The Alpha's Queen

Chapter Seven

We had a wonderful day; the picnic was a great idea. We didn’t go far, only to the lake. But it seemed as if by some unspoken command, every time someone came along and saw us, they would nod or wave hello and keep walking. We had the whole day to ourselves, which was great. We talked about everything, our hopes and dreams as well as our lives going into the future. Our hopes and aspirations for the pack and how it would continue to grow, if not physically larger, at least as a group.

Talking with Terry was so easy. He is kind and considerate, sensitive and understanding. I know he can be tough as well, I just haven’t seen that side of him yet. 

But to think, this seemingly perfect man was made just for me. Someone to complete me and be my other half. The yin to my yang, the steal to my softness. Someone who I can look toward for strength when I’m down, to listen without judgment when I need a listening ear. And I am the same for him.

“So, what do you plan to do after you finish school?” He asked. We had been talking about so many different topics, and the conversation was so easy. I felt more like I was talking to one of my cousins than a man I’ve only known less than a month.

“I planned to go to college and double my major in both accounting and teaching. I love working with numbers, but at the same time I love working with children. I would love to pass on my knowledge and love of numbers to the next generation.

“That’s very admirable, children are our future. I agree with you that we should pass on the knowledge that we have to the next generation. You will be a great Luna, Maritza.” He said making me blush.

I have always wanted a big family, growing up like I did. With all my aunts, uncles and cousins living under the same roof. It's really no surprise that I want a big family. “I love kids, and always thought that I would have at least 5, if not more.” Looking over at Terry, I watch as his eyes grow big with a giant smile to match.

“I always wanted a basketball team’s worth of kids.” He says smiling, “I know it seems like a lot, but being an only child. Even though I grew up with other pack children, I always wanted brothers and sisters.” 

“Wow” What more could I say? 

We spent the whole day just about just talking about what we both wanted out of life. What we expected from each other, and what we expected from our families. It’s almost scary how much we not only have in common, but also think alike.

“What’s the deal with Angel? Why does it seem like she makes herself scarce every time I come around? And why does she feel like she should have some kind of claim on you?” I asked, I’ve been wanting to know for the longest. But it’s really been bothering me, and the more I think about it, the more I’m coming to understand that she feels as if I’m taking her beau from her. With her challenging me to a fight, which is really unheard of, to her outright disdain for me. 

“Angel and I grew up together very close. Her dad died during a routine training exercise when we were kids. Both our moms were good friends from childhood, so mom helped her out a lot. Angel and I grew up in each other’s houses as if it was our own. Nobody ever thought anything about it until I turned 21. That’s the age that most wolves start looking for their mates, if they haven't found them by then. Most times, mates are raised in the same pack. So it’s easy to find your mate. But, when I never announced that I found mines, I never thought anything of it. I’ve heard rumors that Angel’s mom thought we were supposed to be mated. But never put much thought into it. Honestly, when I was younger, I wasn’t ready to lead the pack, I had a lot of growing to do. When Angel came to age 2 years after I did, I think she was expecting to find that I was her mate. But that wasn’t the case. She still trained hard and became one of the best warrior wolves that we have in the pack. But I now understand that she never fully accepted that we weren’t destined

to be mates. I think it hit her hard when I found you, and even harder when it became apparent how young you are compared to me. I was concerned about our age difference at first. With an eight-year gap between our ages, I wasn’t sure if you would even accept me or be willing to try. Considering that being a wolf is such a new concept to you, you’re handling things very well. To be quite honest, I was expecting you to implode long before now and rebel against everything that we have been telling you.”

“Well, I guess you can thank Hollywood and books for that” I stated firmly while nodding my head. “werewolves, vampires, witches, all those things that go bump in the night. While concerning, they don’t seem as scary or impossible to exist.”

“My, my, my, aren’t you very open minded.” He says while chuckling.

“What’s so funny about that? I always wondered where the ideas came from. I mean, someone had to have known those types of beings existed.”

“You're right, but it wasn’t always a chance meeting or a nice one.” He explained, “most stories are based off of some type of truth. Wolves have been hunted down and killed for reasons such as humans being scared of the unknown. I can’t speak for other species, but wolves have been hunted to near extinction.”

“So, would it be so hard to come out to the world now? Don’t you think that the world has changed, and people would be more open-minded to sharing the earth with another species?”

“No, we can’t.” He states firmly. “The world isn’t ready to come face to face with wolves or vampires or even witches for that matter. Look at how humans are treated, if a species is able to t*****e, kill and start wars just because someone is a different race, religion, or color; or doesn’t believe in the same things, or think the same way. How do you think they will react to a new species altogether? We would find ourselves in some government lab somewhere being tested, prodded and killed. All of this would be done in the name of ‘science’. Personally, I don’t want to be stuck living in a lab somewhere, or worse, looking at the wrong end of someone’s g*n because they feel threatened somehow.”

“I guess I never thought about it that way. I can see what you mean, in our society people tend to be very scared of the unknown. They either want to study, kill or experiment with it.” Becoming quiet, I started thinking about all the ways that things could go wrong if the human population was to become aware of the ‘supernatural’ world. People can be so mean sometimes. Laying back, just thinking, I notice Terry’s face right above me. When I turned my head, I smacked my nose against his stomach. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to lay in your lap” I say starting to get up.

“No, you can stay right where you’re at. Don’t move a muscle.” Terry said, putting his hand on my shoulder and guiding me back down. “I want you to be comfortable with me, and if you need a pillow, then I have no issues with providing my lap. Or shoulder, knee, stomach or any other body part that you feel the need to use.” 

I do feel comfortable with him. I feel as if we have been friends and known each other forever. If someone had told me just two months ago that I would meet the man that I was destined to be with; and that I was a werewolf shifter, I would have been looking to have them committed. Instead, I find myself falling for him more each day. Regardless of how we met.

Closing my eyes, I just think about all the changes that have happened in my life during this last month. Instead of looking to go to Berkley next year, I’m looking for colleges closer to home. I’ve even looked into online colleges. I’ve learned that my family are shifters and that my parents have lied to me my whole life. Granted, they were trying to protect me, and my cousins and I understand that, but they’ve lied to me about who I am as a person. I’ve had to come to terms with that, and although it wasn’t easy, I had to forgive them for their choices that they made regarding our family. I’ve met a beautiful man, both inside and out, and know that he was made perfectly for me alone. Someone who is strong where I am weak, and weak where I’m strong. Life can throw some unexpected curve balls sometimes.