Fighting Destiny (Westin Pack Book 2)

by Julie Trettel

  “It's okay, it was a really long time ago. My parents weren't true mates. She died in childbirth with my youngest brother when I was seven.”

  My heart broke for him. I knew a little about his life growing up, but not much.

  “Hey, don't be sad for me. It's okay. Life happens. Mine may not have been ideal through it all, but no regrets here. I found you despite it all, didn't I?”

  I grinned and rose to my tip toes to kiss him as I closed the door to my office behind me. “That you did. Now, come on. What did Kyle want today? It's been bugging me all day. Is everything okay?”

  “Um, yeah, sure. Look it, take a seat, we need to discuss a few things. Decision time and all that mess.”

  I was a nervous wreck. What did that mean? I tried to clue in to his emotions. It was still a new sensation and I wasn't always sure I was really feeling him or imagining I was.

  “Calm down, love. I can feel the nervous energy flowing off you.”

  I grinned and relaxed. “Really?”

  He smiled, and warmth and love flowed over me. My eyes widened. “Was that you?”

  He smiled bigger. “I think so. It's kind of weird, right?”

  I shrugged. “I like it.”

  “Me too.” We fell quiet for a minute, just looking at each other, but not in some awkward way, more like just in our own little bubble shutting out the world, until he cleared his throat and started again. “So, about the meeting.”

  “Yes,” I said, clearing my head and trying to focus. “What did my brother want?”

  “You know that most of your family heard what happened yesterday. There's no way I can hide the fact that I've been banished, which means, we've been banished. I'm so sorry, Elise. If I had known he was actually going to go through with it, I never would have completed the mating and subjected you to that.”

  My heart sank. “What? You think I care that your asshole father banished you, or us, or whatever? Because I don't.” My emotions were raw and unsettled. “You really wouldn't have taken me as a mate over this?” Tears welled up in my eyes and I couldn't stop them from flowing. I had been thinking the worst all day, stressing over what they were talking about and what it would mean to us. “I know what it means to be a banished wolf, Patrick. I know that technically we are pack-less at the moment, but I don't really care. If Kyle doesn't want us to stay because of that, it's fine. We'll be fine. As long as we're together.”

  He was kneeling in front of me, pulling me into his arms. “Shhh, I didn't mean to upset you. I've been more than a little freaked out with the situation, but you're right. I have you and that is the only thing that matters in this world. I don't want you worrying over this. I just wanted to make sure you understood the situation. Others may talk. It can be seen as a sign of weakness for another pack to accept a banished wolf, but, Kyle doesn't seem to care about that.”

  I sniffled, not caring that my tears, and probably a bit of snot too, were soaking his shirt. “Kyle wants us to stay, doesn't he?”

  He nodded. I knew he would. Until this very moment, there had really been little doubt in my mind about it. My family would protect us. My pack would accept him with open arms. We were going to be okay.

  “We need to talk about this, okay?”

  “Okay.” I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. “Tell me, what did Kyle want today?”

  “First, he wanted me to know that I'm not just welcome in Westin Pack, but that he was never a fan of the idea of us relocating back home. He does not want to lose you just because we mated. Neither do your parents. They are all really hoping I'll consider taking the trials to formally join Westin Pack. How would you feel about that?”

  I tried to control my excitement. He looked a little optimistic and nervous asking. I knew I had to take his feelings into consideration, but I had never wanted to live anywhere outside San Marco. Visiting was fine. I liked to travel, but I barely tolerated my college years, and despised being sent off to summer camps as a child, I loved my town and my pack.

  “I really need you to tell me how you would feel about it, ҆cause if I'm honest, I've never wanted to live anywhere but San Marco.”

  He seemed to visibly relax. “I can understand why. I've been around a lot of packs, Elise, and nothing compares to this place. It's fecking amazing. I won't lie to you. It's tough on the pride facing this banishment, but it's only pride. You have a good job here, a life. We have a family that loves and supports us. I can't let my stubborn pride get in the way of considering that. I've never had the support you have here. Your parents, they love you so much.”

