The Silent Ones

Chapter 2

Catriona fiddled with a strand of her hair as she looked out of the window. It felt as if she was leaving everything bad behind her and starting something good.

"My name is Jay. If you ever say anything, you can call me that. Not Alpha or King or anything." Catriona looked over at him with her large curious eyes. He was smiling at her kindly, lovingly.

"My pack, our pack, is the Royalty of the wolves. As the new Luna, you'll be the queen. When we finish the bond, I mean." Catriona took a pen from the cup holder and scribbled Bond? on a sheet of paper.

With a deep chuckle, Jay said, "The mating bond." Catriona's face burned and she looked away and back out the window.

"Can you speak?" He asked after a long moment. Catriona nodded silently, enjoying the almost comedic action: Answering yes to bring able to speak, but doing so silently.

"Will you say something for me?" She swallowed, contemplating whether or not to speak, and sighed. It took her a moment to decide. What reason did she have not to speak? He had already accepted her and helped her leave the pack that tormented her. He was kind and sweet to her. Wasn't that enough?

"Alpha Hale killed my parents when I was eight." She said in barely a whisper. She was surprised at her voice. Though quiet, it was soft and soothing, like clear bells. Jay too looked surprised. He wrapped a comforting hand around hers, "I will never let anyone hurt you, Little kitten. Ever." He brought her hand up and pressed his lips to it. Catriona couldn't stop her smile

"I like cats." She whispered. Jay looked ecstatic at the sound if her voice and grinned, showing perfect, white teeth.

"That's great. Maybe we can stop at the pet store in town and find one you like." Catriona daringly leaned over and pecked his cheek, making him blush, and laid her head against his arm.

"Do you have a pass port?" He asked. Catriona shook her head. He nodded, "You won't need one the way we're going, but you'll need one soon enough. If anyone asks while we get on, just say it's in our bag. Or better yet, I'll tell them. You might want that blanket." It was cold out, but why they'd be exposed to it brought her curiosity out.

"It's a small plane. A little breezy." She nodded, her throat almost hurting at the sudden use. Jay nodded and put his arm around her.

"Tell me about yourself." She murmured quietly. He smiled and turned the heat up.

"I'm twenty two. My older brother, Jared, was supposed to be Alpha, but he is a partier and rejected the role. I was in college when I got the mark. My parents were delighted that it was me and as soon as I was crowned and inducted and whatnot, I was sent to find my mate, you. You're much prettier than I expected. And I didn't expect being with my mate to feel so natural. My favorite color is green. And I had...a girlfriend waiting. She wanted us to be mates, but now that I've met you...." Catriona looked up at him worriedly.

"Don't worry. She'll understand." Catriona couldn't stop the flares of jealousy that lit her skin. She couldn't stop the possessive nature that her wolf was giving off.

"Are you upset?" He asked when she moved out of his reach. She shook her head and toyed with the radio absentmindedly.

"Yes, you are." He said with a frown. Catriona said nothing, knowing that her voice would betray her like it did when she was little. Catriona remained silent for the duration of the ride. She got her quilt from the bag and wrapped it around herself to defend her from the cold. Her thin frame was already shaking as They walked to the landing pad.

"Another two hundred for the girl." A man said, crossing his arms as he eyed Catriona.

"She doesn't take up that much space. One fifty. And she's quiet." The man grumbled.

"Passport?"

"In the bag." Jay draped his arm over Catriona's shoulder possessively. The man grumbled again and took the money.

Catriona slept through the entire rigid flight, waking only when Jay shook her awake.

"Kitten, wake up." He murmured as her eyes fluttered open. Jay smiled when she wiped her tired eyes, "I can carry you if you want." He said when she tried to roll back over. Without her answering, he lifted her into his arms and then put her in a car.

Again, Catriona slept, enjoying not having to get up and work, while Jay drove. A few hours past before she woke again as he parked.

"We're here, Kitten." Catriona was instantly alert and nervous as she tightened the blanket around herself.

"Are you still upset with me?" He asked softly. Catriona wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his warm neck. He chuckled and pulled her from the car and set her on her feet. He pressed his lips to her forehead and moved her curly hair from her face.

"Are you ready?" Jay asked while he grabbed the bag.

"The pack members all have houses on the property, but you and I, we get the big house. Basically, the palace." Catriona nodded and followed him.

"Most single or small families love in that building over there. It's bigger than an apartment in the inside, but they're all stacked on top of another. Larger families and mates get houses." Catriona followed his gaze and saw the large houses and then the buildings. They all stood on the side of the treeline. Standing I'm the middle of it all was a gigantic palace like mansion. It was obviously older, but still had the modern look to it. Catriona's jaw fell open before Jay chuckled, "Yeah, I know. My family should be waiting inside. And Gwen." Catriona looked up at him before understanding. Her mouth set into a form line before she looked ahead. He wove his fingers through hers and led her inside.