chapter 20

OAKLEY

My grandfather drops me off at the house so I can get cleaned up and prepare for the lunch date with my mate. He has to go to work, training the newly shifted wolves. The pack house is close enough that I can walk there when I am ready but I can also drive my own car there too. Once I am done getting ready I will decide what to do based on how much time I have left.

I stop in the kitchen to drink some water and clean the glass I used before heading up the stairs. I go into my room and strip out of my dirty work out clothes. I take my long hair down from the bun it is in so I can wash it. I go to set my phone down on my bedside table when I notice I have a text message from Melissa.

Melissa: hey girly! Do you want to come hangout with us? we can give you a tour of the pack and do some shopping!

Oakley: hey! I would love to do that but I am having lunch with the alpha. Maybe another time?

Melissa: really? Are you accepting the mate bond? This is so exciting! Are you nervous?

Oakley: yes I am nervous. I still haven’t decided about accepting the mate bond but I think I am going too. I have heard nothing but good stuff about him and so far this bond feels different, in a good way, than my previous one.

Melissa: that’s great! Don’t be nervous! It will be great! I won’t bug you anymore so you can get ready but message me after and we can meet up for coffee and gossip!

I giggled at that last bit as I set my phone down. I walked to the bathroom the was joined to my room. As much as I loved my grandparents I did very much enjoy having my own bathroom.

I turned on the shower and once the temp was adjusted I jumped in. I rinsed all the dirt off my body and out of my hair. Then I grabbed my shampoo and lathered my hair, rinsing it out after. I put some conditioner into it and let it set while I cleaned the rest of myself. I shaved my legs and underarms before grabbing my loofah and applying some soap to it. I washed all over and then rinsed off. After that i rinsed the conditioner out of my hair. Once completed i turned off the water and stepped out. Grabbing two towels, one to wrap around my hair and the other to dry my body off with.

I went into my bedroom to my closet to figure out what to wear. After searching through for a few moments I decided on a pair of black leggings, a blue plain shirt and a pair of brown muk Luks. I towel dried my hair and brushed it out. Once it was brushed out I decided to blow dry it. I knew that would take a moment since it was long, it went down to my lower back. after drying it I brushed it out again and decided to just leave it down. I looked at myself in the mirror and was pretty pleased with the look I had chosen. I barely ever wear make up so I didn’t put any on. I preferred to look natural. I didn’t really care what others thought of me but I did care what my mate thought. Which worried me some because it meant I was already getting attached and we had barely met.

Knowing I couldn’t stall anymore I grabbed my phone and stuck it into my back pocket. Then I grabbed my handbag and made my way downstairs. I head outside and lock the door behind me. Its is such a beautiful day that I decide to walk to the pack house. Of course it might also be because it would take me a little longer to get there and I was incredibly nervous. The closer it got to the time for lunch the more nervous I got. It was a strange feeling. I was never nervous to be around Derek. I walk down the sidewalk towards the pack house. Haven in my mind, trying to persuade me to get there faster. If she had it her way we would have ran there. But I didn‘t want to get sweaty and gross.

The pack house comes into view as I round a corner. I can see Alpha Mark standing outside. He was currently looking at his phone so he hadn’t noticed me yet. I took that time to really look at him. His hair looked like he had ran his hand through it a dozen times, he was tall and very muscular. His skin was tanned, like he spent a lot of time out in the sun. He looked like a model. As I got closer I could smell the mate scent and I knew he could smell mine as well because he looked up from his phone at me. As soon as he saw me he smiled widely and shoved his phone in his pocket.

“Hello Oakley. I am so happy you said yes to joining me for lunch.” He said as I got closer.

“Hello a… I mean mark.” I greeted him, almost calling him alpha but remembering how he didn’t want me to call him that. His eyes were a shade of green and I had a hard time looking away from them. it felt like they were pulling me into their depths and I wanted to be there.

I walked up the steps after finally looking away and joined him.

“I arranged for lunch to be in my office so that it could be private and we could talk and get to know each other without interruptions. I hope that is okay.” He said.

“Yes, that is fine.“ I replied. I wasn’t really sure what else to say. I did like the idea of being able to talk with no interruptions. The opportunity to get to know each other was great.

He led me inside and down the hallway past the kitchen and dining hall. We passed one of the living rooms and what looked like a conference room. Once we reached the end of the hall I could see 4 closed doors.

“This is my office.” Mark said pointing to the door at the very end of the hall.

“That door is the Luna office, that one is the beta office and that one is the gamma office.” He explained as he pointed out the other doors. I was curious about the Luna office but I wasnt about to tell him that.

He opened the door to his office and led me through, closing it behind him, walking into the office it seemed very cozy. On one wall was a fireplace that was currently lit with a tv hanging above it. In front of the fireplace was a soft looking red rug that stuck out from the dark hardwood floor. There was a coffee table that had some covered plates and drinks sitting on it. There was a comfy looking red couch and two red recliner on either end with an end table between the couch and chairs. along the walls on either side of the fireplace was bookshelves that were completely filled with books. The back wall of the room was full window looking out into the woods, a small garden between the building and tree line. In front of the window was a massive desk that had a laptop, tablet and monitors on it. there was also a bunch of papers scattered all over. On the opposite side of the desk were two chairs that faced the desk, I assumed for when pack members wanted to talk with the alpha. I could see a door on the other wall of the office that was closed. On that wall was a massive map of the USA and pictures all around it. There were some lamps here and there throughout the room along with the light on the ceiling. Its was the middle of the afternoon and so the sun shining through the massive wall window lite the entire room up.

“You have a very nice office.” I said as I turned to mark.

“Thank you.“ he grinned. he motioned to the couch in front of the fireplace and I went around to sit down. I set my handbag and cell phone on the end table next to where I was sitting. He came and sat next to me, close enough that our knees almost touched.