Meeting My Alphas

Leyla's Past

Leyla's POV 

The way that Sophie asked us was so sincere and sweet, yet I couldn't help the feeling of pure fear that shot through my body at her question. The icy feeling that comes before a panic attack as I thought back on the past that Rugal and I had escaped from and the way that we had found each other. There was no way for her to know what was hidden in my past, but she was right, if we wanted to know about her she deserved to know about our past. Still, I didn't know how much I could trust her with right away, and she didn't need to have everything dumped in her lap at once. 

"I was born in Boston 80 years ago to the Alpha family of the Star Shine pack, the third daughter of the pack. I was raised in the pack house and learned how to lead, the duties a Luna is expected to carry out, and etiquette for that time period as well. At that time women didn't really leave the house as much, so I was rather sheltered. When I shifted at 15 years old it was assumed that I would find my mate from one of the neighboring packs at one of the yearly meets, something that didn't really happen." 

I stopped for a second to gather myself an figure out how best to phrase the next bits of information so I wasn't just dumping everything in my head and so that I could avoid a panic attack. 

"When I was 29 it was decided that I wasn't likely to find a mate and an arranged marriage with an Alpha from one of the outlying packs was arranged. During the preparations a large number of packs sent in their representatives, mostly second sons, to attend. That's when I met Rugal and we felt the mate bond. Together we decided to run away and find happiness. It wasn't always smooth sailing but after a few years we won the approval of our former packs and set ourselves up here on the opposite coast so that we could be free." 

She didn't need to know about the death and horror that followed this decision, she didn't need to know how close she came to never having her mates. She was so close to spending her years worried that she didn't have a mate like I had, only in her case it would have been a reality. It took me a few deep breaths before I was able to continue. 

"Once here we started bringing together people and wolves that were rejected from other packs. Finding people and wolves who needed homes just as much as we did. It took us a while to really find somewhere that we fit, and while Seattle is now a free city, there have been times that people have thought to change that idea. Keeping everyone in our pack safe, blending humans and wolves and balancing the needs of people's mates with the needs of the whole has been a bit of a challenge. But I love our pack so much and I love the life that we have built together. I really hope that you will enjoy it too." 

My voice must have been getting a little shaky as Sophie moved herself a little closer, laying her head on my shoulder as she squeezed my hand harder. She barely even knows us yet she's such a comfort, I think I could fall in love with her quickly. 

I clear my throat quickly and continue. 

"On a personal level I love the color purple, my favorite exercise is swimming, although I like yoga and I actually enjoy boxing a lot and running in my wolf form. I try and work out a few times a week to keep my mind off the stress of the office. 

I like when it's raining, it feels like I can breathe deeper and I enjoy sleeping with the window open or on an open patio when it rains. There is nothing better than a nice cup of tea and a book on a rainy day, just settling in and enjoying myself. The Pacific Northwest really supports that side of me and I'm thankful that we settled here. 

I like eating French food, but I also enjoy spicy Asian food and I've never found Salmon prepared in a way that I didn't love. I actually go hunting after spawning time sometimes for the fish we know won't make it back, enjoying them fresh, something I hope that I can share with you?" 

She made an adorable little noise that made me want to kiss her and crinkled up her nose with glee. It seems like my idea for an outing was one that pleased her. My wolf was happily screaming in the back of my mind about how amazing spending time with our mate would be. 

"I run the financial side of the business, keeping track of everything, choosing who and when we partner with other companies, and basically keep people on their feet. I actually spend a lot of time with the legal team, so I'm actually the harder working of us two. I can never seem to really calm down and enjoy myself, so I'm quite busy. I like working hard and nothing makes me happier than providing for the pack." 

Here she broke her silence, "Does that mean you won't really have time for me?" She asked this in the softest tone I had ever heard. It was almost like she was folding in on herself, expecting me to reject her. She shifted her head off my shoulder and I couldn't help but whine softly in the back of my throat at the loss of contact. 

"Oh no, sweetie, no, you will always come first. I expect that you will still want to work and will have friends and other things to do as well. No matter how hard I work I will always want to care for you. You don't have to worry about that." I rushed to reassure her, tugging her closer to me, basking in her warmth again. 

She snuggled close to me and whimpered slightly as I met Rugal's eyes and saw the same desperation to please our mate mirrored there. 

Sophie snuggled closely to me, sniffing deeply before casting her eyes over to Rugal and staring at his expectantly. In a different situation I would have found the discomfort that he displayed by shifting in his chair funny, but now I was struck by the openness on his face, a look I thought he would never show anyone but me. This little omega was already under his skin.