Chapter 11 - Nicolas

My nerves were high as I approached the front lawn with a male Beta beside me. Blood Alpha Cooper said he was going to open the portal on his end, as he is already there, for us to walk through.

He didn't seem concerned about this pack accepting me. If her Pack wants a rejection, it may not matter what my mate and I decide. Pack Blood Alphas have the Alpha commands and parents have the family bond to convince their children to do what they want. If they want me gone, I may not have a choice.

My thoughts jump to seeing the file on my strong, smart mate. I will never forget that day as the fear and then pain lasted for over an hour. My family was desperately trying to help me, but nothing could be done. My wolf and I screamed our heartbreak at what was happening to our mate. If she had died, we would have too. We were that connected to her at that time as her wolf had reached out for comfort.

Reading what she went through brought it all to the surface, as the memories now had a story behind them. I was proud that she came up with a plan so quickly to stop the Alphas but shed tears over her getting caught in the trap too.

Sometimes it was truly a blessing to be part of the Mahani tribes. My wolf was able to lend comfort even though we had not met yet. I don't know if the human side felt it, but her wolf did.

My attention was pulled to the Alpha ring opening that had appeared a few steps away.

"Are you ready?" asked the Beta.

I could see Blood Alpha Cooper standing with two other men. I took a single step and then another. My anxiety battled with my excitement until I finally made it to the other side.

"This is the Blood Alpha of this pack and your mate's father. Put their scents in your memory," he said to my wolf. I knew my eyes glowed as my wolf made his presence known, doing as told. "You will not shift until told otherwise."

My wolf nodded before returning control to me. I looked up at my mate's father and Blood Alpha.

"Thank you for allowing my tribe and myself on your land. May I ask what you are hoping for, the outcome?" This was a common question so I knew they wouldn't take offense to it.

"For my daughter to be happy," her father said.

"I agree," came from the Blood Alpha.

"As do we," Blood Alpha Cooper added. "Let's go meet your mate."

We walked into the woods but in less than a minute, I could see the open field with the structure in the center. Someone was inside. My mate!

I was the first out of the woods and headed straight for the structure. Since no one stopped me, I'm guessing it was expected. I got to the opening, a plastic doorway, and entered.

I took a deep inhale as did she.

"MATE! MATE!" My wolf yelled in my head. I could feel my eyes glowing and was surprised he was letting me keep control.

"Mate," she said softly, her beautiful brown eyes also glowing.

My wolf and I shared eyes as I took a few steps closer but not close enough to touch.

"I can't believe it," I said. "I've searched so long."

"I'm sorry to say," she took a big breath, "I wasn't looking. I knew I would be rejected so I hid." I could see her composure was severely strained and my wolf demanded I comfort her, and I wanted that to, but...

"Can I hold you, please?"

I could tell she was debating it with her wolf, but I couldn't tell who was winning. It took a minute or two and then she stepped closer and so did I. I held out my arms and leaned forward slowly, giving her the room to move away if she changed her mind.

Oh, my Goddess, she is in my arms. The feelings coursing threw me were nothing I'd ever felt before. My arms and chest tingled where we touched. I held her lightly at first but my arms tightened as she relaxed.

Her wolf put her nose right where my shoulder meets my neck. I stiffened for a moment, wondering if she could smell the Blood Alpha that attacked me yesterday. The Omegas told me the scent was gone and the bite was healed -- I checked this morning, but logic doesn't work when you are scared. And right now, I'm close to terrified that she will reject me.

My wolf let out a small frightened whine and her head shot up, pulling her apart from me.

"Why is your wolf afraid?" She looked determined and...protective?

"Do I still have THAT PERSON'S scent on me, from, uhm, yesterday?" My voice trailed off a bit at the end.

"Look at me." I did as told.

"You know that wasn't your fault, right?" My darling girl held my attention easily and was trying to reassure me.

I brought my arms from around her so I could touch both sides of her face. The tingles felt so good.

Taking a deep breath I made the biggest decision of my life.

"I, Nicolas Kelly, accept you, ..." I paused.

She also took a breath but didn't stop to think.

"Kayla Sinclair."

"Kayla Sinclair, as my true fated mate," I finished.

"I, Kayla Sinclair, accept you, Nicolas Kelly, as my true fated mate."

I leaned in and kissed my mate for the very first time. I felt the matebond surge through the both of us, like a whipping wind going through our hair and clothing.

I suddenly felt more alive than I'd ever felt before. As I pulled back, her eyes met mine and I could feel her presence as well as her wolf. My smile couldn't get any wider.

Just as I leaned down for another kiss, I heard a voice in my head.

"Delta Four to Gamma One, fifty wolves closing in. You are under attack."