Not Believing in Mates

Chapter 6 Melonie

A week passes by with no contact from Melonie’s supposed mate. She was relieved. Having a goddess given mate? As if. Luckily, he dropped the issue and left her alone. Unluckily, however, she will be seeing Alpha Abrahms today to initiate the temporary transfer to the Crescent Dawn pack. Her application for the academy went through smoothly and she was already on her way to their territory, packed bags sitting behind her.

Although her wolf was nervous, pacing in her chest, Melonie was calm. This was like a new start, which she had plenty of experience with. Pulling onto the side street next to the large packhouse did bring her to a pause, however. It was much smaller than she expected, but far more elegant. Architecture hinting at ancient times and a large garden out front with several children running through it. This was far more welcoming than she expected, the gates being wide open to anyone.

Taking a few steps on to the property, however, does quickly bring another to her side, “Hello, welcome to the heart of Crescent Dawn. Do you have an appointment?” it's a younger girl, likely around 16 or 17 who addresses her first.

“I am here to see Alpha Abrahms for a temporary transfer while I am attending Dawn Crescent Academy.” Melonie pulls her gaze from the movement in the gardens to give her attention to the girl playing reception. She finds it interesting that they would have a child acting as so instead of a warrior.

The girl just smiles brightly, “Oh, that’s great! I can bring you to the Alpha’s office. You can call me Feli! I’m going to go to the academy too once I finish high school. What are you studying?” This girl was a bit too perky for Melonie’s liking, but she would accept the guidance regardless. It was better than looking suspicious wandering around the house of another pack, afterall.

“Music.” She decides to at least attempt politeness, giving an answer even if it’s a short one.

“Oh, that’s cool! I heard the music program is hard to get into, that’s why so many people go into the theater path! Musicals are a good way to start your singing career, too! Do you play some instruments too, then? I’m sure you’re amazingly talented if you’re going to get through that course!” Melonie doesn’t say anything or move to correct Feli that she is not, in fact, planning to become a singer of any kind.

A few minutes pass of the mindless chattering from her escort, and Melonie thanks the goddess when they finally reach their location. “It was nice meeting you.. Hey, you didn't tell me your name!” Melonie just glances at Feli again before knocking on the door and entering when called, not giving her name or even a thank you.

“Melonie,” the warm smile of Deta Derek greets her. She glances around, but it seems he is the only one present in the room. “Take a seat,” he gestures to a couch against the wall next to her, “The Alpha is finishing up in a meeting, feel free to make yourself at home while you wait.” She gives a little nod before moving to sit, glancing around as she does so. After a minute or two, the Beta looks towards the door, “Please excuse me, but something requires my attention.” And he exits the room.

Melonie quickly grows bored of waiting, tapping her fingers on the side of the couch. After ten minutes, the last five which she had counted the seconds of in her head, she stands up and makes her way behind the desk towards the bookshelf. She was told to make herself at home, wasn’t she? Surely she would not be in trouble for simply reading a few book titles.

Most of the books were about werewolf history and laws. Things that may be important to reference as an alpha. But lower on the shelf was a row of fairy tales, a few of which she had heard, but some of which she could only tell were in the same category due to matching authors names and the books looking to be a shorter length. She runs her fingers over the spines of a few before moving to look at the surface of the Alpha’s desk.

It was a nice desk, polished and all, however another book sat atop it. This one was a more recent history book, more of a record book, really. Records of Blood Moon pack. Her fingers hover over the cover, debating if she would dare to touch something on an Alpha’s desk. However, her curiosity wins and she finds herself flipping to the first page. It was records of her own pack, afterall. Surely she could gain this information back home if she truly wanted it.

The records seemed rather boring, most listing a date and a brief description of all births, deaths, mating ceremonies, or anything else of note. The records start about twenty years back, and flipping to the end she notes that it ends midway through the previous year. She’s about to close the book and return to meandering when the door opens, causing her eyes to snap up.

“Melonie,” A welcoming smile meets her despite the way Alpha Abrahms’ gaze obviously moves down to the book her hand is resting on the last page of. “It seems you took our welcome to heart, making yourself familiar with things.” His eyes return to hers as his smile turns a bit mischievous. Melonie just narrows her eye in reply, finishing closing the book before stepping away from the desk and moving back to the couch.

A beautiful little laugh escapes his lips at her actions, Alpha Abrahms finally stepping into the room and closing the door behind himself. “I am only poking fun, my dear. I am glad you find yourself comfortable as you will be staying at the packhouse during your stay.” He makes his way towards his desk, removing the jacket of his suit as he does so. Melonie can’t help but watch his every move, the way his shirt pulls tight against his back, briefly hinting at how toned it must be. Admiring is confident walk to the small fridge next to it, the graceful way he leans in to grab something from it.

“Would you like a drink?” He pulls a bottle of wine from the little fridge, pouring out two small glasses and setting one down across from her before she can even respond. She just leaves it on the table, not bothering to decline since it was already poured.

“What needs to be done for the temporary transfer?” She cuts right to the point, forcing her eyes to look back at his face even as they wish to drift down and take in the way he leans back against his desk. His gaze which seems to be studying her every movement.

Alpha Abrahms takes a sip of his wine before reply, “Nothing much, the paperwork has already been finished.” He moves over to sit next to her on the couch, setting his glass next to hers. “This meeting is more of a formality, it is to verify that you are not a danger to any of my pack members. They are my family, and I would never do anything to hurt them. However, I don’t think it is necessary with you.”

Melonie feels her breath quicken the slightest bit as he leans his face in closer to hers. “Instead I would prefer to speak of something much more personal, if that is alright.” Something personal? That is absolutely not alright. She did not do personal, yet she can’t seem to find the words to decline as he lifts a hand, gently grabbing her forearm so that she can not immediately bolt. “Please, explain to me why you think we can not be mates?”