FROM ROGUE TO LUNA

MATE

NATALIE

Alpha James turns out to be a cool and caring guy and as he sits beside me, scrutinising my face, especially where the ugly scar is, he asks me not to reject him as his mate and even goes to an extent of asking me to join him at the Pack House and start living with him, even promising to protect me from all danger always. He goes on to promise me many nice things, but I only listen silently, confused.

Due to my previous experience with George, I refuse to accept him though I don't reject him. I no longer believe in love and the so called mate bond. My previous faith in it having been severely affected.

I don't tell him the reason for growing cold feet since I don't want to start explaining myself to anyone.

I won't deny the fact that I can feel the mate attraction between us and the bond is becoming stronger every passing moment but my past has just left a bitter taste in my mouth as well as my soul!

“What happened to your face? Did someone inflict those scars on you?” He asks and when he notices that I'm adamant not to tell him, he speaks yet again. “Tell me Natalie and I'll deal with that person mercilessly for hurting my mate!”

Since I'm not ready to disclose my painful past with him about George's rejection, I just lie to him that I wandered far and wide from my Pack and lost my way back home and that's when I met a beast which attacked me, almost killing me. I inform him that the family I'm living with currently rescued me from the beast's grip and treated my wounds.

Upon hearing that, he sympathises with me and promises to do something so as to ensure my scar disappears.

“Our pack doctor is an expert in reconstructive surgery, I can let him take a look," he says.

Since I don't want to say much, I just nod and play with my fingers. He tries to keep me talking but I'm a bit hesitant, keeping myself busy fiddling with the cup in my hands.

I request him to let me go since I need space and some time alone but he's adamant, citing that he wants me to be his mate and start my Luna duties as soon as possible, something I turn down since I can't accept a second mate after a few years of being rejected by my former mate!

“Am I not attractive enough? Am I not capable of being your perfect mate? Are you in love with someone else?” he asks consecutively and I can tell he's trying to control his temper since his eyes are already turning colour. He's trying his level best to keep his wolf under control.

“It's not like that Alpha. It's just that....” I say but I'm unable to finish the sentence. I don't want to infuriate him any further.

“Just what, tell me Natalie!” he insists and him calling my name sounds so sexy and I'm tempted to fall for his charm. By the look of things, I can tell that he's quite different from George by far. He's a gentleman. “And please, call me James. Mates aren't supposed to address each other with fear.” he adds, assuring me and I nod in understanding without saying anything. What should I say anyway?

Since I love my freedom, I can't promise him my compliance, hence, I insist on leaving to my small house. I'm sure Joseph and his children are worried about me since it's already night time and Anne is calling though I'm not picking her calls!

As we sit there with James trying to convince me to stay, a young boy who's still in his early childhood years enters the office without knocking and when he sees James sitting so close to me,he grins and walks to sit in between us.

He doesn't know how his innocent actions have saved me since I was starting to fall for James but now that he's here, he has just saved the situation and I've shoved those feelings at the back of my head!

“I hope my brother is not giving you trouble!” he says and I grin, wondering how such a small boy could be having such sharp brains. “Well, he's not a bad person. He buys me candy and biscuits every time he visits the shopping centre.” he adds before I can say anything.

“Mike, stop it, will you?” James scoffs at him but Mike doesn't seem to relent. Wow, so his name is Mike and he's the Alpha's brother?

Ignoring his brother, Mike turns to me and continues smiling, his eyes fixed on my ugly scar. “My name is Mike and James here is my elder brother. I still blame him for coming into this world before me because I should have been the Alpha now.” Ahw, this boy, he's so talkative and full of wisdom!

His brother just shakes his head while on the other hand I'm trying to control my laughter. I don't want to irritate James at all!

“What's your beautiful name my lady?” he asks, running a soft hand over my scar.

“I am Natalie, nice to meet you Mike.” I reply, hoping he won't call me ugly as Janet calls me.

“Your scar is so beautiful Natalie, what happened to you?” he asks. Maybe I should take James's offer on the surgery, the scar is attracting a lot of attention from everyone.

“It's a long story honey, I'll tell you one day soon.”

“Okay Natalie, I can tell that you and my brother are so close. Please don't hurt him.” he says and since his eyes are fixed on mine, I just nod. I don't want to explain myself further.

“Well then, can I have your phone number before I leave? I want to go back and continue playing my game in my computer.”

This boy is so sweet. He has even gone to an extend of asking for my phone number! Wow!

“Okay dear, scribble it somewhere.”

To my surprise, he takes out a phone from his pants pocket and feeds my phone number in it as I repeat the digits to him. As I said before, he's so wise for his age.

He calls my number to confirm that it's the same and then smiles, urging me to save his number.

“And when visiting next, please bring me ice-cream and candy.” he says then stands up to leave after ensuring that I've nodded in agreement.

Wow! I wish my brother Boniface was equally young and sweet!

After Mike leaves, I also excuse myself and exit James's office amid his protests but I just can't continue sitting there lest I get tempted and I don't want to do things which I'm not prepared for!

Later that evening I tell Anne about it as we cook dinner. She urges me to agree to what James wants.

“He'll never disappoint you my dear. Do you realize how lucky you are?" She asks. “So many girls had their eyes on him at the party, you should have seen them." She adds.

“James's mother died when he was still young and he was left under the care of his father. His father later got another mate, the mother to Mike. Then just last year, James became the Alpha after his father's retirement. James needs a mate to steady his leadership. Please, the guy needs you, go for it." She says.

“What if he does to me what George did?" I ask.

Anne stops stirring the soup and comes closer, looking me straight in the eye.

“From what I have gathered, James is a very honorable person. He'll never hurt you let alone reject you. If I may say this, it looks as if the rejection may come from your end, and you will have hurt him immensely. Think about it Natalie." She says, then walks back to preparing her broth.

I'll need to think deeply about this.