Chapter 3

Lily POV

            Popping out of bed this morning, I realize I have a date with my mate.  Wanting to dress to impress, I put on a cute summer dress in a pale blue that shows off my tanned skin.  The skirt comes to mid-thigh and has a cute vee neckline.  Adding my heels, letting my hair flow down my back, I grab my sunglasses as it looks like a beautiful day out there.

            As I walk down to the dining hall, I don’t see Jared yet.  I go to sit at my usual spot and watch the door for him to arrive.  I order breakfast, as I can’t sit there and look like I’m waiting for someone.  That would be more humiliating for everyone to know I had been sitting here and might have been stood up by my mate. 

Not that everyone knew I had found my mate last night.  I hadn’t told my parents yet and I needed to do that sooner than later.  I would hate for them to find out from someone else.  Unfortunately, I just didn’t know what to tell them.  I knew they would be devastated for me to know what I had experienced.  My parents had the textbook meeting mate scenario.  They met, fell in love immediately and had mated and marked each other within days of finding one another.  I think that’s why some of this is so challenging.  You grow up knowing how amazing it can be and then bam, what you experience is the furthest thing from their reality.

Looking at my watch, I am starting to think Jared isn’t going to show up.  Just as my breakfast arrives, I hear the door open.  As I am thanking the Omega who brought my breakfast, I feel someone come toward me.  As I look up, I am caught off guard.  It’s Jared, my mate, and he is still taking my breath away.  I wonder if that ever stops? Smiling at him, I nod to the chair across from me, where he can sit.

As he sits, he quickly looks at the menu and places his order.  Coffee is a must for him, so the Omega brings his coffee right away.  As I laugh at his strong need for coffee, I make a note to remember.  “How did you sleep last night?” I ask.  I know he’s at one of the hotels in the area.  “I slept alright; well, that’s not true Lily.  I didn’t get much sleep last night and I got into a fight with Jemma this morning.  She didn’t understand why we were getting together.  I admit I had my reservations after she finished her reasons why I was making this harder for you.  And then I just knew I had to see you, so I left to come here,” he says. 

“Wow I think that’s the most I have heard you say since I met you, Jared,” I laugh while he chuckles as well.  “I am known for ensuring that a conversation never lags.  I love to chat, I love being around people,” I share.  “That’s a good trait to have Lily, I can honestly say I am not one to carry a conversation very well,” he laughs at himself.

“So, what do you do at the Black Shadow Pack?” I ask Jared.  “As you know I’m the Alpha, so that takes up a significant amount of my time.  And we own a construction company, as well as a couple clubs back home, that consume the time that is left,” he mentions.  Nodding, “That would keep you very busy,” I say.

“What about you Lily?  What keeps you busy here at the Golden Moon Pack?” Jared asks.  “Well, I just finished my education degree, so I plan to teach.  I spend time at the daycare with the pups, using my education degree supporting the teachers there.  I’m also Alpha Kate’s right hand for the Pack,” I finish quietly.

“Oh?  How is that possibly going to work, if you were to go with me?” Jared asks.  I explain to him when Kate took over as the Alpha, she had a Beta and a Gamma but needed someone to cover the Luna duites.  So, she asked me to take that role, which I did.  “So then how will that work with your mate?” Jared asks a little confused and a little defensively.  I smile, “No worries, I told everyone at the ceremony it was only until I found my mate, needless to say everyone got a good laugh when I said that,” I chuckle.

“I see, so how have you enjoyed doing the Luna duties?  Do you feel you have the talent to be a Luna?” Jared asks.  Now it’s my turn to be a little defensive.  “I’m doing excellent work. I planned the Summer Ball in its entirety.  I support the Pack members; I bring issues to the attention of the Alpha.  Frankly, I’m damn good at it,” I finish.

Holding up his hands, Jared smiles, “I guess I have only seen other female Alphas be Lunas.  I guess it’s time for me to expand what I know to be right,” he concludes.  “Yes, I think it is time you stepped into this century Alpha Jared.  And it’s also time you trusted the Moon Goddess to know that she only makes matches that complement one another,” I say.

Jared stares at me for a couple minutes.  Jared’s stare is making me a little uncomfortable.  As he finishes his breakfast, I realize it’s time for us to go for a walk around the Pack grounds.  Standing up, I look to him wondering what he’s thinking.  As he stands up, he puts his hand on my lower back to walk out ahead of him.  I’m completely taken away with the sparks that are bouncing between us.  I can’t believe how amazing it feels having my mate touch me.

I start with showing Jared my favourite places, telling him stories of growing up at the Golden Moon Pack and how Kate and I have been best friends from birth.  He laughs at my stories and shares a few of his own.  I am coming to realize Jared has a bit of shyness to him, uncommon around Alphas.  Don’t get me wrong, he has a strong aura and definitely carries himself as an Alpha.  He’s just less inclined to share and more likely to listen. 

I love his laugh.  When he laughs, he has an open mouth, deep laugh that you can tell he is genuinely into the story.  He’s not distracted; you have his full attention.  That’s what I liked most about my morning with Jared.  I wasn’t competing for his company; he was there one hundred percent. 

I started showing him some great spots on the Pack land – some of my favourite and private areas.  As we were standing taking in the amazing scenery he reached over and kissed me.  A slow kiss that enveloped me so there was only the two of us who existed.  I opened my mouth and his tongue slid over mine.  Exploring and tasting while the sparks continued.  Deepening the kiss our tongues start to battle for dominance.  As I move closer to Jared, I can feel his entire body close to mine.

As the kiss ends, Jared rests his forehead against mine as we try to catch our breath.  “I can’t leave you Lily,” Jared says.  “I don’t have all the answers yet, but I want you to come home with me, so we can try to learn more about each other,” he says.  Tears coming to my eyes, I slowly nod my agreement.  Jared hugs me and takes my hand as we head back to the Pack house.

“Oh Jared, I can’t come today.  I have to wrap up a few things with Kate before I leave.  I just need a week and then I’m all yours,” I say.  Disappointed but nodding, Jared agrees.  Also feeling cautious, I feel the need to say, “One other thing Jared.  I will know if you are intimate with your friend, so all I ask is that you aren’t intimate with her, the pain from you kissing her last night was enough,” I say.  Shocked that I would even be aware, he nods, “I understand, Lily.”.

Smiling we move out of the forest to see the she-wolf hunting Jared down.  As she spots us, her eyes spit venom.  She’s dressed in a slim fitting dress, heels that go through the grass when she walks and looked a little sweaty from her search.  “Jar, we are leaving shortly; can you grab my bags?” she whines.  I can hardly believe my mate would have chosen this woman, much less planned to make her his Luna.

Before Jared can walk away, I lean in and give him another kiss, just to remind this woman I was a strong contender for Jar’s attention.  Laughing to myself, I walk away to find Kate.  We had a lot to get done in the next week.  I had given my cell number to Jared, and he gave me his.  As I was walking into the Pack house, I heard a ding on my phone.  A message from Jared thanking me for a lovely morning.  Strong contender indeed.