The Pack Where She Belongs

Chapter 11

----Alex----

Hearing Astrid say she loved me too filled me with joy and warmth. I pulled her up tightly against me and held her, my face buried in her long dark hair. I had come so close to losing her and I never wanted to risk that again.

"Astrid, why didn't you come find me when Shelby gave you that box?" I asked curiously while running my fingers though her hair as he hid her face against my neck.

"I didn't want to bother you while you were working, and I didn't think she would give me something that would try to kill me, Alex. I knew she was being fake about her apology but I didn't think she would go this far" she answered against my skin.

I was quiet as I listened to her, I honestly hadn't expected it either. Shelby should have known that I wouldn't make her luna after I found out she killed my mate if I hadn't been able to save Astrid.

"I know sweetie.. I never expected it either" I breathed and continued to hold my mate against me.

Alex, she's no where to be found and her place is a disaster and her clothes are gone. Shelby planned to kill Astrid and leave. We'll find her.. William linked me and I growled, causing Astrid to look up at me with a worried expression.

Damn it.. send the warriors out and have them do a wide search of the area, see if they can pick up on her scent and see where she went. She's officially a rogue. I linked back to him before looking down at Astrid.

"Shelby is no where to be found and she packed her clothes. She planned to kill you and leave.." I growled lowly. "I have no idea why she did this but I fully intend to find out.."

Astrid lifted her hand to my cheek, calming the storm inside of me. I closed my eyes and held her hand to my cheek.

"You guys will find her, Alex. I know you will but please, don't focus to much on it right this second. I'm alive and you will find her"

I knew she was right but it didn't stop the itching need to find Shelby that very moment. I sighed and kissed her palm before opening my eyes and looking down at her. I sat there quietly while admiring her face before I nodded. "You're right, thank you" I leaned down and kissed her forehead. "how are you feeling? can I get you anything?" I asked and she shook her head.

"No but I think I'd enjoy laying in bed for a little while if that's okay.." She answered and gave me a soft smile.

"of course, sweetheart" I scooped her up in my arms and stood up. I then walked over to the bed and laid her down. I grabbed the blankets and pulled them up over her which gained me a sleepy smile from her. "I'm going you be here in the room with you, okay? I'm not leaving you"

Astrid nodded then closed her eyes, quickly falling asleep. I slipped my shoes off and climbed into bed beside her, sitting with my back against the headboard. I figured if I were near by she would feel better sooner and I could be here if something was wrong with her. she turned into her side and faced me. her arm laid over my leg and held onto it while she slept, which made me smile. Whenever we were in bed together, she had to be touching me and I loved it.

After about an hour after Astrid laid down there was a soft knock on the bedroom door before Morgan poked her head into the room.

How's she doing? I'm so mad I was away from the pack house when everything happened...

She's doing okay so far, she needed some rest after all that happened so she's been here napping. she won't let go of my leg so I'm stuck here.. I smiled and ran my fingers through Astrid's hair which gained me some more cuddling from her.

Is she always that cute when she sleeps?

I nodded, Always

Well, I came to check on you both and to let you know that the doctor found some interesting things when he tested her blood but nothing major. she's going to be fine but he did want to talk to you both when she's awake again.

Again I nodded, I know the doctor has got to be getting tired of seeing us all the time but I was very curious as to what he wanted to talk to us about. I know it wasn't that Astrid was pregnant, we haven't done anything together yet; so what could it possibly be?

After that, Morgan left and I let Astrid sleep a little longer. I checked the clock and it was around four pm, I knew I should at least wake her a little and check on her.

I lightly shook Astrid's shoulder, "Astrid, baby wake up" I cooed and got no response but her light breathing until I did it again. "Sweetheart, it's time to wake up" I cooed once more and got met with a grumpy grunt while she squeezed my leg more. I chuckled and began ticking her under arm and that earned me a growl.

