The Long Lost Daughter

12 Mate

Penelope

Thursday and Friday flew by. I spent most of those days when I was not working on Friday exploring all of Ocean. I still have not made it to the beach but it is definitely on my list of things to do. I even went to the mall. For someone like me who hates shopping that is surprising. I have been having a blast exploring by myself. I have never had a problem being by myself so I have been truly at peace in my exploring my new home. 

I even made it to the diner where Helen works on Thursday night for dinner. Helen was happy to hear that I had a job and that my move into my apartment went well. Even though Helen is an older lady I am happy to include her in the group of friends I have made here in Ocean. She is like the Grandma I never got to have. 

I got to work with Darla again on Friday since I am still technically training. I feel like I almost got everything after only two days. Darla has been talking nonstop about the party on Saturday. She even insisted on Facetiming me to help me pick out an outfit while I was out shopping. Darla honestly has been making me so excited for the party, it will be nice to do something new and Darla only has nice things to say about all her friends, werewolf or human.

I called Ashley on Friday again I could tell Ashley was jealous of Darla. Ashley always tried to get me to go to parties and I would never budge so I think she is a little hurt that I am going with a new friend. I hope she knows that it is just because I never got to be myself and settle down in Arizona. I am excited for when she comes to visit because maybe we will get to go to a party when she is here. I hope my two friends get along though. They are so alike I am sure they will. 

Saturday morning I wake up with a pep in my step. I quickly get ready for work and head to The Hideout. It is going to be my first time working the coffee bar and cash register by myself since Saturday mornings tend to be slower days. Gabriel will be there with me but he is pretty much in charge of the front of the store where the books and front door are. 

I have gotten to know Gabriel pretty well as well, I have built a decent relationship with both him and Darla. To my relief he has not brought up our awkward encounter when I first met him which I am grateful for. Gabriel is destined to be the Gamma of his pack. 

Unlike his friends he chose not to go to college because he wanted to help his Dad Alex open The Hideout. Once he steps into the role of Gamma his Dad will take on more responsibilities at the coffee shop and Gabriel will step away. Both him and Darla have my first job experience very enjoyable. They make me laugh and have a genuine interest in getting to know me and my life. 

I felt so comfortable around them I went even deeper into my upbringing. I went into my depression and my thoughts of suicide. I told them how they found out I was a wolf. It honestly surprises them so much that I did not know I was a wolf. It is interesting to go back into my past and let them things that made me different because it was actually because of me being a werewolf. 

Towards the end of my shift on Saturday Alex lets me know that he is going to be letting me go early. He knows Darla and I are going to the party tonight and he wants us to have a good time. I make sure I tell how appreciative I am. I have been feeling really jittery and excited all day and I have no idea why. Ruby is feeling the same way. 

Once it is a few hours before my shift is going to end I quickly do everything that was on my to do list for the day. With all of the extra energy Ruby is giving me I am able to speed through the list quickly. 

As I am refilling all of the syrups in the coffee bar I begin to feel the excited feeling coming from Ruby, except this time more intense than before. It almost feels like she is prancing around in my head with happiness. 

Ruby, what is going on? You're making it hard to focus. 

He’s here.

What are you talking about? Who is here?

Almost as if feeling that I am uneasy she calms down. 

I am sorry I forgot. Just go.

The amount of sadness I feel from Ruby is intense. She just went from extreme joy to extreme hurt. I don't understand. 

I am sorry I forgot. Just go, I don't want you to get hurt. 

With her cryptic response I decide to trust her instinct I am clearly in danger. My Dad told me she would try to protect me and clearly she is trying to protect me from something or due to the use of the word he it has to be someone.

I can tell Ruby is battling with her wolf instincts and trying to control something. I feel almost as if I am having a panic attack. This is the most restless I have ever felt my wolf. Even since the time she was trying to shift in front of Alex.

I am at a loss for what to do. I can't Alex to just leave because he is already letting me leave early as it is. I can't tell him Ruby is bothering me because he will think I do not have control of my wolf again. I decide that maybe going to the bathroom to compose myself may help. 