  I nodded my head, I knew it was true. I knew how lucky I was. Hearing stories like his and Kelsey's, they just broke my heart. I'd never know what it's like to have no one. I'd never know what it's like to feel like I don't belong.

  “I think you already know how much my family means to me, but it's more than that, too. I have a big responsibility to the pack. To this company even. We haven't talked much about things like finances and stuff, but this place affords our pack a different kind of life, a better one. I know that's not normal for other packs. Many struggle just to hunt enough food not to starve. I know that, but I've never lived that. We aren't supposed to talk or gloat about such things, but if you do decide to go through the trials, they will cover all of that. You'll see quickly that we have no real concerns about stuff like that,” I said earnestly.

  “Cole was already explaining a bit about that and how the Foundation funds the pack.”

  “Cole was at your meeting with Kyle?” I asked.

  “Yes, because there's more I need to discuss with you besides what pack we're going to submit to, but I'll get to that in a minute. Don't spare my feelings or hold anything back. Do you want to stay here in San Marco, permanently?”

  “Yes,” I said, without hesitation. “I've always known that someday I'd take a mate and if he was from out of pack that I'd have to follow him, because that's just what the female does, but I've always thought it was stupid and archaic. Why? Even if banishment wasn't in the picture, why can't we choose which pack would be best for us?”

  “And you think that would have been Westin regardless?”

  “You said you wanted complete honesty, so yes. I have a great job here. My family adores you. You were already part of the family before we even officially met. I know it sounds selfish, but you fit perfectly into my world, and I don't want things to change, but I know it's not all about me either. We have to consider what's best for you, too. No, what's best for us.”

  “You have a great job here that you seem to love. You wouldn't have to give that up if we stayed.”

  “No I wouldn't, but what would you do, Patrick? Would you want to come work at the Foundation? What is it you want to do?”

  “Honestly, no one has ever asked me that before. I was raised to be an alpha and that's never going to happen, but Kyle offered me a job already, and E, it's pretty damn close. I don't know if I can turn down this offer.”

  My interest piqued. I could see the sparkle in my mate’s eyes and I could feel his excitement. “What? What did he offer?”

  “He's reinstating Betas for Westin. Two of them at least. He said with the Foundation, the baby on the way, and all the added Alpha duties, it's too much for one person. He hadn't intended to take over the pack for several more years, and your dad and the Council apparently suggested that it would be the perfect time to consider reinstating the Beta program. He's asked me and Cole Anderson to take on the duties. It's not alpha, but it's leadership and that's all I've ever studied to be. What do you think?”

  I wiped tears from my eyes again. It was perfect. “You could be happy as Beta?” I could see he was barely containing his excitement.

  “Yes. It's more than I could possibly have wished for. If I accept this, we'll stay in San Marco. He said we could have the cottage for as long as we want, until we decide to build for ourselves. You can keep your job here for as long as you want it. We could have a good life here,
E. I discussed it with your dad, too. He feels strongly that the pack will accept me completely. Of course I still worry about the stigma of banishment, but they really went out of their way to try to convince me that wasn't going to be a problem.”

  “It won't. Not here,” I tried to assure him. There had been a time I had prayed that I would find my mate within Westin Pack, even knowing there wasn't one single boy of interest for me here. I just didn't want to leave my home and family, but this, this was even better.

  Patrick

  Chapter 28

  I gave Kyle my official acceptance Saturday morning. He was genuinely happy with my answer. He called an immediate meeting of the Council for approval. I had been in Westin territory for long enough that I already knew each of the Council members well. I had joined Saul and Mallick at the Crate for poker night on several occasions and they were itching to win their money back from me.

  “Tuesday night, poker night,” Saul informed me.

  “Sorry, old man, but that's family dinner night, and Mary Westin would skin my hide if I skipped. Not chancing it.”

