about an hour later, she sat out on the dock not far from the house. when she had come out here, she had asked to be alone. she needed to think about what had just happened and what she was going to do about it. At the moment, her Nordic blue eyes were focused out on the moon that was rising over the water. Nothing about tonight had gone according to plan. Upon receiving the Alpha's invitation, she had not considered the fact that maybe he just might actually be her mate. Why had this prospect not hit her sooner? However, now that she knew who he was, her life was about to change. this was not what she wanted. she did not want to be a Luna. But then again, who did? "Damn." She muttered. For one, she wanted at least SOMETHING to go her way.
behind her, heavy set footsteps came down the dock. To her left, her brother sat down with his bare feet dangling in the water. They both just sat in contented silence for a while before delving into conversation. "Something tells me you're not happy with who you're new-found mate is." She managed an exasperated yet frustrated laugh before dropping her head in her hands. "I don't know what I'm going to do, Sam." He kept his gaze forward, not sure what to say next. looking over at her brother, she felt a strong wave of anxiety wash over her. "I'm struggling to remember what it was mom would say about difficult issues life this." Sam smiled. "You are only as good as your bad days." Hearing him say the same words their mother used to say made her heart hurt.
"I don't want this, Sam." She stated. "How do I face an alpha and reject him?" The silence following her question was deafening. the only sing that her brother had heard her question was the pensive look on his face. "Perhaps rejection isn't the correct road to game in this particular situation, Grace." Turning his head, he studied her with an intensity that reminded her of their father. "My best bet advice would be, give it time. get to know him before you flat out reject him. that way, you know who you're rejecting." These were wise words, something she had not been expecting him to say. But he was right. She should give her mate a chance before going straight to the road of rejection. God knows what that would do.
they both say at the dock for an hour longer before she decided that it was time to face the man she was fated to be with. pulling herself to her feet, she started back towards the house, only stopping in the living room doorway when she saw him standing in front of the fire that blazed in the fireplace. he had his hands in his pockets and his back to her. "I think we need to talk." He looked over his shoulder, but he didn't move. this made her a little nervous. why wouldn't he face her? "Being a Luna, a Pack leader..." She trailed off, trying to think of how to properly word what she was thinking. "It's not exactly the kind of life I was expecting." The pros lift in his shoulders dropped as he turned around. "So, are you rejecting me?" There was a slight tremble in his voice.
She stepped forward. "No." A sudden urge of anxiety and through her. she had to finish what she wanted to say before she lost the nerve to do so. "I don't want to flat out reject you. I don't." Her hands were shaking now, and he must have noticed it because he bridged the gap between them and took her hands in his. "Then, what do you want?" He was trying to help her relax, and for now, it was working. "I know we don't know each other. Which is why I want to give us a chance, an actual chance." A hint of relief began to show in his eyes. "I want to give us a chance to really know each other before I make a decision." He smiled this time, lifting his hand to gently brush an eyelash from her cheek. His canines showed from behind his lips when he smiled. "I can work with that."
~ * ~ * ~
She woke before the sun rose the next morning, changing into her black tracksuit and sneakers, pulling her hair up into a tight ponytail before leaving the house. The early morning air was warm with a cool breeze, bringing with it the familiar scents of pine and wet earth. These were the scents she had grown accustomed to over the past eighteen years of living in the forest. Her feet pounded against the dirt as she made her way through the territory, getting those who greeted he along her way. Before she knew it, she was passing the main building in the center of the territory. Out front, Rhys was talking to a young man she recognized as Brayden Pierce.
Along with his father and his sister, Brayden was a Pack medic. Whatever they were talking about must have been important because Rhys looked upset, really upset. His arms were crossed once his chest, and it was right then that she could just barely see the faint distinguishing marks of a tattoo peaking out from under his shirt sleeve. Having sensed someone was watching him, his gaze swept over the front yard. When he saw her, there was a noticeable change of expression on his face. He said something to Brayden, sending him on his way before coming over. "Hey." Managing a smile, she took a step back. "Listen...I have a lot to do today, but I want to take you out tonight. Do you have any plans?" She shook her head, knowing that she didn't even have to think about it,
He smiled, really smiled. "Good. I'll be by to pick you up around eight." He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before turning away and leaving. Her face heated in a deep blush, and she bit back a smile. They had only met yesterday, so there shouldn't be a reason for her to feel the way she did. However, she was happy. Why was she happy? She didn't know this man. She did know this though: She wanted to know him.