Chapter 38 – The Mate Back Home Novel Read Online Free

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“Sort of,” I said. “We are going to take it slow. I need to gain her trust.”

“That’s fair enough,” he said. “She was sent away by the one person who’s her mate, but everything she has been through has made her the great Luna she is today. I wouldn’t like to get on her bad side.”

I looked over at him. “Alpha Trevor’s face was a picture when her wolf came up front with her, to make them as one. I don’t think he thought she would accept you,” he said. “Something was off about him. I watched him during the fight. He never took his eyes off her and was always on his phone.”

That was odd.

“I wonder what kind of game he is playing,” he said.

I was about to say something, but Keith called out. “I’ve ordered Pizza, and they will be here soon,” he said.

Alpha Dean and I nodded. I followed everyone inside the house, leaving the Alpha Trevor conversation for another time.

Once inside, I couldn’t help but look around the house. It was warm, and some photos were displayed on the walls of Roxie, Jason, and other family members.

I couldn’t help but look at the photographs and scan over them till my eyes landed on one in particular. I smiled.

The photo was of Jason, Roxie, Tim, and their mum. I knew I had seen this photo before, as Tim had it hanging in his house too.

I could feel someone standing next to me, and I knew who it was straight away as her scent hit me hard. I looked at her, but her eyes were elsewhere. Tingles erupted as a slight touch of her arm brushed against mine as she looked at the photo.

“I miss her so much,” she whispered as her eyes landed on the photo of her family.

I could feel my heart break for her. I lost my mum when I was young, but it was never due to violence like Roxie and Jason did. My mum passed away from an illness that caused her, cancer. We werewolves can heal and transform, but my mother was human. She was only mated and marked, but she never changed into a werewolf like us.

I cleared my throat as I looked back at the photograph. “She would be so proud of you,” I said. “Especially being an ultimate fighter.”

Roxie turned to look at me as a smile spread across her face. “I think she would like to know that I was kicking some a.ss now and then,” she said. Her eyes stayed on me.

I was about to say something, but Jason walked in. “Food’s ready,” he said, but stopped in his tracks. He looks between us as Roxie steps away from me. I could feel the loss of her as she walked away. I wanted to reach out and grab her, but I kept my cool.

“Come on,” said Roxie as she walked away. I followed her but got stopped by Jason, who smirked. “Are things okay with you both?” he asked as he looked to see Alpha Dean pull out the chair for Roxie for her to sit. “I mean, I honestly thought she kicked your a.ss or something, but you both seem to be okay?”

I frowned but kept my gaze on Roxie, who looked up at me. “We’re okay,” I said and walked off.

I sat next to Tim and was seated opposite Roxie.

We all dug into the food, and quiet conversation flowed between us, but I kept quiet for a while. I kept my eyes trained on Roxie, her eyes would meet mine occasionally, but she would flush when she spotted me staring.

The food was stunning; I love pizza and dessert, and even though it was cookies, I enjoyed them. The conversations flowed, and even the mention of Roxie’s mum was mentioned, which surprised me as no one in the family ever brought her up.

This evening was exceptional in all ways, and I even mentioned a few times that their mum was good to me. She was one of those women that would take you in, even if you didn’t want to. When my mum passed, she became my second mum in a sense. When she was killed, it was hard on all of us, especially Roxie, as she was with her at the time.

“Alpha Lex, I think you should move into the house with us,” said Tim, which pulled me from my thoughts. The conversation was still around the table, but the eyes opposite me had me frozen slightly. I looked over to Roxie, who had a blank expression.

“Mate wondering what you are going to say,” blurted Blaze out of nowhere. Blaze had been quiet the whole time, but I could tell he was watching Roxie through my eyes.

I cleared my throat. “If it’s okay with everyone else,” I said, my eyes going to Roxie.

Roxie stared for a moment but nodded.

I smiled.

“Jason and I will go to collect all of the stuff,” said Alpha Dean. “I guess Alpha Trevor has left.”

A low growl escaped my l!ps. “Don’t mention him,” I murmured. I knew it would only bring Blaze to the surface.

Alpha Dean nodded but looked at me. “When are we going back?” he asked. “I’m only asking as I have been away from my mate for too long now, and I want to see her.”

