Been you

Covens and Packs

Chapter 5

**Alexi’s P.O.V**

After doing my morning routine, I went down for breakfast before going to campus. “Avery, where’s my brother?” I asked, as I realized that Adrian was nowhere to be seen at breakfast. He always eats breakfast with us, no matter how early a start he has to have on his work.

“He already left. Something about planning a surprise for you,” came Avery’s reply. “Any clue what it is?” I asked her. She was never going to tell me even if she knew, but you can’t blame a wolf for trying.

“I do know, but I will not tell you. In fact, everyone knows. But Alpha Adrian has sworn us all to secrecy and so, we can’t say anything about it,” she responded as she continued to pile my plate with food.

I swear Avery enjoys torturing me with all this secrecy stuff, her food on the other hand is amazing!!! I sighed in defeat, and just ate my breakfast as mom and dad came down.

“So, Lexi,” dad’s voice rang out from his seat, “Yes, dad?” I responded nervously, ‘please don’t talk about mates, please don’t talk about mates, please don’t talk about mates’ I inwardly chanted, dreading this conversation.

“It’s been two years since you turned 18 and I still see no she-wolf by your side,” he said, raising a questioning eyebrow. I cursed under my breath. “Uh, yes, well actually dad, I have not found her yet,” I responded, swallowing hard.

“What are you and your brother doing? Are you even looking for them at all? I met your mother on the day of my 18th birthday,” he said, sounding rather disappointed? “Dad, not all of us are as lucky as you had been at meeting your mate. In my defense, I haven’t exactly travelled the world like Adrian did, so maybe my mate is out there,” I said.

“You do make a good argument there but try harder. I can’t have both my son’s unmated, I’m not getting any younger. I need grandpups,” he just had to bring grandpups into this. “I’m running late for my orientation, I’ll see you guys later bye,” I practically ran out, effectively getting away from that whole grandpup topic.

I jumped into my car and started the engine, ready to make my way to campus when my wolf started pacing my head.

“Leo, what’s happening buddy?” I asked my wolf.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” was his reply, before he blocked me.

Seriously? My day can’t get worse can it?

***

As I passed by Thalia’s complex, I saw her a little up ahead walking to campus with someone. It must be her roommate. As I approached them, Leo decided to remove his block and that’s when the smell of lilacs hit me, stronger than anything I’ve smelt before.

I pulled up next to them and made brief eye contact with her, before she ducked behind Thalia, “Mate,” Leo yelled in my head. Thalia’s human, so I decided to act rationally despite my wanting to jump out and pull her from behind Thalia.

“Sayeed, need a ride to campus?” I asked with a knowing smirk on my face. “Raines, I’d like that. Only if my friend here can tag along,” she said, as she gestured to her. She hid even further behind Thalia.

“I don’t mind at all. Will your friend be able to last until campus though?” I asked, once again, that smirk on my face, hiding the hurt that she feels the need to hide from me. Thalia turned to look at her.

 “I’m sure she’ll manage, right?” she asked, looking at her. “Y-yeah, I’ll be just fine. I’ll sit in the back though,” she stuttered. Her voice was beautiful, I nearly sighed listening to it.

Thalia sat shotgun while she sat at the back. I was a tad disappointed at that, but I couldn’t voice it out. I caught something different about her scent, she was neither human nor wolf. She was a witch, so she had to recognize me as her mate!

So, why was she afraid of me? Is it because I’m a wolf? Do witches have something against wolves? That’s new, I have to act normal though, I would ask her about it later. As I continued driving, Thalia decided to introduce us, “Alexi, this is Riyah, my roommate. Riyah, Alexi,” she said as she pointed at us.

“Mate’s name is beautiful. Riyah,” Leo was in a daze, I would’ve been too, but I had to focus since I was driving. We nodded at each other through the rearview mirror, “It’s lovely to make your acquaintance Riyah,” I said, fighting Leo for control at that moment. “Likewise,” came her response.

