The Pack Where She Belongs

Chapter 9

----Astrid----

I had been staying at the cabin a couple of days now and I was starting to feel a little better, especially after Morgan had some to see me to check up on me. She had brought some wine and sweets, trying to cheer me up with a girls night and it had helped. I still missed Alex like crazy but I hadn't been ready to talk just yet but Harper kept whining at me about it. I would text him back good morning and good night but nothing else and he didn't push us talking either.

I looked down at my phone, looking at our short messages back and forth and sighed.

just do it, talk to our mate. we're feeling better now do it. I miss him.. Harper whined at me.

fine.. I don't know if I'm ready but we have to talk to him eventually. I agreed and began to type.

"are you busy?" I sent and waited, quickly I saw the typing bubbles appear.

"not at all, are you okay? do you need anything?" Alex replied quickly

"Yes I'm alright, no I don't need anything. I um.. wanted to know if you could come over so we could talk." I sat there a minute with no reply and my heart ached again, a second later the dots popped back up.

"I'll be right there, sorry I was getting dressed so I can come to you. be there in five"

My heart lept at his response. I was very excited to see him but also still very nervous. I was still sitting on the couch when I heard him knock, I was still in my pajamas and my hair was pulled up in a messy bun.

I pushed myself up from the couch and unlocked the door. I opened the door and was greeted by that intoxicating apple pie scent. I was quickly pulled against Alex's chest and he held me so tightly I was worried I wouldn't be able to breathe. he buried his nose into my hair as he held me

"I've missed you so much Astrid.. so very much.." I could hear his voice tremble while he rubbed my back slowly with his hand and the other held the back of my neck, holding me to him. A small part of me wanted to protest and push away but I simply couldn't. I wrapped my arms around him and held onto him as well, drowning in his scent.

"I missed you too, Alex.. but we need to talk.." I breathed and I felt him nod against the top of my head and his grip on me loosened a bit.

"first.. is it okay if I kiss you? if this is the last time I see and feel you.. I want one more kiss, please" Alex begged, the pain in his words hurt and I could feel just how badly he felt too. I wasn't intending on rejecting him unless he was going to choose to be with that woman, Shelby. Despite that I nodded wanting one more as well, just in case that was what he was choosing.

I leaned my head back some and his lips crashed down on to mine. I groaned at the feeling I had missed so very much. the sparks shot through me from head to toe, my body felt on fire and I loved it. The need and desperation behind the kiss Alex gave me told me just how much he had missed me and I matched the kiss, telling him the same. he tightened his grip around my waist and grabbed my hair some as the kiss deepened, gaining soft sounds from both of us.

Slowly and reluctantly he pulled away from my lips, both of us panting lightly as we caught our breath.

"I'm sorry.. I just got-" he started to say and I cut him off by kissing him this time, holding onto his shirt. I felt him become more relaxed and our kiss this time was softer, more tender. This time I was the one to pull back.

"We should probably go sit down.." I breathed and he simply nodded then took my hand. he pulled me over to the couch and we sat down together.

"I just want to start by saying I'm so sorry Astrid.. I had promised you that you wouldn't get hurt and I broke that promise. I didn't even think to tell you about Shelby and I'm so very sorry for it. I will spend the rest of my life making all of this up to you.. there's nothing to excuse what happened and what I did but.. Astrid you are the most important person in my life and I would be so very lost without you. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me.." Alex said, sounding so broken. he couldn't even look at me.

"I did forgive you, I just needed time to breathe and think. I never thought I would find my mate and everything had been so perfect.. then that woman shows up and I didn't know what to do and all I felt was hurt. Being out here let me clear my head and think about things far more rationally and I could actually calm myself down. Plus after Morgan came out here the other night and told me how you had been without me, I knew you were hurting as much as I was. As far as the rejection thing goes.. I only planned to do it if you wanted to be with Shelby. I wasn't going to stand in your way if she made you happy. I've never been selfish and I wasn't going to start now, even if you are my mate. I just want you to be happy.." My voice trembled at my last words, I was fighting back tears again.

Alex suddenly pulled me into his arms and I couldn't stop the tears. I began crying softly while holding onto him tightly. I was waiting for the worst since he hadn't said anything.

