His Kidnapped Mate

Chapter 13

While Ava is relaxing in the tub, I decide to google the area she said she was from. It seems to be a remote area on the eastern edge of the country. I don’t recall ever hearing of a pack from way out there, but then again, I’ve only really been to the provincial alpha meetings with Jackson. The national meetings only hosted a few pack members from every province and we haven’t been chosen to go as of yet. Jackson’s dad has gone a few times though. I’ll need to check in with Jackson, and maybe his dad, but that can wait till tomorrow.

Ava joined me in the kitchen as I was finishing prepping supper. We had a nice quiet night in, cuddled up on the couch, watching a movie. Ava fell asleep about halfway though the movie, her head against my shoulder. I took the time to stare at her features, forgetting about the movie altogether. It was the perfect evening. She stirred a little when I carried her to bed but was back to sleeping soundly as soon as I tucked her in. I gave her a peck on the forehead before climbing in my own bed and falling asleep to her heavenly scent.

I wake up the next morning and notice Ava still peacefully sleeping, not minding that her hair was covering most of her face. It makes me smile. I slept better than I ever have and that, all thanks to that beauty who finally shares my room. Soon enough, I’ll have her sharing my bed. One last look at her and then I head off to the bathroom to get ready for the day. By the time I get out, freshly showered and dress, Ava is awake and dressed, waiting for me.

“Good morning. How did you sleep?” I ask her

“Like a baby.” She answers with a smile.

“You feeling up to having breakfast with the gang downstairs? I’m sure the girls would love to see you.”

“Sure. Give me five minutes to finish getting ready and I’ll be good to go.” she answers happily

“Take your time. We aren’t in a rush.”

Ava disappears into the bathroom and comes out a few minutes later, ready to go. Remembering yesterday and how she struggled to get up the stairs, I decide to show her the elevator.

“We could’ve taken the stairs you know. I’m perfectly capable of going down a few flights of stairs.” she says with some sass in her voice

“I know you are but you are still healing. I should’ve shown you the elevator yesterday. I’m not making the same mistake twice.” I answer, which just earns me an eye roll.

Ava:

“Your here!!!” Laura squeals as she sees us entering the dining room.

Kyle squeezes my hand making me look up at him.

“You go have a seat with Laura while I get us some food. Any special requests?”

“I’m not picky” I answer back. I’m about to head over to the table when Kyle gently tugs on my hand, making me take a step towards him instead.

“Not so fast” he says with a crooked smile before giving me a peck on the cheek.

“I’ll be right back. Save me a seat.” He winks at me and lets go of my hand before heading off to the buffet table. I grab a seat beside Laura, who is sitting beside her mate. Marie and Jackson are sitting in front of us.

“I’m so glad you are finally living in the pack house. We will see each other every day!!!” Laura says excitedly.

“Thanks to both of you for setting up Kyle’s apartment. You really didn’t have to go through all the trouble.” I answer, looking at both Laura and Marie.

“It’s our pleasure. Did you end up choosing Kyle’s room or the spare bedroom?” Marie asks.

My cheeks are burning red as I whisper “Kyle’s room” knowing full well the girls heard me just fine.

“Does that mean I will finally have my Beta around a bit more?” Jackson says teasingly as Marie hits him lightly.

“What? He was spending all his time at the clinic. You can only discuss so much over mindlink.” Jackson tries to explain.

Marie rolls her eyes at her husband. It makes me smile. You can clearly see the love in their eyes even if they are bickering. I hope to get there someday with Kyle.

“You can have Kyle all day. I’m going to bring Ava for a tour of the pack.” Marie announces

At that moment Kyle came back with 2 plats in his hands.

“But I was going to show her around town!” He whines, making me chuckle.

“Too bad. It’s my job as Luna, and your Alpha here seems to want to spend more time with you. I think he is getting jealous of all the time you spend with Ava”. Marie says as she winks at me.

“No I’m not!” Jackson exclaims.

“Girls? Isn’t that what he just said a moment ago?” Marie asks

I nod my head yes as Laura answers out loud with way too much enthusiasm, making Jackson groan.

“So, it’s decided. Jackson, you get Kyle for the day and I get Ava. I have to get her ready to become the Beta Female after all.” She smirks at them.

Kyle sighs “You ok with spending the day with Marie? I promise to catch up with you as soon as I’m done with Jackson.” He asks with worry in his voice.

“I’ll be fine. I need to get to know Marie better if you want me to be Beta female and have Marie as my Luna.” I answer, which makes him growl, Blaze flashing his presence through Kyle's eyes.

“You have no idea what you do to me baby. I can’t wait for you to be my Beta female.” He whispers in my ear.

I’m glad he is taking things slow with me but I’m not blind either. I know he wants to mark and mate with me. And I want to get there too...if only my brain could follow what my heart wants. Unfortunately, those hunters did a number on me and I don’t know when I will be able to take the next step with Kyle. But I will do everything in my power to get there. I am not letting the hunter’s win. I hear Laura talk which brings me back to the present.

