Chapter 5

It all happened so fast: packing clothes, saying goodbye, waiting to watch my pack shrink in the distance as I leave them in distress. Luckily my mate agreed to leave the land alone, for now. I thought we would have a journey ahead of us to make our way back to Tate Pack lands, but there were three large, nice cars waiting for us. I knew everyone would not fit inside, then I figured it was only for important people, and weirdly I happened to be one of them. Now I sit alone in the backseat, waiting until it is time to go.

I stare out the car window at the forest scenery as the sun pours through the leaves. Birds sing and I close my eyes as if their songs are slowly rocking me to sleep. It was a long night with no time for rest. Between the attack, finding my mate, finding my family, and preparing to leave, I have exhausted myself.

My family. My heart aches knowing that I won't see them for a while. Kendra was crying and didn't stop until I couldn't hear her anymore. Her reaction made me think about changing my mind, but I knew I had to do this for myself. The gloomy clouds begin to shield the sun and the forest turns dark, almost mimicking my emotions and doubt. Where is my mate? I hope we leave soon before I decide to ditch the car and flee to my sobbing sister.

My fingers wrap around the door handle, threatening to push it open. More seconds pass and the more pressure I place until the door pops open. Instead of quickly shutting it, I leave it. My foot hangs out, then my arm, then my entire leg, and soon half of my body is out of the car. My foot hits the ground and so does my other. It is as if I have lost control of my body. On a limb I shut the door and stand outside of it, looking at my reflection in the window. I should get back inside and wait.

"What are you doing?"

I look to see one of the men who watched me in the pack house walking towards the car. "Um, just getting fresh air."

"Okay well, the Alpha should be here any minute." He says and gets in the front seat while I take my place in the back.

"You're driving?"

He nods and I lean back. Hopefully, he doesn't crash the car just because I was difficult last night, though that would be a very dramatic response. A minute or two pass and I spot my mate walking towards the car with another guy, but the guy leaves and enters the car ahead of us. My heart suddenly races for no reason as he opens the door. "Okay, let's go." He mutters and I nervously place my hands neatly on my lap. Never has my posture been so perfectly straight. Awkwardly I look away from him and back out the window.

The guy starts the car and we're off. After watching my pack land disappear— like I said I would— realization begins to hit me. Everything I have ever known is back there and her I am abandoning it with complete strangers. Thankfully my emotions stay hidden.

It is not long until I find my eyes drifting shut.

~•~

Voices prod at my mind as I begin to wake. My hair blocks the light from my eyes like a curtain, and I tiredly sweep it out of the way. My eyes flutter open and I take a moment to really wake up. Immediately I realize that we are still in the car, then I notice that my hard is resting against his shoulder. Swiftly, I sit up as my cheeks stain red. "Sorry," I mumble, shying away.

"No, it's alright," he mutters as if he was about to fall asleep.

I bite on the inside of my cheek. "Everyone calls you Alpha Tate, but what is your first name?"

"Eric," he says simply and my lips grow dry. My mate, his name is Eric, like a prince. A small smile creeps its way onto my face and I think of Kendra. Her favorite princess is Ariel.

"Do you have siblings?"

He looks at me. "A sister, her name is Caroline."

"Does she live with you?" I ask.

"No, she lives with a friend. Do you always ask so many questions?"

I shake my head, "no, but I'm just trying to get to know you, I left everything I've ever known behind so this is a fresh start. It would be much easier if we weren't complete strangers."

"Alright, tell me something about yourself."

"Okay well, I love mornings, when sunlight shines under my bedroom door and through my shudders. It creates a shadowy, striped pattern on my blankets. Oh, and how it's warm and cozy under the sheets, so I lay there and dread getting up for what feels like hours. I hear birds outside and soon enough Kendra will come crashing in and she'll destroy my little moment so quickly, but with love. She would climb in with me and we'll just talk until she's hungry." I pause. "In the morning the grass is damp and the rising sun brings me a day that I'm never promised, but I'm happy to see. Then there's sunrises, just the look of tinted clouds and a pinkish glow amazes me. Oranges and reds painted across the sky... it's just all so pretty." Soon enough I catch myself and I blush harder than before. "I'm sorry, I'm rambling."

Eric says nothing but he continues to look at me with adoration visible in his eyes. His gaze stays fixed on me as I unknowingly let my blush show.

"Alpha, we're almost here," the guy pipes up and he snaps out of his trance like state.

"Uh, Yes." He answers and takes a long breath.

I can't help but ask, "are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

I nod and look forward, hoping that I didn't make things awkward. Rambling is a habit that I am very guilty of, and most of the time it is about random nonsense.

I notice a building in the distance and Eric turns to me. "That's the pack house. It's located at the edge of our land for quick access to the main border position, but it also gives breathing room from the rest of the pack. My sister lives close by."

"Your sister, is she younger?"

"She's older, not by much."

The car stops in front of the house and I take a moment to admire it as if the house was painted and hung in a gallery. I open the door and shut it behind me. Suddenly the front door opens and a middle-aged woman appears. "Eric, I warned you not to attack."

He sighs and I look up at him. "Isabella, this is my mother. Though she doesn't live here anymore, she keeps finding her way back."

I smile and make my way towards her with my mate following right behind me. She stops and looks at me. "Who is this?"

"This is Isabella."

"Hello Mrs. Tate, it's nice to meet you," I greet her kindly, praying that she will take a liking to me.

"Call me Evangeline, please." She says kindly, but somewhat confused. Evangeline looks to her son and he walks up beside me.

"Isabella is my mate."

Her eyes grow wide and her expression molds into one with more excitement. "Your mate? Wow, this is so sudden. Isabella, please come in. Can I get you anything?"

"No, I'm fine but thank you." I smile and follow her inside.

"Mother please, Marina can handle things around here."

"Marina is getting old, leave her alone," she takes my hand and sits beside me on the couch in a living room. "I'm guessing you're from the pack my son decided to attack? I'm sorry about that."

I hear Eric sigh again as he leans against the wall. "It's alright, nothing permanent."

"Why are you here?" Eric asks and she glares at him in some motherly way.

"Excuse me for wanting to see my son, and making sure you didn't destroy another pack."

"Destroy is a harsh word." He says. "Isabella, come, I'll show you around."

Evangeline grabs my hand. "Why do you have to take her away so soon?"

"You are here pretty much every day, I'm sure you'll see her again," he motions for me and I stand up.

"It was nice meeting you."

She nods and smiles. "Yes, you seem like a lovely girl from the five seconds I've gotten with you. My son has always been greedy when it comes to things that matter to him, so I guess this is a good thing. I'll bring Caroline over later."

After we say goodbye Evangeline leaves and we are alone in the house. My eyes roam around the room. "You're mother seems great."

"She is a good person." He tells me. "Now let me tell you where everything is."