Strangers to Mates

Chapter 6: Introducing

The next morning I woke up with the same muscular arms wrapped around me as the day before. I wiggled around to face him, since I knew it'd be impossible to try and get up. I managed to get my arm up and unpinned before poking him in the face a couple times. But when he didn't budge I thought of something else. Leaning forward, I lightly kissed the corner of his mouth. He instantly woke up and I knew that he was also still trying to get use to the sparks that ignited when mates touched.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked kissing my temple.

"Best I have in months." I admit, "You?"

"Great. I can definitely get used to waking up next to you."

I blushed lightly and asked innocently, "Will you let me get out of bed this morning?"

He shook his head vigorously telling me I didn't have a fighting chance. It made me want to smile but I held it in and pouted, hoping he'd let me up, but he only held me closer. I couldn't help but relax in his arms, it just seemed so natural. I lifted my head up slightly and read the clock. It was an hour away from noon and I knew my dad would already be gone, so we'd have to tell my parents later. Didn't I hear mum say something about him coming back at three today since it's Monday. But that's to soon. I get it, it makes sense to tell them right away but I'm nervous, can you blame me. I pulled back slightly so I could see him better but was still really close.

"C'mon please. You have to go back to the hotel and get ready, I am not letting you meet my parents in clothes from yesterday. And besides my dad won't be back till three so there's still four hours to kill." I said trying to reason with him.

"Perfect, then I've got three hours to keep lying here with you" he said grinning.

I could tell he was really happy just being here, by my side, not necessarily in the bed. Well I'm sure he's enjoying that to, even I had to admit that I liked being with him. Like I said before it just feels so natural and it'd be wrong if we weren't. I finally gave in after minutes of starring at him,

"I'll give you an hour."

"Oh c'mon." he said almost asking for more time without saying it.

"Hey, your lucky I'm giving you the hour." I said filling my words with sass.

"Fine." he said sadly, nestling his face in the crook of my neck.

Fear bubbled up inside of me and I would have tensed if it was possible being this close to him. When I realized that he wasn't going to bite me I calmed down, breathing out a sigh. I brought my hand up to his head, hesitating at fist but then ran my fingers through his hair. I heard him almost moan at my simple touch but didn't stop. My wolf hadn't said anything since last night, but I'm guessing that's because she's to busy being happy that I'm not pushing our mate away. It was hard though, he might have been annoying but now with this bond I knew I just couldn't even think about doing it. And after last night, I'd learn a lot about him which made me feel more good feelings towards him. We continued like that for God knows how long when I felt my eyes start to drop again, I was so relaxed that I couldn't tell if I was already asleep or not, but I knew that if I went back to sleep now I'd probably never wake up again. So I looked up at my clock again to see it was quarter to one. What! Already, how did that even happen. I shook Raymond shoulder slightly,

"Raymond. Raymond. Get up, your way past your time. Ray you have to leave now."

He grumbled something about not wanting to leave but I have him a stern look and he gave in.

"Fine. If you really want me gone that badly." he said trying to make me feel guilty.

"You know I don't, we've got that stupid bond that let's us feel each others emotions." I say pulling him out of the bed.

I walked over to the window, still holding his hand.

"Hey! Our bond is not stupid." he said in a whining tone.

I roll my eyes but am starting to think so too.

I leave him standing by the window and grab his jeans, throwing them at him.

"Put 'em on. You're going out the window"

"Again?" He complains but puts them on anyways, "Do I at least get my shirt back?" he smirks looking down at me.

I pull on the front of it but shake my head. I was only a couple steps away from him when he grabs my hanging hand, pulling me into him again, and whispered,

"Mm, it looks better on you anyways." he leans forward to kiss me but I push him back.

"Out you go." I say pointing at the window.

"But."

"Nope. I'll see you later."

"Wait," he pulls me back again, "say it again."

"Say what?" I ask not knowing what he's talking about.

"My name."

I gave him a weird look, "Raymond."

"No," he shakes his head, "like you did before."

I rolled my eyes when I understood what me meant.

