The Alpha's Runt Mate (complete)

Chapter 7: Nathan POV

Chapter 7: Nathan

I was trying to get to know my mate but eventually the pacing happening outside my door was too distracting. I made Willa get under the covers and went to my door. I pulled it open, ready to scold whoever was there disrupting my precious time with my mate. "What?!" I yelled upon seeing Thomas pacing in a circle. "Nate, something is going on. It's got the pack in a frenzy!" I stared, concerned, "What do you mean? Is it the rogues again?" He shook his head, "No, a body was found out front. Some pups and warriors were exiting to start their morning training and found him. I vaguely recognize the face but I don't know his name." I felt my heart stop and start, my worry rising. Did someone kill one of my pack members? "Show me," I ordered. I went back to Willa and told her to wait in our bedroom. 

A minute later we were downstairs. The warriors were guarding the body. They formed a circle to keep the pups and other members from seeing. I approached and immediately they parted so I could see. It was disgusting. The body of a young man laid there, bone sticking out of his neck. A pool of blood seeped from under the body. I realized I recognized the face as well from my mate's old pack but like my beta I didn't know his name. I scanned the body and noticed a folded note pinned to the shirt. I read it and theorized that Willa's father had done what I'd asked. He had sought out my mate's abuser. I didn't expect him to kill the kid but I wasn't opposed to it either.

Before I could order the body to be removed I heard a loud scream behind me. I turned to see my mate crouching down on the porch steps, her hands on her head. She looked like she was having a panic attack. I went to her. "Baby girl, you should have stayed in our room. I didn't want you to see this." She shook and said, "They will hate me more! They will blame me! Why? Who did this?!" I was surprised. I thought she would be overjoyed. I picked her up, holding her in my arms and whispered soothing words. "We will talk inside," I said to her quietly. 

"Warriors, dispose of the body. Thomas, get Alpha Leonidas on the phone. Tell him I want him here tonight before dark for a meeting. Food will be served."

I carried my mate inside and sat her down on the couch. "Willa, I know that was upsetting but what you saw was your father's doing. He can't blame you for his actions. I challenged him to find the one who had been touching you. Killing him was his choice, not yours. No one is going to think you are responsible," I said, trying to reason with her. She rocked back and forth, "I should be happy but I'm still scared," she said, her voice shaky. "Why, Willa? What exactly did he do to you?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she said, "I don't know if I should talk about this. It isn't pleasant. You'll get mad at me. I tried to stop him but he was too strong. All I could do was try to survive. Please don't hate me." I pulled her in close to my body and rubbed circles on her back, hoping to relax her.

"Baby girl, we are mates. We are going to be together for the rest of our lives. We need to talk about this, sooner rather than later." 

She bit her lower lip and said, "The boys used to chase me and beat me up when they caught me. I was never fast enough to escape or strong enough to fight them off. This had been happening for years. A month ago Lucas started joining in. He would chase me down, tackle me, and send the others away when he wanted to..." She trailed off, pain obvious in her emerald eyes. 

"Go on," I said gently, encouraging her. She sucked back some tears and continued. "At first it was him just wanting to see me naked. He made me stand still while he inspected me. Then he made me touch him while he touched me." Her hands instantly clasped into her lap and her legs clamped together as if she was trying to protect her groin area. I knew what she was protecting.

"Did he do anything else?" I asked. She nodded her head, "He put his p***s in my mouth and made me swallow what came out. It was really disgusting." She was quiet a moment before revealing one last disturbing detail. "He put his fingers inside me. It hurt, I didn't like it. He said he was getting me ready for the inevitable. I assume he meant mating but I didn't want to. It would hurt too much. Mating sounds horrible."

I felt myself stiffen. My mate had been through hell and back. She was afraid of mating. And here I thought it would only be a matter of hours or days before she was ready for a more physical relationship. Wolves were lustful physical creatures. I'd never known a wolf who feared s*x the way Willa did. There was not a lustful bone in her body. I'd smell it if she were aroused.

"Have you ever kissed anyone on the mouth before?" She shook her head, looking as if the idea was foreign. "No," she whispered. A small blush crossed her cheeks and it made me wonder what her limits and boundaries would be. I knew I needed to keep consent a priority.

"May I kiss you?" I asked, hoping she would accept. She fidgeted with her fingers as she stammered, "I-I guess that would be okay." 

She was still sitting on the couch and I was on my knees on the floor crouching in front of her. We were eye level as I brought my lips to hers. First, just a peck to ease her into it. When she did not react negatively I asked if I could kiss her again.  She nodded, granting me permission. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her in close for a deeper kiss. This time she kissed back. 

