Chapter Four: Fated Mates

4996 Words
***Noah's POV*** I drove straight through the night, determined to get back home. As I neared Crystal Lake, a feeling of unease settled in my gut. Even my wolf companion Jared could sense it, pacing restlessly and panting heavily. "What's wrong?" I asked him. "I'm not sure. All I know is that something is coming. The Moon Goddess won't reveal anything to me. I wish we could run there, we'd arrive much faster!" Jared growled with frustration. He was right, I should have left the car and let someone else retrieve it for me. But I was confident that everything was under control at home. My parents always made sure things ran smoothly. I pressed hard on the gas pedal, pushing the speedometer over 100 MPH. Thankfully, these were quiet back roads and there were no police patrolling. I gripped the wheel tightly and checked the time: 1:30 PM. Almost there, just another half hour or so. Cutting through the back roads saved time but did nothing to quell my building anxiety. "You need a shower," Jared pointed out. "Yes, I know," I replied rolling my eyes. "I'll take a quick one before meeting up with Anderson and Kyleen." As my pack came into view, my anxiety reached an unbearable level. As an Alpha, fear was not something I was used to experiencing. Why was this unexplainable anxiety hitting me so hard? Joel greeted me as I pulled into pack territory. "Welcome back, Alpha!" "Thanks, kid. Can you handle my bags? I need to take a quick shower before meeting up with Anderson and Kyleen," I said urgently. I handed Joel a hundred-dollar bill before hurrying up the stairs to my house. As I reached the fourth floor, I caught a faint scent in the air that was not the usual pack smell. It piqued my curiosity. I entered my room and took in its familiar simplicity - dark grey walls, heavy black curtains, a California king bed with four posts adorned with black veils. My white furniture stood out against the dark backdrop, and photos of my family hung on the walls. I made my way into my luxurious bathroom, decorated with black, white, and gold marble, and turned on the shower. The hot water felt soothing as it cascaded over me. "I'll be taking a quick shower. Meet me in my office in about twenty minutes with your reports," I mind-linked Kyleen and Anderson. "Yes, Alpha," they both confirmed. I rinsed off and stepped out of the shower. Grabbing my towel, I quickly dried off and styled my hair with some gel. As I stood in front of my walk-in closet trying to decide what to wear. I don't know why I bothered to look nice for a simple meeting with Anderson and Kyleen. "Wear your white dress shirt and black slacks," Jared suggested. "Those always make you look good." After drying off, I quickly put on my boxer briefs and slacks. I grabbed a crisp white dress shirt and left the top three buttons undone as I buttoned it up. With my sleeves rolled up and my silver chain around my neck, I opted for a casual barefoot look. I despised wearing shoes. With my appearance in order, I made my way down to my office on the first floor. The female omegas always greeted me with excitement, but it didn't bother me. I had no interest in flirting or leading anyone on. It wasn't about my status as an alpha; it simply wasn't in my nature to pursue random women. I respected them too much for that. Besides, I was waiting for my Luna, if she even existed. Most people meet their mates at twenty-one, but here I am at thirty-eight still waiting. If I've waited this long, I can only hope that the Moon Goddess has something special in store for me - someone who is truly meant for me. "Good afternoon, Alpha, welcome back," one of the omegas greeted me with a bow and a giggle to her coworker. "Yes, welcome back Alpha, you look handsome as always," chimed in her coworker, also bowing. "Thank you, ladies. It's nice to see you again. Unfortunately, I'm in a rush to meet with Anderson and Kyleen. Have a good day." I avoided making eye contact, not wanting to get trapped in a conversation when I was short on time. I heard their gasps and exaggerated noises as I walked away. These she-wolves could be so dramatic sometimes. I entered my office to find Kyleen and Anderson standing there. They both lowered their heads in respect. "Greetings, Alpha," they said in unison. "Don't worry about the reports for now, just leave them on my desk. I'll get to them later. I trust they are satisfactory. What's the update on Lisa? It's Lisa, correct?" I couldn't help but be curious. Saying her name caused a strange fluttering sensation in my stomach. How odd, the more I