Day 2,740
I have observed and listened to my mate's conversations with his friends, Thrain and Corey, and have decided that I feel better than I have ever before in my entire life. Thrain, although intimidating, is alert and quiet. Corey is like Jerom, funny and a bundle of joy. He puts Reed in boyish state that suits him well. When Reed smiles, his eyes brighten, and his body relaxes. He continues to glance at me and make sure I'm alright, but what he doesn't know is that I'm better than alright – I feel like I can breathe again, even after Jerom's death. I don't have to be in the house of his killer, where memories are plentiful, and loneliness will threaten to take me alive. Having Reed and his friends take me away from Alpha Roniston and the people who suffocated me is a relief I've only dreamed of. Sure, I'm scared about leaving the only people who I have ever known, but I'm also looking forward to finding a new life somewhere. It's what Jerom would have wanted.
I am not ready to fully trust my mate yet. He may have saved my life and taken me away from an unbelievably bad situation, but I have yet to figure out if he is as my mother says. Because if he is, and I fall in love with him, then it'll hurt. If I don't fall in love with him, it will still hurt but more in the way of my hopes being flushed down the toilet than my heart being crushed. I want to trust him…I want to be completely happy with him, but I don't want it at the price of being broken afterwards. I don't want it if he's toying with me. I want a real mate, one Jerom spoke of last night. I want…
The car continues and we hit a bump, making me gasp. Reed puts a hand on my lap as if to protect me before slowing down a bit and glancing at me. His green eyes refocus on the road and I slump against the back of the seat. Behind me, Corey and Thrain mutter a conversation, but I can't make out their words.
"Simone?" Reed whispers. I look up at him and become very wary. His hand that was still on my lap starts rubbing soothing circles. "Can you tell me anything about yourself?"
"Like what?"
"Let's say, what's your favorite color?"
I stare at him, a bit surprised by his relaxed and gentle state. "Blue."
"Favorite food?"
"Anything cooked over a fire," I say, and he smiles, glancing over at me again. "I like the smoky aftertaste."
"Me too," he says and turns into a dirt pathway. "What else do you like?"
"I like to run but haven't been able to do it as often as I like. I like to write. I love being alone sometimes in my room because then Alpha Roniston isn't always watching me. I liked playing around with Jerom…" I bite my lip, looking away.
His hand squeezes one of my knees and he whispers, "I'm sorry about that, Beautiful."
I tried to sound strong, but my voice came out shaky and weak. "He was my best friend!"
The car stopped and I feel all eyes on me but didn't care as my seat belt was unbuckled and I was pulled over the console against a hard chest. I stiffened but arms banded around me and a hand stroked my back. "Let it go, Simone. It's okay," Reed whispered into my hair.
I shake my head, putting my hand on his chest. "I can't!" I hiss.
"Yes, you can. No one here will judge you for crying."
Not believing him, I continued to sit stiff in his arms, unable to get used to his touch even though I let him carry me earlier. I waited for something bad to happen to me, something I was sure to be painful, but he only stroked my back, trying to sooth my nerves.
It was a long time before I heard him sigh and felt him pull away slightly, looking down at me. "We're almost there, okay?"
I nod once and see he's watching me with a calculating look. Biting my lip, I pull away and slide back into my seat, buckling my belt. I hear the back car doors open and shut and realize the other two had stepped out to give us privacy. Reed pulls back onto the road and continues driving again, glancing at me from time to time. I pull my knees up to my chest and watch the scenery pass by.
Reed was shaking me gently as I must have drifted off to sleep, saying we've arrived. I look about to see people milling about minding their own business. One woman has a bright smile and walks up to Reed as he steps out of the car, talking to him. He nods and signs something, then dismisses her, coming over to open my door. I still haven't unbuckled my belt yet when he kneels beside me and waits patiently. It's just me, but his pack was large.
"What is going on? Why is everyone so excited?" I ask him softly.
"They know I brought home my Luna and are wanting to celebrate," he says. "There will be a bonfire tonight with the whole pack gathered around to welcome you and meet you."
"Why?"
"Because, they're happy to have a Luna after their last one died. They're happy I have found my mate." I look at Reed who is staring at me with wary eyes. My body instantly becomes tense again and I lean away. Sighing, he stands and holds out a hand. "Come on, Simone. Let's get you cleaned up."
I unbuckle and grab his hand hesitantly, letting him help me stand and move to the side so he can close the door. Closing my eyes, I let the cool breeze brush my face and through my hair, inhaling deeply. It smelled fresh here, it smelled like freedom and safety and something dark and bitter.
"This way," Reed said, and I open my eyes to see him gesturing for me to follow. I do, walking behind him slightly and look around. People smiled at me, but I wasn't sure if it was genuine or not. I couldn't tell if they were mocking me because of who I am.
This really got my nerves going and I stopped, narrowing my eyes on everyone, giving them a low growl. Women and children back away with shocked expressions while the males stepped forward.
