Unwanted

Petra’s P.O.V.

I look at Anton as he speaks with the others about where they will go to look for the pups, and I can’t believe he’s my mate. When he pulled me into his arms on the floor, I wanted to resist, but I didn’t fight much. His touch felt too good, and my wolf, Lila, told me he wasn’t trying to hurt me.

After talking with him, I realized he was nothing like the pack that took me. The man in that pack who was determined to mate with me when I turned eighteen had left me tied to a wall covered in wolfsbane for days. He would come to beat me a couple times a day. Jelena and Garrett found me like that when they came to our pack. I was ten.

Other than Garrett and Grant, I haven’t had any other men to show me how a mate is supposed to be treated. I thought they were only kind because they were werelions. I believed all wolves were like the pack that took me, but Anton quickly showed me I was wrong.

I want to go with them to find the pups. It will be my way of helping others who may be in the same situation I was saved from, but I need to talk to Jelena. She’s not just my mother figure. She’s a therapist, and she’s gotten me through some of my darkest times. When she looks at me, I nod toward the other room, and she stands up.

“Petra, can I speak to you for a minute?” She asks. I squeeze Anton’s hand and then follow her to the other room. Jelena sits on the loveseat and waits for me to join her.

“How are you feeling?” She asks while taking my hand, showing me her support in the way she has for years.

“Confused. I always expected my mate to reject me or be mean and want to hurt me, but Anton’s not like that. He wants me to go with him and his family to help find the pups.” I tell her. She smiles at me.

“I think that’s an excellent idea. How do you feel about it?” I sigh and look down at our hands.

“I want to go, but I’m scared. I’ve never left this place other than short trips to the store or outings with the cubs and pups. My family is here with you, and I don’t want you to forget about me if I leave.” I tell her honestly. Jelena pulls me into her arms and kisses my head.

“Petra, you’re family. We won’t forget you. Even if you mate with Anton and move to his pack, we’re going to visit you, and you better visit us, too. A family doesn’t forget or stop loving those they care about just because they go away. My family lives in California, but you see them come here to see us whenever they can. We love you like a daughter, Petra, and all we want is to see you happy.” I hug her tight as a few tears slip out.

“I love you too. I’ll go with them.” I tell her as we pull apart. Jelena wipes my tears away before we stand up. When we return to the others, I walk over to Anton and take his hand. He looks down at me, and his blue eyes light up.

“Everything okay?” He whispers. I smile and nod.

“Yes. I’ll go with you. If you still want me to.” I watch his expression just to be sure. Anton pulls me into his arms and hugs me before whispering in my ear.

“I want you to. I want you to always be with me.” I wrap my arms around him and smile. He doesn’t know how long I’ve waited to hear those words. Am I finally going to get a chance at happiness?

“Are you coming with us?” Teegan asks me with a big smile. I nod, and she claps her hands. “Good. I got tired of this one being depressed all the time.”

“What do you mean all the time? You’ve only been with me for two days.” Anton replies. I can’t help chuckling at their banter.

“Exactly. Two days, and it’s already gotten on my nerves.” Teegan rolls her eyes.

“Petra, do you want me to help you pack some things?” Jelena asks. I’m so caught up in thoughts of leaving that I forgot that I actually need to take clothes with me. I turn to follow Jelena, and Teegan hugs me.

“It’s going to be good to have a sister,” she says next to my ear. I’m so stunned I don’t know what to say. A sister? She just called me her sister. Before I can say anything, she links her arm with mine and pulls me toward the stairs. “I’ll help you pack if you don’t mind.”

“I would love the help,” I tell her. Kiana follows us. Is this what I always hear about when people say girl time? I didn’t get close to many people even once I moved here. It was easier not to get attached, so I would be prepared for when they left. When we get to my room, I feel slightly embarrassed. I’m twenty-two, yet my room hasn’t changed much since I was a teenager.

“Wow, I would have loved having a room like this growing up,” Teegan says, looking around. I’m taken aback. Anton said she was raised by humans, but I don’t think there’s anything special about my room.

“What was your room like?” I ask her as Jelena walks in with a couple of suitcases.

“It was depressing. It was okay when I was little, but when my adoptive parents divorced, they pretty much stopped paying attention to me other than to see who could hurt me the most. Making sure I had decent things wasn’t one of their priorities.” Teegan gives me a small smile while opening my closet.

“What about me?” Kiana asks as she pulls out a pair of jeans and holds them up. I nod, letting her know to pack them.

“What about you, princess? I’m sorry. Did someone not give you your gold-plated toothbrush on time?” Teegan winks at me, making me giggle, while Kiana looks at her hurt.

“Hey, I ran away from the palace and lived with you for a few months in a cheap hotel, working odd jobs just to make ends meet.” She says in her defense. I can’t picture the petite brunette working any job, honestly.

“Okay, I’ll give you credit for slumming for a few months until the royal guards came to sweep you up and take you back to the palace. You poor little lycan princess, you. I hope you weren’t traumatized because you broke a nail.” Teegan smirks at me as she returns to helping me put clothes in the suitcase. I don’t see it coming until it’s too late. Kiana picks up a pillow off my bed and hits Teegan in the head with it. I’m so shocked I don’t know what to do.

“Did you just hit me with a pillow?” Teegan asks.

“Damn right, I did, and I’m going to do it again.” She pulls back to hit her, but Teegan is faster. She gets another pillow and hits Kiana in the face. While the princess is stunned, Teegan throws me a pillow.

“Here, don’t you want to take some shots at her highness?” she asks. I look toward Jelena, not sure what to do. I’ve never done anything like this; what if I do it wrong? Jelena is laughing as she leans against the doorframe, and the two women hit each other with pillows. She nods when she looks at me, so I hold the pillow up and hit Kiana with it.

“Not fair. It can’t be two against one.” Kiana says as Teegan and I double-team her.

“Oh, yes, it can. You have a big mouth, so that makes up for it.” Teegan hits Kiana in the face again, causing her to fall onto my bed. Teegan tosses her pillow aside and starts tickling Kiana until she’s crying.

“Stop, stop; you know I hate being tickled.” She squeals, but Teegan doesn’t let up.

“No, come on, Petra, take your best shot.” She says. I take the pillow and hit Kiana with it again.

“Okay, okay, you win. I’ll be your servant the rest of the trip.” Kiana says. We all burst out laughing as Teegan and I fall onto the bed. That was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I’m in the middle of them, and they each take one of my hands. I feel like crying. I have a mate, and I have friends. If I’m dreaming, please don’t wake me.

We get up and finish packing my things. Jelena stops me as Kiana and Teegan take some of my bags downstairs.

“It was nice seeing you have fun with women your age,” she says with a smile. I smile back.

“I really like them,” I tell her.

“They’re both wonderful young women, and I think this is going to be a great experience for you. Not only helping pups but making friends and spending time with your mate. Make sure you call me anytime you need to, okay?” Jelena says with tears in her eyes.

“I will. I’m going to miss you.” I tell her as we hug.

“I’m going to miss you too, sweetheart. I love you.” She kisses my head.

“I love you too.” We grab the rest of my things and head downstairs, where the others are waiting for me. Anton smiles when he sees me walking towards him.

“Ready to go?” He asks. I take a deep breath.

“Yes.” He takes my hand and one of my suitcases. After hugging Jelena again and then Garett, we walk outside. Anton has me sit in the front passenger seat while the others get in the back. I can’t help smiling as we pull out of the driveway. I don’t even know where our first stop is going to be, but I don’t care. When Anton reaches over to take my hand, I know this is the first day of the rest of my life, and I can’t wait.