The Alpha's Burden

Chapter 7 - New Home

Zack POV

It did not take long for Kristine to fall into a troubled sleep. She was murmuring in her sleep, but I could not make out the words. I could imagine what they were, I thought, with a chuckle. It was going to take a lot to win her over. I was sorry she was in love with another, but I also trusted the Moon Goddess. And I trusted the fated mate bond even more.

We drove through the night. At some point, my eyes got heavy, and I slipped off to sleep. “We are almost there,” my head warrior mind-links me. Before I open my eyes, I feel something soft. I feel sparks bouncing off my hand. I slowly open my eyes and find my mate curled up with her head resting in my lap, my hand resting on her soft, gorgeous hair.

I simply take a moment to embrace the feeling that all is right with the world. That my mate is in my arms. I take the opportunity to study her. When she is asleep, she is a sleeping beauty. Her face is line free, a clear complexion with lips begging to be kissed. As I tilt my head down slightly, caught up in the moment of desire, I see her eyes snap open.

Gasping, Kristine quickly jumps from my grasp and throws herself across the backseat. “Great, she is awake,” my warrior mutters as I send him a quick scowl. “What the hell! How did I end up in your lap?” she demands as she straightens her dress. I would have loved to help her straighten her dress, but I knew she would not welcome that. Mind you, I would prefer to help her remove it rather than fix it.

“I have no idea. When I woke up, there you were,” I replied with a smirk. “I highly doubt that. You likely dragged me over there!” she shouts. I heard the two warriors in the front sigh as I looked at Kristine. “I assure you, you crawled over to me,” I said to her, angrily getting frustrated with her attitude.

“I do not believe you,” she says as she turns to look out the window. “Where are we?” she demands. “We are almost to the Red Moon Pack,” I reveal proudly. I was proud of my Pack and all that we had achieved. My Pack members worked hard, they were also proud of our Pack and treated it like it was gold.

I saw Kristine sit up a little straighter in her seat and fix her stare outside. I can see she is intrigued by what she sees. As we enter the Pack territory it is still dark outside, but I can see lights in the homes of my Pack members. Everyone would be getting up and moving soon. Our warriors are on the training field already. Our Omegas are already preparing breakfast for the Pack.

As we move slowly through the territory, we come to our shopping district. I see Kristine turn to look at me, wanting to ask something but as if she momentarily forgot she was supposed to be angry at being in my presence. I patiently wait, but she bites her tongue and looks back out the window.

I want her to ask me about her new home. I want her to embrace being here. I want her to be the strong Luna I know she was raised to be. We moved deeper into the territory. I have a home that I have built for the family I had hoped I would have. For now, I am staying at the Pack house with my Beta and Gamma.

We drove by some of our bigger homes, and I heard her breath catch. Her Pack was beautiful, but I knew ours was bigger than the Oak Point Pack. I also knew it was a bit more extravagant. “You have a school in your territory?” she asks quietly. Clearing my throat, surprised she had spoken, “Yes. We feel it is important to ensure our pups learn our traditions and who they are before we introduce them to the human world,” I reply.

She nods as she continues staring out the window. She turns to look out the front window, seeing our Pack house ahead. “Is that the Pack house?” she asks. I hear a hint of excitement in her voice. “Yes; I currently live there,” I reply as we pull up to the stairs. The warrior driving brings the SUV to a stop and turns the vehicle off. He gets out to open my door. I quickly exited the vehicle before moving around to open Kristine’s door.

I held my hand out to her and waited for her to refuse it. She surprises me by putting her much smaller hand in mine. “It is beautiful,” she murmurs, as if she has forgotten she is supposed to hate me. As I shut the door behind her, she releases my hand and wraps her arms around her waist.

“Where are my things?” she asks. There she is. The defiant, conflicted woman, I think, with an internal smile. I know she is trying to fight the bond, but it will win. I just need to give her time.

Kristine POV

I could not deny the beauty that surrounded me. The Red Moon Pack was stunning. It had everything and was self-sufficient. I could easily see how Pack members would be happy living here. They had protection, everything they needed, and more! I felt the sparks in my hand and quickly released Zack’s hand. I did not want to slip into a comfortable existence with him. I had to focus on leaving.

“Where are my things?” I demand, trying to put distance between us. “They are being taken to your room,” Zack assures me. I nodded and looked at him expectantly. “Well, I would like to go to my room now,” I replied snottily. I know I am being rude. It is not who I usually am, but I cannot help myself when I am around this man. I need to stay strong, so I can be with the mate I have chosen for myself.

I turned to walk up the stairs when a good-looking man came down the stairs slowly. “I see we have found our long, lost Luna. Welcome,” he says as he came to stand in front of me. I look at him and realized quickly he must be the Beta. I nodded to him and looked to Zack, waiting for him to introduce us.

Zack steps forward, “Let me introduce you to my reluctant fated mate, Alpha Kristine Hayes of the Oak Point Pack,” he shares with the Beta. “Reluctant? I cannot wait to hear this,” the man chuckles to my annoyance. “Do you have a name?” I ask rudely. “Clearly, I do. But I live to serve you, my Luna,” he replies, pissing me off.

“Connor do not antagonize her. We finally have a break from her screaming,” one of the warrior’s said as he walked around me with my bags. My face goes red at the embarrassment of how I behaved when Zack first stole me away from the Gala. As I think about it, I get angry again and do everything I can to try to contain my anger. My parents simply let me leave without any reservations.

“A screamer, eh? Should make for some interesting times,” Connor says as he turns with a smile and walks up the stairs with Zack beside him. Neither man pays me any attention. I grabbed the bottom of my skirt and made my way slowly up the stairs to the entrance of the Pack house.

Zack is patiently waiting for me as I arrive at the door. He gestured for me to enter. I take a step inside and am instantly taken to a place of peace. “Who decorated this entryway?” I asked in awe. Before Zack can reply, I hear a shriek, and something jumps in front of me and into my mate’s arms.