Four

What if they hate me? What if they don't think I'll be a good Luna? What if they don't like me and that makes Tate want to reject me?!

"Calm down. They'll love you," Tate assured me.

He gabbed my left hand in his and brought it to his lips.

"They'll love you," he whispered against my hand again.

I retracted it with a blush. I took a deep breath and made my right hand quit shaking by forming it into a fist.

"I'm ready."  

We walked through the front door of his pack house hand-in-hand. About 80 people were gathered in this large rotunda, talking amongst themselves.

Sensing their alpha, they all stopped and bowed their heads in submission. I felt very out of place, yet comfortable at the same time. It was a strange sensation.

"Attention all members of Shadow Moon Pack! On my recent journey I have met my mate, your Luna. I expect all of you to respect her like you would me," Tate announced.

A chorus of "Yes Alpha's," sang through the room.  

"We will have a ceremony on the next full moon to officially initiate my mate into our pack. Thank you. That's all for today," he yelled.

Soon the members all dispersed back into the depths of the house, but not before giving me curious glances and smiles.

One member, a young female with blonde hair, an orange fake tan, tall stilettos, and a skimpy skirt with a spaghetti top, gave me a disgusted look. It didn't take me long to realize she must be the pack slut considering they all have one. She noticed my intense gaze and gave me a mischievous smirk. I suddenly felt more uncomfortable than before and shifted slightly on my feet.

"Are you alright?" Tate asked sensing my discomfort.

I nodded and tore my gaze from the girl. His brown eyes held concern.

"I'm okay. Really. Just taking it all in," I assured.

He gave my hand a squeeze then cleared his throat.

"I'll give you a tour of the house, but first let's get you settled into your room."

I followed him up the spiral staircase, getting a good look at his lovely butt.

"I can feel you staring," he stared amused.

I blushed and averted my eyes to the floor. I continued walking  until I ran into something hard. I looked up and was met with my amused mate. He had a sexy smirk on his face.

"You know, I don't mind you staring. I'm all yours," he whispered seductively.

I shivered as his minty breath fanned my ear. He chuckled and grabbed my hand.

"We're almost to the alpha's wing," he said.

I nodded and followed him once again. We came upon two large, white doors, which soon were pushed open by my mate; the muscles tensing in his back as he did so.

Goddess he's so drool worthy.

He lead me through the grand hallway. It was filled with paintings of random flowers and places. The walls were a dark blue with white trim. There were a total of 4 doors we passed, not stopping at any of them. I assume they're guest rooms. We also passed by a pretty large living space with a huge tv and stereo. I hope I'm allowed to watch tv. We stopped abruptly at the end of the long hall, at a white door with gold swirls and symbols covering it.

"This is your room. For now," he said, mumbling the last part under his breath.

I stood there in awe at the door itself, running my fingers over the intricate designs. I heard Tate's deep chuckle behind me causing me to blush.

"Go on in love. It's yours." I nodded and twisted the golden knob.

A gasp escaped my lips when I looked at the room.

"T-this i-is mine?" I stuttered.

Tate chuckled and nodded.

"Yes love it's all yours. Do you like it?" He asked.

I was literally at loss for words. I've never seen a room so beautiful in my entire life. The gold white and pink all meshed together perfectly. It was truly fit for a princess. Which I'm not.

"I can't accept this. I-I'm not..." I trailed off.

Tate frowned.

"What do you mean? You're my Luna. You deserve this. No matter how much you think you don't, you do."

He came closer and grabbed my hands in his.

"I know you don't see it now, but you're perfect, and you're going to be a wonderful Alpha Female. No matter how long it takes, I will show you that you're worth all of this and more," he said waving his hand around the room.

I blushed and looked at my feet nervously.

How does he think I'm good enough? I've never been good for anything in my life except for cleaning and cooking, so why now am I being told I'm going to be a good Luna?

Quit doubting yourself! Aura scolded me.

Sorry. I'm just nervous. What if he decides later that the moon goddess made a mistake and he can't make me be a good Luna? I asked her.

She rolled her eyes.

He can't make you be anything. You have to make yourself be a good Luna. You're in control, not him. Not in this situation at least. She said the last part seductively.

I just rolled my eyes.

Perv.

I cut off our connection before I got some snide remark and backed away from Tate, taking my hands out of his. He looks confused for a moment, but I hold up my hand to tell him not to speak.

"I'm so blessed that you're my mate. I'm so happy that I have someone like you in my life," I said quietly.

He smiled genuinely and charged at me, collecting me in his arms and lifting me off the ground. I squealed and wrapped my arms around him then buried my face in his neck. I inhaled deeply; I just can't seem to get enough of his heavenly scent!

"Thank you," he whispered.

We stayed in each other's arms for what seemed like days, but was only a few minutes. It felt like finally getting something you needed, but didn't know you needed it until you actually got it. After about 5 minutes he finally put me down.

"We're having dinner tonight, just you and me. I'll give you some time to get ready. Oh, and since you don't have much clothes, dress casually. We'll go shopping tomorrow. You have an hour." He said with a boyish grin.

I nodded and stared longingly as he left.

What are you doing! We only have an hour! Quit staring into space! Aura screamed.

I jumped a bit at her outburst then glanced at the clock, 5:30 it read.

Bitch! You scared the hell out of me! I retorted.

She snorted.

Serves you right now come on! I want to try a warm shower! I'm sure they have warm water! She said excitedly.

I shook my head but kept a smile on my face. I'm actually gonna get a warm shower! I did a little happy dance and ran into the ensuite. The bathroom is as equally beautiful as the bedroom itself. There was a white and gold jacuzzi tub with jets in the left corner. To the right of that is a large shower with white tile, a gold drain, gold knobs, and a gold shower head. Across the room was a gold and white porcelain toilet. Right next to that was a large vanity with a sink and a pink, gold trimmed, vanity stool.

