The true mate

Chapter 11

** Note from the author

I'm sorry it took so long, my job has been crazy, but I'm back and so is my writing. I want to let you know that I'm really glad for every single one of you who read my story. I appreciate it, really! ❤️

Enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 11

Liz's POV

Matthew and I have spent a few more hours in bed making love together. He was so sweet and passionate. He showed me exactly how much he loves me with his kisses, his touch and words. He's whispering sweet words in my ear, when we hear a door closing downstairs.

„Hello? Are you here?“

I look at Matthew shocked and he looks at me a bit amused.

„It's Brendan, don't worry...“ Matthew gets up and throws some sweats on himself and throws me some new panties, bra and his t-shirt and shorts to put on. „It's not the best way, but at least you'll meet my brother..“ he gets out of the room to scream in the hallway. „We're here, wait!“

I put the clothes on and look at Matthew frightened. I know he can feel my feelings, so he comes closer and kisses my forehead. „Don't worry. It's gonna be fine.“ he takes my hands and leads me slowly downstairs.

But it's not only Brendan in the hallway. I also see Zoe, that is understandable, Matthew said, she's here with him. But why are his parents here?!

Matthew is holding my hand while we stand in the hallway. I'm panicking now. We just had s*x few minutes ago, I'm sure they can smell it. This is so embarrassing.

„Matthieu Arthur Blackwood! You have a lot to explain!“ I look at Matthew's mother, who is obviously not happy about something. She looks at me and then Matthew again. „Your mate.“ she points at me „why haven't you told us earlier, that you met her. You met her a year ago and kept that to yourself?!“

I can feel that Matthew is panicking too, maybe he's just feeling my feelings as his, but when I look at him I can see a real panic and fear in his eyes.

„It's not like that, maman. Yes, I met Lizzy last year, but I lost her. We really met in person a week ago.“ he looks at me and gives me an apologetic look. While he's looking at me, I can hear him in my head.

„I'm really sorry, I didn't know they're here.“

„It's ok.“ I don't know how, but I was able to answer him and squeezed his hand.

„Ehm! Matthew? Are you gonna introduce us?“ We look at Matthew's mom again, she still looks angry, but that changes quickly, when she looks at me, with a warm smile.

„Ye-yeah. Mom, dad, brother, Zoe. Meet my mate, Elizabeth.“ I look at them with a nervous smile and wave my free hand. Matthew's mom comes to me and pulls in a tight hug.

„Nice to meet you, sweetheart.“ she pull away, but still holds me shoulders. „Matthew called us few days ago and told us about you. You are even more charming than he said.“ I look at Matthew with an embarrassed look, but he only chuckles.

„Why are you laughing? You should have seen your mother back home. Blabbering the whole time, how could, I gotta quote her, forget telling us.“ the man standing next to Brendan speaks. His voice has a lot of esteem. He looks at me with a hard look and comes closer. He offers me his hand which I accept and he shakes it gently. „Nice to finally meet you, Elizabeth. My name is Thomas and this is my lovely wife Marie.'' After the introduction he smiles warmly at me and goes to the kitchen with some bags.

„Hello, I'm Brendan, older brother of this one. But I'm sure you know that already. This“ he takes his wife's hand and pulls her closer to his side „Is my wife and mate, Zoe.“ She's very beautiful. Why would Matthew want to reject her? She's everything I'm not. Tall, slim with beautiful big Bambi eyes, long shiny hair. I smile at them weakly and nod my head. Matthew can feel my distress and squeezes my hand. He kisses his mom on the cheek and hugs Brendan and Zoe.

„Can you excuse us for a minute?“After that he takes me to the terrace. He closes the door and steps closer to me. „What is it? I can feel that something's wrong.“

I know I shouldn't be jealous, but I can't help it. Zoe was his first mate, they have a past together. I just shake my head and smile at him. „It's nothing. I just did not expect to meet your family this early and“ I point at my clothes „like this.“

Matthew chuckles and hugs me. „It's ok. They are werewolves. They understand. For us it's natural. Now come on, let's get inside, before my mom comes here and yells at me for stealing you from her. She really wants to meet you.“

We go to the kitchen and I see Zoe and Maria taking some take out food from containers. I go to them to help them, but Zoe stops me. „It's ok, we got this.'' She smiles at me and gets back to work. But I get to her anyway and take out plates. She looks at me at first, but then giggles and starts a small talk with me. She is really nice, but I still can't help thinking about her and Matthew. Everytime she turns away I look at her. Matthew said she's pregnant, but I can't notice anything. Her figure is perfect. Her hair is blond, long and looks like it's from a stylist. She's wearing perfectly fitting clothes. She doesn't even need makeup to cover anything. She is just perfect. And then I look at myself. I'm wearing Matthew's t-shirt, my shorts and I'm sure that just by one look anyone would say I just had s*x. My hair is not bad, but still.

