Strangers to Mates

Chapter 11: Silverwood pack

(Back to Erin's POV)

Raymond and I decided that starting next week I'd spend time with his mum, learning about being the Luna, while he had alpha training. It did make more sense like that because technically I wasn't a pack member, yet. I wouldn't be for a few more hours. Yup, Thursday had passed and it was now Friday morning. I was home alone due to the fact that Alpha White had called Raymond down to help with set up. So here I was sitting in the kitchen starring out the window with a mug of black coffee in my hands. I was engulfed in my thoughts about joining the pack. It was weird, I never thought I'd leave my old pack but here I was two weeks later getting ready to sign my name making me a part of the silverwood pack. I knew that once I signed my name on that document I'd be cutting all ties to my previous pack, and I'd feel that shift in me. It was kinda like signing your soul away but not as dark. But I knew that I wouldn't regret it, I coudln't regret becoming part of my mate's pack. I had to admit that as the days passed Raymond and I got closer in many ways. I didn't like trusting people very easily but I was learning to trust him, I guess I already did but I wasn't ready to admit that yet. Trusting people doesn't always turn out well for me.

After I'd finished my coffee I showered and changed into jeans. It took me longer to figure out what shirt I'd where. I wasn't gonna get all dressed up because it wasn't like some party. Well I guess that's a bit of a lie. There would be a stage set up outside where the signing would partake with pretty much all the pack members around to see, they'd introduce me then I'd spend hours getting to know the pack, so in a way it was sorta like a party. I wanted to dress nicely but still casually so I wouldn't wear a tee shirt even though that was two thirds of my wardrobe. After standing there for a while I finally pulled a blank tank top over my head before throwing a grey cardigan over top. I French braided my hair and put on some nude colored lip gloss. It was a little passed lunch when I had finished and came downstairs to meet a returning Raymond.

"Hey." I greeted with a small smile.

"Hey babygirl." he said returning my smile as he came to a stop in front of me, placing a quick kiss on my lips. "Are you ready?"

"Defiantly." I knew he was really tired because the past few days his dad has being really tough on him, making him train longer.

He was being a total hard ass thinking that now that Raymond found his mate he's gonna start slacking off. But from what I know about Raymond, which is a lot already, he wouldn't be one to slack off, he's not that kinda person. He was so tired I knew he just wanted to sleep all day but he was also happy that today I was becoming part of his pack so of course he wouldn't sleep. I slipped my hand in his and we went out to his truck.

When we arrived I was kind of surprised by how big the stage was, which only meant that there would be lots of people. To say I was nervous was an understatement. The whole pack would be here to watch me sign into their pack and then I'd have to go down and meet them all, no doubt with Raymond glued to my side. I didn't do very good with a large amount of people starring at me.

Raymond lead me back stage just as pack members were arriving and before I knew it Alpha White was talking up on stage,

"Today we will be welcoming a new wolf into the pack. A few of you might have caught a glimpse of her already but we're here to make it official." The crowd cheered, probably always happy to have a new member. It didn't happen often so the pack would be either happy or suspicious, I think they were happy.

I watched Charlotte take over and say, "Please welcome Erin Farewell"

Raymond led me onto stage as the crowd erupted in applause. My heightened sight let me see the shocked faces of half the people. I think they were expecting a guy from the name. I smiled shyly as we stopped beside Alpha White. I noticed the small table and chair beside the mic stand. I sat down as Alpha White handed me a pen. Raymond and Charlotte backed up as he began,

"Do you, Erin farewell, promise to stand with this pack and never against it?"

"I do."

"To obey our rules and laws?"

"I do/"

"To fight among us if necessary."

"I do"

"And to never cross us with another pack."

"I do."

"Then you may sign the document before you."

And I did so, signing the first, third and fourth page before Alpha White signed the fourth page making everything official.

"Welcome to the silverwood pack Miss Farewell." he said to me before continuing to speak to everyone. "Everyone welcome your new fellow pack member and future Luna"

There we're a lot of shocked faces but everyone bowed their heads in respect. I felt my cheeks grow warm, I was not used to this, I can't imagine what it'll be like once I actually am Luna.

"Now please everyone eat and meet our new member" Charlotte said with a hug smile.

I watched the crowd disperse a bit as people were excited to find the food. Alpha White and Charlotte walked off stage leaving Raymond and I, who was starring out at all the people. He came and stood behind me when I felt his hand trace lines up and down my forearm. I leaned on his chest slightly still watching everyone. The second I had signed my names for the third time the ties to my old pack broke and I could feel something shift in me as they tied themselves into this pack.

"I'm a member of the silverwood pack." I obviously stated not sure what else to say.

"Finally." he mumbled happily.

"Finally." I repeated, turning to face him.

