Numbers that follows

chapter 11

We made our way down the stairs. We got to 5he door to the dining room. I stopped for just a second. I was unsure of what everyone would say about the situation.

"Are you okay?" Caster placed his hand on my back.

"What will they say when we go in?" I looked at him "what do I say?"

Caster turned to face me "I don't know but if it makes you uncomfortable at any point we can leave."

"Okay" I took a deep breath.

Caster opened the door and we walked in. Armin was sitting on the far end of the table, Aarah and Flint were on either side of him. We came in and I sat down beside Arrah and Caster sat on the other side of me.

It was an awkward couple of seconds and no one said anything. It was almost worse than actually talking. I looked at Caster hoping he would start a conversation just so we could have some control.

As if knowing what I meant Caster cleared his throat. "So tomorrow One is going with me to the summit. Aarah she may need help packing and she needs something for the ball."

"Yeah totally I can help her with that in the morning." Aarah nodded.

"Okay" Caster said

The room now was slipping back into silence and it looked like no one else knew what to do either.

Armin cleared his throat "one would you meet me in the common area when we are done eating,"

"Yes, of course" I shook my head.

"Well I am hungry because we are having pasta and breadsticks. One, have you ever had alfredo pasta?" Flint said ending the cycle of silence.

"Yes," I replied

Honestly it was one of my favorite foods, we only had it if we could go one week without problems. Which was next to never. But occasionally I behaved.

"Well when you get back from the summit my birthday is the day after. So of course you're coming to my party." Aarah gleefully spoke.

"How old will you be?" I asked

"18" she said "I will be able to shift, mindlink with the rest of my pack and find my…" she cut off.

"Mate?" I questioned.

"Yeah," she said, calmer and quieter.

"It’s okay, just because of this situation does not mean it should take from your excitement. You must be thrilled about it." I reassured her.

"I really am, I hope they are at least in this pack. I don't want to leave." She said a little scared.

"If he is not in the pack, we will just have to visit often" Armin put his hand on her shoulder.

I would have to admit I would be. Sad if she was to leave she reminded me of my old friends and I would hate to lose her. But at least I would still get to see her once in a while.

"I just would hate to leave my family behind," Arrah said.

"We will cross that bridge when we come to it." Armin said

Just then the food came out. Just like the other night. One lady brought the pasta, another brought the bread. The boy brought the dishes and placed them down.

"Is everything okay?" The older lady said.

"Yes, everything looks great, thank you." Armin responded.

I went to dish my plate and Caster grabbed my plate and held it close to the bowl so I would not spill any food. I smiled at him. It was sweet. I got some of the noodles on my fork and twirled it around. I took a bite. It was way, way better then what I was used to tasting.

I let out a slight moan. "This is absolutely amazing. So much better than anything I have had before."

"The cook makes the sauce from scratch, " Caster said, placing his hand on my lower back.

"This is my favorite thing ever." I said

As we ate we talked a little more about everything, after we finished Armin motions for me to follow him to the common room where we talked the other night. He sat on the couch and I sat down too.

"I have a couple books for you, these two are on mates, this one is on Lunas." He said handing them to me.

"Thanks, it might save me from asking awkward questions." I said taking the little stack.

"No matter how awkward I will still answer if you need me too." Armin replied.

"Thanks, I can read these and if I have questions I will ask." I replied.

"The other thing I was wondering is," he paused a moment, "do you want to see if we can find out who your parents were?"

"I remember how upset I was when I saw them on the ground as I was taken, I think if we can find them, I want to, maybe I have other family out there, they could tell me my name." I confessed.

"The best place to start is any couple that died when you were three and see if any of them have missing children." Armin explained. " I will see what I can find and go through them together."

"Thanks, it would be nice to see where I came from." I said.

"I will leave you to your books, I hope they are helpful to you." Armin said, getting up.

"I think I will read them in my room." I said getting up to leave.

