The Alpha and Her Secret Mate

Party

“Oh!” I raise my eyebrows in surprise, but as soon as I think about it, everything kind of makes sense. No wonder Jamie was so twitchy, he was meeting his mate.

The two of them are staring at each other like I’m not even here. They communicate with each other in a silent, secret language of mates. I see a glowing shimmer around Rowan’s knee as it heals itself, bolstered by the mate bond.

They hardly notice me as I stand up. “I’ll just give you two some privacy.” I start to leave, but Rowan stops me before the door.

“Wait, what about me? And joining the pack?” Rowan looks scared while she waits for my answer. Jamie looks shocked that it’s even a question.

I smile at them. “Well this obviously helps.” I laugh for a moment, then say. “It won’t be a problem. We’ll still have to do the formal vote, but you need a pack member to vouch for you, and I can think of someone who might have your back.”

“Of course, I will,” Jamie says, clutching Rowan’s hand.

I can’t help but grin at their excitement in each other. “Enjoy yourselves. I’m going to go. We’ll talk later.”

“Okay,”

“Thanks, Layla.”

Neither of them look at me, they’re focused on each other. I smile and leave them alone, closing the door behind me. My heart glows just thinking of their happiness. Throughout the pack house, the mood seems infectious. People must know something is going on, but I don’t share the news. I want to leave that joy to the happy couple.

I find myself wandering to the library again, still full of questions. The more I learn about the mate bond, the more it confuses me. With Alex, I knew as soon as I saw him after my shift, but Jamie and Rowan didn’t know until they touched. Maybe they knew but were too embarrassed to say anything? Alex and I were in wolf form so maybe that makes a difference.

I grumble out loud as I stare at the shelves. I don’t even know where to start, and given everyone’s sympathetic glances, I don’t think I can really ask more questions about mates. I pick a book at random and flip through the pages. I don’t really see the words, I’m too distracted by the growing excitement on the pack mindlink. I can feel it in everyone, getting riled up, and I instinctively seek out Alex.

‘Hey, you,’ he says to me, and I bask in the warm glow of his affection, even from afar.

‘I think we’re having a party tonight,’ I confess to him.

‘Oh?’

I can tell he’s remembering the first party we had together. And the first time we kissed. I grin even though he can’t see me.

‘I won’t spoil the surprise.’

‘I don’t think you’ll have to wait for long,’ he says, then I immediately feel his arms close around my stomach from behind me.

“You’re here!” I squeal, turning around on my tippy toes to kiss him. “And how do you keep sneaking up on me?” I playfully punch his shoulder, and he pretends to be wounded.

“I can’t help it that you don’t pay attention to your surroundings. I should have an armed guard assigned to you at all times at this rate!” He squeezes my hip and leans in to kiss me again. I start to sink in to his touch, but he pulls away. “Wait, what party?”

“It’s a surprise!” I insist.

He towers over me and pushes me backwards until I’m pinned against the bookshelf, and I get a flash of memory of the previous night, when I was topless and he pinned me to the bed. A blush settles on my face, hot and embarrassing, and he whispers, “Good, now tell me.” When I’m still silent, he catches the skin of my neck between his teeth, and moan.

“Oh, Alex!” My mouth drops open in blind pleasure.

“Tell me, or I’ll stop,” he whispers, pulling his lips back from my skin.

I sigh, but it sounds like a pant. “It’s not my surprise to tell.”

He frowns, but doesn’t pull away. “Fine,” he whines with a small laugh. “If you insist.” He leans back down to trace soft kisses along my throat. with one hand, he moves my head, angling me so that he can access more of my neck.

I gasp, and my breath comes out in a needy whimper. I press myself into his body, and he responds, holding me tight. His tongue slowly parts my lips, but then I hear something in the hallway a second before he reacts to it.

The door swings open, and Alex and I spring apart guiltily.

“There you are!” Molly says, and I hope her oblivious reaction isn’t an act. “Come quickly, there’s exciting news!” She ushers us forward, and I’m quick to follow after her.

I jump slightly when I feel Alex place his fingers on the small of my back as he follows behind us, but I don’t look back, and I don’t want him to stop.

In the main hallway, Jamie is waiting on the stairs, using them almost as a makeshift platform. A lot of pack members are around him, and when they see me, the energy in the room elevates just that much more.

“She’s here!” someone calls, and I’m ushered over to the stairs.

Jamie is ansty, waiting for me, but I’m barely in front of him for a second before he starts. “Alpha Holland–”

“Layla,” I correct him.

“Alpha Layla,” he says, his grin stretching across his face. “As you are probably aware, I have found my mate.” He holds out his hand to Rowan, and she’s practically glowing with happiness. She takes Rowan’s hand in hers, but she doesn't stop beside him. She pulls his arm around her and steps into his embrace.

"Hi," she whispers, just to him, as if the few minutes apart were a strain.

