Chapter Six-Sloan POV

Today was my birthday. It was also 5 days after meeting my mate. I did my best to avoid her but my body seemed to be pulled in her direction constantly. I had found myself in her presence many times. Wondering if it was the mate bond pulling us together or if I had really never noticed this beautiful woman before. She was graceful for her height. Curves that would make Aphrodite jealous. And the way she smelled. Goddess, that woman smelled amazing. Like honeysuckle and rain. Fresh and sweet as she is. She never stayed long where I was. Like she was afraid if she did, I would reject her on the spot. But she had no idea that I didn’t want to reject her.

The hot summer air in Louisiana was no joke, the entire wolf pack often finding itself in the river trying to cool off. Today was no different. But my mate, she didn’t stick around. Willow, what an unusual name. Soft and yielding but stronger than any other trees in our area.

I jumped up and ran to her, trying to make her stay longer. The anger on her face and in the air palpable when I touched her though. Shocking me to my core, mates should show love. There should be sparks, not this hatred rolling off her. Her shoulders square and her mouth hardens as she speaks my name. “Sloan, I am not in the mood right now. Say what you have to say and let me go” For some reason I think she meant for me to reject her and let her leave the pack, but that’s not what I wanted at all. Panicking and grasping for words to make her stay in my presence, Oaklen suddenly growls out “Don’t speak to your Alpha that way.” And he forces my aura out. I scramble trying to pull it back and force Oaklen into a timeout in my mind but it was too late, the damage was done. Tears shone in her eyes but the anger never faltered as she bared her neck and left me in a hurry.

“Fuck, Oaklen, you scared her shitless. Why would you do that you big brute?”

“She dared to speak to you that way? You are Alpha now. Her place is beneath you until the mate bond happens. You know this. I just reminded her”

“You just scared her off. If she didn’t think we hated her before, she does now. And to top it off, you used too much aura I think Oaklen..” I say as I look out across the river to see the entire pack baring their necks to me. Guess the wolf would be out the bag soon. Turns out it wasn’t just a dream. I could feel my power growing every day. Preparing me to become the Alpha of Alphas.

Oaklen grunts and is silent. Of course, always leaving me to clean up his messes. My father walks over and stares after my mate as well, forcing a growl out of me.

“You know son, if you accept her, the pack will follow. But it looks like you are scared to let her close to you. I can feel your aura changing. I know something big is happening and I wish you would let me in to help you. You know I would do anything for you, but I can not stand by and watch you destroy yourself, talk to me”

I begin telling my father of my not dream vision and all my worries about sharing that life with someone low born. She would be challenged constantly. As would I. Our pack would be put at risk with the challenges. I couldn’t risk anyone not being in support of myself and my mate. I would only be putting her in danger if I did. Dad understood but he told me what he told her. That if I didn’t accept her within a month, we would let her leave.

Baffled I stare at him, “Leave? As in rogue? My mate? No that is even more dangerous. I am Alpha now and I will not allow it. She stays.”

“Son, her heart is broken already. Don’t drag her through more pain for your own selfish reasons. She is a strong warrior. She was made to be your mate, you need only to see that and let go of these ridiculous beliefs that you have created. Your Luna will only make you stronger. Her love will be your anchor. Your love will become her strength. Your mother never told you, but she was Gamma. She wasn’t an alpha by birth. She wasn’t even a beta blooded wolf. Yet she was the fiercest warrior and the best Luna this pack has ever seen. Don’t dirty her name by thinking lower born mates are no match for an Alpha. I accept her. The pack will accept her. Will you?”