Strangers No More

~Alayasia~

It’s been so long since I’ve been in this dining room with other pack members. I’m usually in the house, eating with Zara. I actually miss interacting with people to a degree. I don’t miss it too much because many people, over the years, have looked down on me. Everyone I come across thinks I’m basically a human, and they choose not to deal with me because of that. I’m used to being on my own, but it is nice to be around others sometimes. 

He’s sitting right in front of me, and I swear I can barely breathe. I’m trying my hardest to focus on this dinner, but my stomach is in knots. I’m disgustingly aware of Maxim’s presence next to me, and it’s taking everything in me to act in the way that he deems appropriate. 

Maxim is busy discussing Goddess knows what with whoever he’s sitting next to. He isn’t paying any attention to me, so I risk the chance to glance at my mate. I keep my eyelids low and let my head hang slightly. I look up, through my eyelashes and hold my breath to keep in my gasp. 

This man is light-skinned with chiseled angles across his face. He has dark brown eyes, full lips, and long lashes. When he got out of the car, I was able to see that he’s tall, a few inches taller than Maxim. He’s also bigger than Maxim, muscle-wise. They are both Betas, but I think my mate works out more than Maxim does. 

I have to say that he’s the most attractive man that I’ve ever laid eyes on, and that makes me nervous. It may hurt that much more when he rejects me. I guess I should reject him since I’m already married to someone else. No, in order to reject him, I’d have to acknowledge that I’m human and I can’t do that. 

I close my eyes and sigh internally. This is all too much, and I don’t know how to handle it. I wish I could talk to his wolf. 

I know Clover. I know it’s killing you to remain silent. 

It isn’t too hard since he can’t sense me anyway. That helps a little, but not much. I feel a sharp pain in my side, and I quickly open my eyes. I slowly lift my head, not wanting to alert anyone that there’s an issue. 

I feel Maxim move closer to me, his hot breath on my face. “People are looking at you. Eat your damn dinner and act like the Beta female you’re supposed to be.” I swallow the lump forming in my throat. I straighten my spine and put a slight smile on my face. 

Usually, in these situations, I’d let my mind wander and imagine a better place… a better life. If I do that now, I will miss out on whatever is going on at this table, and Maxim will make my punishment that much worse. I have to stay alert no matter what. 

Luna Olivia speaks to me here and there, making me be sure to respond to her. As much as I don’t want to bother, I’m glad she’s trying because it’s keeping me alert. His scent is pulling me in, and fighting against it is taking everything I have. 

I feel eyes on me, and I know it’s my mate looking at me. I want to look at him so badly, stare deeply into his eyes. I can’t do that because if I did, he’d know what I’ve been trying so hard to hide. I really just want to get up from this table and be done with this. 

I don’t know how long we’ve been at dinner, but I feel him when he stands to his feet. He says a few words to his Alpha and steps away from the table. He turns toward the sliding glass door, but I keep my eyes on my plate. Maybe I will be able to breathe and perhaps even eat. 

~Houston~

My mind is a mess, and I can’t take it anymore. I stand from the table and tell Tyrice that I’m going for a walk. I’d go for a run, but I’m not at home. I can’t risk my wolf being mistaken for an enemy on packlands.

I step across the threshold and close the door behind me. I close my eyes and breathe in deeply. The fresh air feels good in my lungs, and it’s starting to clear my head. I step off the deck and stroll through the field. There’s a garden up ahead, and I’m sure it will be a good place to relax for a bit. 

“Mister?” I stop in my tracks and look around. I don’t see anything, but I know I heard something. I move slowly, continuing to walk to the garden. Movement to my right catches my eye. I stop in front of a small playground and catch the swing in motion. I move toward the playground, letting my eyes roam over the area. 

A change in scent catches my attention. I don’t think I’m in danger, and Colby seems to be at ease, though very curious. “Mister?” I turn around to find a little girl sitting on the end of a seesaw. She’s cute and looks relatively young. She has light brown skin and long, curly hair. Her eyes look a bit weird, but I don’t know much about children, so that may be normal. 

“What are you doing out here, little girl? Shouldn’t you be with your parents?”

“My mom is busy working, and I wanted some fresh air.”

“Hmm. Well, I’m sure you should be inside and definitely not talking to me. I’m a stranger after all.”

“My name is Zara. What’s your name?” Her small voice is calming, and Colby is interested in her presence. 

“I’m Beta Houston Lowe of the Ironside Pack.”

“It’s nice to meet you. Now we can talk since we aren’t strangers anymore.” Cheeky little girl, but I like it. I smile and nod my head. 

“I do believe that you are right. So, tell me about yourself, Miss Zara.”