thought of her, the more my stomach twisted with anxiousness. Jared grunted in the back of my mind. "That's correct. She woke up and seems to be mentally stable. However, she was confused and had no memory of what happened to her. When she tried to recall her memories, she experienced severe headaches from the trauma she endured. We gave her something to help ease the pain. We advised her not to rush into remembering anything as it could do more harm than good at this point," Kyleen explained. I leaned against my desk, resting my hand on my chin as I processed the information. Anderson spoke up. "She has become close friends with Nicky, Kyleen, and myself. She's currently out at the lake getting some sun. Her physical strength is still weak, so she tires easily. Her wounds have completely healed, but there is a scar on her right temple. We also noticed that her hair is growing at an accelerated rate. Before she woke up, it was jaw-length, but now it has grown past her shoulders. It seems like the Moon Goddess has blessed her with a gift for being transformed into one of us. She hasn't shifted, but she does have a wolf named Raven that was granted to her by the Moon Goddess while she was in a coma. We informed her about our way of life and answered any questions she had," Anderson finished, adjusting his belt as he stood up. "I suggest approaching her slowly to avoid overwhelming her. The trauma she has endured is intense. I saw her body when she arrived, along with her children and pets. It was..." Kyleen's voice trailed off as she turned away from me, tears starting to fall. Anderson went over to her and held her close. "What that man did to those kids and animals was monstrous. How she survived is a mystery to us. The photos are in the reports, but I recommend we keep them locked away for safekeeping," Anderson said, rubbing Kyleen's back. "And the children and dogs were properly buried in a remote area of our territory, correct? We don't want her coming across their graves just yet. I can't even imagine what she must have gone through," I said with a heavy heart, standing up and placing my hands on Anderson and Kyleen's shoulders. Jared growled in anger as he listened to all of this. I could feel his emotions boiling inside of me. I couldn't even begin to fathom the weight of guilt Anderson must be carrying, as he had been heavily involved in this case. And Kyleen...what she must have witnessed because of that sick, cowardly man. "Yes sir, we cremated the bodies and laid them to rest in a beautiful spot among sunflowers and quartz crystals. It's known as the Sunflower Grove by some members of our pack, located next to the river bend and waterfall," Kyleen sniffled. "You both have been amazing throughout all of this. Anderson, I am so sorry it came to this. I can't even imagine how you're feeling right now, and there's nothing I can say or do to change that. But please remember to seek therapy with Colleen - your mental health is important not only for yourselves but also for me," I spoke softly in an attempt to provide comfort. Ensuring the well-being of my pack also meant prioritizing their mental health. In the werewolf world, we witness things that are hard to forget. That's why I made sure to have a team of excellent therapists available at our packhouse. Any member of our pack was welcome to utilize these services. "Yes sir, we've been regularly meeting with Colleen," Kyleen replied. "Good, I'm glad to hear that. I think it's time for me to meet Lisa," I said, exiting my office. "Yes sir, I'll take you to her," Anderson said, giving Kyleen a comforting squeeze before leading the way. "I have to go back to the clinic; some pups have their annual vaccinations scheduled. I'll see you all at dinner," Kyleen waved as she headed towards the clinic. I followed Anderson as we made our way to the back of the pack house. My stomach was in knots as we stepped outside and walked down the steps toward the field where the lake was located. A warm breeze carried a familiar scent across my nose, teasing me before fully hitting me like a train. The aroma of lilacs and roses took my breath away. My heart was pounding in my chest as I quickened my pace. Jared was whimpering and pacing back and forth. In the distance, I could see a figure crouched down in a white sundress with delicate shoulders peeking out. Her messy brown hair was pulled up into a braided crown, cascading around her face and shoulders. As Anderson and I quickened our pace, the scent of fresh flowers became even more potent, engulfing my senses and setting my soul ablaze. The