-Her 005-

I woke up with a migraine no thanks to the lack of sleep I had, and mainly because I slept at 3 or 4 in the morning. Upon arriving home from the party they had let me come to my room, perhaps they knew I needed to digest everything. It took me hours, staring at the ceiling with my thoughts along with my wolf's all over the place.

Happy, I was but then all the thoughts of tomorrow came rushing down to me like a waterfall. I had a mate! A new one! And that itself is something to be ecstatic about but then fear came. What if it's only a matter of time that he rejects me? Harris and I go way back but he said we will take it slow as to why he can't accept me just yet then. Told me to wait, only to be rejected and betrayed.

Patrice whined at that thought. 'We have a new mate. He's different,' she said to me.

Then the fact that Alpha Salazar Alfonso is a fucking Alpha not only of a pack but the Crimson Summit pack, practically the foundation of all the packs from last night. The backbone of everyone. If he were to accept me, not only would I have to accept him, but to accept the whole pack and the title as a Luna. That thought had my wolf purring, then puffing her chest in confidence.

I've always dreamt to be mated to a wonderful man, but I never once expected to be mated with an Alpha. Let alone to the Alpha of the Alphas. I've always known I have a lot of love to give, but this was to be bigger than that.

Holding my forehead, I stood up and proceeded to my bathroom. I washed my face before looking at myself in the mirror to be met with a pair of orbs with different colors. The sight of my eyes had added to my plate.

What if he rejects me because of my image? What if his pack rejects me because of my image? What if I do become luna and will be looked down upon no thanks to how I look? Will I be left alone again? Will I suffer another unwanted fate and if I do, can I take this blow? I don't think I can take another blow like before.

Tears threatened to cloud my eyes when it's as if on cue, someone knocked a couple of times on my door.

"Breakfast, Sue..." It was David.

"Coming!"

I quickly splashed some water on my face again before wiping it with my towel. Giving one last look on my face, I ran my fingers through my hair before descending from my room to the stairs.

The smell of bacon and eggs coated the air along with coffee and some chocolate. Mum makes sure to make chocolate beverage as she knows I don't drink coffee. The table was set when I arrived and David and Cynthia were already seated, they were holding hands and the she-wolf had her head resting on my brother's shoulder.

The couple gave me a smile when I sat down and my mum emerged from the kitchen with a tray of oatmeal cookies in her hands. I stood up and gave her a kiss and saw Daven tailing behind her, holding a tub of ice cream. Dad and Davis arrived just a few seconds after we had sat down.

The table was silent when we began eating. The sound of the utensils clanking on the plates filled the air. Glances were exchanged until my dad finally broke the silence by clearing his throat.

"Shall we address the elephant in the room?"

I ate a spoonful of rice with bacon, and another with egg, and another with both.

Breakfast seems to be good today as always.

Everyone seemed to have noticed how I seemed to be in a rush to escape the situation since Daven beside me held my hand which was holding the spoon. I turned to my parents and saw the look of seriousness on my dad, and the fondness of my mom. I swallowed and drank from my chocolate beverage before composing myself.

I was playing with my fingers beneath the table when dad spoke.

"Your mate has ordered to pack your things," he began. "He said he will have you driven by his men to his pack."

"You spoke? When?"

"Last night," he answered. "He arrived an hour after we did. We offered to call you but he said perhaps you were asleep so we did otherwise."

'Mate thoughtful,' my wolf commented.

The fact that he didn't bother to have me called is the bare minimum. It makes me wonder how he would be as a mate.

"Honey, if I were honest, he did seem like a gentleman," my mom interjected. "But of course it is up to you whether or not you would go with him.."

"Only you know what that would mean, Suerinity," my father continued.

I would be up for another rejection, however, it would be coming from me this time.

And I don't want that.

Staying here would mean losing a mate. It would have been different if my mate was an omega, but Alpha Salazar was like the Alpha of Alphas. No Alpha can turn his back on his pack to be with his mate from another place. No Alpha would give up his title to accommodate his mate who wants to stay in her pack. For his pack is her pack, an Alpha has to have a luna. As much as I love my family, it is only a matter of time that one by one we find our own families. And they will understand. They would want this for me as well. Besides, I can always visit them.

