The fight against all odds

chapter 16~ story time part 2

octaviea's pov

after we were done eating lunch, Alex, Liam, jessica, and I all headed to alex's office so we could talk about me.

when we got to the office, I was in awe. the walls and floor were a deep dark wood that looked really good. there were book cases on both sides of the room holding more books than they should. there was a huge bay window behind the alpha desk that looked over the pack lands. there was also a couch and some chairs on the far end of the room with a coffee table in between them. it was a good-sized room with pictures and decorations to make it homey. there was also a fireplace that was lit, making the room nice and cozy while the room also smelled like campfires and smoked apples. I loved it here. I wonder what my office will look like when I'm ready for it.

we all made our way over to the couch and chairs to sit down. I'm not going to lie. I am nervous a hell for this meeting. what if they don't like me after they find out the truth. what if they convinced Alex to kick me out of the pack.

I think Alex felt how nervous I was. I grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. I felt myself calm down a bit, but not a lot. I know this conversation needs to happen, but it doesn't make me any less scared.

we all sat down. Alex and I sat on the couch, and Liam and Jessica sat on the chairs across from us. Alex had his arm slung around my shoulder. it felt nice to be with him like this.

'You ready?'

'No , they need to know'

he looked at me for a few moments before facing Jessica and Liam.

"octavia told me last night why she was a lone wolf for so long. it's not a pretty story, but I also need you guys to understand what is going on. I trust you two not to say anything to anyone until we say so.

"Of course, alpha," they both responded.

everyone turned to look at me, waiting for me to tell them what had been going on with me for so long. I took a deep breath before telling them what happened.

"So, growing up, I was taught how to be the alpha for my pack. being the oldest, the title would be passed down to me unless I wanted to pass it to my brother or sister. I was always excited to be the alpha, and my parents praised me for it. well, when I was around twelve years old, my parents were killed. before it attacked, my parents had just sent my siblings off to some relatives. there was rumor going around that there would be an attack, but they weren't sure when it would happen.. the day I was supposed to be sent off the attack happened. my father's beta was working with rouges to attack the pack so he would become alpha. he killed my parents in front of me and then basically claimed me in front of everyone. he said when I tured sixteen that he was going to mark and mate with me so he could have stong pups to take over the alpha title. I was there for a few months, and it was absolutely hell. one night, Trey and I had a huge argument that led him to be violent and told me that if I didn't stop, he would mark me right then and there. horrified, I ran to my room and locked the door. that night around midnight, one of my dad's closest friends came up and got me. he told me that I couldn't stay there, that if I wanted to beat Trey, I needed to leave and find my mate and get strong enough to beat him. when we got to the border, he told me to run and never look back. and that's what I did. I've never looked back. I just ran. I don't know why, but I ran north. the first few weeks was hard since I didn't have a wolf. I was surprised when I did get my wolf because most alphas don't get them until their at least fifteen. but we've been running ever since, avoiding the men he sends out to get me."

it was quiet for a minutes and I could see both Jessica and Liam looked deep in thought.

"Why didn't you go to your relatives' pack with your siblings?"

I knew they were gonna ask that. it hurts not being able to see them. to miss out on so much of their lives growing up.

"Because I knew that would be the first place that they would look for me. I didn't want to put them in danger for protecting me. my relatives' packs are decent, but they are smaller than my old pack... that's why I hesitated staying here.. I don't want anyone getting hurt or killed over me.."

it was quiet after I finished talking. I could tell everyone was thinking about what I had just said. they were thinking about the war that could happen if I stayed here. but we all also knew I wasn't leaving since I am alex's mate.

"Let them come. we can handle them. they may be a big pack, but we are bigger and stronger than they are."

I felt my heart twist with two different emotions. I found it thought full and sincere that they were ready to go to war over me, but I also found it heartbreaking that there was going to be a war about me. I don't want innocent people to die because of me.

