Free mate

The alpha

A silence settles in the room, the laughter from the TV being the only sound as he steps in the living room and looks at us.

“Shouldn't she be in bed still?” he asks Sera.

I stare at the screen, avoiding him. There's the terrible urge to jump up and run to him but at the same time I'm paralyzed by fear. I realized how almost relaxed I was with Sera and Matt now that I'm suddenly so aware of everything happening in the room.

“She's fine resting here”, Sera says. I feel them looking at me and keep my stare on the tv. Don't listen to Daniel moving closer, don't focus on the way your body is burning again and you crave his touch.

Jason had decided that I would marry him. I never found out if it was his idea or something his parents suggested but for the past year I was informed. Not asked, they threw the information to me and the implications for having his children were clear enough for me to decide to escape no matter what. I was not going to be anyone's breeding dog, no matter how badly I'd let them treat me in the past.

The same fire was rising in me now. I didn't know how I felt about having a mate, all of my feelings were contradicting but one thing was sure, I'd had enough with people owning me. If Daniel thought I was going to be jumping in his arms he'd be mistaken, I'd rather die.

Though, I did want to jump in his arms. But it wasn't enough to erase this fear and new stubbornness rising in me. So I kept my gaze on the tv when I felt him looking at me.

Matt and Sera got up. I didn't know if it was because they felt the tension in the room and wanted to get out or if Daniel silently commanded them. I wanted to tell them to stay but they wouldn't stand up for me against their alpha so I stayed quiet.

“How are you feeling?” Daniel asks. He sat down on the chair that Sera left, I saw him from the corner of my eyes though I kept staring ahead. He's wearing a leather jacket and jeans, more casual than the last time I saw him.

“Good.” It was true. I could ignore the bruises and though my ankle was hurting I was full, rested and really did feel okay. He leaned forward and I instinctively move away, just a little but he must have noticed since he froze and slowly moved back.

“Can you tell me who hurt you? Do you know names?” He asks.

I could tell him. Maybe he would get up and go find them, hurt them as they hurt me. I didn't know if I wanted that and I didn't know if he really would. Nothing would stop him from taking me back to them.

“No. I don't know who it was.” I hope he doesn't somehow sense when I'm lying.

“Do you have family, a pack?” I shake my head again.

“Can you tell me anything? How you were in the forest, where you come from, anything?” He's frustrated, I can tell from the edge in his tone and again I'm staring at my lap, bracing for him losing his temper.

“I can go if you want,” I say quietly.

“What? No, why would I want that?” I just shrug.

“Kate, you are my mate. I don't know if you feel this but I just want you to be here, safe.”

“Are you having them guard the door at night to keep me safe or keep me in?” I still don't look at him but I can sense his surprise. He doesn't answer right away, which is enough of an answer for me.

“You're not my prisoner. I'd like for you to at least stay until you're healthy.” He reaches to touch me again and I flinch back. I want him to touch me but I can't. I know he's my mate and there's a big part of me that craves his presence but after what Jason did I can't have him touch me and think I'm his anything. I just hoped he doesn't get tired and decide to take what's his with force. He's so much bigger than me, I'd be helpless if he decided to do something.

Daniel moves back, I glance enough to see the hurt on his face.

“Did Sera take care of you today?” For that I don't have to lie.

“Yes. She was kind. And Matt too.” He hums approvingly before realizing who's not here.

“Oscar was supposed to be here too.” I didn't want to cause them trouble, even though he clearly had something against me. Daniel didn't push my silence anymore, and for a few minutes we sat there, staring at the movie. It must be different by now, Matt chose his a few hours ago but it's not like I'm following this one either. The tension could be cut with a knife.

I imagine letting him touch me. He wants it, I'm sure and I'm surprised he's giving me this space. What I imagined from an alpha was aggression and possession, claiming without any thought besides his own desires. Maybe a normal woman would be just as happy to have her mate and jump to the chance to be with him. I felt the need but I couldn't let it take me over. Without these restrictions, I too would be getting to know him, excited to be with him for the rest of my life.

