-Emmerson-
When Heather, Maddy and I finally set off towards the Alpha house it was getting dark out. I could feel the tension between us as we sat in silence the first few hours.
Are you sure this is a good idea Marcus. It's only made Heather more angry.
I said through the bond hoping that he could hear me even this far away.
It will be fine Luna mine. I am confident that you will be able to settle thing between you.
Hearing his voice relaxed me a little as we pulled onto the long gravel drive way that led to our pack houses and Alpha house. It would be a long couple days without Marcus by my side. I could already feel my anger coming back in waves as I got out of the vehicle. I needed to get this under control before I hurt someone and ended up regretting it. Hellen met us in the foyer as we were walking into the house and she wrapped me up in a tight hug.
"I'm sorry about your father Emmerson." As she said the words I felt my control on my emotions beginning to slip and my eyes began to water. I blinked rapidly trying to dry my eyes.
"Thank you Hellen. I wish it could have gone differently." I said finally trying to keep my voice calm. Having Heather and Maddy close by both of which questioning my ability as Alpha female, made it all the more important to not break down completely at this moment.
As if knowing exactly what I was thinking Hellen pulled back and smiled softly at me. "We can discuss things later. For now let's get you girls settled and I have food ready for you in the kitchen." I nodded, thankful for her understanding.
"Where is Nathen?" I asked her as the girls began to follow her up the stairs.
"He's in the Alpha's study. He's been busy trying to get everything going with the new Alpha house." She said before continuing on up the stairs.
I headed for Marcus's study and when I got there I found Nathen sitting at the desk looking stressed and sleep deprived. He didn't even look up when I entered the room. I walked over to him to see what he was looking at on the desk and found that it was blue prints for a house that look more like a small castle.
"And here I was thinking we were trying to be less conspicuous to humans." I said and a sarcastic snort was his reply.
"With how big the pack is now we don't have much of a choice. We have nearly twenty to thirty wolves staying with us at any given time not to mention the upcoming social events. If we add the packs to the parties we will need a lot of rooms for them to stay." He said as he began writing more notes down in a notebook.
"I wish we could have found a new Alpha for my old pack." I blurted out in frustration.
Nathen turned to me eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. "You don't think you and Marcus can handle it?" He asked showing his concern as a friend and not as a challenge.
"I know we can, it's just with loosing my father and Henry..." I felt the lump growing in my throat as I talked. "The pack is torn. I am torn Nathen. They don't know Marcus like we do and they don't like that we had to stop my father and Henry." I felt the tears starting to overflow and Nathan jumped up and pulled me into a hug.
"Oh Em, I'm sorry that it had to happen like this. There wasn't any other way, your father and mother put their faith in you and Marcus to save their pack. And it would be more dangerous to leave your old pack with anyone less dominant when other Alphas could take advantage of the situation. Especially so close to our pack." I knew what he said was right but it was still hard to except.
In two weeks I had found my true mate, had to move away from everything I'd know, bond with my mate, become Alpha female of the largest pack in existence, was forced to kill Henry and deal with both his death and my father's and now had to add my old pack to my new one. It didn't help that my old pack didn't trust Marcus yet and that they were questioning my ability to lead. Everything was piling on at once in one big wave of emotions that were getting harder and harder to control.
"Listen to me Emmerson." Nathen started as he pulled back to look me in the eyes. "You are Alpha female, Luna, of our pack for a reason. You can handle this and whatever else gets thrown your way because you are strong. It's probably going to get worse before it gets better but it will get better. You need to talk to Marcus, tell him everything you told me and more. He will be able to comfort you better than I ever could." He was being so serious it made me almost laugh.
"When did you get all wise and serious." I said with a small smile. He grinned wide at that and winked.
"I'm always wise I just enjoy being the life of the party more than being serious." He said as he moved back to the desk. I rolled my eyes, he was an incorrigible flirt.
"I'll get you some coffee if you're going to be doing this all night. Have you ate yet?" I asked as I headed for the door.
"I'll get something to eat later but coffee would be nice." He said with smile.
I nodded and left the study heading for the kitchen where I could hear Hellen, Maddy and Heather talking softly. As I entered they stopped talking and I raised an eyebrow in question.
"Please don't stop on my account. I'm just grabbing Nathen some coffee and then I'm going to bed." I said grabbing a large mug out of the cupboard slightly irritated that they were hiding something from me.
