Strangers to Mates

Chapter 10: Dinner

The next morning the bite had healed but that didn't change the fact that I was marked. My aura had changed slightly giving off signals that I was taken. Any other wolf could tell it just from being in the same building as me. Raymond was being extra nice to me even though he normally was anyways. I could tell how happy he was that I was now officially his and that no other wolf like the one from last night would even try anything on me if they knew what was best for them. The weekend had ended and Raymond had alpha training for a couple hours each day.

When it was finally Wednesday I was so nervous it wasn't even funny. I might have been nervous for Raymond to meet my parents but that was nothing compared to what I was feeling about meeting his parents. It's not that I didn't want to, I actually really wanted to but what if they didn't like me or thought I wasn't suitable for Raymond or to become Luna one day. I would have to after all with Raymond next in line to become alpha.

When Raymond left for his daily training I decided that I should get ready since we would be going to his parents for dinner not long after he came back. I showered before changing into the dress I bought. I dried and curled my hair, laying it over one shoulder. I normally didn't wear any make up except lip gloss so that was all I had. I finally decided that I'd just put on a nude color lip gloss since we'd be eating. I grabbed a black leather side purse, the same kind as all my other ones. Raymond said I should be myself in all ways possible even though I said I wanted to wear a dress for good impressions. I debated with myself for a when but then I grabbed a pair of socks and my converse out of the walk in closet. I stood in front of the bed and set my stuff on it.

Suddenly I felt those familiar, strong arms gently wrap around my waist and I leaned into Raymond. He nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck where my mark was placed and mumbled,

"Does it still hurt" he'd been asking that the past three days even though I hadn't felt any pain since his teeth embedded themselves in my skin.

"Not at all." I replied smiling at his everlasting concern and protectiveness for me.

"That's good." he said bringing his head back.

He kissed my cheek bone lightly before realizing I was in a dress. He pulled away gently turning me around so he could see me better.

"Beautiful." he whispered as his eyes scanned me.

"Aren't I always." I joked lightly.

His eyes returned to mine with a serious look, "Yes, you are."

I blushed from his intense yet loving stare.

"I think you should go shower now or we'll be late." I say lightly pushing him in the direction of the bathroom.

"Don't leave without me." he called before shutting the door.

I laughed to myself, "like I even could." I called back.

I didn't know where to go, even if I wanted to leave without him, which I didn't of course. Since he marked me the bond between us had tripled in strength, I knew that when we mated it'd triple it again, but I was far from ready to mate, he was lucky that I let him mark me.

I sat down on the bed and put on my socks and shoes when I heard the water turn off. I honestly have no clue how he showers so fast, I swear he's in there for like five minutes each time he takes a shower. He came out in jeans and a button up shirt. Oh so I'm not the only one that has dressed up a bit for this dinner. Well I'm guessing he probably has to, it's dinner not training so he has to look almost... professional. His dad thinks appearances are important, or at least that's what Raymond said while complaining to me one night. He smirked when he saw my converses and I looked away embarrassed.

"Should I change shoes, I think I should change." I rambled and started over to the closet.

He put out his arm to stop me.

"No, you should never change." I blushed at his deeper meaning and he did to a little bit at his words before adding, "um, besides they show a part of who you are."

I smiled as my blush left my cheeks and I took his hand,

"Are you ready to go?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? He inquired.

Damn it, now that the bond was stronger I couldn't hide nothing from him.

"Ya, I'm ready." I say trying to tell myself that I wouldn't be nervous any longer.

He nodded taking my hand as we headed down stairs and got into his truck. I was constantly tapping my fingers on my knee until the moment we pulled up in front of their house. 'It was so big' was my first thought. I took a deep breath as Raymond came around to my side, helping me out. We intertwined our fingers as he gave my hand an encouraging squeeze. Raymond didn't even knock on the door before walking in and calling,

"We're here."

When no one answered Raymond lead me to the back door and we walked out onto the deck where his parents sat at the table. His mum quickly came over and hugged Raymond,

"Oh honey it's so nice to see you."

"Hey mom." He said slightly embarrassed.

When she pulled away she turned to me.

"You must be Erin, oh Raymond's said so much about you." she said before pulling me into a hug as well.

I first I was shocked but hugged back moments later. When we pulled apart I said politely,

"It's nice to finally meet you, Luna."

