*Kash View*
He had given me a few things to think about. It was a little scary they had no idea what to expect with mating. All the turmoil had me wanting to know what I was getting into. My mind turned to my wolf to talk things over.
'You never said he was our mate.' I almost growled at him.
'Did I have too? He is the best for us. There will be no other.' It was easy to picture him grinning at me.
Sometimes I wish our wolf side was a separate being. The feeling of biting his ear was strong. 'I feel betrayed.'
'Hmph. How do you think I feel since you deny our mate?' That comment hit me where it kinda hurt, but I understood how he felt.
'I do not really deny him. I am afraid of loosing who I am.'
'We will never loose who we are. We can only become more than we once were. We grow and learn; life is about change. He has proven it many times that he is the right one for the strength we need.' My wolf then went back to his quiet ways and shared memories of the last week to me. Including the heat ones, I tried to forget. But the look of care in his eyes was consistent. He teases, sure, but the eyes do not lie. He would never push me too far. I sighed.
"What is a mate pledge?" I blurted out.
"What?" Atlas was caught off guard by my question.
"I have never seen one. No one has really explained it, I just know it exists." My eyes were peeled to the outside, but my body listened to everything that was Atlas. I could sense his pheromones spike a little before settling. Once more having me wish I could understand my own scent. "My Alpha, never really let me be involved with the pack events as you know. I have more knowledge of a pack pledge as I was the one who did the paper work for them. I never got papers for the mate one." The need to explain left a bitter taste in my mouth.
"There would be no need of papers. It is like a marking. Very much like the one the Alpha does for their mate before the true mark. The soft mark can last for three weeks. If the pair still decide to mate, they place a real mark on each other. Mate pledges really do not happen all that often. Many choose to just mate." I could sense his curiosity, but he never asked.
I could not hold back my growl. "But no one fucking knows what happens if I do mate." I could see the town ahead. "Stop the car. I am walking."
I turned to see Karr look at Atlas who nodded, before pulling the car over. The car had not fully stopped before I jumped out, slamming the door behind me. Taking a deep breath of the clear air my feet started towards the town. Ignoring that the car stayed where it was while I walked, my thoughts turned to my wolf.
'How do people do this? How do they ask to be marked but tell their mates they are scared?'
'We don't.'
'Wait...what?' His reply was not what I expected.
'Are you the second son of an Alpha or not. Why wait for him? Mark him yourself like you should. Be proud and claim what is yours.'
I growled. My wolf was good at giving me a good kick in my ass when I needed it. 'Hmm, I guess you're right. I worry he will reject me. That and the fact I have no idea what I am doing.'
'Let me take over for a night. Instincts come in handy for this.' I could sense him purr and it frightened me a little.
'You know you scare me sometimes.'
He chuckled. 'You just need to trust yourself more. You are no longer held by chains.'
The walk helped clear my head and as I finally reached the first building I was smiling. Atlas was walking up beside me now and his scent was just what I wanted at this time.
"Is it safe to join you now?" He was hesitant but hopeful in his voice.
"Hmm." I nodded. "You are somewhat persistent, and I know you know it." He chuckled at my comment. "There is a nice thing knowing that you know when to back down though. My wolf and I needed time."
"I understand, the needing time thing. When we are done with our lunch, I would like you to hang out with Doc while Zion and I deal with our little issue." His voice was a tad hesitant.
"Wow, so fast to ditch me. Thanks." I rolled my eyes.
"Not really. Zion and Doc are making me. Something about needing to vent away from your mate or something." He scratched the back of his neck. "You do not have too."
"They are right. I might just need that. Besides." I turned to him with a mischievous glint. "Doc said he can show me a secret spot."
He laughed. "He did say that."
The bakery was closer than I though and the quiet walk between us was no longer strained. Both in our own thoughts as we entered. The bakery was very cute. A small display cabinet with the cash register and baked goods on display behind it. The counter itself was a dusty rose colour matching the rose flooring. If I had a sister, she would be all over this place. The area had small white bench type seating, with sofa looking seats for comfort. The lighting was bright and welcoming along with the small lady coming towards us.
"Alpha! Luna! What a pleasant surprise!" The woman behind the counter came forward smiling. "I am sorry but the owners are out for the time being. Can I help you with anything?"
"We would like some desert and coffee please." Atlas smiled. "Would you happen to have Strawberry Shortcake?"
"Yes! We just had a fresh batch made." She turned to me. "And for yourself Luna?"
Looking at my shoes there was one sweet dessert that came to my mind. "Uhh, do you sell Tiramisu?"
"Of course! And to drink?" She quietly asked, feeling my unease.
"Coffee is fine, thank you." I followed Atlas to a small booth near the window.
"We definitely need to get you to socialize more. Your pheromones just about had her hug you." I looked up at his comment. "You also need to open up your inner wolf more."
My wolf was chuckling at this. Not a tease chuckle either. Like an evil man rubbing his hands together chuckling. "Hmm, I think my wolf is safer where he is right now."
"All I mean is to use more of your senses. It can help you control the scent you release around others. Pheromones can be your greatest weapon or worst weakness. Knowing them, and yourself determines it all."
At this moment the dessert was delivered and I focused on the food. It was good and I would be back for sure. My smile soon left as I saw Atlas handing his card over to pay. "This was my apology! You can't erase that from me!"
"Can I not pay for this? Your time has been the best apology I could ask for." I glared at him. He let the girl go and run his card before he spoke quietly to me. "Look, I understand where you are coming from, but I am worried your father cancelled your cards."
I sat back. That was something he would completely do. He did it before when I went on a spree spending what I could when I got pissed at him. "Great! I am completely useless."
Atlas whispered and I almost missed his words. "Perfect timing."
"Well, well, well. Mr.Alpha and the little Luna. What perfect timing. Looks like I can steal Kash now." Doc walked in smiling.
Atlas groaned. "Take it easy Doc. He needs to be back for about seventeen hundred hours. We are having a family meal."
"Ah, yes. Alpha Trent has stopped by. What does the lovely Crystal Lake pack need?" Doc was full of sarcasm as he spoke.
"Just to meet Kash. Though his 'Omegas should be seen and not heard' has already come out. Dinner shall be less than pleasant." Atlas now stood up. "I shall leave Kash in your hands."
"Ha! We both know you have at least ten guards outside on top of these two." Doc was grinning.
Atlas seemed to ignore him and looked back at me. "I am sorry to cut our day short. I am truly looking forward to having dinner with you this evening."
My tilted my head to the side. "I thought you just said you are not looking forward to it?"
Atlas just chuckled and walked off with Zion, who I had just noticed at the door. I waved to him quickly then focused on Doc. "So, what are your plans?" This man still was not easy for me to read and no matter how close he was to Atlas, I was cautious.
"That is easy Luna. You and I are going for a well needed run."
When Doc said a run, he meant a run. He hardly gave me a chance to strip down before he took off. We had now been running for an easy thirty minutes and I was tired. My body was not used to being used to this potential. Even now the wolf in front was moving even further away. Not even having a chance to pay attention to my surroundings, I knew if I lost him I would loose my own way. My rational brain was gone. Forgotten that the guards that would no doubt be near by.
Another five minutes went by and there was no sign of slowing down. Doc was no more than a flash once in a while in the distance. Trying once more to push myself to catch up I made an error and tripped over a root on the path. I whimpered in pain and I tumbled down. If my pace was not an all out run, my fall might have been simple. That was not the case. I lost count how many times I flipped over. Laying still in the dirt, catching my breath, cursing a certain Doc. That is when I realized, it might have been just a little too quiet.