Unusual Mate

Unwanted Hugs

Athena's POV

I sat in my car trying to calm my nerves to my best ability. The parking lot of the diner was barely full and I knew Daisy had not arrived yet.

My heart was racing a mile a minute. I had never met my father. I was slightly scared.

My mother seemed to be afraid of him. That alone made me worry.

Was her fear similar to the fear I carried for Aleksandr's father? Was there a past she shielded me from?

Those questions and fears swirled around in my mind over and over the entire drive to the restaurant. I worried I was making a mistake.

My hands were trembling. I focused on them as my fears began to consume me. I could leave and never meet the man who was the missing part of who I am. I could escape and meet with my mother.

"We are not going back tail tucked between our legs!" I heard Azriel snap at me.

I let out a breath I hadn't noticed I was holding. I was about to face the terrible fear I had built inside me.

Aleksandr was all too ready to escape the car and have a stack of fluffy grossness. Bouncing out of his car seat and into my arms.

He seemed lighter on my arms. He hadn't lost any weight, yet I was able to carry him effortlessly. I brushed off the thought and carried him inside to find a table.

At the corner of the restaurant was a table that seated six. Perfect for Daisy, her children, and my father.

I shuttered at that. My father. No! He is not. I was raised by a wolf. All these years my life was guided by a man who chose to be there. Not an alpha in the shadows.

What an ass for not being there.

"I want chocolate pancakes," I heard Alek express excitedly.

"Okay, but lets go wash our hands first," I said while coming to a stand.

Alek followed me into the restroom. As the door closed I caught a faint scent of Chocolate and cloves. Maybe the pancakes might be good here.

After drying our hands, we walked back to the table. We walked by a table that had four people sitting at it. I didn't look at them but the chocolate scent filled my nose.

"Now my hands are clean can I have chocolate pancakes mommy?" Aleksandr asked.

I smiled and nodded to him. Azriel was going wild in my mind. It was like she was running wild in my mind, as if searching for something.

As our food arrived so did our guest. I hugged Daisy and her children.

Behind her he stood like a tower. Slightly taller than myself. I stood frozen. I noticed a wetness on his cheek as he approached me. Then he hugged me.

I felt Azriel come to a halt.

I drew away with a small smile that clearly showed I was uncomfortable. I sat across from him.

Just as we sat Veronica came to the rescue. I don't know how she does it but she saves me. Even millions of miles away, this girl could rescue me from my fears with one call.

"Hey, Vee!" I said relieved.

"Hey girly. How you been? I haven't heard back from you since the party," she said completely ignoring my guests.

"I am sorry. I have had a lot on my plate." I gave her a sad look.

"That is okay. I wanted to invite you to my place to hang out," Veronica stated.

"No." Shock filled both myself and Veronica's face. Daisy was frozen in place along with the children.

"Excuse me?" I asked him.

"Yea, what place do you have," Veronica asked.

He responded to her, "I am Alpha Damon. My daughter will not be hanging out with the likes of you wolf."

I could hear the command in his voice. Veronica began to back away. What the hell?

"Go!" I said with a slam on the table.

He looked at me questioning.

I stood up and looked him dead in the eyes. "You will leave. I don't even care that you are my blood. You will not disrespect my friends. Not after years of not being around!" I said sternly.

"My apologies, daughter. Seems you are more Alpha than I am. I will leave. Should you change your mind," he paused and left a note on the table. Then he slightly bowed to me and left.

The room felt as if everyone was holding their breath. I glanced at Daisy.

"More Alpha than him?" I questioned.

"You're Alpha Damon's daughter. You have Alpha blood in you," she shrugged her shoulders as if that was all she knew.

Veronica was now staring at me in confusion and a bit of horror. I gave her a questioning look.

"How did I never know you were a fox? A shifter? And not only a shifter but an Alpha. You are not any alpha either. How did I never know?" she scrambled over her words.

Before I could respond, chocolate consumed my soul. As Azriel leaped in joy, I jumped from his sudden touch on my shoulder.

"She did not know herself Veronica," he said in a deep and husky voice. My skin shivered, but my core wept at the sound.

Now my heart pounded a new tune. Not of fear but excitement. Who did that voice belong to? I recognized it, but where?

I turned to see golden brown eyes staring into my soul.

"Mate." I whispered without realizing I had even said a word.

"Yes." He smiled as if finally reaching a goal.

Azriel leaped with joy through my mind. As I stared into his eyes they changed from golden brown to a brilliant gold. His wolf was fighting to gain control.

"I see your girl wants out too," he said with a smirk.

"What?" I barely heard myself.

"Your eyes are a silver blue like the moon cast on water, but her eyes are deep blue like a painted ocean," he stated so beautifully. I wanted to melt.

Everything around us had disappeared. All that was or ever would be was distant to us. Mere passerbys as we shared this beautiful moment.

"Wow. She's defiantly a strong alpha." The moment broken.

I looked to Veronica's mate. "What do you mean?"

"You haven't wolf- er, I mean foxed out after meeting your mate. You have more control. Most female shifter can't hold back. Vee shifted as soon as we met," he explained.

"He is not wrong. I shifted when I met my mate as well," Daisy exclaimed.

"Well I didn't," a short red haired girl approach us from behind Abaddon. "I am Stella. This big bad wolf's sister. We are going to be great friends," she said giving me a hug.

What is with people I first meet hugging me? I needed air and fast.

I ran outside leaving Aleksandr with Daisy. I felt hot. The cool breeze filled me and surround my every being.

I heard someone walk out behind me. "Would you like to go for a walk?" his voice filled my ears and calmed me.

"I can't leave Alek."

"That's okay. Veronica is taking him to the pack house to play with the other pups. He will be fine," he said brushing my hair away from my cheek.

"Well Alek does like puppies," I said.

Abaddon let out a loud chuckled and began to laugh from some joke I did not catch. I only gave him a displeased look.

"Pups are young shifters, babies, kids? I am sorry. You will learn soon," he said after catching his breath.

I just rolled my eyes and walked along the path that lead into the woods.

Abaddon followed.