The Bewitched Mate

Chapter 06

Chapter 06

Eliza’s POV:

Once back at the pack house, Anna was already waiting by the car.

“I’ve already had all your things put in the trunk,” she said when she saw me approaching. Jason went straight to his Beta, which was standing at the door of the pack house.

“Anna, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. It was just too much for me yesterday,” I began, but Anna held out her hand.

“Stop, I’m not blaming you. I’m sorry about what happened. After what happened at the pool, going back home might be the best option. I’m sorry you have to leave.” I nodded slightly.

Saying goodbye to Anna is making me feel sad. After all the years of going to school together, it was a shame to end it like this, but it was better this way. I couldn’t enjoy it anymore and apparently everyone here was quite alert.

“Anna, are you riding with us or are you staying here with Ben?” Jason asked. He was by the car now, ready to get in and leave.

Anna looked from me to Ben and back.

“It’s okay Anna, just stay here. I’ll call you when I have time, okay?” With a brief hesitation, Anna nodded.

“Give me a hug,” I said, holding my arms open for her.

She came and gave me a big hug. Before she let go of me, I whispered in her ear, “He’s your mate, isn’t he?”

Abruptly, Anna broke into our hug and looked at me with surprised eyes. The look was enough. I knew I was right.

“It’s okay, stay here.” Winking at her, I walked to the car and got into the car without looking back.

“That was very kind of you, to leave Anna with Ben. How did you know Ben was her mate?” Jason asked me the moment the car doors were closed.

I smiled. “First, the way you asked if she stayed or went with you. Second, the way Ben was looking at Anna gave away a lot, but Anna would never hesitate to go with me unless it’s her mate.”

I was happy for Anna and hoped that I, too, would soon find my mate.

As if Jason could read my mind, “Your mate will look at you that way too, Eliza, you are a beautiful she-wolf! Every wolf would be grateful to The Moon Goddess for having you as a mate.” His words made me blush.

“Thank you, Jason. I am keeping my fingers crossed it’s true.” While contemplating the perfect picture, I fiddled with my hands.

Since learning about mates and the mate bond in school, I had been looking forward to my eighteenth birthday. High-rank wolves could sometimes even sense their mate earlier. Just like with Anna, she was the sister of an Alpha after all.

“Jason, may I ask you a personal question?”

Jason looked at me doubtfully, then nodded.

“Anna once mentioned that she had a sister-in-law, so you must have a mate. I haven’t seen her in the last few days. Where was she?” I was curious about the Luna from The Red Moon Pack.

Jason let out a deep sigh. “I had to let my mate go. Our pack faced an attack by rogues a few years ago. I had just introduced my mate to my parents when the rogues invaded. She isn’t a wolf, but a human. I wanted to introduce her to our world gently, but everything went wrong. During that attack, the rogues killed my mother, and it made my father completely freak out. Infront of Jess’ eyes, he turned into his wolf and slaughtered every rogue. An understandable action for us, but for Jess. She didn’t dare come near me anymore. She was terrified of me, of all of us.” Jason’s face was an open book of emotions. Sadness, regret, anger.

I placed my hand on his hand, “I’m sorry, that’s terrible!” I said, trying to soften the raw emotions.

“It’s all right. It’s been almost five years. Now and then I hear from her, but I know it will never work out. I’ve had to accept that over the years. As an Alpha, I can’t sit and wait for a mate who will never take on her role as Luna. I hope one day I can welcome some love into my life, even if not through the mate bond. That’s what I agreed with Jess, as soon as one of us meets someone, which makes us happier than we are now, then we let go of each other.” Jason stopped talking and looked at me for a moment.

I observed him, deep in thought. “I don’t really know why I’m telling you all this. Even Anna doesn’t know this.”

I gave the hand I was holding a gentle squeeze. “It’s okay, I won’t tell anyone, and if you need someone to listen, you can always tell me,” I mumbled.

Then I let go of Jason’s hand and looked out, while Jason watched the road. We drove in silence for a while.

I was dozing off slightly when Jason started talking. “I have to stop for some fuel. Do you want something?”

“He, huh? No, thanks.” I said sleepily.

Jason laughed softly. “You’re tired, aren’t you? A cemetery isn’t a place to sleep either, but I didn’t want to wake you up.” Jason walked away.

I turned my head to Jason. What did he mean by that? I thought he hated the way I smelled. It wasn’t long before Jason came back, holding two cups and getting into the car.

“Here, have a cup of tea, finish it and I’ll take you home. You can sleep the rest of the way,” he said, handing me a cup.

“What did you just mean?” I asked him.