"Astrid.. you make me happy. Having you in my life has made me the happiest I've ever been. I can't imagine my life without you. I made a huge mistake with Shelby but I don't want her, I want you." he said, rubbing my back and kissing the top of my head. "Please Astrid.. give me a chance to show you how badly I need you in my life, please" Alex begged, his tone laced with pain and need.

finally I sniffled and nodded my head. "okay.. I believe you, Alex.. I want you in my life too.. its been so hard to be away from you" I hugged him back and we just sat there like that for a while and neither of us said anything, we just enjoyed being in each other's arms.

finally after a few minutes Alex pulled back a little and lifted my chin to look up at him. "I promise I'll make this up to you" he leaned down and lightly kissed me, making me melt into him. the kiss wasnt passionate or needy, it was soft and loving. his hand came up to cup my cheek gently before he pulled away, rubbing my jaw with his thumb. "Thank you for giving me this chance, Astrid" he breathed and put his forehead against mine.

"Thank you for coming out to see me.. I suppose I should get dressed and pack my stuff so we can go back to the pack house." I commented softly, closing my eyes

"actually, I was just thinking. why don't we stay here tonight. take the time to just be by ourselves. I can cook dinner and we can relax by the fire. how's that sound?" Alex offered and I couldn't help but smile.

"that sound absolutely amazing" I answered and he smiled as well. "though I should probably still get dressed since I'm in my pajamas still" I giggled softly.

Alex pulled his head away from mine then eyed me over, his gaze lingering on my chest. "Oh no, this is fine stay like this" he grinned and slid the tips of his fingers up under my shirt.

I gave him a looks and stopped his hands, "easy there.. not yet okay?" i said softly and his face softened with a little sadness. "It's not because of Shelby if that's what you're thinking" I explained to him and he raised his brow at me in questioning. "I um.. I've never done things. the little bit of fooling around is all I've done." I explained and blushed, Alex's eyes widened a little.

"I see, well we can take that stuff slow Astrid. I don't want you to feel like I'm pressuring you. I do want to say though.. just say the words and I'm going to worship you until you can't get out of bed.. until you're so weak that you just fall asleep from how much pleasure I've given you" he purred and instantly my core tightened and my body ached for him. I looked at his eyes as they darked. "I can smell your arousal.. I can't wait to taste it.. but, when you're ready" he grinned and leaned back away from me. "I'm going to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back" he said before getting up and leaving me there all hot and bothered. damn him.

I grumbled with frustration then pouted a little. I knew he was still grinning about teasing me as he walked away. If he's just going to tease me like that all the time, we're gonna have problems.. I glared in the direction of the bathroom. Better yet, two can play at this game.

----Alex----

It took all of my control to walk away from Astrid just now, being away from her for so long made me want and need her even more, But when she told me she was a virgin I had to stop my urges. I didn't want her to feel pushed into doing things with me but seeing the look on her face when I teased her was so f**king hot. Her dark blue eyes got darker and her sweet arousal filled my nose. If I hadn't gotten up I would have made done so much to that woman without sleeping with her, I would have made her a puddle on that couch.

I was now standing in the bathroom, calming myself down so I could go back out there to that beautiful sitting on the couch. I was so grateful that she had forgiven me and was willing to give me this chance. River was ecstatic as well, he seemed less upset with me now.

I think we should offer for her to meet me, she did bring it up to us about it. I promise to be good. I just want to express my gratitude, please Alex. Don't make me beg you.. River pleaded with me.

If she would like to meet you now, I'll let her but I swear River if you do anything to mess this up, I will find a way to make you into a fur coat.. I warned him

If you do that, you won't have skin either.. He grumbled

Worth it.

After River and I's conversation I stepped out of the bathroom to find a still pouting Astrid on the couch. I couldn't help but smile at the sight.

"Please don't pout love, I'm just trying to be respectful. I'm sorry I teased you, but I will make good on my word when you're ready" I winked at her

"You better because that was really mean" Astrid laughed, goddess I missed that sound so much.

"until then, there's something I wanted to offer you in it's place for now. would you like to meet River?" I asked, and the smile that greeted me warmed my heart so much.

"I would love to"

----Astrid----

To say I was surprised by what Alex said would be an understatement. I hadn't expected him to offer for me to meet River but I was very excited to, and so was Harper.

