His Luna and His Mate

Chapter 1- Alpha Mate

     "Rhea, I need you to be on your best behavior when we get to the pack house" My father warned in a serious tone, though his eyes shined with amusement. "I promise dad, I won't do anything that I would normally do on any other day." I giggled. We are on our way to the blood moon pack. We were requesting to join their pack as ours had been destroyed 5 years ago. We had been rogues traveling, looking to find a new pack somewhere far from where our old pack had been. Unlike most rogues, we requested entrance into the territories of other Alpha's before crossing boundaries. Most were kind enough to let us cross through their woods while being escorted by warriors, though they made it clear we were not welcome to stay. My father had been friends with Alpha Elijah when they were pups after meeting at a conference with their leaders. My father comes from a long line of Betas. When he reached out to Alpha Elijah, he was gracious enough to speak with his son who is currently ruling as Alpha to grant us membership.

  "Now Alpha Elijah may have spoke with his son, but it is up to Alpha Ezra to actually allow entrance and membership. I'm serious Rhea. I know how you can be a little, strong willed. I'm telling you now, behave! No sarcastic comments, no rolling your eyes, nothing!" I took a deep breath getting my serious face on. "I understand dad. I promise, I will behave. I know we need this." He embraced me before we both turned to see the entrance to the territory. Guards walked up to our vehicle. After my father gave our name, we were granted entrance and escorted to the pack house. I felt my wolf begin to stir. I assumed it was because we were surrounded by so many new wolves.

    We stepped out of the vehicle. A very attractive man offered his hand to be to assist me out. "Hello beautiful. I am Ephraim. Welcome to our pack" He smiled flirtatiously. "Thank you" I smiled back. If all the men here looked like him, I was going to have a hard time focusing. I allowed him to escort me towards the steps on the pack house. I soon smelled something amazing. I looked around trying to identify the smell. As I saw the source, my wolf howled out before yelling "MATE!" Our eyes met and I saw his dark brown eyes turn to a dark red color indicating his wolf was responding to mine. His face however, looked confused and upset before returning to his serious, formal look.

I began to step towards him when a little boy with dark brown eyes and dark brown hair identical to my mate's ran out and wrapped around his leg. "Daddy! Mommy says I gotta take a nap. I don't like it! I wanna stay with you!" I was stunned to hear what he was saying. Daddy? Mommy? Wait... my mate... is his daddy?! Before I had a chance to wrap my head around it, a beautiful blonde woman walks out and picks up the little boy. To be quite honest she was stunning. Her long blonde hair fell to her slim waist. Her pale skin was creamy and flawless. Her sapphire blue eyes were framed by long dark eyelashes. In all honesty, she was perfect.

"I'm sorry, Love. Zeke ran out before I realized what he was doing." Alpha Ezra smiled and wrapped his arm around the woman and her cheek gently. He whispered in her ear and her eyes sparkled as she grinned and giggled. My heart felt like there was a fist gripping it and squeezing. I noticed the rings on their hands and the mark on her shoulder. How can this be? My mate is married and has marked another? I felt sick to my stomach, but after years of training, I knew how to mask my emotions especially pain.

I startled slightly when Ephraim began to speak beside me. "Alpha, this is Jon Dewitt and his daughter Rhea. I believe your father spoke with you regarding their request to join our pack." My father and I both bowed out of respect for the Alpha. "Yes he did. Welcome! I have heard great things about your abilities as a warrior as well as a Beta, Jon. I look forward to seeing these skills." My father beamed proudly. "Thank you Alpha, though I must say, my daughter Rhea seems to not only follow in my foot steps but surpasses me. If you find it acceptable, I request we both be allowed to train as warriors in your pack."

    My mate once again turned his eyes on my. My heart fluttered even though pain coursed through it like a knife. "How old are you, Rhea." The way my name rolled off his tongue, it was as if it was being caressed. Chills rolled throughout my body. "I am 20 years old, Alpha Ezra" I didn't miss the way his eyes flashed red when I spoke his name. "And you wish to train as a warrior? We have availability for other trades in the pack, if you would prefer something a little less.... aggressive." I smirked knowing he was suggesting something more feminine. "With all due respect Alpha, I wish to continue training. I do not have any issues with aggressive trades. I have no issue keeping up." He nodded.