Jason laughed, “Eliza, Anna and I were looking for you when you ran out the door and we found you in the cemetery. Anna wanted me to bring you back inside, but I was afraid you’d wake up. I knew you wouldn’t feel comfortable after yesterday, so my wolf stayed with you.” He took a few sips of his drink and started the car.

“Thank you.” I drank my tea and made myself comfortable in the car, so I closed my eyes for a moment. It didn’t take long before I dozed off.

“Eliza, time to wake up? We’re here.” It was Jason’s soft voice that woke me up.

“Yeah, just a little while,” I muttered back.

“Sorry, but I can’t, Alpha Hector wants to talk to me. Don’t worry, I’ll carry you,” he said.

I just nodded, but Jason had already lifted me out of my chair. Jason was nicely warm, and I dozed back against him.

When I woke up, I was in my own bed and the door was ajar. I stretched myself and went down to see if anyone was home.

Once downstairs, I heard a noise in the kitchen. I walked in that direction and saw my mother busy in the kitchen. It already smelled delicious, and I suddenly became hungry. The sound of my rumbling stomach made my mother look up. The moment she saw it was me, a big smile appeared on her face.

“Hello sweetie, how are you? I’m so glad you’re back!” I walked over to her and gave her a big hug.

“Mom, I’m glad to be home too!” We cuddled for a while before she pulled back.

“What about that very handsome Alpha who brought you home?” She said teasingly.

I had to laugh. That was my mother. She’d always wanted a big family, but my dad is about ten years older than her and he’d spent all these years focusing on his job until, after two kids, he’d had enough. My mother had resigned herself to the idea that her family would always grow with at least two more people if my brother Alex and I came home with our mate.

“That handsome Alpha is Alpha Jason from The Red Moon pack. He’s Anna’s brother. Zoë and I went to school with her. Anna has found her mate in his Beta and Jason has offered to drive me back home. I slept badly, so apparently he even put me to bed.” The thought made me giggle a little.

So, he was afraid I’d freak out if he took me in yesterday, but carrying me to bed in my parents’ house was no problem? My mother looked at me a little suspiciously and then turned back to her kitchen counter.

“You must be hungry. Looks like the food at school wasn’t great. You seem to have lost weight. I’m busy making your favorite dinner. You should gain weight and be in good shape when you get your wolf.”

I kissed her on the cheek, “Thank you mom! I’m going to clean up my things and take a shower. Then I can help you, okay?”

My mother waved me away. “Go do your thing, dear. Your brother and father will come home in a moment, and then we can have a nice dinner as a family.”

I went back upstairs and started unpacking my bags. Jason probably put them upstairs too.

My thoughts of yesterday came back. Jason had done everything he could to keep me comfortable, and I found that it really worked. At no point had I felt uncomfortable in his presence. The moment I undressed; I realized I was still wearing Jason’s hoodie. With some embarrassment, I put all my clothes in the hamper and got into the shower.

I took my time and the moment I passed my chest; I noticed that no print was visible anymore, and the bruises had disappeared. That meant my wolf was slowly waking up.

“Thank goddess!” I said out loud and got out of the shower. After drying myself off, I put a nice body lotion on myself and then put on something comfortable.

Once I got back downstairs, my mother had already finished in the kitchen.

“Maybe you can set the table? I’ve already put everything on the table,” she asked me.

I nodded to my mom and went to the table and started dividing the plates, and saw that I had five instead of four.

“Mom,” I said, laughing, “I know you want me to eat more, but I don’t have to eat for two,” I joked.

My mother came out of the kitchen grinning, “I’d like to see less of your ribs, but I can still count. I deliberately put everything from five. Your brother has found his mate dear and would like to bring her tonight. He can’t wait to tell you, so hush now and cover for five.” with a wink she walked back to the kitchen.

At that same moment, the front door opened. My father came through the door first, followed by my brother. Before I could see who his mate was, my brother came running up to me and shouted, “Liz, you’re home!!” With all his enthusiasm, he twirled me around.

With a huge grin, he said, “I have something to tell you. I found your sister-in-law Liz! You’re going to really like her because, well, she’s just super cute, if I say so myself.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. This was so Alex, straight to the point.

“Put your sister away so I can say proper hello to my daughter!” It was my father’s only slightly irritated voice, but the moment Alex put me away, there was no sign of it anymore.

“My little girl, you’ve grown up! You look good, maybe a little thin, but nothing we can’t work on,” he said with a wink.

My father has never made a secret of his desire to train us to be outstanding warriors. You never know what it’s good for, he always said.

I heard a familiar giggle at the door.

“Ahh, that was really sweet baby!” said the voice.