Mated After Redemption {Alpha Mate's Series}

Chapter 6

I stopped walking as soon as I got outside, closing my eyes for a few seconds and breathing in the fresh air. The scent of a hundred different flowers wafted into my nostrils.

I opened my eyes, taking in my surroundings. What I could see confirmed my suspicions; Kane's pack was really large. Houses and lands stretched as far as the eyes could see.

I took a last glance at the house. I glanced up and fancied I saw a curtain upstairs twitch. Kane, I thought. But it was absurd to think that it was him. He probably had a million other things to do than to stand there watching me leave.

A little way in front of me, the Omega was talking to someone. I couldn't see much of her companion, just dark long wavy hair, so I guessed it was a woman.

The Omega said something and turned to me. They were talking about me then. Unhurried, I made my way to them. The Omega finished talking to the woman and shifted slightly.

The woman was beautiful, petite with brown slanted eyes. Her stomach bulged out of the long, flowing gown she wore. She was heavily pregnant and with the way her stomach was distended, she just had a few months to go. Our eyes met. Plastered on her face was a broad, welcoming smile. Unlike the mocking version I had from Kane, this woman's smile was warm, reassuring and friendly. I felt something in me responding to her warmth.

"Hello, Eleanor" She said when I was within earshot, bowing deeply. "My name is Naomi. You're going shopping and I'm to be your escort. I hope you like shopping as much as I do. I saw some pretty dresses at the mall the other day. I can't wait for you to try them on." She clapped her hands in excitement.

I stared at her stonily.

Seeing I wasn't going to reply, she motioned to a guard who got into a car he was already standing beside. He revved the engine and stopped smoothly in front of us.

I didn't know much about cars, but this one seemed to purr as it moved. It was sleek, shiny and expensive looking.

The doors opened and Naomi motioned for me to get in. I stood where I was for a while. I was determined not to make it easy for Kane, Naomi or any of them.

Finally I got in, scooting over to the far end of the seat; Naomi getting in beside me. The plush leather seat seemed to mold itself to my body, making me more comfortable.

The doors slammed shut, and we were on our way. I looked out of the window, but the windows on the passenger side were tinted. The driver's seat was separated by a partition from the rest of the car. Damn! On this trip, I had wanted to use the opportunity to get the lay of the land in case an opportunity to escape presented itself. But Kane had thwarted me again.

I turned to Noami as I realized she had said something.

"I was saying that you could have some refreshments if you like." She thumbed a button in the car's interior, revealing an array of drinks and snacks. I glanced at it and away.

"How do you like it here so far?"

I stole a glance at Naomi. She was still smiling at me expectantly. I didn't want to talk to her or get friendly with any member of Kane's pack but there was just something about her that I liked.

"I hate it here. It sucks." I found myself saying. I stopped, half expecting her to turn cold towards me for berating her pack and home, but she just looked at me inquiringly.

"Kane. . .how do you or anyone cope with him? He's pompous, self absorbed, arrogant. He always enforces his commands on me and I hate it. I hate him."

My outburst to this woman surprised even me. I found I was sitting up, my muscles rigid and tense, my hands clenched. I forced myself to relax more comfortably in the seat.

Naomi gave a short laugh.

"Please, don't let it get to you. I admit he can be a bit. . . intense when you first start getting to know him. That's how he has always been. Besides, he's an Alpha. Alphas can be a little too domineering sometimes." She turned to me, her brown eyes staring into mine. "As an Alpha yourself, I'm sure you can relate."

I turned away, biting back a retort. I wasn't in the mood to argue. If she had deluded herself into believing that Kane's annoying nature was normal, I wouldn't enlighten her.

I stared out of my window, even though I could not see anything. Naomi seemed to sense my sour mood and let me brood.

In a short while, we arrived at the mall. The guard opened the door for us and we got down. The mall was huge and I was pretty sure that the smallest item here would cost the earth. I made as if to walk to the entrance, glancing behind me at the stony faced guard.

Naomi seemed to read the question in my eyes and motioned for the guard to wait in the car. She probably didn't want me to feel like a prisoner-even though I was- while we went shopping. There were likely to be lots of Kane's pack members around though. It seemed I was his new plaything and he would take every measure to make sure I couldn't escape.

She headed straight to the clothes section in the mall with me beside her. Some of the attendants spotted us and made their way towards us, bowing and curtseying. They seemed to know Naomi well and fussed over us.

One of them held a short, whispered conversation with Naomi while I took in the sheer luxury of the items on display. From their conversation, I caught the words "spare no expense."

The attendant nodded, motioned for us to follow her, and led us deeper into the clothing section. I looked around me, admiring the clothes and accessories on display in spite of myself.

The attendant gestured to rows and rows of clothes.

"Thank you" Naomi said to her. "I'll take it from here."

"If you need anything, anything at all. Please let me know."

Naomi nodded in acknowledgement as the attendant bowed and left.

"Well, here we are." Naomi said, spreading her hands wide to encompass the room. "Let's begin." She rubbed her hands in evident enjoyment.

I went on staring as she went to a rack and flicked through the clothes with the air of an expert. She pulled out a black knee length dress, held it up against me, frowned and put it back.

Naomi reached a dress that made us both sigh in pleasure. It was an electric blue gown made from the finest raw silk, in a shade of cream that complimented my coloring.

"It will match your beautiful eyes," said Naomi, handing the dress to me. "Try it on." Then as I made no move to take it from her "Please" she pleaded.

I changed into the gown, Naomi helping me with the fastenings. It was exquisite and fitted me like it was made for me.

In the dressing mirror, I saw a smile lift the corners of Naomi's mouth. I felt an answering smile grow on mine and I quickly scowled to hide it.

"It's absolutely beautiful, but then you are beautiful. You'll look like a vision in this dress. I love it, don't you?"

Meeting her eyes in the mirror, I reluctantly nodded.

"Alright then." She said in a breezy manner. "This one's coming home with us, but you still have lots more to try on."

I took off the dress, hanging it carefully.

Naomi made me try on a lot more gowns. One in particular was a very short, beautiful sequined gown which showed my breasts to the fullest extent. I saw Naomi eye the gown speculatively. I blushed and put it back on the rack. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her slip it into the clothes we had already bought.

"Can we go now?" I asked. I didn't want to admit it but I was enjoying shopping with Naomi. I couldn't remember when I last had girl time. Watching her sort through clothes, I wondered how a pregnant woman could have that much energy.

"No dear, try on some more. Let's get some practical looking clothes too." She said, grinning at me.

I grinned in return. Finally, the arms of the attendants laden with our purchases, we made our way to the car.

The clothes packed in the boot, we made our way back.

Naomi's phone rang. She dug it out of her purse and answered.

"Ryan" she said tenderly, love in every syllable.

On the other end, I heard a familiar voice ask her where she was.

Ryan, Naomi was the Beta's mate then.

I felt the car stop and seconds later the door opened. We were back at the pack house.