Alpha Kane

[ 20 ] - promise

"He said ire, Kane. They must be in on it. Do you still want to stay here?" I asked, pacing up and down in the living room of our cabin. We had just finished our tour with Eryx and Melia, and I couldn't wait to speak to Kane about how I was feeling.

Kane was leaning on the back of the couch and his gaze followed me until he stood up. His hands settled on my shoulders and he gently stopped me in my tracks. "Hey, just stop for a second." His left hand cupped my face. "You're scared but you don't need to be."

"Kane, we're here alone. What if something happens to us?"

His eyebrows lowered and he frowned. "I promise that I will never let any harm come to you."

I wrapped my hand around his wrist and squeezed. "I'm not scared just for myself. I'm worried about you. Maybe it'll be harder to cause me harm because this was my old pack, but you're an alpha away from his pack."

A small smile began to crack on his face until he chuckled. I looked at him, confused.

"I've seen the way the wolves here fight. There's a reason I won the war. They're good but they have no strategy. Brute force can only go so far." He didn't seem scared, which in a way, assuaged my fears, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off here.

"Safety is in numbers, Kane. We'd be outnumbered."

He tipped my head back slightly and slanted his lips over mine. He kissed me once. "If it'll put your heart at rest, we can leave, but what will you tell your parents and friend?"

I thought for a moment before sighing. If we left abruptly, I was sure that would send alarm bells ringing in Eryx's head.

I didn't want to be ambushed in any way.

"What about if we leave tomorrow night? It's enough time for me to speak to my parents and see my friends.

Then we can say our pack needs us back."

Kane nodded. "Sounds like a plan. We can't leave each other's sides, though. It's the only way I can protect you. You know that right?"

I slowly smiled. "?You make it sound like a bad thing." My smile widened as he shook his head. "We won't leave each other's sides."

He took in my expression for a long moment until his smile faltered.

He gently knocked his forehead on mine, closing his eyes. "I'm sorry, Rina." His voice lowered. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this madness."

I squeezed his wrist again. "You have nothing to apologise for—nothing."

"I do," he doubled down. "All this pain that you've endured, the nightmares, the lack of sleep. It's all been my fault. You no longer feel safe in the place you grew up in because of me."

I lifted both of my hands to cup his face.

"You're not to blame. The nightmares stopped the day I met you.

" My words coaxed his eyes open. Warm and hopeful.

"What has been because of you is how I feel when you look at me, smile at me, kiss me.

..you make me feel things I never thought I'd ever be able to feel. "

His shoulders relaxed. "I meant what I said to your parents. Your happiness is everything to me. I'm happy you're happy with me."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and silently pulled him into a hug. He tucked his head into the curve of my neck and inhaled slowly.

After a while, we separated, and he lifted a hand to tuck an errant strand of hair behind my ear. "I think it's time for our first proper date."

I couldn't control my smile. "We've spent loads of time with each other—surely there was a date somewhere within that?"

He shook his head and booped me on the nose with a gentle finger. "Our routine isn't a date. A date is intentional. It's when I show you why we're soulmates, and what the rest of our lives will look like."

I narrowed my eyes playfully. "Are you a romantic man, Kane?"

He chuckled. "I'm a man on a mission." He leaned forward and caught my mouth in a kiss.

His mission was clear with the way his arm snaked around my waist. He pulled me up against him, and before deepening the kiss, he spoke against my lips.

"I want to ?make you as obsessed with me as I am with you. "

I could only respond by losing myself in our kiss. He overtook my senses until the only thing I could focus on was him. When the heat built in the pit of my stomach, I knew we had to stop. I planted my hands on his chest and stepped back slightly.

I blew out a breath. "It's definitely working." My heart was racing. "I knew you were doing it on purpose."

The amusement was clear on his face. He took hold of both my wrists with one hand and pulled me flush against him again. "Doing what, Rina?"

I looked up at him and felt my breath hitch in the back of my throat. My laugh probably sounded like a choke. "That," I spluttered. "Getting into my space and kissing me like you never want to stop."

"I don't," he replied frankly.

If my heart raced any faster, it would dislodge and shoot out from my chest. My gaze dropped to his flushed lips. Maybe—

'Hey, Rina. Levi and I are finished with work. Where should we meet you?' Tiana's voice sounded in my mind, instantly pulling me from what I wanted to do next.

