Harry

Pain is my new company.

After hearing from my father regarding all the evidence they have against Spencer, I went to my old room and cried.

I wish I could be crying about the betrayal, but that is not it.

I wish I could be feeling relieved that the guilty party was finally caught and my mate's shooter was apprehended, but I do not. I don't feel any of the things I was supposed to feel when the man behind Landon's shooting was caught.

I only feel bad for Spencer. I can't even imagine what he must have felt when he lost Kevin, but I know it hurt much more than he led on.

I think he probably tried to shield his grief from me for some reason, even though I wanted to be there for him. He was my friend and all I ever wanted was for him to be okay.

I mean, he is my friend. For as long as he lives, I cannot say anything to the contrary. No matter how painful the betrayal is. I can barely believe he was the one who actually shot my mate.

I didn't see the image of him holding the gun, but I am sure it'll come up at his trial. However, that's not what is bothering me. I just wish he was more honest with me.

On the other hand, how was he supposed to tell me he was going to shoot my mate at the first opportunity he had?

Anyway, it is the way it goes. That's not important now. I can't even begin to imagine how Ares must be feeling at this moment. Though we are not exactly friends, I can really empathize with him. He waited so long for his mate just to have him possibly being ripped away from him forever.

I mean probably. I know the odds and I know Beta Wilmont. He is going for the jugular. He is going to ask for the death penalty on Spencer's trial, I just know it.

The pain is tearing me apart.

How am I supposed to face Houston without him? Am I really supposed to be friends with Grayson, my mate's ex-lover? Really, bitch?

I don't think so. Though that's not the main reason why we will probably never be friends. If only...

I guess this is all superficial now with Spencer's life on the line. My goodness, his life is on the line...

Another 'round' of tears leaves my eyes. I cannot feel anything else but pain for Spencer's harrowing fate. I want him alive and well, there is no alternative for me. He has been through enough already.

I bawl my eyes out in never-ending tears as I contemplate being forced to witness my best friend being killed by my own father. It's the Alpha who passes the judgment and carries the sentence. Only he can punish his pack members. The Alpha alone has the authority, though he acts on the recommendation of his Beta.

I cannot stop the tears. I can't stop the pain. It feels as though I already started to grieve Spencer when he is still alive. But there is nothing in me that thinks he is going to get away with this. My father will want to set an example.

Meanwhile, in another part of the pack house, Rihannon has already talked to Beta Carillon upon her arrival - he has been here since yesterday on Landon's order to assess the evidence against Spencer, so he can report back to him - and is now patiently waiting around for me inside the living room, scrolling her phone.

She was distracted by something she was looking online when she was hit by a wonderful scent coming from another part of the pack house. An indistinguishable fragrance to her.

Aaron was leaving the conference room with several women of various ages - though most of them looked between their late 20s and early 30s. They were laughing as they walked out and one of the women touched his shoulder playfully, causing Rhiannon to growl.

Suddenly, the women and Aaron were alerted by her presence. Some of them gulped nervously but the one who touched him did it again in defiance. Aaron became so uncomfortable it was noticeable as his mate glared daggers at him.

They continued to walk on when one of them grabbed his arm as one would walk down the aisle at a wedding. Aaron blushed beet red, playfully disengaging her arm from his. Rhiannon was about to pounce on her, she looked so mad.

"Hi, Rhiannon. What a pleasant surprise!" He smiled at her once they got closer to where she stood.

"It sure looks like it." Rhiannon sneered at the floozy one.

"Ladies, may I introduce Rhiannon Henderson, she's a warrior from Regency Falls." He introduced them to her, awkwardly.

"These women and I are in a support group for people who lost their mates on the day of the attack." He explained to her, still visibly uncomfortable.

"It's very nice to meet you, ladies. I'm Rhiannon, Aaron's mate." She stated incisively while glaring at the one who grabbed his arm.

"Oh, how nice." One of them said, smiling cordially at her. The others greet her too.

"I didn't know Aaron was mated. He doesn't bear any marking." The floozy snickered, trying to get closer to Aaron, who laughed nervously.

Rhiannon's eyes were now glowing at the woman. She was livid.

"Thank you very much for today, ladies. I'll see you all next week at the same time." He smiled at them, gesticulating politely for them to walk away. Even as they walked, the defiant one was batting an eye at Aaron in provocation.

