Chapter 4 Don't Lie

 Time stood still, no one said a word. My father’s eyes were wide as saucers and I could sense a strange emotion from him. Fear? No, that couldn’t be right. My mother though, the shock of what I just said started to sink in then a huge smile broke out and she grabbed me in a crushing hug. “Oh, son I am so happy for you!” She released me and looked me up and down and fixed my hair. I like it messy for a reason, I quickly spiked it up again in random directions.

“Mom!” I protested. She was embarrassing me in front of Samantha! I glanced over at her, she was watching the three of us wide eyed, studying us. She started to walk around the desk towards the door.

“Please feel free to use my office, my beta just alerted me to a problem I must see too.” Her voice was wavering, was she nervous around my parents? Why? They are just my parents.

My mom pointed at her direction. “Wait right there young lady,” She walked right up to Samantha and gripped her in the same hug I was just trapped in. “I want to officially welcome you to our family.”

Samantha’s eyes went wide, her arms were pinned to her sides. “Um, thank you. Ma’am” She went to pull herself away carefully. “Um, I have to go and check on something.....and I need to go attend to some things.....please make yourselves at home here.....uh.....” My mother just held her tighter and Samantha’s eyes started to bug out slightly.

“Mary, the alpha is very busy. Why don’t you let her go and handle what she has to handle.” My father said sternly, he placed his hand on my shoulder. “We should probably let these two talk some more. And it's getting late, we can all talk tomorrow.” He squeezed my shoulder slightly and smiled at me finally. “Congratulations, son.”

My mom smiled at the two of us again as they both left. I looked towards Samantha, her breathing was slightly erratic and her eyes were wide. Small flecks of silver were now dancing among the forest green in her eyes.

“Hey...I said gently, slowly walking towards her. You okay?”

She looked at me, and slowly nodded. “I’m sorry, it's just I’m not used to people hugging me. I wasn’t prepared.” She laughed a little nervously. “My training almost kicked in. But yeah, I’m good.” She glared at me, playfully. “You could have warned me you know!”

“Hey! You just watched her do that to me, isn’t that warning enough?” I responded.

“Nope!” She smiled as she exited her office with me following behind. We walked to the very end of the hall, and I couldn’t help but notice how her heels truly helped her figure. Her legs were longer and I couldn’t help but stare at her ass. That saying kept coming to mind: hate to see her leave but happy to see her go.

She looked over her shoulder shyly, as she opened the door to the room. “So, I guess you don’t want me to burn these shoes, huh?”

I blink uncontrollably, my face turning into a tomato again. I quickly look down, “Uh....um....sorry.” I stammered.

She giggled slightly and went inside. I hesitated; I had never been in a woman’s room before. Other than my sister, but that didn’t count. Carefully I peered inside, and was shell shocked. Her room was huge! The largest four poster bed I have even seen was positioned on one side while the other was decorated like a cozy living room. A loveseat and coffee table were placed against the wall facing a huge TV with a gaming system attached. She had a tall bookcase beside it with blurays and books. Curiously I looked at her collection and was slightly shocked to see that these books were actually manga, and various anime collections. Looking around her room again I noticed there were anime figures displayed here and there, and a few wall scrolls hung from the walls. A couple of them I recognized but many I didn’t.

“Hey, I need to get this hairspray out of my hair, so do you mind if I take a shower first?” She called out, I looked around looking for her before I noticed she was in her closet with a change of clothes for herself. “You like anime?” She smiled, “If you don’t see anything you like there you can turn on the TV, I have a bunch of streaming sites. I shouldn’t be long though.” She walked to the other door, that must be the bathroom.

“Oh, no. Take your time. It's your place afterall.” I responded.

She gave me a strange look, “Right. Well, Jess brought your stuff in. Over there by the couch. I made some room for you in the closet for your stuff.”