"Oh nonsense, call me Charlotte" she said with a bright smile.

I could tell Raymond got most of his looks from his mum. The dark hair, the green eyes, everything. She was a beautiful woman but her eyes were no where near as vibrant as Raymond's. Next his dad came over to us. He shook hands with my mate before saying to me,

"It's nice to see you again Erin"

"And you as well Alpha White" I said respectfully.

We shook hands as he had with Raymond and Charlotte explained,

"I thought the weather was just so nice that we should take advantage of the it eat outside. Food will be ready in a couple minutes why don't the two of you take a seat while your father helps me bring the dishes out." before dragging the alpha into the house.

"They like you." Raymond said as we sat beside each other on the bench on the opposite side of the table.

"Ya your mum does, she's so nice. But I'm not sure that your dad is so sure about me." I said.

"No, I can tell he likes you. That's just him being himself, my mom's the only one that can get him to smile." Raymond says reassuringly.

I nod my head with a smile when they come back out with the plates already dished up. I thanked his mother as she set a plate with a salad and steak on it, like there was on every other plate, in front of me. The diner had gone by much like the one with my parents except it was his parents, more his mum, who had asked me questions. Raymond answered sometimes letting me eat like I had for him. His mum asked her last question before we went in for desert. Alpha White asked to speak with Raymond in his office while his mum and I sat in the living room, eating dessert. They'd been up there for a while but Charlotte used the opportunity to tell me embarrassing stories about Raymond as a child. She told me the first time he changed he was goofing off so much he ran through the window, it was actually the window in this living room, and he had broken it. He's dad had been so mad but Charlotte thought it had been hilarious. She told me so many more things like that, saying that they could go on forever.

*.*Raymond's POV*.*

Dad brought me upstairs into his office and shut the door behind him. It looked like it always did, organized. I sat in one of the chairs that were in front of his desk and watched him walk over to the other side, sitting in his chair.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked causally.

"Your mate is a nice girl." he commented.

"Okay." I say not understanding why he couldn't say it downstairs.

"She'll make a good Luna. Have the two of you talked about how she will be the Luna of this pack one day." he inquired.

"Once. She understands the position she's in." I say seriously, knowing that's how my father wanted me to act.

"I'm thinking she should come over a couple times while your training. Your mum can talk to her about the responsibilities." He stated like there was no room for discussion, and I knew that there probably wasn't.

"Alright, I'll talk to her about." I said standing up, ready to leave.

My dad and I didn't agree on much, the mate stuff ya, but everything else was very, uh, well we agreed to disagree. Like I told Erin, he's all black and white and I just love the color grey. My father stood up with me and we made our way back downstairs. I instantly relaxed when I hear Erin's laugh. God I loved her laugh and her smile. I saw that her and mum were on the couch talking.

"What's so funny?" I asked picking her up and setting her back down on my lap as I took her spot.

"Your mum was just telling me about her nickname you had when you were younger." she said wrapping her arm around my neck.

She leaned forward and whispered in my ear, "Ray Ray bear." She pulled away laughing.

My cheeks heated up from embarrassment and I hissed at my mom,

"Why would you tell her that."

"So she can use it against you." she replied jokingly, at least I hope she was joking.

I should have know that she'd do something like this. It was my mother after all.

"I think it's time we head back before my mom tells you anymore stories about me." I said lifting Erin up before standing up myself.

"Oh but we were having so much fun." Erin pouted but I stood my ground shaking my head.

"Nope c'mon" I say grabbing her hand, leading her to the front door.

"It was nice meeting you, I had a pleasant time." she called over her shoulder.

"You to darling." mom called back.

When we had left the house and we're back in the truck Erin said,

"I like your mum, she's really nice."

"Ya, everyone who meets her says something along those lines. Sometimes I wonder how she got paired up with my dad, he's so up tight." I say agreeing with her.

"I'm sure he's a nice guy too," she says trying to defend him, which was totally pointless but I knew she had good intentions, "besides your uptight too."

"I am not." I tired to protest but instantly gave in, knowing it was partly true, "But that does remind me, he wants you to come spend more time with my mom while I'm training. Just a couple times to get the jests of the whole Luna thing." I say waiting for her reaction.

