Mated to you

Chapter 2 - Flustered

Reign’s gaze was relentless. Always on Thea, or Viktor, and she had enough of it, the way he glared every time they crossed paths, the way he said nothing but made everything feel like a test. After a few champagnes, she wandered over to him. He stood with a cluster of Alphas, indulging themselves in fine liquor, while their Lunas whispered the season’s gossip, she was sure she was a part of. But she’d never cared for that kind of talk.

“Can we talk?” she said, standing in front of him.

The other Alphas exchanged knowing looks. They knew Reign was about to cop an earful from his mate, and each one found it quietly amusing.

Reign lowered his drink onto the bar’s bench and led her out, toward a private balcony reserved for them alone.

The doors were already open. The view caught Thea’s breath.

Snow-dusted peaks shimmered under moonlight, the wind carrying the scent of pine and frost. It was stunning.

They stood there for a moment, neither speaking.

His gaze never left her. She was what caught his breath.

“Wow…” she finally said.

“Wow…” he replied, but he wasn’t talking about the view.

She turned to him, remembering why she’d come.

“What is your problem?” she asked, voice steady but sharp. “Did I do something wrong tonight?”

He shook his head.

“Then what is it?” Her irritation flared. “Because you haven’t been able to stop glaring at me, and I’ve tried my best all night, for your sake.”

He ran a hand through his hair again. She’d only ever seen him do that with her, whenever he restrained himself from saying something.

“What, Reign!” she said, louder than she’d ever spoken to him. She was mad. Really mad, for the first time.

“It’s nothing, Thea,” he said, tone low.

She threw her hands up, defeated. “Seriously? Is this it?” “Years of this with you?”

She turned. She was done. She’d fulfilled her duties tonight. Now she was going to find River, and leave.

He grabbed her before she could take a step. Pulled her in close, their faces so close she could feel his warm breath. “You don’t want years with me.” He said, his lips just touching her face as he spoke. His warmth made her forget she was mad, kissing him right now was on her mind, and then she remembered what Lillian said about Diandra. “Maybe, Diandra wants those years, maybe that’s who they belong to.” She said, snatching her arm back and leaving. He just watched her leave, guilt washing over him. After saying her goodbyes to all the Luna's and almost all the Alpha's, she'd reached Alpha Viktor who'd been waiting for her. “Tomorrow?” he reminded, voice low, eyes steady.

Thea glanced toward River. River nodded, and Thea felt a flicker of relief, she wouldn’t have to see Reign tomorrow.

“Sure,” she said, as something tugged at her. She took a look over her shoulder. Reign.

If looks could kill. She thought as she turned her attention back to Viktor, sending him a polite smile before leaving.

The next morning Thea and River enjoyed an early breakfast together.

“Will you come with us?” Thea asked.

River shook her head, already halfway through her tea. “No, I have to entertain the rest of them. I’ll be with Reign and the others today, we’ve got a few activities lined up.”

She glanced at Thea, her tone softening. “I’ll see you back here before dinner. We’ve got the dining-in tonight with everyone again, and this one will be more overwhelming. But trust your training and just follow Reign’s lead.”

Thea sighed. She was so annoyed with his behaviour from last night.

After breakfast she made her way through the hotel foyer, dressed in warm hiking clothes. Today, she and Viktor were heading into the mountains. She was going to see her first glacier.

“Thea.”

She turned. Reign stood a few steps behind her.

She hadn’t expected him. As far as she knew, he was staying at another one of their estates here in the west. River preferred the hotel luxuries over the estate’s comforts and convinced Thea to stay with her.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, concern flickering in her voice.

“No,” he said before continuing. “I was hoping plans for today had changed.”

“Oh.” It was all she could manage.

She studied him. He looked like he hadn’t slept. Like he’d been up all night, partying with the others maybe…

“Have you slept at all?” she asked.

He shrugged.

“So, just you and that asshole going hiking today?” He was jealous and annoyed with the whole situation.

She rolled her eyes. “It’s hiking, it’s not like I’m sneaking into his house to do as I please.” She said, irritated by his jealousy. He had no right to be so mad about it. Not after hearing about him and Dinadra, which he did not deny, and it only added to her annoyance with him.

“Please, don’t say that.” Was all he managed to say, before he turned, heading toward the penthouse where River was.

“Yeah, you have a good day too,” she called out sarcastically, before walking out to meet her driver who was taking her to Alpha Viktor’s residence.

“Good morning, Alpha Viktor.” She said with a smile. He chuckled as he sat across from her. “Viktor is fine.” She held out a warm drink for him. “I made some hot chocolate, would you like some?” She asked. He smiled and took the cup she had offered. “Thanks,” he said as he took his first sip. “This is good.” He said, while sipping more of it. “Thanks, it’s my grandma’s recipe.”

“Well cheers to her.” He said with a grin. Gosh he was cute. She thought.

They spoke the whole ride to their destination. Thea surprisingly found it easy to talk with him. Without all the military embellishments and titles, Viktor was just a normal, funny, easy going, warm grounded guy.

They began their three-hour trek to the glacier; it was only a small one but still amazing to see. The deeper they walked, the colder it got.

“So,” she asked, curious, “why do you serve in your military if you’re the Alpha?” She paused, then added, “And why haven’t you shifted? You could be miles ahead of me by now.”

He chuckled at her curiosity. “You don’t know?” he said, side-glancing at her.

“Know what?”

“My mother is human. Reign didn’t tell you?”

Her eyes widened. There was so much she suddenly wanted to know.

“Is she here?”

“No. My parents don’t attend these things anymore, not since my father gave me the Alpha title.”

“Oh… that’s a shame. I would’ve loved to meet her.”

“I’m sure she’d like to meet you too,” he said. “You could always come back with me.”

She hesitated. “I mean, if you want, you and Reign could come back with me.” He clarified.

She smiled, thoughtful. “Um… I’ll have to get back to you on that one.”

“Good,” he said, grin tugging at his lips. “But I can’t be blamed if you want to stay there forever.”

She looked away. He was too handsome. Too easy to look at.

“And what would make me want to stay there forever?”

“Well… you’ll have to visit to find out.