Hello Mate

*Lucas*

I was so not enjoying this meeting at the River Rick Pack, but being the Alpha of Blood Moon I have to be here. We had just adjourned for the day and proceeded to the dining room for dinner. Finding a seat at the table I started to smell something intriguing. This scent even had my wolf, Dominic, stirring in my head. Although, when I looked around the room I did not see anyone that caught my eye.

"Man what is up with you?" Kaden my beta asked bumping my shoulder.

"Other than this being boring? I have been smelling something that has Dominic stirring." I replied. Just when he was about to say something back to me the kitchen doors opened to reveal a couple Omegas with food carts.

"Could it be the smell of the food? Because this stuff smells amazing." Kaden said eyeing his plate.

"No, it is the food I am smelling. But since that kitchen door opened, the scent has gotten stronger. Strawberries and cream is what I am smelling." I told Kaden. He looked at me for a second before shrugging his shoulders and eating his food.

Dom: that scent belongs to our mate

Dominic tells me after I eat my dinner. I sat there dumbfounded for a minute.

Me: your meaning to tell me, that the strawberries and cream scent belongs to our mate? And you are just now telling me??

Dom: I was trying to connect with her wolf. But she blocked me. I do not know why, and it is actually making me sad.

Just then the dessert is served to every one in the dining room. I sit and try to figure out what to do about this. I have waited for my mate for a long time. I am 20 years old, and I should have found her at 18. Now I understand why I did not find her, she is from a completely different pack.

Dom: go find mate

Upon hearing my wolf's words, I got up from the table while mind linking Kaden.

Me: that scent I told you about, well it is my mate. I have to find her

Kaden: oh shit! Congrats man. Go get your Luna

When I walked through the kitchen doors I saw a girl getting ready to leave. I had a pull towards her, so I walked up behind her and gently grabbed her hand. Leaning down towards her ear I said, "Mate" as the sparks from the bond traveled up my hand.

Dominic was going crazy in my head, he was so happy that his tail was wagging. Let's just say any faster and he would have taken off like a helicopter.

I was expecting my mate to turn around and say something, anything, but she just stood there. Until she slowly started to turn around. To say she was gorgeous would have been an understatement. She had long black hair that was put up into a ponytail. Her button nose was so adorable, and those full lips she had looked so inviting. However I could not see her eyes, for some reason she was looking down towards the floor.

"Hello mate, my name is Lucas Martin. I am the Alpha of Blood Moon. What is your name beautiful?" I asked.

"My name is Natalie Moore, Alpha Martin." She said in a small voice. I could hear pain, and fear in her voice when she talked.

"Well it is nice to meet you, but call me anything other than Alpha. You are my mate." I told her with a smile on my face. She still has not looked at me, and I am cannot help but wonder why.

"Are you sure you do not want to reject me?" She whispered in a voice so small that I almost missed it.

Dom: why would she think that we were going to reject her? Something is wrong Lucas, I can feel it.

Me: what do you mean Dom?

Dom: look at her body language. She is keeping her head down, talks in a small voice in hopes that she will not be noticed. These are signs of abuse Lucas.

This realization to both Dom and me had us feeling a rage that we did not know we had. And now we regret it because our Natalie is trying to back away.

"I am sorry if I scared you." I said while I gently placed my index finger under her chin, and started to lift her face up so I can see her eyes. "Why would I reject you…"

I could not even finish my sentence when she finally looked me in my eyes. Natalie's eyes were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The most vibrant green I have seen with light flecks of gold. Although, I could see that they are not as bright as they could be. There was also pain, confusion, and fear.

"You would not like the answer." Natalie told me.

"I just have one question. Who is the one causing you so much pain? I can see it in your eyes." I asked her, just hoping she would tell me.

"Do you want all names or just the main culprits?" Natalie mumbles.

"There is more than one person?! What kind of pack is this? Tell me who they are Natalie, I swear to you no one will hurt you anymore." I told her with sincerity in my voice and eyes.

Natalie looks at me like I have grown two heads. Then she takes me by my hand and leads me outside. We walk for a minute or two until we have reached a fallen log. She then sits down on the log and motions for me to do the same.

"I guess if you really want to know I will tell you. But if at the end you want to reject me, just warn me before you say the words." Natalie said while looking at me with tears in her eyes.

I nod at her and she proceeds to tell me everything. To say I am mad would be the understatement of the century. However, what she told me next, I was dumbfounded.

"The reason why my father locked me up in my room with no food or water for a week is because, he saw me get rejected by the future Alpha, Tyler Duncan. Evidently he knew that we were mates for a whole year. But decided to reject me on my birthday." Natalie finishes while looking at the ground, and fiddling with her thumbs.

Dom: so we are her second chance mate?

Me: that is what it sounds like. Could you imagine getting rejected on your birthday? Let alone anything else she has been through.

Dom: we need to get her away from this pack. She is ours and no one else's.

I completely agree with Dom, just hearing about how she has been treated makes me want to protect her more than before. I have waited too long to give her up now.