Chapter 3

I stumbled backwards terrified with no help from my wolf as she whimpered with her tail in between her legs. My back hit the wall as I kept my eyes on the sexiest man alive. No matter how much I wanted to eat him up I was also hyperventilating from fear.

He was a stranger. He could be a big bad man. He could hurt us.

Tears stung my eyes and before I knew it Brandon was in front of me pulling me into a hug but I could not take my eyes off of him. My emotions were playing tug of war with me, pulling me to fear and lust. I couldn't even tell what he was thinking as he watched me break down in tears in my Alphas arms.

I knew my pack felt helpless for their young little survivor. No matter how old I got they always looked at me as the child stumbling back home from years of being tortured.

I was now on Brendon's lap not looking at my...my mate anymore.

He was my mate.

I had a mate.

I should be happy but him being a soon to be Alpha made me sad. I could never be his I was too damaged.

The room seemed silent and I could sense only seven people in the room now. My mate was here with his father, my mate's pack were in the background, Brendon was holding me and Ashely stood with my mate and his father. Brendon probably told everyone by mind link to leave and they all probably knew it was for the better. Moon Gods I love my pack.

"Shh Alexa all will be fine," Brendon cooed rocking me back and forth like a child, "at least you now know your mate isn't a waffle."

My tears now stopped leaving me with hiccups I look up to my cousin giving him a weak smile before whispering, "he is better. He is a waffle covered in syrup and smells like one too."

My wolf agreed with me but still afraid as I looked back to the direction of my mate. He was closer now but his father's hand stopped him from getting closer now. His eyes showed so much sadness but I knew he heard me when I complimented him in my own unique way. I hope he doesn't think I am rejecting him. It's the last thing I want.

My wolf, on the other hand, wanted to. She wanted so badly to run away from him. She wanted to run away from the unknown and into the safety of the familiar.

I won't let her win!

I pat Brandon on his hand letting him know I was alright as I slowly and shakily got up from his lap using Brandon as leverage.

Flashes of bad memories flooded my thoughts but I just pushed them out knowing it was my wolf trying to tell me that would happen again if we trust our mate. She was too scared to see right so it was up to me to be the stronger one.

Letting go of Brendon I stumbled to my mate stopping in front of him yearning to touch him. His father and Ashely stepped aside watching us like hawks ready to step in if I had another episode. I was too determined to stay strong for my mate though. I might have slipped up back there but this time I wasn't going to cower.

"I'm not w-weak," I whisper to myself. My mother's words bring me comfort, 'you are strong Alexandria. Stronger than I'll ever be.'

I slowly look up to my mate as he watched my green eyes waiting for me to speak again like he was too afraid to say the wrong thing. "You smell like waffles and campfires," I mustered up the best smile I could for him.

"Waffles?"

His voice was so deep and delicious I couldn't help but add, "your voice sounds like syrup on the waffles."

He let out a low chuckle which vibrated through my body making me feel safe and pushed my wolfs fear away. She was still scared but it didn't affect me so much now I was in front of him.

"What is your name?" He asked me looking into my eyes as if he was taking away all my pain and fear.

"Alexandria."

"Mine is Aden." His name suited him I could already imagine him being called 'Alpha Aden of Midnight Warrior pack'. "Why did you cry my little wolf?"

"She is scared of you," I replied in a short sentence too scared to say too much.

"Your wolf?" He asked surprised when I nodded, he then turned to my Alpha, "I need to talk to you."

Aden walked away from me leaving me there to stare at nothing as he went to Brendon. I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding letting fear engulf me once again. There is only so long I can act confident but it's not very long.

I heard doors open and shut behind me and just like that, I felt myself collapse into Ashely's readied arms. Hugging her I tried controlling my breathing.

"You did great Alexa." She tried to reassure me while patting my back. "At the start, it was a bit much but you pulled yourself together. I am proud of you." She pulled back smiling at me with her beautiful face.

"I am totally fucked aren't I?" I tried to laugh out but sounded more like a dying bird.

She stayed smiling but her eyes frowned. The eyes always told the truth no matter what. "I won't say completely fucked. He was pretty hot."

-

I was now packing my bags with Ashely putting all my favourite clothes in and other items in it. There wasn't much stuff I needed just things like my computer, chargers and photos. I carefully put my photo's in my bag making sure not to break the photographed memories of my parents before all went to shit.

I really needed my mummy right now. I needed her to tell me all was going to be okay. I needed her to tell me how much my mate will love me again. 'Your mate will be everything you love and more. When you see him every day it will feel like the first time every time.' Mummy's words echoed in my head lulling my wolf making her feel slightly better.

"What if his pack hates me?" I ask Ash.

"They won't hate you, you are his Luna." She tried to reassure. "How interesting my best friend is going to be a Luna just like me. I would have never guessed it to happen."

"I don't think I will become a Luna I'm too....damage. He won't want me I am not worthy of him." I zipped up my bag before looking at my friend that had a sad smile on her face. Sad really didn't suit her beautiful face.

