Mistake (completed)

I feel like absolute shit. Seeing Cadence, knowing the pain she's feeling because of me. I want her to be happy but with everything the way it is she'd be more miserable with me.

"So you're the reason she's been crying," he rubs his face with his hand in frustration.

I understand his anger, I'd be mad if someone rejected my amazing sister.

"Leon you can't just show up here". I'm mad at him for butting in but as a brother myself I can't say I'm surprised.

Leon is pissed that I rejected Cadence, he demands to know why... The fact he has to ask is ridiculous to me. He should know exactly why. His father is basically the head 'Run Tony out of town' club.

Leon sighs, "She wants you Tony. I don't like seeing her cry".

I run a hand through my hair and blow out a breath "Cadence deserves so much better than I can give her".

Leon steps in my face and I step back, "Leon please understand, I'm trying to protect her from more heartache. Your father hates me, everyone here fucking hates me".

He looks at me like I'm acting like a child making excuses as to why I didn't do my homework.

He sighs and rubs his beard, "I don't hate you, Griffin doesn't hate you and Cadence wants to have a life with you." why does he have to make this harder for me?

"I can't... Tell her I'm sorry".

I push past him heading inside. I know what I need to do. I need to leave. I call an Alpha wolf I know, I really hope he's in town today or will be soon.

It would appear luck is on my side for once. Alpha Travis happened to be in town today. I asked him if they'd allow me to take sanctuary in his pack. He said yes but it would take a few days to get a cabin set up for me which is perfect because I need to pack and list this place for rent before I go. I give him my number so he can let me know when it's done.

Now I just have to find the strength to leave Cadence behind.

..:::Cadence:::..

I've been thinking a lot about Antonio over the last two days. I need him to understand how much I want him in my life. I talked myself into stopping by on my way home. I get to his driveway and notice he's put up a for rent sign.

"What the fuck?" he's leaving?

I can't let him leave like this so I do the only thing I can I call him.

"Antonio speaking".

I slowly exhale to avoid yelling,

"A for rent sign, you're just leaving?"

Tony sighs clearly unhappy that I'm calling him.

"I had to leave, if you aren't renting I really have to go".

I'm not ready to say goodbye to him or have someone in his space. I realize I want to be here.

"I'll take it".

He says he'll email the details later so I let him go and send him text with my email.

Am I really so horrible a mate he had to run away? Getting out of the truck I go try the door. Like more normal people that live in the middle of nowhere the door is unlocked and the keys are on the counter.

I sit down on the couch everything in here smells like my Tony. It's comforting and makes me think maybe this is a good thing. He will take some time away and then come home to me so we can start our lives together. I sit here a while before I realize I need to go home and pack my things. I think this move will be good for me.

When I get home my father is here... wonderful. He asks me if I'm feeling better and I tell him I am even though it's a lie. He immediately asks me if I am going to work today. He only asked because Griffin has been covering for me.

"I'm not working today but I know Griff is supposed to work this weekend so I'll be covering those shifts for him". That seems to satisfy him for now.

I begin to take boxes out of the storage room so he asks what I am doing.

"Oh, I'm moving out." Dad tries to talk me out of it like he always does but I tell him I already have a place so I wont be changing my mind.

Leon pops in from the kitchen and tells me he thinks it's great and asks where I am moving to. I don't want to say right now so I just say "somewhere". Of course dad asks if I will be moving in with my mate since I didn't tell him whether or not I found them.

Leon gives me a look and I turn to look at our dad, "I haven't found them yet. I'm not worried though, we have time".

Leon raises his brow at me. I don't usually lie to my fathers face like that but I don't want to hear him rant on and on about Tony. Not today.

Dad gives me a hug, "Ok darling, I'm sorry to see you move but as long as you're happy, I'm happy". I thank him and head up to my room to pack.

It's been a few days and being here has been really good for Emara and I. She really wants to wander the paths that Diego took while Tony let him free but I don't feel comfortable doing that right now.

