Chapter 3: A new world

Nora’s POV

I smiled when I looked at the blooming flowers. The sun started cascading leaving a glowing yellow light that illuminated the earth and made it more beautiful. I heard the sound of footsteps approaching and I tilted my head back immediately. I saw Eleanor approaching me and my lips curled into a smile.

“You must be enjoying your comfort alone,” Eleanor said and I chuckled.

“Yes, it’s so beautiful looking at these flowers” I replied and she nodded in agreement.

“Alpha Austin hasn’t returned to the pack yet,” Eleanor said and I nodded.

“Yeah, I will wait for him” I replied and moved closer to her.

“Are you sure you are okay here? Do you need anything?” Eleanor asked and I smiled.

“I am fine, I will return to my chambers and wait for your brother to come back,” I said and Eleanor nodded. I left the garden and went back to my room sighing.

I have been living in the pack for almost two weeks now. I still feel hurt whenever I think about Louis and what he did to me. How cruel he was, but Austin doesn’t make the feeling last because he is always there to help me. He is a good man and I don’t mind accepting him as my mate. He treated me way better than Louis ever did.

I stood up from my bed and opened the window in my room. I looked outside the window and let out a sigh of relief as the breeze engulf my face and made me feel oddly comfortable.

I had my doubts when I met Austin, he looked so perfect and unreal, and I could barely trust him. I didn’t want my hope to come crashing before me again.

But he had been a patient man, he never touched me and respected my privacy while he provides everything I needed. I haven't told him what happened to me and he is giving me time to go over it and come clean to him whenever I want. I have never been so grateful and I wondered why I didn’t meet him first.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and tilted my head immediately. My heart started racing, my lips curling into smiles.

I knew it will be Austin on the door, I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t keep track of the time for his arrival.

He had left for some pack business earlier today.

I held the doorknob with one hand and placed the other hand on my chest to calm my racing heart.

I turned the doorknob and was welcomed by his pleasant smile. He looked happy to see me just the way I was happy to see him.

I hugged him and it took him by surprise.

We had never shared any physical contact between us unless holding hands. He was wary of wrapping his arms around me, afraid I will freak out but eventually, he did for the first time and it felt good.

“How was the trip?” I asked after we broke the hug.

“It was fine. Hope you were fine. I was worried you will be needing something while I was away,” he said, his forehead wrinkled with worries.

“You were only gone for the day, I am perfectly fine” I replied and he nodded.

“Would you mind joining me for dinner, and maybe we could sit and talk later?” Austin asked.

“Yes, I don’t mind, give me a minute,” I said, and he nodded before walking away. I quickly changed my gown to something simpler before leaving the room.

I met Austin sitting down at the dining table and I sat down across him. The chef served us, and we started eating quietly and the only sound that could be heard was the clattering of forks against each other.

I slowly raised my head and saw Austin had stopped eating, he looked as if he had something to tell me and was contemplating on it

“What is it?” I asked dropping my cutlery.

“I don’t know, about us,” He said, looking scared to talk and I sighed.

“I need to talk to you before you make any decisions,” I said, and he looked into my eyes

“What is it?” he asked

“Are you done eating?” I asked, and he nodded yes. We both stood up from the dining room and went to the balcony. We sat down together while the breeze blew my hair on my face.

“What do you want to tell me about?” he asked, eagerness and impatient evident in his voice.

“It’s about me. I think before you make any decision regarding me, you should know what happened." I said slowly with a sigh and he squeezed my hand.

" I found out I was mated to the alpha of my pack. I was so stupid and blinded by the love I have for him so he took advantage of me and tossed me aside. Not only that, he rejected me and asked me to leave the pack. That was why you found me in the woods." I narrated, biting on my bottom lip consecutively. Trying not to be embarrassed or hurt but I still felt the hurt. It was still fresh as if it happened a few hours ago.

Austin hugged me and I felt his fist clenching behind him. Maybe hugging me was the only way to comfort me and control his anger.

“How can someone do such a thing? That’s so inhumane!” Austin mumbled and the tears I've been holding in all this while broke out of their zone. He placed his hand on my shoulder and wiped my tears with his thumb.

“You should not let that bother you anymore," he said and patted my hair.

" I know it’s terrible and it’s hard to forget but I want you to know that I will try my best to make sure you forget about this and whenever you remember this, you won’t feel any pain again" Austin comfort me and I felt my heart become lighter a little.

“You have to be patient with me, it will take time to adjust,” I said and he nodded with a smile before wiping the new trail of tears away.

“Of course, I will always be patient with you,” Austin said and I smiled at him.

“What do you want to discuss with me?” I asked and he looked away, making my heart race in my chest.

“We should not bother ourselves with that anymore,” Austin said and scratched the back of his head while I gave him a disapproving look.

“I will Austin, you can tell me anything,” I said, cupping his face and he squeezed his eyes shut before letting out a sigh.

“I wanted to talk about the mating ceremony,” he said in a low voice and I chuckled at how considerate and shy he was.

“Let’s have the mating ceremony Austin, I am ready,” I said, smiling widely at him.