Hidden Lake’s secret

Chapter Five.

Chapter Five.

Aria

I watch as people start to head back towards their rooms. I elbow Cassidy in her side. -“Will you be joining me in my room tonight? We have a lot to talk about…” I mind link her while giving her a knowing look.

She grins wide at me, -“Of course!! I can’t give Ethan everything he wants in one night.” she responds through the link, and winks at me. She turns to Ethan to whisper in his ear. He looks disappointed, but pulls her in and places a gentle kiss on her forehead.

I look back to Garret and smile. He looks like his mind linking someone. Goddess, he is literally drop dead gorgeous. I cant really fathom that he’s mine. I’ve been struggling to form coherent thoughts anytime he looks into my eyes with his dark chocolate orbs. I normally have no problem articulating when I feel like having a conversation, but he makes me feel like I’m incapable of basic human function.

I let out a small sigh, and open my mouth to speak. “Garret” I give him a moment to finish his mind link conversation before I continue. “I’m going to spend the night with my cousin. We have a lot to discuss.”

He looks at me with a soft smile. “I was just linking with Ethan. He also informed me that his mate will be staying with you tonight.” He looks at me with puppy dog eyes and sighs, “Although I want to spend all my time figuring out everything there is to know about you… I understand that big changes will be occurring and I respect that you need to make plans to accommodate those changes.”

The way he’s speaking to me screams Alpha authority. Yet he’s being patient and respectful of my needs. I must be the luckiest girl in the world. I’m my own person, and as the daughter of an Alpha, I don't take well to people demanding things of me. I love thats he’s giving me the space I need to take care of my responsibilities here, before taking me away from everything I’ve ever known. All of that only makes him sexier, and I’m starting to regret my decision to spend the night away from him, even if I know I’m not ready to be with him like that.

As though she can read my mind, Cass suddenly grabs my arm and stands, pulling me up and out of my trance. I didn't realize I was staring so hard at him. A blush creeps it’s way onto my cheeks, and the sexy smirk I get from Garret in return turns my legs to jelly. If Cassidy didn't have a firm grip on me at that moment, I might've collapsed. He’s very good at flirting. I wonder just how much practice he’s had. Sarah said he’s been waiting 5 years to find his mate. That puts him at 23. I cant imagine a man his age has been celebate. Oh my Goddess, I’m not prepared. I thought I was, but I’m not.

-“Stop psyching yourself out. He’s our mate. He’s literally made just for us. He is going to be everything you need him to be. I just know it. I’d really like to meet his wolf, so if you could stop being so nervous, that’d be helpful.” Snow complains to me.

“I’m sorry! I know you don't question anything the Moon Goddess plans, but why would she take me away from my pack? I just don't understand what she’s doing.” I think back to her. “You never need to question the Moon Goddess. Just trust in her.” She replies softly.

I take a deep breath and let what Snow has said sink in before Cass starts talking again. “Well, Alpha Garret, I’m going to be taking your Luna to her room. You’ll get her back tomorrow, but for tonight, she’s mine” Cass grins at him and winks and we walk away quickly before Garret has a chance to respond. Snow is whining in my head. -“Why do we have to leave our mate? We just met him…” she complains again.

-“Well have our whole lives with him. Cassidy and I have to figure out a plan for the future of our pack to bring to my parents” I respond back to her logically. Now that I’m away from Garret, I can finally think clearly. I feel a pang of regret at leaving him. I know it’s just the mate bond, but his touch was exhilarating and calming, at the same time.

As we walk into my bedroom, Cassidy finally releases my arm. I hadn't even realized that she was still pulling me along. I waltz over and flop on the bed, letting out a large exaggerated sigh. “He’s an Alpha.” I say to ceiling.

Cassidy looks over at me. “And Ethan is his Beta!” She exclaims. Then she pauses for a moment and I take that time to look over at her. Her face has hardened, and I know she is concerned about the same thing I am, our parents, and the pack. What will The Hidden Lake Pack do without a future Alpha?

She starts to speak hesitantly., “You know… I learned a little bit about Ethan today. He’s really great…” She starts wandering off topic, “And have you seen his body? Oh My Goddess. I can’t”

She stops herself and clears her throat. “Anyways… I learned a little bit about his family. Apparently his father is from a long line of Betas, and of course his mother moved to his pack when they found each other. However, his mother… she is an Alpha’s daughter!”

