Not My Mate - Finished

Chapter Four - Arrival and a Dead Mate

“I'll give you a quick tour while Grace brings your things to your room.” Kayne said.

His home was simple, nothing grand like what I was used to. He had a meeting room off to the side similar to my house back home. His kitchen had a long table, similar, again, and a large living room meant to suit all of the warriors if needed. There was a small dressing room and bathroom off of the living room for events, as well as a spare bedroom. Upstairs, there was two wings. One for us and our children as they grew, and one for our children once they were grown and had families of their own.

“Do your Beta and Delta live here?” I asked.

“No. They each have their own house with a similar set up.” He said. “There's chocolate milk and apple juice in the fridge, your mom said you liked those. If you'd like anything, there's a shopping list on the fridge. Add it and we'll get it.”

“Thank you.” I said. I followed him upstairs to a small bedroom.

“This is your room, for now. I find it inappropriate for us to share a bed until the mating ceremony, and I assumed you would be more comfortable in your own space. There's a small amount of clothing in the dresser, I wasn't sure what you'd bring. There's toiletries unopened in the bathroom. I'd like this to be as pleasant for you as possible despite the circumstance, so please let me know if you need anything. Make yourself at home.” He left it at that, and went back downstairs.

I was happy he at least acknowledged that this was a bad situation, but Kayne didn't seem all that bad. I was hoping I could get used to this, and find some peace in the negative.

I opened the dresser to find a few pairs of silk pajama sets. I was thankful it wasn't anything sexy. Simple button up shirt and pants. I took those and went to shower. The last time I had showered, Seth was with me. The last hundreds of times I had showered, he was there, and it felt strange to shower alone.

I quickly found shampoo, conditioner and bar soap, along with a toothbrush and toothpaste. I hairbrush and hairties were set out on the bathroom counter. Towels were easily found under the sink. I took a long, hot shower and put on pajamas. I was incredibly tired, and happy to climb into bed and sleep.

I woke in the morning and felt a little confused as to what to do. Was it okay to go downstairs and get breakfast in my pajamas? Should I get dressed? I decided to chance it and stay in my pajamas. I wandered downstairs to see Kayne already awake, and thankfully, equally casually dressed in a pair of sweatpants and over sized t-shirt.

“Good morning. Would you care for some eggs? I've got cereal, probably some oatmeal.” Kayne said. He had finished up his own breakfast, and was lounging at the table with some coffee.

“Eggs would be good, thank you.” I said.

“On it. Coffee?” He offered.

“Please.” I said.

A few minutes later, he presented me with eggs and toast, and a cup of coffee. I thanked him, and for some reason, was grateful he stayed at the breakfast table with me.

“Is there any plans today? Anything I need to do?” I asked.

“No, you're free to explore the town and go shopping for what you need for the mating ceremony tomorrow. Your mother had your dress sent over, but if you'd like a new one, given the circumstances, then by all means, go ahead and shop. I think the ladies have make up and everything covered. It's all set up in the dressing room if you need to take a look. I have some work to do, I own the butcher in town, you can find me there if you need me. If you'd like to unpack your clothes, there's a small closet across from your room.” He said. We finished chatting, and he cleared the table and did dishes. I could tell he had been alone a long time, as he was used to cleaning for himself.

I checked out the dressing room before I went upstairs to get ready for the day. My dress that I had chosen for my ceremony with Seth was waiting in the corner. I decided to wear it, I was hoping it would make the day feel more normal. I checked through the make up that they had set out and decided it was sufficient.

I went upstairs to my room and undid the braid I had put my hair into last night. I looked in the dresser and found a pair of jeans and sweatshirt, which I decided to put on. I began unpacking my clothes when Grace, who was an Omega and apparently helped the pack's warriors around their homes with a few others, came upstairs.

“Would you like assistance?” Grace asked.

“Sure, thank you.” I said, opening a second suitcase for her.

“Are you doing alright? Alpha Kayne explained to me that you had to leave your mate to be here.” She said.

“No, but I'm hoping to settle in. Are you married?” I asked her.

“Yes, my husband works at the market. We just married a few weeks ago.” She told me.

“What is it like? The first night, I mean?” I asked. That's all I could think about. I was afraid.

“It was... strange. Awkward. Just communicate and work through it.” She said.

We finished putting away the clothes and did some work together around the house. She said she had some last minute things to get set up for tomorrow, but to find her if I needed anything.

I got some lemonade out of the fridge and settled on the couch to watch some TV.

When Kayne got home, he joined me on the couch, keeping a distance, which I was thankful for.

“What would you like to have for dinner?” He asked.

“What did you plan on making?”

“Alfredo.”

“That sounds good. Would you like company? I'm not much of a cook.” I said. I was trying to be polite, and make the best of a situation that was killing me. My first night away from Seth was awful, and I felt like I was being torn apart inside. I was scared, I was anxious, I was hurting. I had to push through, though, and get through those five years to get back to Seth. 

“Absolutely.” He said, smiling.

I sat on the counter while he cooked, we kept the conversation light. I did need to ask though.

“What happened... to your mate? How did she die?” I asked.

He froze.

“I'm sorry... you don't have to talk about it.” I said.

“You're alright. You deserve to know. You had to leave your mate to be here, you should know why I'm without mine. She died shortly after giving birth to our first baby.” He said.

“I'm so sorry. I've never heard of that happening.” I said.

“She was human. Her body never healed from the birth. She nursed the baby a few hours and then passed. The baby declined as well, and ultimately couldn't survive without his mother. I begged her when she got pregnant to terminate, I knew it would kill her. She thought the baby would survive and risked it. I'm not sure I'll ever recover from it.” 

“It's rare... unheard of, even... to have a human as a mate.” I said.

“I know. She was special. She was born human to two wolf parents, never sure how.”

“Amazing.”

“She was. Are you ready for dinner?”

We ate with light conversation again before going our separate ways to bed.