Once they left, Aaron directed his mate to the living room. He closed the door behind them.

"Nice to see you doing some community work." Rhiannon snapped at him, irritated.

"OK, first of all, after I lost Jessica these women were the only thing tethering me to this Earth. They were there for me, relating to my struggles in a way that my own family couldn't." He explained, visibly agitated.

"If it weren't for them, I would've killed myself long ago. I was wracked with guilt over losing my mate because I knew she died in my stead." He continued, causing Rhiannon's face to scowl. She instantly felt remorseful.

"I told them about you, of course. There isn't a single person in this pack who doesn't know our story and your rejection. So they feel protective of me, naturally. We have been vulnerable to each other so many times, they know more than anyone else what I've been through." He ranted, pissed off.

"I'm sorry for the way I reacted. But you wouldn't like it if you arrived at our pack house and saw a man holding my arm." She defended herself, still peeved.

"I have no right to like it or not. You rejected me, remember? You don't get to be jealous of whoever grabs my arm. Even if the person in question is more like a sister to me." He rebuked, revolted at her.

Rhiannon is taken aback by his disposition. She did not expect that reaction from him, not that he was lying.

"I mean, she's right. I literally don't have any mark on my neck." He continued in a humorous tone.

"Fine, Aaron. You can fuck all of them for all I care! Have a nice life!" She snapped at him, moving to leave the room. This is the loudest she has ever screamed, visibly shaken.

Aaron rushed to block her exit, standing in front of her with a loving gaze.

"You're missing the point, my dear. I don't want to be with any of them. I don't want to be with anybody else. I want you, my mate. To me, there's only one woman in my life and it's you. Please, it's the truth." He told her in an incredibly vulnerable tone.

Rhiannon was left speechless by that. Aaron was looking at her with such a loving gaze, such vulnerability. She felt it was impossible for him to be playing her. At that moment, everything came crashing down on her all at once. All the ups and downs, every tribulation she has suffered, and especially all the longing for her mate.

Suddenly, all her feelings coursed through her body. She has been acting out of character. This is not the first time she displayed jealousy towards Aaron. Though this time it got real seeing him with so many gorgeous and available women.

Rihannon couldn't take it anymore and surrendered herself to her mate in a deep kiss. The mated couple got tangled in each other and ended up crashing on top of the large couch.

Soon enough, clothes were flying off as the makeout session led to an unparalleled scene never witnessed in this living room. At least, not from adults.

https://youtu.be/oygrmJFKYZY

It's lunchtime at the pack house. After crying all morning, I washed my face and got downstairs to eat. I also needed to see the rest of my family. I locked myself in the room since stopping by my father's office this morning, so I haven't even seen my mother yet.

I mind-linked Rhiannon for her to come to eat with my family since she is here too. I hugged my mother and siblings as soon as I saw them. Though I love living with my mate, I do miss my family.

At least, I got to see them despite all the heavy stuff going on.

Rhiannon and Aaron arrived at the dining room freshly showered and clothes changed. They also had a bandage on each of their arms, just above their wrists.

My parents and I were surprised by this, but they managed to disguise it well. I, on the other hand, giggled like an idiot. I know what the 'wrist injury' means.

It's a trick for when mates have sex without marking each other. When you complete the bond, your wolf compels you to bite your mate to mark them, sealing the completion.

But if one or two mates don't want the marking yet, they can have sex and then bite on their own arms instead of their mate's neck.

It'll placate your wolf for now and it's the only way for the fangs to subside, short of actually marking your mate.

Rhiannon greeted my parents and other siblings, bowing her head to the Alpha. All of us took our seats at the large table.

"I hope it's okay that I'm eating here. I wouldn't mind eating in the guest wing." She spoke, humbly.

"Of course it's alright. You are my son's mate." Mom said with a pleasant smile.

"I imagine you must be hungry." I snickered, causing my brother to glare at me.

"Harry, shut up. Mind your business!" He reprimanded me. Rhiannon blushed.

I don't want her to feel embarrassed at all. She deserves to get whatever she wants just like the rest of us. But this is a good distraction from the impending trial.

We ate our meal mostly quietly. My parents make small talk with Rhiannon and she looks pleased.

When we finished, I couldn't help but ask my father what I was eager to do. In fact, I should have asked him this morning but got too distracted by all the revelations my dad had to disclose.

