Page 20 of Shattered Soulmates

Chapter 7 – New Beginnings

Marissa

I woke up this morning to the sound of my cell phone ringing. They had confiscated my old one when I was arrested at the pack house. I managed to visit the nearest kiosk store and buy a new device. During the brief time I was incarcerated, I contacted my attorney. He's an on-again, off-again lover of mine. It’s him.

I slip out from underneath a sleeping Remington. Wrapping a sheet around myself, I gather my clothes from the floor and walk into the ensuite bathroom. "Hello?" I whisper.

Hey, Love. How are you this morning?" Bradley's sexy voice vibrates over the line.

"Bradley," I purr. "Do you have an update for me?" Sitting on the bathtub lip, I stretch and yawn.

"I do," he drawls. "I saw on the news that you escaped."

Technically, I was broken out. The place had been blown apart, Bradley, and I wasn't about to hang around. It was too dangerous.

"Yeah, okay,” he scoffs at my flimsy alibi. “Anyway, I spoke to the prosecutor's office, and they don't want to deal with your case. They said it might set a precedent." He snickers. "Reading between the lines, too many in power here in the city don't want their little playhouses messed up. Technically, tampering with a mate bond is illegal. However, you simply had consensual sex with a mated male. They dropped your case."

"You’re freaking kidding me?" I laugh. "That's great news!"

"The only thing you have to do is turn yourself in at headquarters," he advised. "I can meet you there so that you can be processed out."

"Bradley, you’re the best," I coo. “What then?”

Then we find a room and have a bite to eat at the motel next door," he promises.

Bradley, you’re a naughty boy," I taunt. "Sounds like fun. I will see you in about an hour."

"Make it 30 minutes. I’m anxious to see you again," he says thirstily into the phone, his voice tinged with lust.

I take a quick shower and get dressed. As I walk out of the bathroom, Remington is now awake. "Where are you going?" he leers at me, pulling the sheet back to invite me back into bed.

Remington is another pleasant diversion, but I need to deal with this matter and pay my attorney's fees. I giggle to myself. Getting back to Miles before he slips out of my control again is also a priority.

Oooh, babe. I’d love to, but I just found out that my case has been dropped. So, I need to go to headquarters to get processed out.

"That's great news," Remington presses. "We’re heading out to the country estate later this afternoon. You can join us then."

"I got your number. I’ll let you know how it goes." I pick up my cell phone to see that the Uber I called for is almost here. "See you later." I kiss his cheek. He swipes at me, but I dodge. "Later." I tease.

Miles

I feel like a creeper. Ever since Paisley returned, I can't seem to get her out of my mind. About a week has passed, and she’s back to work teaching. Alpha Stone moved her from my place to a secluded cabin in thewoods. When not on duty, the mountainside overlooking her cabin becomes my refuge.

Watching her come home and prepare dinner, or clean her cabin, then sitting to grade papers or work on lesson plans, just like during the past year we lived together. Right before I leave for perimeter checks with the enforcers, I see her curl up alone in bed, her shoulders shaking with sobs. I know she cries for me, her mate.

I miss her touch, her skin, her kisses, her warm body. I need to be near her. But I broke her heart and trust in the worst way. I can't even defend myself. Despite what I did to her and my guilt, I love Marissa too. I always have. I don't know how to break my connection with Marissa. I worry I might do it again if she gets out and comes back for me.

As Paisley lies down and turns off the light, I stalk closer to her cabin. Just feet from her open window, I stop and lean against an old oak tree. The need to be near her overpowers me. I inhale deeply, taking in her sweet scent of wildflowers and honey, now tinged with the salt of her tears. She softly sobs into her pillow. She does this every night. I’m powerless to ease her pain. I told Alpha I’d wait for her to come to me, but I don’t think that willhappen. Sighing, I straighten and head out to relieve Knight.

Knight

I think Paisley is my second chance mate, and I’m hers. As soon as she spoke the words releasing her bond from Miles, I felt it in my chest. I’ve never heard of that happening before. I admit, when she kissed me, before breaking her mate bond, I felt a tug towards her. Not as strong as a mate bond pull, but a warmth, a longing. Then, when she broke her bond with Miles and I walked into that room afterward, a tethering to her formed, similar to the feeling of a mate bond snapping into place, and I felt a connection to her. I don’t know what it means, but I could tell she felt it, too.

I knew she had a tough week with Miles' drama, so I didn't press her for anything. She's overwhelmed, so I need to let her settle and process everything.

Paisley keeps to herself, doing her job and mainly staying in her cabin. She only shows up occasionally at the pack house for meals. Fortunately, Miles has left her alone for the most part, on the surface, but he’s stalking her, and I have to admit, I guess I am too. I complete my shifts, and then Miles takes over. It’s after I go to hercabin, drawn there by the pull to protect and keep her safe.

As I approach, I hear her wrenching sobs, and they cut through me. The enticing smell of wildflowers and honey wraps around me, almost too much to bear. I want to comfort her, fold her in my arms, and make all the hurt go away as only a mate can do.

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