We exchange pleasantries as I drive. I learned that we’re all doing the same course, which I am excited about because it means I get to hang out more with my mate and Thalia. I soon pulled into a parking spot on campus and lead them to the hall where we’re having a guest speaker today.

I am still bummed that Adrian didn’t come with me today, I figured uncle Scott would be excited to see him. Then again, they are family, they’ll meet when one of the decides to visit the other.

As uncle Scott stepped up, Thalia looked at me with a confused look, expecting me to explain, “Uhhh, Raines?” I chuckled at her look, “That’s my uncle Scott. He’s the dean around here. And no, I don’t get any special treatment or anything like that, but he’s awesome.”

“Is he the reason why you came to study at this college?” my adorable mate asked. “No, actually my dad’s the reason I’m here. He insisted I study here so that my uncle could keep an eye on me,” did I just give a nervous chuckle? “You’re a bad boy, aren’t you?” Thalia gave me a knowing look, “let’s just say I have a reputation.”

He started speaking, “Buongiorno, I’m Dean Raines and welcome all of you, to Roma Tre University,” as he continued with his speech, I zoned out thinking about my mate. Only to return to my senses when I heard him mention Adrian. Thalia looked at me again, “Seriously? Another Raines?” she asked, dumbfounded, not even bothering to look up.

“What can I say, we’re famous around here,” I shrugged. Riyah just scoffed. “I definitely see that,” she said.

Could this be the surprise Avery mentioned earlier? Him being here at my orientation? But why would he want to surprise me with that? But I don’t really care that much about it any way, I am just happy he could come even though he won’t stick around after this.

The girls were going crazy over him, even my own mate released a whistle for him. She and I would talk about that later. Thalia, on the other hand, didn’t even look up, until she heard Riyah’s whistle that is. I watched as my brother looked around the hall for me, and when he did spot me, he gave me a small nod and proceeded to explain what he was here for.

As I sat there listening, I couldn’t help but wonder if Adrian might find his mate among one of these students. He may have already met a couple of them since they’re from here but there are some like Thalia and Riyah.

Thalia was awfully quiet, probably admiring the sight like every other female in here. I shook my head out of it and realized that people had started to walk out of the hall. I looked to Thalia and Riyah and realized that Thalia’s still in her own world.

“Sayeed, we need to leave,” I snapped her out of it. She looked around before Riyah asked with a knowing look, “daydreaming?” “I’ll say,” I said. “Oh stop it you two. What could I possibly daydream about?” came her not so convincing response. We just laughed at her knowingly as she blushed.

We turned a corner when Thalia collided with Adrian. I held back a laugh, why is she constantly bumping into people? She did the same with me the other day.

“Adrian, I am SO upset with you! Why didn’t you tell me you’d be here today?” Thalia took this chance to step back, not even making eye contact as he apologized. I introduced him to Riyah first, “This is Riyah,” then sent him a quick mindlink, “my mate”

He gave the biggest smile ever, “Hi, I’m Adrian, Alexi’s brother,” his excitement is even more than mine and she is MY mate, not his. I then took the time to introduce him to Thalia, “…and this is Thalia, the friend I was with yesterday,” I said the last part through the link once again.

He reached out for a handshake, “Hello Thalia. My brother won’t shut up about you. It’s nice to finally meet you,” to which she just nodded. I wonder if she’s okay. After a while of them holding hands, Adrian let go and chuckled, I wonder what he’s laughing at.

“It’s lovely to meet you Miss Sayeed,” he said, with the most dashing smile, and Thalia blushed, I just rolled my eyes at their exchange.

“I have to get to the office Lexi, see you at home?” Adrian said, “Of course, bye,” I said before Adrian turned to Riyah and Thalia to say bye. Only Riyah responded, while Thalia merely nodded, seriously what’s up with her?