I stripped out of my clothes and got into the shower even though the bathtub is literally calling my name.

I stared at the knobs, trying to decide how to turn it on.

Is the left one cold or hot? I asked Aura.

I don't know. I've never taken a shower like this either! She snapped.

Damn she's moody.

Heard that! She said in a sing-song voice.

I rolled my eyes.

Whatever. Just help me figure it out.  I begged.

Why don't we ask Tate? She suggested.

I grimaced.

He's probably working. I don't want to be a bother and interrupt him. He might hit me. I whined.

She stayed quiet.

I shook my head and studied the knobs once again. Looking closely, I found a letter H on the left one and a C on the right one. Yes!

I turned the hot one all the way and instantly regretted it because it nearly burned my skin.

"Ouch!" I screeched.

Should've turned on the cold one too idiot!

I snarled at my wolf.

This time I turned on the cold part way first and then the hot. Warm water fell on me and I was immediately in love. I could totally do this all the time. I can only imagine a bath... ahhhh.

Focus! We've wasted like 20 minutes on this damn thing! Aura yelled.

Yes ma'am. I mock saluted.

She rolled her eyes.

I looked around the shower and found a little caddy suction-cupped to the wall filled with products. I used the shampoo and conditioner and washed my body and stepped out. I found a towel in one of the vanity cupboards and wrapped it around my body.

I went back into the main room and grabbed my duffel bag that I threw on the bed. I chose a pair of skinny jeans that I got from gamma Kole's niece and a PINK tunic I got from one of the women on the 3rd floor of the house. This is definitely my nicest outfit.

I went back to the bathroom and sat at the vanity chair. I combed through my wet hair with my old paddle brush then put it in a loose French braid down my back. I pulled out a few strands of hair to frame my face then analyzed my reflection. My skin didn't have a blemish on it which I thanked goddess for because I don't have any makeup to cover it up.

Back in my bedroom I glanced at the clock again. 6:26.

"Shit," I cursed myself.

I pulled on my white converse and ran out of the door. Looking frantically around the hall, I realized I had no idea where to go. I perked my ears so I could hear any movement throughout the wing to find Tate. I started walking until I heard...smacking?

I followed the sound to a large oak door. I didn't even think about knocking before I just opened the door and peeked inside.

I instantly regretted my decision and gaped at the sight before me.

That blonde bimbo from downstairs...on top of my mate....making out with him....on his lap at his desk.

Apparently they didn't sense my presence so I looked at the wall clock that read 6:29.

"I guess you didn't expect me to be here until 6:30 huh? I'm one fucking minute early and this is what I get," I chuckled bitterly.

"Better to know I have a lying, cheating asshole as a mate before things get too serious right? I can't believe I actually thought you meant what you said!" I shouted.

They immediately broke their steamy kiss and snapped their heads in my direction. Blonde bitch stared at me with an evil smirk on her face, while Tate looked mortified. He pushed the bitch off of him and started coming my way.

"Channing I-" he started.

I slapped him before he could finish, not even caring that I might be hit in return.  

"Don't say another fucking word!" I growled.

Aura whimpered, hurt from his actions.

"I can't believe you! I actually thought I had someone who cared about me for once! After every-damn-thing I've been through, I thought you were my knight in shining armor coming to save me. I guess I was wrong. You're no Prince Charming. You're a cheating bastard!" I screamed with tears running down my face.

Tate looked defeated.

"It's not what it looks like," he tried. I rolled my eyes.

"Then." I poked his chest,"what," poke, "was," poke, "it!" Poke.

He looked at the ground. Regret all over his face.

"That's what I thought," I said when I figured he wasn't going to say anything.

Bimbo started coming towards me but I met her halfway and grabbed her by her hair. Aura immediately took over and dragged her out of the office and down stairs to the rotunda where we first was introduced to the pack. She ignored the bitch's constant whimpers and attempts to get out of my deathlike grip.

"ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS OF SHADOW MOON PACK! PLEASE MEET IN THE ROTUNDA IN THE NEXT 45 SECONDS!" Aura commanded in the dominant voice I wasn't aware we had.

Soon everyone started filing in and looked at us with concern written on their faces. Some looked surprised, others looked expectant. I noticed Cristian standing in front of the crowd with a petite woman clinging to his side, whom I presume to be the devil's mother.

"This is going to be my one example to the rest of the pack! This is going to show everyone in this room to not touch MY mate!" Aura shouted again.

Everyone submitted and I rolled my eyes.

"Now pay close attention."

Aura threw the bitch on the ground extremely hard.

"Owww! I think you broke my nose," she whined.

We chuckled evilly and kicked her in the stomach before she could get up. Next we picked her up by her hair once more and smacked her face hard. She cried out and grabbed her cheek. I threw her down once more and went in to kick her before I heard something so heartbreaking.

"Stop!" My mate shouted from the top of the stairs.

I looked up at him with tear filled eyes. He just defended her! My sadness now covered in rage, I stood tall and clenched my jaw.

"How dare you defend her! You have no right! I am your mate! Not her. I don't deserve to walk in on you dry humping someone that's not me. I've known you for a little over twenty-four hours and somehow you got me to trust you. Somehow you made me think you were okay, but I guess that's just this fucking mate bond because obviously I can't trust you!" I shouted at him.

Tears now streaming down my face and my fists firmly clenched.

"I'm sorry, but this is not the way to handle this," he said solemnly.

I gaped at him in astonishment. I started backing away until I hit the door. I opened it and the last thing I saw was everyone's disapproving glares at their alpha before I shifted into my grey wolf and sprinted off into the woods.