  The entire room laughed.

  “I'd heard the rumors, and received the pack notice,” Quinton told me, offering his hand. “Congratulations, son.”

  “Thank you,” I said, genuinely meaning it.

  The Westin Pack Council was made up of six men, plus Kyle and now his father, Jason, Ambrose, Saul, Mallick, Quinton, Neil, and Cole Anderson made up the whole of the group. Ambrose liked to have an evening Scotch, so we often talked at the bar several times throughout the week. Quinton owned the bank in town. I may not have much compared to Westins, but he had been instrumental in getting my personal funds transferred out of my Clan's bank before they too were frozen. Neil was a quiet, serious man, and working closely with Quinton for me, handled some of the legal—or rather illegal—aspects of my da freezing my primary accounts. These men were influential in the Pack and knew me well. If they were willing to accept me, then maybe I really didn't have anything to worry about.

  “Used to be a time when you young people came to us for guidance and approval before mating,” Ambrose told the room, sounding more nostalgic than critical.

  “My apologies, sir. I was told specifically that it wasn't necessary when I inquired, because Elise is my one true mate.”

  “No need for apologies. You were informed correctly. My mate says I like to gossip more than the church ladies. May be some truth there, or at least I like being in the know around this pack.” That caused chuckles throughout the room. Even I knew that the real reason Ambrose took his Scotch at the Crate each evening was for the town gossip.

  “Alright gentleman, if you could all come to order.” Kyle formally opened the meeting. “We have a few quick things to discuss ahead of tonight's Pack Run. Nothing too surprising, I hope. Just formality.”

  “Thank you all for welcoming Patrick O'Connell. I can already see that introductions are probably not necessary. Anyone here who hasn't met Pat, yet?” The entire room shook their heads and remained quiet, so he continued. “Great. First, I'm sure you all received the pack notice that went out earlier this week regarding the mating of Patrick and my sister, Elise. My family and I are very happy to welcome him to our family.” Nods of approval and congratulations were aimed in my direction.

  “Thank you,” I told them.

  “Next, Patrick is formally submitting request for pack transfer and is prepared to face the trials that go along with that request.” There were a few murmurs throughout the room. “Are there any concerns or objections to this request?”

  My hands were clinched tight with nerves. What happened if they refused the request?

  Mallick motioned to speak.

  “Mallick, go ahead.”

  “Thank you, Kyle. Patrick”—he started directly talking to me—“I'm not certain what everyone here knows, or doesn't know about you, but could you please give us a brief introduction?”

  I cleared my throat and stood, waiting for Kyle's nod of approval. “I'm Patrick O'Connell, mate of Elise Westin. I'm the third son of Aidan, Alpha to the Irish Clan. My brothers and I were all groomed to take over as alphas someday. I was sent here to Westin to challenge Kyle for that position.”

  “Yet, you reneged on that challenge. Why?” Mallick asked, even though I knew he knew the answer to that already.

  “During warm-ups for the challenge, I caught a whiff of my one true mate. Upon meeting Kelsey, it was very clear to me that she was Kyle's true mate, and after smelling mine, I knew that I could not accept anyone else, nor could I take him away from his.”

  “I've known your father practically since birth.” Ambrose, the oldest member of the Council, spoke. “How did he handle such insubordination?”

  I took a deep breath. “Banishment.”

  There was some surprise and even outrage in the room.

  “To be clear,” Saul asked, “you want us to approve the acceptance of a banished wolf into the Pack?” Kyle's head nodded yes. “And you, Kyle, you were fully aware of his status prior to this meeting?”

  “Yes sir, I was, and given the extenuating circumstances, I stand by the request.”

  Neil's hand shot up.

  “Neil, you have the floor.”