Kane brushed my temple with gentle fingers.

"Tiana and Levi want to catch up now. Can they come here?" I knew we couldn't be apart, but I also knew Kane didn't want to be around Levi.

"Yes," he answered. "I'll make some calls outside."

I wrapped my arms around his midriff and looked up at him. "Don't stay outside for too long. I want you to see why we're best friends."

He looked as if he wanted to make a comment about Levi but held off on it. He smiled. "Okay."

I mind-linked Tiana and told her they could come back to the cabin. When they came, Kane was out back on a phone call with Finn and Carmen.

The moment I opened the door, Tiana grinned. "Hello again."

"Hi," I laughed, stepping to the side to let them in.

Levi nudged my shoulder playfully as he passed me. "How was your walk earlier, Luna?"

I rolled my eyes with a smile. "Stop. I'm just Rina here." I led the way to the sofas, sitting on one while Tiana and Levi took a seat opposite me. "Although, it is taking a bit of getting used to being called Luna."

"Tell us everything," Tiana leaned forward excitedly. "How is Scotland? What's the pack like? Have you met Alpha Kane's parents?"

I held my hands up and chuckled. "Whoa, one question at a time, Ti." I leaned back against the sofa. "Scotland is nice. I've met his parents and they're both lovely. His pack have welcomed me with open arms except one person."

Levi's eyebrows drew close. "Who?"

I sighed. "Her name is Celeste. She thinks I'm a plant from Leander to take down the pack from the inside. She didn't believe Kane and I were actually mates—even challenged me for my title."

Tiana gasped. "She challenged you?"

Levi looked even more confused. "She wanted to be the luna? Was she his girlfriend or something?"

I shook my head. "He was an alpha without a mate. He had to choose a luna, and before he met me, she was the strongest pick."

Tiana frowned. "How sure are you that there wasn't something between them?"

I was conscious that Kane was only outside, so if he wanted to, he could listen in on our conversation. "I'm sure. The decision was only made a month before we met."

"That's a big decision, Ri," Levi countered. "Choosing a mate means you're prepared to mark them, mate with them and bind your souls together forever."

My heart twisted in my chest. "Are you trying to upset me?"

Tiana glanced at Levi and sighed. "Of course not. We're just—it's a lot to take in. But then again, you both thought you didn't have a mate."

"He had options, though," Levi muttered acrimoniously.

"Levi!" I exclaimed, sitting up. "What is your problem with him, honestly?"

His green eyes darkened slightly with emotion. "He beat me up, Rina. And let's not forget that my uncle died fighting in the war he started. That's my problem with him."

It was silent for a long time and I directed my gaze to my lap. A lot of the war's casualties were on our side. Kane hadn't killed his uncle but he had died because of injuries sustained by a wolf from Owain's pack.

"I'm sorry."

The apology didn't come from me. I turned around to see Kane coming back in. He was looking straight at Levi.

"For your uncle. I didn't want any lives lost. The war was always against Leander, and claiming back what was taken from us."

Levi didn't break eye contact and didn't say anything for a few seconds. "Well, I can't say what I want to without you attacking me again, can I?"

Kane's mouth twitched with a smile. Uh oh. "Your anger is yours to express. I only have an issue when you try and come between me and my mate. That's your real issue, right? That I'm her mate and you're not."

"Kane..." I quietly said.

Levi huffed and shook his head. "I'm not going to sit and listen to this."

I frowned as he stood up. "Levi, please don't go."

"No, Rina," he responded. "I came here to see you. Fine, he's your mate—whatever, but, I'm never going to be happy about it because of who he is, regardless of how I feel about you."

I stared at him in shock. This was the first time he admitted his feelings for me.

If he had told me more than a month ago, I would've had a completely different reaction.

But now, Kane was in my life, and it only emphasised that my fated mate was the one for me.

Levi had a mate of his own he needed to find.

I felt at a loss for words. I stood up too. "Levi..."

"I'll see you when you leave, Ri." He headed straight for the door and left without another word.

I looked at Tiana who was frowning and staring at the floor.

"You're not going to leave too, are you?" I asked, quietly. All I had wanted was to catch up with my friends. Everything felt like it was going wrong here.

She lifted her gaze to look at me. She shook her head. "No. I still want to spend time with you. Levi does too. He just needs time to get over it—the mate part."

