I still have a rebellious streak, it’s part of my personality, but I try to tamp it down. Today, I have pushed more of Parker’s buttons than I have in the last year, and the outcome will not be good. Not that it would matter what my attitude was toward any of this. It’s obvious Parker could sense the mating bond between the Beta and me. It is a palpable aura that clings to unmated wolves when they find their true mate. I may not be as heavily affected as Calum is because I am already mated, but with our heightened senses, he couldn’t have missed it.

“Talon,” Calum calls out to me.

His voice flows over me, coating me. The deepness vibrates through me, turning me inside out. I want to continue walking, but my body responds to him so strongly that my feet stay planted to the path. I don’t turn to watch him approach me because I can feel his presence get closer with every step.

“You’re at the wrong house,” he says lowly into my ear. “This is my house. And although you will always be welcome here, it would be inappropriate.”

Placing his hand on my lower back, he guides me to the house beside his, sending goosebumps skittering across my flesh. All thought has fled from my mind as I allow him to touch me and guide me. At the door to the main house, we stand in silence for long moments, his fingers lightly flexing against my back before he knocks.

The door is flung back, and Peyton beams at me.

“Talon!” she squeals before throwing her arms around my neck and embracing me closely. “Come in! I am super excited to have you here. Let me show you around.”

Peyton grabs my hand and leads me deeper into the house, pulling me away from Calum’s touch. A touch I immediately miss. In the massive kitchen, she flutters about, talking continuously, but I don’t hear a word. I am trying to center myself in this new normal that has been thrust upon me.

“Talon?” Peyton looks at me quizzically. “Are you okay?”

“Um…”

“You can talk to me. The new pack can feel overwhelming but we have always been friends. If it’s about the mating scent clinging to you, maybe I can help.” She looks so supportive I can’t stop myself from spilling the beans.

Taking a seat at the solid wood counter that runs the length of her kitchen, I haul in a deep breath before letting it all out.

“Slade forced me to mate when I came of age. You had already been gone by the time that Parker found his way to the pack, but he isn’t a good man. He isn’t a good wolf. And then we came here because you said we would be safe and accepted, and now I’ve found my true mate. And I don’t have a clue what I should do.” Sighing, I rest my head in my hands. The migraine I will definitely have later already forming at the base of my skull.

“What?” she yells.

Footsteps can be heard from deeper in the house before a large male appears at Peyton’s side. His hands are all over her face and body, looking for the cause of her distress. When he finds nothing, he finally scans the surrounding area before his gaze lands on me. His gaze narrows and my wolf wants nothing more than to submit and bare my throat to the man who is clearly my new Alpha.

“Stop that, Caine. Talon didn’t do anything wrong. I was just shocked by some news she shared with me.” Peyton pushes at his chest. “Go and be domineering somewhere else. This is girl talk.”

“Are you sure, my moon?” He cups her face gently in hands that I am sure are capable of immense violence.

Her face softens as she smiles up at him before placing a kiss on his scruffy jaw.

“Yes, my love,” she replies, and the moment feels way too personal for me to witness.