"Stop!" Reed ordered loudly. They all bowed their heads at him in respect as he walked up to me and grabbed my hand. I pulled away but he narrowed his eyes and pulled me to him, making me gasp at first then whimper. "Enough!" he hissed.
Trembling, I nodded and did the same as everyone else. "I'm sorry, Sir."
I feel his body relax around mine before he clears his throat. "Everyone continues your routines, please." In a softer voice, Reed says to me, "Look up at me, Simone." I do and see his face is close to mine. "No one here is going to hurt you. They have done nothing wrong. Don't growl at them."
Gulping, I nod again. "Okay."
One hand reaches up and pulls a lock of hair from my face as the other continues to hold me tight against him. "Don't be afraid of me, Beautiful. I am not going to hurt you."
I nod, but don't believe him. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize, either."
"I'm so—" I stop myself before I disobey him, clapping a hand over my mouth. I hesitantly look back at him to see his eyes are soft and a small smile on his face. "Okay," I amend after a moment.
He nods and carefully lets me go. I straighten my clothes and follow him to a large house that he unlocks and opens the door to. Ushering me inside, he steps a side to let me in. I warily do, thinking of all the worst things he could do to me, but pause when the lights flicker on and there's a luxurious living room in front of me. "Go ahead and sit," Reed says, walking past and disappearing into another room.
Gingerly, I sit on the edge of a black leather couch and look around at the neat coffee table, huge tv, beautiful lamps, and large bay windows that look out on the pack. "Woah…" Jumping up, I run over to the large fireplace and see logs stacked up inside through the glass.
"I won't light it until autumn or winter when it's cold outside," I hear behind me.
"But you will?" I ask softly, smelling the smoky ashes.
"Yes," he chuckles. "Come here and sit. I have a snack and you can relax."
Taking one last long look at the fireplace, I stood and sat on a couch beside his. On the coffee table, he had set out grapes, crackers, and slices of cheese and ham. I pick up a cracker and nibble on it, looking at Reed and realizing he was searching his pockets for something. When he finally finds the item, he holds it in the palm of his hand then stands and puts it by the tv on a shelf. "Where are Thrain and Corey?" I ask as a way of conversation.
"Home. Corey is with his new mate and Thrain is home taking a break." Reed walks back over and sits down, leaning his forearms on his thighs as he looks at me. "I'm going to buy you some clothes and necessities, is there anything in particular you want?"
I shift in my seat, nervous. "Just a new shirt."
"Simone, you're getting a new shirt. You're getting new everything. Tell me if there is anything special you want."
I shake my head, grabbing another cracker and quickly stuffing it in my mouth. Reed raises a brow and I chew and swallow. "I don't want you to waste your time."
"You're my mate," he sighs. "I'm supposed to waste my time on you."
"You're an alpha, though."
"And your point?"
I tense and look down and away from him. "You're supposed to take care of the pack."
"The pack is fine," he chuckles. "The pack is busy getting ready for tonight to welcome you. I'm focusing on my mate for the next few hours I have alone with you."
This makes me look up quickly and stare at him with wide eyes. "Alone?"
"I'm not going to hurt you, Beautiful. I was just going to shop with you, is that alright?" he asks softly, a bit surprised by my reaction, I think.
"But I don't want to make you mad and make you reject me."
His green eyes narrow and I flinch, quickly getting up and backing away from the seating area. "Simone, why would I reject you over something as stupid as shopping?"
My back hits the wall and my eyes dart around the room. Reed stands up slowly and I finally look at him, startled and shaking. "I-I don't know."
He holds up his hands and walks slowly over. "Easy, Simone. I need you to calm down and think for a moment." I whimper and press harder against the wall, hoping it would give way and let me through. "I helped you today, remember? I kept you safe from an attack. I got you out of your old pack who was treating you like an Omega and brought you here where you'd be able to be yourself. I will not harm you, Simone."
He stops a foot or two away and I feel my heart pound. He was right, but what about the future. How do I know for sure he won't hurt me? He seemed like a decent person, but so had Roniston until he banished me away from the pack.
"Simone, can you hear me?" Reed asks softly.
"I don't know how to be myself. I don't know you. I don't know anyone here," I whispered shakily.
Reed nods. "I know. Let me help you, then."
"But…you're going to want something in return…mother said mates aren't loyal."
Taking a deep breath, he closes his eyes and takes a step back. "Will you follow me, please?"
"Where?"
"The bathroom. I want to let you shower and clean up a little before we continue this conversation." I nod slowly and he turns and walks away, checking once to see if I was following. I was and he led me up some stairs and down a hallway, reaching a door. Turning to me, he opens it and says, "I'll bring you something to wear and set them out here on the floor, okay?"
"Where are you going?"
"Back downstairs and to talk to someone important. I won't leave the house." I slowly slip past him and into the bathroom then turn around. He's watching me with a somber look but says, "Come down when you're finished, okay?" I nod as. I close the door and turn on the light, slumping to the ground and trying to get control of my emotions.