The Mating Game - Chapter 4：3.

“She should wake soon. I feel her wolf stirring.”

I guessed I had died and gone to heaven, because the deep voice that rumbled those two sentences had chills running down my spine all the way down to my toes. I’d never dreamed just the sound of someone’s voice could be so attractive, but this angel had definitely proved that wrong.

Everything was dark, I couldn’t see. I was probably blind. Jessica probably killed me and ripped my eyes out or something creepy like that. I could see her doing it. She just seemed like the type. I hated Jessica. If I was really dead I was definitely going back and haunting her.

“Tell us everything that happened.” I heard my father ask the beautiful voiced stranger.

My father was here. I wasn’t dead. I had remembered arms catching me before I could hit the dirt again. The wolf who saved me must be the beautiful voiced stranger. He must have brought me home after Jessica attacked me.

“I’d like to share my story when your alpha arrives if that’s alright, I don’t like repeating myself if it isn’t necessary.” There went those damn chills again. Maybe I had hypothermia, yeah, that’s it.

I heard the front door open then and I realized we must be in the living room, I was laid across the couch, blankets piled on top of me. The scent made me feel safe, the familiar feel of the couch underneath me.

“Where is she? Is she alright? Who did this to her?” I heard Ty growl out and moments later he was by my side, his hand finding mine underneath the blankets and squeezing tightly. “Why isn’t she awake yet?”

I heard a growl from the other side of the room and moments later Ty’s hand was ripped from mine as my father chuckled. I wanted to punch him for chuckling.

The front door opened again and I heard two pairs of feet shuffle in. I assumed it was the Alpha and Luna coming to get the strangers account of what happened so he could be on his way.

“Ah, Alpha Lithe, thank you for staying around so we could take justice on who’s harmed our beta’s daughter.” I heard Alpha Shelton’s voice radiate around the room.

Alpha Lithe was the Alpha of the pack that neighbored us, the biggest pack in North America. He must be the stranger with the beautiful voice. Great, I had a crush on the voice of the most powerful Alpha in the states.

“I didn’t do it for your pack. I did it for the girl.” I heard Alpha Lithe rumble. “I was running rounds when I saw an auburn wolf struggling to hold something under the water. I was going to ignore it, but my wolf insisted I check it out. When I realized she was trying to drown the little golden wolf something snapped and I had to intervene. Now I realize why.”

My eyes fluttered open then and I took in my surroundings. I saw my Alpha and Luna standing next to my parents across the living room, Ty close to his father. I looked up and into the back of a mountain of a man. He was at least 6’5 with a broad, thick chest that screamed masculinity. He looked like he was all muscle if his chiseled back was any indication of that. I realized then that he wasn’t wearing a shirt because he had given me his. I sniffed the shirt curiously and found it a mix of earth and peppermints and it made my wolf happy, she wanted to roll around in the scent for hours.

All eyes focused on me then, and the man turned around, his blue eyes locking with my own as Ty stormed from the house. I didn’t understand why until fingertips brushed hair from my face, caressing my skin delicately. I thought someone had set me on fire with what one little brush of his fingertips did to me. A pulse of electricity flowed between us, making me feel safe, like his arms were my home. I wanted nothing more than to crawl into this strangers arms and stay there for the rest of my life.

‘MATE’ My wolf screamed in my mind and my eyes grew wide as I pulled away from the stranger.

Alpha Lithe was my mate. I was to be the Luna of the largest pack in the US. Why me? What could I possibly do for a pack? I couldn’t even defend myself against a Delta’s daughter.

The thought of Jessica had me burning with rage and I put the mate situation on the back burner, pulling myself up from the couch as my mate tensed, ready to catch me if I were to fall back.

I didn’t. I stood easily, anger pulsing through my veins like wildfire.

“Where is she?” I growled between grinding teeth, my jaw clenching and unclenching with the effort it took to keep my wolf at bay. She wanted the she-wolf’s blood, and she wanted it now.

“India, I think you need to calm down for a moment.” My mom spoke softly, her eyes filled with worry.

“I don’t need to calm down. I need to kill that bitch. Who does she think she is.” I was pacing then, my anger rising as I thought of all the ways I wanted her dead.

“I think we have a bigger issue to address right now sweetheart.” Alpha Shelton spoke softly to me, like he was speaking to a child.

