The Girl In Red

First Impressions

It didn't take Lily long to finish. She danced with excitement as she left to join the others. Stephon pulled me in for a kiss.

"You ready?" He asked me, brushing a stray hair out of my face. I smiled and nodded.

"Yes I am... Sir." I teased. Being pressed up against him, I could feel him start to become excited. He bit his lip.

"You'll be punished later." He grabbed my hand and led me out the door to greet my new pack and through a maze of hallways that I knew I'd need a map for. It took us about ten minutes to get downstairs and, while still standing a few steps high, a huge area came into view. So many faces that I have never seen before stared back at me, all smiling. I felt unbelievably nervous as I gazed at the faces. These were the faces of my new family, of my new pack.

I heard a sharp gasp and I looked towards the sound. There stood Katie and Mike, pale faced. My brows furrowed as I checked more faces. I recognized a few. Disbelief washed though me. Stephon tightened his on mine. I tried to force a smile.

"This is your Luna!" His voice rang out. "Her name is Alexis Haynes. I would like it if she was welcomed with open arms!" I looked at him as he smiled. My heart started pounding harder in my chest. This man is my life. My everything now. I still wasn't completely understanding everything, but with him by my side I knew I would be alright.

The rest of the day went on greeting the pack personally and exploring the land. After the meeting I never saw Katie nor Mike again. I'm guessing they are avoiding me. That was alright with me. I didn't want to be bothered. I was consumed with finding out more about my mate, and about werewolves. About myself. I had so much to catch up on.

"My great-great grandfather left his pack a long time ago and came to America." He explained, deep in thought. Remembering. "Here, he met his mate, my great-great grandmother. They ended up taking over the pack. My great-great grandmother was very open and kind. They'd say she would take in rouges. She would help those without mates to help them search."

"How did she do that?" I asked. He chuckled.

"Well, apparently when they traveled she would take them with her if they asked. She wanted everyone to find happiness as she did. She ended up helping our pack go from dwindling to extinction to one of the largest ones in her time." We were sitting on the porch steps, watching the day go by as our pack went about their day. Just by being close to him I could feel the electricity between us.

"So," He looked at me, stopping me mid- thought. "I think it's my turn to ask the questions." I laughed wyrley. I had learned his favorite color was red, his pastime is reading or running outside in his wolf form, his favorite food was a rare steak with glazed onions, his favorite smell, well, it was my smell: lavender and mint.

"Shoot for it!" I exclaimed happily.

"Oh yes! Finally!" He rubbed his hands together. He looked at me, a small smile playing at his plump lips.

"Tell me what your dreams are." I was taken aback.

"What?" I laughed. "How about we start off simpler?" He puckered his lips, pouting. Then I saw his face shift into seriousness. He looked into my eyes.

"Tell me about your mother." My heart squeezed. I had not talked about her to anyone since her death. It was forbidden. My thoughts flew to my father and his abuse. Fear seeped into my veins as I thought about him. About the knife on the counter. That look in his eyes.

"Alexis." Stephon's voice snapped me out of my trance. I looked down and pulled my hands into my lap, picking at my fingers nervously. It was time I talked about her once again.