His Chosen Mate

Chapter 4

I checked my reflection in the mirror once again before walking out of my room. I just received a text from Bea that she is on her way to fetch me.

We were going to the lake today. It was a last-minute plan but I just agreed to it as I had nothing to do that today. Besides, I did miss going to the lake that once was my sanctuary from the werewolf world.

"You're going out today?" My mother asked when I skipped down the stairs with a bag on my shoulder.

I nodded at her, "Yes, mom" I smiled, "With Justin and Bea. You remember them right?" I asked, putting the bag on the table before making myself a set of french toast to start my day.

"How can I forget them?" My mother asked, "You said they were the only ones who were willing to be your friends during your schooling days" She sighed, "I didn't know you were still in touch with them"

"I was not in touch with them. I happen to bump into them at a cafe here" I shook my head, setting my toast on a plate before going to sit at the island table, "It was so embarrassing, mom. I couldn't recognize Bea for a moment and I feel like a jerk for that" I said, earning a chuckle from my mother, "It is not funny!"

My mother's eyes gleamed in amusement, "Yes it is" She grinned, "But I am glad your friends are here still. At least you won't be spending an entire month locked up in your room" She continued while I munched my crispy toast.

I gave her a look, "I am not a hermit, mom. Yes, I used to be one but not anymore" I shook my head and just then, my only sister came into the kitchen and grabbed a granola bar wordlessly before walking away from there as if I and my mother are not there.

I get that I am not her favorite person in the world but I thought she would at least greet my mother in acknowledgment! How disrespectful she can ever get?

"Oh Mera, where are you going?" My mother asked when she saw Mera heading straight to the front door.

Mera didn't even spare a glance our way, "Out" She grunted before pulling the door open and stepping out. She even had the nerve to bang the door shut with unnecessary force.

My mother's face fell at her eldest's behavior, "Is she always like that?" I asked, clearing my throat.

My mother looked at me, composing her facial expressions, "Like what?" She asked, trying to look unbothered.

I rolled my eyes at her, "Rude" I grumbled, "I mean, she could have answered in a better manner"

My mother smiled, "What time you will be back?" She asked, changing the subject.

"Probably for dinner. We are going to the cafe later for lunch" I answered her, finishing the last piece of the toast, "That is probably them" I added when I heard the car honk at our driveway. I quickly went to the sink and washed off my plate. I kissed my mother's cheek, "I will you see later, momma" I said to her before grabbing my bag and rushing out of the house.

Bea waved at me from in the car as I approached her. I waved at her in return and went to sit in the backseat as Justin occupied the passenger seat.

The drive to the lake was fun. We listened to those hit favorite songs back then and jammed to them. I was smiling so much that my cheeks started to hurt by the time we arrived at the forest. I couldn't believe how well I clicked with them again despite being away for so many years.

We had to continue the rest of the journey on foot because there was no road to the lake yet. I asked my friends why this place was not developed unlike the rest of the town and Justin's answer literally made me stumble.

"This place is kind of a restricted area for now but hopefully it is alright," He said, "No one is allowed to come here but Bea and I sneak in now and then" He shrugged as if this was not a big deal.

"What do you mean?" I looked at him wide-eyed, "Won't we get in trouble or something for this?" I asked, glancing at Bea in bewilderment but she simply shrugged.

She laughed when I threw her a dirty look, "If we keep everything discreet, no one will know that we were here" She grinned.

I let that sink in for a moment and felt a rush of excitement within me, "Great. Now I can feel my adrenaline rising at the thought of getting caught" I sighed, averting my gaze to look around the forest, "Why it is restricted anyway?"

As I wasn't watching where I stepped, I lost my footing and almost fall to my face but Justin quickly caught me and steadied me. My cheeks went red in embarrassment as I muttered thanks under my breath.

He smiled down at me and I felt my heart skip a beat. This young man was my crush all of those years ago for God's sake. I thought I might be over him but I wasn't.

"There have been a few drowning episodes" Justin explained to me, "Alpha Noah didn't want to risk the safety of the youngsters as this place was a popular spot among the school kids back then" He went on, "Since we are good at swimming, this wouldn't be a problem for us"

My eyes went round again, "Wait! I didn't think we will be swimming today" I almost screeched.

Bea looked at me in disbelief, "You thought we came deep into the forest to the lake to not get a dip? Of course not!" She shook her head.

"I did not bring an extra set of clothes" I sighed.

"Then what is in your bag?" She asked.

It was my turn to shrug carelessly, "Some chips and chocolates. I thought we were going to just hang out by the lake" I said, "Ah, now I have to sit at the shore and watch you guys have all the fun" I grumbled, not hiding the disappointment that I felt.

"Well too bad for you" Justin shook his head, "We are getting wet whether you have an extra set of clothes or not"

"We're here!" Bea said excitedly before I can respond to Justin.

I looked to the front and felt a small smile tug at the corners of my lips. This place looked exactly the same since the last time I came here, "Woah, it still looks the same" I sighed.

