Luna Aria

VIII. Mate

Aria's POV:

Sitting in the car, I stare out the window. I saw trees and more trees

Oh! Is that a - no - just another tree.

I threw my head against the headrest. "Are we there yet?"

"No," Tom said with a piss off tone. I can tell he is trying his best not to throw me out the window. Taking a peek behind me and I saw Sam, Cynthia, and Chelsea peacefully sleeping.

"What about now," I whined

"I swear Aria Sienna Rossi, I will throw you out of this car and make you walk to Full Moon territory," he fake threatened me.

After a few minutes of silence.

"Now?" I whined even louder. I smiled when I see Tom left eye twitch.

After three hours of napping, I felt us slowing down. My lids lifted, peeking out the window, I saw a fairly decent size blue house. Turning my head to the front, I saw my brothers with two other hunters. Jumping out of the car, I started stretching away all the soreness, noticing all eyes were on us.

This is going to be a long year. When is our next break again? No, more importantly, when can we eat.

"Welcome to the Full Moon Pack!" Mr. James greeted us as he stared at Cynthia. She stood behind me, blushing a deep red, redder than her hair.

All the other students arrive, some were excited, others not so much. "Follow me!" Mr. James yelled, and I can feel the unpleasant stares from the wolves, a few growling at us. I can hear them, especially since they aren't even hiding their voices.

"Filthy. What are they doing here? Are they crazy? They smell bad."

"At least we don't smell like a wet dog," a hunter screamed. I chuckled, I think I'm going to get along well with him.

I decided to settle down for the next two days and merely skip school on Monday or perhaps the whole year. I heard that the extracurricular activities are the same as my old school. The only difference is that they grade everything based on only exams.

One moment I was mentally laughing to myself at my magnificent plan and the next, I feel like I physically broke my nose

"Ow! Sorry I didn't see you there!" I yelled, massaging my aching nose. Looking up, my eyes met with a pair of hazel orbs.

At that particular moment, it feels like time had stopped, and there is only one other person in this world, him. The volume of howling inside my head was increasing, escalating, with pure excitement.

Many often speak of the color of eyes, pushing its importance, yet his would be beautiful in any shade, but the ones he held was perfect. When I look into them, it spoke with fierce intensity, sweet honesty, with a promising gentleness.

The beating in my chest halted, but I've never felt more alive.

Analyzing him, the brown hair on his head was cut quite nicely, but it was messy, a right kind of messy. My eyes fell on his pink lips that were firmly pressed together in a flustered expression. Yet, it was utterly captivating, a truly sinful temptation.

Inhaling deeply, I bite the bottom of my trembling lips. I can smell a refreshing yet pernicious scent of the salty ocean and vanilla forest.

Gazing into his mesmerizing eyes, he was like an open book, waiting for me to read him. At first, there was confusion, then disgust, and finally anger. But it quickly changes into a mixture of love, happiness, and lust.

Wait a second. Oh crap. Don't tell me.

"Mine," he growled, grabbing my wrist firmly, pulling me into his chest.

Listening to his voice was unexpected, low, with traces of huskiness and dashing with power - one imposing discipline.

Immediately, John pulled me behind him as Joe walked in front of us.

"Give her back to me," he commanded.

"And who are you?" John responded.

"Give. Her. Back," he said each word slowly, yet deadly, grinding his molars against one another, eyes flashing a deep shade of black, clearly presenting his displeasure.

"Of course! Here guy we just met two seconds ago! Take our loving baby sister!" Joe said sarcastically, proceeding with an eye roll.

"Yeah, right! We rather let our smallest toe get stub by a door than hand over our baby sister to a dog," John spat out.

What? Does he not know where we are?!? We are in the dog's territory right now! Wait, did he just compare me to his baby toe?

The gorgeous man's eyes fist tightened, chest rising and dropping with pure force, as a menacing growl escape his throat. I looked at Joe and John, noticing they are holding onto their weapons.

"What did you call me?" He said bitterly, taking a step forward, hands clenching tightly, revealing his white knuckles.

"You heard us," Joe's voice lower into a more threatening tone, taking a step forward, his eyes narrow. Tilting my head, I can see that Joe wasn't taller than the guy.

"I'm not going to repeat this. Give her to me," he warned.

Joe crossed his arms, "And why should we?"

"Because she is mine," he growled.

"She isn't an object," John said, and I nod in agreement. After all, I am a walking, breathing specimen who inhales oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.

