The Runaway Human Queen

Chapter 5

Matteo POV

I was annoyed when I heard that they had organised a party for our arrival. Who throws a party when they have just been attacked for a second time? Then again, maybe they were trying to show they wouldn’t be held back.

Either way, I still don’t think it’s wise.

What I didn’t expect was to find my beautiful, smart, and spirited mate.

My Lycan, Ares, was restless as soon as we entered the pack grounds. I knew it wasn’t because of rogues, there was something else. Unfortunately, I couldn’t investigate right away as we went straight into meetings. Then it was time for the party.

Frustrated, I got changed and walked down the stairs heading to the music when my feet changed direction and I was out the door. I knew what was happening, Ares had taken over.

“Hey, party's that way.” Apollo, my brother, caught up with me with my Gamma Max in hot pursuit. Both were confused but now alert when they saw Ares was in control.

I tried to shrug but didn’t have control of my body which kept walking and walking. My feet took me to the centre of town first, then continued on into what looked like a residential area.

Apollo and Max asked me and Ares several questions about what was going on, but Ares ignored them. I mind-linked them both to tell them I wasn’t sure either. I felt like I was being pulled now and the excitement in Ares was something I had never felt before.

Wait! It can’t be, can it?

Suddenly, a faint intoxicating smell of chocolate and roses took over my nose. It is!

“MATE!” Ares growled.

“WHAT! Where?” Apollo said excitedly as he looked around at the empty homes. Max also had a smile on his face as he was looking around.

My siblings and I had all not found our mates yet and we were all starting to get worried we may never. Dad had been putting pressure on us to take a chosen mate. He tried the bull s**t storythat it was for the best, since we hadn’t found our mates yet. We all knew it was because of how power hungry he can be especially with the choice of women he was pushing as candidates. None could ever take the place of my fated mate though.

We continued to follow the smell until I came to a standard white two-story weatherboard house. Unlike most of the houses in the street, you could hear a TV inside.

The smell coming from within was making my mouth water.

Finally convincing Ares to let me take over so we don’t scare her, I knocked on the door. Apollo couldn’t help himself and was trying to look through the windows while Max stood back watching our backs.

“No movement. You sure she’s home? Is she a she?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes she is a she and I can smell she is here.” I knocked again but louder this time. Maybe she couldn’t hear me over the TV the first time. Although with her werewolf hearing, she should be able to hear me perfectly. Maybe she’s deaf? What if she’s hurt?

I can’t smell any blood, but what if she was hurt in one of their latest attacks and she’s bed ridden? I tried one last time knocking loudly while not knocking the door off its hinges. Although it was close.

No answer again and we couldn’t hear movement.

Ares warned me he was about to take over and storm the house, but now I was worried as well. What if she was hurt in the last attack? I tried the front door but it was locked.

I looked at Max and stepped back. He jimmied it open in a second and we sprinted inside. Apollo and Max knew to let me go first or else I would have run them over.

I followed the smell up the staircase to a closed door. I could hear the TV coming from behind and see the light under the door.

As soon as I reached the door I didn’t hesitate in opening it to see her… my mate.

My beautiful mate, my beautiful human mate.

Her light blue eyes instantly found mine and I knew I would never ever let her go. I don’t care that she is human, she was my fated mate for a reason and I will treasure her for the rest of my life.

I was frozen on the spot staring into her eyes until she finally broke eye contact. That’s when I remembered she may not fully know about the mate bond. I need to tread very carefully.

She may be here at a werewolf pack but she wasn’t at the party. They are either hiding her or she wasn’t comfortable being around so many of us.

Apollo took over, asking her name. Emily. It’s such a beautiful, delicate name, perfect for her.

That night I savoured just being close to her, following her funny rules. She was a fire cracker when she wanted to be. I could tell and Ares and I both loved it. I am more than happy to be a kept man being told off by the one I was destined to be with.

Emily POV

Of course, my first thought was of those blue eyes when I woke up the next morning. I have always been a sucker for blue eyes.

I quickly showered and got ready for the day so I could go see whether my car was ready and also I didn’t want to be caught in my PJ’s again if Matteo showed up. Would he? Would he actually come and see me?

I walked into the kitchen to find Damien, Mary and Max there with a lot and I mean a lot of tension in the air.

Damien and Max have stone-cold expressions on their faces, almost trying to ignore each other, and Mary is almost wearing out the kitchen counter with how much she is wiping it down. She also looked like she was cooking for a small army with all the pans going with eggs, bacon, sausages and mushrooms. I can also see hash browns in the oven.

“Morning everyone” I called, pretending I hadn’t noticed.

