6

Eliane POV

Sleeping early yesterday was for the best, I woke up in a good mood and full of energy. The fact that we are having dinner with the two top families of the Northmoon pack made me feel excited. After breakfast, I started making the brownies while Maya went up to finish unpacking her boxes. I decided to make some mini egg rolls too since the Alpha and Beta seemed to prefer salty treats.

Lunchtime came very fast, I didn't notice since I was busy organizing my cooking stencils and the rest of the groceries shopping from yesterday while Maya did the laundry. We decided to make omelets with onions, mushrooms, and extra cheese. Maya wanted to take me shopping for a new outfit and I had a hard time convincing her that I already have more than enough. Well since I don't go out that much all my clothes are still brand new.

I still had time, so I decided to study for a couple of hours. My GED test is scheduled for next week and I didn't open my books since the night we decided to move away. I'm not stressed about it, I'm quite confident actually but I wanted to do my best, I wanted Maya to be proud of me. I went to my room, opened my laptop, spread my books on my bed, and focused on my studies.

"Hey gorgeous, it's 4:30" I jumped from my bed startled, I didn't notice her coming in.

"If you intend to take a bath, I suggest you do it now"

"Yeah, I'm almost done" she walked into my bathroom and heard her filling the bath.

"Thank you, can you do my hair afterward?"

"Sure what do you have in mind?"

"Nothing complicated, just a french braid"

"Sure, call me when you're ready" she walked away and I went back to finishing the math mock test.

I took a long relaxing bath, washed my hair, scrubbed my body, and brushed my teeth. One hour later I was standing in my walk-in closet, warped in a towel and still undecided about what to wear. For some reason, I wanted to dress to impress but in a casual way. I finally decided to wear a V-neck, thin white woolen dress, It reached few inches above my knees. It hugged perfectly my body and it highlighted my chest and hips. I'll wear it with black tights, white sneakers, and my black leather jacket.

When I was done preparing my outfit, I blow-dried my hair, brushed it then put it in a high bun. I put on my clothes then applied some mascara and lip gloss. I opted for Gold Rosebud Stud Earrings with it matching necklace and bracelet. Maya got them for my sweet sixteen, it's my most precious treasure. I grab my comb and walk into Maya's room. She was sitting on the floor typing an email in her pajamas, she had a towel wrapped around her hair.

" Beta Rain will be here in less than forty minutes"

"I can get ready in five minutes" she replies without lifting her eyes from her screen. How can she live so stress-free, I'll never understand.

"You look beautiful and....... sexy! trying to impress someone in particular?" She says when she finally looks up

"No, Am not,....is it too much?" Should I change into jeans and tee?

"No gorgeous, I mean it as a compliment. You're perfect" She stands up and gestures for me to sit on her bed, I do and she starts braiding my hair. I like the feeling of her hands in my hair, it's relaxing. She's done too soon for my taste. I stand up and look in the mirror, perfect as usual. She stands next to me with a smile then bends to give me a kiss on my head.

"You've grown into a really beautiful girl", her voice was full of pride some sadness, I smiled back fighting my tears.

"Not as beautiful as you", I clear my throat and walk to the door, "You have twenty minutes to get ready". I walk down in a hurry, to put the brownies and the mini egg rolls in plastic containers.

At 6:30 exactly, the doorbell rang. I opened the door knowing very well it was Beta Rain and let him in after greeting him. He looked good in his black dress pant and white shirt. "Well looks like we choose matching colors, it will make someone jealous", He said with a wink making me blush. "I'm pretty sure about that," said Maya coming down.

She looked amazing in her blue skinny jeans and her long-sleeved red blouse, it reached mid-thigh and had floral embroidery on the chest. She was wearing a red stiletto that made her legs look so... Ouf. Her hair was in a beautiful mess of fluffy weaves and of course, she wore no makeup. She held in her hands a black trench coat and a small leather backpack.

"Well beautiful ladies, your ride is ready," Beta Rain said while bowing. I giggled and rushed to the kitchen to grab the food containers while he helped Maya put on her coat. He locked the door for us and helped us get in his big SUV. He waited for us to get comfortable in the heated car before driving away, he's a true gentleman.

The ride to his house was about twenty minutes. Beta Rain fill it with small talks and general information about the pack and the buildings we passed by. The packhouse looked so big and bustling with people even from afar. I was grateful that the dinner location was changed to the Beta's house, which was a big three-story house but compared to the packhouse, it looked more welcoming.