woman in question noticed our approach and paused, turning her head to face us. My breath caught in my throat as I took in her ethereal appearance. Her eyes were a captivating hazel color, surrounded by an array of delicate freckles scattered across her flawless face. I couldn't help but feel like I had collided with a solid wall as her gaze met mine. Those blazing hazel orbs seemed to have the power to stop time itself. And I couldn't tear my eyes away from her soft, slightly parted pink lips. She almost resembled an otherworldly creature with her pointed elf-like ears peeking out from the tousled strands of hair that framed her face. At that moment, I was convinced I had never seen a more beautiful woman in my entire life. My heart raced uncontrollably against my chest and my mouth went dry at the sight of her "Mate!" Jared howled with excitement, prancing back and forth. "Mate," I whispered in awe, standing twenty feet away from the stunning creature that seemed to be frozen in time. "What is it, sir?" Anderson asked as he caught up to me and saw the look on my face. "That Goddess is my mate," I choked out, grabbing his shoulder for support. Never in my life had I felt so weak yet invincible at the same time. Finally, I have found my Luna. Dear Goddess, please let her accept me. "That's Lisa, sir," Anderson whispered back, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Don't startle her. Go introduce yourself." I forced my feet to move through the soft grass towards her. The closer I got, the more breathtaking she became. If that was even possible! I could see the star-shaped scar on her temple, and my heart ached for whatever had caused it. Jared growled with anger before whimpering in agreement with my emotions. *** ***Lisa's POV*** The place was absolutely breathtaking; it felt like I was in paradise. I couldn't help but hope that the Alpha would accept me with open arms. Everyone spoke so highly of him, so I had no doubt he would welcome me into his beautiful pack. The warmth of the sun on my skin was invigorating. Kyleen had suggested that more sun exposure would aid in my healing process, and I could feel it working already. As I thought about meeting Alpha Noah, my heart began to race. To calm my nerves, I took a walk to the lake, knowing he would be returning home soon. When I woke up this morning, my hair had grown past my shoulders much to my surprise. With Nicky's help, we put it up into a braided crown before she left to assist Barbra in preparing a feast for her son's return. However, the breeze managed to loosen some of my hair, causing it to tickle my shoulders as I walked. I chose to wear a lovely white over-the-shoulder sundress. I approached the lake, lifting my dress and dipping my feet into the warm water. Crouching down at the edge, I admired my reflection and hoped that I looked acceptable to meet an Alpha of such high status. Raven's voice echoed in my mind, trying to reassure me. She had been pacing back and forth all morning, just as anxious as I was. Our thoughts kept circling back to Alpha Noah and the upcoming meeting with him. Noah is such a calm and peaceful name. Just thinking about him made my cheeks flush. What did he look like? I traced his name in the sand with my finger, lost in thought. "Noah..." I whispered to myself, unable to stop thinking about him. Out of nowhere, a lovely breeze carried the aroma of something delightful. Raven and I both stopped in our tracks as the scent reached us. It was a unique mixture of spiced rum and rain during a thunderstorm, both wild and earthy. The smell was so intoxicating that my heart began to race and goosebumps appeared on my skin. Raven joined in with howls and playful jumps, clearly also affected by the mysterious scent. Raven's howling echoed through my mind, clawing at my consciousness. "I smell our mate!" she exclaimed with excitement. "What!?" I blurted out in surprise. "The alluring scent is our mate's! He must be nearby!" Raven continued to howl with anticipation. "So that's what this incredible fragrance is," I murmured to myself. I lifted my head and followed the scent, my eyes landing on Anderson standing next to a man who took my breath away. As Anderson disappeared from my view, a stunning Demigod appeared before me, standing confidently twenty feet away. His piercing gaze, the color of steel blue, locked onto mine and I felt as though he could see right through me. His dominance emanated from him, mixing with his intoxicating scent that filled my senses and sent shivers down my spine. My body flushed with heat and desire in