Finding Her True Self

Chapter6

I couldn't sleep. I kept turning on the sofa in the living room. I never knew I would get another shot at having a mate. The events of the day played in my head.

I was in a meeting with the other Alphas, and we discussed the recent increase in rogue attacks. Many packs have suffered great losses from their attack, and it was soon becoming a serious issue. We talked about strategies and what to do to curtail them.

I left after I got a call from my beta, Mark, that a wolf had trespassed into our pack. I immediately left with the intention of making an example out of the rogue to let the others know that the blood moon pack was out for their blood. I will hang his head at the border after I am done with the rogue.

I marched into the holding cell, and the metallic smell immediately hit me, but it didn't bother me because I was used to it. But as I got closer, the metallic smell slowly vanished and was replaced with a caramel scent. I was confused. I turned to Mark and asked, “What is this smell?

He looked at me, confused. “What smell?”

“It smells nice, like caramel.” The reply got me a weird look from him. “Never mind, I tell him.”

As we got closer, the scent got stronger, and when I got to the cell where the rogue was being held, I was met with the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on. “Mate!” I growled, leaving everyone confused. I was lost in her eyes. I have never seen such green eyes; they drew me into their depths.

But my heart was broken. She looked skinny and tired. I couldn't help but wonder what she had been through in life. So I took care of her as much as I could, but one thing was certain to me at this point: it was clear that she was being bullied and maltreated wherever she was before now. That I noticed from our interaction today.

My heart broke even more at that thought. “I will crush whoever did this to you.” I thought to myself.

The image of her after her bath was still in my head; she looked a lot better and even more beautiful. It took all my willpower and being chastised by Mia to actually do what I needed to do, which was to stay away from her for now and give her time to come to me.

If it weren't for Mia today, I would have made a mess of the situation, especially as mom wasn't around right now. Mia told me what was best for my mate. Seeing as she is a nurse with years of experience, she has seen cases like that of my mate. So I followed her instructions, albeit unwillingly and painfully.

I lay on the sofa, and with my alpha abilities, I would hear her light snores from the room. I am glad she finally fell asleep; she had been tossing for some time.

I didn't sleep a wink last night, and once it was dawn, I entered the kitchen to cook for my mate. Mai said she was malnourished and should be fed properly. Thank goodness my mom forced me to learn how to cook.

I got busy in the kitchen, cutting, slicing, and preparing the meal. After I took out the platter I used to give her food last night, I took note of the dishes she ate more of, meaning that those were the ones she liked. I filled the platter with different foods, since I didn't know what she liked; that way, she could choose from everything. So I was cooking one of the ones she ate the most of.

After some time, I heard the shower running, which meant she had woken up. I also listened for when she finished, but even after bathing, she didn't come down.

I waited impatiently downstairs, hoping she would come down herself. Like Mia said, baby steps, but I was losing my cool and patience.

I was just about to stomp upstairs when I heard the door to the room creak open and her light footsteps coming down.

She stood at the entrance of the kitchen and peered at me. “Good morning, Alpha,” she said in a low tone.

“Call me Eli or Elijah. You are my mate; you don't need to address me so formally.”

Her eyes widened. “I cannot do that.” She said.

I wanted to push the matter, but Mia's voice rang in my head: “You need to get her to trust you and stop being afraid. Don't force her to do anything.”

“Okay, whatever you are comfortable with.” I smiled at her.

I walked back to the table and sat at the far end of it after pulling out a chair for her at the other end. “Please sit and eat. Don't mind my presence; I am only making sure you eat as Mia instructed.

It took her a minute to finally decide. She walked slowly towards the table, all her eyes on me, watching my reaction.

It was clear that she was very skeptical of everything. She didn't trust me. It broke my heart, but I knew it wasn't going to last long again.

Once she started eating, she didn't stop. She was gulping it down. I smiled. “She has a lot of appetite. I love it,” I thought to myself.

“How are you feeling this morning?” I asked her, and when her eyes rose to meet mine, I resisted the urge to run over to her and take her in my arms.

“I…I… feel much better.” She stammered out.

I nodded, feeling grateful that she would at least talk to me.

“Can we talk after you finish eating?” I asked again, hoping she would say yes.

She nodded slightly.

After eating, they remain in their seats. She fidgeted with her fingers, showing how hard it was for her to talk about herself.

“You don't have to tell me now; we can talk about anything you feel like talking about. There is no rush. I reassured her.

“No, it's better we get it over with.” She said as she brought her hands together. She told me how she was bullied in her pack and how the Alpha didn't do anything about it. She also told me how she found out she was the alpha's son's mate and how everything played out until he rejected her.

When I heard the part about how the guys who escorted her to the border tried to r**e her, I couldn't take it anymore. I slammed my hand on the table, and my eyes glazed over from their natural blue to black, showing my wolf had taken over.

“I will kill all of them!” I said in a deadly voice, and I meant every word.

Elsa must have sensed that I truly meant every word because she did something she wouldn't have normally done but was the only thing that would calm me down. She ran to my side and placed her hand on my chest.

Her touch was electric, and my wolf was howling joyfully in my head. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of her touch, but soon I felt the coldness of her removing her hand.

“Please calm down,” she said in her sweet voice, and all the anger left my body. It's only been a day, but she already had me wrapped around her finger.

I breathed out, willing myself to stay calm, and she continued her story. She told me how she stayed in the unclaimed land and how she got to trespass into my pack.

My heart broke for her, for my little mate, who had to go through so much. I had many questions; there were many things I wished to ask but didn't.

“So tell me about yourself.” She said, looking at me eagerly.

I smiled, happy that she wanted to know about me too.

My dad died a few years ago, and ever since, it's been just my mom and me. She is currently touring different countries; you will get to meet her soon.

The beta is also my best friend, and Mia is like another mother to me.

I built my reputation as a strong and fearful alpha because that was the only way to keep my family and pack safe. I learned that after I lost my mate. “My first mate died years ago from a rogue attack. That's the reason I hate rogues and do not have pity for them.”

I could see in her eyes that she felt bad for me; she sympathized with me.

“I am so sorry about that,” she told me.

“It's okay. It was a long time ago, and I have you now.” I winked at her. Her cheeks turned pink, and she looked away shyly. I smiled at her reaction to what I said.

“It's nothing compared to what you have been through. I wish I had found you sooner, so you wouldn't have had to go through all that.”

Tears ran down her face, and I couldn't help but go to her side. I crouched to her level and brought my hands to her cheek to wipe away her tears. I was worried she wouldn't let me. She flinched away the moment my hand touched her face, but she soon relaxed, allowing me into her space. Our gazes locked on each other, and we forgot ourselves in each other's eyes.

The door suddenly opened, breaking our moment, and Beverly walked in wearing only her underwear and holding her coat in her arms.

“What the f**k!” I cursed angrily, and Elsa immediately ran upstairs, crying.