I leaned up on my tip toes and whispered in his ear, "Ray."

When I pulled back, I lightly pushed him, "Now go." and with that I turn to go have a shower

Out of the corner of my eye I saw him jump out. I showered and changed back into Raymond's shirt tucking it into my skinny jeans so it look like it fit me properly. I flopped back down into my unmade bed and grabbed my phone, unlocking it. The time read that I only had half an hour till Raymond was coming back so I decided that I'd kill time by playing games on my phone. I didn't play for very long, I was to distracted by my nervousness. I sighed when I realized that playing games wasn't gonna get my mind off it, off of confessing to my parents. I head downstairs and find my mum in the kitchen like I normally do.

"Hey mum. What are you doing?" I asked taking a seat on one of the bar stools.

"Just fixing up a snack for dad, you know male wolves and their appetite, it never seems to end." she replied.

"Alright, well um when dad gets here I want to introduce you guys to someone. Is that alright?" I ask trying to sound casual.

"Sure honey. New friend?" She says smiling.

"You could say so." I mumbled to quietly for her to hear.

Mum set the food down on the table just as dad walked in. He came over and kissed my forehead before walking over and doing the same to mum.

"When did you get that shirt?" Dad asked

"Uh, I don't know." I lied

"Oh honey, Erin has a friend coming over to meet us soon." mum told dad right before the door bell rang.

"Speak of the devil." I mumble, "I'll go get it."

"Alright we'll be at the table, bring them in here." dad calls.

"Kay." I open the door to find Raymond standing there, flowers in hand.

He was dressed similar to yesterday, jeans and a button up shirt. He smirked when he noticed I was still in his shirt. I rolled my eyes and told him he could come in.

"So what's with the flowers?" I asked while he took his shoes off.

"Oh I know you'd love it if these were for you." he teased, "but I thought if I gave them to your mum, that they'd made a good impression."

"Smart move." I say nodding my head.

He started to walk towards the kitchen but I didn't move. I was suddenly ten times more nervous than I already was, which said a lot because I was already super nervous. He didn't get very far before he realized it I wasn't following, and turned around coming back to stand in front of me.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked concerned.

"Um. It's nothing, I just feel a little anxious is all." I say not making eye contact.

"Everything will turn out okay. Trust me. It will." he says taking my hand.

I nod my head, deciding to trust him. That he's right, that it will all be okay.

"C'mon, we should go in before they start worrying." He leaned forward and kissed my cheek and we staring walking back to the kitchen.

My parents both stood up as we walked in. I'd let go of his hand right before we came into view, but I already missed his warmth.

"Beta farewell it's nice to see you again and Mrs. Farewell is nice to meet you. These are for you." he said handing her the flowers.

"Thank you, that was very kind of you. And you are?" I watched mum take the flowers and go to put them in water.

"My name is Raymond White, son of Alpha White from the silver wood pack." Wow, how was he so good at this.

Well I guess being the son of an alpha means that you've gotta be good at talking to people.

"And what brings you to our fine home Mr. White?" Dad asks.

"Um," I spoke up, stepping closer to him and taking his hand again, "he's my mate."

I tense up slightly, anticipating the response. It was silent for a moment before my mum said,

"Oh honey, that's great. I'm so happy for you." she had a warm smile on her face.

Dad still seemed a bit weary, but I think that was him just being protective. He finally came over and shook Raymond's hand,

"Just so you know, if you hurt my daughter, I'll kill you." I could tell he was dead serious.

But Raymond just turned to smile at me and said, "I couldn't dream of it." making my heart flutter.

"Come. Let's sit at the table." my mum offers gesturing at the table.

Mum and dad sat on one side while I sat beside Raymond on the other. It was silent at first again but mum was quick to start up the conversation again.

"So, Raymond. How much longer will you be in town?"

"Dad, uh, I mean Alpha White is having me come back on Friday. I have responsibilities getting ready to become the next alpha." he answers politely.

"Oh. Erin are you going to go with him." Mum just had to ask the biggest question possible.