She pulled back, her face flushed. "Why do I feel tingly?" She asked, her eyes wide. I chuckled, "That's the mate bond. Tell me, mate, where am I making you tingle?" She blushed a deeper shade of red and said, "All over." That made me smile, maybe a slight smirk on my lips. "Do you feel it here?" I asked, touching her arm. She nodded. "How about here?" I touched her thigh. She nodded again. "What about here?" I asked, pressing my hand over her tightly clasped ones. Her hands were still covering her groin area. She nodded, her face red from embarrassment.

"I'm a slut, aren't I?" Her voice came out clear but I couldn't respond at first. I was flabbergasted. "What makes you ask that? You're not a slut," I stated in a matter-of-fact way. She looked as if she would cry as she said, "Lucas told me I was a w***e and a slut for letting you touch me the night we met. I mean, two days ago Lucas was touching me and now you are doing it too. I feel something inside me when you touch me but I can't imagine it's anything pure. It makes me feel dirty." I felt shame rush through me. I pulled my hands away from her, trying to make her more comfortable. Within seconds she was whimpering from the loss of contact. This was going to be harder than I thought I told my wolf. He was whimpering from the lack of physical affection as well.

"Let's go upstairs," I suggested, standing and offering my hand. She took it and followed me up the staircase to the second floor. I brought her to our bedroom door and said, "This is our room. You can always feel safe in here." She nodded but did not speak. I turned the door knob and ushered her inside. I closed the door and pointed in the direction of the bed. "This is our bed. You can always feel safe here." She looked up at me oddly as if determining if I was speaking in a condescending way or not. I opened my arms to her wide as if ready for a hug and said, "I am your mate. You can always feel safe with me." Fresh tears came to her eyes and she began to smile. "You really mean it don't you?" I nodded, "I really do. The moon goddess blessed me when she brought you to me. I intend on protecting and loving you for the rest of my days." She blushed and brought herself into my embrace. "Thank Goddess," I heard her whisper.

"Can I try something?" She asked. I kissed the top of her head and then brought my face down to hers. "What would you like to try?" She bit her lower lip as she said, "I want to kiss you." I grinned to myself, "Any time you want to kiss me go right ahead. You have my permission in advance." She giggled. Goddess, did she have an adorable laugh. She pushed up on her toes and brought her lips to mine. It was an awkward kiss at first because of the height difference but it became more enjoyable when I got down on my knees. We were closer to being eye level this way. When standing I was at least a foot or more taller than her.

"Do you trust me?" I asked her, still staring up at her while on my knees. She nodded, "Of course, Nate." Her attitude towards me had made a complete 180 and I wanted to make sure things between us stayed comfortable but still progressive. I stood up and lifted her body to the bed. Instead of hovering over her in a common missionary position I lifted her to straddle me. "Now you're in control," I said, giving her the freedom to kiss me or climb off me. She stared, surprised.

"What do you want me to do?" She asked, nervously. I stayed still as I said, "Whatever you want. You can choose to do something or nothing at all. In our bed you are safe and free to explore your boundaries." 

I waited patiently for her to respond. Her eyes shifted from my face to my shirt. She was straddling my lower stomach. She inched backwards and gingerly reached for the hem of my shirt. "Don't move," she said, barely above a whisper. I nodded, watching curiously as she lifted my shirt slowly. She stopped halfway and stared as if in awe. She ran her fingers down my pecks and then my abs. That was the first time I sensed arousal from her. She was taking me in with her eyes and finger tips, which of course aroused me in return.

"Is this okay?" She asked timidly. I nodded, "I am all yours. I don't think there is anything you could do to push my boundaries." She nodded and bent forward to kiss my lips. She pulled back and looked at me quizzically. "Would it be strange to want to feel your skin against mine?" I shook my head, "No, that's perfectly normal actually. I was holding back by sleeping with a shirt on last night. I usually sleep naked." She stared back and then nodded. 

"Hold still,"  she insisted. I chuckled as she pulled my shirt off over my head leaving me bare chested. What really blew me away was her pulling her night shirt off over her head, revealing her beautiful breasts. They were small but perfectly shaped. Very slowly Willa laid herself on top of me skin-to-skin. Her face was in the crook of my neck while her soft breasts pressed against my pecks. Her legs were tangled in mine. I gasped as I felt my erection grow. I didn't want to scare her but I also didn't want to ruin the moment either. "Baby girl, as much as I'm enjoying this you've gotten me a little too excited. I think we should take a break."

She pulled herself up and stared. Her breasts being this exposed and close to my flesh was driving me crazy. She turned her head and stared at my erection pushing at the material of my jeans. I expected her to react negatively but to my surprise she licked her lips and began to unbuckle my belt and pants. Her eyes were flickering green to black and back again. Her wolf was surfacing.

"What are you doing?" I asked, feeling it stiffen more as it became freed from the confines of the denim. "Stay still," she commanded again tugging at my boxer shorts. I had no clue what to say or do. This was more than I intended. I felt myself moan when she touched me above the soft cotton boxers. "Oh my," she whispered.