I did let her walk a little bit today before we had to head in to the store. When I walked in I noticed Leon was here instead of Dad. He looks at me and smiles, "Leon, where's Dad?" he clears his throat, "he's out with a human woman he met a few weeks ago". He hands me a box of nails that need to be put out.

I move to the aisle with the nails and ask "is the woman he's out with that new lady Gale that moved here?" he chuckles and says yes. I smile at him, "I'm glad, he deserves to be happy again".

He stops what he's doing and looks at me like I grew a few extra heads... "what?" I ask. He shrugs and says, "I'm just surprised to hear you say that since we know how he'd react if he found out Antonio is your mate".

I remind Leon that I am nothing like Dad and he just smiles at me and heads out to the back leaving me to play games on my phone between dusting, reading and restocking shelves.

Leon is doing lord knows what in the back so I start retagging and putting out more nails when the door opens and I smell a bear I've never smelled before. I shoot up and like an idiot I smack my head on a shelf.

That got his attention , "are you ok?" he asked. I laughed an embarrassed laugh and told him I'm fine... he's super fine too, damn.

The mysterious stranger looks around but doesn't seem to see what he is looking for, "can I help you find something?" he scratches the back of his neck and says, "I am hoping you guys carry doors". I tell him to head out back to see if we have anything that meets his requirements pointing him to the screen door behind the counter that leads outside, and that my brother can help him.

No sooner does he walk out the door Riley comes in... I don't want to deal with her today. She stalks right over to me, "who was that hottie?" I furrow my brows at her, "don't you already have your hands full with Tony, my brother, Kevin, Daniel and Steven?" she has the nerve to ask if I'm jealous. Jealous of what? her whoring around town?

Riley gives me some phony smile and asks if I know where Tony is, I'm so sick of her I reply "Yeah, he moved to get the hell away from you". She glares at me and keeps talking to me like i care, "I went by his place but he wasn't there and his door was locked, he never locks his door".

I tell her he's renting it out and she jumps to the conclusion that the new guy is renting it out. That happens to be when he comes back inside. "I'm not renting". He said it very matter of factly. then like the busy girl she is she asks him to dinner.

I am positive he is going to say yes, most men fall for her fake bullshit, but I am shocked when he says, "no thanks, you aren't my type." Riley scoffs, "I'm everyone's type". The stranger shakes his head while saying, "Blondie here is more my speed".

If looks could kill.

She isn't use to rejection, "really? the virgin Mary over there?" He tells her that he doesn't care about that. He likes that I seem to have self respect since I'm not throwing myself at him. I struggle to hold in my laugh as she turns on her heel and storms out.

He turns to me, "I cannot stand people like that". I nod, "same".

We chat a but longer and I ask him if he bought the old Cardel cabin. He says he did and then i remember why he came in, "Did we have a door you liked? If we didn't we can order one or we can custom make on for you." he thanks me and tells me we had one.

He hands me the SKU number and when he's done paying he lingers a moment before looking me in the eyes, "would you want to get dinner sometime?" I'm so surprised it takes me a second to reply.

I finally get my thoughts in order, "I... um I just got rejected so I'd rather not, I don't mean any offense I'm ju-" he raises his hand to stop me, "I understand but if you change your mind you know where to find me". I blush so hard and hand him his receipt and say bye. He turns to me before he makes it to the door, "My name is André, it was wonderful to meet you Cadence".

The handsome stranger, no André, leaves and when I turn around Leon is standing in the door watching me. I give him my best questioning look, "what?" he comes up to me and hugs me, "you're allowed to have fun, Goddess knows Tony did". I slap his arm, "I'm not like you guys, I only want Tony." He tells me I can have fun until Tony gets his shit together, this is so cringy.

I feux vomit, "Leon, I love you but you are the last person I want to talk about my sex life with." he apologizes and says he's just trying to be supportive, "I know that stupid! but it's super weird".

The rest of the day goes by without incident. We say goodbye and I head home.

I check my email when I get home hoping that Antonio has sent my something back but I have heard from him since I called him. He's probably just avoiding me since he doesn't want me.