Mythical Mate for an Alpha

Chapter 6

“What’s the matter Trish? You seem a bit distracted tonight.” my Mother Mary spoke at dinner. “In fact,” she said, looking at my sister and I, “you both look pretty distracted. Rough first day back?”

“Actually, it was great.” I said looking up at her from my plate.

“Yeah, for me too.” my sister chimed in.

“So then why do you look like you were tasked with figuring out quantum theory?” she asked my sister and I.

“It's the new girl.” My brother Eli took a break from inhaling his dinner to add his two cents.

“A new student?” mom inquired.

“Yeah. Some redhead girl that moved here from Idaho” Eli commented.

“Oregon.” Ella corrected him.

“Yeah whatever. The girls think there is something odd about her.”

“There is” Ella persisted. “My wolf feels it too. We aren’t sure, but she doesn’t seem to be quite human.”

“Ella you read too many stories.” Eli chastised. “Does she smell like a human?”

“Yes.”

“Does she act like a human?”

“Yes.”

“Well then, if it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, then it must be a duck.” Eli finished going back to his plate.

“How did we get from human to duck? I would certainly be able to tell if she were a duck”. 

Poor Ella thought he was serious and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Our mother did too, while Eli just put his head in his hands and looked away from her. 

“When are the guys coming back?” I asked my mother.

“Two fridays from now. The international council has been going well and there is a lot of catching up to be done. They only meet every 5 years. A lot can happen during that time.”

I could tell my mom missed my dad, but she was right. The international council didn’t meet very often and keeping strong ties was important. This was the first year my twin brother Syrus was allowed to go, along with his Beta Owen.

In a short time, Syrus would move up to take the Alpha position from our Dad. Owen would be his Beta and Andre his Gamma. Well, that was if he could pull his head out of his ass long enough. 

Sy had been skirting the position for a while now. He didn’t want the responsibility. I get it. He envies the humans. They aren’t forced into the kind of role he has. Heck, most of them don’t know any more skills than what it takes to stock a shelf or get food from a drive-thru. He wanted that kind of carefree life. Too bad he was born a wolf and not a human. 

Just then, a large figure plopped down in the chair next to me and pulled my plate away. 

“Hey gang. Good evening Luna.” Bowing his head to my mother, Andre picked up my fork and started eating my dinner. I just rolled my eyes and rested my chin in my hand.

“Hello Andre. Are you hungry? Is there something I can get for you?” I couldn’t help the sarcasm that laced the words.

“Nope. This is great. Thanks though.”

I sighed. The sarcasm was, once again, lost on Andre. I often wonder how he got his Gamma position. 

A minute later Orla came in and sat at the table. She bowed her head, greeting my mother, and then greeted the rest of us. Her and Andre had come over form the pack house like they normally did in the evenings.

Our house is specifically for the Alpha family. It is a 15 minute walk through the woods from the pack house. Still close, but far enough for privacy.

As the pack got bigger, Dad felt the need to separate work and family. He said it made our bonding times that much better as he could really focus on us. Pack members would constantly interrupt. He wanted to make sure that we knew that not only was he an Alpha, but he was still our Father. I think it made Mom love him that much more. 

“Can I get you a plate Orla, sweetheart?” my mom asked her.

“No thanks. I’m not hungry.”

My mom gave her a sympathetic look. Orla was Owen’s mate. His absence was really starting to affect her. They hadn’t been together long, but the mate bond was like that. Too much time away from your mate and it could make you feel like your world was about to fall apart. It had been two weeks already.

I could see the bags under my mom’s eyes, but they weren’t as pronounced as they were on Orla. I knew they were both sad and it was affecting their sleep. Sure, they talked to their mates on the phone a few times a day, but that didn’t stop the need for physical touch. That was the only reason that both of them hadn’t lost their minds and flew off to Europe. Thank the Goddess for technology.

Trying to distract Orla, Mom started up conversation again. “Ella and Trish were just telling me about the new girl at school. Orla, do you think there is anything odd about her?”

Thinking for a second, Orla twirled her hair. “You know, it’s funny you mention that. My wolf said something to me while we were at lunch. She noticed that Kitty smelled like fiddleheads.”

Andre practically spit his food all over the table as he burst into laughter. Eli was in much the same shape. Ella glared at Eli while Orla shot a look to Andre. I looked to Mom, who was struggling to hide a smile. 

“Fiddlehead? Is that some kind of new insult your wolf made up?” Andre questioned while wiping his laughing tears.

“No, you i***t. They grow in parts of the forest by the riverbanks. My Gram uses them to cook with in certain dishes she makes. It isn’t something we have around the pack. You usually have to go pretty deep into the woods to find them. I swear, I will never understand why Syrus made you a Gamma.” Orla was annoyed with Andre.

Without missing a beat, Andre shot back. “Of course it’s my dashing good looks and charm. I’m completely perfect in each and every way.” He sat back in his chair, folding his arms across his puffed out chest. 

Now it was women's turn to burst into laughter. Even Mom couldn't contain herself. Poor Andre deflated at seeing his Luna in stitches at his expense. He mumbled under his breath and went back to his, or rather, my plate. 

“Well, it sounds like there is definitely something about her that seems different. Why don’t you invite her over? You kids have got me curious.”

“Oh that would be great!” Ella squealed. “I really like her. There is something so fun about her.”

“Yeah.” I agreed. “There is. My wolf likes her too. If she is human, she is certainly special. She isn’t like the rest. Nothing seems to get this girl down.”

“Bring her over Friday night. We can have dinner and then maybe you kids could do something fun here at the house. Use the back entrance so she won’t see the rest of the pack.” Mom got up from the table to start clearing dishes with Ella and Eli by her side. 

I looked to Orla and Andre to get their thoughts on the matter. Both just shrugged their shoulders indifferent. Looks like we were having a house guest on Friday.