The Pack Where She Belongs

Chapter 6

----Astrid----

I was a little taken back by his question, having really not expected it. I had been simply taking in the classic look of thr diner when he said my name and asked a little bit about my past. I was a bit apprehensive about answering but, he's my mate and I knew I should try opening up to him at least a little.

"No, no one tried to take me on dates or out of the pack house really. the only place I went that was outside was to do yard work or to clean the training ground showers" I answered, having not realized I had let it slip that I wasn't staying just anywhere, I was staying at the pack house specifically.

"you lived inside of the pack house at Mountin Pack? are you one of their kids?" Alex asked, genuinely shocked but kept his voice low so no one heard us talking.

I shook my head slightly, "no, they only have a son named Chris and a daughter named Heather. I was just.. allowed to live there, by order of the council." I explained to him. I might as well tell him more, I've already come this far and I didn't mean to..

"My parents died when I was very young, i don't even remember them really.. the council took me in from what was left of where I lived which.. i don't even know where that is or my original pack but, they made Alpha Garrent and his family take me into their home and make me a member of their pack. they're under orders to keep me as part of the pack unless my mate was of another pack then I needed to go there." I explained while Alex just sat there quietly, I could see the rage building inside of him as I spoke. instantly I regretted telling him any of that and shrunk down into the booth a little.

after a second he let out a soft sigh and rubbed my hand again, probably to calm himself down.

"I'm so sorry you were put through that Astrid.. I'm not mad at you or anything like that. I'm just mad that they did that to you and the council let that happen." Alex explained softly, the pity in his eyes made me strange.

"It's okay.. they hid what was going on from most people because I was hardly allowed to interact with others. the only time I really saw other people was when I had to do chores and they just happen to be there. but that being said, I feel that what I went through was to make me stronger. I never quit and I never gave up. I literally left there kicking and screaming, I got free.. that's what matters right? like you said, I get to start over" I replied to him, hopeful that my words would bring him down a little more.

I relaxed when saw his expression soften as well as his body language.

"That's very true and you'll never be treated the way you were there. you'll have a much better and happier life here with me" he smiled at me.

I smiled back at him and squeezed his hand just as the food was brought out to us.

we enjoyed the rest of our meal with casual conversation while learning things about each other along the way. I found out that Alex is actually very funny and quite the goofball sometimes. we talked about the basic things like favorite colors, foods, sports, movies... I could go on. unfortunately there was a lot more things he had been able to enjoy that I couldn't growing up but he promised we would do so much to make up for the time I lost back at Mountian Pack. today so far was one of the best days I've ever had in my life.

----Alex----

After we finished having lunch, Astrid and I walked around town some more. I even convinced her to stop and do a little more shopping for herself. she was reluctant at first but seemed to open up more and more as the day went on.

by the time dinner time was coming around we were making our way back to the pack house. my phone started ringing and I pulled it out to check who it was. Oh boy.. I thought when I saw it was my mother calling. Astrid gave me a confused look when I looked at her.

"I have to take this sweetheart" I told her and her expression didn't change. "It's my mother" I added and Astrid froze like a deer in headlights.

"your mom?" She asked softly, like at any moment she was going to take off running.

"Yes sweetie, I'm thinking word has gotten back to her that I've found my mate, it'll be alright" I assured her and answered the call at the last moment I could.

"why didn't you tell me?! when am I going to meet her?! are you both coming to dinner tonight? is that why you weren't there last night? is she pretty? what's she like?-" my mother kept asking question after question and I couldn't get a word in at all. I just stood there smiling while holding Astrids hand, she still looked scared.

"why aren't you answering me?! Alex Xavier Black!"

"I have told many people yet, soon, and if she's feeling up to dinner tonight then yes but I'm not going to force her to" I laughed, "mom, she is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen and she's wonderful. she's just been through a lot and I don't want to put her in a position that would make her uncomfortable" I finally managed to explain and there was a pause on my mother's end of the conversation.

"well.. when she's ready, I would love to meet her. tell her I promise she would have a wonderful time and were good people" my mother pleaded with me and I looked down at Astrid.

"one moment" I said and muted the call on my end. "did you hear all of that?" I asked

"I did, Alex Xavier Black" Astrid teased me playfully and I narrowed my eyes at her a moment which made her laugh. "if you're sure it'll be alright, we can eat with her" she commented.

"well... it won't just be my mom" I explained to her and she nibbled her lip. goddess I love it when she does that.

"we can still go, I can't hide from everyone forever" she commented.

"are you sure? we don't have to" I asked and she nodded. "okay" I responded and put my phone back to my ear. "mom?"