"Very well. You both will go through an assessment of your skills tomorrow. We have different posts based on skill set. You will be placed in a post and instructed of your expected duties at that time. For now, I have had rooms set up for each of you for the night. Based on your post, we will move you to your official room based on your assigned post tomorrow." We bowed once again. "I will be more than happy to escort Jon and Rhea to their rooms" Ephraim offered while winking at me. I heard a low growl covered by a cough coming from my mate. "No. I will show Rhea. I need to speak to her... about her assessment tomorrow." Ezra said while looking at me intently. I swallowed harshly.

I gave my father a quick hug and began to walk towards the Alpha and Luna. "Hi Rhea, It's so nice to meet you. I am Emma." Luna smiled at me. Though the very sight of her caused me pain and anger, I smiled back. "Pleasure is all mine, Luna Emma" I bowed. "Thank you for allowing me and my father into your home" I turned to my mate and noticed the pain in his eyes. I ignored it and bowed to him. "Alpha Ezra, I am ready when you are" He studied me for a second before turning towards the door.

    The pack house was beautiful. All the décor was black, white, and deep reds with a mixture of modern and antique styles. There were several floors and an elevator sat in between two sets of stair cases. Instead of taking the steps, Ezra lead me to the elevator. As soon as the door closed, I was pushed up against the wall. My hands were pinned above my head. Ezra rubbed his nose in the bed of my neck, his breath fanning against me. He was inhaling my scent, a small growl escaping his throat. My heart was pounding, and I could not control my arousal. After a moment, my mind fog cleared and I struggled to find my voice. "Al.. Alpha... stop... please"

    As if I had slapped him, he jerked back studying my face. "You... you have a wife... a chosen mate" I breathed. He let go of my hands and stepped back. "I'm sorry. My wolf.. he took over for a moment" He looked at the ground, guilt evident on his face. "I understand." I whispered and moved as far away from him as possible. The elevator finally stopped on the top floor. What is this? The top floor is generally the Alpha's floor. He lead me to a door and unlocked it. I started to walk in when he grabbed my arm. "Rhea..." He looked pensive, almost pained. I squared my shoulders to face him and stood tall as I could. "I accept" He looked at me confused. "You accept what?" I took a deep breath. "I, Rhea Dewitt, accept your reject...." He quickly slammed his mouth onto mine in a passionate kiss. When he pulled away, I shook my head. "Ezra.." He cut me off, "I'm not rejecting you. I don't... I need time to think. Just... please. Give me time"

    I studied his face for a few moments before I shook my head 'no'. "I will not be the reason your family breaks up. Mate bond or not. "I, Rhea Dewitt, reject you, Alpha Ezra Black, as my mate. I do, however, accept you as my Alpha" His face became serious, borderline angry. "I, Alpha Ezra Black, do not accept your rejection. I will see you in the morning." With that he walked away. I went into my room and jumped on my bed. Why the hell would he not accept the rejection? He has a wife, a Luna, a chosen mate. He has a child with her. Why would he not allow me to reject him or reject me! I closed my eyes to sleep. Hopefully tomorrow will bring better things.

    I spent the next several hours tossing and turning. I could not get my mate out of my head. I decided to get up and go to the kitchen and get a cup of tea to soothe me. I noticed a large figure sitting at the kitchen island on a bar stool. I turned to walk back to my room as to not disturb him. "Don't mind me beautiful. Please join me." I turned and took a step into the room, cheeks burning red in a blush. "I'm sorry Ephraim. I didn't mean to disturb you" He smiled a megawatt smile and I noticed a sparkle in his emerald green eyes. "You could never disturb me Rhea. Can I make you something? Milk, coffee, tea?" I tapped my chin as if I was thinking though I knew what I wanted. "Tea, please and thank you" He gave an exaggerated bow and grabbed the tea pot. 

