The Opal Wolf

Chapter Eight

**Andrews POV**

Finishing up the last call with the council was stressful. The head counselor, who is in charge of all werewolves, is extremely upset that they haven't been dealt with already but what he does not understand is the numbers this rouge has. Scouts suspect that he may have close to our numbers in feral, temperamental wolves who have a deep set hate for other packs. They are extremely unpredictable which makes them just as dangerous, so we have to tread carefully if we are to arrest their Alpha. If not, there would be mass casualties. I have tried explaining this to him but he won't hear it, he's too worried about acting as though he is king and seizing as much territories as he can, rather than be concerned with the lives of all the innocent women and children he is responsible for. A ripple running through my body lets me know that someone has entered our territory and a mind link from a warrior confirms my suspicions of it being Erin and Selene. News of the female being on our property has Shane whimpering and pacing back in forth in my head.

What is up with you? I question.

I'm not sure. He responds. But I think our mate may be in the territory.

That's impossible I growl. If she was, we would have already found her Shane.

I know, I know. He huffs. But for some reason, I feel that she is close. Do you think.....?

It can't be her I state with conviction. The chances of her being under our noses this whole time is astronomical. There is no way the All Mother hid her within the humans.

You never know. He says with renewed hope. Just then, a knock sounds at my door. Standing, I give a gruff enter for them to come in. As the door opens, the sweetest smell of lavender after a fresh rain and honey wafts through my office, causing Shane to howl and yip in my head. Erin enters first and as he steps to the side, my eyes lay on the most beautiful creature on this earth. Soft, opal white hair frames a heart shaped face and flows down her back all the way to her hips like a river of snow. Perky breasts that my hands itch to hold, wide hips that narrow into wonderful, long legs and when our eyes meet, the brightest grey-gold eyes framed by thick lashes capture my heart.

Mate. Shane whispers. She... she is our MATE!! WE FOUND OUR MATE!!!!!!

Oh Goddess, we finally found her! After all this time, my mate was best friends with my Beta? What are the odds? Clearing my throat, I introduce myself to the wonderful beauty and invite them to sit. Trying to keep my cool around her is going to be extremely challenging. Im sure if her wolf didn't, Erin would have explained to her what mates are to us but I don't want to scare her. It will take some time to adjust and I will do my damndest to be patient with her.

Uhh Drew? Erin chirps.

Hmm?

You're staring. He chuckles.

Oh, uh.... my bad.

Everything okay?

She is my mate. I explain. I don't want to spook her and I'm trying to keep my cool.

Oh really? He asks. Just then, Erin wraps his arm around her. Glaring at him, warning him to watch his step, he pushes it further and whispers something in her ear, causing her to blush. Control totally lost, I growl deeply at him.

"MINE!" I boom, causing both of them to jump. Erin with a sh*t eating grin on his face, Selene's eyes wide, full of shock and confusion. I know that she is his best friend and that it is strictly a platonic thing, but any male close to an Alphas mate has a tendency to show their possessive side. It is a downside to being a wolf. Not only are we highly emotional creatures but we are also highly possessive and protective of our mates. It can be straining on a relationship if we don't keep it in check, but that is how we are wired.

"Mine?" She questions. "What do you mean mine? I don't even know you, we just met!" Anger swirls deep in her eyes and I am confused at her reaction till Shane reminds me that she hasn't shifted yet, so she cannot sense us as her mate. F**k! So much for keeping it under wraps. Thanks a lot Erin.

Looking at Selene, I explain to her that we are mates and that all male wolves, Alphas especially are very protective of their mates. I apologize profusely for letting it get the best of me and looking like a dumba** to her, but also throw Erin under the bus, letting her know that he knew and was pushing my buttons with the stunt he pulled. He snickers in response to being called out and shrugs when Selene throws a glare his way. She may not be able to sense us, but she is already protective of us. Interesting. I am going to have to pull Erin aside to have a conversation with him about the stunt he just pulled and about her. I need to learn how to gain her trust and currently the best person for that is Erin. This should be fun.

"Okay," she begins. "So I just want to make sure I have all this straight. I am your mate and because of that I will be the Luna of the pack when we complete the mating process?" She blushes at the aspect of mating with me.

"Yes." I confirm. "But only when you are ready Selene. I don't want to push you into anything." She looks down, nodding at my comment.

"I appreciate that." She says. "And the only reason you got all Alpha possessive was because of this dish*t sitting next to me?" She grins, pointing at Erin.

"HEY!" He shouts. "I was being a good friend by breaking the ice between you guys!"

"Uh no." I pipe up. "I'm with her on this one. You were being a dish*t." A musical giggle sounds throughout my office, causing my heart to skip a beat. Selene is clutching her stomach, giggling from my confirming that Erin is indeed a dish*t and I vow right then and there to always try to make her laugh. If I could just here that wonderful laughter for the rest of my life, I would die a very happy man.

Calming herself, she looks at me with a mega watt smile plastered on her face, eyes alight with laughter and my breath hitches in my throat. She is incandescent!

"Okay, okay." She takes a deep breath. "So, we are mates. That is destined by the goddess. My question is if I give you a chance, could you do it my way and court me first? That way we can both get to know each other first and it isn't too much of a rush for me? I know it isn't really traditional for you to court your mate, but that would help me a lot to adjust to this." My heart soars over her possibly giving me a chance and wanting to see where this will go. Most humans who find out they are mated to a wolf panic and deny their mate at first, causing immense pain on the wolfs part. We don't hold it against them, as they were never a part of our world but it stings none the less and I was half expecting my mate to be no different in this.

But she is going to give us a chance! Shane sings. You better agree and so help me, if you screw this up, I will never forgive you. He growls.

Don't worry Shane, I won't. I promise my wolf.

"I already planned on taking things slow with you." I confirm. "But I agree to your terms. We will do this your way, little wolf. Thank you for giving this grouchy Alpha a chance." I smile at her.

Thank you Moon Goddess!