his presence, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. The Alpha, Noah stood before me. At an impressive height of six foot four, he stood tall and commanding. His slender athletic frame boasted broad shoulders and muscular arms and chest, adorned with intricate tattoos peeking out from under his clothing. His jet-black hair was styled in a slightly messy fashion, the longer strands falling gracefully over his forehead. He stood barefoot on the soft, green grass, dressed in a crisp white dress shirt that hugged his toned body and form-fitting black slacks that accentuated his strong legs. His facial features were nothing short of striking - a sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and a slender nose with a small silver hoop ring adorning one side. The warm sun rays hit his chiseled features, I couldn't help but find myself completely captivated by his flawless appearance. I was frozen, completely mesmerized by this ethereal being. Of all days, I chose to not wear underwear. I never imagined that simply gazing at another person - or in this case, a werewolf - could arouse such intense desire within me. "Wow, what a handsome creature! I can smell his wolf." Doubts crept into my mind. "What if he rejects us?" I voiced my fear. Something deep inside me told me that this was not a feeling I wanted to experience. "With the way he's looking at you, there's no chance of rejection. His wolf wants me too!" Raven eagerly replied, rolling onto her back and showing submission with a gentle wag of her tail. I rose to my feet as Noah approached, my chest tight with anticipation and my body heating up. The closer he got, the more nervous but excited I became. My entire being trembled, not out of fear, but from the intense desire coursing through me at the sight of him. I couldn't tear my gaze away from his mesmerizing blue eyes, like sapphires sparkling in the sunlight. Before I knew it, he was just inches away from me. Every fiber of my being longed to reach out and touch him, to make sure he was real. Yet, there was a small part of me that held back, guarded for some unknown reason. But all I could think about was how badly I wanted to feel his hands on my skin. Then, his deep and angelic voice filled the air and I could feel my face flush with emotion. If angels truly existed, he would surely be one of them. "Hello, my Luna, my name is Noah," Noah introduced himself as he reached out to touch me. I instinctively looked down and nervously fiddled with my dress. "I'm sorry for startling you. You are truly breathtaking and I couldn't help but reach out to touch you," he apologized as he pulled his hand back. I looked up at him, feeling a pang of guilt in my stomach. I didn't want to see this man in pain or be the cause of it. Despite desperately wanting his touch, there was a part of me that was scared, perhaps because of my past experiences. "Lisa, don't worry. I promise he won't harm us," Raven reassured me. I raised my gaze to meet his. "No need to apologize, Alpha. It's hard for me to understand, but a part of me felt afraid. My memories are fragmented and I can't control this fear that surfaces without warning. I am truly sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Please forgive me," I said, fidgeting with my hands and nervously chewing on my lip as I hugged myself. ***Noah's POV*** My hand reached out on its own accord, drawn to her like a magnet. I had to make sure she was real. Her skin was glowing from the sun's recent kiss. Strands of hair framed her face and cascaded onto her shoulders, which were adorned with freckles that only added to her ethereal beauty. My body reacted to her scent, causing me to fight against my desires. I couldn't let myself get aroused in this situation - not when she was vulnerable and in need of protection. But then again, who could resist someone as alluring as her? Even Jared was grunting and pawing at the ground in reaction to her presence. The s****l tension between us was palpable and electrifying. I cleared my throat, trying to regain control of my thoughts and emotions. "Please call me Noah," I said softly, hoping to ease any fear or discomfort she may be feeling. "Don't apologize, it's completely understandable." I took a deep breath before continuing, "I won't touch you until you want to be touched. Only if you accept me as your mate, that is. And even then, I will never rush anything. Your safety and comfort are my top priorities." I fought against every fiber of my being that wanted to reach out and touch her, to show her some form of comfort or affection. But