Her mate, a rough with secret past. Her friend and Beta with mate problems―and she has a good guess about who that is. Her pack and the unwanted conflict with the Royals.
Tilda mentally made a list of all the things she should worry about and observed each problem.
And she still doesn't have any answers. Everything has been turned from peace to chaos quickly but at least she has a mate now. But it was not what she expected at all. And she doubts Oliver had any different experience.
Tilda didn't instantly fall in love with her mate like the stories which she wanted to think about as a good thing. She liked Annabelle of course but for now, it was just admiration. She didn't still like her that way. What she felt mostly came from Grey and her instincts.
Tilda pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. She can fall in love with Annabelle if she gets the chance to get to know her better but soon the council will find out about the Royals and her free time will be her sleep time.
"What are you thinking about?" Tilda didn't see Annabelle sitting beside her on the stairs of the packhouse's backyard.
Tilda also didn't realize that she was glaring at nowhere while her eyes searched for peace in the sight of the forest and trees. Her frown disappeared as soon as she realized she was frowning in the first place.
"Nothing that important." Tilda lied through her teeth. The idea of talking about her pack's biggest problem with Annabelle didn't sit right with her.
Oliver was right, for the first time. She didn't trust Annabelle because she didn't know her. And that was okay. Trust didn't come with a day of talking. She will learn to trust Annabelle if she gets the chance.
"Okay." Annabelle smiled. Tilda was grateful that she didn't push the subject. For the first time in hours, Tilda finally let herself relax a little.
"I heard from someone called Max that your brother is 'bout to arrive," Anabelle said, hoping that Tilda's mind would get off whatever that had upset her earlier. "And Oliver said something about… 'Going into survival mode', I guess?"
Tilda scoffed. "That sounds like him." Then she fully turned to Anabelle and continued with a serious expression. "I'm sorry but I don't know what's going to happen to your… friend."
"Reyhane?" Annabelle asked with a hint of something unrecognizable in her tone.
"Yes," Tilda confirmed. "Her thoughts have been too much threatening for my pack and if the search shows signs of danger for us, then we must give her to the Royals."
Something formed between the two mates. Not good but not bad either. But they both realized the depth of a bond and the truth of it.
When Tilda said 'we', she meant herself and her pack. Annabelle and her family aren't part of it. Not yet. But until mutual trust gets formed between them, it will stay the same.
"I understand," Annabelle said, regarding both what Tilda said and what she didn't speak. Then she smiled and continued, "Should we go and see if your brother is here? Alexander, right?"
"That's the royal pain in the ass's name, yes." Tilda nodded seriously and Anabelle laughed.
The Alpha got up and held out her hand for her mate. Anabelle took it with a smile still on her lips and mumbled a quick "Thank you."
They entered the grand main hall of the packhouse in silence but the hall was anything but quiet.
Tilda saw Paria standing near the door with her head between her hands and an annoyed frown on her face.
"Someone shut them up." She muttered under her breath and Tilda instantly knew what she was talking about. "I'm going to kill myself. I really am. These two are the cause of my death. Oh, hey Tilda! Hello Annabelle."
"What's happening?" Annabelle looked lost. Tilda couldn't help but laugh as her mate watched the people walking around the packhouse as if someone wasn't shouting outside the packhouse. Lots of curses included.
"It's nothing important, really." Tilda laughed when she heard Oliver calling Alexander―who she guessed is probably his mate―A turkey.
Annabelle saw the pair of boys outside and watched them with interest. "Your brother just arrived. What you said turned to be true sooner than I expected."
"Don't bother with them." Tilda laughed when she realized Annabelle was taking this insult throwing too seriously. "They get over it till dinner. Then they start tomorrow until lunch. Pretty normal."
"Okay…" Annabelle looked uncertain but didn't do anything.
Get your ass inside. Tilda said it more like an order to Oliver. Right now. We have a meeting.
Oliver either ignored her or was too occupied with his heated argument with Alexander. Tilda wondered if she should say hello to him. Alexander did annoy her too. Not as much as he did with Oliver. Thank God.
"Oliver," Tilda said when he didn't answer. Her voice held authority this time with no hint of playfulness. "I said come here. We have a meeting. And Alex, please stop tormenting my Beta."
"Hello to you too sister." Alexander stopped looking at Oliver and turned to look at Tilda. He was a foot taller than both Tilda and Oliver. And they were both pretty tall too.
"Okay," Oliver mumbled and went to stand behind Tilda, after he said hello to Annabelle and Paria, like a scolded child.
Alexander's eyes followed his movement and that confirmed Tilda's theory about Oliver's mate.
"Make yourself uncomfortable, Alexander, while I'm at my meeting," Tilda said and Oliver grinned to himself behind her. "And if you wish to join the meeting, I shall get you a cactus to sit on."
"I would love to join your lovely meeting," Alexander said to Tilda. His voice was more teasing than usual.
That shows the love between them. The true interaction between them was something like this in the brother and sister relationship:
Tilda: I'm glad you're here and I would like to spend some time with you but I'm busy. Do you mind joining me so at least we see each other a little?
Alexander: I would love to join your lovely meeting. But you know? Not teasing and truly love and lovely.
"Alexander." Tilda suddenly said and wrapped her arm around Annabelle who blushed furiously at the unexpected action. "I found my mate." She grinned. "This is Annabelle Black. My mate."
Alexander looked at Annabelle with unreadable and darkened eyes. Oliver could suddenly feel the rage coming off from him but the others weren't able to.
To everyone's surprise, Alexander answered, "I know. Isn't her dad the one who put Ollie's parents into a coma?"