"nooo.. five more minutes" she grumbled and rubbed her face on my thigh, just inches away from my c**k; making it twitch. she must have felt it cause she instantly lifted her head away and looked down at my crotch, again I laughed.

"sorry sweetheart, but having you so close to it got me a little excited" I teased with a grin, causing her to blush

"I'm sorry, I didn't even think about it.."

"It's Alright love, how was your nap?" I asked.

"pretty good, my head doesn't hurt anymore and my body doesn't feel weak. thank you for staying with me while I slept, it really helped to have you so close"

"No need to thank me, sweetheart. I'm happy I could be here for you" I leaned in and kissed her forehead.

"do you need to go back to your office and work?" She asked and I shook my head

"No I'm done for the day. I finished the last of it on my phone while you were asleep, I'm all yours" I answered and she smiled. "but.." she instantly frowned at me and I held my finger up, "but we need to go and see the doctor, apparently when he checked your blood he found some stuff he needed to talk to us about so he wanted us to come see him"

"do.. you think he found something wrong with me? something that would make you reject me?" She whimpered.

"No matter what it is, Astrid; I will never reject you. I told you that I love you, you're stuck with me now" I winked at her, bringing her smile back instantly

"I don't have an issue with that" she cooed then sat up fully while rubbing her eyes. "when should we go?"

"probably here shortly, he said to see him when you were awake" I answered and she nodded before climbing out of bed. "where are you going?

"to brush my teeth!" She called back and closed the door.

No matter what we found out, it wouldn't change a thing between us.

----Astrid----

After freshening up after the insanity of the day, Alex and I headed down to the clinic. I was extremely nervous about what the doctor had found but I was trying to put on a brave face about the whole situation.

When we got to the clinic we were greeted by the receptionist then were quickly given a room so we could meet with the doctor. I nervously chewed my lip until the doctor came in and greeted us while setting up his laptop. he then sat down so we could talk

"It's nice to see you again Astrid, you're becoming one of my regulars as much as Alex is" he laughed "not that I have an issue with seeing you both but next time let's see each other on better circumstances." doctor Lupus said and came over to me. he did a short exam to make sure everything was okay after this morning before sitting again.

"Astrid, when you first came to us I ran your blood to find out about your general health which we knew was quite poor, though you've improved tremendously and I see you're putting on some weight which is wonderful. now I tested your blood again and luckily the dosage of wolvesbane was very low, not enough to kill you instantly but had Alex not found you when he did, you would not have made it." He explained and my stomach knotted. Alex began rubbing all circles with his thumb onto my hand. I don't know if that was to keep myself calm or him.

"Now.. normally I don't look into the wolf data base too much but, after you told me you don't remember your parents and you don't know your last name.. I did a little digging and I got a positive match for who your parents were.. and I.. knew them quite well. they were from the pack I lived in before here. the pack was very small and couldn't go on without its Alpha and Luna. your parents."

I felt a little dizzy at what doctor Lupus said, there had to be some kind of mistake.. my parents were Alpha and Luna of a pack that no longer existed? I was nobody, there was no way I came from them.

"I understand your shock, Astrid. I was just as shocked when they were who you matched with and I checked over and over to be sure but.." He turned his laptop to face me, showing a picture of a man who had my eye color and a picture of a woman, who I looked like so much that I could have been her twin. "David and Beverly Evans.. Alpha and Luna of Haven Pack. We all grew up together.. they were my best friends"

"You see, your age fits around the time that they vanished. They disappeared one night and we didn't find their bodies until a year later, after the pack had been split among the nearing ones. I ended up here. I never knew Beverly was pregnant so I never knew you existed. you aren't even listed as their child so they must have had you in secret. you're listed as just, Astrid and that you're an orphan."

"I was an orphan but I grew up in the pack house. I was never given their name or given a new last name. I knew my name was Astrid and that I'm twenty four, that's all. I never celebrated my birthday so I always made it July fourth because I loved the fireworks and I had loved to hear everyone having a good time.. growing up I had always pretended that the fireworks show was for me and it made them seem less lonely.." I explained to him. Both of the men gave me angry and pained expressions.