I nod as I go to my bag, again I’m self-conscience of something else tonight. What did she and Jess think of me, I only brought one bag! What was I thinking??? Oh yeah,  I wasn’t planning on staying, who would have guessed that I would be the one expected to leave my home pack? I shrug though, its not like I’m very important in my parent’s pack anyway. I’m not looked to lead, not expected to step up into a titled job. The Gamma position was already filled, and the Beta position was probably going to go to Chris’ best friend. I’m just considered eye candy...or at least I was before I stopped caring about myself, I can’t remember the last time I had a hard-core training session, I probably couldn’t bench 100lbs anymore. It just dawned on me that I was asked to lead a pack! Like my father! My knees buckled and I sat on the couch with my head in my hands. I don’t have the slightest clue about leading a pack, and I never hung out with my father or brother while he was in training. Oh hell, I can’t be alpha! And this pack is huge! Images flashed in my head of the pack collapsing and Samantha angry with me and rejecting me. Why oh why did the Moon Goddess do this to me, to HER? I was so engrossed in myself that I didn’t notice the bathroom door open and Samantha come out.

“Hey, your turn.” She looked at me suddenly and walked over to sit beside me. “What’s wrong?”

I couldn't bring into words what I was feeling, what I was thinking. I am such a pathetic soul I can’t even tell my mate what is wrong! I just shook my head. “I um, just have a lot on my mind.”

Samantha gave me a small smile. “So, the shower is open. I’ll be waiting right here, if you need anything just let me know. Okay?” She sounded worried, damn I’m already letting her down. We haven’t even known each other for 24 hours yet! I grabbed my bag and went into the bathroom. Damn even the bathroom is enormous! I sat my duffel on one side of the double sink and looked around. There was a jacuzzi style tub that could easily fit two people and a large shower with a seat. I look in the mirror and look at myself, I have bags under my eyes from not sleeping very well, my arms and chest looks puny, there is no way I can defend a pack let alone lead it. I know Lily and Chris have been urging me to work out and practice drills lately but I just haven’t found the energy. Now I can see why they seemed so worried every time they ask. I can’t even remember the last time I went for a run and felt energized and at peace afterwards.

I know I should at least tell Samantha what she is getting into but I am so scared of her looking at me with a disgusted look, of her denying our bond, of me being alone again. She seems so confident, so sure of what she is doing and what she wants there is no way she will want me.

Quickly, I finished by business and changed into a pair of sweats and a plain tee shirt. I grab my sneakers and head out of the bathroom. Samantha is stretched out with her feet crossed on the coffee table in front of her, her eyes are closed and her breathing is steady. Did she fall asleep? I take the time to breathe in her sweet scent. It is very calming, she is wearing a brown outfit which looks like some kind of animal hide. She is wearing moccasins which look to be from the same material. Her hands are crossed and I see she also has gloves on again.

“Feel better?” I start slightly, I didn’t realize she was awake. “Uh, yeah.” I lie, I’m not brave enough to tell her the truth. She lifts her head to look me dead in the eye. “Don’t lie to me. Your heart rate increased and your chest turned a little red.” She looked at me pointily, waiting for me to continue.

“It’s just that...I don’t want you to hate me, reject me...” I start. “I mean, I’m not anything special, I mean yeah my dad is an alpha and I have alpha blood but I’m not...”

Samantha slowly got up and crossed the room to me. She reached over and placed her hand on my arm. “My dad once told me...” she started, her voice wavering slightly, “we as wolves may make mistakes, but the Moon Goddess does not. Who are we to question her plan?” She looked deep into my eyes and I could feel myself lost in them. “She brought us together for a reason, we are supposed to be each other’s other half.” She smiled sweetly, “We just have to trust her judgement. And as for me rejecting you?” She shook her head slowly. “I will never do that, and since we are being honest here, I was actually scared you would reject me. Not many men like women who don’t need saving. Someone like me who can handle her own is like a repellant it seems.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! She was having the same insecurities I was having? But why would she think that, she is perfect! Almost a goddess herself. I reach my hand up and graze her cheek, sparks and energy flowed between us. All too soon she breaks contact with me, reaching instead to take her gloved hand in mine. “Come on," she said. "We have some rounds to do, and I feel like yelling at someone today.” She giggled, “You would be surprised how much stress that will take off your shoulders.”

Dad’s words suddenly resounded in my head again, and I had to wonder why he was acting so weird around Samantha, why did he seem afraid. He said she had a short temper and was strong but how could this angel really be a demon?