Her words were reassuring. I didn't want any of this to happen.

"What do I do?"

"Just give it time." Her shoulders raised slightly. She was speaking to both of us now. "This situation is crazy, but don't let it ruin your experience with each other. You found each other, and that's all that matters."

Kane came to stand beside me. "I see why you're her best friend."

Tiana smiled. "Rina's the best of us. You have a great luna."

Kane slung an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side. "I'm lucky to have her." He glanced down at me with a smile. "Since you're staying, how about I make us a late lunch?"

"He's a great cook," I added.

"I'd like that," Tiana replied with a smile.

—————

For the next three hours, we spent time all together, and Tiana had begun to warm up to Kane. We mainly spoke about our childhood and our favourite memories, like in nursery when we decided we would be best friends forever. Being back in my old pack meant Kane was able to learn more about me.

I noticed, though, that he didn't share much about himself, and instead asked us questions.

He was washing his hand by the sink when I came to stand behind him. I gently locked my arms around him and rested my cheek against his back. "You're not still feeling bad, are you?"

He dried his hand on the dish towel, and slowly turned around.

His arms rested on my shoulders as he buried his fingers in the back of my hair.

"A little bit." He started massaging my scalp.

"Part of it is seeing how close you are with Tiana.

I know you had to move, but it's not nice that you've had to leave such strong support systems."

One thing I was noticing about Kane was his unique ability to pick up on the quietest weights on my heart.

He was more perceptive than I had anticipated, even when he knew something, the nightmares, were holding me back from him.

It made me wonder how it would be when my soul was bared to him.

I had a feeling he would know me better than I knew myself.

I had an undying need to talk to what weighed on his heart. "Tiana and Levi's mates aren't part of this pack. We all knew that, one day, we would no longer see each other every day. I hope that, in time, I find friends in our pack."

He scanned my face, and a small smile blossomed on his. "They love you already. After your ceremony, you'll be able to feel just how much."

My smile mirrored his until it widened. "That's reassuring."

He leaned forward and pressed a kiss on my forehead. He lingered for a long moment before speaking. "Where's the nearest supermarket?"

I tilted my head in curiosity. "Around fifteen minutes driving distance."

He stood to his full height and loosely linked our fingers. "Come on. I need to get a few things for our date."

I walked with him, feeling the excitement building. "What have you got up your sleeve, Kane?"

He glanced at me over his shoulder, a charming smile on his face as he pulled the door open. "That's a surprise."

I tried to guess on the drive there but Kane was keeping tight-lipped.

As we entered the supermarket, he picked up a basket.

A few people instantly noticed us. Whenever an alpha was in your vicinity, you would feel it, like the energy in the room suddenly turned supercharged.

I saw recognition flash in their eyes as they looked at me, and then thinly veiled disdain aimed at Kane.

He seemed unaffected and began looking at the different aisle signs until he pulled us into the flour aisle.

I quickly picked up on what he was planning when he put ingredients for chocolate chip cookies in the basket.

I didn't miss the way he picked up a few Twirl bars too.

He remembered my favourite chocolate.

I thought that was it until he picked up some candles too.

"Chocolate chip cookies by candlelight?" I mused, a bright grin on my face.

He nodded. "I'm by no means a baker, but this is the one thing I know how to make, courtesy of my mum and her addiction to them."

I laughed. When Carmen was making the red velvet cupcakes for Kane's birthday, she had mentioned she would also make chocolate chip cookies for Moira and Lachlan. "I'm excited."

We joined the queue to check out. I instantly recognised another one of my friends, Amelie.

"Hey, Matthews," she greeted, smiling as she began scanning our items. "I didn't know you were back."

I smiled back. "Hey, Amelie. Yeah, just for a couple of days to see my parents."

She looked at Kane and bowed her head slightly in respect. The first. "Alpha." She turned her gaze back to me when Kane acknowledged her by name. "That's nice. It's great to see you."

My smile brightened. "Ditto."

Kane paid for the groceries and in record time, we were back at the cabin. He set out the ingredients on the countertop. "This should be done within the next half hour. I was thinking we could melt some Twirl into it."

"You remembered."

"It's you. Of course I remember." His gaze was warm and soft. It made me warm all over.