I look at her wondering if she’s coming to the same conclusion that I am. “So are you implying that Ethan could be an Alpha?” I start to piece it together before she interrupts me.

“Yes, exactly. So what if I take over as Luna of our pack? Ethan could take on the role of Alpha. I know we always planned for you to be this pack’s Luna. I know you would've been perfect for our pack, but your another Alpha’s mate now. You cant abandon your mate, and you wont leave you pack without a future. You know that we’ve been training for our positions our whole lives. I’m not a natural like you, and I’m so bad at managing the paperwork and I’m always so unorganized. The only thing I’m good at is socializing and entertaining guests with polite conversation. I can’t even bake…”

My eyes are wide. I cant believe what I’m hearing. I always knew my cousin could do it. I just never thought she had ever put this much thought into it. I never thought she felt that way about me. My eyes start tearing up. I’ve always looked up to her. She is everything I thought a Luna-to-be, should be. But she seems to lack the confidence I always thought she had. In this moment I saw a side of Cassidy that wasn't hiding behind her beautiful, confident and friendly persona. I didn't even know that to say to her.

“Oh no! Aria, I’m so sorry. Don’t cry! I shouldn't have brought that up. I know you’ve always planned on taking over for you parents. I would never want to take that from you. We can find another solution. That was a dumb idea.” She lets out a small sigh and walks over to the bed to wrap her arms around me, burying her head in my shoulder.

I smile into her hair. “Cassidy, you would absolutely make a great Luna. I cant believe that you’ve been holding all that inside. You’re amazing. You have so many of my mother’s peoples skills.” I laugh out loud. “I swear sometimes I’m so awkward at functions”

Cassidy looks up at me wide eyed. “You’re not mad at me?”

“Of course not, Cass! When I was telling Garret that your like my sister, I meant it. You're my best friend. You're smart and strong with a huge heart. You could run this pack perfectly. I don't know much about Ethan, but if Garret trusts him as his right hand man, then I trust him to have our peoples best interests at heart. Have you talked this over with him?” I question her.

She looks over sheepishly. “I did. We discussed it as a possibility before everyone moved to the dining room.”

“That makes sense now.” I ponder out loud. Cass looks over at me, confusion etched on her face. “Garret was mind linking with Ethan before you and I left. I bet Ethan mentioned it to him, because he was very understanding, and talked about ‘making plans to accommodate the changes’.” I try to say that last part in my best Alpha Garret voice.

Cassidy bursts out laughing, and soon we’re both in a fit of giggles on my bed. Once we regain composure, I look at her and sigh. “So this means we wont be able to do this every night anymore.” I let the sadness in my voice drench my words.

She reaches over and squeezes my hands. “Your new pack is only a couple hours away. If anything, we’ve just cemented the alliance, exactly like your father wanted.” she grins at that last part. and she's right. The Blue River pack may be smaller than Hidden Lake, but their fighters are second to none. If Cassidy brings their Beta here, and if I go to Blue River, it’ll almost be as if our packs were destined by the Moon Goddess to come together.

“Speaking of Dad, we need to meet with them as soon as possible, to go over these plans. I’m sure they'll both be on board. I think Dad has been itching to retire and take mom on vacation.” I smirk.

“Yeah you're right. we’ll just include ourselves in their meetings tomorrow. Considering circumstances have changed, I’m sure that wont be a problem.” She states confidently.

Cassidy was born to be a leader. I know that everything will be fine with her here. I yawn loudly and look back to her. “I’m beat. That was way more excitement than I had originally planned for and I’m ready to pass out.”

She nods her head in agreement, and we proceed to change into some sweatpants and loose tank tops. Sleepwear is where Cassidy and I might as well be identical. Comfort is top priority to ensure a good night’s sleep, especially with how active a werewolf is on a daily basis. We cuddle back up on my bed and Cassidy falls asleep right away, as usual. I still don't understand how she does that. I lay awake listening to her breathing. I’m excited to have my mate, and take on a new role. But I’m apprehensive, and it takes me awhile before sleep finally steals my thoughts away.