Like shouldn't I be asking her if I can even go. Is this her saying that I should? I hesitate before answering slowly,

"I think I will. If it's alright with you guys of course."

"Oh honey of course it's alright, you guys are mates, it'd be stupid you keep you apart. We will miss you lots, but we are only one phone call away." Mum replied full of support.

"Dad?" I asked, he hadn't said a thing about it yet.

"Your mothers right. You should go with him." I could tell this was really hard for him, my dad's always been protective of me, and I've always been close with him.

I nod my head once as I feel Raymond take my hand under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze. I gave him a thankful smile and mum suggested,

"Raymond, why don't you stay for dinner? I'd love to get to know my daughter's mate. I was just about to start cooking."

"I'd love that." Raymond answered, smiling.

"Alright, well it won't be ready for an hour or so." Mum informed us as she stood up to start cooking.

"Okay, we'll be up in my room." I say dragging Raymond up the stairs.

"Keep the door open." Dad called making me laugh lightly,

"We will."

Raymond and I sat down on the bed, resting against the back bored, not saying anything at first. I felt him wrap his arm around my waist, pulling me closer and I instinctively rest my head on his shoulder. I look around my room without moving my head away and say,

"I'll have to pack this all up won't I?"

"Ya." he simply said.

"Guess that means I'll have to go out and get boxes tomorrow, pack up my clothes and little things."

He pulled away and turned to face me, taking my hand in both of his.

"As much as I really want you to come back with me, I won't make you if you don't want to."

I take a deep breath before answering, "No. It's alright, I admit I'll miss everyone but I feel like now that I've found you it'd be weird not being with you, not having you around."

"I know I'm taking you away from your friends and family, but I'm really happy that you'll be with me." he said and kissed my hands.

He was always touching me in some sort of way, like I'd disappear if he didn't make sure I was always there. It was kinda sweet. It almost made up for the fact that my fear was coming true. Everything was changing but it no longer seemed like a big deal. Like mum said they're only one phone call away.

"It does make me feel a bit nervous though. I've never met another pack, little alone left this town. It's kind of scary." I say honestly.

"It'll be alright. Besides I'll always be by your side to keep you safe." he said, having moved back to my side.

We stayed like that, not saying anything, till mum called us down for dinner. He climbed back down the stairs and sat at the table again. So dinner was a bit more eventful than normally, but that was because mum and dad kept asking Raymond questions. Nothing super personal but to me it felt like the questions never ended, and I wasn't even the one answering them. Well I answered a few, giving Raymond a chance to actually eat. After dinner mum brought out her famous chocolate cobbler and we had that for dessert. Even when we ran out of food my parents kept at the conversation, it must have been close to nine when I said,

"It's getting late and Raymond should head back to the hotel."

We all stood up and my parents said goodbye before I walked him to the front door.

"So, you're not going to let me stay tonight?" He asked smiling.

"Quiet down, my parents are in the other room. And no."

"Damn it." he says but breaks back into a grin "Alright, but do you need help packing tomorrow?"

"I should be fine by myself. And my mum will help."

"Well then when do I get to see you again." He asks trying to hide the need in his voice.

I hold the door and say, "Patience is key my friend."

He steps out but then back in, "I almost forgot something."

He came up to me and put his hand in my back pocket, taking out my phone. I tried to say something as he did something on my phone, but he held up his finger. He finally handed me my phone back and told me I couldn't see what he did till he left. I rolled my eyes and we said our goodbyes. I tell mum and dad that I'm going to bed and head back to my room. Taking off my jeans I keeping 'my' shirt on and crawl into bed. I'm about to switch off my lamp when my phone buzzes. I got a text from... 'Yours truly'.

'Who was that?' I wondered to myself. I unlocked my phone to read the message, 'Sleep well beautiful.' Of course, it was Raymond, that's what he did on my phone. So if he couldn't see me he'd still talk to me. I wasn't even shocked. He seemed all big and bad until I don't give him what he wants and he goes and puts on that puppy face, pretending to be sad, to be honest it was kinda cute.

'Sweet dreams' I quickly replied and went to bed.