"I would love to" I answered with the biggest of smiles while Harper pranced around in my head. We had been waiting to meet River since I had asked about it. "when can I meet him?" I asked, sitting forward on the couch a little.

"right now if you'd like" Alex answered and crossed the room to me. I nodded and he returned the nod. Alex closed his eyes and after a few seconds he opened his eyes again, they were now a swirling silver color, the color moving around in his iris. I was in absolute awe of them

"Hello beautiful.." River cooed to me and lowered his hand to my face, stroking his thumb against my cheek. "I've waited so long to meet you and your wolf.." his voice was slightly deeper than Alex's but not quite as gravely, though still lovely.

"I've been excited to meet you too, River" I smiled up at him just before he leaned down and softly pressed his lips to mine. the kiss was gentle but possessive.

I placed my hand on the back of his as he kissed me, a lovely warmth spreading throughout my body. when he slowly pulled back, he lightly brushed his thumb against my lower lip. "Now I understand why, Alex wants to kiss you all the time.. your lips are like rose petals. I could kiss them all day" he grinned while I blushed a little. He seemed to study my face before he sat down beside me then pulled me to sit sideways on his lap. he put his arms around me and buried his nose against my hair.

We sat there quietly for a moment before River finally spoke up.

"Thank you for forgiving us.. I tried to tell him not to do what he did but he didn't listen and we hurt you.." His tone was full of sorrow.

"It's okay River, it's all forgiven. What matters now is that we all move forward together" I commented and rested my head against his shoulder while he held me. River then nodded softly

"We're going to do everything we can to keep her away from you" He rubbed his cheek against the top of my head, making me smile.

"What are you doing, River?" I giggled and he got more into rubbing against me, making me giggle more.

"leaving my scent on you.. Alex said I had to be good but that doesn't mean I can't make you smell like me" he chuckled and moved down to nuzzle and kiss my neck.

"River!" I giggled loudly and buried my hand into his hair while he continued a moment longer before he lifted his head away, looking proud of himself

"much better, not quite the same but I'll take it" he grinned then laid his head on mine again, now simply holding me.

After about an hour of talking and cuddling, River let Alex have control again and Alex gave me a gentle squeeze. "Did you have fun, River really enjoyed getting to meet you" he cooed and looked down at me while I still sat on his lap. I tilted my head back and looked up at him then nodded.

"I did, he's very sweet and very affectionate" I answered with a smile.

"I can smell that but at least all he did was that and he actually listened to me about being good. honestly I'm surprised" Alex laughed. "But after you told me you haven't done anything s****l before, I told him to be on his best behavior"

"And he was, though I'm sure he will have much more fun when he can be with Harper. I'm still a little nervous about shifting again but, I'd like to try soon" I told him and it was his turn to smile

"Yes, soon but I don't know how well he will behave himself when it's just the two of them so we may want to wait, if you know what I mean" Alex explained, studying my face. It took me a moment but as soon as I realized what he was talking about, I blushed.

"Oh.. yeah it's probably best we wait. I hadn't even thought about that" my voice was shy and embarrassed.

"It's okay sweetheart" he laughed softly, "have I ever told you how cute you are? it's adorable how pink your cheeks and ears get when you're embarrassed" he lightly touched over the tip of my ear, making me shiver a little.

"I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. are you ready for some food?" Alex asked and I perked right up out of my embarrassment.

"Yes please!" I answered with a big smile and hopped off of his lap and hurried off to the kitchen, I could hear him laughing before he followed along behind me. he scooped me up from behind and gave me a hug before setting me on the counter in the kitchen.

"Alright baby, let's get cooking!" Alex gave me the most dazzling smile.

----Unknown----

"You said you had him you little b*tch! you get him back on our side of things or so help me I will snap your f**king neck!" I barked to the woman standing in front of me. I had hired her to take out the Alpha of that pack and she had let him slip through her grasp thanks to his stupid mate. "You take that little b*tch out and get back on track you hear me?!"

"y..yes, I hear you.. I won't fail you again. I will get the Alpha back on my side, I'll come up with a plan" she whimpered and I growled at her. I hated weakness.

"Good, get it done! get out of my sight!" I growled and she yipped before running from the room. I had no idea who his mate was but if that she-wolf didn't snap her neck, I would. she would not get in my way of having what I want