We stayed like that, just looking at each other, for a while when I remembered that we were still on the stage.

"C'mon, let's get some food, I haven't eaten since breaky." I said, pulling him off the stage by the hand.

I heard him chuckle and we made our way into the crowd. Raymond kept me close to him, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. I smiled up at him, wrapping mine around his waist right before we were stopped. I didn't mind meeting new people but I was kinda sad that we didn't make it to the food first. I swear I met almost everyone in the pack before we finally made it to the food. Every time after we said goodbye to a few people we were saying hi to a new little group. I must have gotten a dirty look from every teenage girl close to our age, it was starting to piss me off. After an hour of getting dirty looks I probably would have strangled them all if Raymond didn't do something to reassure me each time. Either he pulled me closer to him or kiss the top of my head, it calmed me down a bit each time. I filled my plate as full as possible before Raymond and I took a seat on one of the many blankets that were on the ground for people. After finishing all my food rapidly I stole a cookie off of Raymond's plate. Hey, male wolves might have had a big appetite but I did too when I don't eat for over seven hours.

"Hey! That was mine." he complained, pouting slightly.

"Not anymore." I say grinning then eating the last bite.

"Now you owe me." he says with a pointed look.

"I don't know? You made me go seven hours without any food, I think it was more like you owed me." I said with a fairly straight face before bursting out in giggles.

My eyes brimmed with tears from laughing so hard. Oh the look on his face was hilarious. After finally calming down I placed my hand on his shoulder and lightly kissed his cheek.

"Why don't we head home, you need to get some rest."

"I'd love to." he agreed, finally showing his exhausting, which I knew he had hid all day because of the people.

I stood up, extending my arms down to him. We headed back to the truck and he mind linked his mum, letting Charlotte know that we were leaving.

"That reminds me." I said once we were both in the truck, "We can finally mind link."

Now I can say whatever to you and no one will know, I watched him smirk as he spoke in my head. Okay, maybe I shouldn't have reminded him right away cause I have a feeling he won't stop talking in my head for the next 24 hours. What would you say? I inquired, side glancing at him as we pulled up to our house. Before we got out he whispered sweet nothings in my head, making me furiously blush.

"Urge, why did you have to do that. Now I look like a tomato." I said out loud trying to hide my face in embarrassment.

"But you're so cute when you blush." He protested only making me blush more if possible.

He moved closer over to me and tried to pull my hands away from my face, but wasn't very successful.

"If you won't move your hands away I have ways of making you." He threatened but I could hear the smile in his voice.

I shook my head, thinking I can withstand whatever he tries. Sadly I was wrong, so wrong, and I totally blame the fire the bond creates. He gently kissed the back of my hands, then down my wrists. I melted against his tender touch and my hands fell down and I gasped in shock when his lips were suddenly on mine. But just as quickly I kissed back, bringing my hands up to his neck. Without warning Raymond spoke more sweet nothings in my mind.

I broke away and said, "You just had to ruin the moment!"

I lightly pushed him away and got out of the vehicle, heading inside the house. I made my way straight up to our room and changed into his t shirt. I came back out into the room right as Raymond walked in. Without a word I crawled into the bed. I heard him sigh before walking in and out of the closet, the only difference was that he came out in only boxers. He joined me, lying beside me and I finally said,

"Your so annoying sometimes, did you know that." I wasn't really that mad, I just wanted him to think I was because he was annoying sometimes.

"Ya but you still love me." He teased, running his nose along my jawline.

"And if I do?" I said, more serious now.

I don't know if what I felt for him was love yet, but I knew I was working in that direction.

"Then you'll feel how I'm starting to." he said honestly, relaxing against the bed and me.

I didn't say anything, to busy smiling like an i***t. His arms were wrapped around me while a watched him fall asleep. I couldn't stop smiling even as I drift off to sleep.

We spent the weekend being lazy together while Raymond caught up on some much needed sleep. We stayed in bed most of the time, only getting out to eat and go to the bathroom, and watched TV or slept. Honestly it had been forever since I just took a weekend to relax. Raymond slept more than me but I didn't mind being stuck in there with him. If he was asleep and I had to get up I had to wake him, because his grip only tightened on me if I tried to leave. Normally in the mornings I didn't have any trouble but for the past 48 hours he's been reluctant to let me go. I think he knew that for at least two more weeks his dad would put him in longer training to make sure he didn't slack so we wouldn't see each other as much.

Right now I was sitting up, flicking through channels because nothing good was on, and Raymond's arms were wrapped around my torso and his head was in my lap. I ran my fingers through his hair and starting dozing off myself, it was getting pretty late, but I was so content with the way things were at the moment. I finally decided on one of those old black and white movies. I didn't watch them often but I also didn't mind them. Slowly, I fell asleep still sitting up.