Mr.James march towards us. "Enough!"

Oh good, someone sane is going to sort this situation out.

Everyone snaps their attention towards him, except the wolf. He kept staring at me.

"John and Joe. Give Aria to Nathaniel," he said.

Hot principal says what?

John and Joe's eyes were lingering back and forth, filled with hesitation. They didn't want to send me to his side, but they don't want to start a war on day one. I can't believe this is happening, and we were here in less than 30 minutes. Werewolves began forming a circle around us, wondering what is happening. Some of them look like they are about to change into wolves, if necessary.

"John. Joe. Please, give Aria to Nathan. I promise he won't hurt her," he said calmly.

I patted my brothers back and gestured at them to let me go.

"Are you sure?" John asked me.

"He is a werewolf, Aria, and you know how dad feels about wolves," Joe whispered, but it was unnecessary since everyone probably heard us.

"I know, but if I don't go, we are all going home," I said, hearing a low growled of impatience. I rolled my eyes, mind wondering if he may need some water for that throat of his.

I took one and a half steps toward him, quickly he pulled me into a tight hug. Millions of electrifying watts shot through every fiber of my body, causing me to tremble in his arms.

I wasn't quite sure how to handle this situation, but my arms involuntarily wrap around his waist as if it was natural. Breathing in, I bit my lower lips as my grip on his shirt tightened. His smell was exhilarating yet soothing. I can feel myself drifting off into a deep slumber. He buried his face deeper into my neck as he pulled me in tighter, intaking my scent. His affection and possessiveness were quite arousing.

"Mine. All mine," he repeated over and over like a broken record player.

"Enough, Nathaniel. Let her go, she can't breathe," I heard him give Mr. James a low growl but release his arms. I thought he was going to let me go. Instead, he went behind me, circling his arms around my waist and shoving his face into my hair.

Which oddly turned me on.

My brother's face was filled with displeasure, and I can see them mentally decapitating Nathaniel's head. Sam stared at us, but she didn't show any emotion. Cynthia was grinning and winking at me the whole time until Mr. James looks at her and smile. She looked down on the ground as if it was the most fantastic thing in the world. Everyone else was shocked while loverboy here just hugs me the whole time, ignoring everyone.

Mr. James cleared his throat. "Shall we go to the pack's house so I can show where you all will be staying?"

"We are staying at the Pack House?" a hunter asked.

"Yes, you will be staying at the Pack House until we finish building the resident's house," he explained.

I attempt to push Nathaniel away, but he held me on tightly. "Excuse me, Nathaniel?"

He frowned, "Call me, Nathan."

"Oh, Nathan?"

His eyes cast towards my lips, "What is it, Angel?"

I watch as he licked his own; no doubt, he wants to claim my lips as his. "I need to get my luggage. So, do you mind letting go?" I asked.

His frown deepened and released me, so I started walking towards the car to grab my luggage. Without looking back, I can tell he was following me. John and Joe kept a distance, but they were keeping an eye on me. Suddenly, I can feel a hand on mine, and my luggage was gone.

"I can carry my own luggage," I pointed at the luggage in his hand.

"Nope."

I rolled my eyes as he held my hand, dragging me towards everyone else. Looking down, I couldn't help but smile, seeing our fingers tangling together.

"Here we are, listen for your assigned room," Mr. James told everyone.

Standing there, I listened to the names being called one by one. Nathan wrapped his arm around me again and started inhaling my scent. I took a step back, "Nathan?"

He steps forward, "Yes, Aria?"

"Are we mates?" I asked, knowing the answer to my obvious question, as I took another step back.

"Yeah, Angel," he whispered, soft lips grazing against my neck.

I paused, mind attempting to figure out the situation I am being placed in. "Do you want me as a mate?" I asked slowly.

Suddenly, his head snapped up, and he glared at me. He loosened his arms while I stepped back once more. We continued the pattern until I hit a wall, eyes traveling around to see everyone ignoring us as if this whole scenario is reasonable.

"Of course I do. Why would you say such a thing?"

"I don't know? Because I am not a werewolf?" I responded half-assly.

"Aria. Angel. Listen. I don't care if you're human. Well, I did care before, but now it doesn't matter. When I saw you, that feeling instantly disappears. You're mine, and no one else. Got it? Mine," he growled. I let out a low yelping sound when I felt his hand gripping my ass, while my mind purred in pleasure.

Lucky me, I got an extremely possessive wolf.