"They never adopted you?" Alex asked and I shook my head

"Not to my knowledge, no. For as long as I can remember, I had lived in their basement and did all the things the omegas didn't even want to do. I was.. basically their servant and.. now you're telling me I come from Alpha blood?" I said, laughing in disbelief.

"You do, and how you came to live in the pack house at Mountin and was treated in such a way.. I don't understand. Do you know who took you to live there?" Doctor Lupus asked and I shook my head.

"I have no idea, Doctor Lupus.." I stopped talking when he put his hand up to stop me

"Please, call me Max, Astrid. You're basically family in my eyes." Doctor Lupus said and I nodded with a faint smile. I watched as Max typed some stuff into his laptop then came back with an even angrier expression.

"The order came from the council.. they knew you were there, who you were and they let you suffer like that.." Max growled and Alex followed suit and pulled me closer to him.

"Astrid did you ever see or talk with members of the council?"Alex asked and I nodded.

"I saw them meeting with Alpha Garrett quite often over the years and I hadn't spoken to a member since I turned twelve. and the member was a woman. i.. remember her saying that one day, I needed to run from that place and when I'd did, don't stop. head north and keep going. And... that's what I did and you guys found me." The shocked looks on both of their faces made me feel uncomfortable.

"It's good that you did Astrid.. that woman saved your life. did you ever get her name?" Max asked

"No and I never saw her again after that, I had only ever seen that one time, never before and never after" I answered

"do you remember what she looks like?"

"Absolutely. She had honey blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes, about five six in height... she had a scar on her neck below her right ear.." I answered and touched my neck where it was.

"Sophie.. she always was a goddess.. Sophie transferred here a while back. you and Alex should try and go see her at some point, I'm sure she will be thrilled to see you escaped and might have more answers for you" Max said and stood up. "If you ever need anything Astrid, please let me know"

----Alex----

After leaving the clinic, Astrid didn't say too much at first. I'm pretty sure she was processing everything still.. hell I know I still was. My tiny mate was born of Alpha blood and she had no idea.. her whole life had been nothing but neglect and abuse, probably to keep her weak and from finding out who she was.

Max had suggested getting her in for training so she could build up her strength and see just how strong she could really be. Astrid seemed on board for it in the office but now I was watching her fidget. I grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop while we were standing outside.

"Sweetheart, what is it?" I asked, reaching up and pushing her hair back away from her face a little.

"Im.. just trying to wrap my head around it is all. It was a lot of information all at once and I have no idea how I could be the daughter of an alpha all this time. I've always been a nobody, I've never been allowed to train, I've never had Luna training.. I mean I guess it kind of makes sense though. I've always been really strong when it's come to moving and lifting things and I've always healed pretty quick even before I met you. Hell, the night I ran away, I pushed Heather away from me when she attacked me.. I didn't realize how hard I had pushed until I had launched her across the room. I thought I had pushed like you open a door but no, she hit the wall and her head. I was worried I'd killed her.."

"It's because you've never had someone to teach you to control your strength and you were in fight or flight mode. you fought and you got free.. you're here. next steps are, we see what you can do" I smiled at her and leaned down, giving her a soft kiss which seemed to help calm her a little bit. "How about we go get some food, huh? I know I'm starving and I'm sure you're hungry too" I said and laughed as her stomach rumbled.

"Guilty" she laughed as well.

"Alright, that settles it then! off we go!" I reached down and picked her up, putting her over my shoulder which made her laugh and start hitting my back with her fists a little

"I can walk! you don't have to carry me around!" She laughed while hitting me

"Oh I know you can but it's more fun this way and we need some fun in our lives" I laughed as well and gave her ass a smack which earned me a yelp and a giggle from her while I walked away from the clinic with her over my shoulder.

