Chapter 5

~Dainin~

“Look at this place,” Alan admired as they drove through the small town within Blue Ridge. Their pack land was beautiful and well-kept with a packhouse, resembling a five-star hotel, plenty of private housing, and even their own working farm. The landscape was vibrant and Dainin wondered how his pack would adjust to moving from the desert to a lush forest.

“They’ll love it. We’ll all be able to run and live freely here,” his wolf assured him, and he was right. The chance of being discovered by humans was slim this far in the forest and Blue Ridge proved there was potential to live comfortably.

Dainin and his warriors turned up a long-hidden driveway behind the large black wolf who was escorting them. At the end was a three-story French colonial surrounded by beautifully maintained property and a breathtaking garden in the center of the rounded driveway.

While they exited their vehicles the wolf shifted back into a man and waited for them at the door. “Dainin, this is the Gamma here, Zander Turner,” Alan introduced when they approached him.

Zander extended his large hand, and they exchanged a strong handshake. “Nice to meet you, Alpha Monroe,” he responded with a serious expression.

“It’s nice to meet you too. Thanks for showing us the way,” Dainin said with a raised brow when Zander blatantly started looking him over from head to toe.

“Is he looking to start a fight,” Dainin’s wolf growled, causing Dainin’s grip to tighten, but Zander didn’t seem to notice and released his hand before turning to the door. Dainin glanced toward Alan for an explanation, but his brother merely shrugged.

“Don’t take it personally. They all seem to be intimidating,” he explained, wrapping his arms protectively around himself. “You should have seen the glare their Beta gave me. If she weren’t mated to this guy, I would love to have her look me over thoroughly,” Alan said, releasing a dreamy sigh.

Dainin rolled his eyes, shaking his head. His brother was shameless. “One, I’m not intimidated by anyone. Two, if his mate is a female Beta, I’m sure she wouldn’t put up with you,” he stated plainly, but Alan looked back over his shoulder, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Cut it out,” Dainin chuckled, shoving Alan into the foyer, then he motioned for everyone to follow. They all watched as Zander slid the pocket doors open, exposing a formal living room. The interior was modernized but still had a comfortable atmosphere. It was very suitable for a family.

"Why are you bringing up a family? Our mate won’t even look at us,” Dainin’s wolf teased, but Zander turned to address the group before Dainin had a chance to argue.

“This guest house used to be the late Alpha’s estate. It has everything you’ll need, but notify the warriors outside if something is missing,” Zander explained.

“Please, tell your Alpha we appreciate his hospitality,” Dainin said, looking at Zander with a smile, but Zander’s face remained expressionless.

Dainin looked to Alan, who was hiding his smirk. “What am I missing here,” he snapped, raising an eyebrow when Alan became serious.

“Dainin, the Alpha is...,” he started, but before he could finish his answer Zander moved to stand in front of the doors.

“I’ll let you get settled. The warriors will escort you to the packhouse when you’re ready,” he informed, crossing his arms while looking over the warriors with scrutiny.

“We have training before dinner at four o’clock. You’re all welcome to join,” he said, judgment heavy in his tone. Dainin’s warriors grew tense when Zander looked at their Alpha, but Dainin refused to be intimidated.

“They’ll be there and I’ll join too if the meeting ends early enough,” he proudly replied. Zander nodded, seeming satisfied with his answer, and left. The sound of the heavy closing doors echoed throughout the house.

Alan placed a hand on Dainin’s shoulder and let out a low whistle. “That was intense, bro. I have a lot to fill you in on,” he said while pulling his bag over his shoulder and handing Dainin his. “For now, let’s find our rooms. Everyone else has rushed off to call dibs already,” he called back, leaving Dainin alone and confused as he rushed up the stairs.

“I don’t like being left out. Get your ass up there and find your brother,” his wolf demanded, and with that, he took off up the stairs after Alan.

______________________________

~Tessa~

At the packhouse, Tessa calmly watched Cadence pace anxiously back and forth in front of her desk. “It’s best we just get this over with. It’s not like our problem is going away anytime soon,” her wolf huffed, earning an internal glare from Tessa.

“You don’t have to remind me,” she snapped, awkwardly clearing her throat to get her Beta’s attention.

“Is there something you’d like to discuss,” Tessa asked, carelessly sifting through random sheets of paperwork. She had underestimated how closely Cadence was watching her at the border. She was a fool to think her tense behavior would go unnoticed.