The moment the car stopped in the driveway, the front door opened and a lot of people came out. The Alpha with a beautiful blond lady was at the front. I could see behind them Luc and Alex and two other girls. Beta Rain escorted us to the front door. I was holding Maya's hand to ease my nerve. The moment we stood in front of the small group, The lady gave us a bone-crushing hug. The Alpha had to remind her That Maya was Human.

"I'm sorry, I'm just happy to meet both of you. I'm Helen Bloom, the Alpha's mate and the Luna of the Northmoon pack", We mumbled a nice meeting you while she stepped aside to introduce the others.

"This is my daughter Paula and.." She didn't get to finish before her younger version squealed and gave me a hug too.

"I'm so happy to finally meet you, I heard so much about you. Oh my gosh, you're so cute, I love your outfit, it's soooo cute" Luna Helen had to push her back to finish the introduction.

"I believe you met my son Luc", he gave us a nod making quick eye contact, "And this is Alexia, his mate and Beta Rain's daughter", When she took a step toward me, for a hug I suppose, I took one back and looked down, she was the girl with Luc at the dinner. I heard a whimper followed by a low growl than a louder one, making me grab Maya's arm and hiding my face in her chest.

"You gave us your word, Alpha," Maya said in an angry tone, I don't know what was going on but a heard a couple of smacks. When I looked back, Luc and Alex were holding the back of their heads.

"Apologize now!" the Luna was glaring at them. Alexia was the first one to step in front of us without getting too close.

"I am very sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feeling yesterday, I should've never left like that. I really want to be your friend and I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me" Maya nudged me when I didn't say anything, I didn't know what to say so I just nodded my head a couple of times. Alexia pulled Luc next to her. He was frowning, I guess he still doesn't like me. He mumbled a sorry and stepped back. It was awkward now how everyone was looking at Alex. He cleared his throat a couple of times, scratched the back of his head but still nothing.

"Could you drive us back, Rain?" Maya said frustrated

"No, no wait" Alex was flustered, "I'm sorry..I didn't mean to scare you or to intimidate you. I was just...." he scratched his hair again. Maya sighed and turned toward the car, "I was curious, I wanted to know more about you, so I followed you around, It's just that I never met anyone like you..."

"You mean a rogue?" I asked feeling knots in my throat.

"No, I mean beautiful, I never met anyone as beautiful as you", I felt the blood rushing to my face, my knees felt weak and I couldn't form any word. The Luna along with her daughter was giggling while I think I heard Luc calling him an idiot.

"Well then, I think we can get inside now," The Luna said cutting short the awkward moments. We walked inside following her with the rest behind us. Beta Rain took the food containers from me and gave them to Alexia, who thanked me for the gesture. He then took my jacket and Maya's coat and guided us to the dining table. There was no Beta female and since they didn't say anything about her, we couldn't ask either.

The Alpha sat at the head of the table with the Luna at his left, next to her was Luc than Alexia and Alex. On the right side sat Beta Rain then Maya, me then Paula. The food looked delicious, they've made many things; Cobb salad, Pot roast, fried chicken, Mac and cheese, Buffalo wings, seafood pasta, tomato soup, and much more. Wow! how did they manage to make all this and in big quantities.

"We didn't know what you like to eat, so we tried to diversify the menu, I hope it's to your liking" Alexia was trying her best to start a conversation with me and I couldn't be rude.

"Thank you, it must've been tiring to prepare all these dishes" She blushed and glanced toward the Luna, she seemed embarrassed about something.

"Actually, the kitchen staff back at the packhouse were the ones to prepare everything" The Luna joined the conversation, "Alexia just started her Luna training, It's quite intense and time-consuming. She's also studying to be a nurse at the same time" The Luna seemed proud of her. Luc kissed her hand, it was so sweet.

"Well even if I had time, I don't think it would make any difference, I'm not good with following the recipes and the food ends up uneatable."

"Welcome to the club, before Eliane, I used to live on junk food and deliveries, I didn't even bother to try," Maya said attracting their attention to me, "Now I feel like I have my own personal chef"

"Well, I'll look forward to tasting your food," The Luna said excitedly.

"Oh by the way, did you make two desserts? you brought two containers" Asked Paula

"No, the second one contains mini egg rolls, since Alpha Jacob and Beta Rain said that they prefer salty treats"

"That's thoughtful of you, we'll snack on it tomorrow at the office, thank you Eliane" I nodded at the Alpha too shy to look him in the eyes. Beta Rain thanked me too.

"You work during weekends?" Maya asked them and they started talking about their working hours with the Luna complaining about them working too much.

