Page 57 of The Alpha's Chosen Outcast

She’s not only my mate. I love her. I want to kiss her again, to feel her wetness on my hand, to be inside her, to move inside her. I need that.

The night goes by quickly and when we return to the property, two deer and a few rabbits are caught by the pack for the nextgathering. The staff at the elder’s house will skin and dress them so we can eat them then. For now, I need to go home. Alone.

The next morning, I head to the diner for breakfast. I could eat at home, but I need to be around people. The diner is a favorite place for me.

They know me here, and it’s comfortable for me in many ways. Halfway through my espresso and French toast, I see Raymond and Melissa Cauley walk in and get an idea.

“Raymond, Melissa, please come join me!” I call out and wave them over.

They come to sit at my table with confused looks, and I nod at my server to bring the coffee pot. She asks them if they want anything, and they order. We all make small talk before Raymond starts the conversation.

“What’s going on, Trey? Have you found Heather? Is she coming home?”

Melissa levels a serious stare at me, “I still can’t believe she was here all that time, and you didn’t tell us.”

“I was trying to protect you.” I reach out a hand, but Melissa pulls hers away. “Look,” I say, “I knew that if anyone saw Heather here or if you showed any signs you knew she was here, you’d all be subject to the laws under my father. I couldn’t let that happen.”

Raymond puts his hand on Melissa’s shoulder. He speaks to her softly.

“Honey, Trey’s right. He did the best thing he could to protect us. If we’d known she was here, we would have acted differently, and people would have noticed.”

“I don’t care!” Melissa shrugs off her husband’s hand from her shoulder. “I would have gladly given my life to see her even one more time. All we got was a glimpse on stage. And then she was gone again. Lost again, isn’t she?”

She looks up pleadingly, and my wolf responds. He recognizes them as family once again, another sign that the mating bond with Heather will never fade.

She might be gone, might be hundreds of miles away, but after the change last night and what I feel now, I think I know a way to pinpoint her location.

“Maybe not.” I don’t break our stare. “You’re really willing to give up everything to find her? To be in exile and never run with our pack again?”

“She’s your mate,” Melissa says. “Aren’t you willing to do the same?”

The idea I have solidifies. I know I can find her now.

“Come with me. I know how we can find her, but we need privacy.”

Melissa and Raymond look at each other. They scoot their chairs back at the same time and stand up. Melissa looks at me before she turns toward the door.

“Well? Let’s go then.”

I lead the way, heading to my estate. The staff at the diner knows me, and I have a tab. No need to wait for a check. When we get to my place, I lead Heather’s parents to the library.

There was something in one of the books I read about mates. I’d thought I’d seen it before and after everything else. I’m sure it’s worth investigating.

“Ah ha!” I exclaim when I find it.

Melissa and Raymond both jump up beside me.

“What?” Melissa asks.

I point at the book. “This. I thought I felt it yesterday, and now I’m sure. ‘An Alpha can find their mate anywhere. If the connection hasn’t been consummated yet, a familial connection can help the Alpha use this power.’ We can use our connections to find her.”

“Why would you need us, though?”

I can feel my face go red.

“Ray, don’t push it.” Melissa seems to be fighting to keep the smirk off her face.

“Okay,” I bring us back to task. “We have to open up to each other to make this work. Do you think you can do that?”

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