He lowered himself next to my ear. "Just how I like it," he whispered. I swallow the lingering moan, desperate to escape my throat.

Peeking around, John and Joe were being held back by Chelsea and a few others. They stood there, gripping their weapons, teeth grinding with vexation. I shook my head, telling them not to attack, while Nathan pressed me farther into the wall.

"Alpha Nathan," a guy called for him, and I released a deep breath when he turned his attention towards the guy let me go. He had a single arm wrapping around my waist, pulling into him.

Fucking fantastic, he happens to be an Alpha.

"Yes, Beta Ethan," he responded.

"The meeting is pushed to tomorrow."

A smile of delight emerges on Nathan's lips. "Great."

Nathan and Ethan continue staring at each other, probably mind-linking. After some time, Ethan gave me a quick smile, "Welcome Luna," he said, hands tucked behind his back, bowing slightly. The smile on his face disperses as his eyes widen, and he started sniffing the air.

Oh, god, did someone fart?

Ethan frantically looked around and started slamming doors open, causing a rush of high pitch ear-pinching shrieked.

"Ethan! Stop!" Mr. James yelled at him, and he froze with his hands up in the air.

"Mate!" he screamed at no one in particular and started sniffing again, but his face twisted into confusion.

Nathan let go of me and walk towards him. "You found your mate?" he asked, while my mind wonder if I should dash for the doors right now, jumped into the car, and drive home.

"I-I-I smelled her. I was so sure she was here. But, before I knew it, her smell disappeared" He placed both hands on his head and started walking back and forth in the hallway. "I know, Nathan! I really smell her, b-b-but she is gone! What if something happened to her?!? What if she doesn't want me? I am going to be alone for the rest of my life with 25 puppies!"

I raised a brow, "Puppies? Don't you mean cats?"

Ethan and Nathan gave me a disgusted look. "No, I mean dogs. Dogs are cool, cats are weird," Ethan said, and I was not surprised, everyone here is practically an overgrown dog.

Mr. James frowned and shook his head slightly as if he knew something.

Natha smiled sadly, "Look, you will find her. If you can sense her, that means she is somewhere close by."

Ethan nodded and dragged his feet out the door. I looked around, and everyone was gone, except Cynthia, who stood there staring at the ground. I couldn't help but release a scoffed since Cynthia is everything but quiet. This must be some sort of miracle.

"Mr. James. I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention. Did you call my name?" I asked.

He released a cough and shook his head. "No, I didn't."

Did I hear him correctly?

I release a low chuckled and took a step forward. "What?"

"He said he didn't call your name Angel," Nathan unexpectedly whispered into my ear. I jumped back, feeling the blood rushed to my face causing him to grinned, seeing my reaction.

"B-But, where will I stay?" I question, praying that the answer is not what I'm thinking.

He wrapped his arms around me. "With me," Nathan said.

"Pardon?"

"You. Are. Staying. In. My. Room. With. Me," he said a lot slower while pointing two fingers at himself.

Dude, I'm not stupid.

"Miss Aria, you're staying with Alpha Nathaniel," Mr. James said.

Immediately Joe and John ran out of the room. "No!" they both yelled. Nathan growled loudly at both of them while tightening his arms around my waist. One day, I am just going to snap in half.

"John and Joe, I know that you are worried about your sister. However, Aria is Nathaniel's mate. He won't hurt her, and he will always protect her. Take my word when I say it's safer for her to stay with him rather than here. Due to the scene occurring in front of the Pack House, a lot of students now know Aria is Nathan's mate. There will be an attempt to hurt her since she isn't a werewolf, since some may believe she is not worthy of being Luna," he explained, causing Nathan to growled extremely loud at the last part.

Rolling my eyes, I hug him back, and he calmed down.

John and Joe stared at each other, not knowing what to do. Nathan ignores them and proceeds in picking me up bridal style. "Wait!" I yelled, putting a hand up in the air.

"What about Cynthia?!" I look at her. She didn't say anything except her face was getting redder.

Mr. James cleared his throat. "She will be staying with me," he said in a low voice, trying to ensure everyone wouldn't hear.

"What?!" I screamed. I knew that Cynthia was Mr. James's mate when I first saw them looking at each other, but them being together in the same room is a no-no. I know Cynthia, she will do bad bad stuff to Mr. James! I have to protect him!

I saw Nathan shake his head and turn towards the door, walking towards another house. I looked over his shoulder and saw Cynthia giving me a mischievous grin and a wink.