"What did you make for dessert?" Alexia asked with a smile

"Caramel brownies" I responded with a smile of my own. Alexia glanced at Alex and smiled at him.

"That's not fair how come you only prepared Alex's favorite, next time can you make mine" Paula begged with puppy eyes. I didn't know it was Alex's favorite.

"Thank you Eliane" Alex whispered across the table

"It's nothing" I mumbled blushing, I couldn't look him in the eyes for too long, his earlier comment was still ringing in my head. I tried focusing on the adult conversation but the girls kept talking to me about various things and somehow all the topics ended up about Alex. Luc didn't talk much except to respond to his mate.

"So, how about joining our high school, though it'll be only you and me since these three are already in college, enjoying their adult life," Paula said out of the blue, attracting the Luna's attention.

"Oh yes sweetheart, how about it? you'll make new friends and I'm sure the boys there will go crazy about you" a cracking sound made me look toward Alex.

"Your Hand!!!" I screamed when I saw his bleeding hand. The broken pieces of the glass were still in his hand. His jaw muscles were tense and his eyes were glaring at the Luna. No one seemed to be bothered by the sight of the blood or his intense glare. Actually, except for me and Maya, almost everyone had a smirk on their faces.

"Son, how about you clean up your mess, we have guests" Beta Rain seemed annoyed more than worried about him. Alex picked the glass pieces and left the table without a word. Well, I understand that with his healing abilities, that kind of wound would be forgotten by the end of the dinner, but I'm sure it must've been painful. Then again, how come no one seems to care about what just happened?.

"Are you OK? does it still hurt?" I asked him when he came back, a napkin wrapped around his hand.

" Yeah I'm fine, it doesn't hurt anymore" His dazzling smile and the shining of his eyes got me off guard, 'Your beautiful,.... You're beautiful' kept repeating in my head. I want to look away but I couldn't tear my eyes away from his.

"Earth to Eliane, Earth to Eliane" Paula was laughing while calling me, Alexia and Luc were laughing too. Did I space out? Oh no! I made a fool out of myself.

"We were talking about going for a run after dinner, do you want to join us?" My heart started beating fast. I can't shift in front of them. I don't want them to see my wolf, to make fun of my size, and laugh at me. I turned to look at Maya but the adults were busy talking among themselves.

"Come on, It'll be fun, we can have a race, girls VS boys" Alexia laughed at her idea, I looked down on my plate trying to find a way to decline. I really don't feel comfortable about the idea.

"Then how about a walk?, we can show you around without getting too far from the house," Alex said in a soft voice, I guess he really is trying not to scare me.

"Ok" my voice was a whisper but the moment I spoke, they all rose up ready to leave. Aren't we suppose to wait for the others to finish and clean the table. Alex walked out and somehow I was disappointed. He asked me for a walk and then left without me.

"Going somewhere?" Luna Helen Asked eyeing her daughter

"We're going for a short walk mum". I exchanged a look with Maya letting her know that I'm OK and that I wanted to go with them, so she smiled back.

"Here you go" I turned around and Alex was behind me holding my jacket. So that's why he left. I felt somehow relieved. He helped me stand up and put it on. Once I was done I walked away from him and stood next to the girls. That was a nice gesture from him, I guess he's a gentleman like his father, but the physical proximity was still not good for my heart, he's still intimidating. We said our 'byes' and heard back the 'be careful' and 'take care of the girls' before finally leaving.

Going outside was actually a good idea, the fresh air, the smell of the dirt, and the trees were relaxing. Paula was leading the way, I was walking next to Alexia while the boys were following behind us. We walked around the house then into the woods. The moon was illuminating the path making it look like a magical one. I could smell and hear the rustling of small animals around.

The walk was filled with the girls' chatter, telling me about their childhood memories, how they used to follow the boys around and the pranks they used to pull on their parents. Alexia, apparently used to bully Luc when they were kids, she even pushed him from a second-floor window when she was seven and him eight. He broke his arm and it took ten days for it to heal. Paula didn't remember much about it since she was four at that time, but she did remember her brother crying himself to sleep every night, thinking that she tried to kill him.

They all started to laugh at him for that particular memory. Luc started chasing Paula promising to make her cry. When we couldn't see them anymore, Alexia excused herself saying that she has to save her maid of honor. It didn't sink in immediately but when I wanted to ask her what she meant, she was already gone leaving me alone with Alex. What should I do? should I follow them or should I wait here?

