The Reluctant Alpha

Chapter 10 - New Friends and Enemies

Mia

I roll to my side and stretch all my muscles. I can't remember the last time I slept so well. The sun beams peak through the windows warming my skin. The window?! I sit up with a start and gaze around the room I'm in. This isn't my attic space! Where am I? Suddenly, the previous evenings events wash over me. The cleaning, getting ready with Layne, Jack's threat, angering the Alpha, and ending with the handsome man with gray eyes taking me away from all the mistreatment and despair I had grown used to.

As my gaze travels around the room, I take it in. Complete awe washing over me. The entire room is painted in a light lilac with white accents. My white four poster bed is positioned against the wall in the middle of the room. To the right of me are two large French doors that I can only assume lead to a balcony outside.

Across from me is a large white dresser with mirror attached. In the corner sits another white stand that holds a Tv. Matching nightstands are on each side of the large king bed that I lay on. I'm at a loss for words. Lock Heart Pack was a wealthy pack, but nothing compared to this.

Then it hits me. My mate was there! Was he from the Blood Moon Pack as well? Was he a part of the Lock Heart Pack that I tossed aside in the moment last night? I shake my head and flop back on the bed. There were so many packs there last night. Aria! She came back to me last night too! Closing my eyes, I try to talk to her.

"Aria?"

"Yes Mia. I'm still here. I feel better than I have in a long time. You made the right choice. I'm sorry I have been silent for so long."

I sag in relief and bite back the tears threatening to fall. "It's ok. But why did you leave me? Why weren't you there to help keep me strong when I needed you?"

"Sleeping Beauty is finally awake!" I jerk my head towards the door of the bedroom where a woman with long blonde hair with some graying at the roots stands with a welcoming and kind smile on her face. "You gave us quite a scare. We didn't know if you would ever wake up,"

I stare at the woman for a moment in a daze. Her green eyes sparkle and she has crinkles that line both sides of them. You can tell she has lived a life of joy and happiness. From the looks of it, I would guess her to be in her mid to late forties. Her blonde hair is up in a tight, well-kept bun. She is much taller than I am and has an athletic build. I can smell that she is a werewolf, but she also puts me at ease for some reason. I know she is no threat to me, and I can't figure out how I know. I just do.

Her brow creases a bit before she swats her hand in the air in front of her face. "I'm sorry. You are probably confused as can be. My name is Lana. I'm married to the Beta of the Blood Moon Pack. The Alpha and his son brought you to us."

I relax at her words. As protective as the Alpha's son was of me last night, I'm sure he wouldn't leave me with cruel people. "It is nice to meet you, Lana. I'm Mia." I give her a warm smile in return.

"You must have been exhausted. You have been out for quite some time. We were worried but the pack doctor checked you over and said you were fine. Just needed a reset."

"How long have I been asleep?" I didn't know how rundown I was. From the sun rays, it has to be mid-day. And a pack doctor looked me over? I don't remember anything past falling asleep on the way to this territory.

She sighs, a worried look crossing her face. "Three days."

"Three days!" I shriek. I'm not ill or sick. How did I manage to sleep for three full days?

Lana comes and sits next to me, laying a soft hand on my shoulder. "Now take a deep breath dear. We don't need you passing out."

I take a few deep breaths before turning my attention to her. "What day is it?"

She shakes her head. "It is Thursday afternoon. But you must know you needed it. The Alpha didn't tell us a lot, but he did say you had a harrowing time at your other pack. I'm sure your wolf was just taking some time to self-heal. You shouldn't be upset."

I just nod as I hear footstep bounding in our direction. A girl about my age comes bouncing in the door. Her blonde bob swinging around her shoulders with every step that she takes. Her excited eyes the same color as Lana and I know this must be her daughter.

"I informed Alex that she was awake." She looks over at me and holds out her hand. "I'm Talia."

I take her hand and shake it. It is so tiny and smooth. A huge contrast to my larger callused ones."

"Mia. It is nice to meet you." I say putting on a smile to hide the turmoil rolling around in my brain. "Who's Alex?"

"He is my son. Future Beta of the pack." Lana beams beside me. "This here is my daughter, who will be helping you navigate your new home. You have yet to meet my husband, Vincent, and our youngest daughter Delilah."

