The Alpha's Runt Mate (complete)

Chapter 11: Willa POV

Chapter 11: Willa POV

Shopping was overwhelming. I'd never been to a mall before and everything there just seemed to be too big. Every store had high ceilings and racks of clothes that made everywhere we went feel claustrophobic. Luckily Nate held my hand the whole time and led the way. 

We started out in a brightly lit store with several racks of dresses, skirts, and blouses. "Le Petit" the sign read. I found everything inside was labeled petite, meaning short. They had all kinds of sizes from x-small to xx-large but everything was made for short women. I found it amazing because they actually had clothes that seemed like they were tailored for my body.

Nate bought me everything I tried on that fit me. Matthew didn't offer up opinions in the first store but started handing me clothes in the second store and every store after. He didn't talk much but I got the feeling that he was trying not to overwhelm me. Our first impression of each other had not been great. He thought I was a child and I thought he was scary. He toned down his Alpha aura almost immediately after we met. Why he and Nate were trying so hard for my sake was beyond my understanding. I had never had anyone try so hard to win my favor or treat me well in general. Not even my own father was this kind to me.

After several stores Nate suddenly handed the car keys to Matthew and instructed him to wait with the bags. Matthew followed his brother's orders without question while I stared confused. Why send Matthew away? Once the younger alpha was gone my mate pulled me into a*****e that immediately made me blush. It was a lingerie store. The blonde-haired saleswoman immediately approached and bowed to Nate. "Welcome, Alpha. How may I assist you today?" She smiled at me as well. "Hello Gina, we are shopping for my mate. Meet Willa," he said introducing us. She stared, surprised, but recovered quickly. She shook my hand and told me how excited she was to meet her future Luna. Unlike a lot of the sales people I had met so far she was a wolf. As we walked through the store I learned she was in our pack. She was mated and married so she didn't live in the pack house anymore.

Gina showed me all kinds of underwear and bras. She was surprised to learn I'd never owned a bra before. "No one took me shopping for one even when I started needing one," I admitted, embarrassed. Nate didn't seem phased by my words as if nothing about my upbringing surprised him anymore. 

When we had had our conversation earlier about my status as future Luna we also talked about leaving my past behind for our future together. He suggested I see a pack doctor for stress counseling. I hadn't agreed yet but I was seriously considering it.

Gina taught me how to put on a bra and showed me how to tell if it was the right size. It embarrassed me to have her touching and adjusting me but she seemed comfortable. It was her job I kept reminding myself. To me nakedness was a really private thing, which I learned was not the case for other wolves. Apparently I was really sheltered compared to the wolves in Nate's pack. Not having a mother or caring nanny had stunted my social growth a lot more that I had realized.

I didn't let Nate see any of the lingerie on me. I told him he had to wait. "What, why?!" I heard him fake cry outside the fitting room. "When you mark me you can see," I'd said in a sing-song voice. I'd meant it as a joke but he took it very seriously. Through the door I heard his voice change as if his wolf was surfacing. "Deal, Little Mate. It won't be long." I felt my eyes bulge but within seconds he was speaking to Gina in his usual tone as if that encounter had not happened. Him not having control over his wolf confused me as much as my having control over mine confused him.

After the lingerie store we went to the car. Matthew eyed us suspiciously. "What did you buy that comes in a pretty pink bag?" He asked in a teasing tone. Nate glared at his brother in the rearview mirror, which just made Matthew laugh. 

"Where to now?" I asked. Nate had made a passing comment about not being done shopping. "Drug store. You need bathroom stuff." I nodded, not completely sure what he meant. Back at the old pack house I had a hair brush with a broken handle and a bottle of shampoo from the overstock closet. I had to use what the other members wouldn't. At the drug store he was asking what products I wanted but I had no preferences. "Whatever you think is best," I said. He finally had a reaction and made a face. He picked up a bottle of face wash, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. He also got me a hair brush and comb set. They were a pretty turquoise color. He grabbed some other stuff I didn't recognize and then we headed home. 

How it all fit in the car I have no idea. I had never seen so many bags in one place before. When we pulled up to the front of the pack house several people met us outside. Nate had mind-linked them to come help us. He introduced me to the group. They all eyed me but smiled. They had heard the rumors but had yet to see me according to the girls willing to talk directly to me. I was relieved none of them were being mean. Nate had told me to tell him immediately if any of the girls were rude to me. 

According to a wolf named Connie my mate had admirers but unlike at my old pack they had very strict rules here about not fraternizing with non-mates. When I heard that it made me wonder if Nate had abided by that or not. We had not talked about his past much or if he dated. He had spent most of our time together focusing on me that he didn't talk much about himself. 

After all of the bags were in our bedroom I asked Nate directly about past relationships. He stared at me, his eyes big like a wolf in the headlights. I was hanging clothes up in the closet as I elaborated, "You know what happened to me and why I am the way I am about mating but you've never told me about how you feel or your past experiences. I'm not going to get mad if that's what you're worried about. Just be honest."

His eyes looked everywhere but directly at me. "Well?" I asked, getting annoyed. He didn't respond which annoyed me more. "You ask me for honestly and basically demanded I share my deepest trauma and secrets. How can you stand there and not do the same?" He finally looked at me, his eyes conflicted. "I've been with someone before." The words sunk in and I tried to breathe normally. I had promised to not get mad, though I was feeling more insecure than anything. He had experience with some girl that wasn't me. What if I couldn't please him the way she did?

My wolf tried to push forward but I forced her back. She was angry he hadn't waited for us but I told her to let it go. "Okay. Does she live in this house?" He shook his head, "It's not like that. I was 17 and attracted to this 19-year-old wolf from another pack. She slept with me and then told me she wasn't my mate. She knew immediately but didn't tell me she knew. I haven't been with anyone else, I swear." He said it like a child afraid he was in trouble with his parent. I sighed and went to hug him. "I'm sorry she deceived you." He seemed surprised but hugged me back. I had decided to take the high road. What was the point of punishing him for something that happened four years ago that was basically out of his control? He was young and naive back then.

"Thank you for not being angry with me," he said as he sat down on the bed, still holding my waist. I kissed him and said, "We have to be open with each other. No secrets. You said it yourself that we will be together for the rest of our lives and we are better off discussing these things sooner rather than later." He nodded, surprised I had remembered his words.

After our talk he showed me where to put the rest of my things. He had an empty drawer for my underwear which was in the middle drawer of a tall dresser in the corner of the bedroom. He laughed when he realized the dresser was taller than me. I rolled my eyes at him.

After all of my new things were put away the bedroom felt more like home. Even though I hadn't used those items yet they still made me feel more whole like I was finally like everyone else and this room was mine too and not just Nate's.