Then again, the rest of my life might not be such a long time. Jason's promise still haunted me, he would kill me next time he saw me. For now being trapped here was better than risk running into him or his parents. Daniel had stopped interrogating me for now and after a few more minutes of gathering my courage I started with my questions.

“Is this your house?” His head shots up, surprised that I'm talking to him.

“Brown's house. But I own the building and live on the floor below this.”

“Does the whole pack live in here then?” The thought of so many wolves in the same building as me makes me nervous.

“Not all but a lot. Hanna, Oscar, Sera and Matt here with you and there's another family and a few other members. We're tight and want to live close.” I want to ask about his family but that could make him push me to talk about mine and I didn't want to risk it.

His phone ringing startles me. He growls which makes me tense again even though it wasn't directed at me.

“Yes?” He answers. Someone is talking for a long time and I see him run his fingers through his hair, sighing.

“I'll be there soon.” With that he ends the call and gets up. I look at him in the face for the first time today, his beautiful blue eyes taking my breath again.

Stay

I resist the urge to reach out to him to ask. He looks tired but smiles at me with sincerity, seeming happy that I caved into this small contact. I quickly look away again.

“I need to go. I'll send someone to come here to keep you company.” I nod. He waits for a second for me to say something but when I keep staring at the TV again he turned without a word and leaves.

It doesn't take long for Sera to come back. She sets a box with some pastry on the table in front of me and smiles.

“I'll make lunch soon, Matt is getting some groceries. Do you have any allergies or diets?” She asks. I find myself unable to not smile back, the consideration touches me.

“No, nothing. Let me know if I can help with anything.” I was used to eating what I could, the fact that she seems set on having me eat multiple times a day and think about what I wanted to eat confused me. She just waved her hand.

“For now focus on resting sweetie. If you get bored feel free to look around but don't strain yourself. And eat the pastry.” Then she disappears into the kitchen. I stare at the small box in front of me, unsure if I really am allowed to take it.

I decided to trust Sera for now and opened the box. That pastry was the best thing I've ever eaten.

I spent the whole day on the couch. On my way to the bathroom I looked around a little, finding a small gym in one room and another toilet, this with a bathtub instead of a shower. Other doors were shut and I assumed they were bedrooms.

Otherwise, I stayed there, Matt and Sera joining me after we ate. I didn't talk much but they chatted and I found myself relaxing and listening to their stories about the people in the pack. Every mention of Daniel made me perk up but I didn't learn much. They told me that Hanna would be out late, apparently, they have been having issues with another pack and it required her attention most of the time.

"Aren't you worried about her?" I'd asked.

"Of course we're always worried but she's one of the strongest wolves I've met", Sera explained. It was interesting how different the twins were. Sera seemed so calm and comforting while my brief meeting with Hanna made her seem more focused. She was nice but even her whole posture and expressions made her seem ready to spring to action. She didn't have the same easy trust that Sera at least seemed to have. I liked how they trusted her, even though they knew she might end up in danger.

It was getting late when Oscar came back. He stopped to stare at us on his way to the kitchen.

“Hey.” I didn't know who the short greeting was aimed to but I suspected it wasn't me. Sera sighed and walked to the kitchen behind him. I listened to the hushed voices and frowned.

“They aren't fighting anymore. Oscar loves her way too much to be angry.” Matt says, rolling his eyes.

“And Sera?”

“She just can't be mad. Except at me.” He laughs, not seeming too bothered. Sera did seem more like his mother than a sister, something I wanted to ask about later. Now I failed to stifle a yawn and Matt sent me a look. I was getting tired and I'd rather sleep in the room where I'd learned I could lock the door than here in the open. Besides, I wasn't looking forward to meeting Oscar again so now was a good opportunity to avoid him.

“Good night,” Matt said as I started to limp to my room.

“Good night”, I repeated. I'd started to feel more at home than I ever felt in the house I grew up in, I realized when I walked to my room.