Talia clears her throat and looks to her mother. "Alex said to have her get dressed and eat and bring her to the main house. The Alpha wants to finish the ritual."

Lana stands and a streak of panic rocks me. I look down and notice I am in a long night shirt. "Who changed me?"

"I did." Talia blushes. "But I didn't look. Promise. You just looked so uncomfortable in that dress."

"We left my pack in such a rush, I have no other clothes with me." I sigh. Not that there would have been much to pack. All my clothing was old and worn. Not to mention stained.

Talia bounces on the tips of her toes. "Not to worry. We are about the same size. You can borrow something and then we will go shopping after you see the Alpha." She walks across the room to another door I hadn't noticed earlier. "This is the bathroom. Fully stocked shower." Before turning to another door on the other side of the room. "That is your closet, but as soon as you are showered, you can come to the next door on your right down the hall and that is my room. We will get you something picked out there."

With a little hesitation, Lana gets up and heads towards the door with Talia before they both exit, closing the door behind them. I get up and go to the bathroom and my eyes almost fall out of my head. It is bigger than anyone I have ever seen. The flooring is the cleanest white marble tiling I have ever seen. Along the right side of the room is a his and hers vanity done all in black. It is a sophisticated contrast to the flooring. On the left side is a shower that could easily fit 4 people with clear doors and done in the same black and white theme. Once my eyes wander to the back of the room, I see the toilet with a little shelf above it. My bladder screams at me in that moment, and I realize I had forgotten it in all the commotion this morning.

After I take care of my business, I spot the towel shelf on the other side of the shower. I lay out my towel and step in. As the warm water hits me, it soothes all the aches in my muscles, and I feel the tension sliding off of me. For the last few years, I haven't been allowed to shower. I was made to go out to the creek in the words behind the Alpha's house twice a week. I revel in the feeling a little longer before I remember that the Alpha is waiting on me. I turn and see apple scented shampoo and body wash on the ledge and use it. The scent gives me comfort. It is the kind my mother always got me when I was younger. I quickly finish my shower and wrap myself up in one towel before securing my hair in another.

I take a tentative peek out in the hallway to make sure no one is around. I would die of embarrassment if anyone saw me in the state I'm in. To my left is the end of the hallway so I make my way down the hallway until I come to another door. I barely knock when the door flies open revealing a very happy Talia.

"I have been looking through everything and I think I have just the thing for you." she giggles as she ushers me into her room. Hers is identical to mine. The only difference being that hers is done in pink and white.

She quickly walks over to her bed before spinning around holding a simple, yet gorgeous royal blue sundress in her hand.

I shake my head at her. "I couldn't wear that." Shifting nervously, I add, "Jeans and a t-shirt would be just fine."

"Nonsense! You have killer legs and this color suits you with your skin tone and hair. Just put it on. Plleeeaassee!" she whines, and I can't help but laugh at her child-like personality.

"Fine." I roll my eyes in defeat. I bet she would get along great with Layne. Always wanting to play dress up with someone. That was her favorite thing to play when we were younger, and she continues to take joy in it now. Just like the other night when she fussed over me.

A bit of sadness hits me deep in the pit of my stomach. I will miss her. We may not have been as close as we used to be, but she was the closest thing I had to a friend since my parents passed. Even if she wasn't allowed to let anyone know.

"Earth to Mia!" I look up to see Talia waving a hand in front of my face. "Where did you go?" she asks as I blink the thoughts away.

"Just thinking. I'm sorry. This is all new to me."

"Getting dressed? What kind of pack did you belong to?" Talia scoffs.

"No," I giggle. "Never mind. Is the bathroom this way?" I ask taking the hanger from her and starting towards the door that is where my bathroom door is in my room.

"Yep." she pops her p. "I will help you finish getting ready once you are dressed."

I close the door behind me and sudden blush before opening the door and peeking my head back out. "I appreciate the clothes but there is also the issue of undergarments. I can't even bare to look her in the eye when I say the words.

With a chuckle, she hands me a few bras and a couple pairs of panties. "We weren't sure your size, so we just grabbed a few of each. Whatever doesn't work, we can just get rid of."

