My Mate or My Pack?

The Change

POV Alice

My mate. Oh goddess I have met my mate but all I could think about was this heat and how uncomfortable I was getting. My body ached like I just trained for hours and hours straight, my joints felt weak like they were going to fall off. My felt my blood pressure sky high. Was this the mate bond? Or was it The Change? I honestly couldn’t tell.

Alpha Kaleb…I mean Kaleb, he had an out burst because my father was holding my hand out of comfort and his own dad greeted me in a friendlier way than I expected. Yes it scared me because it was sudden but I’m over that now and now here he is, sitting next to me, trying to comfort me as I’m trying not to loose control. Not just yet.

I whined earlier because I felt another wave of heat but I quickly gathered myself back together afterwards. Feeling flustered and anxious, I tried to hide it and it seems not to be working with Kaleb.

“Would you like a drink? There’s some tea being made for everyone” I said as I smiled at him, trying to reassure him that I’m okay. I can hold on for a little while longer.

Kaleb grinned and his eyes look at me closely, as if he’s trying to catch my lie. He huffed, like he given up trying to catch my lie and relaxed around me and nodded “yeah sure, I’m more of a coffee type of guy but I’ll take some tea”

I was relieved that he stopped looking at me like he was trying to figure out what’s going on. I turned around and waved my hand, beckoning Avery an omega who often works around the pack house to come over and bring the tea. I smiled at her sweetly “thank you Avery, smells great” I complemented.

Avery bowed her head and softly giggled “well it should, considering you made the recipe for the tea”

Kaleb chuckle amused “you made the recipe?” He asked.

I looked at him with a playful scoff “of course I did! I got bored with the tea mother kept buying so I made another” I chirped, feeling proud of myself.

Avery just smiled warmly as she placed the tray on the table in front of me and Kaleb. Bowing her head, she made her leave, still smiling of course. She’s always happy and smiling.

Picking up the tea pot, pouring up some of the wild berry and herbal tea I made up for both of Kaleb and I. Handing Kaleb the tea cup, it looked so small and fragile compared to his large and strong ones. He took it gladly and took a sip. Sipping on my own cup, the warm liquid ran down my throat and released a soothing feeling into my stomach. Hearing a delightful groan beside me, I had a feeling that he liked it too.

“This tastes amazing, you got some talent lil one” he smiled. Wait, why does he kept calling me lil one?

“What’s in it anyways?” He asked

“Why do you keep calling me lil one?” I asked back

“I asked first” he laughed

“Wild berries and herbs” I answered “now you”

“Because I have yet to know your name” he smirked

Oh s**t, that’s right. His out burst happened before I was able to introduce myself properly.

“Alice…Alice BlackStone” I mumbled with a blush

He stayed quiet for a moment then hummed “so Miss Alice BlackStone, I’m Kaleb Lightwood, nice to finally know your name” he chuckled amused then continued to finish his tea, drinking it fast

“Yeah kinda, just without the miss part” I giggled as I watched him drink the rest of his drink. I scrunched my nose “and you don’t know how to drink tea properly, you’re supposed to sip it not skull it like it’s your last drink” I joked and rolled my eyes

He laughed, putting his cup down on the tray “I told you I’m more of a coffee guy” his eyes lowered down on my body and stopped on my knee bouncing up and down fast. “Something wrong? You seem nervous” he asked as he put his hand on my bouncing knee, making me stop.

I didn’t notice I was doing that…but again I have been ignoring this heat and the aches for quite some time now and it’s started to get too much for me handle.

“Yeah I’m fine, just a little hot” I said too quickly and stood up “ummm excuse me for a minute” I said shyly and quickly made my way to the kitchen and out through the back door. Gasping for the cold fresh air, my body wasn’t relaxing. I felt the sudden urge to drop and cry out of pain but I didn’t want to show to anyone, not even to myself that I’m weak. Just a little longer. Little longer to get through this dinner then I’ll release my control.

I felt like I was going to loose control at any moment but I felt a steady but gentle hand on my shoulder. The sparks ignited soonest I felt his touch.

Kaleb.

I turned around and saw the worry in his dark eyes. I quickly wiped my tears and smiled at him

“Don’t do that” he said a little darkly with a serious look

“Don’t do what?” I questioned. Trying to play dumb

“Something has been bothering you for the whole visit, what’s going on lil one?” He asked but it felt like a demand for me to answer him

“I…I think I’m going through something right now” I whispered as I lowered my head.

“Going through what? A bad boyfriend?” He growled quietly enough to not scare me

I quickly shot my head up. What? “What? No! I’ve never had a boyfriend before!” I stated

A slight relief appeared in his eyes but quickly went back to his serious and concerning look “then answer me lil one…what’s going on?” He pressed further

My lip trembled and tears rolled down my cheeks “I think I’m going through The Change!” I shouted, leaving him speechless and eyes widen in shock

“How are you still standing?” He asked “The Change happens suddenly and it’s painful” he spoke softer now

I shook my head with my hands coming to my chest, feeling him stepping closer to me as he held my shoulder gently and rubbed my back soothingly.

“I’ve been fighting it for a little over an hour or so…I can’t mess up this dinner, your father…your pack is supposed to help mine! I can’t mess that up!” I started to sob somewhere in the middle of my words.

He pulled me closer, pulling me into a tighter hug “I’m sorry, but it’s not healthy…” he said “this can damage your wolf, you’re probably hurting her now, denying her right to come out”

His words strike me to the core. Am I hurting Sliver? Am I selfish for wanting to keep up this impression? But I had to save my pack, my pack needs this

“Sil? Am I hurting you?” I asked her internally

“I’m alright for now Alice, I know why you’re doing this, I want to save our pack too” she answered before slipping away to the back of of my mind

I guess we’re both stubborn

Kaleb pulled back, making me whimper from the loss of contact. With a smirk, he looked down on me “am I helping you through the pain?” He asked

It wasn’t until he asked that I noticed that my body wasn’t hurting as much, making me feel lighter and stronger. I didn’t want to loose his touch

I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled myself close, inhaling his soothing scent as I felt his strong big arms wrapping around my waist “yes” I whispered “please help me get through this dinner” I asked quietly. Silently begging him to help me

With a chuckle that rumbled in his chest, he held me tighter “I’ll never let you go lil one” he answered and buried his face into my neck. I smiled, relieved that he’ll help me

“On one condition” he suddenly added

Oh no…

“You’ll let me be there when you shift, straight after dinner and I expect to see absolutely everything lil one” he said lowly with his voice in a concerned tone

I thought about it but quickly decided

“Deal” I answered. Not exactly sure what I’m getting myself into