An Honest Mate

Initiation

ONE MONTH LATER

Alesia

I was on my way to the packhouse hospital for a check-up after my first transition. My world has been a roller coaster of.. well.. everything I was told wasn't real, truly existed! And it's still surreal. I'm required to do certain things like learning to fight and learn the policies. Which the schooling I can handle, but I'm still in a state of when am I gonna wake up in a hospital bed after a coma and a doctor telling me I took a nasty fall in that Alleyway? This is literally crazy.

The Luna of my pack saved my life. She went against all policies and saved me. I sometimes wonder if it was the right thing? I keep wondering if being a wolf is a good thing? Oh, you know you love me. My wolf says. She is one thing I haven't gotten used to. When I woke up, I thought I was going crazy. I woke up hearing an internal voice and seeing things I'd never seen before, like the pores in the towels and my skin, which I think are the best parts of being a wolf. My acne? Gone. Make up?? Ehh, if I want to wear it. Everyone around the pack looked like a model. I heal quicker and have a much bigger appetite. That's because we have to stay strong! Whatever you say, girl. I say back to her mentally. My wolf's name is Alex and man is she Fiesty. She is stubborn and fierce. Many of the warriors are surprised by our skills being a new wolf. It's been a while since many of them have had a newborn in their pack, and that sucks because it seems like everyone's interested in my progress and what I'm doing. Even people I've never met. Especially all the unmated male wolves. Or just single men. They still follow me around like a lost puppy. Ha. Ha. My wolf laughs at my pun. Wait for our mate, Alesia. She says. I roll my eyes at her. I feel like she says that a lot. That's because your mind is thinking of reasons to chuck morality out the window and have s*x with some of them. Wait for our mate! Some of these boys were just so gorgeous. I mean, Alex, those abs.. but unfortunately, I've always had this morality check. Fortunately, you mean. Don't get me wrong, I've lost my virginity, but I only have s*x with people I'm dating and have been dating for a while.

Last night was my first time seeing Alex. The Luna, Alpha, Beta, Betas mate, and the Gamma were there. They walked me through my transition and let me take my clothes off in private and respected my personal space. They personally didn't care because they're used to being naked. However, I was just a human a month ago. I'm a medium-sized wolf with brown and white splotches. They always seem so surprised by me. I was bigger than they thought I'd be, I was faster, a better fighter, stronger. Apparently, it's not common for humans to gracefully turn as quickly as I did nor get up to speed with natural born wolves.

I finally got to the hospital, which I have spent almost all of my time at while being a newborn. Helping people comes naturally to me. Plus, I am currently in my third year of residency. They transferred me to the pack hospital to help monitor me but also allow me to practice and finish residency. My hospital was a public hospital, not a private hospital like the packs.The Luna and Beta have been my closest friends during this transition, helping me adjust and always apologizes for saving my life. At times, I'm so thankful she did. We owe her our life. Alex said. Yes, we do. I responded.

I'm sitting in the chair in the doctors offices waiting room when I see Doctor Hugh, "Hello Alesia, how was it seeing your wolf for the first time?" He said.

"It was great! I know you guys said it would be painful, but I didn't realize just how painful it was gonna be? Is giving birth gonna be more painful?" I spat out staring at him. He starts laughing hysterically and responds,

"I've.. You know, I never heard those words worded in that phrase together. But it would be interesting to see the pain levels between the two. You crack me up, Alesia." I look at him amused.

"At least you're the one cracking. I think I've done enough within the past 24 hours." I stated laughing.

"You know I'm a bit worried about you becoming a doctor here. I'm afraid none of us will get anything done with your bad puns." We both laugh this time.

He then turns to his clipboard and goes further into my transition questions. Once we were done, he walked me out. I was now headed to my Alphas office to be initiated into the pack.

Once I transitioned, they said I could be initiated, and then I could mind link any person within the pack. In all honesty, I was worried about that. I was just getting used to my wolf's voice. How was I gonna handle an entire pack? We will be fine. I'm excited to finally belong to this pack! Alex said. A part of me agreed with her. Ever since getting Alex, I've been longing to be accepted into this pack. It's become in some ways like family. Family. That's the worst part my family lives states away. I haven't told them about anything to do with being a werewolf, just that I quite my job and found a better paying job and a better hospital, and it's so hard. I miss them, but our pack has been getting attacked, and no wolf is allowed to leave without permission from the Alpha or Luna.

