The Other Part of Me
Chapter 27

Twelve years earlier... Braden (Age: 23 years)

Braden walked the grounds of the Bloodstone compound proudly. The resurrection of the grounds was coming along nicely. The mansion itself still had ways to go before it was complete, but for the time being, there was enough space for dining, a kitchen and sleeping areas for the members. There were also three locker room-style buildings outside the mansion which included facilities for personal needs. It may not seem like much, but it was enough for their decimated pack. At least for now.

Word had spread that the pack was being reborn from the ashes of the old compound, that created an influx of non-original members, for which Braden was thankful. The more hands they had, the quicker they could be up and running with all the comforts a pack needed.

To help things move along quicker, three years before, he had sent Beta Talon on a mission to visit packs that were amenable to teaching him the ways of a successful, harmonious pack.

In the process, and only when the external pack Alpha agreed, Braden asked Talon to recruit for the Bloodstones. If the Alpha denied the request, Braden knew there wouldn't be much to learn from that pack. It was also a good sign when there were no members wanting to relocate and it was those packs that had the most to teach them.

Braden had also decided to allow stragglers to join, especially where they had been displaced due to attacks by rogues or suspected by humans.

That's how he had met his current partner, Demeter. Although Demi was not sent to him by Moon Goddess, he had been deeply attracted to her from the start. It took him a year to ask her on a date and now, a year later, he was considering asking her to move into the Alpha quarters with him.

"Hey! Alpha Braden!"

He heard a masculine voice call from behind him. He turned towards the voice and found his Beta and Delta walking towards him at a fast pace.

Talon had come home.

Braden walked briskly to his best friends. "Talon, welcome back." The two men gripped each other's hands before pulling in for a brief one-handed hug with their joined hands between their chests.

"It's great to be back," he looked around the land. "Things are looking good here."

Braden nodded. "It looked a lot better as soon as the burned debris was cleared." He motioned off to the distance. "So far, the only buildings that have been completed are the training pavilion and the hygiene facilities. The mansion, as you can see, is a work-in-progress but now that we have your hands to help us, I'm confident we'll be able to get things done quicker." He looked at Jason. "Did the bed come in for the Beta quarters?" Jason nodded. "All that's missing is the big man himself."

Talon grinned widely. "Good, because I am worn out."

They started walking towards the partially constructed building when Talon unceremoniously took off running in direction behind the partially constructed mansion.

Braden stared at his Delta with confusion. The two men took off running after the Beta.

They ran a good distance with an eye on Talon the whole time. They saw him slow down as they approached the crop fields. He was stalking from row to row until he came to a stop. When the two men reached Talon's side, he was standing still, staring straight ahead.

"Talon, what's going on?" Jason asked.

Braden turned to the direction his Beta was looking. His heart dropped when he realized Jason was staring intently at Demi.

For the rest of the day, Braden kept to is quarters. He had fallen in love with Demi but she was never meant to be his. She was Talon's mate - she had always been his.

The three Moirai carefully manipulated her thread, leading her to the pack so that she could replace her way back to Talon. Her true mate.

As much as it broke his heart, Braden had to hold steadfast to his vow and not interfere. What Mood Goddess brought together; he would not disrupt.

He stayed in bed all night, staring at the ceiling. When the moon was fully visible, he went to stand by the window so that Moon Goddess would see his broken heart and accept it as an offering for all the blessings she had given him. It fucking hurt but if that was his penance, he would pay threefold.

When the moon was no longer visible and the sun began to come out, he went to his bed to stare at the ceiling some more.

It would be close to noon when he would finally decide to get up and face the day.

He came down to the dining area first. Gloria greeted him cheerfully with coffee. She had gotten to know how he took it.

He mustered a showing of gratitude and went to sit down at one of the tables. He stared at his cup. The thought of consuming anything made his stomach churn. He pushed the cup away, leaning back against the chair.

He felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. "Baby, where have you been?" A soft voice uttered. She sat down next to him, holding his hand.

Braden sighed. He looked to the voice and found his sweet Demi looking at him. "Where's Talon?" He asked.

She stared at him for a moment, then shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I rejected him."

The thought made Braden happy for a moment-but just a moment. He quickly remembered yesterday changed their relationship irrevocably. He pulled away from her. "You should go replace him." He stood to create space between them. "He's your mate, Demi. He always has been."

She shook her head and ran to him. "No. You're my destiny, Braden." She held his face between her hands, placing a one-sided kiss on his lips. "He doesn't change anything. I'm yours and yours alone."

He grabbed her by the arms to pull her away. He was resolute. "Talon is my Beta. I will not come between him, his mate and what Moon Goddess rejoined."

She knelt before him, hugging his legs. She brushed her face against his crotch. "Please Braden," she cried. "Please. I know I was meant to be your Luna."

Braden looked down at her and moved away from her hold. "Luna was never on the table." He walked out of her hold in search of his Beta.

When he ran up to Talon's quarters, the room was empty. His belongings were nowhere to be seen.