Been you

Arrival

CHAPTER TWO

**Thalia’s P.O.V**

13 hours later, I finally landed in Rome, Italy. I took a cab to Roma Tre University. Anxiety and nerves got my legs all jelly as I walked down to the student admission office. I guess I was too engrossed in my surroundings because the next thing I knew, I ran into a very solid chest.

“Oh sorry, I did not see you there,” I chuckled nervously before looking up into his eyes. He appeared to be at least 6’, dirty blonde hair, ice blue eyes and a body built like a wall. I started to freak out internally. “I doubt that pipsqueak. I think I’m quite visible,” he said with the deepest voice that sent shivers down my spine.

“I’m really sorry, I was not looking where I was going. I’m Thalia, Thalia Sayeed. I just moved here from LA,” I said, extending my hand for a handshake. He looked at me and then down at my hand. He hesitated before he said, “I’m Alexi Raines and I don’t do handshakes, I’m a hugger or we don’t do contact at all.” I blushed a bright crimson despite my caramel complexion.

“I am actually looking for the admission building, I was hoping you could help me?” I asked with so much hope that he would not turn me down and told me to ask someone else because I cannot do introductions again. “Okay. Follow me,” he said, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I guess that he read my mind because he suddenly laughed and asked, “You don’t like introductions much do you?”

I laughed to cover my surprise at the fact that he was so spot on. “I really don’t. I mean, I had to do it with you because I obviously ran into you and had to apologize,” I said with a nervous chuckle. “I see. Do you need some help with your bags?” I hesitated before agreeing. He helped me with my bags and to the admission building.

He stayed with me until I got my dorm room key and my orientation schedule. He stuck around until I got everything I would need. He then helped me to my dorm room and got me settled. I was grateful for him being there and all his help. “Thank you so much Alexi. If it wasn’t for you, I’d probably still be in that godforsaken building trying to get everything done,” I thanked Alexi, really this boy was God sent.

“There really is no need for you to thank me. I just feel this really strong need to protect you and I don’t know why,” he responded, looking into my eyes and I could hear the sincerity dripping from his words as he said them. I felt safe with him around to be honest despite having met him only a few hours ago. “Well thank you any way,” I said. “If you really insist on thanking me, you can do so by coming with me to the club one of these days,” he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I had no idea what that was about, but I was curious so, “Alright. I’ll let you know when I have nothing to do or bored.” “Great I-” he started to say but went quiet for a bit. When I turned to look at him, I could see his eyes had changed from their ice blue color to a greyish blue. I wanted to freak out, but he blinked and they were back to normal. “Alexi, what just happened? Are y-,“ I started to say when he cut me off, “Don’t worry about it, I’m totally fine. I just need to leave right now. I’ll come check on you tomorrow alright? Goodnight.” Before I could say anything, he left.

Strange. His eyes just changed color and he suddenly needed to leave. I wonder if he really is alright. I guess I can always just ask him tomorrow when he visits. After Alexi left, I went and took a shower. When I came out, I heard the main door to my dorm click, it must be my roommate, I’ll go quickly and have a look. When I went out of my room to have a look, I almost ran into her, “Oh I’m so sorry. Hi, I’m Thalia, you must be my roommate?” I introduced myself while extending my hand for a shake.

“Hello, I’m Riyah and I am,” she chuckled, “nice to meet you,” she shook my hand. “Riyah, that’s a lovely name,” I said out loud and she laughed. “Thank you, It’s Tamil for Goddess. I like your name as well,” she said. “Thank you,” it was my turn to blush.

“Well it was lovely to meet you Thalia, we will catch up more tomorrow, I am exhausted today and just need a shower and some sleep. I hope you don’t mind,” she said apologetically. “Oh no, it’s alright, I completely understand. Have a goodnight,” I replied. “Goodnight,” she said and left. She’s sweet. Maybe we’ll be friends. I thought to myself and walked back into my room to get into bed.

“Oh no! I completely forgot to tell my family that I had arrived here safely. I should just call and let them know,” I picked up my phone and dialed mom’s number. She answered on the first ring, “My baby!” she shouted, “Are you alright? Did you arrive safely? I am very upset with you, why didn’t you call sooner?” she had clearly been worried about me.

“I am fine mom. Yes, I have arrived safely, I am currently in my dorm room about to go to sleep. It has been quite a long day and I am exhausted so I wanted to rest a bit and so I thought to call before I went to bed,” I told her. “But it’s only 1p.m.,” she replied, confused. I laughed at my adorable mother, she is cute, “Mom, we now have different time zones. It is 10pm over here,” I giggled. “Oh yes of course! How could I forget that,” she reminded herself.

“Where are dad and Dylan?” I asked, wondering why none of them had snatched the phone from her yet. “They went out together and left me here all alone. Please hurry up and come back home, I miss you already,” she whined. I couldn’t help but laugh at her antics. She was cute beyond comprehension.  “I will come back mom don’t you worry. I have to go now but I will call you again tomorrow alright?” “Alright baby, I love you,” she said, “I love you too mama,” I said before I hung up.

I debated between texting and calling Azalea and finally opted to text her. She talks way too much on the phone, at least I will have peace if I text.

T: Hey Az, I made it to Italy safely and am about to go to bed now. I love you, goodnight.

A: Hold on. Where do you think you’re going? Tell me all about it. How is it? Met any cute guys?  Tell me EVERYTHING!!

“She will never change,” I laughed to myself.

T: Well, I met a guy and he’s cute but not exactly my type of guy. It has been a long day really and I didn’t get to see Rome.

A: Spill everything there is to spill about this man that is cute but not your type J

“I swear Azalea is just too much,” I laughed once again.