Zander even demanded answers before he escorted them to the guest house, threatening to cause a scene if she didn’t tell him. So, Tessa had no choice, and of course, he told Cadence, which is why she’s presently fuming in her office.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that your mate is in our guest house and he’s the Alpha of the pack moving next door,” she whisper yelled, knowing the pack was up and getting ready for afternoon training. It was a rare sight to see Cadence lose her composure.

Tessa rolled her eyes and sat back in her chair, defeated. “Cadence, honestly it doesn’t change anything,” she defended. “You know I have no interest in a mate and we don’t need a hot-headed Alpha male running around here and ruining things. It would only be a distraction,” Tessa argued, hoping this was enough to change the subject, but Cadence gave her a doubtful look and began pacing again.

“Alpha, I’m not sure you understand how the mate bond works. The Moon Goddess herself destined the two of you to be together. The bond is just going to get stronger the more you fight it,” she explained, stopping to meet Tessa’s eyes. “You won’t be able to win this fight Alpha,” she whispered with a pleading stare, but Tessa had enough. She stood and walked in front of her desk, taking her place in front of Cadence.

“Beta Turner, I will handle this my way,” she growled. “I appreciate your concern but it’s unnecessary. Our only priority is to find out if White Sand is going to be a threat to the alliance,” she said, taking a step closer to Cadence. “I will not put my personal business before pack business,” Tessa finished, standing tall with authority.

Cadence looked away in submission, taking a step back with her head low. “Of course, Alpha. I did not mean to overstep,” she apologized before her eyes darkened.

“The guests are settling in and will be on their way shortly. I will go and set up the conference room,” she informed and left the office, not daring a second glance at Tessa.

Collapsing on the couch, Tessa sighed and threw an arm over her eyes. “Of all the people to move to Maine why did it have to be my mate,” she asked herself.

“Seriously, but maybe Cadence is right, and we can’t fight fate,” her wolf wondered and Tessa growled, sitting up abruptly.

“No. Absolutely not. We did not survive the loss of our family, become the strongest and most respected pack on the east coast, and accomplish more in this short time as Alpha, than my father ever dreamed, to surrender it all to a man and become his quiet submissive Luna,” she exclaimed, breathless after her rant and her wolf grew quiet.

Tessa closed her eyes to clear her thoughts, but her mind betrayed her. She found herself back to when she first laid eyes on the Alpha. His heavenly aroma clouded her mind as her eyes traveled up his strong body. Over his jeans that hugged him in all the right places, and his shirt which seemed to be painted on it was so tight.

Tessa crossed her feet at her ankles to suppress the growing need between her legs, but her need only grew as she envisioned the way his tanned muscles flexed when he shut the car door, his five o’clock shadow peppering his chiseled jawline and finally his full lips.

A quiet moan escaped her as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. At that moment, Tessa was wishing it were his lip she pulled inside her mouth. She wanted to see if he tasted as good as he smelled. Her wolf purred with appreciation.

In her mind, she found herself staring into his deep, chocolate brown eyes, wondering what they would look like while she pleasured him. Would they darken with lust as she explored every inch of him hidden under his fitted clothes?

She became so aroused just thinking of this man it overwhelmed her. She blamed this frustration on Elijah for working her up earlier and not finishing the job, but deep down she knew it was more than that. It was the bond manipulating her senses.

“I am definitely going to need a cold shower,” she grumbled, resting her palm against her forehead. There was no way she could face her mate now. He would undoubtedly sense her arousal, along with the other wolves in the packhouse.

“If this is how it is when we’re alone, then I know we’re going to be in trouble when he’s around us,” her wolf stated, feeling the effects he had on them.

Tessa stood, reaching for the doorknob. She needed to release some tension herself and find that cold shower.

“Alpha, they’re here and are waiting for you in the conference room,” Cadence informed her through their link.

With a frustrated sigh, Tessa leaned her forehead against the cool doo. “Okay, I am just finishing up some paperwork and I’ll be down there,” she lied and quickly ran to her room. ”I’m seeing a pattern here with his timing," she thought, rushing into her bedroom.

After her shower, she dressed in her training attire of fitted leggings, a sports bra, and a loose muscle tee. She figured some training would help release some pent-up energy once the meeting with her mate was finished. It was better than nothing.

At the door, she stopped to adjust her ponytail. “Stop stalling,” her wolf demanded, and she was right. It was time to get this over with. “Let’s just try and pretend we don’t even know he’s our mate,” she suggested.

Tessa thought it over as she reached for the doorknob. “We can certainly try,” she said as she confidently swung open the doors and stepped inside.