The Contract (My Perfect Mate Continued)

Trying to Settle

I jogged a little further in past the tree, and let out an earth-shattering howl. I let Apollo fully come to the surface and felt the familiar pop of my bones shifting. Within seconds, Apollo stood tall in his impressive 7-foot frame. I stretched out my muscles and Apollo let out another loud howl. He dug his claws into the soft ground and took off running towards the lake.

When I reached the water's edge, I looked down at my own reflection. Apollo's green eyes were now replaced with a glossy shade of black. I didn't realize how angry he truly was. I closed my eyes and turned away from the water's reflection. I took several deep breaths and willed Apollo to take it easy.

Buddy, you have to calm down. There is nothing that we can do right now to change the inevitable.

But what if she is out there waiting for us?

I knew that he was talking about our fated mate. Although I was convinced that she didn't exist.

We don't have time to think about that right now, Apollo. It will happen when it happens... if it happens.

How can you say that? Every wolf has a fated mate. We just haven't met her yet.

Apollo was normally a brute personality in my head. It was surprising that he was being so sentimental.

I can't think about this right now, Apollo. I have work to do before the party.

I thought of the enormous stack of paperwork waiting for me in my office. I had been procrastinating and knew that I was approaching several deadlines quickly.

Apollo huffed inside my head and sunk back into the background. I felt the heat simmering, and I was able to take my human shape back. I stood there naked in front of the water and decided to clean myself up. I was covered in dust and dirt from the forest floor.

I washed myself quickly and headed straight for the now abandoned treehouse. My dad had it erected for our first birthday. My mother had one growing up in Blue Moon, and my father knew how special it was to her. He built it a few months before Nora was born.

My mind traveled to Nora and how nervous she must be. Tonight was her first shift ceremony and I knew that she was secretly hoping to find her mate among the crowd. I decided to link her to check in.

How are you doing sunshine?

It took her a moment to answer, I knew that she was probably buzzing with anticipation and was lost in her own thoughts.

Andy, I'm losing my f*****g mind! Can I talk to you in your office?

Sure, I'll meet you up there in 10.

I climbed the ladder quickly and found a stashed pair of clothes. I slipped into some black basketball shorts and a gray t-shirt. I jumped 4 stories down and Apollo helped me land on my feet. I jogged to the back patio and almost bumped into my mother.

"Woah, where's the fire Andy? Where are you rushing off to?"

I smiled down at my mom. "Sorry mom, I didn't mean to trample you. I just have so much to do before the party."

She smiled up at me, "I know my love, just don't get lost in your office. The family will be here soon and there will be lots of catching up to do."

My mother's family was on their way from Blue Moon. It was about a 3-hour trip both ways. I was anxious to see my uncle Alex again. He has been a huge help in finding my way as Alpha. Not that dad wasn't my main influence, but uncle Alex provided an outside point of view. We were such a close-knit family that it was always hard to say goodbye at the end of every visit.

Not only was my mother's family on their way, but my uncle Kevin would be arriving shortly with his own family. It was going to be a full house this weekend. Between my extended family coming and the merger of the two nearby packs, there would be easily 2500 wolves in our territory this weekend.

This past winter had been particularly hard for the smaller, surrounding packs. Dad and I decided the best course of action was to extend an olive branch and offer housing and support to them. We would be absorbing Shadow Moon to the West and Eclispe Moon to the East. In truth, this is not the first time that Silver Moon has merged with another pack.

About 20 years ago, my uncle Matt had become the Alpha of a small southern pack, Opal Moon. He was a second chance mate to my aunt Katie, after her late husband died unexpectedly. Aunt Katie and my mother are extremely close, so it was bitter sweet for Opal Moon to merge with us. Mom was ecstatic to have her best friend so close as well as her older brother. They have two children together, Brody and Knox. Brody is my best friend, other than Bryce of course. The three of us together are unstoppable. I plan to name him my Gamma when I officially take over next year. Knox is one of the best fighters that I have ever seen. He will make an incredible Head Warrior when the time comes.

