Chapter 6 Friend or foe

"Hey" I snap my finger in front of her eyes to wake her up.

"Sorry, I think I heard you wrong. You said you're his mate?" She asks again for confirmation.

"Yes I am" I nod in reply

"But the legend of having a second chance mate is as rare as meeting the moon goddess herself!." She exclaimed

"I know. I can't explain it myself" I sigh and sit on the chair he sat on when I was sleeping.

"Alpha had a mate before. Maybe the moon goddess is giving him a second chance mate because he lost his too soon" Madison said trying to explain the bizarre situation

I mull over what she said. Maybe she took pity on me too for giving me Maverick. He wasn't exactly the best mate to me.

I wait for the stab of pain that Athena feels each time I think of him. A beat passes. Another. It doesn't come. It's good he doesn't have an effect on her anymore.

"I had a mate too." I say and she looks up at me

"Oh honey, I'm sorry for your loss" she tries to hold my hand to offer comfort, but I move it away before it lands. If she was offended, she hid it well.

"He isn't dead. He rejected me, then marked my sister the next day" I explain without feeling anything

"No one treats a mate like that. May the moon goddess strip him of his wolf" she said through clenched teeth. "Anyway, get dressed and come down. Alpha wants to introduce everyone to you"

The panic must show on my face, so she clarifies things "I don't think he's going to introduce you to everyone as his mate just yet, he just wants to thank you for saving his daughter and letting everyone know you're not an intruder"

"Ohhh okay. I'll be down in a while" I replied, but deep down I was a little scared.

She starts to leave when I stop her "please did you by chance come across the bag I was with?"

"No I don't think so, but I can ask around for you"

"That would be great. Thank you"

She left right after. giving me the time to get ready. As I step into the room, his scent intensifies. By the time I was done, I was smelling a little like him.

I immediately head down and follow the sound of voices. I see a large opening in front of me with all or almost all pack members gathered.

I follow Jason's scent to find him. I assumed it would be hard in a room full of werewolves with different smells, but it was easier for me than others.

He must have sensed me coming when he turned to me and offered me a large smile that would make me feel like a terrible person if I didn't offer one back in return. So I do.

"Here you are." He said, gesturing to me, "I've been waiting for you. Let's get started"

"Attention everyone."

Everyone turns to look at him. I see the respect and trust they all had for him. Respect that was earned not forced.

"Just a day ago, I lost Adriana. I was worried sick that something might have happened to her, but thanks to Ares," he said pointing in my direction. The onslaught of looks I receive right after, overwhelmed me

"she found Adriana and protected her. Even without knowing who she really was. Not many people would have done that for a wolf pup. I like to use this opportunity to say thank you." He moved to bow at me, shocking everyone at the scene, including me.

Alpha's never bow. Their pride would never allow it. I instantly bow in return to ease the side murmurs that already began.

"Ares is my guest and she will be treated as such. Any unruly behaviour towards her would be punished." He said in his Alpha tone, showing the severity of the command "that would be all. Enjoy the rest of your evening"

Eyes follow me for the rest of the night. Too afraid to say anything to me, but not too sacred to judge and question from their position.

"Is it really necessary to treat her as a guest?" I hear a voice ask Jason "I get that she saved Adi, but that doesn't change the fact that she's rogue. For all we know she could be one of them and pretended to save Adi to get access to our pack" he continued

He wasn't even trying to quiet his voice. "Yes, Luke. She's a guest until I say otherwise." Jason said "You should have seen the way she protected Adi. She would have bitten my head off if not..."

"If not what?" Luke asked him impatiently and curiously "Nothing" Jason said shaking his head in dismissal

"I'm your friend Jason. Your beta. Why are you hiding things from me? Is there something about her I should be worried about?"

"No!. Look, I'm not trying to hide things okay. She doesn't want to accept it yet, but she's my mate" He said rubbing his hands on his face

I wasn't trying to eavesdrop. I just felt attuned to him. The mate bond keeps pulling me in towards him. I start to make my way to him to clarify some things when I bump into someone.

Hmmph.. "I'm so sorry" I apologised

"No, I'm sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going. Are you okay?" the stranger asked

"Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks". The commotion must have caught Jason's attention as he immediately stalks towards me.

"What happened?. Are you okay Ares?" He asked frantically. "Yes I'm fine. I accidentally bumped into him." I point at the guy beside him

That when he notices the other presence. "Josh. When did you get back?" He asked

"Alpha" Josh nodded in greeting to Jason. He respected him, but he wasn't afraid of him. "I just got in"

I raise my hands to pack my hair into a bun, when Josh says my name in a familiar tone.

"Ares?" He asked hopefully.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" I asked

"Thank the moon goddess. I finally found you"