„Zoe sweety, go sit down, you should rest.“ Marie reasons with Zoe for a few moments, but then Zoe just giggles and leaves to sit in the living room with the rest of the family.

I decided to make coffee for everyone, just to do something. I still can't take my mind off Matthew and Zoe. I look at her, but my look lands on Matthew, who's looking at me with anger in his eyes. s**t, I forgot that he can feel what I feel. I'm sure he knows. I look at the counter top and close my eyes. I feel like crying. This was supposed to be a great weekend. Normally I would be happy that Matthew wants me to meet his family, but when they're actually here and I look like this and thinking about his past with Zoe, even tho I know they haven't even mated and he loves me, I feel like I'm letting him down in every way. Plus my emotions and his at once, it's too much.

„Will you excuse me? I'm just gonna go change my clothes.“ I say to Marie and leave the kitchen quickly.

Marie's POV

I notice Elizabeth looking at Zoe here and there. I did put two and two together. Matthew told her about them being each other's first mates. Poor girl. This whole thing must be hard for her. But Zoe and Matt never sealed their bond, they knew they were not meant to be. Zoe leaves the kitchen after I tell her to go sit down. Maybe I should talk to Elizabeth, find out what's going on in her head.

I finish warming up some rise when I turn to her. She is pale in her face and her eyes are red.

„Will you excuse me? I'm just gonna go change my clothes.“ I know she's trying to mask it, but her voice breaks at the end of her sentence. I see Matthew getting up and going to the staircase.

„Matthieu. Ne pas.“

„But maman. My mate is feeling bad. I know what is going on with her. I should-“

„-go sit down and talk to your brother and father. You three haven't see each other properly in months. Leave this to me.“ I see that Matthew wants to argue, but since he was a kid it only took one pointed look and he did what I said. I go upstairs and knock on door to Matthew's room. I can hear Elizabeth blowing her nose. She answers with week voice.

„Yes?“

„It's me sweetheart. Can I come in?“

„Em.. ye-yes. Sure.“

I open the door to the room and walk in. She's sitting on the bed with tissue in her hand. I sit next to her, but not too close, I don't want to invade her space.

„What is it, honey?“

She looks at me and then on the floor. It looks like she's looking for words. After a while she speaks. „I know about Matthew and Zoe. I know he loves me and I love him. It's just... they have a past, they were mates. Zoe is really nice don't get me wrong, but... I'm not her, I'm never gonna be. And this“ she points at herself and me „this is not how I imagined that our first meeting would be like. I'm not even dressed properly. And I'm sure you know what we were doing not even 30 minutes ago.“

I smile at her and put my hand on her shoulder. She looks at me with watery eyes.

„Honey, just knowing that my son found his mate is more than enough for me. And you, look at you. You are a beautiful, sweet, really nice young woman. When Matthew called he found you, yes I was angry that he didn't tell us sooner, but also very happy. You should hear how he talks about you. The first time he said your name I knew he's hopelessly in love with you.

And when it comes to Zoe. Yes, they were mates, they have a past, but not the past you think. They grew up together. When Matthew found out she was his mate I can't tell he was particularly happy about that. He loves her yes, but as his family member, his younger sister, his brother's wife. Brendan was always the one that was very protective of her, even while growing up, but Zoe saw that he was babying her. And then years later they found out they were True mates. You have nothing to worry about sweetheart.“ She tries to smile at me. I hug her and she accept my hug gladly. I pull away and look at her „I hope you like spicy food, we brought some Indian food. I'm sure you are hungry after your mating ritual. I know the first day can be really exhausting.“ I have to laugh at her reaction. She covers her face with her hands and makes a strange sound, almost a muffled scream. „It's natural, you know. Enjoy it. I'll go downstairs to finish the food, you take a shower and change clothes, if it makes you feel more comfortable.“ I stand up and go to the door. Before I leave the room I turn to Elizabeth. „But I gotta say, I'm surprised. Humans are usually not this active.“

She looks at me with a face that says she really doesn't want to talk about it anymore, but she does anyway.

