I will never reject you

Alpha Jake.

Philip and Rob went ahead to lead the team back, I stayed one step behind them following quietly with everyone. I feel curious eyes glancing at me from time to time, For sure they are talking about me through their link. I try to suppress the slight discomfort the bite on my leg caused. I am limping and the headache caused by the pack disconnection is getting stronger.

Hours later we finally arrive at the pack house, it is nearly dawn. We are on the right side of the building, where the exit from the debrief Hall is. Next to it there were two doors, leading to the male and female changing rooms. I glanced at Philip's wolf before entering, he nodded. I won't see him for hours, all the Alphas are meeting with the elders to discuss the events. I went through the door longing for his touch. I changed back to my human form and walked among the female warriors.

"Wow, you are a great fighter."

Said a tall brunette around my age, with an athletic build.

"Thank you"

I replied while stepping into the communal shower.

"I heard you were retired for many years...very good for being rusty."

So they know who I am… damn wolves gossip!

"I never stopped training."

I closed my eyes and let the warm water relax my stiff body and wash it clean from the dirt and blood, the wound on my leg sting a bit.

"I wouldn't mind some lessons."

She said to me while coming out of the shower.

"By the way, I am Ruth."

"Sofia...Nice to meet you."

I come out from the shower and go to the counter stocked with fresh slacks, t-shirts and panties. I take some and start dressing. Before I put on the slacks I sat down on the bench and inspected the bite on my leg. It is still bleeding a bit, looks like being disconnected from my pack in combination with the fever and anxiety has slowed down my healing.

"Let me take a look at it"

Said a young looking she-wolf with short brown hair and a sweet smile holding a med kit.

"Ok… thanks"

"I am Ellie...it was impressive what you did."

She said while cleaning and putting a bandage on my wound.

"There all better now"

"Thank you"

I put on my slacks, Ruth came over.

"Come on you'll sit with us"

Aha the traditional meal after a fight or patrol, well in this case breakfast.

"Sure"

I replied, we came out to a long corridor leading to the dining hall.The dining hall is already flooded with all the warriors chatting lively while waiting for the servers to bring the food. We found a spot in the middle of a long table and all three sat next to each other. Male wolves were sitting on both sides and opposite us. We made a light conversation about fighting and training, I still feel curious eyes on me and see various males elbowing each other and grinning cheekily. Finally one young male from across the table worked out the nerve to speak to me.

"Excuse me…"

I looked up at him. He was smiling nervously.

"You've got great moves and technique."

"Thank you."

I nodded and offered him a smile, then his friends started hitting him and teasing him. The food arrived and the dinning hall went quiet, everyone started eating. I was really enjoying my food, the fight and long walk back had drained my energy.

I was in the middle of a big bite when Luna Sheila entered the hall, looking for someone in the crowd. I looked at her curiously until she spotted me and waved me over. I said my goodbyes to the girls and went to her. I am a bit annoyed I didn't get to finish my food.

"What are you doing here honey? You don't have to dine here, you are our guest."

"I know, a couple of warriors invited me. I couldn't decline, besides Philip is busy and I didn't want to be alone."

Out of nowhere she gave me a hug.

"Thank you."

She whispered in my ear. I don't know how to respond so I hugged her back. She broke the hug.

"Come with me, I need to check you and…"

"I am ok really."

That's a lie, I know my fever is high again and my head is about to explode. I just don't want to be sedated again. She looks at me, her expression telling of how she sees through my lie.

"I'll be the judge of that..."

She took my arm and we started walking towards the infirmary.

"... I am going to examine you and then Alpha Jake wants to meet you."

I am nervous! Why now? I am sure he has more important issues to worry about.

We are entering the infirmary, she is gesturing for me to take a seat at the examination table.

"As I suspected your fever is back, luckily the bite on your leg is healing, slowly but nicely. You strained yourself a lot. Take this for the fever…"

She handed me a pill and a glass of water

"...After you meet Jake you need to get good rest."

" Ok"

***

We are outside Alpha Jake's and Luna Sheila's room. Alpha Jake is a lot better but not completely healed yet. He was moved to his private quarters on the fifth floor to be more comfortable. Sheila opens the door, I see seven people, probably the pack's elders and council Philip included. Everyone is around the bed hiding Alpha Jake from view, they all turned to look at me while Sheila lightly pushed me in. I heard a deep thunderous voice.

" Let me see the orphan girl that saved my boy's life."

This is embarrassing, being called an orphan while everyone is looking at me…

Finally a middle aged man, very well preserved with strong features. Black hair and dark brown eyes come to view.

He didn't look frail at all after his injuries.

I lower my gaze in respect, I feel speckles of sweat forming on my forehead, a combination of the fever and nervousness. I keep approaching slowly while he pulls up in a sitting position to look at me better.

I exchanged a quick look with Philip while passing next to him.

"So this is the seclusive adopted daughter of my dear friend Alpha Dave."

He said, looking at me, studying me.

"I've heard about you girl."

"I hope good things Alpha."

"Dave is proud of you."

"I owe you the life of my son and for that I am grateful."

"But tell me girl, how is it that an orphan pup is so strong?."

"My adoptive father taught me well…"

I reply not wanting to disclose too much in front of all these people. He looks into my eyes searching for more. Philip stepped closer to me from behind and put his hand on my shoulder protectively.

Alpha Jake keeps searching my eyes.

