Filed to story: Cara Nelson The Guardian: Werewolf Book PDF Free
“Oh, good afternoon Alpha. Give me one minute to finish with our future Lu….. erm, our future Guardian’s flowers and I’ll get yours.”
“No problem Dorothy. I was headed over to pick up this beautiful woman before going to Lily Nelson’s memorial, so now I’m saved a trip.”
“I have my car outside R?k, I’ll have to drive it home.”
He takes my hand. “I’ll have someone come by and get it for you. Unless you need to get home for another reason?”
I look down at myself. I had planned to do another once over on my appearance, but that seems silly since Rik is standing here now and has already seen me. “No,
I didn’t want to be late to pick up Cara. I really wanted to be early, like hours early, but I restrained myself. She has things to do today and I don’t want to overwhelm her.
When I can’t wait any longer, I head over to the florist to get the flowers I ordered. yesterday. Dorothy had suggested that I start adding some color to Lily’s memorial, so it’s violets today. I’m surprised when I walk in and immediately catch my favorite scent, vanilla and honey. I look around and don’t see her. ‘Let’s hunt her down.’ Kai says to me, and I can feel his excitement. He’s been wanting to chase our mate for real. Unfortunately, Artemis isn’t yet ready to shift so Kai has had to be patient.
I stalk around some plants, following my nose. When I see her peeking around a planter, I know that she hid from us so we would have to find her. Oh my little guardian, you can never hide from me.
Wrapping my arms around her and hearing her yelp of surprise has made my day. I take a deep breath of her amazing scent and feel everything that was out of sorts in mind and body today settle immediately. She has become the balm to my stress and worries, and she doesn’t have to do anything but be in my presence.
I suddenly have a flash of Liam, having gone so many years without his mate. For someone that is as alone as he is, he really is a great Alpha. He doesn’t let his own emotions impact how he runs his pack. At least not yet. Alphas have been known to go feral if they don’t find their mates. I really hope he finds his, but I’ll be damned if he thinks he can have mine.
After convincing Cara to leave her car, we head to the memorial. I can tell when we arrive that she’s nervous. Never having had to live without my parents, I can’t imagine what it is like for her. But I plan to be by her side and support her in any way she needs.
When we walk up to the memorial, Cara stops and looks around. “You and your mother placed all these flowers?” She asks me.
I point over to a section just off to the side of the memorial. “I believe that group in front is from your father. And those around the back are probably from other pack members giving their respects. These on the sides are from my mother and I.”
I begin to walk toward the memorial, taking her hand and pulling her along with me as she takes it in. There are many people in the pack that loved Lily Nelson.
From what my mother said, she was a wonderful person with a beautiful soul. She touched so many lives in our pack.
I let go of Cara’s hand and walk up to the memorial. Following in my mother’s footsteps, I place my hand on the angel’s folded hands. “Thank you, Mrs. Nelson, for your sacrifice. Mom told you we’d never forget, and we never will.” I add my own part to the end. “I am keeping my promise to you. I will make sure that she is always safe.”
Cara walks up to me. “What was that? What promise?”
Before answering, I take my flowers and make room at the foot of the stone statue for both of our vases. I place the flowers and stand, looking back up at Lily’s angel.
My mind takes me back to that moment as I tell Cara. “The day your mother died, we were under attack and my mother tried to get us to the bunker, but we didn’t make it. We were cut off and were about to be attacked. Your mother came out of nowhere, taking out the other pack’s warriors. I can remember it so clearly. She was incredible. I’d never seen anyone as fierce as her.” I stop and look at Cara. Until you.” I swallow hard as I go back to the memory.
“She took down so many wolves, but they just kept coming and at one point, she was so severely injured, that she shifted back. I think she knew that she wasn’t going to make it. My mother had shifted and was fighting as well. However, you know my mother, she’s not a warrior. But she was holding her own to protect me. Your mother looked me right in the eye.”
My mind takes me back in time and I’m there, in the battle, seeing Lily dying in front of me, hearing my mother’s wolf snarling from somewhere behind me. I’m trusting you to watch out for her. Take care of her and keep her safe for me. Promise me Rik. Promise me you’ll always look after my little girl.”
