Mark 1.1

When we arrived at the hotel, I easily recognized the group of people standing outside. I couldn't help but feel even more nervous as we headed towards them, and their eyes landed on us. The females let out some kind of squeal of excitement as they rushed towards us, leaving the men behind. Without realizing I had done it, I shrunk back into Gio, not used to this kind of attention. Gio seemed to notice, and he must've mind-linked Kit, because Kit stepped in front of me slightly and held his hand out to the girls.

"Stop." Kit commanded.

The girls came to a sudden halt, looking very confused. I let out a relieved breath, squeezing Gio's hand slightly to say my thanks. I remembered their names from when dad had told me who the Royals were, but I hope I haven't offended them. I know they more than likely don't mean to be a little scary, but seeing them run at me, it made me want to turn tail and flee. Ever since Kody, I never really had friends, nor did I try to associate with anybody since then. So seeing their friendly faces, I don't know if they are truly being friendly because they like me, or because they are forced to like me because Gio and Kit want me to be their mate.

"He's nervous." Kit told me, the men having approached now, "so, calm down, and take it easy. I don't want you guys to scare him off already."

Mateo, the Delta, raised an eyebrow, "what? Is he weak?"

I flinched back, surprised that he had even asked that. I'm not weak, but they are stronger than me. I can already tell, so it's not too surprising that I would flinch back away from them when they are running at me. Is that wrong? Should I have just allowed them to approach me in the way that they would? Are Gio and Kit going to drop me now that they see that I'm not the strongest?

"Kai is not weak!" Gio growled, eyes narrowed, "and I won't have you disrespecting him either."

Mateo rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest, "Gio, Kit, I am excited for you to have met a potential mate. And I am sure that Kai is a good guy, unlike you know who. But you guys should also be looking for a mate who is able to defend themselves, and not just flinch back because a group of girls come running at him. That is a little weak, if you ask me. We do need a strong Luna, Alphas. I mean no disrespect."

My shoulders slumped, and I kept my gaze on the floor. Is this already the end of it? I should've known better. Why would somebody like me be allowed to be mated to the Alphas?

"Mateo, what you're saying is rude!" His mate, Nova, snapped, "do you remember how weak I was when we first met? And as I was able to train, I got stronger. Kai may not be the strongest now, but with training, he can become that way. What you are saying now is inconsiderate and rude. Apologize to him."

I glanced up, and I saw the guilt that showed clearly on Mateo's face, "oh. I didn't think about it that way. I apologize, Kai, that was wrong of me. Nova is right. With time, and training, you will get stronger. I shouldn't have judged you just because you are seen as 'weak'. Can you forgive me?"

"It's okay." I whispered softly, "it's not like you were wrong."

Mateo grimaced, "but it wasn't right for me to say."

"Exactly." Kit was not pleased, "maybe this was a mistake. If I knew how rude you were going to be to Kai, I wouldn't have brought him to meet you guys. I-"

I reached out, and gently put my hand on his arm, gaining his attention, "Kit, I don't think they are trying to be rude. I understand that I am not the strongest of wolves, but I promise you, I will get stronger through training. I can defend myself now, but I am still not as strong as I should be. You will not be ashamed to have me as a mate."

Kit whirled around and he cupped my face in his hands, looking pissed, "I would not be ashamed of you even if you stayed the way that you do now. I don't mind protecting you. As the Luna of the pack when the time comes, you will be protected. That is the job of the warriors. You will never have to fight in a battle. I will not allow it."

I stubbornly set my jaw, and inclined my head, "Kit, I want to get stronger."

Kit's lips pursed, but he ended up sighing, "fine. When we do end up going back to our home, I will set you up to begin training. Gio and I will teach you how to fight."

Sarah piped up, "um, wouldn't it be better for someone more to his level to be training with him? One wrong move, and you could really hurt him."

Kit frowned, and seemed like he had not thought about that, before he sighed, "you're right. Well, I will figure out then who will best train with Kai."

"More than likely, it'll be Silas, Warrior Kody's potential mate." Parker murmured, and I flinched when I realized that was the guy who Kody had been courting when he tried to approach me, "although he is strong, he is still on the weaker side than most wolves."

"I'll think about it." Kit said gruffly, remembering who Silas would be to Kai, "that would bring more complications."

"Why?" Claire asked curiously.

Kit shook his head, "I'll explain later."

The group looked confused, but they didn't try to push it even farther. I felt a little guilty though because Kit must think that I would have a problem with Silas just because he is the wolf that Kody is courting. I could care less about that part, but I wondered if it would be a good idea to tell Silas the truth about what had happened with Kody and how he had tried to get me to come back to him. Would it be worth telling or just a nuisance?