„Well, that's true, but I'm not... human.“

„What are you talking about, sweetheart?“

Matthew's POV

I can hear quick steps going down the stairs and then the only thing I hear in my ears, and I'm sure I'm gonna hear for a few days, is my mother's voice.

„Matthieu Arthur Blackwood! How could you miss the part that your mate is a Witch?!“

God f*****g damn it!

„I-... don't know how to justify that. I know, I missed a few parts in the story, but now that you're here, you can ask. I'm sure Lizzy will tell you herself as well. Talking of my mate, where is she?“ I look at the direction of the stairs, but my mom came here alone. Liz is probably still in our room.

„She was a bit uncomfortable, so I told her to take a few minutes and take a shower if she wants, to calm down. This whole encounter is a bit overwhelming for her.“

I could feel that. I saw her looking at Zoe all the time, she was jealous of her. It makes me angry that she feels threatened by her, like I would leave her. I know, this all is still new to her, but I thought she understands our bond better now. I should talk to her later.

„Ok, are you gonna stand there the whole day or what? Mom, dad, do you want a drink before dinner? I have some good wine or Scotch.“ Brendan yells from the living room. He knows how mom gets sometimes. I love her, but she is sometimes a bit too much. She needs to know everything at the moment and she's stubborn, but in a loving way.

„Yes, honey. Red wine for me... and could you please prepare a glass of red for Elizabeth as well? I think she'll welcome it.“ Mom looks at me still a bit angry, but shakes her head and leads us to the living room.

We all are catching up after months of now being able to see each other, when I can smell the most delightful scent in the whole world. I look at the direction of the hallway. My mate is standing nervously at the door looking at me with an apologetic face. I look at her with a stone expresion, even though I want to smile. I can still feel some negative emotions, but when Zoe talks to her, I can feel easement from her. I don't know what my mom told her, but it obviously worked. I can't feel any negative emotions from her anymore. She sits beside Zoe and talks with her.

I sit aside with my parents, and with Brendan's help, tell them about the rogue attack on my mate and yesterday's attack as well. As expected my mom is not very pleased, but dad calms her down right away. I can see Liz and Zoe leaving for the kitchen. Brendan and my dad are discussing the attack, but my eyes are only on my mate. My eyes go bigger when I see her touching Zoes belly. She's smiling. She has the most beautiful smile on her lips I've ever seen. I can hear them talking about the baby, Liz sounds pretty excited. She's spent a lot of time with little kids, she's telling Zoe some stories about the twins. They're both laughing. I'm glad they're getting along.

After a few minutes spent in the kitchen Zoe and Liz come back with the food and head on the terrace. It's a nice and warm evening. While eating the Indian food my parents brought, we all talk about our packs, the last rogue attack that happened not far from us and of course about me and Liz.

„How did you find out that you're a witch, sweetheart?“ I knew mom was gonna ask. Liz smiles at her and tells her about the dream and Laila and I connecting to her. My mom nods her head in understandment and looks at my dad. „We should talk to William, he could send Laila here and she could help Elizabeth. She definitely needs to talk to another witch. Of course you can talk to us as well, sweetheart, but we know a very little about witches. They are very secretive.“

„I understand. I think it would be a good idea to talk to someone of my own kind.“ Liz sighs. „It's still a bit surreal to be honest. Werewolves, witches. What else should I know? What other creatures are out there?“

Zoe looks at me and after a few seconds at Liz. „You probably heard stories about vampires, banshees, fairies, even gods. They are real and not all of them are good... Just know that Matthew and we all are here for you if anything-“ My dad cuts Zoe off and keeps talking.

„Now that you know you're a witch and acknowledge it, your power may come onto the surface. Your magical stream is even more powerful after you mated with Matthew. For years, as I understand, it was somewhat hidden, but still strong enough for you to see entities in your mind, but now it's fully awake. I can feel it. That magical power might be like a beacon for others.“

Laila said something like that. It is possible that the rogue was trying to get to her, because of her magic. But werewolves can't practise magic.

„Laila told me that witches from your coven had great powers, but some of them turned against the nature and The Moon Goddess and joined dark forces for even bigger powers.“ I take Liz's hands in mine and look at her. „The day I saved you in the forest, I don't think you were the target, the rogue was following me from the hotel. He probably saw that I met you, my mate, and wanted to use it against me. And... he was not an ordinary werewolf. Somehow he could create some type of protection around him, that I couldn't smell you. But now they're after you as well. Maybe they know you're a witch, maybe not. We should think of all the possibilities.“

„It's true that there was one place in the forest that was darker than the rest. And everywhere I went I always ended up in the same spot. When you came, there was an actual darkness around us. But werewolves can't practise magic, only another witch can provide powers to them, right?“

„I'll talk to William today and arrange with him for Laila to come here.“ I look at dad. He seems to be more concerned than he was a few minutes ago.