When I turn the hallway on the third floor to the alphas office, I run into the Gamma. He's the man I woke up in the arms of the first time, but I barely remember that. He and I have been flirty-ish friends. He's lost his mate 4 years ago and has helped me to adjust to being a wolf. He's helped train me in private to catch me up with the rest of the wolves, which has a lot of women upset. He's the only single high-ranking unmated male. He's truly one of the most attractive men I've come across. Okay, okay, he is definitely handsome, and I wish he was our mate. He would be good for us. Alex says. His name is Nathan. "Hey!" he says. "You excited to be a part of the pack?" His eyes turn black for a second. Luna Grace says that's the sign of a wolf who has reached the surface. It could be a sign of many things, lust, anger, and happiness, but in my case, she says Nathan and Narin, his wolf, won't shut up over us. "I am. I'm a bit nervous, actually. Will I be able to handle it?" I ask, looking into his eyes. I'm not allowed to do that because high-ranking wolves feel like you're challenging them. However, I don't think he's going to get mad at me. We have become quite close. I'm looking into them as a friend who needs reassurance. He has hazely green blue eyes and stands at 6 foot 4 inches. He's tall and very tan. He moves a strand of hair out of my eyes behind my ear and rests his hand on my shoulder. "You are surpassing most newborns as young as you in the transition. You're strong. If I were an outside wolf from another pack, I would never have guessed you were a newborn. You've got this! Also, wolves are supposed to be in a pack. It makes us feel safe." he said. I look into his eyes, and I see Narin reaching to the surface. "Hi Narin." I said. This wasn't the first time I met Narin. Once Nathan pinned me to the mats during training one time, our bodies were so close I could almost feel his lips on my skin. Alex purred at the memory and Narins surfacing. Now, who's waiting for their mates? I tease her. If he doesn't have a second chance and we don't find ours, he's gonna be our mate. She said so matter of factly, I paused, mentally taking in her words. Really? Yes. He's a good wolf who deserves a good mate and pups. Wait, what? Pups? Yes, babies. He has to have an heir to take his place or someone can be chosen. I feel like he's going to ask for a chosen. We should say yes. Something inside me stirred. He needed a mate, someone to have his pups. I felt possessive of him. If he's not our mate, why do we feel this way? Just because he isn't our mate doesn't mean we can't have strong feelings for someone before our mate comes. However, this is stronger than your average. The Goddess works in mysterious ways. We should give ourselves some time to find our mate. With that, I placed my hand on his and looked into his eyes. He started leaning forwards, and I felt as if gravity pulled me closer to him. He smelled amazingly. I felt our lips connect, and our hands moved to eachothers bodies knowing exactly where to go. He pulled me in, kissing me urgently. I felt his tongue slip through my lips, and I let him in. I felt his hand reach under my butt and lifted me up onto the wall, kissing me like he needed air to breathe.

"Uhm, hey there?" Nathan set me down immediately with one hand on the wall and his other hand on my hips, staring intently at me before turning. My breath hitched. Why do I feel like we are magnets. We've only known each other a month but have so much chemistry and such a great friendship.

"I didn't see anything! Or maybe I did! Draamaaaa! No, seriously, I'm excited for the two you. You deserve happiness, Nathan." Luna Grace said. "You coming?" She stated, looking at us, motioning for us to follow her through her husband's office. We were then met by our alpha.

Alpha Luke was tall, standing at 6 foot 5 inches and the biggest man I'd seen on pack grounds. He had green eyes and lightly tanned skin. He had this voice of authority that could make anyone's legs shake. I always felt my wolf want to do good around him. He motioned for me to sit following his Beta and Gamma. I locked eyes with Nathan, and he smiled at me. Beta Jackson looked at me and noticed Nathan's smile, and I saw his eyes glaze over, and Nathan elbowed him. I giggled to myself, trying to focus on my alpha.