That is if he accepts me as his mate.

I tapped my finger on the table and looked at their expecting eyes. I knew any decision I make they would respect, and that they would be the most supportive if it would mean my happiness. They will always put how I feel the first priority.

"Okay."

I packed my things after taking a bath. I didn't really bring all of my clothes, I'd love to leave some here for when I visit. I had just closed my suitcase when David and Cynthia walked in the room. The couple gave me a small smile in which I returned.

"You're leaving, huh," David started with his arm around his mate's shoulder.

"What? You gonna cry?"

"Maybe," he chuckled before looking serious. "I'll miss you, sweetheart."

I teared up and gave him a hug before turning and hugging the red headed she-wolf who was balling her eyes out. I laughed and rubbed her back before they left. Mom and dad came in next and left me words of wisdom and assurances. Mom was crying and dad laughed at her. They both gave me a hug and forehead kisses before leaving. Daven was the one who came in next, his teddy bear in his arms and his jacket hanging on one shoulder like always. The playfulness in his eyes was nowhere to be found and I chuckled at his somber face. I spread my arms wide for him and he went ahead and held me in embrace. He told me to take care and to give him a call since the 'fun' sibling would no longer be at home. I ruffled his hair and told him to be good to our brothers and parents and to lessen the ice cream intake. He grumbled at the last part and left my room with a sly grin. Davis was the last to come and talk to me. He stayed the longest.

"So, Alpha Raven huh.." I told him.

"Yeah..," he scratched his head.

"Are you...." I was cautious. "Are you gonna accept him?"

He sighed and slumped his back on my bed. "I may have not looked forward to finding my mate but this I will give a try. Last night was unexpected and yet the pieces still slowly fall in the right places."

"That's lovely, Davis."

"I didn't expect that, you know," he sighed. "Having a mate, let alone someone like him."

Silence filled the room before he laughed. Then he cackled and I later on joined him. It was heavy packing my things but slowly my chest loses the weight.

"This will be a ride."

We discussed a bit more of his plans, he had not much at that moment. I learned Alpha Raven would come here later in the afternoon, too bad I wouldn't meet him. They would discuss whatever plans they have in the future here and have our parents informed.

We were waiting in the living room when Alpha Salazar's men arrived. One of them standing at least 6 feet with a military haircut entered. His aura radiated dominance but not as dominant as my mate.

My mate.

When I met his eyes, he put his palm on his chest and bowed. For a moment there I was afraid he would be disgusted to see his Alpha's mate with different eye colors. He seems virtuous. We immediately stood up to greet him.

"Good morning, my name is Ryan Woods," he introduced. "Alpha Salazar's Gamma. I am here to take you to Crimson Summit on behalf of Alpha Salazar."

My wolf somehow felt disappointed after knowing our mate wasn't here to pick us up. Me and ber both. Perhaps we expected much when we're only starting. But isn't that basic respect not only for your mate but her family as well?

Patrice whined at my trail of thought.

"Why isn't your Alpha here to do the job?" It was dad. He didn't seem pleased but the Gamma before us appeared unbothered.

"He had to deal with the further ruckus from last night," he glanced at me and put his hands behind his back. "Alpha Salazar said he would be home in three days and in the meantime, he would be pleased if our future Luna was accustomed to his home."

I felt my face heat up. I looked at my family and gave them a smile. I then stood up and fixed my skirt, smoothing out the wrinkles. Gamma Ryan smiled at me and asked.

"Are you ready to come home, Luna?"

I gave each and every one of my family a tight hug before getting inside one of the black cars. I rode in the backseat, Gamma Ryan in the passenger seat. It was a long drive that we ate lunch in a restaurant from neither mine nor their pack. Upon eating, the table remained semi-quiet. Gamma Ryan and I shared our small conversations. I was self-conscious but he didn't seem to care how the she-wolf before him had peculiar eyes. On the other hand, I would get funny looks from the diver but hearing nothing from him.

