An Honest Mate

Chosen Mate

TWO MONTHS LATER

Nathan

I have found a beautiful, smart, and strong woman. I remember the day I found her like the back of my hand. She was drained by those bloodsuckers who won't leave our pack alone. She was barely breathing, and her heart was barely working. That day will haunt me for the rest of my life. I remember smelling her, and she had this most beautiful scent. The intensity reminded me of my first mate Rose. I miss her so much. Alesia has struck my heart harder than my mate bond. I knew from the moment I saw her I was in love with her, but honestly, I didn't understand why. We aren't mates. How could I have a bond this strong?

A few months ago, I kissed her for the first time. I had been dreaming about it for weeks. We had been on the mats in our private sessions to help catch her up with the rest of the wolves when I pinned her. I shouldn't have laid there staring at her, but I couldn't help it. She smelled absolutely breathtaking, and her doe eyes drove me crazy. I wanted to kiss her then. I just didn't know how she felt, nor did I want to make her uncomfortable with me. We had been really good friends as she got situated here. She was so nurturing and strong-willed. She wanted to fight. We told her all our wolves take training classes at 5 a.m. or 7 p.m . Depending on their schedules, they could do both. If you were one of our soldiers, you had training all day. It was your job to protect our pack and pack borders. As a gamma, it is my job to help organize the soldiers and direct them in training and their jobs. Occasionally, Gammas will have Beta or even Alpha roles. That is only in extreme cases.

Our youth have two o’clock training every day with our specialized youth instructors. It's how we've become one of the strongest packs. No outsider wants to attack a pack who can fight for themselves.

Alesia and I have moved in together. We had a talk about us after we kissed and decided to become a couple. Soon, we found it too hard to live away from each other. We had been craving each other too much and decided it would be easier if we lived together. We had also decided we would see each other until either of us found a mate. I probably wouldn't get a second chance. They were rare, but for her, she hasn't even found her mate yet. Us being together created strain for her. Some girls have tried to challenge her for me, and I had to step in and basically say publicly we are a couple. Who knew I would have to make such a speech.

Though I'm glad I have Alesia in my life, she doesn't want me for a rank she likes me for who I am. If it were up to me, I would have asked her to be my chosen. I think the Goddess messed up. My world revolves around her. We fit together, and I can't get enough of her.

Nathan, meet me at the pack hospital. It's Alesia. Luna Grace said.

I felt pannick set in thinking something happened to her. She works in our pack hospital as a resident. But my Luna never mind links me to go there on such short notice. Grace and I were close growing up. Her dad was siblings to my mother and often visited my folks here at Blue Moon. They were from the Kingdom three hours away.

Once, I visited and came back, and Luke kept following me around. I had a hunch that Grace was his mate, so I planned a dinner for my parents. I had them come to the pack, and once she arrived on pack territory, Luke scouted her out. She had just turned 18.

Grace's folks were the King and Gueen of wolves and mine, obviously Gammas.

However, my mother was one of the siblings to the Alpha king Nathan before Grace's father. Grace and I are cousins. I carry royal alpha genes, which makes me stronger than most Gammas. My father from Blue Moon was visiting the Alpha king when he met my mother. She was a fierce warrior. She went gladly with my father back to Blue Moon to help him run our warriors. Grace's brother just became King after my uncle died.

Is she okay? What happened?

Just come down here and find out for yourself. Grace said.

Panicked, I start sprinting to the pack hospital. Luckily, as a Gamma, I am fast and can get there quicker. I was so wrapped up in my head thinking about all the things that could've gone wrong? Alesia had mind linked me earlier, letting me know she made it to work this morning after training. Usually, I walk her to work, but today, I had a meeting with my Alpha over new training regimes.

My world stirs inside of me anxiously, trying to figure out what could be wrong. She's.. She's pregnant. My wolf says. I stopped dead in my tracks after his words. I am 31 years old and don't have an heir of my own. Could I be a father? Even more anxious, I ran straight to the front desk, skipping everyone in line, and l track down a nurse. She tells me what room she's in, and I sprint by nurses and people in scrubs. When I finally get to the room, I see her smiling at me nervously with Grace and our Beta's mate Ashley.

They've been very close with Alesia during her time here. I'm very grateful for them because Alesia, no matter the tough face she puts on, I can tell this has been a rough adjustment. Her family cannot find out we are wolves. She felt alone, especially during the first month. She was an emotional rollercoaster.

“Are you okay ?” I ask, rushing to her side.

I look at my Luna and Beta, my sister, and they smile at me really wide. I'm so confused. I look down at Alesia, and she looks happy and scared. I think to myself.

Narin, I think you're right. Was this too soon for her? I'm not sure. But if she is, we will stick by her all the way. If she's caring our pup, we have to protect them both. I agree with him and look into her eyes. I see a tear drip down her gorgeous face. I sense a new feeling radiating off her. Fear.