"Are you ready for this? I heard back from Doctor Hughs saying everything was successful in your checkup." Alpha Luke said. I nodded my head, smiling. "Alright, stand please, and this is what you say," He said, passing me an old book with highlighted words, "I Alpha Luke and my mate, my Luna Princess Grace, accept Alesia Parker to the Blue Moon pack." I felt a wave of power flow through me. I closed my eyes, feeling raw energy. When I opened my eyes, I said, "I Alesia Parker accept Blue Moon as my pack and my home." I said, smiling wide. After that, Grace gave me a smile and said, "Welcome to the pack." Beta Jackson shook my hand and said, "See you at 5 a.m. training. " He was always the type of guy who needed to get business done. Once he shook my hand, he excused himself and headed out. Alpha Luke excused himself after congratulating me on becoming a pack member, and Grace immediately ran up to me, enveloping me in her arms.

"Ohh, thank you, Luna Grace, for everything."

"Oh, stop that. It's always been Grace to you unless infront of the pack." She replied sternly, followed by a friendly smile.

She looked at Nathan and then back to me and whispered, 'Have fun' winked and left the office to us.

Nathan mind linked me, surprising me. Like I said, I'm not sure how many more voices I can handle inside my head.

First mind link?

I stare at him. "How do I respond?" I say out loud. I feel heat rise in my cheeks embarrassed, and I laugh with him.

Concentrate on me and say what you're thinking.

Okay, that can't seem too hard. It's like talking to Alex.

Yes, you are the first.

I smile brightly at him. I just can't shake the feelings I have for this man. It's honestly like gravity pulls us together. This feeling seems so intense between us. It makes me worried about the mate bond. If we are so intense on our connection, what will I feel with my mate? Everyone I've met with their mates all act so possessive and are obsessed with each other in all ways. I feel this way with Nathan. Our wolves are totally into each other too, but we know we aren't mates.

He smiles at me.

What are you thinking? You seem so deep into your thoughts?

He always knew when my mind was turning. I was always filled with questions.

I don't understand why our connection is so strong? We have agreed we aren't true mates, but I can't help how I feel about you. Out of all my past relationships, I thought I loved them. This..

I say while cupping his cheek.

This is pure and raw. I want to know why?

He didn't say anything back. I saw his eyes glaze for a second. He simply nodded and kissed my forehead.

"Can we talk about us later? I have to go help the trainers with the youth. They need me. I hate to do this."

"Yes. Of course, go get them!" I tell him as I'm pushing him out the door.

Once he's gone, I leave and walk down the hallway to the kitchen to grab something to snack on before I work a shift in the hospital. They gave me the day off to enjoy my initiation, but I could really use the distraction.

"Hey you!" One of the girls across the table shouted at me. "Newborn," another shouted, and they all giggled. What was this high school? I quickly glanced from the corner of my eyes at them and smiled lightly, trying not to give them the reaction they were hoping for. "Stay away from Nathan. He needs a pure wolf."

A pure wolf? Ha. I'm not sure that's how it works. I think once you're a wolf, you're a wolf. I rolled my eyes and grabbed a protein bar.

"Excuse me, I'm talking to you." The Blonde said. I turned acting surprised.

"Oh hi. I didn't know who exactly you were talking to? I've never heard of a wolf who wasn't pure? Pure of heart? Or Pure of jealousy? I think you're pure of jealousy because you think I care what you think about my relationship status with a man who's interested in me." I stated firmly towards her.

Her friend group had a mix of laughs and a mix of gasps. I almost laughed, but I didn't have time to deal with stupid drama. I turned around and left.

Girls are all over you and are jealous. Seems like you got your own flock!

I mind link Nathan giggling to myself.

Yeah? Who? He responds.

I don't know she's blonde with brown eyes with a huge friend group. Should I be worried?

What if he's slept with her? I've heard wolves can get attached. I guess I have to. Yet, we haven't slept together. We've only just kissed. This is definitely something I was gonna need to talk to him about later.

Oh, that's Haley. We dated in high school for four years. She was devastated when we turned 18 and found out we weren't mates. She hasn't found her mate yet. I was mated to her best friend. After my mate died, she tried coming back. I haven't reciprocated feelings. You're the first woman I've kissed after my wife passed. There's something about you. I can't get you out of my head.

Woah. Now, I feel slightly bad for Haley. I can't imagine the pain she went through watching someone else love a man she was in love with. I should apologize, I thought to myself. Well, do that after our shift at the hospital. She and her wolf have bad vibes. Be careful around her, Alesia. I will.