I held my hands firmly by my side, waiting for her permission. She looked up at me with those glowing eyes, still biting down on that perfect lip of hers. In a sudden and gentle movement, she reached out her hand towards me. My palms grew sweaty at the thought of touching her. I quickly pretended to adjust my pants, hoping to wipe off the moisture. "It's an honor to meet you, Noah," she said in a soft and kind voice that made my heart race. The way she said my name was like fireworks going off all around me. She gave me a shy smile, revealing her beautiful teeth. Goddess, strike me down now! This woman is incredibly stunning. I reached out to take her small, trembling hand. Before our hands even touched, it felt like electricity building up between us. We both watched as our hands got closer, and I could see her chest rising and falling with quickened breaths. Instantly, I became hard. Thank Goddess these slacks were so tight. As soon as our hands touched, it was like a million hot embers exploding within me. We both gasped at the sensation, and a strong breeze seemed to blast between us. Our hands gripped tightly together. Jared was trying to break free, and so was her wolf. Her hazel eyes were filled with lust and seemed to be on fire. She suddenly snarled and bared her canines at me, her desire for pleasure emanating from her body. She looked incredibly fierce, which only made me more drawn to her. ***Lisa's POV*** "Lisa, please let me out!" Raven's desperate howls echoed through my mind. Her fierce desire to meet her mate was overwhelming, causing her to claw and scratch at the edges of my consciousness. Was this normal behavior? "Please calm down, Raven," I begged, trying to soothe her. "I'm not ready for that yet." Raven pouted and laid down. Noah's eyes were dark, indicating that he was in a heated internal debate with his wolf. "Looks like your wolves agreed to wait out of respect for the two of you. Pesky animals," sighed Anderson. "I apologize; Jared wanted to come out, but I told him it wasn't his turn yet. He's eager to meet your wolf," Noah explained, still holding my hand tightly. "Raven also wanted to come out, but she seemed to forget who I was for a moment. Is this a common occurrence?" I asked. The electricity emanating from Noah's touch was still intense, sending shivers up my arm and into my chest. I didn't want to let go of Noah's hand. "Yes, in a typical situation, there would be an intense mating period lasting days until you both marked each other. But your circumstances are a little different, so Jared and Raven will need to hold off for now so as not to overwhelm you. When you're ready to embrace this bond fully, you'll instinctively know when it's safe to let them out again. As for now, I had a feeling this might happen. Take these herbal supplements; they'll put your wolves to sleep temporarily without causing any harm. This way, the two of you can focus on getting to know each other without any distractions or desires from your inner beasts. We can't let them forget who the true alphas are," Anderson said, handing us each a pill. The once fierce and lustful wolves were now peacefully asleep, leaving Noah and I to contemplate our desires and emotions. "If you think you'll be fine on your own, I should probably head back and take a cold shower. That was quite an intense experience," Anderson chuckled as he walked away. ***Noah's POV*** I turned back to Lisa, her hand still tightly held in mine. "I'm sorry I forgot," I apologized, loosening my grip even though I didn't want to. She caught my hand with her other one, and it felt like warm water cascading over me, spreading through my body. Her touch was soft and gentle, but the scent of arousal still lingered in the air. No wolves appeared to disrupt this intimate moment that should have been just between us. "Please don't let go," she pleaded, taking a step closer to me. "I'm so sorry about earlier. Please don't think less of me. I never knew I could lose control like that. I want to hold your hand...I don't want to let go." Lisa's gaze met mine as she looked up at my towering height. She was petite, standing at only five foot four, but my heart was filled with joy just from being near her. She brought our hands closer to her chest and a thought crossed my mind - if she touched those amazing breasts with my hand, I might lose all self-control and worship every inch of her right here. Gently using my other hand, I brushed the side of her face with my fingers. She closed her eyes and leaned into my touch, nuzzling against my palm. It felt like a dream