23. Change

Torin’s pov

While my mother is still friendly with Ruth, she hated me from the moment her mate lost his life.

He died in a rogue attack. It was a wrong place, wrong time situation. I was just getting started, being pushed into being an alpha while I was grieving my father, and it’s like the packs and rogues around us sensed my weakness.

As if they knew somehow my father had died and the pack was still not back to its full strength, because they have been attacking us more frequently ever since.

The fact that I don’t have a Luna by my side doesn’t help. An alpha is strongest when he’s mated.

But I won’t push Raelyn to do anything she’s not ready for.

She said yes to a date, and for now that’s enough.

Okay, it’s not enough, but it’s a step in the right direction.

I drove Raelyn home. She was so excited. And nervous. Her hands kept shaking, and I wondered how much she wasn’t telling me.

Her marriage wasn’t great; I knew that. But was there more to it?

Why leave when Dylan is still away? Was she that scared of him?

How would she be able to divorce her husband in this way? Was this just a break or a breakup?

My plan to kill him felt even more justified now than before, but I wasn’t sure Raelyn would understand the laws of werewolves. Killing for us is different.

In many ways we handle our business like animals. That’s not to say we’re allowed to kill anyone over a small dispute. But when someone attacks you, you fight back. When someone poses a threat to your family or your pack, you make sure they’re unable to fulfill that threat by any means necessary.

I’d never kill one of my own pack unless I absolutely had to, but the rest of the people… well, let’s just say I have plenty of experience in protecting my pack and people.

“Do you need help packing or moving things?”

“Um… maybe just with the moving things? Only if you have time. I mean, I can,-“ I softly grabbed her arm.

“Dimples. I offered, remember? I wouldn’t offer to help if I didn’t want to.”

“Then yes? Thank you. It’s not a lot of stuff. Most stuff belongs to Dylan.”

I will buy her so much stuff when she’s mine. Whatever she wants is hers. Clothing, jewelry, furniture, art. I don’t care. I’ll tear down my entire kitchen and build a new one just for her, because she loves to cook.

“Just tell me when, and I’ll be there.” I said, softly squeezing her arm as reassurance.

“Okay, thanks, Tor.”

“You’re welcome, Rae. And um… I will hold you to that date.”

She giggled, “first things first, Toren.”

I chuckled, “I know, I just can’t wait. But I will... I promise.”

She sighed sadly, “okay.. I’ll go pack now.”

“You can call me.”

“I know.” Her voice was tiny. Goddess, my mate seemed sad about having to do this. Was she having second thoughts?

“You can call Ruth and tell her you need more time.”

Raelyn shook her head and swallowed, “No... It needs to be now. I’ll be okay.” She shrugged as she tried to smile, but Goddess, she looked so small. So defeated. “It’s just a change. Change is scary, you know?”

“But a good change.”

She nodded as she took a deep breath. “Yeah… A good change.”

“I love,-“ Fuck, this wasn’t the right time! I couldn’t just tell her I loved her! Torin, keep it together, man! “I love your new workplace. Um.” Okay, fix this. “It’s much closer to my home. Perhaps once you've settled in, we can go running again? There are some really nice trails nearby."

She smiled at me, “I have gotten used to running every day. It would be a shame to give that up now.”

“And me?”

She giggled, “yes, I have gotten used to seeing your face every day.”

“My very handsome face?”

“The most handsome, beautiful giant.” Her eyes grew wide, and her cheeks began to turn red. “Okay, I’m going.”

Beautiful giant… Okay, I’ll take it.

I drove home with a smile. It was like I couldn’t stop smiling.

My mate is leaving her husband. She said yes to a date with me. She’s closer to me, so I can protect her better.

It’s a step. A big step!

Ruth doesn’t live on pack land but very close to the border. The house used to be part of our pack, just on the border. It’s part of why her mate was attacked.

Ruth and her mate preferred to live as lone wolves, but it’s dangerous out there. So my father promised them a place in our pack near the border. That way they didn’t have to socialize or interact with anyone if they didn’t feel like it.

They kept to themselves, grew their vegetables, and hunted in the woods for meat. And when they did need something, they came into town.

Mom grew friendly with Ruth; they bonded over a shared love for crochet and other forms of handwork. Ruth would even host crochet parties at their house. However, after her mate died in a rogue attack, Ruth shut everyone out.

She asked if she could leave the pack; she was willing to give up her home and live among humans. So, I gave some of my property to Ruth so she could stay.

I still sent a few guards out every now and then to keep an eye out, but since she now has the scent of a lone wolf, no rogue bothers her anymore. She has her own security system of little bells and strings everywhere that seems to do the trick. And owning a large shotgun helps too.

She has pointed that shotgun my way a few times when I tried to visit, but we’ll just pretend she didn’t. I know Raelyn is safe with her. And I know Ruth can benefit from having someone as my mate close by.

This can work.

It will work.

I didn't just do this so I could have Raelyn to myself. I really think Raelyn needs this change. She is capable of so much, and I want her to gain some confidence in herself. I'll help any way I can.

I'll shower Raelyn with all the praise and love she deserves. I just hope one day she'll believe she's worthy of it all.