The Unexpected Mate

Chapter 9 : First Encounter

When Ginny agreed to go camping with Elinor, being kidnapped was not part of the plan. However, when she woke up in a dark basement with a cloth stuffed in her mouth, ropes binding her arms and legs, she had no choice but to accept that the unexpected had happened to her.

It was dark all around so she couldn't guess whether she was alone or not. All she knew was that the basement was cold and filled with large cylindrical containers.

"Mmmmm! Mmm! Mmmmmm!" Ginny moved her body in an attempt to loosen the ropes or at least make a sound so that if there were other people, they would hear it and come over. Even better if the kidnapper comes over! She wanted to see who had brought her here!

"Hmmm! Mmm!" Another sound echoed after hers. There was someone else here! Someone like her! Ginny hit her arm on the metal container to create more sound. For a while there was no reply, so Ginny frowned, wondering if she had heard wrong.

But a minute later, a rustling sound came closer and closer. Someone was coming over! In the dark, she saw a faint shadow on the ground coming towards her. Ginny stuck to the wall behind her and shrunk her body. The person slid over using their legs and butt.

Heavy breathing and pounding heartbeats mingled in the dark, making it obvious that there were two people there. Ginny wanted to ask who it was but the cloth in her mouth was impossible to spit out.

Just then, a light bulb flickered in the room. Ginny caught a glimpse of his face and nearly cried in relief. It was Ross! Elinor's friend, Ross!

"Mmmm! Mmm!" Ginny couldn't express how happy she was to see that familiar face. Ross had seen Ginny as well. But instead of being happy like her, he grew serious and wary.

Ginny was much younger and it was a natural instinct for her to rely on him. Her expression said it all. But for Ross, it meant he definitely had to get out of here. It wasn't just him now, he had someone else to help too.

If it was a random stranger, he would have turned his back and left. But the smallest possibility of the other person being one of his friends was poking Ross in the heart. That was the reason he came over to have a look. Before that, he was just fine being in that corner and eventually figuring out a way to leave. Now he wouldn't be able to be at peace.

Ginny was unaware of the ocean of thoughts waving in Ross's head. She had found someone to depend on. They just needed to figure out a way to leave this place now, preferably alive.

However, the only problem was that they couldn't communicate. Hence, the two sat there in absolute silence, only sensing each other's presence for a long time.

Since the basement was dark, there was no way to tell whether it was day or night. How many hours passed out what day it was.

Ginny was worried about herself and also Elinor. Her cousin must be so worried! Right now Ginny's brain was working at the highest speed to figure out a way to get the cloth out of her mouth.

While Ginny and Ross were united and worried about their own problems, Elinor and her friends were being taken into the pack to meet their Alpha.

The scarred guy, Ivan, had gone ahead to get them an appointment and the other two were leading them to a waiting area for guests.

They happened to introduce themselves, which made it a lot easier to address them. The man who helped rescue them last night was called Alex and the other one was Sid.

Alex and Sid showed them the waiting area in the pack house. Apparently, Alpha's office was on the third floor and the waiting area was just a reception with couches and a coffee table. They weren't the only people waiting either. A couple of others were already occupying the couch and sipping on lemonade provided for them.

Elinor, Gia and Leo joined them in doing the same.

"We will let you know about the appointment when Ivan comes back," Alex said, "Would you like something to eat?"

On cue, Gia's stomach growled in hunger. Nearby people looked at her and smiled knowingly. Gia looked down and nodded shyly. She had cried her heart out earlier, so her eyes were swollen and red. They hadn't eaten anything since they woke up and had to walk a long way to get help. It would be weird if they weren't hungry.

Elinor was famished as well, but at least her stomach was used to unusual eating times. Sometimes she directly skipped breakfast because of work.

"I will get you something," Alex smiled and left.

Elinor leaned back on the couch and sipped the chilled lemonade. Although they were reluctant to help, at least they were being nice for now. Helping them or not wasn't their decision after all. It all depended on Alpha's decision in the end.

Elinor was lost in thought, trying to come up with every possible way to convince their Alpha to agree. When the spot next to Elinor, which was originally empty, was taken by someone. She whipped her head in surprise and saw the side profile of a handsome man.

He was right next to Elinor so she was able to smell its cologne. It was a fresh scent, something citrusy. Elinor subconsciously took a deep breath because she liked the smell.

The man looked sideways at her, catching her doing that. It was embarrassing for Elinor. Flustered, she sat up straighter and smiled at him so he wouldn't think she was weird. In fact, everything she did looked weird to the onlookers.

Strangely, the man did not look like he was affected by her. He even smiled back and introduced himself, "Hello, I am Raden."

Elinor wasn't expecting to talk to him. She quickly introduced herself as well. As an introvert, Elinor found it hard to talk to strangers, especially when they were good-looking. Raden looked fine though.

