The True Union

Chapter 12 Sam

Sam couldn’t stop the laugh that came bubbling out of her. She saw the confusion on his face even through the small laughter. “This is priceless. I only ran to avoid a mating, which was to forge an alliance. An alliance for the war you’re supposedly trying to start. Now you’re telling me you don’t want one and have been making moves to avoid said war. Basically, they have no reason to force this mating on me.” She saw as understanding of her situation overtook him. “You’ll still need to make the decision. I can and certainly will start a war if that’s what it takes to protect you.” Derrick growled.

Shaking her head, Sam couldn’t help but admire his devotion to her safety. She knew her father and brothers would move mountains to protect her, but no other man had ever shown her even a fraction of his loyalty. What was it about this man? She could barely reconcile the fact that it had only been three days with his behavior and her feelings. Looking as an outsider who didn’t know better, it would probably appear as if they had been mated for a while. Not because they knew much about each other, because clearly, they didn’t. But it was the way they were drawn to each other. It was like all the bedtime stories her mother had told her about true mates.

Hundreds of years ago, this was supposed to have been common, and finding your true mate was everything. Nowadays, though, it was like a fairy tale. No one she knew, and she knew a lot of wolves, being an alpha heir, had met their true mates. Even those people’s grandparents and great-grandparents hadn’t. It simply didn’t happen anymore. Rumors have it though that your wolf would just know. He would complete you in every way. Your other half and soul mate. It couldn’t be real though, could it? She was surely imagining their connection, but that didn’t explain his behavior. She also couldn’t explain her feelings either, she kept finding herself wondering what it would be like to kiss him. To feel his broad chest against her as his fingers entwined in her hair. To experience her first connection with this god of a man.

Instead of making a decision, she changed topics, “Tell me about your family.” She knew he saw the delay tactic for what it was, but he had told her she didn’t have to decide immediately. She wasn’t only doing it to delay the conversation though, she really wanted to know more about him. With a sad smile on his face, he did as she requested, “Well, most people know my father was murdered a year ago. My mom is still around. She’s actually three doors down from this very room. She doesn’t leave it much anymore. I also have one bratty younger sister, who is both my biggest pride and biggest annoyance. Then my uncle, my dad’s brother. I never really had any other family. My mom moved here from another pack, and we never saw her family much. And my dad’s parents passed away before I was born. I consider Jared a brother though, we grew up together since he was my dad’s Beta’s son. What about yours?”

His family was so small, she couldn’t imagine having so few relatives. ” Well, you know my parents are Alpha Jacob and Luna Katherine of the Blood Moon pack. I’m the youngest and only girl of four. My older brothers Charlie, Nathan and Andrew are crazy and a blast to be around. I’m not ashamed to admit I was kind of spoiled by them all. Both of my sets of grandparents were around for most of my childhood. My mom’s parents died when I was twelve and dad’s when I was twenty. Both of my parents came from large families. My mom was the third child of six, and my dad was the second of eight. His older brother died as a child though, so it was only seven for most of his life. I have a million cousins also. And my parents were both from our pack, so everyone was always close.”

"Wow, that’s a lot of family. What about you? Do you want a houseful or just a couple of kids?” He asked, chuckling. She knew the question was innocent enough, but her heart still fluttered a little imagining them having babies together. “I’ve always loved having a large family. Four kids was nice, but I was the only girl, and I always wished my parents would have tried for another. I was always left to play on my own as a child unless my cousins came over because my brothers didn’t want to play with dolls or have tea parties. As we got older, they included me more, but we were never as close as they were to each other. They understood each other when I didn’t.”

Derrick nodded and looked like he really understood, “I’ll admit growing up I never really wanted to play with my sister. I’m seven years older, so she was a baby for most of my childhood. She was there for. By high school I didn’t want the responsibility of a little sister. I think that has more to do with our age difference though. I think I’d like to have a large family though. I only ever had Jared and Mia. It would have been nice to have more kids to play with.” She could see his point. “OK, next question. How old are you?” She found it humorous; she didn’t know the most basic things about him. Smirking, he said, “I’m 24, you?” “20" She replied quickly. And they kept going, learning everything they could about each other as the day faded into night.

She was fascinated by this man. Every detail he gave her just endeared her to him more. It really was like she was falling in love, and they were so compatible. This is how a mating should start, she thought, not in some stupid meeting of alphas to discuss an alliance. Pure and raw, just two people who want to be around each other. She never felt any friendly emotions towards Marcus. Hell, her biggest emotion towards him was disgust. He was so self-centered and self-serving. He used people for his own entertainment. Sam could only hope he would mature before he was given the position of Alpha, she would hate to see what he could do with that kind of authority. The worst part of it was that his family were actually good people. Sure, they weren’t perfect, but they were kind and took care of their pack. Marcus had just been spoiled by them and his pack.

His grandfather hadn’t been Alpha like most heirs. They had a terrible Alpha with a terrible heir. He was running the pack into the ground. Finally, when he openly killed a family who had been trying to shift alliances to a new pack the Elder Council had stepped in. Normally when an Alpha is removed from his position, which is so rare it’s almost unheard of, the Beta would be promoted. However, the former Alpha and Beta had worked together on too many terrible things to make the Beta the new Alpha. Instead, both were banished and their family if they chose to stay were stripped of all titles. None did. To find the new Alpha the Elder council held a trial of sorts. Any male who thought they were up to it could participate once the Council deemed them worthy. The winner would be granted the position. Around ten men went through the trial which was essentially a fight to the death. Two wolves could survive if one submitted but nine good men lost their lives that day. Micheal, the current Alpha of Richmond, was the only survivor and then he had one final test. He had to make the pack submit to him. He was a savior of sorts in their eyes, and Marcus was an extension of that. Now if only he would act like an Alpha should.

Derrick on the other hand had the reputation of a cold and heartless Alpha to every other pack and possibly his own, and from what she could tell from their time together he was every bit the caring and selfless leader a good Alpha should be. His father had been a beloved Alpha who was constantly helping other packs, and rumor was rogues as well. It’s no wonder his son is the man he is. Not to mention his rumored behavior was in search of his father’s killer, an act that had multiple packs, hers included, in mourning. Many people still wanted to know what happened that day, they just didn’t want the war that was threatened.