Heading over to the office door I knock on it trying to control what is going on with me I ask him to use the restroom. Alex nods his head and lets me know that he will cover the counter while I am away.

Once I am in the bathroom I head into one of the stalls, put the toilet seat down and sit. I put my head between my knees and begin taking deep breaths. I feel Ruby start to settle down and relax. Though she is no longer anxious, Ruby begins whining and howling in pain. 

What is going on? What is wrong?

Look I am sorry I am not going to tell you. It is in your best interest. I am so sorry. 

It is okay. I just wish you would tell me what is going on. Is it normal for wolves to keep secrets from their human counterparts?

I don't know. I am just trying to give you the life you want. The normal life you have always dreamed of. 

I know Ruby is coming from the best place possible. She is becoming one of the few people I know who deeply and truly care for me. She is willing to endure the pain she is going through in an attempt to protect us. 

I will be okay. I know that it is not what your Dad would want either. He wanted you away from the world of werewolves to keep you safe. You are already pushing it with the new friends you made, I don't want to make it worse. 

She honestly tells me. I tear up a little in frustration of what my life has become. I am literally hiding in a bathroom having a conversation with my inner wolf because she was throwing me into a panic attack with intense emotions. 

I am sorry Penny. I think what I was sensing before is gone. You should be alright to leave. 

Once I feel better I leave the stall and check my hair and makeup in the mirror above the sink. I take one more deep breath before I make my way back to the coffee counter. Alex is not at the counter which means we were most likely slow so he went back to his office. 

I return to refilling the syrups when Ruby out of no where becomes anxious again and that is when I smell it. Dropping a full bottle of syrup to the ground, I freeze because the smell of sweet cupcakes fills my senses again. 

It is the most delicious and mouth watering scent I have ever smelled. It is invading my senses and I feel oddly at peace. Almost as if another wave of the scent hits me I feel a sudden pool of wetness in my panties. How am I getting turned on my the smell of f*****g cupcakes?!

Mate!

I snap my head up and begin scanning my surroundings and that is when I see him. The most sexy man I have ever seen in my life. He must have been staring at me before my eyes met his because when I look at him I swear his eyes almost turn completely black for a second. 

I don't know how long we stand there staring at each other when he finally breaks the silence. He utters the one work I thought I would never get to hear, “Mate.”

Mystery POV

I have to head to campus on a Saturday of all days because I have to put in my application for graduation. Since I have been taking summer classes I will actually be done before the fall semester even begins. This of course thrills my Father since he is so ready to retire and hand the Alpha title down to me. 

I am appreciative that my father has been so patient in waiting for me to get my degree. This is the longest in the history of the Green Mountain pack that an Alpha has held a title. My father has made some big shoes for me to fill. He has made so many progressive changes for our pack. That includes allowing my beta, gamma and I to take the time to earn our educations. 

He started a successful business in tech security that I will be taking over in the next couple of years after I become accustomed to becoming Alpha. With the money he makes from his company he is able to help other small businesses get their start. That includes our Gamma's coffee shop and bookstore which is where I am currently headed. 

Since I am already heading into town I figured I would grab myself a coffee and see if Gabriel is working. I did not see him around the pack house before I left. Gabriel is my soon to be Gamma. Him and my Beta have been my best friends pretty much from the time we were born. We will all be taking over at the same time. The boys chose not to go to school, they began working for my father in his firm as part of their security team instead of going to college. 

Once I enter The Hideout I am vaguely aware of the amount of eyes that are on me. It is pretty normal for me, I attract the attention of not just wolves because of my alpha status but human females as well. When I turned 18 I was disappointed to not find my mate right away. I was hoping she would be someone in my pack. I have been waiting almost four years now. I do sleep with the occasional female or omega here and there, but my wolf is still holding out for our mate. Brock gets pissed every time we bang a new chick. 