“Nathan, I'm pregnant.” I felt a wave of shock and relief. I was shocked that we were right and that this had happened so soon for her, but relieved that I have a woman in my life, such as her to be the mother to my pup. I cup her face and smile at her.

“I'm not going anywhere. I get that this is soon, but I will be with you every step of the way. For werewolves, this is typical for us to get pregnant fast. I should have warned you. I didn't think it would happen for us so quickly since we aren't fated mates or even mates.” I saw her breath out and could hear her heartbeat slow down to a calmer pace.

She seemed relieved. I see her look at Ashley and Grace, and they smile at her “See?” Ashley said. “He's a good man. He will take care of you. Or I would have made him. I'm excited for you and my brother. I'm gonna be an auntie. Finally!”

We all laughed at her comment. Grace congratulated us and took Ahsley with her to let us talk over our next steps as future parents.

I want you to know I will love our pup with everything I have. You are now my priority, and I will take care of you.

I know you will. I'm just in a state of shock, is all. We aren't mates. Nor do I really understand what that has to do with anything. Anytime you have s*x you run into the possibility of getting pregnant.. I just didn't know how you would respond. Like you said, it's so soon. I have grown so much in the last 3 months as a wolf and your girlfriend. You drive me nuts, and I just simply can't bring this baby into the world without letting you know how I really feel about you. Alex wanted me to wait for my mate, but we've agreed that with this pup on the way, we want to be your mate. We are choosing you. It seems stupid because we've only been together for 3 months, but I love you, Nathan. We choose you.

I stood there shocked. Narin was practically prancing around inside of my head. She wants us! Narin says happily.

Since she's human, this kind of pace would be unheard of. Choosing to spend the rest of your life with someone so soon after meeting them would shock everyone. And to top it off, our pregnancies are shorter. This is gonna be a wild roller coaster for her. I get down onto her bedside and look into her eyes.

We choose you too. We will have a lot to discuss. I smile at her and pick her up into a hug. I nuzzle my nose into her neck, taking in her scent. She smells slightly different. I take another breath. Must be our pup. Must be. She giggles and turns my face to hers so she can kiss me. Our lips moved together like a puzzle. I wanted more, so I brushed my tongue against her lips, pressing lightly, letting her know I wanted more. She grants me access, and I reach one hand up to the base of her scalp and neck and lightly grab, pushing her into me. I wanted more of her sweet wintergreen scent. She could sense my urgency and started taking my shirt off. My eyes turned black, smelling her arousal. I was gonna mark her right then and there when the doctor came in. D*mn it Doctor Hugh.

"Woah! Let me come back! Sorry!" He said as he started shutting the door as fast as he opened it.

We must've missed the knock on the door. We both looked at each other and laughed.

"Maybe we will finish this up later." I said to her, "Agreed." She smiled breathlessly at me.

"Go get him. He's gonna get an ultrasound for us. I wanted you here so you could see our pup together." I had to have had the biggest wolfish grin plastered on my face because she started laughing at me. I quickly went down the hall and found him.

"Were ready for you. Sorry about that." He nodded.

"Don't worry, Gamma, it actually happens more than you think. It's in our nature. We are s****l creatures." I smiled and walked back with him to the room.

"How are you doing, Alesia? Are you ready to see our new future, Gamma?" I smiled so wide at the mention of our future pup.

She smiled while looking at me. I love seeing her happy.

"Goodness gracious, yes. I would've seen it sooner.. I just wanted him to be here for it." She laughs and looks at me.

"Now, Gamma, control your wolf. The baby is so new that I have to go in internally." I gulped and let Narin know this was so we could see our pup.

I saw him squirt some liquid onto.. well, you know, and I looked at the screen to help control my beast. No male wolf likes another male, even unmated, touching their partners. This is why I think the Goddess made a mistake. I have those feelings of jealousy and protection over her like I did with my first mate.

I hear her gasp at the sight of our pup.

"He's really in there." She said,

"He? You can tell this early?" I say, feeling proud.

"Unfortunately, it's too early to tell gamma." I look at her confused, wondering why she said he.

"My wolf is insistent it's a boy." She says. Doctor Hughs simply shakes his head.

"You know it's too early , and even your wolf knows this is too early . You're only 2 weeks along hun." I hear his nickname, and Narin growls.

"Sorry, doc." He glances at me.

"Are you sure she's not your mate?" We both look at each other and shrug our shoulders.

"We aren't fated mates, but are choosing each other." I said. He nodded and said, Congratulations, and let us be.

Let's go home, my beautiful mate. I said , giving her my hand. She smiles and walks home with me. My eyes glaze over.

Where are you, Nathan?! Jackson asks

You're mate? Has Alesia accepted? She's so new. What would happen if she found her mate? Why didn't Ashley tell me? Jackson asked.

She has chosen me. Our bond is greater than my bond with Rose. You've seen that we are inseparable. We will have a new Gamma female amongst us. I need to talk with Grace and Luke about her becoming my mate.

