Head Down

Chapter 15

NATE'S POV

I can sense the discomfort rolling off Katie from across the room, but since no one else is helping or intervening with whatever's making her so awkward I assume they couldn't sense her feelings. Or had no idea what was bothering her. She looks up from staring at the floor to me, having once again senses my looking at her, and gives me a confused, pleading look.

"Can we finish this later?" I ask my Dad.

We have been talking about every detail of the rouges at Katie's house, which unfortunately were few and far between, and have heard via pack link that Tom and James had never found them. Apparently the two rouges had made a run for it as soon as Katie left, having smelled me on her and not wanting to deal with the pack in town. But it was too late, they had trespassed on our territory and threatened my mate. They would at least have to be submitted to questioning. My two friends are running back soon, and should be back before the movie ends.

My dad is pretty pissed off, but is keeping his composer well. To my great pride and satisfaction, Katie is helping him stay cool. She has thoroughly impressed him. Usually humans are afraid of werewolves even when they don't know that what we are, particularly towards the Alphas. They never look him in the eye or speak clearly, and to be honest neither do other wolves -at least not the ones aquatinted with him. He scares them too much. Katie, however, did the exact opposite. She showed courage but not cockiness, respect but not stupidity.

I couldn't have been prouder, and he couldn't have been more intrigued with his son's human mate who outshines everyone in the room, all of which are werewolves.

He nods his consent and I hurry over to Katie's side. I don't spot anything to bother her until something in the bottom corner of my eye drags my gaze downward. There I see Lucy clutching Katie's leg in full out happiness, whatever my mate had said or done obviously thrilled the little girl. Her hair is it's usual curly blonde self, and her cheeks are flushed from the hot chocolate sips I know she's taken from Castor's cup. He isn't one to be selfish, and she isn't one to be denied.

Katie has a look of confusion and mild fear on her face. If this was anyone else I would bust out laughing, I mean, she can stare down powerful Alpha werewolves without blinking an eye, but an angelic child shows affection towards her and she is ready to beg for mercy. This, of course, isn't someone else. This is my my mate, and her being uncomfortable makes me uncomfortable.

"Is Lucy bothering you?" I ask Katie.

"Nate!" shouts Lucy, and unlatches herself from Katie's ankle to grab mine. My mate relaxes some at that, though is still notably tense.

"Hey Lucy," I reply.

"Nate! I just met Katie, she's really pretty! And she knows Tommy and Jamie," says Lucy enthusiastically, making me smile. She is right on both accounts.

I sit down on the floor, and as Lucy releases my ankle to crawl into my lap I say, "I know," referring to both comments. I sneak a glance up at Katie -to see her reaction- and after a second of a blank expression she sends me a small smile. I return it happily, glad that I could ever get to see something so beautiful.

After a bit of conversation, I get to the point of putting the movie of Katie's choosing in: Monsters Inc. Lucy hops into the remaining armchair -and will undoubtably be joined by Tom when he gets back- so Katie and I sit on the floor. the fact that my mate has to sit here bothers me exponentially, but she shows no sign of caring. Just leans back on her elbows and watches the movie. I copy her pose, giving her an amused look for a split second before falling back into her ever present pondering mask. I wonder what she's thinking about, because throughout the movie she seems to become more and more focused.