"With your blessing, Alpha Holland, I would like to accept Rowan as my mate."

"What? Yes! Of course you have my blessing!" I say, taking their hands in mine. "I wouldn't go against the Goddessx will. I mean, do you need my permission?" I drop their hands and face the gathered crowd, searching for Dan for guidance.

"Yes," Dan says, appearing at my side. "As Alpha, I approve of your match."

I smile gratefully and repeat after Dan. "May the Goddess bless you with the life you deserve. And may you be a source of joy to each other." The couple is beaming at me, and I feel their excitement in my heart.

"In that case," Dan says. "I think it's time for a celebration!"

The pack splits off, some rushing away to prepare for the celebrations, and some staying to congratulate Jamie and Rowan.

I'm thrilled for them until Dan puts his arm around me. "This will be you someday soon," he whispered, and my mood instantly soured. Dan smiled down at me and noticed my expression. "It'll happen soon enough. Don't let it get you down."

I shake off my fog and smile back. "I know, I'm fine. Let's celebrate!" I stay with the group, careful not to meet Alex’s eye as we move into the backyard. I smell the distinct scent of a grill starting, and I sigh happily.

“Oh! I can’t wait for the mate cake!” someone says, and several of the younger wolves are quick to agree.

“What’s mate cake?” I ask, quickly regretting my ignorance.

“Only the best cake ever!” a girl around Gracie’s age tells me, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

I giggle at her enthusiasm, and say, “I can’t wait to try it!”

She grins at me, and I’m struck again by how weird it is that the pack reacts the way they do to me. Any morsel of attention is eaten up by them.

I wander through the pack, making small talk with various wolves. Most have accepted me, but I still feel like several of them are waiting for me to screw up, waiting for an excuse to denounce me. But right now, they’re all friendly. Spirits are too high to remember little squabbles.

Someone starts some music, and an area of the grass is cleared for dancing. I stand to the side and watch as couples come together. Gracie, still heavily bandaged, but without a limp, joins a group of pups all dancing together, and I wave to her.

“May I have this dance?”

I glance behind me and see Alex, holding out his hand. “Are you sure?”

“For old times sake. We did go to homecoming together, afterall.”

I watch his face for a moment, looking for a hint of sadness, or maybe a trick, but all I see is love, and I want to dance with my mate. “Okay.” I take his hand, and his fingers lace through mine sending a thrill up my spine.

He puts his hand on my waist and guides my free hand to his shoulder. We start to sway to the music, but he keeps a careful distance between us. I’m acutely aware of the number of people watching us, but I can’t care right now. I only want to look at him.

“They’d throw a way bigger party for us, you know,” Alex says softly.

“They will. Someday.”

His smile grows strained. “Someday soon?”

I hesitate a beat too long, and there’s a sadness in his eyes. I emotionally brace myself, expecting him to flee, but to my surprise, he stays.

“Let’s just enjoy tonight, yeah?” When he smiles at me again, his expression is relaxed, and I relax a bit too.

“Please!” I say.

He leans in a bit, like he’s going to kiss me, and for a moment, I want him to. Then he pulls away to a safe distance, leaving me breathless. His fingers grip my side tightly, so I know he’s still here with me. For now.

Across the way, I see Taylor, but when she sees me, she abruptly hides behind Sammy. She peers at me from behind his back, a clear question on her face.

Is it okay that I’m here? she asks me across the mindlink.

I want to be mad, but all I feel is a rush of relief.

“You should go talk to her,” Alex says.

“Are you sure?” I ask, but what I mean is, is this okay? If I go now, can I come back to you?

“Yes!” he says. “I’ll be around, and I’ll always find you.” He gives my hand one last subtle squeeze, but he turns away, leaving me to go to Taylor.

Sammy backs away, but he hovers close by, waiting. I can feel the apprehension coming off of Taylor in waves even though I feel certain she can sense my relief.

“I want you to be here,” I say, as soon as I’m close enough to speak privately.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here before,” she says.

I hug her, and tension falls from her shoulders. “I’m sorry I sent you away.”

“I’m sorry that I can’t–that I gave you reason to send me away.”

I feel like this isn’t what she started out to say, but I decide not to push her. “We can both do better, so let’s? I need you. I can’t do this alone.”

“And I want to be there for you. You deserve it.” She tightens her arms around me.

“I–” at that moment, I feel my sense of Alex disappear. I glance up over Taylors shoulder, and see Alex walking into the trees. "You know what, it's a party, and I love you. And I think someone is wanting to dance!" I grin at her, and lead her gaze towards Sammy, standing expectantly.

“Oh, Layla, if you’re sure?”

“Yeah, I am,” I say, letting Sammy guide her away. “I need to go do something, I’ll be right back.” Taylor’s focus is already on Sam, and I try to keep my pace even and relaxed so I don’t draw attention to myself. But as soon as I’m in the trees, I shift, and sprint after Alex’s scent.