I walked down the hall and opened my room door. I set two of the books on the end table by the couch. And turned the book light on and got comfortable. This book was slightly worn and was titled ‘What is A Mate? vol. 1’.

When a wolf comes of age they are given along with being able to shift, they are able to sense their mate. Only when their mate is close to them. The bond between wolves creates a pull. Like you are incomplete without the other. A constant need to be with one another.

That's why he had that effect on me last night when I couldn't leave his side. It was this mate bond.

Everything about your mate has an effect on you, touch ,smell, sound, sight and even taste. When stressed, the scent of your mate will make you relaxed and calm.

Knew that already when I was freaking out his smell made me calm and so did his touch.

I lost track of time as I continued to read about mates and how they affect you. I went to grab the second book, ‘What do mates do Vol. 2’, when there was a knock at the door. I got off the couch and went to the door. I grabbed the handle and opened it. It was Caster.

“Can we talk?” Caster said.

I opened the door more to let him inside.”yeah, come in.”

“I want to prepare you a little more for the summit. There is more than just treaty talks. There is a ball similar to the one we had last night for the guard. But this one is all the Alphas, lunas, betas and some packs have deltas they are like the third in command. The deltas are not in attendance unless the pack has a gamma who can stay and help run the pack. Armin is going to stay and it will be You, me and Flint.” Caster explained. “ We will be meeting a lot of new people and some of them we only tolerate because we have to.”

“Okay, so I need to be super polite to everyone?” I asked.

“Yes, but I also need you to stay super close, I don’t want anyone trying to take you away from me.” He said, stepping close to me.

“I think I can stay by your side all night.” I laughed a little, “I mean according to that book it's almost impossible for me not not to stay by you all the time.”

I pointed to the book on the couch. He walked over to pick it up. He turned to look at me.

“You read this one” he asked.

“Yeah I was just about to start reading this one” I walked over to the bed and grabbed the second one.

I handed him the book, and his face had a weird look. Like he was contemplating saying something.

“Where did you get this book?” He asked.

“Armin has been giving me books, since I got here the first one he gave me was about pack laws and pack life. Then after dinner he thought I would like to read these. I don’t like asking people questions. It helps to just read from something that is going to get straight to the point.” I answered, adding “If I do have questions he answers them for me.”

“Okay,” caster says

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Yeah, I just have read this one before.” He said. “It is late and we have an early morning so you might not have time tonight.”

“Well I can read it on the drive then.” I replied, “Give me something to do.”

“Yeah,” He said.

“So what is the plan for tomorrow” I inquired,

What was with his weird reaction to me reading the books. What does he know that I don't? I almost want to stay up and read it to find out. But he is right, we have a long day tomorrow.

“I think Aarah is going to come up at around 7 and help you pack some things to go on the trip. While you were talking to Armin she got you a dress for the ball. Then we will load up the car and hit the road. We should get there at about 5 tomorrow night. The ball is then at 7 at night. Then we will go to bed. The next day all the alphas will sit at a table and the under ranks will sit behind along the wall. You will sit next to me.” He explained.

“Sounds like a lot.” I replied.

“Yeah, It’s all for the greater good.” He says, “We should really go to be though.”

“Yeah.” I say.

I don’t quite know what to do. Do I stay in this room or do I go to his room? Is he waiting on me? I wish he would just be direct. He turns to leave then stops. He turns back and looks at me.

“I don’t think I can sleep without you there. I can sleep on the couch and you can take my bed but I can’t be a whole house and floor away from you.” He confessed.

I was a little relieved because I was feeling the same way. “Yes, just let me get my stuff. I can just meet Aarah down here in the morning.”

I walk to the closet and grab my Pjs and something to wear tomorrow. I then grab my tooth brush and go back to the door where Caster is waiting.

“All set, lead the way.” I say.

He turns and I follow him up the stairs. We arrived at his door. He opens it and lets me go in. The whole room smelled like him. I felt so comfortable in his room. It drove me less crazy that I now know why.