I walked into the pack house with her still over my shoulder, Astrid was just talking about how different the world looked upside down and it constantly made me laugh. I loved her goofy side

"Alex, you put that girl down! all the blood will go to her head" My mother said, standing there with her hands on her hips. "and when were you going to tell me about everything that happened?!"

"I'm sorry Kathryn, today has been super crazy but we promise we will tell you everything" Astrid said as she shifted on my shoulder, looking at my mom upside down with a big smile on her face, which seemed to instantly calm her.

my mom sighed, "still put her down, Alex" she shook her head with a smile and I put Astrid down. I held her waist until I knew she was stable on her feet then we both looked at my mom, who was giving us an adoring look.

"we were just going to find food if you'd like to join us, Kathryn. we can fill you in over lunch" Astrid offered to her, which seemed to please my mom; who gave her a nod.

"Sounds like a lovely idea, I'll meet you both in the dining room in a few minutes"

Astrid and I both then headed to the kitchen to make food together. we decided on just sandwiches and chips for lunch since it was already so late in the afternoon, we didn't want to eat too much before dinner. I watched as Astrid was putting the last of the food together, I loved watching her and seeing how she did things. not to mention watching her hips as she shifted from foot to foot while humming as she did things.

I walked up behind her and lightly pressed my body against hers, putting my arms around her midsection. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen" I cooed and kissed her neck, causing her to shiver.

"mmm.. don't start anything, Alex.. we're having lunch with your mom.." she breathed but it didn't stop her from pushing her thick ass back against me, making me audibly groan. I pushed my growing erection against her in return, gaining me a gasp from her.

"Says the woman trying to tease me in return" I cooed and lightly nibbled her ear before stepping away from her. I grinned as I smelled the faint scent of her arousal.

"let's go see my mother" I chuckled and grabbed the tray of food, leaving a pouting Astrid behind me.

My mother was sitting at the table on her phone, scrolling away at the screen until she saw us walk in. she gave us a beaming smile as we approached. We sat down with her and got comfortable. "So tell me what happened." she said and Astrid let out a slow breath

"It's a lot so.." Astrid began then went over all the events that my mother had missed out on. all of the Shelby incidents ended up with me getting a massive scolding and Astrid a lot of apologies. Hearing about Astrids bloodline on the other hand had my mother absolutely shocked and angry.

"that's insane that they would do that to you! goddess I'm so thankful you made it here, Astrid. you're safe here with us, and you have us as your family now, even if my son is an i***t some times" she cut me a glare then looked to Astrid again. "speaking of family, when would you like to have your luna ceremony?" mom asked and I went pale.

"My Luna ceremony? I thought that happened after the Alpha and Luna mate with each other.." Astrid commented softly. the look on my mother's face was priceless and I had to stop myself from laughing. I have never seen that woman speechless a day in my life.

"It is.. have you two not? oh my.." My mom said after she could find her words again

"not yet no, I.. we.." Astrid stumbled, also finding words.

"She's still a virgin mother, I told her that when she's ready we will. I don't want her to feel forced or feel like she has to, to be my Luna and a member of the pack. you of all people should know how important it is" I explained and my mother finally left her icy glare behind and now looked at me with warmth and pride.

"I do understand, its wonderful you want her to decide when she's ready. and truthfully Astrid, we will do you ceremony when you're ready too. before you two mate or after, you just tell me and I'll get things in motion"

Astrid nodded and smiled, "Thank you, Kathryn.. I'll think on it a little more. And if it's okay, I'd like to start Luna training as well... if you'll teach me"

"Absolutely dear, we will start when you're ready"

"How's next week?" Astrid asked

"sounds lovely" Mom answered with a big smile

Things were about to get a lot busier now but I was excited to train with Astrid and to see her grow as a Luna with my mother. I always knew Astrid would be a wonderful Luna even before asking my mom to help