"So, are you looking forward to meeting the pack, future Luna?" He had a welcoming smile on his face.

I stammered and took a sip on my drink before answering.

"Well... I am new to all of this but.." he laughed at my remark. He must sense how unaccustomed I am.

"That's okay, luna," he assured. "I'm sure you'll be perfect."

I just gave him a smile.

"So, how long have you been his Gamma?"

"Oh? Since he got his title."

"Were you like… friends before he was alpha or what?"

"We've been pals since diapers, luna. It was already known he would choose me but I still trained and worked hard to be fit for the title," he answered. "What's your name, if I may ask, luna?"

"Oh… My name is Suerinity."

I had fallen asleep in the ride and was woken up when I was told we have arrived. It was already night time when the car pulled over a big house with a contemporary theme.

I was welcomed by alpha Salazar's maids and even guards. Gamma Ryan left me with them as they took my bags. Each of them greeted me and one showed me to my room where they settled my things in.

I was met with a big cozy room, with a color palette of pastels. The help told me I can have the room redecorated in the morning but I loved it the way it is. They offered to send me dinner but I refused, saying I was full from the lunch we had.

I put away my things and tried to sleep in which I had after a couple of minutes. Perhaps it was because of the long drive to here.

The next day I went around the house to get accustomed. The help showed me to the library, the music room and even the garden. I kept myself busy roaming around the house, getting familiar when I passed a table of pictures and figurines. My heart skipped a beat when I saw a man with familiar hazel olive orbs.

'Mate!' Patrice moaned at the portrait of our mate.

A snarl escaped my lips as jealousy consumed my body at the sight of a picture of our mate with a blonde girl. They were on a beach, his hand on her waist. They were wearing matching sunglasses and although Salazar wasn't smiling, you can tell they were happy by the big smile on the lips of the girl.

The image lived in my mind and it ruined the rest of my day that I stayed in my room sulking. Patrice was also fuming mad in a part of my mind, howling from time to time.

Is she a lover? Were they together and are they still going out? Is he with her right now and spending time with her and lying about not picking me up himself? Then why bother bringing me here in the first place?

I should probably start packing my things.

It was already night time and I couldn't sleep overthinking about my mate and his whereabouts. Sure, we barely know each other but I traveled a long distance to be with him.

'We need to talk to him,' Patrice grumbled despite being jealous.

Yes, I was overthinking and it's not healthy that I think like this ahead when we haven't even introduced ourselves to each other.

I took a deep breath to relax myself. I just have to wait for a few more days to talk to him. In the meantime, I just have to refrain from thinking nonsense and feeding my mind with delusions.

I tossed and turned on the bed, it was already midnight and I couldn't sleep. I decided to go down to get some water. I was finishing the glass when I heard the doorknob turn. Surprised how I didn't even hear someone come to the door, I nearly choked on the water that the excess spilled on my chest.

The door opened and the scent of mint, coconut and lavender went up to my nose, waking Patrice up with her ears perking upwards. Her excitement immediately went away when a scent unfamiliar to us reached our nose and I dropped my glass, it shattered on the tiled floor, getting the attention of Alpha Salazar and the woman he was with.

His hazel olive orbs lingered on mine, and darkened when his gaze dropped to my chest. His chest heaved up and down, matching mine as I took in sharp breaths. I felt my cheeks burn when I saw desire flash his eyes for a brief moment. His nose flared when his eyes raked my body and a squeal was heard out of nowhere.

I turned to the blonde girl he was with and realized it was her. She clung to his muscular arm and I snarled at the sight. She was the girl my mate was with in the image that clouded my mind the whole day.

So I was right. They were together.

I let out a growl and she jumped in joy a couple of times and looked at me with a smile, it knocked out the air from my lungs. The look on her face was oh so familiar to someone I knew.

"Oh, you must be Salazar's mate!" She ran up to me and held out her hand, perhaps for me to shake. "I'm Seraphina."