“Right, I’m mate’s with hotshot Alpha over there, I get it, but Jessica tried to murder me, you do understand that don’t you?” I growled as I heard mr. mate chuckle.

“Yes, I understand that, and when we find her, she will be put to trial for her actions.” He spoke assuredly.

Ty walked back in the room then and I nearly broke down at the sight of him. He was tired, worried, and he looked exhausted. Most of all, he was hurt. I could see it in his eyes. I hurried towards him then, but before I could get a few steps towards him I was pulled back by a set of strong arms.

“Don’t even think about it.” Alpha Lithe shot towards me and I pulled away, growling towards him as I headed towards Ty, letting him pull me into a tight embrace.

“I’m sorry Ty.” I breathed as I wrapped my arms around his chest tightly, burying my head against him.

“It’s not your fault. We knew better.” He told me soothingly.

I felt energy pulsing through the room and I knew I needed to get to my mate before he shifted and tore Ty to pieces. I pulled away reluctantly and walked over to Alpha Lithe then, putting my hand on his shaking forearm. “I know that I am yours. I can’t deny that. I know that I have to leave with you, but I couldn’t do that without saying goodbye. I’m ready to leave now. I’m sure Alpha Shelton will call if they find Jessica.”

He simply nodded, “Pack your things, say your goodbyes, I’ll be waiting outside.” Then he headed outside, leaving me with my family and the family I thought of as part of my own.

“India, we are so happy for you.” My Luna breathed first, pulling me into a tight hug.

When she let me go I said my goodbyes to Alpha Shelton and my father, who looked proud of me.

My mother followed me upstairs to help me pack my things, shutting the door behind her and locking it to give us time alone. As soon as the lock clicked tears streamed down my face. This was my last moment in my room, in my house, with my family.

“Oh India, I’m sorry it wasn’t what you thought it would be.” My mother breathed, pulling me into a tight hug. I knew she was talking about Ty. My mother had known for a long time how I felt. It made the tears flow faster. “I’m sure Alpha Lithe will be a good mate for you, you are destined for each other after all. The goddess of the moon never messes these things up darling.”

“He loved me too you know.” I whispered and understanding crossed her features as my mother hugged me tighter.

“If it’s meant to be, you will find each other again, but don’t you dare fight your mate bond because of it. No one will ever be able to love you like your mate does. I know it doesn’t seem that way now, but give it time, you’ll see. I love you, and you know I love Ty as if he were a son to me, but you two, you aren’t meant for each other. He will find his mate, and you know I’ll make sure she’s a good woman before I approve. You’ll always be friends, you’ll always love each other, but not the way mates do. This is a good thing sweetheart. You might not can see it now, but you will in time. Trust your wolf.”

“I guess this is it then.” I sighed and my mother nodded, slipping out of the door as Ty slipped in.

My heart dropped as I took him in. He looked nothing like the carefree sweet natured Ty I had known all of my life. He was hurt, he was angry, and he was heartbroken. He pulled me into his arms then, crushing me against his chest one last time.

“You’ll call me if you need me right? If anything happens, if he does anything you don’t like, you’ll call me? Promise me.” He looked down at me, his brown eyes pooling with concern.

“I promise.” I whispered and he nodded, stepping away from me and taking my bags, walking out of the room with them.

I looked around at my bare room then, wrapping my arms tightly around myself, trying to keep it together. I knew I had to leave, that my mate was waiting on me and I needed to go. I sighed, locking the door and stripping Alpha Lithe’s shirt from me and tossing it on my bed, pulling on a pair of dark jeans and a T shirt with a pair of chucks. I threw my hair up into a messy bun and headed down the stairs then, hugging my family one last time before walking out the door and climbing into Alpha Lithe’s truck.

He pulled away from the drive as soon as my door was closed and my seat belt was fastened. I watched my home disappear in the side view mirror as tears rolled soundlessly down my cheeks. Alpha Lithe sighed when he noticed, cupping my chin so I had to face him, his blue eyes burning into mine. “I am sorry India, I am. It may not mean much to you right now, but just know that I wish it didn’t have to hurt you so much. I will do whatever it takes to make you happy with me, just try to keep an open mind.”

I nodded and he released his hold on my chin as I looked out the window then, watching the trees fly by in a blur.