The Alpha’s Hidden Mate

Chapter 10: Mae

Liam and I had been enjoying a quiet moment, everything felt like it was falling into place. I was so comfortable with him, and even though it had been a completely overwhelming day, I felt ok.

But suddenly someone was walking towards us calling for Liam. She was tall, probably 5’10” with long straight black hair that went to her waste. She had ice blue eyes and her skin was pale. She reminded me of Snow White. She enclosed Liam in a hug and I saw him look at me over her shoulder. We had been so lost in each other that I didn’t even know how to react. My face got hot, embarrassed that we had been caught in such an intimate moment.

They pulled apart and she seemed to notice me for the first time. She smiled at me.

“Liam, aren’t you going to introduce us?” She asked, giving him a small swat to the chest.

“Charlotte, this is Mae. Mae, this is my sister, Charlotte.”

Sister. Now that he said it I could see the similarities. The same black hair, the same nose. They even carried themselves in the same way.

“What are you two doing here? Why is the cafe so empty? Did I interrupt something?” Charlotte asked in rapid succession. She didn’t seem to phased by the fact that 20 seconds earlier we had been holding hands.

“Char, Mae is, um, she’s -l,” Liam was struggling to find the words. He was trying to protect me, take things slow. And I felt a pang of guilt. If I had been raised in a wolf pack, like a normal werewolf, he would have probably already announced it to everyone that he had found me. I realized that this was hard for him to navigate as well. So I mustered up some courage.

“I’m his mate,” I said with more confidence than I was feeling. I stood up and put my hand around his waste. I couldn’t believe how good it felt to stand with him. I looked at at his face and he had a look of surprise and then glee.

Charlotte let out a scream.

“ARE YOU SERIOUS?! OH MY GOD, LOOK AT HER, SHE IS GORGEOUS!” She had taken my face into her hands and then pulled me into a hug. “I can’t believe it, I finally have a sister! I bet she is going to the best Luna”

I felt Liam start to pry her off me.

“Look, Char, we have some things to sort out. It’s a little complicated. Can you please try to keep this on the down low?” Liam practically pleaded with her. I looked around and the people behind the counter definitely heard what Charlotte had screamed. I’m not sure how long it would stay under wraps.

“Are you serious? Liam, this is great news, why are we keeping it a secret?“ Charlotte was still holding on to me like I was her own child. It actually made me feel very loved.

“Charlotte, what if I promise we can meet up tomorrow, say for lunch, and you can ask me all the questions you want,” I said.

“Really? Yes, I’m going to hold you to that. I’m dying to know everything about you.” Charlotte gave me one last hug and finally released me. “You’re not off the hook, big brother. We are also going to have a talk.” She poked him in the chest with the last word and turned to walk out, but not before giving me a little wave.

I let out a sigh and looked up at Liam. He was already looking at me with a big goofy grin. I couldn’t help but smile back.

“Are you sure about lunch with Charlotte tomorrow? You don’t need to feel pressured. She’s just excited, everyone is going to be excited,” he said with a concerned look on his face.

“I’m sure, I think we’re going to be really close.” It was the true. Charlotte was a little intense but she had a strong maternal presence that made me feel calm.

“I think I should call Lilly, do you mind if I step outside and talk to her for a minute?”

“Of course, I’ll just wait here.” Liam gave my hand a squeeze and I walked out the door. I pulled up Lilly in my phone, and she answered after half a ring.

“Goddamnit Mae, are you ok? It’s been hours with no update and I’m totally freaking out!” Lilly was practically reaching through the phone to smack me.

“I know, I know. I’m so sorry. Today has just been a complete whirlwind. But I’m fine, I swear. Liam and I have been doing a lot and I’ve been learning. A lot.” I wasn’t even sure what I was going to tell Lilly. She was my best friend but how do I explain this whole world to her out of the blue. I couldn’t even explain it to myself.

“Well I’m glad he didn’t lead you into the woods to murder you, I guess,” said Lilly grumpily.

“Lilly please don’t be mad. I’m sorry I made you worry. Would it help if I told you that Liam told me he likes me?” It wasn’t a lie, though I believe he had used the word “fated.”

“Really? Oh my gosh Mae, that is so exciting!” Lilly’s voice was high and excited again. “Do you like him too?”

“I do. I feel amazing when I’m with him.” That was the whole truth. I don’t think we had even talked for a whole hour tonight, but I knew that I wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.

“That’s amazing Mae. I’m really happy for you.”

“Thank you. I’m really happy.” I giggled. I felt like a weight was lifted off me. Talking about it and being honest with my feelings felt great, even if it felt a little crazy at the same time. “I’ll call you tomorrow for a dish session. I promise. But I need to go, Liam is waiting on me.”

“Ok hun, have fun and don’t forget to use protection!”

“Lilly!” My mouth opened wide, but she had already hung up.

I walked back into the cafe feeling a lot lighter than I had before. I was feeling a lot more confident in myself. Liam was typing on his phone, looking very sexy. I was feeling particularly bold after my conversation with Lilly, so I walked up to him and gave him a peck on the cheek.

