The Heart of The Pack

Chapter 21

I dreamt of Selene last night, we were back at the field and she had lots to say. She is pleased with how my mark is healing and said that I could choose Ashley and Alexander if I wanted too. She told me that today is my last day with Mason and that I should make it count. I’m not sure that I can tell him, in case his wolf reacts badly again. So today I have to decide, is Mason really becoming the mate I need him to be or is it all fake. Even if it is fake, I think part of him really does want to change. And if he does change maybe he deserves someone else, I’m not sure it’s fair that I constantly think of Ashley and Alexander. Doesn’t he deserve a mate who only thinks of him and isn't mentally cheating, thinking about the two other people she could have. In my dream I started experiencing that pain again in my stomach and the overwhelming sense of dread. Selene looked at me in petty and I don’t want to think about the reason why, I think I’d rather not know. But maybe that will help me make my decision, so maybe I should ask Mason if this is something to do with him.

Walking into the kitchen Mason’s already sitting and eating but again the food is burnt, indicating he cooked for me again. It is kind of cute that he tries, maybe if I do stay this is something we could do together. “Good morning mate, did you sleep well?” He’s in a rather good mood so maybe we can actually talk this morning and maybe he'll actually listen.

“Good morning Mason, actually I didn’t sleep that well and I was hoping to ask you about it. Please don’t get upset but I’ve been having this pain in my stomach and nausea and the sense of dread. It only happens when you go to the office and I’m hoping it doesn’t mean what I think it means.” I say sitting opposite him.

“You shouldn’t accuse me of something I haven’t done, besides I thought we were getting along well?” he looks genuinely upset at me.

“We are, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to accuse you. I’ve just never felt something like this before and I was worried.”

“Do you want me to call the doctor, maybe it’s something to do with the mark. I know you didn’t get it in the way you should have, maybe it’s an aftereffect. Or maybe your just paranoid, it could just be stress.” He says scanning me over.

“Maybe you’re right, it could just be stress, it did come on when I was talking to Selene last night, the moon goddess.”

Masons eyes snapped to my face and he said “Wait, you met with her last night what did she say? what did you say?”

“Well I wasn’t sure if I should tell you, I didn’t want your wolf to react badly again. She wants me to make my decision tonight, so maybe we could spend today together. To help me decide you know?”

“So she really is considering removing your mark?” He looks upset.

“She said it’s not true mark, because of the way it was made and the way it's healed. I know you’ve seen what a soulmates mark looks like and it's not this. It healed this way under the circumstances that it was made and given those circumstances were forbidden. She can definitely take it away, but it is my choice and I’m taking that decision very seriously.” Mason looks frustrated and runs his hands through his hair. I know it’s the bond in me, but I wouldn’t mind running my fingers through his hair, to see if it really is as soft as it looks.

“So what would you like to do today? I remember you wanted a tour of the pack. How about we start with that?”

“That sounds like a great place to start, thank you Mason for being understanding. I know it’s hard”

Walking outside and down the driveway, I can’t help but be excited to see the pack for the first time considering I have been here over a week now, almost two. Mason holds my hand and I let him, it is only fair after all the time I spent with Alexander and Ashley. he smiles down at me and I can feel his pride through the bond, so he's proud to be my mate. Oh goddess, Mason can be so confusing, I can’t figure out what’s true or not.

We walk up behind a massive building, and I remember Mason said the packhouse is not too far away from his house. So this must be it, it looks a lot like Masons log cabin, but three times its size. We passed the packhouse and I see that there’s a market behind it. There’s so many people and so many stalls, selling all kinds of things. Theres handmade gowns, jewellery, different types of food I’ve never seen, knickknacks and weapons. Everyone we pass smiles and bows slightly to Mason. The atmosphere here is so happy and thriving, Mason really does have a lovely pack. I’m sad I’m only getting to explore it today, being my last day, well maybe not? I can see myself here, amongst these markets and the happy people. And even sometimes with Mason when he's not a jerk and he's not making me question whether this is fake or not. Could I just leave Ashley and Alexander though and again I’m left wondering if they even miss me.

We stopped a little outdoor cafe and Mason pulls the chair out for me at a two seater table. He tells me I can get anything I want and as much as I want. I get a steak with a side of chips and a strawberry shake, Mason smiles at me ordering something similar but with a chocolate shake. We eat in silence, enjoying the bustling market around us. When we’re done, we make our way back through the market and towards the packhouse. Mason opens the door for me and gestures for me to go inside, by over enthusiastically bowing. I laugh at his action and he smiles, in this moment it seems like the two of us are generally happy together.

Walking through the packhouse, it really is like a bigger version of Masons house, there’s word and tiles everywhere and big open windows. He shows me to a games room, where there’s about 10 kids running around. We stand by and watch for a while, giggling at the kids silly actions and that's when they notice us. “Alpha, alpha, alpha, who's the pretty lady?”

“Well, this is your future Luna. Meet my mate Amara.” He smiles at the kids.

All the kids gather around many hugging my legs and others whispering compliments to me. Mason excuses us and we continue on with our tour, heading upstairs. he shows me to each floor and explains what they’re for; for example, omega's rooms, guest rooms, high ranking families and the offices and conference rooms. Heading back outside again, Mason takes me to one side of the pack house where there’s a large garden, with all different kinds of flowers. It smells so lovely here, or the exotic flowers and ferns. Mason has held my hand almost all day, with the exception of eating at the cafe. I don’t mind it, the tingles from his hands are comforting and reminds me that we really are mates, so maybe this could work.

As walking back to the packhouse, we crossed paths with an Omega she smiles and bows to Mason and as we pass I notice she glares at me. That’s when I scent the air, Mason this morning smelled like soap and like he was fresh out of the shower. But this Omega, is covered in Mason scent and she knows it. Worst of all, she knows I know it, with the way she's glaring and her sly smile. I feel a part of me break inside, I trusted Mason and I really did give him this chance, but he, he lied to me. Arabella growls in my mind, she's angry and so am I.