Uncle Connor and Aunt Mandy have always been here in Silver Moon. Uncle Connor and my dad have always been super close. He is the current Gamma of our pack and Commander of the Guard. They have a set of triplets; Gemma, Skyler, and Quinn. They are closer to Nora's age and the four of them are inseparable.

"I know mom, I won't be long, I promise. I just want to look over the merger contracts once more before the meeting on Monday."

Her face dropped, she knew that I would try my best, but she feared the worst. "Alright baby, just please don't be late."

She rose on her toes and kissed my cheek before squeezing my shoulders. She slipped past me, moving on to her next task.

I headed straight for my office. Nora was already inside patiently waiting for me. I wasn't sure what I was walking into, but I knew that she was in her typical tizzy. Nora has always been so hard on herself, and demands perfection. I wish she could see herself through others' eyes. My sister is sweet and caring and always puts others first. She is strong-willed and driven in everything that she does. I know that she feels the pressure of being an Alpha's daughter. She is destined for greatness but there will always be those that want to take advantage of her.

Nora has been graced with great beauty, which makes Bryce and I a little overprotective. She is entering the phase of life, where she-wolves find their mates. It is quite common for wolves to find their mates young. It boils down to the fact that women tend to be more emotionally mature than us men-folk.

I took a deep breath and braced myself for whatever was on the other side of the door.

I peered in past the door a bit, Nora couldn't stop pacing, and she was fidgeting with her hands, a lot. She was also muttering to herself, almost like her inner thoughts were spilling out into the open. She stilled for a moment when she realized that I was in the room. She turned quickly towards me with her arms open wide.

"Oh, thank God, Andy. I'm freaking out, and I can't seem to turn my brain off. My thoughts are consuming me and I feel like I'm suddenly drowning!"

Tears threatened her eyes as I placed my hands on her shoulders. I pulled her into a hug and let her body relax against mine. She snuggled into my chest, just like she had done so many times as a child. I stroked the back of her head, "Shhh, everything is going to be fine. Why don't you come sit down and we can talk it out?"

I decided that my words of encouragement might not be enough. I needed to call in reinforcements.

I linked Bryce quickly before unraveling Nora from my arms. I placed my arm around her shoulder and led her over to the chair in front of my desk.

Bryce... Nora is in my office and is losing her s**t. I might need your Beta juju.

Got it. On my way.

I guided Nora down into one of the chairs and I took the one directly beside her. Silent tears were streaming down her face and I could see all the joy absent from her eyes.

I reached out and took her hands in mine, but she never made eye contact.

"Nora?" I asked in a hushed tone. "What's bothering you? You can tell me."

She shook her head, she was truly bothered by something. I prayed that Bryce would get here soon.

"Nora, you know that I can't stand to see you cry. Everything will be just fine. Tell me what's wrong."

She started to stutter before she finally got her words out. "I-I- just don't know how to decompress. I have so much pressure on me, I don't know where to start."

"But who is putting pressure on you? You know that you have our unconditional support. Mom and daad would never push you into to anything that you are not ready for. "

"I know, I know. I just don't want to be a disappointment. Our family has such a strong reputation that I don't want to screw anything up."

"Nora, I know exactly how you feel. Mom and dad did such an incredible job at running Silver Moon that it feels impossible to step into their shoes. You just have to remember how incredible they are, not just as Alpha and Luna, but as our parents. They have taught us everything that we will ever need to know. We just have to stay true to who we are. We are Mitchell's, no matter what. You are so incredible, Nora, and you have no idea. You will do great things for your own pack one day. Just take it one step at a time."

I noticed that my words were not settling in, I needed Bryce. Suddenly, I heard footsteps in the hallway. They were rapidly approaching the door. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard the familiar click of the handle. Help had arrived.