The Unexpected Mate

Chapter 10 : Raden's Lie

Elinor, Gia and Leo entered the office and easily spotted the Alpha. He was the only person in the room, so he had to be the one they were looking for.

The Alpha was a man with salt and pepper hair and an air of knowledge around him. Even if Elinor saw him somewhere else, she'd be careful due to his overbearing aura. He knew how to pressure people around him.

"Alpha, these are the ones who got lost..." Alex came up next to the Alpha and said in a low voice.

Alpha was already observing them. Alex's introduction did not seem necessary as he already knew they were puny humans. Elinor felt like an insignificant bug in front of this mighty being. An Alpha was no joke. Elinor made sure not to make eye contact if he took it as an offence and decided to kill them off for it. That would be bad.

"Good morning sir," Leo greeted first. He was playing it safe by calling him sir. They weren't part of the pack, so it wouldn't be right to address him as Alpha. Elinor and Gia followed his example.

"Have a seat," Alpha gestured to the chairs in front of him. His desk was cleared except a few documents in front of him. Elinor and Gia sat on the two chairs while Leo kept standing behind them.

Alex was about to get him a chair but Leo refused, saying it was alright.

"So, Alex and Ivan told me a little about your problem," the Alpha started, "But I would like to hear the details from you."

This time Leo nudged Elinor on the shoulder, urging her to speak up. Elinor cleared her throat and sat straighter, then narrated everything that happened to them starting last night.

"What do you want us to do about that?" Alpha asked, "Infiltrating their territory is against our rules. We do not go against each other if possible. Why would we risk our peace for two human lives?"

Elinor was struggling to find an answer to that. The Alpha wasn't wrong either. He was thinking about his people. In comparison to their peace and countless lives, Elinor and her friends were insignificant to him. But for Elinor, her cousin and Ross were much more important. She wouldn't give up easily.

"I understand that, sir, but for humans like us, our lives are the most important thing. We need to try, even if there is the slightest chance to get them back," Elinor explained, "And we are not asking for help in exchange for nothing. We will repay you for this help."

"We don't know anything about them. It will be very difficult for us to try on our own. We really, really need your help. We'll do anything in return!" Gia added.

The Alpha leaned back in thought. Next to him was Alex. He was stiffly standing there, not daring to say anything. The longer the Alpha kept thinking, the faster Elinor's heartbeat became. She was waiting in anticipation.

Finally, Alpha spoke up.

"I am sorry, but I cannot risk our pack for this," the Alpha said remorsefully, "Peace between the vampires and our people was a dream that came true after a lot of bloodshed and sacrifices. I cannot risk it all for you and your friends. People die every day, miss. I do not mean this in a disrespectful way. If you hold onto those who were meant to die, how will you live?"

Elinor's heart dropped into her stomach. Disappointment has never felt so real before. Disappointment did not even cut it. Elinor felt like crying her heart out and begging the Alpha for help, even if she had to give up her life in exchange for Ginny and Ross. But she knew it wasn't going to help. Their life was nothing in comparison to their rules and peace. Helping her could result in chaos.

That was not what Elinor wanted.

"I understand sir," Elinor said. She tried, but couldn't hide the sadness in her voice. Gia was even more devastated. She covered her mouth and started crying. Leo was silently gazing down, refusing to show his expression.

The Alpha sighed, "Alex will show you the way out of the woods. I hope you will be able to move on from this day. It is hard to let go of dear ones."

Alex came up next to Leo and patted his shoulders, "Let's go."

"Go where?" Another voice asked. Simultaneously, the door of the office opened. In came Raden, the man Elinor met in the waiting area. He came in univited as if he owned the place.

Alex wasn't surprised by this behaviour and the Alpha found it more amusing than offending. Elinor internally thought, this man must definitely have a special identity. Or else how could he barge in like this?

Raden came inside, hands stuffed in pockets and steps casually light. He smiled at Elinor and winked. Elinor was in a bad mood, the wink only made her frown with tension.

"You finished your work?" Alpha asked Raden.

Raden shook his head, "No. Something smells really good so I came to take a look."

"What smelled good?" Alex asked.

"Something," Raden said, his eyes moving towards Elinor in a rather obvious manner, "Or someone?"

All eyes fell on Elinor. Raden was not being discreet at all. The Alpha frowned so hard that his forehead creased all the way up. Even Alex was taken aback by his words.

"What do you mean, Raden?" The Alpha asked in a slightly strict tone. He had been amusing Raden before, but the way Raden was talking, it wasn't a joke anymore.

"Exactly what I am saying," Raden pointed at Elinor, "Can't you sense it?"

"Sense what?" Elinor asked anxiously. She put a hand on her chest, wondering if something was wrong with her. She was already so worried about Ginny and Ross that she absolutely did not trust her body. It may give up on her due to excessive stress. Especially after Alpha declined to help.

Raden came forward and leaned on the edge of the desk right next to Elinor, "Sense our bond!"

"Don't joke about this Raden!" The Alpha exclaimed, "Go back and finish the work I gave you! You have too much time to kill? Do you want more work?"

Raden looked aggrieved by Alpha's accusations. He turned around with half his body on the desk and said, "Dad, do you really think I would joke about something like that? I met her downstairs when they were waiting to meet you. I sensed it back then but wasn't sure. But then I started to feel restless. I was standing outside for ten minutes now, waiting for your meeting to end so I could come in and talk about it."

"She's a human," Alex informed her.

"And so is Helen two doors down from your house, Alex. She has been playing happy family with her mate for the past thirty years now."

In short, her being human wasn't a problem.

