Leila

Chapter 4: Her grace

I tossed and turned the whole night; her piercing green eyes and mass of auburn hair kept showing up in my sleep. At dawn, before the pack members showed up for breakfast, I shifted and went for a run. It was dangerous to go out alone, but I needed this. I arrived at a clearing towards the southern border when I felt someone watching me.

'What are you doing out here all by yourself?' my Beta James, mind linked me.

'What are you doing following me?' I replied.

Instead of responding, he cautiously approached me with a worried look.

'Is it about the girl?' he asked.

'Why would you say that?'

'Because of how you reacted yesterday, I mean, she is a beauty, but you are surrounded by beautiful women all the time. I have never seen you lighten up the way you did. And now you are out here on your own. It is unlike you to take a stupid risk. Come on, let us head back to the pack house. I have something to show you.'

When we arrived home, breakfast was being served. I greeted my parents and a few pack members. I headed straight into the kitchen to find my favourite Omega, Matha. She is a tiny woman with long white hair, an oval face and a huge smile. Every morning she prepares my favourite breakfast; blueberry muffins and a glass of strawberry-flavoured milk: some waffles, and hash browns.

'Creddy, you look awful', she remarked with a concerned look.

'Is it a girl?' she continued.

' Why does it have to be about a girl?' I snapped.

'Oh! I am right; it is a girl. Creddy, I have seen you in different emotional states over the years, but this one is new. And you never snapped at me before.' she had a massive grin.

'Is she your mate?' she queried.

My mum entered at that moment and gave me a quizzical look but did not say anything.

I saw James loitering by the door, so I motioned him to come in, but he tilted his head towards the upper floor, which is my office.

Once we were inside with the big mahogany doors firmly shut, he pulled out his phone and proceeded to show me a video.

I watched the girl sprinting down the street, her hair in a loose bun, her t-shirt falling off one shoulder as she entered a pharmacy. I looked confused at James, but he kept staring at his phone. In the other video, she's rapidly walking down the same street again, this time in a yellow sundress, carrying a huge backpack and simultaneously trying to gobble a sandwich. She stopped in front of the pharmacy to wrap her half-eaten sandwich and carefully put it in her bag. She frantically cleaned off any crumbs and entered the pharmacy. The third video was of the day in question. She was sprinting down the street towards the pharmacy when the actual thief intentionally bumped into her and placed the phone in her bag.

I was relieved my mate was not a thief. Tom started wagging his tail, and I had this stupid smile.

'Alpha, who is this girl?' James pulled me out of my state

' I don't know yet. I just want to keep this to myself for the time being.

' Is she your mate?'

'No,' I bluntly lied.

James gave up and walked towards the door. ' Well, I find her attractive. I might as well ask her out,' he flung at me before exiting.

I flew into a jealous rage and went after him, pinning him to the floor. 'She is mine!'

' Can't wait to meet the Luna.' James was amused ' I knew it. She is your mate'. He pushed me away and jogged off laughing.

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