The Alpha's Lost Daughter

Chapter 18 - Lina

I went to bed at three in the morning. I can't believe how many people wanted to meet me or talk to me tonight. I'll never be able to remember everyone's name. And what's with the instant Mate thing? So now JJ and Ray have life-long partners that they don't even know. I definitely do not understand that part.

'Our Mate is a part of our soul. Meeting him will make us feel whole in a way you can not even imagine at the moment. It will send sparks through you and awaken feelings and emotions you never even thought were possible, you'll see. It will be the best day of our lives.' Layla responded to my thoughts.

I woke up just before lunch. I can't believe the weekend went by so fast. I slowly get up and get ready, pack up all my things and make my way to Masons room. When I get inside I find all his things are already gone. But why would he not wake me?

I make my way to the car with my things and almost everything is already packed in. Only my things and the last case of Masons instruments need to get packed.

"Lina, I see you have finally decided to join the land of the living." "O please like your one to talk, if your not on stage you are hiding in your room like a Vampire or something." Mason nudges me just as I placed my bag in the car. Once everything is ready to go, I close the door and lock the van. "Let's have lunch before we leave, I'd rather not have to stop on the way back if that's fine with you?" I ask and Mason agrees.

On the way to the dining hall everyone we walk past greets me or moves and bows their heads as a sign of respect, which I now know is shown to the members ranked higher than you and as part of the Alpha family, the only members ranked higher than me are my parents and Alek or Alphas from other packs. "Why does everyone keep bowing like you are some sort of royalty or something?" Mason asks as we entered the dining hall. "I'm not quite sure, all I know so far is that my parents are high ranking officials of some kind. It feels weird though." I tried to be as honest as possible without exposing the truth about the werewolf world just yet.

I see my family all sitting at their table and we join them. It was a pleasant lunch with light-hearted conversations. They all make an effort to get to know Mason and include him as much as possible. When we were done they all walked us to the car. I took turns hugging each of them. 'Remember to link us every 5 minutes past the hour point to see where the link reaches, that way we can communicate as frequently as you like', Mom told me with tears in her eyes. 'I had Alec draw up a training plan for you. Please try to stick to it as much as possible. I don't want my daughter being defensive', Dad said while hugging me tightly. 'I expect to hear from you every day or I'll come looking for you if I don't.' Alec tells me in the sternest voice he can muster, but I can feel his fear and hug him tighter to reassure him. 'I expect to see you next weekend to help me move and see my new pack.' JJ said before ending our hug. 'I'm going to miss you. Please call or text me every day and don't forget to come visit me too' Rachael's voice was breaking as I held her. 'I will.'

"I'll see you all again soon." I said while getting into the car for the drive back home. Mason silently observed us and waved goodbye as we drove off.

Ten minutes after getting on the main road, Mason spoke for the first time. "So, did you at least enjoy your birthday weekend?" "Yes thank you Mason. I mean there were quite a few unexpected surprises, but I think they were mostly good surprises." the car fell silent for just a moment before he asked "how do you plan on telling everyone at home you found your family?" "Honestly, I have no idea. I don't want to hurt anyone, you are all my family and that will never change..." "but they are your family too." Mason finishes my sentence for me.

I spent the rest of the trip home contemplating the different scenarios in my head while we drove in silence, mostly anyway. 'Were about 10 minutes away. 'Can you still hear me?' I asked and everyone responded. I sigh in relief knowing even if I can't reach them from my room, 10 minutes is not too bad. 'I just passed my school, everyone still there?' 'Still here' 'Yea'.

'OK, I'm parking in front of the house. Have I lost anyone yet?' This time only Alec responds. 'Alec, do you know if anyone else heard me?' 'Only me, but we are in the pack house at the moment and we all heard you from your school 5 minutes ago, which means if we are in the woods west of the pack house we should all be able to reach you through the link most of the time, depending on where you are.' 'I wonder why you can still hear me when no one else can.' 'It only means our connection is stronger than the rest of our family's connection. You might be able to hear all of us once your connection grows stronger with us all.' Alec explained. 'OK well, I'll talk to you tonight then. Be safe Alec' 'You to sis.' My heart almost stopped, that's the first time he called me sis and it made my heart swell with emotion.

"Are you ok?" Mason asked me. "Yea, fine. Why?" "Lina, I can see the tears running down your cheek. You don't need to be scared. We all love you and I'm sure they will all understand. Like you said, you are not replacing us, your family has just doubled in size."