„Everything is gonna be alright sweetheart, don't-..“

I don't even listen to my mom anymore. I mindlink my dad, I don't like how distressed he is.

„What is it?“

„I'm not sure yet. I'll tell you when I find out more.“

„Dad! Tell me!“

„Don't raise your tone like that!... I told you and everyone about the day I challenged the old Alpha. But I never told you how I got injured. The reason why I needed a witch's magic to heal me.“

I look at my father, he's already looking at me with a serious face. I close the mindlink and speak to everyone.

„Then tell them. If it has to do something with witches she should know too. We all should know.“ Everyone is looking at us not knowing what's going on. My father looks at my mom and then me again.

„I don't want to jump to conclusions.“ he looks at my mom again and holds her hand. „but what you're describing is what happened to me 25 years ago. After I challenged the previous Alpha of your pack“ father looks at me „he attacked me furiously. His eyes were red, it looked like his own body was not his. And he was not like any other werewolf I've ever fought. He could make my senses disappear, I couldn't use them, everything around me was dark. I was able to defend myself, thanks to the magic he was using being weak and useful for only a few minutes, but even for his attacks he could use some sort of dark spell. He was very fast and his nails were hot and sharper than mine. After the magic faded he was completely lost. His body was pale, veins blue, almost purple and his eyes.“ my father closed his eyes and then looked at Liz as if looking at ghosts. „his eyes were all black with blood flowing out of them. His whole body was tangled, with no magical stream left in him. And he was repeating something about HER, giving him his mate back. I don't know who he talked about, but after he mentioned „her“, he screamed in pain and it looked like something sucked air out of his body... For days my wounds were not healing until Marie called William and informed him about my situation and he sent Laila... She looked at my wounds and healed them. Witch's magic can be defeated only by another witch... The old Alpha was dead on the spot after the rest of magic faded.“

Liz is breathing heavily and holding my hands tight. She's feeling fear and guilt. It's my father. He can be very intimidating, I know that. But Liz is not guilty for anything that happened that day to my father. I squeeze her hand and look at her. She's staring at the table and trying to calm down.

I get closer to her and whisper „Babe, are you ok? What is it?“

„Yeap, I'm ok... will you excuse me for a moment?'' She stands up quickly and goes outside. I follow after her and stand behind her. I try to connect to her, but she's resisting me, so I come closer to her and hold her shoulder.

„Are you sure you're ok?“

She turns to me and I can see her face with a very serious expression. She shakes her head and turns around facing the lake. „What if that witch responsible for hurting your father was from the same coven? Hm? What if that is where I'm heading? If they know that I'm a witch, whoever that werewolf was, and will try to get to you through me? To get in my head? You said that witches from my coven turned against nature. They wanted power. What if I hurt someone? What if-“

„Stop it. You're not gonna hurt anyone. Do you know how I know? When you spoke to me the first time outside the forest, you had kindness in your eyes, you are a genuine person. You like helping people. Even now, when you found out that you're a witch, the thing you care about is that you don't want to hurt anyone.“

„Yeah, but what if something happens along the way? What if-“

„Stop with this what ifs! You are the kindest person I know. You don't judge people. When I told you what I am, yes you were a bit angry at first, but when you had a chance you learned about my kind and didn't leave. You are a good person.“

She looks at me with a few tears in her eyes and then looks at the ground. She looks at the lake again and just stays like that for a few minutes. I come to her and hug her from behind. I can't feel anything from her. No emotions, no thoughts. Her magic is getting stronger just like my father said. And she's getting used to it very quickly. It's just like Laila said, everything she does is pure instinct to her.

After a few minutes she turns to face me and looks at me with a stone expression. She looks me in the eyes and cups my face. She takes a deep breath in and out. Now I can feel her, I feel fear, but also determination. She connects with me through her mind. I can feel her magic in my body. It's stronger than anything I've even felt. She smiles with a sad smile and kisses me. She's so warm and soft. I hug her as tight as possible to let her know I'm not going anywhere, that I love her. But then I hear her in my head, she sounds different. I look at her and her eyes are purple and skin slightly paler.

„When bad things happen to a good person... it changes them.“