Chapter 44 - Unexpected Mates

Dominick and Noah were still in front of the packhouse, looking toward the forest when Dominick caught a whiff of Kaleigh's scent. He stopped pacing and stared at the woods; his heart felt like it would beat out of his chest. Dominick thought he was looking at a mirage when he saw Kaleigh step out of the forest. He didn't even notice the other women; all he saw was his mate.

When Kaleigh's eyes met with Dominick's, she became teary-eyed. They ran to each other as if they had been separated for days rather than hours. As Dominick wrapped his arms around Kaleigh, she hung on to him for dear life. She was crying, not from sadness, but from happiness and relief.

"Dominick, I was so worried about leaving you here. Is everyone okay?" Dominick didn't answer right away. He leaned down and kissed Kaleigh. He wanted to taste her to make sure she was really here with him and not just a figment of his imagination. Kaleigh didn't resist but instead responded just as desperately.

"Kaleigh, I was going out of my mind. If it wasn't for Noah, I probably would have gone into the forest a hundred times to see if you were okay. We lost a few members of the pack, including Beta Jonathan. How are you? I felt a stinging pain a while ago, so I knew Brielle was hurting you." Dominick stepped back so he could look Kaleigh over.

"I'm fine, Dom. The stinging pain you felt was when Brielle was whipping me with a silver whip. I killed her, though, or actually, Skylar and I did. I'm sorry it took so long, but I had to break her down. How are Carla and Amber doing after losing Jonathan?" Kaleigh felt terrible for them, they had just become a family again, and now Jonathan was gone.

"My mom and dad are with them. Amber's mate Troy is with them as well. It looks like it may work out with him and Amber." Dominick couldn't get enough of touching Kaleigh. He kept running his hands all over her, ensuring she was really there.

"Did you say Noah helped keep you in line? I'm surprised he stuck around after the fight." Kaleigh looked behind Dominick and saw Noah standing near the packhouse.

"He wanted to thank you in person for releasing him from Brielle. If we hadn't already marked each other, I wouldn't let you near him, but I am okay with you talking to him. With me by your side, of course." Kaleigh laughed at Dominick's jealousy.

"You have nothing to worry about, Dom. You know I love you and no one else." Kaleigh leaned up to kiss him, showing him how much she loved and missed him.

"Alright, you two, that's enough mushy business. Let's get to the packhouse. I am tired and hungry." Felicia was looking at them with her arms crossed but a smile on her face. "Dominick, your mate, is amazing, and she kicked that wicked witch's ass."

Dominick laughed at his sister and rubbed her head, messing up her hair. He was glad to see all of them back safe and sound. Dominick saw a young woman talking with Allie and Mollie. She was someone he didn't recognize.

"Kaleigh, who is that with Mollie and Allie?" Dominick was concerned because he knew everyone on the pack.

"That's Celeste. When Brielle and the Dark Sphere witches died, she was changed to reflect her good heart." Dominick stared at the pretty young woman in disbelief.
Celeste looked completely different, nothing like the disfigured older woman she was before.

"Wow, Kaleigh, she looks great. I'm glad that she was true to her word and stayed faithful to you." Dominick turned toward Kaleigh and smiled. His sister was right; his mate was amazing. They both heard a ruckus and looked up. Tom and Lenny were running full speed to their mates. Obviously, they were missing them as much as Dominick had missed Kaleigh.

Kaleigh motioned for Celeste to join her, Dominick, and Felicia. Kaleigh could tell that Celeste felt a little out of place and didn't know what to do. When she got to them, Kaleigh smiled at her.

"How about we go get something to eat, Celeste, and then you can make yourself at home. You can continue to use the same room you had before if you'd like." Celeste felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been afraid that Kaleigh would want her to leave now that the fight was over.

"Thank you, Kaleigh I would like that." Celeste was still self-conscious, even if she no longer looked like a horrid monster.

The group headed up toward the packhouse. Noah was waiting on them, and Kaleigh saw something flash in his eyes. She was unsure what it was until she heard Celeste gasp next to her. Celeste and Noah were staring at each other so intensely that everyone around them felt like they were intruding on a private moment.

"Who are you?" Noah whispered. He was staring at the beauty in front of him, and he knew right away she was his mate. Her scent was familiar like he had seen her before, but it hadn't affected him like this.

"I am Celeste. I was one of Brielle's witches until Kaleigh saved me." Celeste could barely speak. She knew who Noah was. Witches typically do not have mates, but all she kept thinking was that she wanted to run into his strong arms. Celeste had never felt that way in her entire life.

"Celeste? You are the witch that was in the cave. You didn't look like this before." Noah was speaking very matter of fact. His bear Wyatt was telling him to go claim her. Noah was being careful, though. Being a rogue for so long and then under Brielle's spell had made him very cautious.

"Yes, that was me. Kaleigh changed me so that I didn't have to live disfigured anymore. Noah, I am a witch, and we don't usually have mates. However, something is telling me that I am yours. Am I wrong?" Celeste felt her face turn bright red. She couldn't believe she had just said that to this God of a man. She was a nobody, and he was a fierce werebear.

"Yes, you are my mate, Celeste. Are you okay with that?" Neither of them paid any attention to the others standing there watching the whole interaction with surprise.

"I'm okay with that. Actually, it feels like that's how it should be. Are you okay with me being a witch?" Celeste was fearful he might reject her. After what Brielle had done to him, she could not imagine he wanted anything to do with witches.

"Celeste, you are my mate. I wouldn't care if you looked the way you had before. Once you find your mate, nothing else matters except them." Noah smiled for the first time in a very long time. Celeste smiled back at him, and they tentatively walked toward each other.

Noah reached his hand out to Celeste, and they felt the electricity pass through their bodies when they touched. Noah wrapped his arms around her, and they both sighed happily. Noah never thought he would find his mate. Celeste never thought she would find love. Yet here they were from different worlds and content in each other's arms.

Kaleigh watched the couple with a smile on her face. If anyone deserved happiness, it was these two who had been hurt so badly by Brielle. Kaleigh looked up at Dominick and smiled. She pulled him and Felicia away so the new mates could have some privacy.

"I am glad they have each other. How about we get something to eat and then some rest?" Kaleigh looked up at Dominick and winked, letting him know there would be no rest after they ate.

"Sounds good to me. I'm starving." Dominick grabbed Kaleigh's hand and pulled her toward the dining hall. Felicia rolled her eyes.

"You guys are not very subtle. I think I will eat with someone not so mushy." Felicia walked off as the other two laughed.

"Now that she is gone, why don't we take our food to go?" Dominick didn't want to waste any more time or talk to anyone else. He wanted his mate to himself. They can catch up with everyone else later.

Kaleigh grabbed them each a sandwich from the buffet of food that had been put out, and they ran up the stairs to their room.