I stand right inside the door and look around for Gabriel, he is normally by the front door. When I don't see him I begin making my way towards Alex's office. 

Out of no where Brock start howling in my head. He also starts howling and prancing around in my head. He is acting like a complete b***h. I have no clue what is happening until he finally communicates with me. 

She’s here! Go get her!

I know exactly who he is talking about, he thinks he found our mate. My ears instantly perk up and I scan the room looking all around me. I make eye contact with a lot of people but none of them are the one. Brocks excitement quickly turns to whining. 

I am sorry man. I don’t sense her anymore. Maybe I caught the wrong scent. I really thought it was her this time. 

This isn’t the first time this has happened. With the last 4 years of looking Brock has been wrong a couple of times. He is just as eager to find our mate as I am. Though I have allowed other women into our bed, I will not fill whole until I have her. 

My thoughts are interrupted when our current Gamma Alex comes up to me, “Hey kid, what are you doing here?”

“Hey Uncle Alex. I just came to grab a cup of coffee before I head to school" I tell him still trying to search my surroundings hoping Brock will pick up on her again. 

“It’s a Saturday are you crazy?” Uncle Alex asks. 

“No I am not" I shrug. "I have some stuff I need to turn into a office that is open on Saturdays.”

Alex turns and walks behind the coffee counter and begins making my coffee. I was surprised to see this because I normally see Darla working the coffee counter. “Where is Darla? Don’t you have her working back there?” I ask him. 

“She’s not in today. I have a new hire, she's just going to the bathroom” he tells me. 

“Makes sense. Where is Gabe?" I ask 

"I have no idea, I told him to take it easy today. He has been putting in a lot of work to get the Gamma position down. I figured he deserved a break" Uncle Alex tells me and I couldn't agree more. My guys have been putting in a lot of work learning from their dads how to be the best Beta and Gamma they can be. 

Uncle Alex hands me my black coffee and I take a sip. It is hot and burns my tongue a little but it tastes so good. They have some of the best coffee here. 

“Hey I have something for your Dad, Would you mind taking it to him? It is just in my office. He wants it before we close up tonight" he tells me. 

“Sure. Hey you know you old men won't be able to boss us around anymore once we take over your guys' ranks” I tell him with a chuckle as we talk into his office. 

“You know you guys will always listen to us old farts anyways” Alex responds with a chuckle of his own. He hands me the papers for the new plans which I can tell are for the new system we plan on implementing for the pack border. If it works out well, we will be adding it as a service to Dad's security company. 

When new ranked members come into power, there are always updates. This new pack border plan is one of the new projects we have. I am looking forward to finding my Luna and allowing her to decorate the pack house. I have some projects I am still planning out, like updates to the pack school and a new training center. 

I say my goodbyes to Uncle Alex and begin making my way to the front door. I am stopped mid stride again when Brock begins to howl in my head again. He senses her. 

She is here I know she is! I sense her even stronger now. 

I frantically look all around me when I am hit with the most captivating smell of cookies. Like freshly baked cookies. It is mouth watering and the most amazing scent I have ever experienced. I take a second to compose myself because the smell of f*****g cookies is already making my d**k hard. 

I scan the room looking for where this scent is coming from and that is when I see her. This mystery woman who smells so amazing is the most perfect creature I have ever laid eyes on. I can tell that she is tense. She can sense me, but she has not turned around yet. 

I see her turn, look around for a second and then I watch as our eyes lock on each other. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. She has the most gorgeous hazel eyes that I could get lost in for hours. She has a light complexion with the most beautiful long golden brown. This beautiful woman has the sexiest curves I have ever seen. I have the sudden urge to bury my face in her t**s and grab that amazing ass of hers.

I know Brock wants me to run right up to her, pin her against the wall, rip all of her clothes off and mate and mark her here and now. I fight to control all of his urges because I do not want him to ruin this moment. 

We stand there just staring at her for who knows how long. I just can't believe she is standing in front of me. The word that I have been waiting my whole life to say to a woman slips out of my mouth on its own accord, “Mate.”