Alex must have sensed what I was feeling because he reached over and pulled me closer to him. I can't deny the bond between us. wherever he touched left a trail of electricity behind. whenever he looked at me, I could feel the butterflies erupt in my stomach and my face flush. whenever he talked, goosebumps would appear all over my body. and most of all, his wolf and my wolf have both claimed each other as mates. we were made for each other, and as much as it scares me, I love it. I love having a mate, someone that I know will always have my back no matter what. and I'd have his back no matter what.

the rest of the time we were in the office, we talked about different ways this could go down and how we could avoid it until the pack was ready for it.

we talked about not letting the pack know until two weeks after alex's and i ceremony. but we are adding an extra hour and a half to training time and practicing safety protocols so we can be prepared. they also talked about reaching out to the packs that my siblings were in to try and reunite us.

it was so heartwarming for them to put in all this effort to keep me safe. I felt like I actually belonged somewhere for the first time since my parents had passed. it also felt amazing to know I might be able to see my siblings again. to hold them and talk to them like we used to. to be a family again..

I misses them so much. there were so many times I thought about going to the packs my siblings were in just to see them. but I never wanted to risk it. I didn't want to put them in danger. trey's probably kept a close eye on the packs since I got away.

when we were finally done talking, Liam and Jessica left to head home for the day. Jessica promised to come over tomorrow and help make my little home more homey in her words. the boys will be out on the training grounds with the warriors and others to help train them so they'll be gone in the mornings now.

Alex and I sat there for a little bit just enjoying eachothers company. I was about to ask him if he wanted to come over, but there was a knock on the door.

again, that little voice in my head spoke up.

'she's back.. she's gonna try and pit something in the alphas drink to make a fake bond... don't let him drink or eat anything from her..'

I don't know where this voice is coming from, but it had my wolf growling in agreement to not trust Layla.

"Come in."

alex's deep voice sent a shiver through my body. he must have noticed because he shot me a smirk before looking back at the door.

when Layla walked in, I watched all the humor drain from his face. he looked like he'd rather be anywhere but here.

when I looked back at Layla, she was shooting me daggers. her fists were clenched at her sides as she walked over to where we were sitting.

we never moved from the couches that we've been sitting at for most of the afternoon. my legs were draped over alex's lap with Alex absent mindlessly rubbed circles on my calves, sending little electric shocks through my legs.

Layla came over and sat on the armchair in front of us.

"Alex, could I talk to you for a minute.... alone?"

she shot me a look after saying that last part.

I could feel the storm brewing in Alex. I couldn't blame him. she was trying to pin another man's baby on him just to keep the luna title.

"No, whatever you have to say can be said in front of octavia. she is my mate and soon to be luna."

Layla looked quite p***ed about the last part. I could tell she was trying not to snap at him. she knew if she did, it wouldn't end well for her.

"People are starting to talk.. i.. I don't know what to do, alex.. I'm the Luna of the pack and your chosen mate and now.. I'm pregnant with you -"

"If you dare try and say that pup is mine again, I'll strip you of the luna title right now. we both know that that pup isn't mine. I don't know who's it is, nor do I care who's it is, but don't pin it on me."

at this point, both of them were seething. alex's wolf was close to the edge, but I knew he wouldn't physically hurt her because she was pregnant. That's why he hasn't rejected her yet because it could possibly kill the pup with how much pain she would be in. it may not be his, but it would still hurt him if he was the cause of someone losing their pup.

"Alex, I don't know why you don't believe me. we've known each other for two years and have been together for almost four months. I've wanted to be with you for so long, and now that I am and I'm pregnant, you don't want me. I rejected my mate to be with you.."

at that, I felt alex's wolf jump forward. I moved quickly and pushed his shoulders back. he can't lose it now he needs to be calm about this.

I kept my hands on his shoulders, gently rubbing my thumbs back and forth, hoping to calm him down. it must have worked because his shoulders slumped and his breathing calming down. when I was for sure, his wolf wouldn't surface. I backed away and got comfortable again.

"Layla, I never asked you to reject your mate. I never wanted a chosen mate. I was forced to it by the council. in the whole two years you've known me you've known I wanted to wait for my fated mate. I even informed you before we had our ceremony that when my fated mate came along that we were done. and I know that pup isn't mine because the heartbeat is too weak. if it was mine, you would be showing, and the heartbeat would be strong and healthy. I'm not stupid. Layla, stop acting like I am."