The Reluctant Alpha

Chapter 14 - Mixed Signals

Mia

    Once we left the Alpha's house, the rest of the day was uneventful. Thank Goddess! So much had happened in a short period of time and I wanted to give myself a little time to breathe. 

    Talia could sense that I was pretty drained after we left the Alpha's house. She told me that we could do our shopping tomorrow. Although I could tell she was disappointed, I was thankful that she was willing to wait the extra day.

    As good as it felt to let it all out, a tiny ball of fear was sitting deep in my gut. I didn't know why because I did feel safe here, but something wasn't right. I had been here for days now. Knowing Clarence, the way I do, I would have expected him to show up and drag me back home. It really wasn't my home anymore. It hadn't been since the day my parents were taken from me. 

    As I laid there on the bed, I couldn't help but mull over how much things had changed in the last few days. I didn't realize how quick everything would happen. Out of all the scenarios that have played out in my head over the last few years, this was the last that would have crossed my mind. 

    My mother and I talked a lot about the day I would eventually find my mate. I saw how happy she was with my dad. I couldn't wait to have that one day. In an instant, I wanted that even more, but for an entirely different reason. 

    That was another problem to add to the list. My mate was here, but I wasn't being draw to him like I had always heard. Surely, he could sense me as I have him. Did he not want to find me? Did he have someone else and was trying to avoid me? Or worse...reject me? I have dealt with a lot of blows in my life but that one may be the last one my heart could take. 

    A soft knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. "Come in."

    Alex pops his head in. "Want some company?"

    Nodding, I sit up and scoot to the edge. "Sure." I don't really know him well yet, but I feel comfortable around him. It is a foreign but welcomed feeling. I was so used to having to have my guard up around my entire pack. Never knowing if they were just waiting on the opportunity to berate or abuse me. Being uncomfortable around everyone else all the time is exhausting in so many ways. On the bright side, I haven't felt that since coming here. I know I haven't met that many people, but they all appear kind and accepting. Well, except that girl today with her friends. I will stay clear from them as much as possible. 

    Alex fidgets nervously from foot to foot. He rubs the back of his neck with his hands and I'm not sure what to make of it. I give him a moment to get his thoughts together. As I go to speak, he finally says "I'm not being nosey, but there some things you said today that I'd like to talk to you a little more about."

    My heart drops. "Ok..." I drag out.

    "Don't be scared. I can smell it all over you. This is just to clear some of my own questions up." I nod and wait for him to go on. "You said you sensed your mate. Did you find them?"

    His question sets me a bit on edge. "Not yet. I can smell that he is close, but it is old. Like he was here but hasn't been in a while. It was the same thing at the party that Clarence had. Did anyone else go with them that night?" I try to search my brain for any memory of another person in the car besides the three of us and the driver, but I don't recall anyone else. There had to be one more person if I picked up on the scent at the Lock Heart Pack and here. There is no other explanation that makes sense. I tell him as much. A sadness washes over his features, but he tries to hide it. 

    Alex looks at his lap and shakes his head, "Not that I know of," he clears his throat and I see the anguish that takes over his face. "I have a theory-"

    "What?!" I startle both of us at the volume that my words come out in. I can't help the fear that wraps around my heart. I want to find my mate. Everything else seems to be looking up. He is the only piece that would complete my world. 

    Alex sits next to me on the bed, facing me. Taking both of his hands in mine, he relays the words that I never thought I would hear. "There was a rogue attack a few days before the party. Luca and Morris had just left the burial before they headed to Lock Heart."

    My body goes cold. No. It can't be. I'm not too late. There must be a mistake! Alex wraps his arm around me as I being to tremble. Our whole lives, we are taught about mates and what it means. The Moon Goddess chooses everyone's other half. The other part to make your soul complete. It is a wonderful blessing. Some wolves go their entire existence never finding them. One thing remained the same for every one of those wolves. Hope. Hope that even if it was close to the end of your days, you may still be lucky enough to find them. And even those few days would change you in ways you never knew possible. 

    "Mia," Alex whispers softly and I raise my eyes to his. "I didn't mean to upset you. It is just a thought. But it is the only thing that makes sense with the faint scent and smelling it both places. If I am right, however, you will need to try to find happiness in another. Any decent wolf wouldn't want the other mate to lead a lonely life. They would want you to continue to live yours to."

    I can't make sense of his words right now. He has to be wrong. This can't be how it ends. 

    Alex rubs small circles on my back until my cries are nothing but sniffles. As happy as I was to get away from Clarence, this hurts worse than the beatings I endured over the years. This is all too much too fast. I need some time alone. "I really believed that life was getting better. I was out of that hell hole, my wolf was back, I could sense my mate close..."

    "Wait. What about your wolf?" Alex quirks an eyebrow at me.

    I guess I forgot to mention that little tidbit earlier today in the Alpha's office. "Yeah. Aria went silent shortly after my parents passed. She is the one that told me my mate was close. She has talked to me a little since then but not much. It is just great to know she is still there. I was starting to worry." That was the truth. I hadn't heard from her or shifted in so long that I was beginning to panic. What good am I to any pack if I can't even shift. I would have to try and get out soon to let her run free. It had been far too long. 

