He Will Be Mine

Chapter 26: Man-to-Man

*** Tyler's POV ***

Aly's dad, or I guess he likes to be called Alpha Kane around here, actually makes a decent tour guide. He took me all around the house, which they call the packhouse, and then outside to see some of the key points. He especially wanted me to see their training facilities. I think that particular part of the tour was meant to scare me, but honestly, I enjoy physical activity and if the look of the guys around here is any testament to just how well they do workouts, I'm pretty excited.

The most surprising thing about the guy is how patient he has been with me. There is still a lot I don't understand about werewolves, and he helped explain some of it. He didn't tease me for being ignorant, he just walked me through it and let me ask lots of dumb questions. I think the most interesting part, which Aly hasn't told me about yet, is this whole idea of there being sort of a rank hierarchy in the pack. He told me that he is the Alpha here, and that Aly will be Alpha after him as long as she can convince her mate to accept her in time.

As I replay all my time with Aly since I met her through my head and think about it with that in mind, now I get it. I get why she seems so stuck on Matt and so frustrated that he doesn't seem interested enough. It's not just love she wants. Everyone back home is counting on her to do what she needs to do to become Alpha. There are a lot of people who will be disappointed if she can't convince Matt to be her mate. That makes me sad for her because there is so much pressure on her and she can't just follow her heart like a human would.

We're walking back through the house as I'm still chewing over what he said about her being Alpha and how that has affected her. We pass by quite a few other people who all bow their heads in respect to Alpha Kane as they greet him. I have to admit, the guy is pretty impressive, and I feel kind of proud to be walking with him as though I'm part of his inner circle.

He leads me to his office and closes the door once we step inside. I knew it was too good to be true that he is just okay with me now. It feels like this is the moment, now that we're alone, that his real feelings are about to come out.

I make a move to sit in one of the chairs facing his desk, but he stops me.

"No, no need to be so formal. Let's sit over here and have a chat," he says, directing me to where there is a sofa along the wall.

I sit where he indicated and take a breath to calm myself. He chuckles as he sits across from me, seeming to be amused at how nervous I am.

"I admit that originally I did have in mind something along the lines of what you seem to be picturing," he starts our conversation. "Andrea got in my head, though, as she always seems to do. That's how mates are, though. They complement you so well that they quickly learn how to play you like a fiddle."

He laughs again, then waves his hand back and forth in front of his face as if to clear the laughter away. It seems to work somewhat, though he is still smiling.

"Don't let me fool, you, though. I jest, but I love that woman and even I can see that it's a good thing that she knows how to temper my harsher attributes. That's partly why the Elders insist that an Alpha be mated. Having someone by your side like that helps everything get balanced out, and helps you keep a clearer head."

"Mates do seem pretty amazing," is all I can think to say to that. It's true, but it's also become somewhat of a sore topic for me. I have to wonder if he knows that.

"I'm assuming Aly has told you all about them," he states, his quizzical gaze letting me know that he means it as a question.

"She has told me some. I wouldn't say I know everything there is to know, but I do know that my friend Matt is her mate and that is why she chose to come to our school."