Justine parks the car in front of the pack house, and I silently look at the entrance. Dreading the moment that I have to enter and attend that meeting.
"Everything's going to be fine Lu-ann. I know he's not going to hurt you anymore. And if he ever does, we'll be here for you." Justine tried to assure me once again. I felt the ride was too short. I wished I could just have walked here and had more time to myself.
I didn't have much faith in him helping me as he usually ignored me and only talked to me when he needed something done. But I knew I can depend on his father, the Alpha and his Luna, and Kaylee, my only dear friend at the pack.
I looked at Justine but did not have the time to respond as my door was opened by none other than the Alpha of Bullies, wearing a fake concerned beautiful smile.
Goddess! I wished I was anywhere but here!
I stepped off Justine's car, avoiding Damon's hand as he tried to help me out and escort me inside. I saw his smile slip, hurt by my avoidance of his touch but I ignored it. Being his mate doesn't give him the right to touch me anytime he wanted.
Goddess! My life has just gotten better than ever. Why did it have to be ruined again by this monster of an Alpha?
I rapidly walked to the pack house. Not caring where Damon, Mark or Justine was, intent only on getting inside the house and have a little distance between me and Damon.
I walk past the large living room. Noticing at least fifteen she-wolfs either standing or seating at the sofa, looking at me speculatively. News must have traveled already of my being mated to the King Alpha and I knew, a lot of them were sizing me up. Some even looking at me jealously. Openly wondering what qualities I had to be chosen as Damon's mate. If only I could choose. I sighed.
I have heard some of them excitedly talking the other night when the King Alpha and Damon, together with the soon-to-be officers and they thought Damon came looking for a suitable Luna. I also thought the same thing, though I wondered why he didn't just choose from his pack especially from the she-wolfs hanging by his arms every time I saw him at school.
Most of the she-wolves in my pack had been excited that night. Dreaming to be chosen by Damon at the Mate-Matching ball they were invited to, personally by the King Alpha and Damon. I now realize, the invitation must just have been a ruse to scent me out. Fortunately, I was at school when they came, and they were already long gone when I got home.
Justine mind-linked me to tell me the meeting was to be at his father's office, and I walk directly to the hallway leading to the said location. I knock when I get in front of the door, feeling my mate behind me, smelling his scent and as absurd as it was, feeling his scent calm me down. I felt my little wolf growl in excitement, but I quickly push her down. Now is not the time for masochistic thoughts.
I open the door once I hear Alpha Cain call out "come in" and enter, followed by Damon Hunter, Mark the Beta, the soon-to-be Alpha of my pack, Justine, and his Beta who must have come in the pack house as we got inside.
I paused immediately in surprise as I see the King Alpha and his Luna. They were both seated on the sofa, obviously waiting for us. I looked at Alpha Cain and Alpha Camille seating opposite them and I bowed my head.
I realized, I entered an office full of royals and high-ranking officials and I was the only one belonging to the bottom of the hierarchy.
"Come on in Lu-ann. Let the others come inside." Alpha Cain stood up, just as everyone else, including the King Alpha and Luna stand up. I walked slowly, only then noticing that Kaylee and her father, Alpha Cain's Beta were also in the room and were now standing up. I wanted to retreat. I wanted to just have Damon Hunter reject me and get this over with without facing all these people.
My thoughts must have been reflected on my face as I saw Kaylee come near me, taking my hand and guiding me to where she was standing.
"Lu-ann this is King Alpha Dante, Damon's father and this is Queen Luna Annabelle, Damon's mother."
I was about to say hello when the Queen Luna Annabel caught me in a tight hug. I looked at the King Alpha in shock.
"I am so glad to finally meet you honey." This was the very first time I ever felt a mother figure hug me and it shocked me. Tears immediately started to line my eyes and I bowed my head to hide my tearful emotions. Everyone must have noticed as everyone seemed to look elsewhere than at us. Then someone cleared his throat.
"Lu-ann, I am so glad to meet you finally." King Alpha Dante said, extending his hand forward as Luna Annabelle released me from her embrace. I timidly shook his hands. "Glad to meet you too King Alpha."
"Well, why don't we all sit down. I know this meeting will take some time. Why not everybody gets comfortable." Alpha Cain said.
I sat down beside Kaylee, who immediately held my hand as we sat down and I felt and smelled Damon as he sat on my other side.
I breathe deeply, taking in his scent, feeling my nerves relax despite myself.
"We are here today for a formal meeting between my son Damon, and his mate Lu-ann. Is it safe to say that you have purposely avoided meeting my son when you realized you were mated to him?" King Alpha directly asked me and took me off guard.
I didn't realize he would be this direct. I wondered if I would be killed if I said the wrong answer. I felt everyone's eyes on me and felt my hands tremble. I moved my palms up and down my thigh as I answer as truthfully as I can.
"I... I didn't know it was him at first." I said softly.
"You did not bother to find out who your mate is?" King Alpha asked, obviously trying to soften his voice. Not wanting to scare me.
I bowed my head. "I was trespassing on your territory King Alpha. I was scared I would be caught so I just ran to our border." I raise my head and see him look at his son. It seemed they were mind-linking.
"You scented him out from that far?" He asked and I nodded.
"When did you realize my son was your mate?"
"Kaylee dropped by the shop yesterday and told me, Damon and them were coming back here to follow my scent from the border. But I still wasn't so sure. I was planning to ask Kaylee when I got here and confirm but they already knew and was waiting to talk to me last night." I explained lengthily. Everyone was quiet. Perhaps thinking, what now?
"It's alright dear. We are here now. You found each other finally. And we can now talk about the next step. I assume you already know that mates are supposed to stay together as the mate bond strengthens. Or someone would slowly go out of their mind in desperation." Luna Camille repeats the explanation Alpha Cain has told me last night. Everyone was silent after that. I looked at all the serious faces around me and I felt my heart sink to my stomach. This was something not to be taken lightly.
"Might I suggest we call your parents?" Luna Annabel said, and I looked at Alpha Cain in panic.
"Her mother died when she was just a pup, and her stepfather is not in her life right now. I take full responsibility of her for now." Alpha Cain took obligation of me, and I nodded in appreciation.
"May I ask why you didn't deem it necessary to look for your mate?" Luna Annabelle asked me directly.
I looked at Kaylee who nodded at me supportively, still holding my hand. I was torn between telling this kindhearted Luna that her son was the king of bullies and I was their number one victim or telling her that I was scared of being mated with anyone in their pack as most of them were bullies.
I opted to be honest. I slowly removed my bonnet, showing everyone my cropped hair. Feeling Damon stiffen beside me and feeling tension from everyone specially the would-be officers of Dark Midnight Pack. I moved my head to show Luna Annabelle the back of my head.
"This was cropped last week, on my birthday. By your pack members Queen Luna. After I was bathed with worms and cockroaches." I spoke. My voice breaking at the last sentence. I really thought I have moved on and will not get emotional over this, but it seems I was wrong.
As Luna Annabelle gasped, Damon held my other hand. The one holding the bonnet.
"I'm sorry." He spoke for the first time since we started the meeting. "I know we did horrible things to you. Please forgive me. I will do everything to make things right." He said pleadingly, shocking everyone for immediately accepting his mistakes.
I tried to pull my hand from his, but he gripped it harder.
Luna Annabelle was obviously shocked. "Damon, you did that? And you Mark, Denver and Buster? You all did this?"