Got it. I'll take care of your work till you get done. Hope She's alright. Congrats, bro.

Thanks, and I'll tell you everything else when I see you.

"Who were you talking to?" Alesia asks me.

"Jackson, he was wondering where I was. I'm going to stay with you a little while and then talk to Grace and Luke about you becoming my mate."

She nodded her head and went straight to the kitchen. I followed her, feeling a sense of protectiveness. I watch as she starts making food. She's a great cook. She always said that when you're broke on college funds, you have to get creative with the few ingredients you had. Her food is delicious. I stopped eating at the packs kitchen. She hated going there because Haley always tried to challenge her in small ways. When I finally caught it, I made myself quite clear that Alesia and I were a couple. Haley has had a very hard time, and I understand, but these decisions are mine to make, and she seems to think she can make them for me. She's hot-headed. Back in high school, I loved it. Now, I need a strong Gamma female with a good head on her shoulders. Alesia is perfect.

I watch her cook and look over her beautiful body. She's wearing black leggings and one of my shirts. She said she liked my scent. I reminded her of home. I walked over and kissed her neck where her mark was gonna go and watched her tremble slightly. She gasped, so I nibbled it. I saw her eyes go black with lust and picked her up, and set her down on the counter. She wrapped her legs around me, lightly pulling my hair while kissing me passionately.

Mark me. She and Alex said, I pulled back and smiled.

I will. I want it to be done, right baby.

I set her down and let her finish cooking so the food wouldn't get burned. I handed her items from the fridge to help her. I was a terrible cook.

We finished eating and headed to bed early. Around 2 a.m. I got a mind link from one of my men.

Gamma Nathan, we need you down here. We just killed a vampire, and one got away.

I sat up and kissed Alesia. She was a heavy sleeper. I'd mind link her when she woke up. I put some pants on and ran out the door.

Alpha, another attack.

Jackson, another attack.

Joseph, follow the one that got away, takes 10 wolves with you, and report back.

Soon, both Luke and Jackson met us on the west side of the territory. I got to one of my guys and had him give a report of what happened.

"They keep attacking us. We have something they want. James hasn't said a thing. I'm surprised he's still alive with what we've done to him." Jackson says out loud. We nodded.

"We need to find out what they're looking for. Next vampire, we capture it. Got it? " I say to my guys.

"Maybe the next one will crack. We need to put an end to this. Capture it alive, " Alpha Luke said using his Alpha authority. We all collectively bowed our heads.

"I hear congratulations are in order, Nathan." Luke pats me on the back.

"Yeah, Alesia's carrying my pup. We want to mark each other." Luke stares at me for a bit, making me nervous he wouldn't accept it. How could he not. We have a very valid reason to mark each other now that she is pregnant with a Gamma pup. My pup.

"Is this what she wants to? She's a newborn and she should have the choice. To find her true mate." He is concerned. I get it.

Mate wants us. Narin says. She wants us. I corrected. I told her I would make it special.

"If I hadn't had a mate before her, I would have been skeptical. I would have raised our pup together, but this.. our connection is more than a fated mate bond. Luke, I don't understand our connection. Grace said her wolf had to save her, and the moment I saw her, I knew I had to protect her. She is carrying my pup, and I want to make her happy." I said.

Luke and I grew up together. We graduated together. I was one of the few who could call him Luke instead of Alpha unless in a professional environment.

"I understand. I just wanted to make sure you understand what this means for her. You're taking her fated mate away from her." He said. I nodded.

I would definitely make sure I had another confirmation from Alesia. She wants us. We want her. She is carrying our pup. She is our mate. I want to be with Alex. Mark her tonight. You are so intense, dude. Relax, we won't let anything happen to her.

As I started walking back home, I smelled wintergreen and a hint of lavender outside. It must be our pups' new smell. "Hey Nathan," I turn around and notice Haley. Surprised, I ask,

"It's Gamma to you." She looked annoyed at my correction.

"Look, I have a confession. I love you, and I think you're making the wrong choice by being with her. She's a newborn. You need a naturally born wolf to lead next to you. I understand our history as wolves and the rules. We have history. Remember what it used to be like?" She takes a step towards me with eyes so full of emotion. I have to put my foot down.

"I get it. I used to love you too before Rose. I'm sorry it didn't work out between us. But Alesia and I are mates. She is carrying my pup, and I love her. I need to go. I'm sorry, Haley, but nothing is gonna come between us. I want Alesia. I want you to understand that I'm not doing this to hurt you. What we had was many years ago. I don't feel or have the same personality as I did back then." She looked broken, but I couldn't do anything about it. If I comforted her, she would think there was a chance.

I turned around with a small smile and walked inside. I see Alesia cooking breakfast, and she comes around the island and kisses me.

Work? I nodded. Here's breakfast. You're favorites, waffles, eggs, and bacon.

She knows me so well already. I leaned over to kiss her when our front door burst open. We both turn and see Haley. She screams

"You B*TCH! He is MINE!"