I let him take the lead with making the cookies, but pulled my weight with the mixing and laying out the parchment paper.

When we put it in the oven, he took hold of my hand again.

He gestured towards the pillows on the sofa as he took the blanket that was draped over the back of it.

He laid it down in front of the fireplace, and I gathered a few pillows.

"How long does it need to bake?" I asked as he began lighting candles. He placed some on the mantlepiece above the fireplace and a few a short distance away from the blanket.

He lay down on the blanket with a pillow underneath his propped up elbow. I slowly smiled as I lay down opposite him. The fire was warming and painted the room in a glow.

"Ten to twelve minutes." He held his head up with his hand and I lay flat on my back, staring up at him. "What should we do while we wait?"

My gaze dropped to his mouth and I laughed. "Kane."

"What?" he responded, leaning down and pecking my lips softly. "It's a very sensible suggestion."

I reached up and slid my hand against his angular jaw. I felt him smile against my lips and returned the peck. "We both know how quickly it can become not sensible."

"I'm not hearing any other suggestions, Matthews."

I burst out laughing and adjusted my head to look him in the eye. "We're on a surname basis now?"

"We are." He joined me in laughing and kissed me again. "Mine is Buchanan."

"Hmm." I traced the shell of his ear with my finger. "Kane Buchanan."

He hummed against my lips. "I like hearing you say my name."

"I like your name," I replied, brushing my nose against his. "I even have a tattoo of it."

He chuckled and curled his fingers around my wrist. "This is the craziest thing because I have your name tattooed too. Are we soulmates?"

"You know what?" I spoke against his lips now. "I think we are."

"Mm, I think so too." He punctuated his words with a proper kiss, moving his mouth against mine slowly.

He tilted his head to deepen it, and a small part of my mind wanted to remark that this was when we ventured into not-sensible territory, but it was silenced as he gently trailed his hand up and down my arm.

I was slowly losing my resolve, and the prospect of him marking me felt closer and closer. The shiver coursed down my back before I forced my head back, breaking away from the kiss. I looked up at the ceiling and tried to control my racing heart. His mouth landed on my chin.

"We should check on the cookies, right?" I spoke, not waiting for his response before I stood up and walked to the open kitchen.

I knew once Kane and I crossed that line, things would change entirely.

I was battling against knowing that it was the only way to work against the spell, and how I envisioned things developing between me and my mate.

It wasn't because I didn't want him because, God, I really did.

Honestly, it was because I knew that once he could see into my soul, I wouldn't be able to hide anything from him.

He would be able to feel my emotions and hear my thoughts.

I was scared that if he ever saw the nightmares I had for himself, it wouldn't be long before I would need to force myself to get over my fear of his wolf.

I didn't want him to feel exactly what I did when I looked at him in wolf form.

I wanted to feel closer to him, but I didn't want to hurt him—not when it was important to him that I saw him for who he was in real life and not in my nightmares.

My hands began to feel clammy, and I wiped them on my jeans as I bent over to look into the oven. The cookies were almost finished baking.

Kane followed after me, glancing at me as he bent over too. "When I was a kid, my biggest fear was that I would always be alone."

I turned my head to look at him. What? I straightened up and watched him carefully. I wasn't sure where he was going with this. "Why?"

He stood to his full height but didn't look at me. "I was sent away before I could even understand why. I had it in my head that it was because of a problem with me, that my parents sent me away because they didn't want me."

I frowned but let him continue.

"I thought if I trained harder, then they would take me back sooner.

It took until I was fifteen to realise that they sent me away for my own safety, and that I was the only hope for our pack.

Once I realised that, I thought maybe I wouldn't be alone, and so I looked forward to my twenty-first birthday so I could know what the one person who would never leave me would first say to me. "

My stomach felt hollow.

"Then that too was taken from me. I had nothing on my wrist. I became the alpha and I was dedicated to taking something back—I had to have something for myself, for our pack.

That was enough to keep me going all these years.

Then I met you." He finally met my gaze.

"I'm telling you this so you know that you saved me from that darkness.

With you, I finally feel like I won't be alone.

So, trust me when I say you don't have to be scared to be all in with me. "

He turned to me and caged my face in his hands. I instantly felt the tears prick my eyes.

"Because, Rina, I'm all in with you." His thumb wiped the tear before it could fall. "And I've been falling for you since the day I first saw you."