"We weren't talking about anything we wouldn't want you to hear Luna. Just discussing the two packs come binding and the possibility of more true mates surfacing because of it." Hellen said with a smile.
"Yes it is a welcome thought, it's why I brought Heather and Maddy home with me. I was hoping they would be able to find their true mates." I said pointedly eyeing Heather and Maddy and as I did they both had the decency to look away acknowledging my place as Alpha female at least for now.
"Maybe you should send one of them to bring Nathen his coffee, something good might happen." Hellen said with a smirk as both girls eyes widened.
"If one of them wants to it is fine with me." I said as I poured the steaming black coffee into the mug.
"I'm good, I'd rather look more presentable if I'm going to meet my possible mate." Heather said and Maddy nodded in agreement.
"That's fine, just know that there are going to be other pack members here everyday and your bound to run into your possible mate at anytime." I said before leaving the kitchen.
I brought Nathen his coffee and after saying good night I left to mine and Marcus's room. I shut the door behind me and went straight to the bathroom. I turned on the tub and stripped out of my clothes thankful for some time alone.
How are you doing Luna mine.
Marcus's voice in my mind made me smile as
I let myself sink into the rising hot water. I remembered what Nathen had said about talking with Marcus and I knew I should do it sooner than later.
I'm better now that I can talk to you, although I wish it was in person.
I said back as I opened my emotion and overwhelmed thoughts to him through the bond. I wanted him here with me so that I could snuggle into his warm embrace. I wanted him to be here so he could distract me from the pain I was beginning to feel as I thought of my father and Henry's deaths.
I wish I was there to comfort you as well Luna mine. Maybe I shouldn't have let you leave.
He sounded frustrated that he couldn't physically comfort me. I tried to swallow past the lump in my throat as I thought about everything that had happened today. He needed to stay with my old pack until things could be organized but I had needed to get away from the memories of my father and Henry. The bad and the good memories.
I wish you could have just come home with me. I understand why you had to stay but I miss you. Nathen is stressing over the plans for the new Alpha house and Hellen is trying to comfort me the best she can. But I need you Alpha mine.
I knew it wasn't fair of me to say something that was probably now tormenting him. He needed me to be strong so we could take care of our pack. He wanted to be near me just as much though I could feel it through our bond.
I'll be home soon Luna mine. Just a couple of days to sort through things and then Nathen can come over here with a few other pack members until the new Alpha house can be finished. I promise I'll try to hurry.
I felt tears escaping, rolling down my cheeks and dropping into the water as I tried to force myself to be okay. In the comfort of our room and talking to Marcus through the bond however I knew I would be okay to let my emotions flow at least for the night. I washed my hair as I cried, aware of Marcus's presence through are bond sending me comforting thoughts.
When I got out of the tub I dried off and went to the closet. I pulled on one of Marcus large T-shirt's and a pair of underwear and went into the bedroom. I crawled under the cool sheets of our bed and wished once again that Marcus was here to warm them.
Luna mine you are making it very difficult for me not to just say to hell with the pack records and just head home.
I smiled at his frustration. His wolf was eager to get home to me as well. It was going to be a very long and sleepless few days.
I wouldn't say no to that, but I'll stop tormenting you anyways. Just hurry and get things done so I can sleep next to my mate again.
I said before trying to snuggle into my side of the bed. Desperate for at least a little sleep before I would have to get up and resume my role as Alpha female. I laid in silence trying to calm my breathing and force myself to sleep.
Goodnight my Luna.
Marcus's words were the last thing I heard as I drifted off into a fitful sleep. When I woke up again the room was still dark. Looking at the clock on the nightstand I realized it was only five in the morning. Sighing I got out of bed and through on a bra and sweatpants, pulling Marcus's T-shirt back on as well. I made my way downstairs to the large living room and sat on one of the couches. I pulled one of the crochet blankets over me as I turned on the tv and found a show to watch on Netflix.
About a half an hour later I heard footsteps coming down the hall from Marcus's office. Glancing in that direction I saw I tired looking Nathen making his way to the couch I was sitting on. He plopped down a little ways away from me on the couch and looked over at me.
"You didn't sleep long." He said gruffly. I snorted, looking at his haggard appearance.
"You didn't sleep at all." I replied eyeing the dark circles under his eyes. "Get some sleep Nathen the Alpha house plans can wait a few hours." I said throwing another blanket to him and one of the many couch pillows that cluttered the living room.