come true, having this beautiful woman in front of me responding to my touch. Was she purposely trying to seduce me? I couldn't tell for sure, so I tried not to be too assertive or pushy with her. I continued cupping her face in my hand as she gazed up at me with those mesmerizing green, yellow, and brown eyes. Slowly, she placed her hand on top of mine, pressing it against her cheek. The sensation was indescribable; all I could do was watch as she brought my fingertips to her lips, delicately kissing each one. An inaudible groan escaped my lips as I felt myself falling under her spell. Damn, this woman had me completely enraptured. She gazed into my eyes without wavering. I was nervous, but also excited by her intensity. "Kiss me, Noah. Please," she whispered, her lips turning a deep shade of pink and her n*****s hardening against the fabric of her dress. The scent of her arousal filled my nostrils; she was completely intoxicated by me. Leaning closer to her, I could feel the heat radiating off her body and her breath smelled like candy. "Are you sure?" I whispered breathlessly. She trembled, reaching up to wrap her hands around my neck and lightly tickle the hairs on the back of my neck. Standing on her tiptoes, she pulled me down towards her until our lips melded together. Parting her lips, she gently traced her tongue along my bottom lip, causing me to throb painfully with desire. Her kiss was passionate and intense. She tugged on me, urging me to lower myself even further. My petite Luna was so small that I easily scooped her up as she wrapped her legs around my waist. Fisting a handful of my hair, she expertly explored every inch of my mouth with her talented tongue. Even her saliva tasted sweet, and I could feel the heat of her p***y pressed against my throbbing c**k. Our kiss was intense, our mouths moving in a playful battle for control. She always seemed to come out on top, leaving me groaning and gasping like an inexperienced teenager. It was hard to tell if the wetness seeping through my pants was from her or me, or perhaps both of us. I didn't care who saw us; I was completely infatuated with my Luna. Eventually, we pulled away to catch our breath, and I noticed her dress had slipped lower over her shoulders, nearly exposing her breasts. I quickly adjusted it for her. Lisa gasped, still catching her breath from the passionate encounter we just had. I wanted to savor the moment and remain close to her, not wanting to lose any physical connection. She leaned in for one last kiss, I could feel the desire burning within me. But I controlled myself and gently lowered her back down to the ground. "You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with just to keep me around. I'm not going anywhere," I whispered as I kissed her swollen lips again. She leaned into my embrace, burying her head against my chest as a few tears escaped her. Surprised and concerned, I held her tightly. "Let's head inside and grab some food. I'm starving, and I can hear your stomach growling too," I chuckled. She blushed, nuzzling her face into my neck where she inhaled my scent, causing a shiver of pleasure to run through me. I felt her smile against my skin as she gently kissed and nibbled at my neck. "I can't walk into dinner with an erection," I smirked. "Sorry, your neck is just so elegantly long, and you smell so good. I don't know why I suddenly have these s****l urges," she confessed. "We'll talk about it more after dinner. Tonight, you're sitting by my side at the head of the table, so everyone knows who you are. And then we can go to my room and talk all night if you want." "That sounds like a good plan." I carried Lisa into the pack house, drawing curious looks from the omegas. Some were confused, others jealous, but there were also some offering their congratulations. I gave a stern look to anyone who dared question our new Luna or myself. Lisa was going to be treated with the respect she deserved by everyone in the pack. I carried Lisa to the dining table and sat down at the head with her in my lap. She seemed anxious, glancing around the room. "I usually sit next to Nicky. I don't want her to feel abandoned, Alpha," Lisa said hesitantly. I adjusted her on my lap. "Please, just call me Noah. Only Noah for you. Nicky! Can you sit next to me on my left side?" I requested. "Yes sir! This is incredible. Look at you finding your mate and everything," grinned Nicky. "It truly is incredible and worth celebrating," I agreed with a smile as I made sure Lisa was comfortable on my lap.
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