I will never reject you

Unexpected visitor.

The next morning, well, closer to noon, really, I woke up feeling well rested and refreshed, I hadn't had a sleep that good in I don't even know how long. For years the nightmares kept me awake. It's not as bad as it used to be, maybe because I keep myself occupied as much as I can, and then pass out for a few hours before I have to get up and start my day again. His scent was lingering everywhere now, which made my wolf instinct very happy but it scared me! My feral wolf is acting like a love struck puppy around him. It's so hard to control my instinct. I pull myself up, stretching my arms, trying to keep my head clear. I can't fight the urge, and I find myself walking towards the room he is sleeping in. The door is open. I see him sleeping comfortably, hugging my pillow. He must have taken it last night from my room. I can't help it, I enter the room and quietly lay on my the other side of the bed opposite him. I was studying his face. He is truly handsome. He looks at peace, I try to read him. All I see is kindness and strength. I am so screwed, this is going to be harder than I thought. A few minutes pass, and he slowly opens his eyes, I keep my gaze to him, looking straight into his dark brown eyes without saying anything. He kept his eyes fixed on mine, a small kind smile appeared on his lips, then his expression changed into a serious one.

" I can't decipher you...Any she-wolf would kill to have the luck of the moon goddess to pair her with an Alpha, and yet you resist it. You can look into my eyes without fear. How is that possible?"

" I am not ANY she-wolf Alpha! I am special."

I reply, letting out an evil chuckle, quickly changing to serious expression.

" You are bigger and stronger than me. You could have forcefully marked me and made me yours. Why haven't you done it?"

" Cause I am special."

He mirrored my reply, winking at me, his playfulness making him even more attractive. My core turned into nuts, my desire flared up, and my cheeks turned red from embarrassment. I tried to get up, but he quickly cupped my face with his hand, keeping me in place, my gaze locked with his.

I changed the subject in an effort to save some dignity.

"It's my birthday today,"

"Happy birthday, beautiful."

His reply made me more red if that was possible.

"How about a birthday kiss?"

He said seductively, still cupping my face. So tempting… I just can't help myself. We both started moving close to each other. Our lips touched lightly. A loud bang at the front door broke the moment. I jumped up, the bangging was more intense now accompanied by Alpha Dave's voice calling my name in a worried tone. Saved by the overprotective father. I rushed to open the door, and when I opened it, I saw Dave's expression change from worry to relief. He grabbed me in a tight embrace.

"Don't you ever check your phone? your link is blocked as well."

"I am fine! What happened? Why are you so worried?"

"There was another attack last night, Lucinda saw you running …"

"Lucinda is always spying on me!"

" Sofia, this is serious! Alpha Jake's kid from Slow Water was in our territory in pursuit. He got separated from his team and is now missing."

"Dave I…"

I tried to interrupt him and explain, but he kept going.

"We have search parties looking…"

He went silent as he saw Philip coming down the stairs behind me. Busted, I have a lot to explain now. I panicked, wondering what he might think of me. I quickly linked him

"I..I.. it's not what you think…"

My voice was trembling

"Alpha Dave."

Said Philip and nodded in respect.

"Hello Philip, I need to cancel the search parties."

"I am sorry about that."

Replied Philip apologetically.

"What should I think?"

Scolded me Dave through our link. Then he turned to Philip and, in a commanding tone, said,

"Call your parents.''

"Use my phone. it's on the counter."

I said, and he quietly complied, I let out a sigh.

" He is my mate. He caught my scent last night in the forest and followed me here."

I said, frowning while we were both now taking a seat on the sofa.

"I tried to reject him, but he insisted that I give him a chance to get to know each other. He wants to spend three days here with me and then I will visit with him for three days."

" Damit, Sofia, this isn't just a poor mutt you can have fun with and then move on! If you do this, you have to really give him a chance. Apart from being a future Alpha, he is a good kid."

Outch, Dave sure knows how to throw punches below the belt referring to my past special friendships. He is looking at me with a serious, strict expression, making me feel like a child caught stealing cookies out of the jar.

" I know you are against mating, I think this is what is missing from your life."

" What about my family, the pack, my job, my house?"

"I know, and I understand, but if you don't take this seriously, I am not going to let you go through with this plan."

I nodded in understanding.

" Just keep an open mind. You promised me a long time ago you would. Besides, Slow Water is only 40 minutes away."

" Ok."

I agreed even though I knew rejecting Philip would drive a deeper wedge between me and Dave. He sort of accepted my decision all those years ago but was definitely unhappy about it.

Philip had just finished his call and was now coming over, I turned to look at him and smiled. I got up.

" I'll make some coffee."