Nathen nodded briefly without saying anything and not two minutes later I could hear his faint snoring. I shook my head between him and Marcus I had my work cut out trying to remind them to take care of themselves. They are so stubborn and selfless at the same time. Both determined to make sure everything is always taken care of and everyone is safe and healthy. But in doing so they always seem to forget about themselves.
As the next couple of hours went by I continued to watch Netflix and listen to Nathen snoring on the couch beside me. Light began to slowly trickle in through the windows and I decided I had better go get ready for the day before the others started waking up. I made my way up to my room again. When I got there I took my time getting ready. I put on a pair of blue jeans and a warm brown sweater and I pulled my hair back into a pony tail. I put a light layer of make up on and then headed back downstairs. When I got to the living room I stopped seeing Maddy standing by the couch staring at Nathen's sleeping form. Her body was stiff and she looked stressed.
"Maddy what's wrong?" I asked in a whisper. She jumped clearly not paying attention to what was going on around her.
"I... I can hear his thoughts." She said nervously. I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face.
"He's your mate!" I said excitedly.
She turned to look at me and I frowned she didn't look excited like I had expected. She looked scared and nervous, unsure of herself. I walked over to her and took her hand in mine.
"Maddy, it's okay to be scared. I was scared and angry when I first saw Marcus, not to mention he was a complete asshole. But having a true mate is the most wonderful gift we could ever receive. Nathen is a good guy and I know that once you guys get to know each other everything will be just fine." I said quietly.
"What if he doesn't want me Emmy. I mean look at him." She said looking down at Nathen and a tear streaked down her face. I pulled her into a hug.
"Madison Green you underestimate yourself. He is beyond lucky to have such a strong, and beautiful mate. You are genuine and good, and he will love you just as I do. I know everything is hard and confusing right now. But you will be thankful that you'll have your mate durning the coming few months." I said before pulling away from her and pulling her towards the kitchen.
"Thank you Emmy. I'm sorry I got mad at you yesterday. You just seemed so angry and closed off about everything." She said before we entered the kitchen. Hellen looked up from her task of making breakfast as smiled warmly at us.
"Good morning ladies, I hope your hungry." Hellen said as she scooped eggs, bacon and pancakes onto plates for us. "I see Nathen finally fell asleep, couldn't even make it to his room."
"He fell asleep around five this morning. I don't know why these males think they are invincible. Their own stupidity is going to be the death of them." I said shaking my head.
"That's why females were created, without us they would all be running around like a bunch of testosterone filled idiots trying to prove who's the got the biggest balls." Hellen said, I started at the old woman shocked at her brazen words. She shrugged and went back to cooking.
I could help the laugh that erupted from my mouth and Maddy giggled as well.
"Hellen!" I said with exasperation. "I can't believe you just said that."
"What we all know it's true." She said with a grin. I shook my head laughing at her.
"What's all the racket in here?" Nathen's voice came from the kitchen doorway and I immediately looked to Maddy to see if she was okay.
Nathen's eyes fell on her and I could visibly see them dilate. He stepped forward towards her determination in his eyes.
"Mate." He growled out and Maddy went stiff beside me. She glanced at me nervously as if to ask me what to do. I reached over and squeezed her hand gently.
"Nathen, this is Madison." I said breaking the tension.
I saw him swallow hard as he watched Maddy nervously looking away from him. It was like neither one of them knew how to act. I rolled my eyes and stood up walking over to Nathen.
"Why don't you go take a shower and get ready then you and Maddy can take some time to talk while I look over the plans for the new Alpha house okay."
Nathen nodded but he didn't budge just stared at Maddy with the intensity only a mated male could have. He didn't want to let her out of his sight, I could see it in his eyes. Dominant males and their overly bossy, and protective ways. I thought as I rolled my eyes.
"Nathen. Shower. Now." I growled irritatedly at him. Maddy was scared and I would be damned if I didn't giver her a little time away from his intensity.
He growled low but when he caught the glare I was giving him he finally turned and headed out of the kitchen. I walked back to Maddy and took her hand again, pulling her into a tight hug. She didn't know it yet but she had one of the best guys I've ever known as her mate.
"You've got this Maddy. Everything is going to be just fine. Nathan is honestly one the good ones. He is sweet and kind and he will love you unconditionally." I said as she hugged me tightly as if she was gaining strength the tighter she held onto me.