"I don't remember seeing you in the pack," Raden asked politely, "Are you here to meet someone?"

Elinor wasn't going to share her problems with a man she barely knew. The fact that she wasn't like them must have been known by him already. After reading a few novels in the werewolf genre, Elinor was sure these people had a strong sense of smell. They knew their people extremely well too. There was no point lying, it might even bring her trouble later.

"Um, we accidentally got lost in the woods while camping," Elinor said and added, "We are waiting to meet the Alpha."

"Alpha? For what?" Raden asked curiously.

"Um, we need help getting out of here. But the people we met here said they can't help us unless the Alpha approves of it..."

Raden nodded in understanding but his eyes said that he knew she was hesitant to tell the complete truth. Thankfully, he did not push any further. By the time Elinor finished her lemonade, Raden got up to leave. He sent a smile her way before leaving.

Elinor watched him go up the stairs without an appointment, wondering who he was and how he was allowed to go while all of them were sitting at the reception. Even some of the pack people were there.

But Elinor had her own problems to think about. Raden's privileges were the least of her concerns when her cousin and friend were kidnapped by people who were not human. They could be dead or alive. Elinor had to prepare herself for the worst.

Ten minutes later, Alex came back with a paper bag in hand. He placed it on the table and took out three small disposable boxes.

"Help yourself, I will go upstairs to check the progress," Alex left after giving them the boxes. Elinor felt slightly guilty for freeloading like this. These people had nothing to do with her problem, yet Elinor and her friends went so far as to get their help. They were also being so nice that Elinor felt bad about the argument they had outside.

The boxes had a serving of eggs, sausages, toast and a dip. It was a wholesome breakfast and smelled fresh.

"This tastes home cooked," Leo said after swallowing a mouthful of toast and eggs.

Elinor hadn't eaten yet, so she asked, "How do you know? Home cooked or restaurant/cafe food tastes the same to me."

It was a slight exaggeration, because the taste was never the same for most things, but eggs, sausage and toast were the most common things and unless the seasonings were changed, the taste was the same all the time. Elinor had her fair share of breakfast on her way to the office, so she was confident in that judgement.

"No, eat it and you will know," Leo stuffed his face with food again, "It just tastes so fresh as if made just now. Look at the time, it's past breakfast time. Which restaurant or cafe has fresh food like this at this time?"

Elinor couldn't believe she was having this conversation right now. She quietly ate the food given to her, which really did taste good. Whether it was home cooked or not wasn't her concern right now. After finishing the food, they collected everything in the paper bag again and threw it away in the trash.

After another twenty minutes of waiting, Ivan and Alex came downstairs. Elinor waited anxiously for them to speak.

"Alpha has agreed to meet the three of you," Alex said with a slight smile. His expression was completely opposite to Ivan's, who was scowling. Elinor did not mind the ugly expression because now she knew his soft side.

"That's good," Elinor thanked Alex and Ivan repeatedly for getting an appointment for them. It would have been impossible on their own.

Alex told her, "We haven't told him everything because it is your job to explain. All we've said is that you are humans and need help. The details will be given by you. I will be there as well, because I helped Harrison last night and found out a little about the incident."

Gia was about to go down on her knees and bow before them again. She was getting emotional because of their cooperation. Leo helped her calm down as she started tearing up again. As a stable person, Elinor took it upon herself to thank them as much as possible.

"Don't say thank you anymore. We are not helping you just yet. Convince our Alpha first," Alex chuckled, "He is in a good mood because his son came to the office after a lot of persuasion. Maybe he will agree. But don't keep your hopes up if it doesn't happen."

Elinor nodded, thinking it was a good day for her son to come back. If the Alpha was really in a good mood, then chances of getting help would automatically increase a little.

She took deep breaths to calm herself. If she was desperate and said what wasn't supposed to be said, it would be over for her and her friends.

The people before them had their own appointments as well, so they went before Elinor. One by one, the line became shorter and soon, it was their turn.

"I am going for rounds with Sid. You watch over them," Ivan said gruffly and left. Elinor smiled and said thanks to his back.

Leo, Gia and Elinor followed Alex upstairs to the third floor. Leo wasn't the type to stay quiet, so he asked Alex about the breakfast they had just now.

"Was it bad?" Alex asked.

Leo immediately explained, "No, no! It was amazing actually. It's very fresh and tasty. I wanted to know where you got if from. I'd like to try that restaurant."

Alex chuckled, "Is that so? My mom made it. My house is closer than restaurants here, so I figured it would be quicker to give you home-cooked food."

Leo looked back at Elinor with a look that said - I told you so!

"It was tasty! Please thank your mother for the amazing breakfast!"

Elinor rolled her eyes. They reached Alpha's office soon, so Leo had to shut up after that. Alex knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Alex looked back at them and opened the door. He went inside first and held the door for them to enter.