I headed behind the kitchen counter, leaving the two of them sitting on the sofa quietly talking. While making the coffee, I listened in on their conversation. Philip apologized for coming here without permission, Dave replied that it is acceptable when claiming a mate. Then Philip asked his permission to go ahead with the plan of getting to know each other, which Dave accepted and told him that I am very rebellious and he could never tame me.

He replied that he had noticed that about me, then some talk about the roque attacks. When the coffee was done, I placed three cups on a tray with milk

and sugar and joined them in the living room. Dave got up.

" None for me, sweetheart. I have to get back."

I followed him to the door. He gave me a hug.

" Happy birthday. "

Then he turned in Philips direction.

" Goodbye Philip, I'll see you later."

Then he linked me with a last warning.

" Remember, Sofia, you can't toy with people's feelings."

" I won't."

I replied, a bit unsure of my honesty.

When the door closed, Philip took a big sip of his coffee while I approached and sat next to him. I took my cup of coffee and started sipping it eagerly.

" Your adoptive father really cares about you."

" Yes, he does. He is only ten years older than me, so I can't bring myself to call him father, but he has raised me and my brothers since he was twenty. He is more like a big brother to us."

" Can I ask how that happened?"

He asked curiously, I turned my gaze at the floor, and images of my dreadful childhood flooded my thoughts. I felt the urge to just let it all flow out, the mate bond making me feel more comfortable and more trusting than normally. I sighed

" My brothers and I belonged to another pack. We aren't actually siblings. When I was six, our pack was attacked by rogues, we were the only children hidden in the pack house and the only survivors. When it was over and we came out of hiding, we saw our parents and pack members brutally murdered."

He was shocked by my revelation.

" No child should go through such a trauma."

I no longer cried when I thought of my past, I had become strong, only an empty spot in my heart remained the memory of my loving parents kissing me and placing me in the safety of the panic room putting a gold chain on my neck. I didn't realize I was rubbing the chain with my fingers, and he was observing my actions. I took a deep breath, and I continued with my story.

" Andrew was the eldest ten years old. He looked after me and Elias. We took cover in the woods...stole food from the locals until we got caught a few weeks later by the human police. They called the child services, and we ended up in the Red Maple orphanage 50 miles from here."

" The one that burned down a few years back?"

" Yes, that one."

I replied bitterly.

" A horrible place, We were forced to do exhausting chores and suffered regular beatings, unfortunately we were very young and our wolf side hadn't awakened yet so we didn't have the luxury of fast healing."

I downsized a bit the kind of abuse we suffered.

In reality, the beatings were brutal, but the worst was the humiliation and cruelty we were put through. The mental scars were worse than the physical ones. The first few years after we escaped the orphanage, my brother and I sneaked into each other's room cause we couldn't sleep alone. All of us suffered from nightmares. We got better with time, and my brothers say they completely healed when they found their mates.

" I am sorry, Sofia."

He said, and the same angry look from last night was returned on his face.

" I wish I could…"

I interrupted him.

" Don't say anything. It's in the past."

He frowned, and I carried on with the story.

" Four years later, we managed to run away. We were wandering around the Black Forest territory. Dave found us and took pity on us. He adopted us, made us members of his pack, he gave us the opportunity to have a better life."

He was absorbing my story, I don't know what it was, maybe the faded memory of my parents, maybe the abuse I endured for four years in the orphanage or the full of pity look on Philip's face that made me feel so pathetic. I couldn't hold back the tears and I started sobbing. What the hell is wrong with me? I never cry! He put his arms around me, enclosing me in his strong embrace, crushing me on his chest. I cried for what it seemed like an eternity to me. Finally I started calming down, focusing on the sound of his heart. Deep breaths deep breaths, second time I embarrassed myself like that. When I completely collected myself I playfully pushed him away and with a sad smile I said.

" You made me cry on my birthday."

He gave me a worried smile

" I'll make it up to you…how do you want to celebrate your birthday?"

" I already have plans for today, lunch with my brothers, their mates Julia who's also my best friend and Sara Andrew's mate who is also Dave's sister and my adoptive parents and the pups. In my favourite restaurant in town. Of course you are going with me."

" As your date or as your mate?"

He said, smiling.

" How about, as my friend?"

A disappointed look appeared on his face.

" That's ok for now!"

I looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

" I can ask my brother to lent you some clothes."

" Already taken care of, my mom is sending me everything I need for the next couple of days."

" We have a couple of hours to get ready."

I said, looking at the wall clock

" I am sure my clothes will be here by then."

" I'll go shower and start getting ready if you don't mind."

He nodded, I took one last sip of my coffee, and I rushed upstairs. I had a long hot shower letting the water wash away all the sadness I felt this morning replacing it with excitement to have all my loved ones together.

My brothers are gonna roast me when I appear for lunch with 'my mate'. I am sure they will have a kick that the moon goddess not only granted me a mate but an Alpha at that…