After Adrian left, we also left campus and I drove the girls back to their dorm. One thing is for sure, I needed to talk to Riyah, and I would never get that done with Thalia around.

After dropping the girls off at their dorm, I drove to a nearby café and got myself some iced latte. I hung out at the café for about an hour before deciding to go back to their dorm. I knocked at their door, praying that Thalia is not the one who answers the door.

And then, I smelled her behind the door…

**Riyah’s P.O.V**

I had been tossing and turning in bed for an hour or so. If wolves are truly as bad as Nana says, then why didn’t Alexi maul me on the spot when he saw me this morning? Is it because Thalia’s a human and she might ask questions? Hell, I have questions!

I need to talk to Alexi, wait, why him? He’s a wolf for goodness sake! He will maul me if he gets a chance to have me alone in a private place. So then how will I get the answers I need? I heard a knock at the main door. Thalia must already be asleep by now, I’ll just go check it out myself.

I whipped out of bed and went to get the door, the hair standing on my skin, the lightly electrified air seething through the key whole let me know it was him. Before I could turn back, he whispered behind the door, “Riyah please, we have to talk,” why am I so attracted to him? His voice is so alluring, nothing like I’ve heard before.

I hesitated, “Please,” he said once again. I unlocked the door and opened it slightly, just so that only part of my face was visible. “Look, I need answers, so I was hoping we could talk…” I looked him in the eyes, “alone,” he said, and my breath hitched.

“How do I know that you won’t hurt me?” I asked, something inside me was screaming at me to trust him but I needed the reassurance before I did anything that could potentially result in my death. “I’d never do anything to hurt you I swear, just trust me Riyah please,” I looked down, contemplating what he had said, “I would die first before I let anything happen to you, on the moon goddess,” he said desperately.

He swore on their, goddess, that’s got to be a big deal, right? Shrugging away any doubts I may have, I let him in and quietly led him to my room where Thalia wouldn’t see us if she ever woke up. After locking the door behind him, I turned to see him already making himself comfortable on my bed. I rolled my eyes at that and sat at my study desk.

“You said you wanted answers, ask me what you want to know,” I started. He looked at me, he wasn’t supposed to look at me (at least not with that intensity in his eyes). “Why are you afraid of me?” was his first question. “I see you didn’t come to play, you just dove right into it,” I gave a nervous chuckle.

“Riyah,” he warned. Swallowing, I decided honesty is my best shot at survival here, “You’re a wolf, Alexi,” I said, simply. “And you’re a witch, what’s your point?” he shot back, something in his edgy voice tugged at my heart and I can’t quite put a finger on it.

He must have noticed that he hurt me, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for it come out that harsh,” he apologized. “It’s alright. My point is that Wolves and witches are archnemeses. When you pulled up next to me and Thalia this morning, I expected you to kill me and so I duck behind her,” I finished.

He seems amused at what I just said. “I’m sorry, is there something funny about what I said?” I asked, feeling slightly insecure and self-conscious. “I’m sorry, it’s just… who told you that wolves and witches are archnemeses?” he chuckled.

“Well, Nana said that wolves had some beef with witches. I can’t remember the details of the story exactly, all I know is that I was taught to avoid wolves at all costs and now I’m sitting with one in my room,” I said.

“Awww baby, your Nana was wrong about that,” he said. He called me baby, he’s laughing at me and I find myself getting irritated by it even though I enjoy the sound of his laugh, bur most importantly, he called me baby. I am officially freaking out, internally.

“You see, wolves and vampires are archnemeses, not wolves and witches,” he explained once he stopped laughing. “I don’t understand, why would wolves attack us if we aren’t enemies then?” I asked him, feeling as though my whole life is a lie. “It depends on the pack and coven, whether you guys have differences or not will determine how you co-exist,” he said.

“As for my pack, we have no beef with witches. So, you see, I won’t kill you,” he finished with a sweet smile. And just stared into my eyes with this dazed look, those ice blue eyes of his piercing my very soul.