Amanda sat on the porch swing looking out at the horizon as she thought about her completing that spell. It seemed simple enough, she just needed to focus on what was important at the moment and not get overwhelmed by everything else. She needed to be patient, not only with her magic but with herself.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Hudson asked as he leaned against the doorway.
She turned to him and smiled but it was a small smile. She was happy that he was here but there were still things they needed to talk about.
“Can I sit with you?” He asked in a soft tone.
She nodded as she moved over and made room for him.
Hudson walked over and sat next to his mate and pushed the swing back gently so that it would start to swing. He could sense the tension that was sitting between them, and he didn’t like it one bit.
He reached out slowly to take her hand, which she gave to him with no resistance.
“Amanda, I know that I haven’t been acting like myself since we got back to the college.” He started with, “And dish I could tell you why it’s happening but I don’t have a reason or an excuse for any of it.” He explained.
“What does that mean?” Amanda asked her voice filled with concern. Her heart was palpitating as her worry and anxiousness grew.
Hudson shook his head, “I just need you to be patient with me while I figure this all out. It’s not easy for me to be constantly challenged as an Alpha and get into fights. I was the one they all looked up to and respected.”
“And you think the tables have turned now because of what? Because of me?” She asked as she got up from the swing and turned to look at him. “I’m sorry if me coming into my wolf and finding out that I can do magic too has been an inconvenience to you. If I recall you had a problem when I was just a human girl when you first found out that I was your mate. So, what is it that you want from me, Hudson? How can I make your life easier? My life hasn’t been the easiest for a very long time.” She turned and walked off the porch and started to walk away from him.
Hudson got up to follow her when she spun around quickly and yelled, “You don’t get to follow me right now.” Hudson stopped and watched as his mate walked further and further away from him. His heart ached as he watched her walk away and Artemis began to whine as their mate walked farther and farther away from them.
“You know she’s not wrong.” Hudson heard from behind him.
He didn’t bother to turn to see who it was, he knew it was Tab.
“I’m sorry for eavesdropping.” She said as she stepped out onto the porch and stood next to him.
Hudson just shrugged. He didn’t know how to fix this mess that he has caused. He knew that she wasn’t wrong. In the beginning, he had a problem that she was only human and not a wolf. And then when he learned that she was not only part wolf but a witch as well it left him feeling conflicted. He knew he loved her, but was that enough to get them through all this?
“You want me to go talk with her?” Tab offered.
“You wouldn’t mind?” He asked.
Tab smiled.
“You are both my friends. I am here for both of you. But at some point, you are going to have to talk to her.” She said as she patted him on the back and then headed toward the direction that Amanda had been walking.
Hudson let out a sigh as he turned and walked back into the house. As he walked back into the kitchen he heard Deak and Zachary talking in hushed voices.
Deak looked up when he sensed Hudson walking into the room.
“What’s your plan?” He asked as he looked down at the map of the surrounding town.
Deak and Zachary both looked at each other hesitating on whether or not to let Hudson in on what they had learned.
Before they could say anything Stan walked into the room. His sleeves were rolled up and there were hints of blood smeared in different places on his shirt.
“Alpha. I’m sorry to bother you, but I was able to get one of the wolves to talk.” Stan told him.
Hudson puffed up his chest and squared his shoulders.
“What did you find out?”
“These wolves are from the Howler’s pack.”
Hudson’s fist clenched when he heard which pack was trying to get to his mate. Howler’s pack was Colson’s and Ophelia’s pack. Hudson noticed the tension released from Zachary’s shoulders when they all heard that.
He looked over at Deak and Zachary, “Is that why you were apprehensive about telling me?”
They both nodded.
Hudson tilted his head from side to side and his neck popped. He then started to crack the knuckles on each of his hands.
“When do we leave?” He asked them.
“Alpha.” Stan stepped in to try and reason but Marco stepped into the room right then and took over.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. You should get in touch with your father before making any rash decisions.” Marco suggested.
Hudson let out a growl. Were they questioning his authority?
“We need to do this with a clear mind. Believe me, I’m ready to rescue my Vita and do anything to get her. I can’t ask you to risk you or your pack when they waged war against your pack yet.” Deak advised.
Hudson took a deep breath as he ran his hand through his hair.
He wanted to help. If he helped rescue Vita it would make Amanda happy and that’s what mattered most to him. But what they said made sense.
Hudson was about to agree with them when he was mind-linked by another pack member.
Pack member: Alpha, we need your help. The pack is getting attacked by some of the other packs on campus.
He looked over at Marco.
Marco nodded.
“They notified me too. We have to go back to the campus and help them.” Marco said aloud.
“What’s going on?”
Hudson quickly turned and his heart warmed when he saw his mate standing in the doorway.
“There have been attacks on the pack back on campus, I need to go back and make sure they are okay.” He informed her.
Amanda sighed and nodded without question. “Of course, your pack needs you. You should head back and help them.”
Hudson smiled. He was relieved that his mate understood that he needed to protect the pack.
“What about the full moon? Amanda needs you there to help her with her wolf.” Tab reminded them.
Hudson closed his eyes as his shoulders slumped. He had forgotten about the full moon.
He opened his eyes and said, “I’ll be back in time for your shift, I promise.”
Fighting for my Mate
Mated to my Bully (Book 1)