    "Are you still there?" I ask Aria. Silence. I wait a little bit before my mood sours even more. I know she is because I can feel her pain at everything Alex just told us, but she has withdrawn again. I can't say that I blame her. I wish I could just disappear right now too.

    "Is it possible that with her being gone so long that she misunderstood the smell as a mate?"

    I shake my head and look back to my hands. "No. She was sure. I'm sure she will talk to me again. I think she just needs some time. I know I do. I would like to be alone for a while if you don't mind." 

    Alex goes to speak but closes his mouth and nods. "Let me know if you need anything. I'm here the rest of the night." He gives me one last squeeze before heading towards the door. "Try to get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow."

    My eyebrows furrow in confusion. I don't consider shopping a big day, but maybe he knows more about his sister than I do.

    "The switching of power." He clarifies. "Luca takes over for Morris tomorrow. There will be a ceremony and a reception afterwards."

    I completely forgot. Talia had mentioned that we could wait until tomorrow to shop, but we had to get me a dress beforehand. I also want to see if I can find something to show Luca just how much I appreciate all he has done for me. And now, what he may have done for my mate. Alphas always take it to heart when they lose one of their own. To know he took the time to go see to the burial of one of his people before leaving for business spoke volumes on his character. And to know that may have been my mate, makes me even more indebted to him. 

    I say goodnight to Alex, and he gently closes the door behind him. I take the time to get ready for bed. I am more drained now than I was earlier after my talk with Alex. He said he need to talk to me about "things" but we would have to get into the rest later. I needed to adjust to all that had happened - just today. 

    I throw on a pair of shorts and a cami, then climb into bed. Talia was nice enough to lend me more clothes until I could get some stuff of my own. Even though she told me it wasn't necessary, I would be keeping a total of all the money I spent and paying them back every penny. I saw a few shops in town that I could get a job at when we walked to the Alpha's house earlier.

    I lay there for a long time. I cry and grieve everything I lost and everything that I will never have before exhaustion finally overtakes me and I can stop feeling for just a little while. 

    The next morning, I'm still in my own haze. Last night was the worst night of sleep in my life and I didn't think that would ever be possible. My dreams pulled me deeper into sorrow. I could make out the shadow of a wolf. No matter how close I got to him, I couldn't reach out. He wasn't running from me; he was just drifting away. Too far to grasp. I begged him to come back to me, but it was no use. Right before I woke up a strange voice echoed all around me, filling me with dread. Promises kept will result in your demise.

    "Mia?" Talia's words bring me back to the present. I look around the table to see five sets of eyes staring at me in concern.

    "I'm sorry. What did you say?" I feel my cheeks heat. I didn't mean to zone out. All of them go back to eating except for Vincent and Talia. I got to meet Vincent this morning when I was called down for breakfast. He is an intimidating man. He is easily over six-foot-five with jet black hair and clear blue eyes. But the kindness in his eyes set my soul at ease. He welcomed me and told me to come to him if I ever needed anything. It reminded me of the same sentiment from yesterday, making me feel marginally better. He appeared happy this morning and I attributed that to this evening's festivities. Beta was a prestigious honor, but I'm sure he was happy that he was going to have more time with his family soon. Just one look and you could see how close they were. It made me miss my parents that much more.

    "Talia was just asking if you were ready to shop soon and I was saying that I was paying for whatever you girls bought today. Go and have some lunch afterwards too before your hair appointments."

    My eyes widened as he spoke. "I appreciate that, but I can't accept. That is too much."

    "You will accept it," he laughed. "I insist. The circumstance of you leaving your old pack were out of the ordinary. You weren't able to grab anything and as a new member of this household, I take on full responsibility for your care and well-being. Besides, I want us all looking our best tonight for Alex's big night."

    Not wanting to anger or insult him, I nod and give him a small smile. I make a mental note to keep track of how much I spent today so I could pay him back in the future. "Thank you for your kindness and your generosity."

    Before long, Talia and I both finish up and head deeper into town to pick out our dresses. It takes a lot less time than I expected when Talia said we were going on a spree. Talia had her sights on a dress already and she picked one out for me as well. It was a little more revealing than I would have cared for, but she insisted. Afterwards, we stopped for a quick lunch at a mom-and-pop diner. 

    We had just finished paying our bill when Talia nudged me with her elbow and lifted her chin. "Where do you think they are headed off to?"

    I turned around to see Luca and Alex walking towards a part of town I hadn't explored yet. I shrugged my shoulders. "Probably getting ready for the ceremony."

    With a puzzled look. Talia shook her head. "No. That's at the Alpha's house. The only thing the way they are going is the edge of the territory," she pauses for a beat, then adds, "let's follow them."

    I give her an incredulous look. "What? Why? We have a hair appointment soon." I didn't want to stalk my new Alpha my first week here. 

    "We have plenty of time," she laughed as she pulled me behind her. "He has too much dirt on me. Let's consider this fair play. I need ammo for the next time mom is mad at me."

    Even as the knot of dread grew in my stomach, I couldn't help the little bit of excitement coursing through me.