Max quickly stands up and gives a slight bow “Good morning. Did you sleep well?” he asks with that same straight face as last night.

Before I can even mention how weird that is, I am trying to process why Damien also stood up and did a slight bow and why Mary bowed as well… WHAT THE f**k!!!

Trying not to be a deer in headlights, I quickly asked, “Yes. How was the rest of the party?”

Damien’s expression softened, but there was something like sadness in his eyes when he looked at me. “It was good. Did you enjoy your movie night? What did you watch?”

“A couple of Marvel movies, Notting Hill and I can’t remember the name of the last one,” because I couldn’t concentrate.

Max had sat back down with Mary putting a plate filled to the brim with food in front of him “Thank you Ma’am.” Seriously, he even put Damien to shame with how much was on that plate.

“Oh, it’s my pleasure. Em…” she glanced slightly at Max “Emily my dear, what are you doing standing there? Come, come take a seat. What would you like? I can make you something special”, she smiled and quickly got back to the stove, but seemed a bit stressed.

“Just mushroom, bacon and eggs will be fine. If that’s alright?”

“Of course it is! Coming right up. Oh, and I still have some of your bread. Did you want some toast as well?”

“Just one slice, but I can do it.”

“Oh no. Sit down. Sit! Sit!” she shooed me to the chair and went back to plating up some food for Damien and started on mine.

I took a seat and couldn’t help but watch everyone trying to work out what was going on.

Suddenly my sleeping brain woke up…. Crap Matteo, Apolo and Max… I was supposed to be in hiding, for some reason, yet they found me.

I bet with them finding out I was here was not a good thing. They had to be part of the visiting group that I was hiding from… and was now in the full spotlight! Crap!

They know, well, at least three knew, but they probably told the others already. Is that why Matteo went serious for a bit, then left. He remembered that there shouldn’t be any visitors in town.

I hope Damien and his mother aren’t in trouble. But why is everyone being nice? Probably just a façade in front of me…

Super crap!

I hope my car is ready. I really need to get out of here!

No one said anything else as we all ate. Not awkward at all.

I ate quickly while trying not to give myself indigestion as I wanted to get out of the tense atmosphere.

My nerves were a wreck by the time I finished. Mary refused to let me even move my plate from the table when I finished quickly sweeping it up.

“Thank you again Mary, you have been an amazing host.” I smiled at her as she quickly set about cleaning up. “Gentlemen.” I nodded to them and tried to make a hasty retreat.

“What are you up to today?” Damien quickly asked while trying to act casual. I can see the tension in his face and shoulders. s**t! I must have gotten them in trouble.

“Not sure depends on if my car is ready or not. I’m just going to go and check on it... Wait am I… “ I motioned my head to the front door hoping he understood my bad signals about whether I was allowed out of hiding now without saying the words in front of Max.

“Of course.” Damien nodded and headed towards me, almost blocking Max from my view. Like he is trying to put a barrier between us. “Would you like me to drive you?”

“No, no, I like to walk. I need to stretch my legs, but thanks anyway” I smile while backing towards the door. What is going on?! No, remember my new mantra. I DON’T WANT TO KNOW! NOT MY BUSINESS!

“Mind if I join you?” Max is suddenly standing right behind Damien’s right shoulder with an unreadable expression. The tension turns up another 20 notches with the men standing so close to each other.

“Ummm… If you want to, sure. I am just going to go and grab my shoes and bag” I almost sprint like a teenager to my room.

When I came back down, Damien and his mother were nowhere to be seen and Max was standing by the door looking more like a nightclub bouncer with his stony face and suit. He gave me a slight smile as he seemed more relaxed now and then gave a small bow (again???) and opened the door for me.

“And they say chivalry is dead. Not in this town. Thank you greatly, kind sir” I couldn’t help but quip. He gave a very quiet chuckle, but I heard it. I wondered if I should call him out on it, as I doubt he does it much, but decided against it.

“My pleasure” he nodded and closed the door behind him.

We started down the road just enjoying the sunshine when an expensive black SUV pulled up beside us. Max stiffened and went back to his stony face bouncer stance beside me, because he was actually starting to relax-which was good to see. He gave a bow as the back door opened and Matteo hopped out with a big cheesy smile on his face.

Today he was wearing light grey suit pants and a white shirt. Still making super models look plain. f*****g HOT!

“Good morning Princess. And where are you off to his morning?” Wow! Has that voice of his somehow gotten more husky and sultry over night?

“Enjoying the sunshine”

“May I join you?”

“You look a little overdressed for a casual walk.” He just smiled and was about to reply when his phone started ringing in his pocket.

