Finding belonging

After dressing up, Blake took me out of the house to show me around.

The looks I got last night were not there anymore; everyone smiled at me, and I returned the gesture. At some point, I became shy, thinking they must have heard what happened last night.

But I didn't care.

"Sky, do you think we would be able to shift here, you know, without hurting anyone?" I asked my inner wolf.

"I don't know, Mia, but I do hope so. It's been 15 long years since we last went for a run, all because of that night. But maybe with Blaze's help, we can do it."

"Wait, Blake 's wolf is named Blaze? When did you both talk?"

"Last night, when you were sleeping. Now that we are mated, I could open up to him a bit about what happened to us. But I told him not to tell Blake until you were ready to inform the king about it yourself."

"Thanks, Sky. You're the best. How about I ask if he can help us with the shift, but maybe not here, because I'm scared of hurting anyone?"

"Well, that's a great idea, Mia, but maybe after we get settled in."

"Well, you do know that we are supposed to shift when the Luna ceremony is held and go for a run with the pack after, right? So, I think the sooner we get this over with, the better."

I felt a kiss on my cheek, pulling me from my conversation with Sky. Looking at Blake, I gave him a shy smile.

"Sorry, I was talking to Sky. We just had something to sort out, but we can talk about it tonight."

As Blake leaned in to whisper reassuring words, a wave of gratitude washed over me, and I squeezed his hand in return. "Thank you, Blake. You always know how to make me feel understood."

As we continued our stroll, Blake pointed out various landmarks, and I listened intently, hanging onto his every word. His passion for the pack and his deep connection to their traditions were evident, and I couldn't help but admire him even more.

The pack house was impressive, with a little hospital next to it and a shop not so far away where they sold just about anything. Further down the road was a movie hall, and a lake in the woods where the pups learned to swim; he said it had a beautiful waterfall.

He took me to meet Sarah, his sister. I was shocked because Sarah and I work together at the restaurant, and to find out that my boss and his wife were Blake's grandparents was even more shocking. There were a lot of emotions and conversations between Sarah and me.

Approaching Sarah's house, my heart began to race with nerves. What would Sarah think of me now that she knew I was mated to Blake, the alpha of their pack?

As we entered, Sarah's face lit up with surprise and delight. "Alex! And Mia, too! What a wonderful surprise!"

Returning her smile, I greeted her warmly. "Hi, Sarah. It's great to see you again."

Sarah gave me a playful wink. "Oh, don't be so formal. We're practically family now, after all."

My smile widened at Sarah's words, and I felt a sense of belonging that I hadn't expected. "I guess we are, aren't we?"

As Sarah and I continued our conversation, she leaned in with a mischievous grin. "So, Mia, now that you're officially part of the pack, I think it's time we went on a shopping spree together. What do you say?"

I laughed, feeling a surge of excitement at the prospect. "I'm definitely up for that! It'll be fun to explore the shops around here."

Sarah nodded eagerly. "Great! We'll have to make a day of it. I know all the best places to shop for everything from clothes to home decor."

"Sounds perfect," I replied, already imagining the day ahead.

Blake chimed in, a twinkle in his eye. "Just make sure you don't bankrupt us, Sarah. Mia Sarah's taste can be quite... luxurious." He said to me while smirking at her. 

Sarah shot him a playful glare. "Oh, please. I know how to shop on a budget. Besides, Mia deserves the best."

I grinned at her words, touched by her kindness. "Thank you, Sarah. I'm looking forward to it."

As we made plans for our shopping excursion, I couldn't help but feel grateful for Sarah's friendship and the warm welcome I had received from the pack. With Blake by my side and Sarah as my friend, I knew that I was truly where I belonged.

The three of us settled into comfortable conversation, catching up on recent events and sharing stories from our lives. I found myself opening up to Sarah in a way I hadn't before, feeling a newfound connection between us.

As we talked, I couldn't help but marvel at the bond between Blake and Sarah. They teased each other mercilessly, but there was an underlying love and respect that was impossible to miss.

Before we knew it, it was time to leave, but I couldn't shake the feeling of warmth and acceptance that Sarah's presence had brought. As we said our goodbyes, I knew that I had found not only a mate in Blake but a family in the pack as well.

With a chuckle, Sarah leaned back in her chair, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's settled then! We'll make a day of it and hit all the best spots in town."

Blake raised an eyebrow teasingly. "Just don't forget to leave some shops standing, Sarah. We don't want Mia coming back with the entire town in her closet."

Sarah rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, please. Like you've never spoiled Mia with gifts before. Besides, it's about time she got a taste of the finer things in life."

I couldn't help but laugh at their banter, feeling incredibly lucky to have such supportive and caring people in my life.

As our conversation continued, Sarah shared stories of her own shopping adventures and favorite stores in town. It was clear that she had a keen eye for fashion and a knack for finding the best deals.

Before long, it was time for us to head back home, but the excitement of our upcoming shopping trip lingered in the air.

As we said our goodbyes and made plans to meet up soon, I couldn't wait for our shopping day with Sarah. With her by my side, I knew it would be an unforgettable experience, filled with laughter, bonding, and maybe a few too many impulse purchases.

As Blake and I walked back home, hand in hand, I felt a sense of joy and contentment wash over me. With him and Sarah by my side, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, I would always have a support system to rely on.