Chapter 6

I froze in place, my mouth suddenly dry. The man scowled at me after squeezing the omega’s hand as if to ask her to stay before she pulled away.

“I’m so sorry miss! I will get back to work right away!” The omega blushed and scurried away as fast as she could.

I stood paralyzed as I watched the couples interaction. It sickened me to see so much love and passion exude from the man’s eyes as he watched the young she-wolf slip away from his grasp. 

My heart ached, but for reasons I couldn’t explain. I didn’t have my wolf yet, so how could he be my mate? We can’t tell until they emerge, and he certainly didn’t jump for joy at my presence. 

So why did I suddenly have such strong and angry feelings towards this man?

The man was tall, towering over me in an intimidating stature as he approached and stood in front of me. He was more attractive than I initially gave him credit for now that I was standing toe-to-toe with the gloriously sexy wolf. His arms and chest clearly showed his strength with muscles so built and developed, I doubted he had any issues with the ladies. That thought annoyed me.

How could I be this attracted to someone I just met in one hand, but so fucking nervous all in the same moment? 

Was he going to do something to me for interrupting his intimate session? 

My heart began beating so fast, I’m sure he could hear how nervous he was making me.

He inhaled a deep breath of my scent before growling and clutching his fists into balls at his sides. He quickly exhaled before storming off towards the front of the packhouse looking indifferent and unphased by our encounter. 

I was so confused! How could I be sensing such a strong scent, one that is supposed to present AFTER I shift for the first time and gain my wolf, but I didn’t have my wolf yet? 

And if he WAS my mate, and he is clearly older than eighteen, why didn’t he scent that I was his mate? He didn’t look bothered by my presence for even a millisecond other than when he showed how upset he was that I interrupted him.

I quickly shook the stunned expression off my face, collecting my thoughts and nerves and went back to the front of the packhouse to head back upstairs for a moment of reprieve. If this was a sliver of a taste of what is to come, living here with both packs under one roof, I was in for a more tumultuous and bumpy ride than I had initially expected. 

I still had my mind-link open, since they had arrived, even though I was yet to meet this Alpha heir I was betrothed to mate, so it was no surprise when my mom came through.

‘Honey, don’t you think it would be polite to come visit with Luna Mercury right now? She will be your mother-in-law and you will have to live under her until you and her son mate and mark each other.’ 

Dammit…I groaned. She was right. No matter what my life would be like over there, this woman may be my only saving grace and safe haven if worst came to worst. I needed to ensure that she would support me if I ever needed the help.

I turned around after only climbing the first few steps and headed straight for the lounge where I knew my mom would be enjoying a cocktail with the visiting Luna while they waited for the Alpha’s to finish up business.

‘Yes mom…you are right. I’m headed there now.’

After walking into the room and gracefully sitting next to my mother to be a cordial and hospitable host, I struck up a conversation with the Luna’s about the upcoming Lunar Festival. 

Every pack is excited about the festival and they celebrate it differently in each pack. Luna Mercury explained some of the subtle differences between how we celebrate it and how they do. Just then, Alpha Donovan and Alpha Mercury emerged from Alpha Donovan’s office, both holding a glass of scotch in their hands as they patted each other on the backs bellowing loudly.

“Awe, I see the women have been getting along in our absence!” Alpha Mercury came up to sit next to his mate and kissed her lovingly on the cheek.

Alpha Donovan stood leaning up against the bar, nursing his glass with a huge smirk on his face, clearly happy about something.

“Oh yes dear! We were just talking about the upcoming Lunar Festival and what we do differently from each other’s pack to celebrate,” Luna Mercury sweetly explained to the Alphas. 

Just then, I began to smell that fresh baked chocolate chip cookie smell growing stronger. Less than a minute later, I turned towards the smell to see the tall, dark, and brooding man from earlier casually leaning up against the door frame to the lounge with his hands shoved in his pockets.

How long had he been there before I scented him? Why was he even here eavesdropping on what is clearly a private and privileged conversation? 

“Well, I guess this is as good a time as any to introduce you to my son, your future mate, Weston Mercury…WESTON…where did that little bastard go now?! WESTON!” Alpha Mercury growled and grumbled as he stood with his back to the mysterious man quietly leaning against the doorframe. He started turning to look around for his elusive son.

“Yes, father…I’m right here,” He stated in a rather bored tone as he meandered a little further into the lounge. The place looks more like a small, quaint bar than it does a lounge. Maybe that was putting him off…wait…did he just…he is…my. future…MATE!?