    "So what has you up this late?" I asked while studying his features. He was tall and muscular. His white t-shirt and basketball shorts allowing his muscles to be displayed. He had dirty blond hair that fell in loose wavy curls and deep sapphire blue eyes. His skin was pale, despite being a wolf, and he has scruffy facial hair that allowed him look rugged and dangerous if need be. He was definitely attractive and part of me was drawn to him. "Oh, couldn't sleep. I have trouble sleeping often. So I spend my time at night thinking, working, reading. Sometimes I go on Midnight runs just to clear my thoughts. I get some of the warrior scheduled made out. Just whatever I can."

    I thanked him as he handed my my tea. "Why do you have such trouble sleeping?" I asked before sipping my tea. The rich flavor caused me to melt a little. His eyes dimmed a little. He looked down at his own cup for a moment. As I was about to apologize for getting too personal he answered, "It's hard to sleep alone now". I furrowed my eyebrows. "What do you mean now? If.. you don't mind me asking." He shook his head. "I.. uhm.. I lost my mate. About 2 years ago. Rogues attacked. She was trying to gather the pups into the safe house when a rogue attacked her. She fought hard, but he was bigger and stronger. I found her curled up with her arms around her belly. She was pregnant. We had found out that morning." 

    As he finished his story, he looked up just as I wiped a tear from my face. "I'm so sorry Ephraim. I can't even imagine the pain you went through. No wonder you can't sleep." He sighed and caught another tear rolling down my cheek with his thumb. "I'm making it. I just keep hoping, maybe the goddess will grant me a second change mate." I looked into his eyes, feeling some pull. We both stared at each other before I cleared my throat. "So... wanna go for one of those midnight runs?" He grins. We both head to the door. He begins to strip and I turn around. After I hear his cracking bones stop, I turn around. His large red wolf was standing in front of me and his green eyes glowed bright. He turned around and I stripped and shifted into my White wolf. He took off and I followed.

    We ran through the woods dodging and jumping until we reached a clearing by the lake. I bent to take a drink as I felt his eyes on me. I was conflicted. I knew I have a mate, who has refused to accept my rejection. However, I felt some connection to Ephraim I couldn't explain. It was an instant pull. Maybe we could be each other's second change mate?  I slowly moved over closer to him. As I watched him give a wolfy grin, I made my move. I pushed him into the lake. As I shifted back and put my clothes on I laughed until my belly hurt. He shifted back and chased after me. When he caught me, he held me close he jumped into the lake as I screamed. We splashed and played for what seemed like hours. We had climbed out and was getting ready to head back, when we heard a growl. 

    I shifted and got in a defense stance. I looked towards Ephraim wandering why he had not shifted when I saw he was mindlinking. "It's Ezra" Right at that moment a large black wolf with deep red eyes stepped out. He shifted right in front of me and pulled on a pair of shorts he had with him. "Shift." He ordered. I shifted and was crouched trying to hid my body. When he noticed he ordered Ephraim to turn around as did he. I ran behind a tree and grabbed a man's long shirt to put over me. "What are you doing out here?" Ephraim began to speak when Ezra held up a hand to stop him. "Rhea, I'm addressing you" I bowed before explaining. "I was having trouble sleeping. When I got up to get some tea, Ephraim was in the kitchen. We talked for a while before I asked if we could go for a midnight run to help get relaxed" He narrowed his eyes, never taking them off of me. "I don't know if it is appropriate for you too to be out here in the middle of the night. People might get the wrong idea" I heard Ephraim snicker. "Nobody is up but you, Ezra. Besides, what Rhea and I do isn't anybody's business. We are not mated to anyone else" 

I held my breath to see if Ezra would say anything about being my mate. I felt both relieved and hurt when he didn't. He ordered us to go back to the pack house to our own rooms. I once again went crawled into my bed and tried to sleep. This time, I was thinking of Ephraim and irritated with Ezra. He is the one who is claimed. Why does he care if I am with someone else. Why can't he just reject me! I tried to refocus my brain on the warrior assessment tomorrow. I planned on whipping some ass tomorrow. Too bad for my opponent, I was going to be fueled by anger. It just set me into a deeper concentration with more lethal strikes. Man it has been one hell of a day.