The Alpha’s Hidden Mate

Chapter 2: Liam

I had been a guest speaker for Professor James for many years, basically when I became Alpha of the pack Quartz Moon 8 years ago. While he wasn’t a wolf himself, he was aware of our existence and was always helpful when we were expanding our portfolio. It didn’t hurt that his own daughter was the mate of one of my pack members.

I enjoyed doing it. Sometimes we recruited talent, but I always enjoy talking with Jed. But for some reason my wolf was very antsy today. We woke up unable to feel calm today.

Maybe it’s just stress. I have been running an entire pack without a Luna for the last 8 years, and while I had lots of help, I just wanted that partner. It’s hard to be the Alpha with no Luna.

I pulled open the door to the lecture hall.

“Ah, Liam! Please join me at the front! Class, please welcome Liam Neal.”

I walked to the front, hearing the light murmuring in the room. I smiled inwardly to myself. As an Alpha, I was used to extra stares, but when I was in human spaces I was acutely aware that I stood out. I shook hands with the professor.

“Thank you for having me. Professor James has been sculpting the next generation of architects for a long time, and has helped me in some of my more challenging design issues. I -“

The faintest smell reached me. Like the air after a summer rain and flowery earth. It was barely there, but it was the most wonderful smell I had ever experienced. Where was it coming from? Then I saw her. She had big beautiful curly brown hair and honey-brown eyes that I could get lost in. Her skin looked milky smooth and her lips were plump and pink. But something strange was going on. This didn’t feel like the mate bond that I had been told about, but there was no doubt in my mind that there was something special about this woman. My wolf, Echo, seemed confused too. He could feel her, but he couldn’t understand it. He whined a bit in my head. I peeled my eyes off her and continued my spiel. I needed to figure this out.

When we wrapped up the lecture I was instantly surrounded by a gaggle of women. While they were objectively beautiful, I couldn’t help but look over them at the woman in the third row. She caught me staring and blushed, then got up to leave.

Crap.

“Excuse me ladies, this has been a great talk but I do need to get going.” I turned to Professor James.

“Jed, who was that woman in the third row? Curly brown hair, green shirt.”

Jed thought for a moment. “Oh, I think that is Mae Sullivan. Why?”

“I think I need to talk to her.” I gave him a knowing look.

“Oh. Oh!” He gave me a small smirk. “I believe she will be going to the agriculture side of campus. I know she has a project there.” He went to his briefcase and pulled out a campus brochure and pointed to an area across campus.

“Thank you, Jed.” I left the lecture hall and looked at the map again. I had never been to that side of the campus, so I wasn’t sure exactly how to get there. I took my best guess and started walking. After a few minutes, I caught the faintest scent I had found in the lecture hall. If I wasn’t looking for it I would have missed it. I must be on the right path. Soon I was in front of a green house. I could smell the flowery earth and air after rain. It was so slight, but intoxicating. I walked in.

There she was. Writing something in a notebook, her left hand absentmindedly twisting a curl. She stopped and turned around and saw me.

“Oh! Mr. Neal! Can I help you? Are you lost?” Her eyes were large and a blush crept into her cheeks again.

Shit. I didn’t really think this through.

“Jed, Professor James, said I could find you here. And please, call me Liam.”

“Ok, Liam. Can I help you?” She didn’t move or take her eyes off me. I realized that I probably seemed incredibly intrusive in her green house with only the one exit. And to be honest I wasn’t exactly sure why I was here. I just knew I needed to be around her. Echo was pacing in my head. He didn’t know what was going on either but he didn’t want her out of our site. I had to think quick.

“Yes, I think you might be able to help me. Jed mentioned that he had a student who was studying to incorporate food production and housing. I think you might have some great insight for a project I’m working on.” It was a stab in the dark, hopefully it resonated with her.

Her eyes lit up and her shoulders visibly relaxed.

Bingo.

“Yes, Mr. N - Liam! That is something I’ve been really interested in, actually what I’m hoping to work on after I graduate.” I could tell she was trying to keep the words from tumbling out. It was adorable.

“Great, do you have time to meet up tonight? Maybe around dinner time to talk some things out?” I held my breath. It wasn’t exactly a lie, I needed to expand some pack housing. Adding our own food production would just be an added bonus.

She pulled out her phone and swiped a few times.

“Yes, I have time. Does 7 work for you? We can meet by the campus entrance and maybe pick a place to eat close by.” Her eyes met mine again.

“Yes, 7 would be great. It’s a date.” I turned and left before she could respond. I found myself desperately not wanting her to deny this as a date.