  He stood. “I've worked closely with Patrick on some legal issues we're trying to resolve. I would say that there are many extenuating circumstances here. Not only has he shown our current alpha the utmost respect by reneging in the challenges, but he did so knowing the potential negative impact it would have on him. Perhaps slightly selfish in that his true mate played a factor in that, but we also have to consider that his father is an enormous ass. His banishment is a personal punishment, nothing more. His bank accounts were illegally frozen. Clan payments to his accounts stopped, but that was not enough for Aidan of the Irish. He took it to the next step when his son did not fall into line and rush back to beg for mercy. I support Patrick O'Connell's request one hundred percent. I would not send any pup of mine to live under that tyrant, nor would I wish it for Elise. Banishment makes an easy decision as far as I'm concerned. Patrick and Elise stay in San Marco.”

  He said it with such authority, like it was non-negotiable, and no one said a word to rebut him.

  “Go ahead and take the vote,” Mallick told Kyle.

  “Do I need to step out?” I asked.

  “No, son, you're fine right there. Best to learn your fate right away,” Saul told me. I gulped and took a deep breath. Okay, here goes, I thought.

  “Patrick O'Connell has requested pack transference and is ready to face the trials. Ambrose, how do you vote?”

  “Accepted.”

  “Saul?”

  “Yes.”

  “Mallick?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Quinton?”

  “Your father's an ass, and we'd be proud to welcome you at Westin.”

  “Neil?”

  “One hundred percent, yes.”

  “Cole?”

  “Hell, yes.”

  “And Dad?”

  “I already consider him a Westin. Yes.”

  Relief washed over me and I let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding.

  “That's a unanimous YES. Your petition for pack transfer is accepted and your trials will start immediately. Congratulations, Patrick.”

  The men rose and each in turn shook my hand. If I was honest, it was the most accepted I'd ever felt in my entire life, aside from Elise, of course. I felt like I had finally found my place.

  “There's more, so settle it back down. There will be plenty of time to celebrate tonight at the pack run. Patrick, as part of the trials, you are invited to join us at the pack house for dinner followed by the run tonight,” Kyle informed.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “Now, Patrick and Cole, please join me up front.” He paused, giving us time to get in place. “Next on the agenda. A special council meeting was held this week to discuss the reinstatement of the Beta program. I'd
like to formally introduce my first two candidates, Cole Anderson and Patrick O'Connell. Of course, Patrick's final acceptance will be contingent upon his completion of the trials.”

  “And surviving the challenges,” Cole pointed out.

  I cringed as images of fighting Niall to the death made my stomach roll.

  “You nervous about the trials?” Quinton questioned, reading my unease. “It's quite likely you won't even receive any challenges from within Westin and we only submitted notice to the nearest three packs. After what Kyle and Kelsey went through and the disagreement with the Bulgarians, I really wouldn't expect much to come of it, especially with Kelsey expecting a child.”

  “And the Clan,” I said.

  “What?”

  “The Irish Clan. My banishment came, officially, after the notice of mating was released. Likely because of it even. Because it was my pack at the time, they too were notified. My da's sending my brother Niall to challenge me and make up for my failure to the Clan. I've already been notified.”

  The room was silent.

  “You're serious?” Jason Westin finally asked.

  “I'm afraid so.”

  “Did you know about this?” he asked Kyle.

  “Yes, sir. While he did not formally notify me, I was present when he told the plan to Patrick.”

  “Asshole,” Neil said. “We cannot let him get away with this.”

  “Official war has not been declared. I cannot reject a potential challenger on the basis of his alpha being an asshole.” Kyle said.

  I had made the mistake of taking a sip of minerals at that moment and nearly choked.

  “What is the Grand Council waiting on? Because as far as I'm concerned we are at war. The Bulgarians attacked us on our own soil. They were behind the kidnapping of Elise Westin. Alliances are already being drawn. We are at war. It's only a matter of time before they try to attack again. If the Grand Council can't recognize that, then maybe it's time we removed Westin from the Council's holdings,” Quinton said.

  “They'd never agree to that. Westin fronts more than seventy-five percent of the Grand Council's funds. They cannot afford to lose us,” Neil informed them.