Cara’s gasp pulls me out of the memory. “It was the last thing she ever said. I’m not even sure my mother knows she said it to me. I never told anyone. It scared me. But before her eyes dimmed, I promised her. I promised your mother that I would always keep you safe.” I chuckle humorlessly. “I’m guessing she didn’t realize her daughter would be a Guardian too.”
I turn to Cara and take her hands in mine. “So you see, I have a promise to keep. I must ensure your safety. It’s not just the Alpha in me, or the love that I feel blossoming in my heart for you, but I must keep my promise to your mother.”
I cup her face in my hand, loving that she leans into my touch. I lean forward and gently kiss her lips. I can feel the tears hanging in the corners of her eyes. I take my thumbs and wipe them away before they can fall. I pull back to rub my nose. against hers. “Don’t cry love.”
She sniffs and pulls herself together. She sets her flowers down beside mine. “Do you mind if I take a moment with my mother alone before we leave?”
“Of course not. I’ll wait for you at the car.”
When I get to the car, I lean against it waiting for Cara. I think back to that day. There was something in Lily’s eyes, in the way she told me to take care of Cara. It was like she knew. Like she knew that Cara and I would be mates. There’s no way she could have known, but somehow, I think she did.
When Rik heads back to the car, I take a moment to look at my mother’s memorial. “I miss you mom. I really wish you were here so I could talk to you about everything that is going on. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what the right choices are. Dad is great, but he’s not you.
I close my eyes and imagine that she’s standing here next to me. What would she say?
‘Follow your heart. It won’t steer your wrong.’
I swear it’s almost like she’s standing beside me. Like I can feel her presence. I’m sure it’s because I want to feel it so badly, but it’s comforting. I open my eyes. Thanks mom. I love you.”
I head back to the car. Rik kisses my head as he opens my door. I slide in and we head to the pack house. Now I’m nervous for a different reason. I’ve never eaten at the packhouse. From what I understand, it’s always full of pack members getting together. Even those that don’t live in the packhouse are welcome to join in at any meal. The result is a very loud, very busy cafeteria type atmosphere, similar to what we have at school.
When we get out, Rik takes my hand. I know I haven’t accepted being his girlfriend officially, but no matter what happens on Monday, I’m going to say yes. I’m going to listen to my mother’s advice and follow my heart. But since I really want to spar with him, I’m not going to tell him that until after our match up on Monday.
When we walk into the dining hall, the room goes quiet. I immediately regret agreeing to come here. Why is everyone staring at me?
“Cara!” I look up to see Luna Calista beaming at me. She has started walking toward us.
“Luna Calista, how lovely to see you.” I force a smile on my face, but I know it must look fake. I’m just hoping I don’t look like I feel, like I want to throw up.
I feel Rik’s thumb making circles on the back of my hand and I look up at him. He’s smiling down at me. I instantly feel better. I’m not on my own trying to navigate this new experience. He’s here and I know he’ll stay be my side until I feel comfortable.
Luna Calista comes up and hugs me. “It’s so good to see you. Rik said you’d be coming by tonight, but I wasn’t willing to believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. Will you join us at our table?”
She points to a table where Anders, Chase, Charles and some other ranked wolves are sitting. “Of course.”
Luna Calista pulls me away from Rik, who rolls his eyes. She steers me to the table and sits me next to her. “Mother, you can’t hog her for the whole meal.”
“Nonsense. If you want to sit closer, have Chase move.” Chase stops mid-bite, looking up at Rik like he’d be nuts to make him move. Rik jerks his thumb and Chase huffs before moving down a seat. Now I’m seated between Rik and Luna Calista.
An omega comes over and asks what I’d like for dinner. “Ummm, what are my options?” I ask.
“Anything you want dear, our kitchen staff are adept at making everything.”
I look at Rik, but he’s just smiling at me. I turn back to Luna Calista. “What would you recommend Luna?”
“Please, call me Calista or Cali like your mother did. And I’m a sucker for Italian.” I see the omega smiling behind her back. Apparently, it’s well known that our Luna has a weakness for Italian food.
“I love chicken parmesan and our chef makes the best I’ve ever had, isn’t that right Anders?” She says looking at her husband. He also has food halfway to his mouth, obviously not expecting to be pulled into the conversation.
“Well, it’s not steak with truffle butter, but it’s pretty good.” He says giving me a knowing smile. I smile back. “Chicken parmesan it is then.” I tell the omega.