"Wish I could go with you girls but I have so much to do today. Maybe we could meet up for lunch at Nicole's? She makes the best pastries!”

“Sound good.” Marie answers

I was getting excited. I haven't had an outing with friends in so long. I could tell Marie and I would become great friends and I already considered Laura as such after all the time she spent in the hospital with me. We finished off breakfast before Kyle kissed my cheek goodbye and left with the boys towards Jackson's office, while Marie leads me outside to an awaiting SUV.

“Don’t mind our driver. I can defend myself just fine and our pack is perfectly safe but Jackson insists I have a warrior with me at all times when he can’t be present. The ambush, which led to him being in that dungeon with you, has him traumatized, not that he would admit it. So, for his peace of mind, I agreed to have one warrior with me when I leave the packhouse. Plus, I don’t mind having a chauffeur.”

My eyes got big as I felt the blood drain from my face, my breathing accelerated for a moment as panic set in, memories of that dreadful place resurfacing in the forefront of my mind.

“Sorry Ava, I wasn’t thinking. I shouldn't have mentioned that place so soon after everything. Are you ok?” Marie says worriedly as she grabs my hands. The feeling of her hands squeezing mine lightly seemed to get me out of my state of panic. With a few tears falling from my eyes, I try to slow down my breathing. I concentrate on the feeling of Marie’s hands holding my own instead of all the images being projected in my brain. After a few deep, slow breaths, I feel better.

“I’m ok” I answer as I wipe the tears off my face.

“Are you sure? Do you still want to go out. I’ll understand if you don't feel up for it.” She says, still sounding worried

“No, I’ll be fine. We can still go explore the town. Sorry about that.” I say as I grab a hold of the back passenger door handle.

“No need to apologize. I’m the one who’s sorry. You sure you’re up for it?”

“Yeah, let’s go." I say, putting a forced smile on my face before opening the door and hoping in.

Marie slides in next to me and we head off towards town. Just like when I arrived with Kyle yesterday, but in reverse, we go through the woods, then the fields, and finally arrive in town.

First, we stop at the training center.

“This is where all the classes take place. We have classes for every level, and everyone is welcome. We also have the standard equipment to burn off some steam and keep in top shape. We have a gym at the packhouse, so warriors mostly come here for the classes, or if they live in town. Kyle teaches a few classes but most are held by our lead warrior Alex.” Marie explains as I look around at the treadmills, rowing machines, free weights and a bunch of other machines one would find at the gym. Behind the main room is a slightly larger room which is where I’m assuming classes are held. Marie introduces me to a few people who nod in my direction and politely say hi. I’m grateful none of them encroached into my personal space. I’m slowly getting comfortable around Kyle and Laura, and now Marie, but I am nowhere near ready to have strangers in my safety bubble. We head back out and Marie shows me the building beside the gym, which turns out to be an indoor pool. We then head back to the car where we drive for another five minutes before Marie tells the driver to park. This time we are on what appears to be the main street, with stores lining both sides.

“This is main street. We aren’t a huge town but you will find everything you need. We have some clothing stores, a furniture stores, a grocery store, gas station and of course Nicole’s coffee shop right over there. We will come back here to have lunch later.” Marie says as she points to all the individual stores as she names them. Once again, I am introduced to many people as we walk down main street. The people in this town seem very nice and respectful, some of them even bowing slightly to Marie as we passed by. We took a turn after the coffee shop and I notice a cute park. Children were playing as their parents sat on the benches chatting with each other while keeping an eye on their children.

“As you can see, our town is very family friendly. Along with the park over here, you have a daycare center and a school right across the street. If you turn on this street you will find the clinic. We mostly have single family housing all around town, however, we do have a few apartment buildings that are located that way. You mostly find wolves who want independence from their parents but haven't found their mate yet living in those blocks. Unmated warriors live in the packhouse, as well as the unmated Omega’s who work there.”

As she was talking, a female who smelled human walked by us with her toddler. The smell made me feel uneasy, making me sniff the air a second time to make sure she was in fact human. Sure enough, she was. She didn’t appear as a threat, as she smiled at her child and briefly says hi to Marie as she passes us. Marie must’ve sensed my discomfort as she explains.

“We have a few humans living in town though the majority are wolves. The humans living here pose no threat to you. I promise. They are aware of who or what we are and have no issues with that. Some are mated to wolves, others befriended some of our pack members and decided to move in. You are perfectly safe here.” She reassures me.

I take a deep breath and try to relax. If Marie says they don’t pose a threat, then I need to trust her. She is the Luna here after all and wouldn’t put her people at risk.

“Come on, let’s head back. Laura is waiting for us at the coffee shop”

Was it already time for lunch? The morning sure passed by quickly, but I was happy with how it went, feeling more and more at home here in Golden Moon Pack.