Roxie’s eyes burned into me as I looked at her. Her face was holding too much emotion to know what she was thinking. The look of dread and worry came, but confusion was set now. She had a rough time in the pack, but once we announce she is my mate, everything will be different, I’m sure of it.

I wonder what she was thinking.

“We should stay with our mate for a little while,” said Blaze.

That sounded like a plan, and I knew what I would do.

“I think Alpha Dean and Jason could go back tomorrow morning as they are missing their mates,” I said. “I will contact my father to notify him that I will be staying here for a little while until Roxie decides to come back with me.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, but Roxie stood up and stared at me. “I will see you all tomorrow,” she said. “I need to sleep; the fight has worn me out.”

With that, she scrapes the chair back and walks around us. I watched her leave and head up the stairs. Once she was out of sight, someone cleared their throat, which made me look at Keith. “Give her some time,” he said with a smile. “She needs to wrap her head around it all, and you staying here with her might be a good thing, just the two of you.”

Everyone else nodded their heads.

We all talked, but it turned to sports more than anything.

I couldn’t hear anything from upstairs.

Jason left fifteen minutes later, with Alpha Dean following him. I think it might be best that we stay here tonight; after what happened with Alpha Trevor, something didn’t sit right with me about the altercation with Roxie. He looked like he wanted her, not just as a toy but to torment. I have seen too many of those faces in alpha meetings or war talk over the years to know his facial features.

I needed to keep a level head and make sure war never came.

I know our pack will defeat whoever comes, but I would never wish any war to come, especially for my pack members.

Tim cleared his throat, “Let me show you where you can stay,” he said.

Tim and I moved while Keith was sorting out everything after the meal. He was staking pizza boxes up into a pile.

I followed Tim to the stairs and headed up.

We walked past Roxie’s room, and I couldn’t help but stare. There was no movement; she must be asleep.

I looked over to Tim, who stood in front of me. Tim looked over his shoulder as he stood in front of the room and smiled. “This one is yours,” he said.

I nodded.

The room was opposite Roxie’s.

Oh boy, I thought.

We were so close but couldn’t touch.

“I’m happy to see you both together,” Tim said, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked at him with a small smile. Tim placed his hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed. “Everything will work out in time, Lex,” he said. “I can feel it.”

Tim said goodnight and walked toward another room, and stepped inside.

I looked over to Roxie’s room and let a sigh escape.

I knew this would be hard, but I needed to focus.

I opened the door and headed inside.

ROXIE

I had to get away; it was all getting too much.

I closed the bedroom door and leaned on it for support.

Lex was staying here, under the same roof as me.

Bex was purring loudly; she wanted to see him again. I had to control her a few times as she tried to take over and talk to him as Blaze did with me.

“You, okay?” she asked, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked back at her.

Her eyes bore into mine, but I couldn’t help but feel weird.

I had not long agreed to give Lex a chance to be my mate, and we should take it slow, but it feels like it was rushing, and this stupid mate bond was always affecting me.

Whenever I went near him, I felt sparks run through me. The damn mate bond affected my judgment, and I can’t even think straight when he’s around.

I shook my head.

“Bex,” I said. “I need time.”

Bex stared at me, but she never said a word.

I stared at her and carried on talking to her. “I need time; I know he is our mate,” I said. “I will accept him, but it’s going way too fast for me, and I can’t seem to think straight when he is around.”

Bex c****d her head to the side and stared. I could feel her trying to figure out what was going on with me, but something clicked after a few moments. “You’re scared,” she whispered.

I stared back, but she carried on talking. “You’re scared of being loved,” she said. “Rox, Lex, and Blaze are our mates; they will never hurt us.”

I couldn’t help but frown, but Bex let a low growl slip through, which widened my eyes. She had never growled at me before; this was a first.

“Blaze is right,” she said in a huff. “You are stubborn; you won’t even listen to me.”

Bex turned her head away and placed a block up on me.

I looked back at my room, shocked.

I hurt my wolf for feeling like this.

I knew I had overcome my issues with Lex, but a few hours wasn’t going to make it all good between us. I need a few days to spend time alone or with him. I guess I need to get to know him all over again. We have both changed over the last six years, and I know I have.

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