He looked at me both surprised and excited.

“What was that for?” He asked.

“You looked really cute and you’ve been so patient with me today. I know you’re probably extremely busy so I just appreciate you giving me so much attention.” I was feeling a little vulnerable with Liam, but it also felt completely right to be here with him.

“I’m feeling a little bit dinghy. Do you think we could go some where for me to freshen up?” The start of the day felt like a million years ago and I could use a minute to clean myself.

“Yes, absolutely. How about this. Let’s walk down to the pack house, where I live, and that way you can see more of the pack land. Then you can use my shower and I’ll ask Charlotte to drop off some extra clothes. And then maybe we can grab some more food? Chips and guacamole probably aren’t going to hold you over.”

“Ok, that sounds great.”

We left the cafe and walked down a gravel path. People passed us by and many said hi to Liam or gave a respectful nod, which he returned. Some of them did the same to me, though many gave me a curious look.

“Packs tend to be very close, so if they don’t recognize someone with their Alpha, it’s sure to raise an eyebrow,” Pearl told me.

We came upon two massive building. Each of them was 6 stories tall. One of them has massive windows that looked over a pristine lake.

“Wow! This Is beautiful. Are these building Victorian Gothic Style?”

“Yes, my great grandfather had them built in the 1860s. Over the years we’ve updated them to the latest amenities but I do love the style so we never changed it. This one here is the main pack house. It’s where I live, and Garrett and Ronan. They are my number one and number two. This place couldn’t run without their help. It has our dining hall, kitchen, meeting rooms, common rooms, and a few guest rooms. The other building has a school, visitor accommodations, and some more common rooms.”

Liam led me to a small door on the side of the building.

“This way will be a little more discreet.” He put his hand in the small of my back as he held to door open for me. I didn’t hate it.

He pressed the button for a small elevator to our right, and when we entered he placed his thumb on a button labeled PH. It scanned briefly and gave a soft beep.

“Only people with prior approval can get up to my place. I’ll have you cleared right away,” said Liam as the elevator started to move. He took my hand in his and we sat in comfortable silence for a moment, feeling the sparks flitter between us. His smell filled the elevator and I took a blissful deep breath in.

“I love your cologne. It smells like cedar wood and fresh cut grass,” I told him. He broke into a big smile.

“Is that what I smell like to you? That sounds nice. It’s not a cologne, mates have unique smells to each other. To me, you smell like a flowery garden and the air after it rains,” he said. He leaned over me a little and smelled my hair. I was acutely aware of how close his body was to mine. I longed to reach and touch him, run my fingers in his hair, feel my body pressed against his.

Just as I was getting lost in my desire, the elevator dinged and the doors opened onto the top floor. I shook myself out of my haze. Liam stepped off the elevator and I followed him. We walked down a short hallway into a large living room. It was decorated in navy blue, sky blue and gray tones. There was a flat screen hanging on the wall above a fireplace, a large L shaped couch faced them. A kitchen with stainless steal appliances looked over the whole room, and a large, dark-wood dining table sat next to a window.

Liam led me past the kitchen to another small hallway that had an office and meeting space, a few unused rooms, and a bathroom. Beyond that was the his bedroom. There was a massive bed, larger than a king, centered against the back wall. There was another fire place with a tv above it as well, a large book shelf in the corner with chairs set up with a reading nook, and the doorway for a large walk in closet.

I peaked through the bathroom door and saw a large shower with a rainfall spout, a whirlpool tub, Jack-and-Jill sinks and a beautiful vanity tucked in the corner.

His place was bigger than my entire apartment complex. It was streamlined and masculine, just like Liam.

He was standing to the side, watching me take it all in. I could feel his nervousness.

“Do you like it? I know it doesn’t feel exactly ‘home-ey’ but I hope that maybe one day you’ll want to join me here and we can make it our space.”

Our space.

I had never had a serious relationship. Not that I had never noticed other men, but there was nothing that had lasted more than a couple months. The idea of living with someone hadn’t even been a blip on my radar before. I had always been fiercely independent, and if I was honest with myself, my sudden and primal desire to be with Liam scared the hell out of me. I didn’t want to lose myself and everything I worked for. Eventually I knew that I would need to let my walls come down if I wanted to move forward with him. But I needed to make sure we were on the same page and he was going to respect and support my dreams too. Still, as Julie had said, I could do a lot worse.

“It’s lovely, Liam. It really like it.” I smiled at him and gave his had a squeeze. Just then my stomach let out a growl. Liam was right, chips and guacamole did not hold me over.

“How about you jump in the shower for a second. I’ll get in touch with Charlotte for some new clothes and I’ll have some food brought up.”

I smile and nodded and started to walk toward the bathroom. And then a thought occurred to me.

“Hey Liam, do you think I could get your phone number? It seems like something I should have but we seem to have skipped a few steps.” My cheeks warmed. It felt like such a simple request, and considering the circumstances not an outlandish one. Why did I feel like I was asking a stranger ?

He gave me a bright smile.

“Yes of course, I’ll make sure you have it.”