"Sure, I wouldn't mind. It'd actually be kinda helpful since I'd have no clue what to do. Like I know what the Luna's role is and all but still." She said nodding her head.

"Alright. So what else did my mom tell you?" I asked changing the topic.

"Wouldn't you like to know." she teased with a wide grin.

"Yes, I would." I say moments before pulling up to our house.

"Well I guess you're going to have prove that to me." she teased again, running out of the truck and into our house.

God I loved the sound of that. Our house.

I shook my head running after her into the house. When I didn't see her right away I sniffed the air, trying to see which direction she went in. It was kinda hard with her scent every where and if I didn't have alpha blood I might not have been able to find her but in minutes I was upstairs and found her in our room. She was standing on the other side of the room, the bed in between us. I swear this girl surprised me constantly. I walked up to the other side of the bed starring at her. Her eyes danced with laughter and I lunged at her. Erin moved at the last second and I landed half on the bed, half off. She ran back around to the other side, laughing.

"It doesn't look like you really want to know." she said in an almost taunting manner.

I decided that now would be a great time to take advantage of my werewolf speed and in a matter of seconds I was standing behind her. I threw her over my shoulder before she had a chance to realize what was happening.

"Convincing enough." I say walking a small circles.

"Nope." She said popping the p.

"What about this?" I ask before gently tossing her onto the bed, pinning her down.

"How is this suppose to convince me?" She questioned, clearly confused.

"Like this." I say, placing kisses down the center of her throat, knowing the effect I had on her.

In all honesty she had the same effect on me, especially when she wanted to.

"No," she said, but I could her straining to keep her composure.

"This?" I kissed along her cheek bone and along her jaw.

"Nah." she said giggling.

"I know your ticklish spot if you really want to go there." I threatened, smirking.

I still remembered, it was the third night she was here, I can't remember how it started but next thing I knew I was tickling her everywhere, trying to find her one spot. It didn't take me long, her entire torso was ticklish and that was the second place I tried.

"No, no. Please, have mercy." she begged, knowing how ticklish she was, she couldn't deny it.

"Then you have to tell me at least one thing." I said, still pining her arms down.

"Fine, just don't tickle me." I nodded my head telling her to continue, "you were three when James tripped on you accidentally, making the two of you roll down a hill and that's when you both had your first kiss." she said grinning like a fool, probably thinking it was just so funny.

"That doesn't count, it was a accident, he fell on me." I said embarrassed.

When we were ten and our parents brought up the memory, James and I had decided not to say another word about it.

"I think it's cute." She said, making my cheeks turn tomato red.

"Technically you were my first kiss." I said trying to defend myself.

"Technically you were mine to, but it's still cute."

"What do you mean technically?" I asked, still or letting her go.

"Well I've kissed mum and dad and Chris and Sadie on the cheek, but they're all family to me" she said, finally trying to sit up.

I smirked when she couldn't move but let her up. I liked that I was her first, I intended to be her first and last everything, so things were working out well for me.

"Good." I said still smirking.

I watched her roll her eyes before covering a yawn. I turned to see it was already eleven.

"C'mon, we should get ready for bed." I said pulling her off the bed.

She nodded and said, "did you know that you're really tiring to run from."

A smiled tugged at my lips but I only left a half smile cross my face,

"Did you know that you're not really hard to catch." I said as we walked into the closet.

"Maybe but I ain't easy when it comes to anything else." she said changing into the same clothes from the night before, my black tee shirt.

I noticed that she wore that one the most. 'Huh' I thought slipping out of my clothes.

Erin was already in the bed when I joined her, pulling her close to me. No one truly knew how happy I was know that I'd found her. I'd gone a whole year without my mate and just that much time was getting to me and my wolf. I watched her fall asleep as her breathing evened out. She was so beautiful, she looked like an angel asleep. She is an angel, my wolf, Thomas, said. Yes, I agreed. You took long enough to mark her, my wolf brought up for the third time. I swear he wouldn't let me live it down for another two days at least, he didn't like her walking around with my mark, letting other wolves thinking she was unmated. It would have bothered me too but in the week and a half she'd been here, she's left the house like twice. But I was so happy that she let me mark her after that jackass of a waiter flirted with her. I know now let me sleep, I growled in my head before going asleep like Erin already was.