"It is a lake, Cora" Bea reminded me, "What did you expect? For it to grow up?" She joked, shrugging off the bag she was wearing and dumping it on the ground, "Come on, we are getting in the water" She grabbed my hand to pull me towards the lake.

I giggled, "At least let me put my bag away" I chuckled, shrugging off my bag as well.

The three of us made our way to the bank of the lake. I slowly sat down on the ground and dipped my legs into the water, "Oh the water is so cold" I gasped, shivering.

"Yep" Bea nodded her head in agreement, "It is nice though, come on" Without a warning, she plunged into the water, pulling me in as well.

I let out a little scream when I felt the water pulling me in but I kicked my legs underneath me to keep myself on the surface. Justin jumped in next, splashing the water onto me and Bea.

I laughed, feeling the inner child in me resurfacing. We played in the water, splashing at each other, "Yeah, this is nice" I agreed, sighing in delight when the sun touched my face, "The sun feels great as we swim in the water too" I said.

"I told you it will be fun" Bea grinned.

"The only problem is I have to walk around the forest soaking wet when we get out of the water," I said, "I am going to shake like a leaf later"

Justin laughed at that, "It is okay. It is not like we haven't done that before" He said and it was true. I do remember walking around the forest a few times like that after some impromptu swimming sessions.

"Yeah, I remember that" I grinned but Bea and Justin stilled, their eyes darting towards the same direction, "What's wrong?" I asked them but they motioned me to stay quiet.

Worry immediately filled in me. Something was wrong and their wolves can sense it. I was sure of that.

Bea and Justin exchanged a glance, probably communicating via their mind link, "We are screwed today" Bea said under her breath with a shake of her head.

"Why? What is wrong?" I asked in a whisper.

"You shouldn't be here" I heard a familiar deep masculine voice say and I whipped my head to the side to look at Alpha Noah as he emerged into our view.

My stomach dropped at the sight of him. Of all people who could have caught us red-handed, it has to be the Alpha. Behind me, I could feel Bea's worry as she addressed the Alpha.

"Alpha Noah," She said in a small voice.

The Alpha's face was hard. All the friendly smile he gave me yesterday was completely wiped off his face as he glared down at the three of us, "What are you waiting for?" He asked us in an unpleasant tone, "Get out of the water right this instant" He commanded.

The three of us quickly swam to the bank and scrambled to get on the land and stood on our feet, dripping the water on the ground.

"Alpha, we apologize-" Justin started but the Alpha shook his head.

"I will hear it when all of you are dry" The Alpha grumbled, "Go change your clothes first. The last thing we want is to have three people fighting for their lives because of hypothermia"

We all exchanged a glance," Understood, Alpha" Justin and Bea said before quietly making their way to their bags. They went behind the trees to change themselves while I stood there with the Alpha alone.

Still soaking wet.

"Do I have to repeat myself?" The Alpha asked when I made no move to get to my bag. What was the point? It is not like I have clothes with me.

He was still waiting for my answer so I took a deep breath before speaking up, "I- er...I didn't bring any clothes with me" I admitted. Just then, the wind blew right on my face and I shivered in response.

That felt cold!

The Alpha stared at me for a moment and shook his head. I didn't realize he was wearing a bag until he shrugged it off and fished a t-shirt and a pair of shorts from it. He handed it to me wordlessly.

"Thank you, Alpha," I said as I accepted it.

I could feel his eyes on me as I made my way towards one of the thickest trees there so I can hide myself the best as I change my clothes. I quickly shredded my wet clothes and pulled on the t-shirt over my head. It was quite big for me but I was grateful for it.

The shorts on the other hand kept falling off my hips. I had to push it up every few seconds to make sure it didn't fall off. I picked up my wet clothes and went to get my bag so I can stuff them in.

"Alpha, this is entirely our fault. Cora has nothing to do with it" I heard Justin explain to the Alpha as I made my way toward the Alpha again. Justin and Bea stood in front of the Alpha with their heads hanging in shame, "We were the ones who took her here"

"You think I didn't figure that out by now?" The Alpha scowled at the two of them, "What the two of you were thinking? I forbid anyone to come here for a reason!"

Alpha Noah's eyes flickered towards me as I joined to stand with Justin and Bea. His eyes then traveled down and I thought they darkened at the sight of me wearing his clothes.

Are they his favorite clothes? I made a mental note to wash them properly and give them to him later.

"We are aware of that Alpha" Justin said.

"And you still disobeyed me" Alpha Noah growled in frustration, "Then you put another life in danger as well" He added and I felt his eyes on me again.

I looked up to meet his silver eyes, "We used to come here when we were younger, Alpha" I spoke up. I felt like I should say something to save my friends even though it was their idea to come here in the first place, "We thought it will be fun to come here to reminisce those days"

"It is not safe here anymore," The Alpha said I didn't know if it was just me or Bea and Justin noticed the change in the Alpha's tone as he spoke to me. He sounded much gentle to me, "You three could have drowned"

I didn't know what to say in return to that so I hung my head as well, "Let's get out of here first. We can discuss the rest in the packhouse" I heard Alpha Noah say, "I will meet the three of you at my house and you guys better be prepared for what is coming"