"Let's continue, they will catch up once they are done acting childish", Alex said leading the way. It was awkward walking behind him in absolute silence. Is he mad because he was left behind and he has to keep me company? I wanted to go back to the house but I couldn't muster the courage to voice my wish.

We walked a little bit more before reaching a little clearing with a big oak tree in the middle. The tree was so big with thick low branches. I can see myself napping under it during summer days. When we got closer, I saw two swings hanging next to each other. I really wanted to get on it but they were a bit high for me, reaching my chest. I would definitely make a fool out of myself trying to get on it.

"Want to get on it?" Alex asked me sensing my internal struggle. I turned around to refuse but before I could say anything, he lifted me up as if I weighed nothing and put me on the swing. I made a squeaky sound at the sudden movement.

"That was a cute sound" Alex laughed sending a pleasurable shiver through my whole body making me want to hear more. "You can let go now", I looked at him not understanding what he meant, so he nodded at my hands. I didn't realize that I was clutching his upper arms. I mumbled a sorry while removing my hands and holding onto the side ropes of the swing. He didn't say anything while backing away. He sat on the other one with ease. We started swinging in awkward silence.

"What did she mean maid of honor?" I asked after a while, I couldn't take it anymore.

"Alexia and Luc are getting married in three months".

"Aren't they still young?"

"Well Luc proposed on his sixteenth birthday when it was confirmed that she was indeed his mate", High-ranking wolves can recognize their mates at the age of sixteen, while the weaker ones can do it when they are eighteen.

"Wait, what do you mean 'Confirmed'?"

"Well, he was in love with her since we were kids and was waiting for his coming of age to confirm it"

"Oh OK, and so Paula is the maid of honor?"

"Yes and I'm the best man", talking to him now was easier so I kept asking.

"So how old are they anyway?"

"Luc just turned twenty-one and Alexia and I will be twenty in two months"

"You're twins!!!!" They don't look alike at all

"I know right! I take after dad and she takes after mum", his voice got softer when he mentioned his mother. I couldn't bring myself to ask anything more.

"So...Are you going to attend the local high school," He asks me without looking at me and could see how tense his shoulders were.

"No"

"Why not?"

"I prefer homeschooling"

".....Do you need...... help to study?" help? like him helping me?

"I'm good, thanks"

"Well if you change your mind, let me know" so he was talking about himself

"So what do you usually do during your free time?"

"Nothing much, cleaning, cooking and watching TV"

"You're the one taking care of the house? what about Ms. Evans?"

"Maya usually works long hours since she has to provide for the two of us. And when she gets home, she has a second job, an online one. She barely has time for herself".

"She sounds like a nice person"

"She's the best but a piece of fair advice never piss her off. She's scary when she's angry and she holds grudges for ages"

"Yeah, Tell me about it, She's intimidating for a human, she scared the shit out of us yesterday when she snapped at us"

"That was nothing, she was actually about to track you down, Luc and you, to mmm....."

"To what?"

"To castrate you both" His eyes bulged and he put his hand on his...thing in a protective way.

"What?"

"I barely held her back, I think she still intends to do it", I felt like teasing him more, "Maybe she'll forgive Luc since he's going to get married soon but I'm not so sure about you" I wanted to push it a bit further but the look in his eyes was priceless. I couldn't keep it anymore so I laughed, I laughed so hard that I almost fell down from the swing. In a blur, he was in front of me helping me down.

"Is this a joke? Did you make it up?" He asked me startled.

"No, I swear, she really was coming for you" I start laughing again, now he's really scared of her.

"I'm sorry," He said after a while, he took a step back and went down on one knee while holding my hand, "I'm really sorry for scaring you, for making you feel bad, for making you cry......" He was looking me straight in the eyes. I didn't know what to say, "I'll make it up to you, just give me a chance and I'll make it up to you, one chance and you won't regret it, please say yes" He sounded sincere, he looked sincere and besides I've already decided to give this whole "life with a pack" a chance.

"Yes"

"OH MY GOD!!!!!! Did you just propose, and Did you just say yes!!!!! OH MY GOD" Paula's screaming startled both of us. Alex stood up and rolled his eyes while I started blushing hard.

"No that's not what you think, he..." before I could explain she bolted out toward the Beta's house. Luc and Alexia were standing here too.

"Luc, stop your sister," Alex said exasperated

"Let her tell them, It's going to be funny" Luc shrugged it off and started walking back too.

"Believe me, she shouldn't tell the adults" Alex insisted while following after him

"And why is that?" Alex looked back at me and his sister

"Because she will castrate us for real this time".