there, but it wasn’t as strong as it should be.
I still haven’t been able to mate with him. He told me that he felt what Marcus did and the guilt was overwhelming. I should have let Marcus beat me. At least that way, Hunter wouldn’t have felt it. He reassures me that he doesn’t blame me, but I didn’t tell him that I didn’t fight him off. I just went along with it and the thought of what I did made me want to be sick.
“Hunter, what is going on?” I asked him.
“Kailen, we are going on vacation.” he said, but before I could interject, he continued.
“I know you said that you didn’t need one, but I need one and I want you to come with me.” He told me with a smile.
“Uh, huh? And what do you need a vacation for?” I asked him, leaning back into my chair, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I have already packed and my truck is waiting out front. All you need to do is get your perfect little ass up and ride shotgun.” He said, pulling me up from my chair and into his chest.
“And are you going to tell me where we are going?” I asked him, looking into his eyes.
“Does it really matter?” He whispered into my ear, causing goosebumps to erupt all over my body. Hunter grabbed my hand, but before he could pull me away, I pulled back.
“Beautiful, what’s wrong?” He asked me, concerned, and I could tell that he was a little hurt.
“I didn’t fight him.” I whispered, with tears in my eyes.
“Babe, is that why you have been so distant?” He asked, grabbing my cheeks, and I nodded.
“If you need to reject me, I’ll understand.” I told him and he crushed me into his chest, holding me tight.
“Kailen, I would never reject you. Why would you even think that?” He asked me and I shrugged.
“Because I cheated. I didn’t fight him, I just let it happen.” I mumbled into his chest, holding back my sobs. He pulled away, grabbing my cheeks.
“Hey, you did not cheat. You were doing what you had to do to survive, and I would never blame you for that. But you need to stop blaming yourself. I love you more than anything. And I would endure that pain every day for the rest of my life, if it meant that you were safe.” He said with so much conviction.
“Please, stop blaming yourself. You did nothing wrong, and you are not doing anything wrong. You are recovering from something unimaginable, and I’m not going anywhere, no matter how broken you believe you are. I’m yours until the day I die.” I couldn’t stop the tears from escaping my eyes.
“I love you, Hunter.” I told him through my tears.
“I love you, Kailen. Now, let’s get out of here.” he told me, and I nodded. He held my hand as we made our way to the parking lot where he parked his truck.
“Who did you get to cover my classes?” I asked him. He opened my door for me, helping me into my seat.
“Greyson and Zach.” He shrugged, and I rolled my eyes.
“Really?” I huffed when he closed the door. He rushed around the front of his truck and hopped in behind the wheel.
“I know you would never come if you knew I left those two in charge.” He laughed, starting the truck. I just shook my head while he started to drive. He grabbed my hand, entwining his fingers with mine.
“So, how long is this trip?” I asked him curiously.
“That depends on you.” He said mysteriously.
“What does that even mean?” I laughed.
“That, right there.” He said, smiling while he watched the road.
“I understand what you are saying. It’s just hard,” I sighed. He brought our hands up to his lips, kissing mine.
“I know, Beautiful. That’s why I have planned everything, or nothing. Whatever you want to do, I’m game.” He looked at me before turning his attention back to the road.
“And where are we going?” I asked him.
“Our vacation house, of course,” he answered.
“Oh, our vacation house, and where is that again?” I asked him, playing his little guessing game.
“It hurts that you don’t remember, Baby.” he laughed, and I rolled my eyes.
“Come on, tell me, please?” pouting. I unbuckled so I could lean over the consol that separated our seats. I ran my tongue up his neck to his ear while my hand found his cock.
“Not fair.” He moaned out, and I knew I had won.
“You going to tell me?” I whispered, sucking in his eye lobe.
“No, but I am going to pull over and take you in the back seat,” he groaned.
“Oh, I think I need something in the backseat.” I said, and he let out a breath. I leaned into the backseat, pushing my ass into his face, and he took that moment to smack my ass with a loud crack, making me jump.
“That wasn’t nice”, I pouted, sitting back on my seat and buckling back up.
“And what you did was?” he said, readjusting himself.
“You could just tell me?” I shrugged.
“Or you could just enjoy the ride,” he countered.
“Fine, but I get to pick the music, and next stop, we get coffee.” I told him and he groaned, but finally agreed to my music choice.
Soon, we were both singing and dancing along to the music on the radio. I felt like myself again, as I smiled at my mate sitting beside me. I was grateful to have him on this crazy rollercoaster ride.