I see his expression change from inquisitive to surprised. After a short pause he says in a commanding tone.

"Everyone out."

I turned to walk out, he grabbed my wrist.

"Not you girl."

"It's Sofia Alpha."

I say defiantly. He might be Philip's father but enough with the orphan and girl..

"Not you Sofia…"

He repeated using my name this time, still studying me curiously.

"...Philip Sheila, stay."

Everyone else is gone.

"Who are you Sofia?"

Looking at me intensely as if trying to command me to reply. I hesitate, not sure what to say next, my hands are clenched into fists. I feel Philip's eyes on me.

"What are you getting at father?"

Questions Philip.

"... you are making her uncomfortable."

He ignores his son.

"You are among friends Sofia."

I take a deep breath and close my eyes and when I open them I look Alpha Jake in the eyes.

"I am the first and only daughter of Alpha Konstantine Karalis of the Rugged Mountains pack."

"Ha...I suspected it but didn't believe it could be true."

I looked at Philip, he frowned looking at his father.

"You knew the pack?"

He is still unaware of what I said unlike his father who is looking at me again, then turns to Philip.

"I knew of the pack… you see son, it's very rare for the firstborn of an Alpha to be a female. It happens every 100 years or so."

"So what? "

Says Philip.

"Sofia is an Alpha!"

I looked at Philip observing how this new revelation about me is affecting him. His father carries on.

"When she was born word traveled quickly amongst packs. Many Alphas wished to mate their sons to the Alpha female. You see the pairing of two Alphas guarantees strong packs. The Alpha females are also considered to hold the moon goddess's blessing and bring their packs prosperity… Everyone

thought you died in the rogue attack."

"I only bring bad luck, my family and pack are dead, Alpha."

Philip seemed shocked at the revelation, I can't decipher how he feels about it."

"Dave did well to keep your origins a secret, it could cause war with Alphas trying to claim you."

"More bad luck."

I muttered, Philip turned to look at me again.

"Alpha, I lost my pack. I am just a normal wolf now."

"Only by looking into your eyes, I can tell you are not a regular wolf, your skills as a warrior are impressive."

"You haven't seen me fight Alpha."

"Of Course I have, through the eyes of my pack warriors. They admire you, as I do too."

He paused and looked thoughtful for a few seconds.

"You are my son's fated mate!"

"Yes Alpha."

"Father, I don't think this is a discussion for the present."

"Of course it is! I want to know her...your intentions. If this union doesn't happen we will need to find a suitable mate for you and return Sofia safely to her pack in Black forest."

My heart started racing, Philip had told his parents about my reservations to take a mate. A wave of anxiety spread throughout my body. Sheila hadn't said anything up to this point and now intervened.

"Jake, Sofia has never left her pack and is going through separation anxiety. We need to allow her time to get better, she can tell us her intentions when she is ready.

"Fine."

He replied to Sheila and then turned to me and asked.

"One more thing, Sofia, your ancestors had the foreseeing gift. Right?"

"From what I remember my grandpa did."

"What about you?

He asked, looking at me suspiciously.

This Alpha really wants to know everything, I guess I don't blame him he is looking out for his son. I took a couple of breaths and looked at Philip. He gave me a nervous smile.

"I sometimes have vivid dreams that come true, but it's completely random. I can't control it."

" Regardless, it's a great gift from the moon goddess."

Said Alpha Jake.

"The other night, you had a nightmare…."

Philip said we are still looking at each other, I can tell from his expression he is putting the pieces together. I bit my lip nervously, I've told them too much already.

"Sofia…"

He urged me, dammit I can't lie to him.

I take a deep breath.

"I saw your wolf being attacked and torn apart by five rogues and when you turned to leave the other day, I had this overwhelming feeling that if I let you go…I would never see you again."

"That's why you followed me here?"

I nodded

"I couldn't bear the thought of not seeing you again."

"That's why you followed me on patrol?"

"Yes, I could feel it coming true and when I saw them attack you! t

They were the same wolves as my dream."

Philip had a look of disbelief.

"Incredible."

Exclaimed Alpha Jake. Sheila looked stunned.

"Everything we discussed stays in this room."

Said Jake in a commanding voice.

"Go get some rest, you are both tired and Sofia has a fever."

Said Sheila, Philip put his arm around my back and led me out the door. I put my arm around his waist and walked towards the elevator. I was wondering what he was thinking with all the new information he found out about me. When we finally arrived in his room away from prying eyes and ears he turned to face me placing his hands on my shoulders.

Have I thanked you for saving me?"

I smile.

"No…I don't believe you have."

"Thank you."

He said his expression, soft and serious.

He looked into my eyes.

"I am sorry I didn't tell you everything about my past before…"

"You don't need to explain yourself, I understand the reasons. You did the right thing…"

Then his expression changed to a mischievous one.

"So you couldn't bear the thought of not seeing me again? Why is that MATE if you are going to reject me?"

"It doesn't mean I want anything bad happening to you."

He took a small step closer still holding my shoulders, I backed up, and looked down. We kept going like that for a few more steps until my back hit the wall and I was cornered. With his hands he took my chin and lifted my head making me look at him. He looked into my eyes searching, I tried to keep neutral not to give away any more. He gave me a satisfied look and smiled smugly as if he had prayed the answer he wanted out of me.

"Come on mate, it's time to rest."

It was midday by now, so we went to bed and slept for the rest of the day. We woke up in the evening, ordered some food to the room and slept again.