"You are worthy of him, you just need to give it a go. You will break here and there but in the end, I just know it will work out. You are stronger than you think you are Alexa." Her words soothed me reminding me of mum. She was so much like my mother...must be the reason I loved her so much.

I sat on the end of my bed with Ash now thinking about how the day turned from the best to the worst within hours. "Ash it's been two hours since they left to talk. They probably now know every little detail of my horrible sad life now." I cringed not wanting my mate to know what had happened to me all those years ago.

"Don't worry Brendon has been keeping me up to date with mind link this whole time. He didn't tell them what happened to you since that is your story to tell. It is up to you to tell them what happened to you so you don't have to worry about that. I can tell that is worrying you." Ash told me before going quiet, probably talking to her mate.

She continued, "he said he is just telling them how to look after you-"

"I am not a freaking pet that you tell your aunt to look after giving her instructions on how to look after it!" I cut her off fuming at the thought of them thinking I was a fragile pet that if you turn the wrong way would die before their very eyes.

Ash put her hands over my clenched ones trying to calm me down. "No one thinks of you as a pet Alexa we just care too much for you. You had a bad past and it's affected you so we have to let them know what to expect from you and how to deal with you. Our pack has had to deal with it for a while and knows how to act but their pack is bigger and don't know a thing about you. Alpha Maxwell and Aden need to know what to do at least."

She had a point and I knew she was right but I couldn't help but be butthurt about sounding like an injured puppy. I was an injured puppy. The thought hurt but it was true.

"How are they taking it?" I asked Ash to ask Brendon.

She stared off before answering me, "Maxwell is taking it well and seems happy to help you transition but Aden seems very on edge." She paused staring off again. "He said Aden looked impatient. I am sure everything will be fine Alexa so don't think too much of it."

"That isn't going to stop my wolf from thinking too much of it," I mumbled. It's all her fault that I was as scared as I am now. Everyone's wolf is their rock, their emotional support but mine was damaged and timid making me just as damaged and timid.

Ash and I talked for a good hour about how I should act and what to do if I start feeling anxious. We talked about how much fun we have had in this pack house. We talked about everything and anything like it was the last time we would ever see each other. I was saddened when Ash told me it was time to go outside to the cars. I didn't want to leave her, Brendon and everyone in this pack. They were my family.

Making our way to the cars I notice Brendon there with the three warriors. Alpha Maxwell and Aden were not there and I couldn't smell Aden's sweet scent anymore just the distant scent that he left behind.

He left me!

Thinking of the worse was not going to help so I continued onwards dragging my bag behind me with Ash next to me with my other bag.

Then I smelt it. The all too familiar scent of one particular human. "Nolan!" I screeched with delight dropping my bags on the floor looking around for him.

A head poked out from behind the big black SUV car, "Al?" His eyes wide landing on me and before he could do anything I was tackling him into a hug. Hugging him in I took in his familiar scent that saved me all those years ago. I could never forget this scent.

Pulling myself out of the hug I looked into the now mid-thirty year old mans hazel eyes. He had longish dark brown hair, he was taller than me with multiple scars on his tanned body (more than before). "You grew out your hair like I told you too." I was surprised he would even remember me let alone grow out his hair for me. Last time I saw him he had a buzzcut.

His smiled softly causing his laughter lines to wrinkle more, "I did more than grow my hair out because of you."

"Why are you here?" Frowned a little worried for my life. "Last time I checked you were a hunter born and breed."

"Now that is a long story for another time but right now we need to get you to your new home. If I am right you are Aden's missing Luna." His face held such a fatherly smile when he talked to me. His familiarness made me feel better about leaving and made my wolf cry out in joy for his presence.

"I am so happy you are here-"

I was cut off by a cough. Turning I see my Alpha and Luna slightly on edge unhappy about the hunter on their land. "What is a hunter doing here?" Brendon demanded information from the three wolf warriors.

I spoke for them before they could say anything, "Brendon, he is safe. Trust me."

Brendon growled out an okay before talking to the three men probably telling them how to deal with me. While he did this I went to Ash giving her a hug.

"I'm going to miss you so much!" I cried out into her shoulder.

"Who am I going to make waffles for now?"

Pulling away I gave her a stern but also amused look, "you better not make any unless I am here to eat them or you visit me and make them there."

Ash giggled happily that I wasn't so timid anymore and back to my normal self. "I love you," she said before I moved onto Brendon to give a hug.

Hugging Brendon I thanked him, "thank you for putting up with me. Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for everything."

"No need for thanking me." Brendon pulled away from me smiling, "I love you and if you ever need anything do not hesitate in calling me. I'll do everything I can to help you."

I nodded to him suddenly feeling cold. It was dark out and children were asleep, parents were watching late tv and I was leaving the last of my family behind. This pack will always be my home no matter what pack I had to go to now.