OH NO, I CAN'T FACE HIM

Some days later and I have somehow managed to brush aside the issue of my mate Alpha Logan. I am seated at home watching TV with mum, but she isn't really watching. She takes the empty plate that sits in front of me and carries it to the sink. She has been cleaning all morning, and she is not about to stop now. I have a feeling she would have taken my plate whether I was done or not.

You'd think she is expecting the president over for dinner with the way she is acting. There is not a part of this house that has been untouched by her. Well apart from my room of course. That is my responsibility.

She is just washing up the rest of the dishes when dad finally makes his appearance.

He has been going nonstop all day running errands for the Alpha and his father. I am starting to get worried about him, when does he ever rest?

He looks so worn out. He seems to have aged five years since I last saw him. He desperately needs to rest.

"There you are." Mom smiles walking over to greet him. "Grace and I were just about to send out a search party for you." She places a small kiss on his cheek, so I look away to give them some privacy. Well that, and to shield my eyes. They are my parents after all. I don't want to see them become all lovey-dovey in front of my eyes, and this reminds me that I should have my own place.

"I would have been home sooner if I could, but Alpha Logan was relentless. He's still going crazy over that trespasser we had the other day."

I nearly spit my drink all over the place at his statement. Could he mean who I think he means? For my sake I hope not. I should have reported him.

"We had a trespasser?" I ask, looking at my father.

He simply nods. "Yes and Alpha Logan won't rest until he is found."

I nearly gasp but I hold it back. I don't want to give anything away.

"You mean he's still here?"

What have I done?

"I'm afraid so sweetheart. You'll have to stay inside until we get this resolved. It's Alpha's orders." He replies before taking the seat in front of me.

No. No. No. This is so bad. I'm surely going to be punished for this. If anyone finds out....oh goodness what they might do.

"But what about work?" I ask.

If I don't show up, John will have my head. Even though Annette is back from vacation, she can't handle the dinner rush alone. What am I going to do?

"Call in sick I suppose. There is nothing you can do about it." He sighs.

"Is Alpha still coming over for dinner?" Mom asks going back to her dishes.

If I hadn't been sitting down I am sure I would have fallen over at that. How long had this been planned? Why wasn't I told?

I feel alarms and panic rising up in me while mom and dad continue to discuss the arrangements for this evening. I have no idea what I am going to do about this but I need to figure it out quickly.

I could not be here when he arrives.

Mate.

We get to see our mate. My wolf howls joyously from within. She is just about ready to jump out of my skin at the mere mention of him.

She can't have been happier about this.

I, however, feel very differently about it.

"Grace, you should go upstairs and get cleaned up. You need to be presentable for company." Mom's voice breaks me out of my reverie. She is staring at me with concern in her eyes.

"Are you alright?" She asks.

If she only knew.

"Perfectly." I lie.

I can't very well tell her what is going on, now can I? The less she knows the better. This is my doing and my doing alone. I won't drag her or my dad into this.

"If you say so." She replies, not quite convinced. "You better move along so you are ready when they arrive."

I nod without saying another word and follow the stairs up to my room. As soon as I am inside, I lock the door behind me before resting my back against it and sliding to the floor.

I let out a loud groan and rest my head in the palms of my head while thinking over the possibilities of getting out tonight. Even though they don't look good, I refuse to give up.

I stand in the mirror examining my well dressed figure while going over the plan in my mind. I have spent the evening reading in an effort to throw mom off that anything is wrong, but the last thing I plan to do is to stay here during the dinner.

I turn away from the mirror and rush over to the window at the sound of a vehicle approaching. It must be him because to my knowledge we weren't expecting anyone else, just the Alpha, his father, and the beta.

Yet another reason for me to be on edge tonight. Who wouldn't be? I'm guilty and my mate is in love with someone else. Who would have foreseen these turn of events?

Just as the vehicle enters the drive my heart beats wildly in my chest. I am only mere seconds from seeing my mate again since when I found out about him.

Only this time I am prepared.

"Grace, come down. They have arrived." Mom yells from below.

I stay in place until the golden glow of Logan's hair appears before me as he steps out of the black Cadillac. He is dressed in a pair of khakis with a red dress shirt to top it off. His stance indicates professionalism and business, something I know to expect. After all this is pack business. After the remaining people step from the car, they fall in step behind him while he leads them up to the door.