He grabbed it and frowned when he looked at the screen. “Apologies. I need to take this”

“Of course”

“What?” he all but barked into the phone.

I didn’t want to seem like I was listening in, so I just turned and took in the scenery. The kids from across the road who were originally kicking a ball in the front yard were now staring wide-eyed. I smiled and gave them a quick wave. They gave a wave back then continued to stare at Matteo.

Before I could start thinking about how odd it was, Matteo quickly hung up looking annoyed.

“I’m sorry Princess, I need to head back to a meeting. Join me for dinner? I will have a car pick you up at 7.” It didn’t sound like a question, not that I was complaining because a man like this would not normally be interested in me. He was very very out of my league. “Max will keep you company until then”, his eyes lighting up as he took my hand again like last night, making the sparks run up my arm again. So that wasn't my over-active imagination that happened last night!

He chuckled at my little jolt from the electricity and kissed my knuckles all the while looking me directly in the eyes. I swear his eyes seemed to look straight through mine, trying to read everything about me as his gaze held me in place. Frozen. Staring straight back at him in a trance.

“hu-hum” someone cleared their throat from the car. Matteo seemed to get annoyed at that but quickly hid the emotion on his face as he smiled at me again, then walked back to the car and got in.

If this place could get any stranger… it just has.

I continued to walk with Max beside me. It certainly didn’t escape my attention that everyone was staring again like the first few days. I thought they were over it, but apparently not.

Max and I just walked in an uncomfortable silence to the Garage. I was in my head too much trying not to over think everything, including Matteo anyway.

Did his eyes change colour last night or was it just the dark room? And what did he growl under his breath? And did he really growl?

As always, it was just Max and Sam in the Garage. To make it less confusing, I will call him Car Max and Hulk Max, as Hulk Max was nearly twice the size of even these tall and muscular men.

“How is the Aussie blow-in today?” Sam called, using the phrase I had used when I first met him and with his worst Australian accent, as always.

This was now his normal greeting.

Before I could answer, Hulk Max behind me cleared his throat, causing Sam to properly look out from under my car bonnet. Even Car Max rolled out from under another car. Both suddenly straightened up and did a slight bow.

“Apologies. We didn’t realise you brought… company.” Don’t over analyse Emily!

“Sorry Max, I would like you to meet Max. So I am sure you will forget each others names” I was the only one that laughed at my own joke, yay me “and Sam, this is Max.”

“It’s an honour to have you in my shop.” Car Max tried to act all cool but you could see the nervous tension coming off him. OK, who is Hulk Max behind me? Oh f**k, I am stuck in some Mafia town and… no no stop being stupid!

“I’m just here to check on my car”. I quickly blurted out as my mind started running away with me.

“Of course” Car Max nodded “The alternator came in today, so Sam was just putting it in. Should be ready for you to pick it up tomorrow”

“Yay! Finally! Thank you. Thank you! Do you want me to fix you up for the bill now or tomorrow?”

Car Max, for some reason looked at Hulk Max first. “No, tomorrow is fine. I should get back to it. We will see you tomorrow.” They both did little bows again and almost sprinted back to where they were.

“OK thanks.” I called out. I walked back out to the footpath but stopped as I couldn’t hold it in any longer. “OK Max, who exactly are you and why is everyone scared shitless of you? And did you really want to just come for a walk or are you babysitting me?”

A little mischievous glint flickered in his eye, then was gone. “I just like to walk”. Yeah no… and he completely ignored the first question.

“I did see that look in your eye a moment ago. So you’re just not going to tell me?” I took a deep breath and shook my head because I didn’t want to know, why did I ask?

I should be happy he isn’t telling me. I know I don’t want to know and I shouldn’t have asked. I need to stop my natural curiosity again before I notice things I don’t want to. I don’t want to know or need to know what is going on. Tomorrow I will be gone and I can just put this down to another interesting part of my travels.

I put my hands up and shook my head. “Wait. No, it doesn’t matter.”

His eyebrows went up and he looked shocked. “Why?”

“Because it is none of my business. Now, since you like walking, where do you want to walk to next? The café for a coffee? Or the clothes shop? Or the park? You seem like the type of guy that would love to go on the swings and just let yourself go”, he gave a little smirk, then quickly hid it.

I am just guessing it doesn’t matter me going into town now as the secret had to be out of the bag.

“Do I now? I am just happy to go where you want. Are there any other errands you have to run?”

“I wouldn’t mind going to the book shop, but only if you talk on the way” the smirk came back for longer this time.

“Fine. What would you like to talk about?”