"Please, can I see him?" I turned to him with puppy dog eyes.

"Absolutely not!" He practically slapped me with his Alpha tone.

"Just for a minute!" I insisted, pleadingly.

"He's not here on vacation, Harrison! He's being held on suspicion of a crime!" Dad shouted at me, ferociously. He is not budging, not that I expected him to.

I lowered my head after his outburst, worried for my friend. I knew he wouldn't let me see him.

"Excuse - me." I said before leaving the dining hall.

I went upstairs to my room, brushed my teeth, and rested for a bit. I wanted to run away to my mate's arms, but at the same time, I did not want to leave here without seeing Spencer.

I feel closer to him here somehow. Though we are far apart, it's closer than if I was in Regency Falls.

I ended up sleeping through the afternoon and when I woke up, it was almost time for dinner. But I was not hungry.

I walked to the guest wing where he was been sequestered. There were two warriors guarding his door as I expected.

Both of them looked at me funny as I approached them.

"We're under strict orders, Mr. Staedler. We can't let you see him. Only his family is allowed." One of the men warned me with a troubled expression on his face.

"I know. I would just like to ask a small favor. Can you open the door just enough for him to hear me? Just for a minute." I asked them, who looked frightful at my request.

"No visitors outside the family. No exceptions." He answered me, fearing the consequences for him.

"I won't see him. I promise. It's just a peek so that my voice carries inside the room. I can't mind-link him anymore, otherwise, I wouldn't be asking you this." I insisted, pleadingly. It's the truth. Spencer is no longer part of my pack now that I belong to Regency Falls.

"I'll give you one minute before someone comes with his dinner. But you can't enter his room." He said while the other warrior gave him a stern, reprehensible look.

He opened the door just enough so that my voice could be heard, but not so much that anyone could see inside.

I leaned in closer and spoke. I could hear his breathing inside.

"Hey, it's me. I can't enter but I just wanted to let you know that I am here. I miss you." I said, already feeling myself getting overwhelmed with emotions.

"Whatever you did or did not do, it doesn't matter to me. I love you very much and that'll never change." I continued, voice wrought with emotion.

"We are all rooting for you. No matter what happens at your trial, know that you are loved. Also, Ares misses you dearly. We love you, Spencer. Stay safe." I concluded, hearing him tearing up inside the room.

The warrior closed the door immediately and I thanked him for the opportunity. I walked out of the guest wing with tears in my eyes. I am happy to have had the opportunity to speak to him, even for a moment to let him know that he is loved.

Though hearing him crying only made me feel sadder.

I still don't know what to believe, though it is hard to refute the overwhelming evidence against him. Anyway, I am missing my mate like crazy, especially in this vulnerable state that I am in.

I found Rhiannon talking to other warriors - from the Blood Moon pack - and approached her still weeping. She asked me what was wrong and I told her I was still shaken over Spencer.

"I'm ready to return now. But if you want to stay and sleep with your mate, I can stay here overnight and we can go tomorrow." I offered her, slightly blushing.

"I don't. Thank you for thinking of me before you make your decision, but I'm here for you. I can be in the car in five minutes." She replied in a serious tone.

"Perfect, I'll just say goodbye to my family and grab my things." I said and started walking away.

This was lovely. It was great seeing my family and getting to the bottom of Spencer's arrest. It was even greater to have the chance to 'talk' to him. But I need my mate by my side.

When he is gone, I cannot function properly. I have no idea what college is going to be like when we are apart, especially without Spencer there as well. Though I am still hoping for a Hail Mary.

I feel so vulnerable right now. Though I was giggling at Rhiannon and Aaron earlier today, I get why she surrendered to the mate bond. It really is a powerful connection unlike nothing else on Earth and I feel like I am missing a piece of my heart without Landon next to me.

https://youtu.be/0G3_kG5FFfQ

A|N: So that happened.

It's funny that sometimes I am inspired to write as I listen to songs, other times, I am scrambling to match any song with my writing. If I am lucky, like in this chapter, it's the best of both worlds.

I created the first storyline because of the Dua Lipa song, then thought of Avril's song as I wrote the second part. I do love her music and this song is absolutely beautiful. So relatable to this chapter it's uncanny.

Love,

Léo.