Elinor's throat felt tight as she slowly came to the realisation. Was she right? Elinor did not want to draw conclusions out of nothing. Raden could be talking about something else.

"Is this about me?" Elinor asked. Gia nudged her, "Obviously. He pointed at you. Wasn't even trying to hide it."

Raden immediately ignored his father and Alex and turned to speak to Elinor, "Yes. It's about you. Only you. Don't worry about others."

The Alpha's face turned red, "Raden, we need to talk about this."

"Sure we can. But first let me explain everything to her," Raden said, and once again started talking to Elinor as if others did not exist, "You already know me. I am his son, Raden. You are a human, so I don't expect you to know much about mates. All you have to know is that we are tied by a bond, basically soulmates. You are my mate."

Silence as heavy as a mountain descended upon the room. No one had a response to Raden's way of explaining the concept of mate. He slid down the desk and bent his waist to see eye to eye with Elinor. His smile never fell in front of her.

"You shouldn't panic. We will take everything slow...." Raden said and winked. Elinor's face flushed due to the closeness. Although she wasn't in love with this guy, he was attractive for sure. Being this close was not something Elinor couldn't take easily.

Neither could she accept the mate thing.

"I think you are mistaken."

"Why?"

"How can you be sure that I am your mate? It's not practical at all!" Elinor tried to reason with him.

Raden was a pro at proving his point, which was exactly what he did, "My wolf told me you were. Do I need any other proof? Dad? Alex? Am I right?"

"Come outside with me." The Alpha stood up and left the office. Raden went after him calmly. As soon as they left, the pressure in the air was released. Elinor was able to breathe again.

"What is wrong with that guy?" Leo asked Alex.

"Don't mind him. Raden likes to joke around. He will come around after the Alpha talks to him," Alex looked embarrassed about Raden's behaviour.

However, Elinor was still in thought. She knew the significance of a mate due to Raden's explanation. She has also read enough novels to know what it meant. Elinor wanted to know whether he was joking or not, hoping it was not.

Yes, Elinor was hoping Raden wasn't joking.

If she was really Raden's mate, then she would be important enough for them to grant her request. Maybe the Alpha will agree to help find Ginny and Ross. Once again, Elinor saw a glimpse of hope.

A few minutes later, the Alpha and Raden came back in. Raden was still sporting his casual form with a smile and the Alpha looked distressed. Elinor's hopes went up.

"I did not expect it to happen like this," the Alpha sighed.

"Is it true?" Alex was shocked.

"It does seem like it," the Alpha replied. He looked at Elinor with complicated eyes.

"Miss, you understand what it means, right?" The Alpha asked.

Elinor gulped and nodded, "I do."

"Then what are you going to do about it? A mate for us is not like a casual partner in your world. We only have one in our life and we cannot change it. However, we will respect your decision. Whether you decide to give him a chance or leave without looking back, we will accept it. We do not force anyone here."

Elinor felt the weight of decision-making on her shoulders. She wanted it to be true so badly. She wanted to be Raden's mate just for the sake of getting their help. But after hearing him say that, Elinor hesitated. She did not want to get Raden's hopes up and later disappointed him. She was basically using her identity as his mate.

This opportunity came out of nowhere. Like a pie falling from heaven. Elinor did not understand how she became Raden's mate, but at this moment she had no other choice but to accept it. Everything else could be shifted to a later time. Right now she needed their help.

"I will give him a chance," Elinor said, " but on the condition that you will help me find my friends."

Her condition came as an unexpected shock to everyone. Even Gia and Leo were not prepared for her to say that. Let alone the Alpha and Alex. Raden just raised an eyebrow.

"Miss, you are going too far," the Alpha said.

"What help?" Raden asked at the same time.

Elinor briefly explained everything to him. She hoped Raden wasn't offended by her condition. She did not want to hurt anyone's feelings but this was the only way she could get Ginny and Ross back. She has to take this chance. She would make sure to repay Raden for it.

"So much happened and you still deny her request?" Raden turned to frown at his dad,"What are those bloodsuckers in front of my mate? Do you think she isn't important enough to me and my pack?"

This was the first time Elinor had seen him frown like this. She had to say, he looked good in any expression.

"We did not know she would end up being your mate."

"Now you know. So quickly agree now. I will take on this mission personally so you don't have to worry," Raden said, "I know you are worried about peace. But how can you trust those things? These days they are everywhere and this time they came so close to our border! Who knows when they will become bold enough to come right to our border? It's time we took care of it."

The Alpha had nothing to say so he just nodded. Elinor felt guilty for making him so stressed. She couldn't take the entire credit though, half of it belonged to Raden.

"Show them to the guest house," Alpha ordered Alex, and waved them away. Alex led Elinor, Gia and Leo outside. Raden followed.

Elinor, Gia and Leo were still in shock. Elinor fell behind without noticing. When they were outside the pack house, Raden leaned next to her and whispered, "Good thinking."

Elinor looked back in shock, "What?"

Raden's smiling face was right in front of her. He leaned back and walked next to her. He was so cool that Elinor felt like a geek walking next to him.

"I heard you pleading to my dad and he refused. I couldn't stand there and do nothing. So I came up with the whole mate act. I was still thinking about how to bring up the matter of helping you but you did it yourself by adding the condition. It was amazing!"

Elinor's eyes went wide, "Y-You lied?"

Raden put a finger on her lips, "Shhh, don't say it loudly or I'll be caught. But yes, I lied. Now you have the help you wanted. I saw you feeling guilt back then. Don't be. You aren't my mate after all."