Chapter 6 - Red River Pack

AMERIE

The journey to Red River was indeed long. But I could manage it, and I meant by that I tried to be the best guest for the two males with me. We spent the initial part of the drive talking, resting, and sleeping. So it was pretty fun, wasn't it?

At least for me.

"I'm sorry, Amy. I cannot accompany you because I need to check things with my Gamma." Matthew talked as the car approached the border. Some men were already waiting for us, and one of them must be the Gamma. "But I've told the Omega to prepare a room in the packhouse. And Paul will drive you there."

I glanced at the Beta, then nodded to the male beside me. "Okay."

Matt looked surprised, as if he didn't expect me to answer him quick and easily. But soon, it returned to his regular face. A firm and even like it was the only expression he had. "I promise they'll welcome you."

I flashed a smile at the same time the car came to a stop. It was time to say goodbye. "I know. We'll have a conversation later. But now do your job, Alpha." I helped him by opening the door to make the farewell go smoothly. He needed to go now because someone was walking toward us.

However, Matthew seemed hard to let go. "We'll have dinner," he said, and I nodded. After that, he changed to talking to his Beta. "You'll drive her safely to the packhouse and show her room."

"Yes, Alpha." To which Paul replied immediately.

"Now, go." I began pushing him. Remember what I said about not wanting his people to see me badly? This was it. I didn't want them to see I was clinging to their Alpha, so he couldn't do his job correctly. "Look, your people are waiting for you," I added as a male arrived beside the car.

"Alpha." He greeted Matthew, bowing to him. From the strong aura he emitted, he must be the Gamma. Who was his name again?

Ah, I forgot and didn't want to ask, so I merely smiled before closing the door. There would be time for an introduction. But now, let them deal with their problem.

Paun slowly drove the car, passing the border and leaving the area. We had no conversation until he took a turn, and Matthew and the people were out of sight. "Who are you really, Amerie?"

I felt his aura change, and the atmosphere became heavy. He no longer showed hospitality but was hostile through his expression and voice.

Paul finally showed his true self.

"I'm Amerie Blunt, a university student," I answered calmly. I had already pictured this scene when Matthew offered the deal. There would be a lot of questions and suspicion, and I understood that.

"It's only you and me, so you don't need to hide."

Including when Paul doubted my story.

"I don't hide anything. I'm from the East, far away from this region. But I'm in the South not to harm any pack or anyone. I just want to finish my study."

"Why in the South?" He asked after seconds of bitter silence. I had imagined this situation. Still, I felt uncomfortable. "There must be a lot of good universities in the East."

I was contemplating whether to tell him the truth. "I'm running away." In the end, I was honest, though I wasn't planning to give him the details. "But not the way you think," I added as soon as I spotted Paul's hands gripping the steering wheel tightened.

"What do you mean?" He tried to suppress his emotions.

I bit my bottom lips, gathering courage before a long, heavy sigh escaped my mouth. "I was broken heart. That was why I needed to run away so I could forget all those good memories." I felt my eyes burned. But I held back as much as I could. It turned out it still gave me pain talking about this. "I'm such a coward, aren't I?" The question wasn't for Paul but for me as I tried to make laugh at my misery.

Another silence came, and I began to think that my decision to follow Matthew was wrong.

"Look, Beta. I won't stop you from doubting me because I know I'm completely new to you, Matthew, and this pack and you have the right to be suspicious of me. But I mean what I said before. You can kill me if you find I plan evil to this pack." I reminded Paul about our conversation before. If I talked a bit jokingly before, though, I meant it. Now, I said it with a serious tone. It was never a lie.

"I'm sorry," Paul said after a long silence for many times. He lowered his guard, but I picked a guilt in his voice this time.

Shit. I made the situation worse.

"I didn't mean..."

"It's okay, Paul." I cut him fast. "We're okay," I reassured him, hoping he understood I didn't want to talk about this topic anymore.

"I'm a Beta, Amerie. It's my job to keep this pack safe. And because of that, I need to make sure every new person won't harm us. And my Alpha."

A reassuring smile tugged on my lips. "You have my word, Paul." An Alpha's sister's words.

--

"Who are those people?" I asked, furrowing my brows at the sight in front of us. The car approached the packhouse, and I could see a few people standing outside the house, clearly waiting for us.

"They are former Alpha and Luna. Alpha Hari and Luna Isabel." Paul answered. "They must be here to welcome you." He added as he slowed down the car.

Nervousness instantly hit me. This... I had never had this image in my head that I would meet Matt's parents the first day I was here. What should I tell them?

"Why?" I couldn't help the question to escape my lips when I spotted a smile on a female face—it must be Luna Isabel. Also, excitement in her eyes. Suddenly, being Matthew's girlfriend didn't seem to make sense anymore.

"Alpha never brought a female to the packhouse, especially a girlfriend. You are the first." Paul smiled through the rearview, causing my heart to beat faster. "Relax. Alpha Hari and Luna Isabel are good." He tried to reassure me, but he failed.

Wasn't this too much for a fake girlfriend?

But then, what choice did I have? I was the one asking Matthew for a status, so here I was.

"Alpha. Luna." Paul bowed when we stopped before those people with me trailing in hesitating steps behind him.

"Is it her?" The female asked him, and as soon as she got a nod from Paul, she rushed for me. "I couldn't believe when the Omega told me Matthew's girlfriend was coming. But you're really here, as beautiful as I imagine." She was holding my hands, slightly stroking them to channel her emotions. It had happiness all over her expression. Her eyes were teary as if her longing moment had finally come.

I gulped, not knowing the answers, so I was merely silent and followed the conversation.

"You should introduce yourself, honey. You make her confused."

I was. I had a guess, but I needed confirmation.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm too happy to see you." The female said, still holding my hands. "I'm Isabel, Matthew's mother. And he is Matt hew's father, the former Alpha Hari." She smiled at the male walking in her direction with love and pride. Things I always saw at my parents.

Oh, watching them made me miss my parents.

I carefully drew my hands and began my proper introduction. "Pleased to meet you, Alpha Hari and Luna Isabel. My name is Amerie Blunt from the East."