Mate?

CARLA

It's already morning and I was unable to catch a glimmer of sleep all through the night. I was up all night thinking about what my mate told me and it surprises me that I didn't even ask for his name.

He told me that we would be leaving today, but after everything that happened, I'm not even sure if I want to go with him. But I also don't want to stay here. So in the end, I decide to go with him... for now, if only he comes for me.

I pack a few pair of clothes, the only ones that are proper and I wait. Actually, I don't even know if I should stay here and wait for him or go to the Pack House and meet him. But then again, what if he tricked me? What if he actually won't take me with him? What if he's just setting my hopes? Just taking me for a ride?

A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. I don't even notice the smell as the stranger shows up, I'm so deep into my own thoughts.

I try to figure out who it is at first, but it's an unfamiliar smell. No, it isn't my mate, though I can still smell a faint scent of him. I get up and reluctantly open the door.

The man who's standing there has a combed back brown hair and his hazel eyes pierce me as he observes. He's probably the height of my mate and probably just as broad and lean. It doesn't take a genius to know that he is a high ranking wolf, maybe a Beta or a Gamma or even a Top Warrior!

“Carla Morris?” he speaks, making me to have goosebumps all over because his deep voice has scared me. I nod and he laughs, “Hey, are you scared of me? Gosh, please don't be. I'm just a regular wolf, just like you.” He assures me as he walks past me.

Baffled, I watch him as he looks around and when his eyes find my small bag which is already packed, he picks it up. “I'll tell you everything you need to know on our way.” he assures meand starts walking out of my house. It's obvious he has noticed my curious and questioning look. He beckons me to follow him in which I respond with a blank stare.

He doesn't even let me say a word, he just barges in and now he's asking me to go with him? How on earth can this be possible? I don't even know him! He hasn't even introduced himself! Ahh!

I really find it hard to move from my place. Reluctantly, I take a few steps away from my house and immediately feel the sadness. Although I hate this place, my little house has been my comfort all through. It has sheltered me away from everything and now I have to leave it just like that!

I'm diving into a new world with a blindfold and I'm not certain what will happen to me from now onwards. Will I ever be fine?

Let me just hope so because I have nothing else to hold onto except hope!

“Carla?” the man calls out softly and I turn to him and I see him smiling. He puts the bag down for a while and walks towards me. “I'm sorry, I just...” I stare at my house.

“It must feel hard to leave this place, right? But sometimes, we have to let go of our past and dive into our destiny, don't we?” he states as a matter of fact.

I'm taken aback by what he has just said and I can't help but look up to him. Again, he shows me that smile of his that seems so encouragingly and promising.

“Thank you.” I whisper quietly and smile, showing him that I will fight. I'm sure he's just acting on orders.

As we walk, I notice that we aren't even going towards the Palace. In fact, we are heading the opposite direction, far away from the Alpha's palace where I met my mate yesterday. When we finally get out of the thicket, I see a black Hummer parked right in front of the forest.

My companion takes out a button like thing from his pocket and the car engine starts, though we are still a bit far from it. I'm surprised to see the trunk opening slowly and I stare in awe. I've never seen such a thing before! He walks ahead of me and puts my bag inside the trunk and then closes it.

He then walks to the passenger seat's door and opens it, signalling me to get in. “Thank you.” I whispered gladly, a bit shocked by the kind gesture. No one has ever done that to me so I find it really nice and caring.

I climb into the car and make myself comfortable and then buckle myself up as I wait for him to get into the driver's seat.

Honestly speaking, I'm confused. Where is my mate? Why am I with someone else? But I don't ask any questions because with time, I've learned that I shouldn't talk when I'm not spoken to....that way, I will avoid being hurt.

As he starts the engine, he presses on something in front of us and music starts blaring in. Somehow, I'm thankful that he has put the music on because an awkward silence would be quite intolerable.

He starts driving away until we see the Pack gate. The guards stand upright and have their hands on salute as the car leaves the gates. As for my companion, the moment the car leaves the gates, he looks relieved, immediately turning towards me laughing.

“That was rough, wasn't it?” he says and my eyebrows rise up in confusion. “You are way too quiet Carla, are you okay?” he asks, concern etched all over his face.

“I'm alright.” I reply right away.

“I am Trevor Leonard, The Aquatic Pack's Beta.” he introduces himself while smiling. “Nice to meet you, mysterious Carla Morris.” he concludes. Well, it's good that he knows all my name, I won't need to introduce myself!

I just nod in understanding. I don't think I'm supposed to say anything.

He starts moving his head with the beat of the song. “So, you're my Alpha's mate, huh? Well, he didn't exactly tell me, but why else would he take you away all of a sudden?” he chuckles to himself. He's quite wierd.....

“I hope it's not much trouble, but can I ask where he is?” I finally ask after summoning enough courage. I hope he doesn't find me disrespectful for asking.

Surprisingly, he turns towards me with a knowing grin on his face. “Missing him already? Well, I hate to disappoint you, but he's still in your Pack taking care of some business. He's an Alpha as you know and that's why I'm surprised that he's mated to you.”

He probably doesn't mean any harm from what he just said and he probably doesn't mean to say it offensively, but what he just uttered hurt me! Though I understand, a weak Omega shouldn't be mated to a powerful Alpha!

'What does this wolf take us for?' I hear my wolf complaining inside my head. She has already stirred up and she's on high alert.

“You know, it's such a rare thing to happen. Is that even possible?” he fires again, adding to the hurt I'm already feeling. He's really talkative. “I mean, come on...your mate is an Alpha and you're an —” Before he can finish,the car stops abruptly and we both jerk. “I didn't mean it that way. It's just that I —"

I laugh heartily. It's a surprise to me as well because despite knowing the consequences, I still laugh. I waited for the impact, a punch and a kick, but it doesn't come. All I get is a Beta staring in shock at me, but it doesn't take long for him to smile proudly.

“You've got a nice laugh.” he comments, catching me off guard though it puts another smile on my face. Maybe he isn't so bad after all. He isn't like the others who find pleasure in hurting me.

“Let me tell you everything you need to know about The Aquatic pack, okay?”

Before he starts talking, I interrupted him, putting my life on the line, because I have a feeling that he might not stop talking until we reach our destination.

“Can I ask just one thing?”

He snaps his head towards me for a while and nods.

“What is it?” he asks.

I take a deep breath before asking my question because honestly, I think it's an embarrassing question.

'Should I ask him?' I mentally ask my wolf.

'Just ask him already!' she barks.

'Okay, okay. So snobby!' I scoff back at her.

“You might find it as a weird question.”

“The fact that you're saying that is already making me feel weird!” he says and I can't help but giggle again, but a bit nervously.

“Just spill it, okay?”

“Alright! Alright!” I finally gather enough courage.“What is my mate's name?” I finally ask and my heart is beating loudly and I don't even realize that I'm holding my breath in anticipation.

Suddenly, Trevor's loud laugh beams in the car. He's laughing so hard and I can't help but feel embarrassed. This is the reason why I didn't want to ask him in the first place. See, I've just made a fool of myself!

“Wow, and here I thought you were going to ask me how to kill!” he continues laughing.

My cheeks are warm and I know I'm blushing red from embarrassment.

How I wish the ground would just swallow me whole! I mean what's the big deal? I've just asked what his name is because I don't know. Is it a crime to ask about what you don't know?

“Liam. William Blake is your mate's name.” Trevor finally answers but he can't stop laughing. For a moment, not minding about this laughing Beta, I repeated his name loudly... 'William Blake.'