I take them with a thankful nod and go back to getting dressed. My eyes widen when I take a look at the panties she has given me. "Talia," I shout through the door, "where are the rest of these?"

She grunts in a bit of annoyance. "That is it. Thongs are underwear too! And you would hate to have panty lines."

I heave a heavy sigh. I will have to make sure to get normal underwear when I have money of my own to get some. Beggars can't be choosers, but I guess they can be uncomfortable.

I take a look at myself once I have finished getting ready. My eyes roam my body as I take a slow turn in front of the mirror. All my bruising is gone. It hasn't been that fast in a long time. I guess now that Aria is back, my healing is getting back to its normal speed. I hate to admit it, but Talia was right. The sundress does compliment my skin well. It only goes to the middle of my thigh, which is too short for me, but it isn't too revealing.

Once Talia approves of my outfit, she helps do my hair in soft waves and puts on a little blush and lip gloss. I'm not one for makeup and she tells me I don't really need any to begin with. She calls me a "natural beauty". I just shake my head and don't argue. I know she is trying to be kind to me. I don't know what all the Alpha said or even knows, but I need to find out.

We make our way downstairs where we eat a quick breakfast. I get to know Lana a little more and meet Delilah. She is the opposite of her sister to say the least. She has long naturally curly raven hair and eyes so blue that they are almost white. She is quite and likes to observe more than partake in the conversation around her. Where Talia has an athletic build and rather tall, Delilah is petite and on the shorter side.

As soon as the last bite is cleared from my plate, Talia is pulling my out the front door. "The sooner we get you welcomed into the pack, the sooner we can go shopping!" she states. She is walking like a woman with a purpose.

I try to take in the sights around me. Most of the homes are just as large or only a little smaller than Talia's. Everything is well manicured, and you can tell is taken care of. We pass several people on our way. Most of them give me a friendly smile, but you can see the question in their faces. I try my best to make myself invisible next to Talia. She makes it hard as she chats away explaining things in her loud, boisterous voice.

"Now here are ones to steer clear of," she whispers, taking my focus off the ground in front of me. I see three girls, my age or a little older, walking our way. They all are gorgeous. Two blondes are walking on either side of a beautiful red head. They all just scream "money" with their expensive clothes and manicured nails.

"Well, if it isn't little Talia," one of them scoffs. "Who's the mutt you have with you?" I dart my eyes away quickly. I knew girls like this back at my old pack. I know the best thing to do is keep my gaze down and hope they leave me alone.

"The only mutt I see around here is you and your fan club." Talia seethes.

"That is no way to talk to the future Luna now, is it?" the red head hisses.

Future Luna?! The hairs on my arm stand straight up the moment the words pass her lips. I don't want to go from one cruel Alpha to a cruel Luna. I don't know if I could take it. Plus, she seems like she could even be worse than Alpha Clarence. If that is even possible.

Talia lets out a humorless cackle. "Future Luna? Luca wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot pole. You couldn't get my brother to touch you last year when you were falling all over him. And he sleeps with anyone!"

I jerk my head back at the comment. I may not have had any other siblings, but I couldn't imagine talking about them in such a way. Talia gently takes my hand and starts pulling me forward. "Come on. We don't need to waste our time on these sluts anymore."

Just as we pass them, the red head grabs my arm. "You don't belong here, mutt. It would be best to remember that", she whispers with pure venom in my ears. I yank my arm away and look at her. A vile smile spreads across her face. "Have a great day." With that, the three of them walk off, laughing to themselves.

"Who are they?" I breathe once we have begun walking again.

"The b***h was Hailey. She is under the delusion that she is something special. The two idiots with her are her best friends, Tasha and Tiffany. They are twin sister who think the earth revolves around Hailey. Don't worry about them. Just know they are hateful and avoid them if you can."

I make a mental note to stay as far away from them as possible just as we stop in front of the biggest white house I have ever seen. Scratch that. This isn't a house: it is a mansion.

"Close your mouth before you catch a fly," Talia jokes next to me. "Welcome to the Alpha's house."

My insides twist with nerves. Here goes nothing.