Unlikely Mates
Chapter 3

Kira

Being back in this house after five years is strange. It all still looks and feels the same, but I feel out of place. Perhaps it’s because I’m not the same anymore. The past five years changed me in ways I never expected.

At first, I was alone and often scared of the world around me. Everything was different from what I had imagined. Growing up in a pack without any humans, secluded at the top of Zwartberg Mountain, didn’t help. I wasn’t used to so many things that the simplest things either excited or terrified me.

The best thing that happened to me was meeting Talia. She is a wolf shifter with more heart than anyone I had ever met. I was sitting in a diner in Katu Falls when she sat down in front of me and started chatting like we had known each other our entire lives. She never gave me the chance to shy away. She saw me, decided we would be friends, and then proceeded to make her will come true. And I have never been so grateful to another living being.

The Katu wolf pack gave me more consideration and respect than this pack ever did, and they never made me feel unwelcome. They even included me in their training program.

A knock on the front door draws me out of my reverie. For a moment, I contemplate not answering, but when the second knock comes, I know I have to.

“What do you want?” I ask as I pull the door open.

“I’m sorry,” the man before me says. “I wanted to offer my condolences.”

“Why?” I tilt my head to the side, inspecting him. He seems familiar, but I can’t place my finger on it.

“Because it’s the right thing to do?” He sounds like he’s asking a question.

I don’t have time for this backwater bullsh!t. I’m here to pack up my father’s belongings. The funeral is in three days, and then I’ll be gone again. I don’t want to be here any longer than I have to be. The man’s gaze travels from my hair to my face, my tattoos, torn jeans, and then down to my boots.

“Who are you?” I ask, softening my tone a little.

“Silas. Silas Harris.” He holds out his hand.

I don’t take it, just stare at him.

“I’m the, uh, beta to the Zwart Pack. I knew someone would be coming to pack up Mr. William’s belongings, and I just wanted to help.”

“I don’t need assistance. Actually, do me a favor and tell everyone they aren’t welcome here.”

“Excuse me—” he starts to reply, but I cut him off with a raised hand.

“He wasn’t good enough for this pack in life, so I see no reason I should be the one to sate your feelings of guilt now that he’s dead. You should treat the living better,” I say.

“You have no idea what he meant as a member of this pack.”

A harsh laugh burst forth from me. “Really, Silas? I think I know better than anyone else. After all, I’m his daughter. The gemors.”

And with those words, I slam the door in his face and head upstairs for a nap. F*****g Zwart Pack.

Rowan

“You won’t believe who I just had the displeasure of speaking to,” Silas says as he walks into my office before falling into one of the chairs in front of my desk.

“I probably won’t,” I mumble as I continue to work through the contract we’re setting up for the new lumber yard.

“As your beta, I need you to stop what you are doing and focus on me. This could cause some significant issues.” Silas says flatly.

With a deep sigh, I push the paperwork away. “Who?”

“Kira Williams.”

Silas watches me closely, waiting for my reply or any type of reaction. Inside, my mind is running a mile a minute, but on the outside, I seem calm. I perfected this technique early into my reign as alpha. I can never appear flustered, worried, or put out. Every one of my emotions affects those around me. So, I no longer allow any of my emotions to be seen.

That doesn’t stop my mind though. Where has she been? What has she been doing? Is she back to stay or only to sort out her father’s affairs? Will I still be unable to keep my gaze from following her? I cannot imagine she would want to remain where so many painful memories reside.

“And why would that cause a problem?” I ask in a bored tone.

“She’s not the same. She…”

“What is it, Silas? Just spit it out for God’s sake!” I’m quickly losing my patience, not just with this useless conversation, but also with my beta.

“She told me off when I offered to help her to pack her father’s things. Said that I was just trying to assuage my guilt for treating him badly when he was alive. And then she slammed the door in my face.” Silas sulks as he speaks. It’s quite an unattractive trait but one most of us have gotten used to.

The thought of my beta standing on the porch of old man Williams’ house, the door slammed in his face, has laughter rising to the surface before I can control myself. Silas is a true man-whore. And he thinks all women are incapable of waving off his charms.

Silas stares at me as I laugh at him.

“I don’t replace any of this funny.”

“I replace it hilarious, my friend.” I smile. “The girl who used to be afraid of her own shadow has finally grown a backbone. And she must have turned into quite a looker if you are this upset by her rejection.”

“It doesn’t matter what she looks like” he replies too quickly.

Sh!t, she must have changed immensely for him to try his luck with her. He has a particular type, and it’s nothing like the girl I remember.

“It’s what she said that bothers me.”

“I see. It bothers you that she is right?” I ask.

“Well, yes.” He sighs. “I always thought I would have time to apologize for being a little sh!t. And now he’s gone and it’s too late.”

“All right.” I clear my throat. “Let me go and talk to Kira and explain that you only want to make amends. Perhaps she will be more open to talking to me.”