T: Well, his name Is Alexi and that’s all I know about him so far.

A: O-kay, I am a bit disappointed in your description of him, or lack thereof L

T: LOL. He looks around 6’, dirty blonde hair, ice blue eyes and a wall for a body

A: Ohhh :*) me likey… since you don’t like him, can I have him?

“She is so extra,” I thought to myself as I laughed while I imagined her drooling in her text.

T: Sure, I’ll ask. But for real though, I have to get to bed. We’ll talk tomorrow. Love you

A: Such a mood killer L. Yeah yeah love you too

I laughed as I read her text, “I told you she’s extra.” After being satisfied with my conversation with my best friend, I switched off the light and went to sleep.

**Adrian P.O.V**

After 13 hours in the air, Reece and I finally arrived back to Italy. After so many weeks of being in LA for business, it was great to finally be back home. When we got off the plane, I caught that delightful citrus and vanilla smell once again, where is this smell coming from? “Ready to go back home?” Reece asked me, I noticed he seemed unfazed by that smell, maybe I was just imagining it because it disappeared as quick as it came.

“Yes, let’s go. Mother will have our heads if we are late for the get together she’s having tonight,” I replied once I composed myself. “Tell me about it, I’m just excited because I had missed Avery’s cooking,” Reece practically sang. I could not help but laugh, I had missed her cooking as well, I won’t lie, but Reece doesn’t need to know that.

“Then get the car so we can leave from here please,” I playfully scolded him. “Yes sir, right away,” he said with a glint of amusement as he called our driver to ask where he was. He returned to me two minutes later, “he’s just around the corner, let’s get going so we meet him out front,” he said, and we took our luggage.

“Welcome back sir,” Taylor, my driver for today and Gamma said. “Thank you, Taylor, it’s good to be back,” I responded. The drive from the airport to the pack house was roughly an hour and Taylor took that time to update Reece and I as to what had been happening while we were away. “So not too much has happened then?” I asked Taylor from the backseat, “No Alpha, nothing I could not handle,” he replied confidently.

As Gamma, when the Alpha and Beta are away, Taylor is the acting Alpha. Kind of like having a deputy president so that when the president is indisposed, he steps in. We finally pulled into the driveway of the pack house and Reece quickly got out to get our bags – he knows he doesn’t need to do that but what can I do about it.

As I got out the car, Taylor greeted me once again before he left, “Once again, welcome back home Alpha,” he slightly bowed his head as a sign of respect and left. I was then greeted by mother’s embrace, “Adrian! Il mio bambino (my baby),” she said in a low voice. “Ciao mamma,” I replied as I hugged her back and relaxed my head on her shoulder, taking in her lovely scent of lilacs.

“Per favore, vieni dentro (please, come inside),” my dad said from behind my mother. “Greg, can you not see that I am embracing my son after his long business trip?” my mother shot back, making my dad cower instantly. Look at that, even Alphas cower in the presence of their mates, who knew? I laughed in my head.

“At least I have a mate,” my dad shot back immediately ending whatever mini party I was having in my head. I smiled at my dad sheepishly when I realized he had heard my thought and that I forgot to put up the block. “Where is Alexi?” I asked no one in particular, “He went to get his class schedules at the college,” my mother said as she guided me into the house.

“He is going to use my name to get served first again,” I said more to myself than anyone else. My dad roared with laughter, “That’s your brother,” he said with a shrug once he composed himself. At that moment, I caught a whiff of what smelt like ragu alla Bolognese coming from the kitchen, and my stomach growled.

“Avery?” I asked and mom nodded her head, “Go freshen up and come have lunch.” She didn’t need to tell me twice. I quickly went upstairs to the Alpha’s quarters and walked into my room to find my bags on the bed. I went to my en-suite bathroom, stripped of my clothes and went into the shower. The warm water relaxing my tense muscles instantly.

I took a quick shower, wrapped a towel around my waist when I came out and walked to my closet. I put some lotion on and opted for casual wear. I quickly put on my black jean shorts, a white t-shirt and some sandals. I towel dried and pushed my hair back with my hand. Once I was satisfied with myself, I went to the dining hall. Most of the pack members were already seated and waiting for me.

When I entered, they all greeted me as I took my seat. Avery had outdone herself today. She made classic Italian dishes which were all my absolute favorite. I could feel my mouth water and I could not hold back so I dug in, piling my plate with every dish. The dining hall buzzed with conversation but I was too focused on what I was eating to even care for small talk.

Once I was done eating, Avery came over with some gelato and I wanted to tackle her, take every last gelato and make a run for it. “Dessert everyone,” she said as she put them on the table for everyone to help themselves. Before she could walk back to the kitchen, I pulled her to me and gave her a very tight hug and plastered kisses all over her face.

“Alpha what are you doing?” she giggled, “Thank you thank you thank you Avery!! You have no idea how much I missed your cooking while I was away,” I almost whined causing Avery and my parents to laugh at my childlike behavior. “The next time I go anywhere, I am taking you with me,” I told her and she laughed.

“Who will cook for the pack if I leave with you?” she asked. “We can always find them someone else, I need your cooking Avery,” I whined this time. Avery gave my cheeks a squeeze, “You’re too cute,” she said and left me standing there. “Mother,” I whined to my mother, “Please talk to her.” She laughed.

“Son, you know she’s like a mother to you, she practically helped me raise you. She is the head cook of our pack Adrian, she can’t go everywhere with you otherwise the rest of us will starve to death,” she pointed out. “Maybe if you had a ma-,” my dad started to say but stopped as he realized something. “You still haven’t found her yet?” he asked and I mentally sighed in frustration.

I had dreaded this mate conversation.