"Yes dear? I'm still here"

"we will be at dinner tonight, just.. don't overwhelm her please" I begged

there was a playful gasp on her end of the line, "me?! overwhelm her?" my mom laughed. "I'm excited to meet her, we will see you soon son, I love you"

"I love you too" I replied and hung up before turning my attention back to Astrid who still looked nervous but didn't look like she wanted to run anymore.

"You can back out any time you want, okay? if at any point its too much or you're tired, just tell me and we will both go back to the bedroom" I told her while bringing her hand up to my lips and kissing it softly.

"okay.. your sure they won't get upset if we have to leave dinner early?" She asked smiling a little after I kissed her knuckles.

"I'm sure sweetheart, my family is honestly pretty great and I'm sure you'll like them. they'll treat you like family too" I assured her and she nodded.

We continued walking back to the pack house, talking about whatever came to mind and simply enjoying each others company. we soon approached the doors of the pack house and I released her hand then held the door open for her. "after you" I smiled at her before she walked inside.

----Astrid----

I walked into the pack house and was instantly even more nervous than I was just moments before. We made our way to the dining hall and I could hear all kinds of laughing and talking, much like I would hear back at the Mountian pack and I couldn't stop the tight feeling in my stomach, I felt like I was going to throw up. I felt Alex look down at me and I couldn't help but look up at him.

"Astrid, we don't have to go in there if you don't want to, please don't force yourself" he said gently. The fact that he cared about me so much already made my heart melt.

"I'm okay, just felt a little anxious but as long as I have you with me I'll be okay" I assured him and offered him a little smile. he nodded before pushing open the door and holding it for me. the room inside went quiet the moment we stepped inside, making my stomach drop.

It wasn't a large group of people but I had figured they were probably the closest people to Alex. The only person I recognized was Morgan, who had a huge smile on her face and was clearly excited to see me. the others seemed to have a general welcoming feeling to them but having all of their attention made me feel strange.

Alex cleared his throat a moment, getting mine and everyone else's attention.

"everyone, this is Astrid. She is my mate and our future Luna of the pack" he smiled big and put his arm around me, pulling me closer. "Astrid" he said and I tilted my head up to look at him then looked as he pointed out each person at the large table. "this is my mother and father" they both gave me little waves. "my Beta William and my Gamma Zack, they were with me when I found you" he explained and I blushed a little, knowing how they found me. "you've already met my sister, Morgan"

They all said little hellos or waves when he addressed them. Alex then lead me over to the table. he sat at the head and I sat to his right, next to William. Despite everyone seeming welcoming, I couldn't help but still feel anxious.

"how are you feeling dear? William and Zack told us a little bit about what happened and why you hadn't been introduced to us sooner. it sounds like quite the ordeal" His mother spoke up, she did seem like a lovely woman and it did cause me to ease up a little

"I'm feeling better, most of my injuries are healed but I'm still a little sore in some spots. thank you for asking, plus Alex and Morgan have been a big help with taking care of me and making sure I have things that I need" I answered her and a big smile appeared on her lips, her eyes full of pride.

"It's good to know they have been helping you, Astrid. I certainly raised them to be that that" his mother commented and his father nodded.

"especially Alex, I raised him to treat women with respect" his father commented, the pride was obvious in his eyes as well.

The rest of dinner went well and I eased up pretty quickly as the conversations went on and everyone started joking around with one another. I had learned that not only was Alex's beta, William but also his gamma Zack still didn't have their mates either but that didn't stop them from trying to find them either. William even admitted he was a little jealous that Alex had found me. both of them seemed welcoming and excited to have me there as well.

The way all of them acted was how I had always dreamed. I had wanted to grow up in a happy and loving home like Alex had. I had learned he had done exceptionally in school and Alpha training as well as still being active in sports. his mother, Kathryn, came from a large family and had been from a family of omegas and his father, Allen, his family hadn't been the biggest support of their mating but when they saw how the two were together, they eventually approved. I hoped Allen and Kathryn would continue to support Alex and I being together.

After dinner Alex and I headed upstairs to our bedroom where I saw the bags from earlier sitting on the bed. Am omega had brought them up while we were at dinner, I told the woman she didn't have to but she insisted on helping.

"would you like to put your things away and get changed, then we can put a movie on or something?" Alex asked to which I nodded.

"that sounds wonderful, I'm definitely sore and ready to relax" I answered him and moved over to the bed, collecting my bags.

"why don't I give you a massage while we watch things then? see if it helps" he offered to me. part of me wanted to say no but I've never had a massage before so, why not.

"sure, I'll be right back" I answered before heading into the closet to put stuff away and get changed. I was very much looking forward to the rest of our night.