005.

Stella's POV.

I woke up to banging on the door. My head felt like it was being splitted into numerous halves. It was irritating, even more when that person behind the door didn't stop. 

I scowl, getting up from the bed and storming over to the door. Before the door fully opened, I snapped. “What?!” I glared at the person before me. “If no one answered, was that not a sign for you to leave?” 

The male, who I vividly remember as one of the idiots I knocked up the last time I was here, shifted on his feet. His gaze remained on the floor. “I apologize.”

I rolled my eyes. He could at least do it like a man. I was about to ask what he wanted, but the suitcase beside him caught my attention. I blinked and stood straight, what was he doing with my bag? I recall leaving it in the other pack before I went on my run.

He spoke again, this time looking up. “Alpha Owen asked me to bring your things to you.” 

How on earth did Owen know where I was staying?? No, wrong question. What made him think I'd share a room with him??

“Where's he?” I asked, tugging my box to my side.

“At the pack conference room. He has an ongoing meeting with the councils.” 

I nodded. I realized that this place was too quiet. I looked over his shoulders. “Where am I?”

“At his house.”

Oh. I looked at the shorts and big shirt I had on, then shrugged nonchalantly. “How can I get to the pack house?” I left the door ajar and walked inside to put on the first footwear I could find which happened to be a black Crocs that was at least three feet bigger than mine.

“Uh, it's a bit far by foot.” He trailed off, eyeing me. “But I can offer you a ride?” 

How big was this pack? I grabbed my bag and passed him a sweet smile, “oh, great…”

“Chris.” 

“Thank you, Chris.” 

By the time we got to the pack, the sun was already doing its job and I was glad I didn't decline his offer. 

“Thanks again, Chris.” I said as he helped me move my bag from the car to the front of the steps. He smiled at me before driving away. Okay, then. 

I breathed in. Then began to tug my box with me up the steps and into the lobby. What surprised me was the reception. Come to think of it, why didn't we have this back at Grandiose Apex?? 

The outer design did no justice to the inner decor. Instead of the usual wood we had at ours, here was filled with bricks and golden features. Like a high class hotel with a dangling chandelier hung above. And I wondered what else this place has installed for me.

The lady behind the desk raked my body with a displeased look. I cleared my throat, capturing her attention. 

She casted me a practiced smile. “Welcome to Almond pack house, how can I help you?” 

I frowned. “I'd like a room, please.” I paused, “how can I sign in?”

“Through Alpha Owen.” She stated.

I sighed and glanced at the clock behind her. It's past 2 in the afternoon, I didn't think I could wait for him to show up. I sighed again. “Just sign me in, I'll let him know when he stops by.”

Surprise flickered in her eyes before amusement settled in. My mouth puckered to the side, what was amusing?

“Alpha Owen? You?” She eyed me and laughed. “Why on earth will Alpha come here just to sign you in? Everyone new gets a pass from him. Leave, lady.”

“When Owen comes, ask him.” I passed her a sweet smile and stretched forth my hand. “Key.”

She scoffed. Ignored my request and dialed a number. Her eyes remained on me as it rang. When the other person answered, she picked on a sultry voice. “Hello, Gamma Chris.”

Chris? As in the one who dropped me? I crossed my arms and watched with a smirk on my face. They exchanged words for a while then her expression changed. 

“Yes, Gamma.” She hung up, looking shaken up. “I'm sorry for the confusion.” She said, not looking me in the eyes as she handed me a key. “Pardon my manners. Could we keep this from the Alpha, please?”

I snatched the keys from her hand and scoffed. Such audacity. Without another word, I walked to the elevator.

On getting to my room, I didn't bother checking around and just hopped into the shower. When I turned off the tap after washing, I knew something was off. I bit the inside of my cheeks and walked out of the bathroom, noting the belt of the robe I grabbed from its rack.

And I was right. Sitting on my bed, crossed legs and hands with the head falling forward is my mate. When he heard the bathroom door shut, he sat upright and stood up.

My eyes narrowed into slits as I took a few steps forward. “How did you get in?”

“I'm the alpha,” was his response and he took me in.

I blew out breath from my mouth and crossed my arms. “Eyes are up here, pervert.” 

He looked displeased. “I'm your mate.”

“One you almost murdered,” I shot back, walking to my box that I laid on the recliner. He frowned at that, not saying anything, but his eyes remained on me. “And what on earth do you want?”

“Why are you being this way?” He asked instead.

I paused my movement and casted a look through the curtains of my wet hair. “What way?” While I waited for him to answer, I turned back to what I was doing; scattering my clothes on the bed before arranging them into the closet.

“You're nonchalant, like I've been in your life for years, like we are not mates but strangers.” I stood upright, he hesitated before adding, “like you don't feel the mate bond.”

Because I don't. I dropped the piece of clothing in my hand on the bed and took two steps forward. “Do you feel it?” I asked, genuinely wanting to know.

I mean, I found it really strange why I couldn't tell my mate from afar. The only sign which interpreted that for us was eye contact. And thinking about it, maybe he knew why.

He had to know, right?

I took another step closer. Then, another. Until there was only a breath space between us. I watched his Adam apple move. I gazed up into his blazing silver eyes and at that moment, the world stopped. 

At that moment, I was certain that I was his mate. At that moment, I felt it; the spark, the warmth, the tingling feelings. And at that moment, it made perfect sense.

We made perfect sense and it didn't feel like an illusion of my imaginary thought. 

It was real. What we had was real.

I swallowed as we heard the thumping of my heart. It was like a loud echo. “Tell me what I don't know,” I whispered.

Owen blinked, his gaze roaming at every contour on my face. “I am glad to have found you.”

“What?” I felt hot despite being naked beneath the robe.

“You were not supposed to happen.”

“What?” I repeated, this time, in mild surprise.