Choose Me

first impression

We darted through the forest. Mila and Mateo were hanging back, running together, occasionally stopping to lick at each other. The pull on my heart was still there, but I ignored it to give Athena a good run.

Caleb skidded to a stop, causing me to crash into him. I rolled down a little dip towards a lake. I clawed at the ground, trying to stop myself from rolling, but it was useless; I was going too fast.

I took a deep breath and stopped fighting the inevitable. As I rolled, I saw the water straight ahead. One more roll, I'd be in it. I took a deep breath as I made contact with the water. I paddled up to the surface and gasped as much air as I could.

I paddled towards land, shivering. When I emerged from the water, I shook out my fur. I glanced up and saw Mila, Mateo and Caleb all back in their human forms. Slowly members of the pack came into view and were gaping at me.

Mila manoeuvred her way down the little dip and giggled. My eyes were glued on everyone that was watching. Caleb was waving his arms about like a lunatic at another guy.

"Fuck sake, Leon... What are you doing?" Caleb flapped his arms at the guy trying to get him away from him.

"Where have you been?" Leon, I'm guessing his name is, growled.

Oh, wait! That's the Alpha. What a good first impression I have given this pack and their Alpha.

"Leon, stop sniffing me, you fucking weirdo." Caleb chortled.

"Show's over." Alpha Leon bellowed. My breath caught in my throat at his voice, and I staggered backwards.

I felt hands on my back, nudging me away from the water. I whipped my head around. Caleb was stood with his hands on my fur, stopping me from falling.

How did he get over here so fast? I wish I could mindlink him. I inhaled, I could smell something... I wasn't sure what but it was capturing my senses.

"Are you ok? You're a little clumsy, aren't you?" He cackled. I nodded my head once.

"Come on, Ayla." Mila signalled her hand towards the forest. I followed her, clambering slowly up the little dip.

The pack had disappeared now. "Ok, we'll wait for little miss klutz to shift," He smirked, passing me some clothes. I snorted and took the clothes from him. I moved to behind a tree and shifted.

I promptly put the mindlink back up before he had the chance to get in. I pulled on the denim shorts, a black sports bra and a black tank top. I looked down and groaned. This revealed too much of my body, and I didn't like it.

I came out from the tree awkwardly, attempting to pull the denim shorts down more. "Everything ok with your clothes?" Caleb inquired, raising his brow.

"They're fine, don't worry." I sighed, "just a little short." I grumbled.

He tugged his hoodie off and chucked it at me. "Here, that should go down to at least your knees." He nodded. I beamed at him and pulled it over my head. It stopped at my knees, it was huge for me, but it covered me.

My hair was drenched and stuck to my face. I grumbled as we made our way into the pack land. "Would you like to see where you're staying first?" He asked, peeking at me. I nodded my head and smiled, "please, I need a shower." I cringed.

He nodded and chuckled. "Come on," He waved his hand over his shoulder as he turned away from us. "Mateo and Mila are in the house for mates." He noted. I sucked in a breath and bit my lip. "Ayla, you are on the Alpha's floor of the packhouse." He mentioned.

My eyes snapped to his and went wide. "Why?" I asked. "Alpha Miles wanted you to have the best and well... The Alpha's floor is the best." He chuckled.

"My dad loves you more, Ayla." He rolled his eyes playfully at me, and I chuckled quietly.

"So, the house for mates... If you go left, right then straight on, it's the house at the end of the street." He instructed, "I'm going to take Ayla to settle in, and I'll be back to get you for the tour." He smiled.

Mila stepped in front of me, "Are you ok?" She asked, searching my eyes. I nodded and sighed, "I will be." I replied. "He got through for a split second when I shifted into my wolf." I whimpered. "The pull is back, but it is fading slowly." I wiped my eyes quickly before any tears could fall.

She turned to Caleb, "are our suitcases in our rooms?" She asked. He nodded and turned away again, pretending to be engrossed in something on the floor. I know he can hear everything, and he's pretending not to listen.

"Don't let your block down. If you need me for anything at all, promise me you'll ring?" She insisted. I nodded. She gave me a swift hug before walking off with Mateo.

I turned to Caleb and stepped next to him. "I'm ready." I smiled up at him. He nodded and smiled back. He guided me towards the packhouse.

"How did you get to me so fast before I fell in the water... again?" I sighed. I was curious... I know wolves were fast but surely not that fast.

"I can teleport." He answered. His tone was restrained and blunt. He doesn't like talking about it, I can tell.

"Oh, cool. I thought you were just really speedy," I giggled. His face lit up in amusement, and he chuckled.

We proceeded to walk towards the packhouse. Every time we came across a pack member, they would smile and bow at Caleb. I would get a smile and the occasional hi.

"Did you used to be their Alpha?" I questioned as we walked along a sidewalk.

"I shared the Alpha position with my mate. I was originally his Beta." He explained. I hummed in response.

"There's my mate there," He pointed towards a guy. I followed his finger, and my eyes settled on a tall guy. His hair was long and curly, black the same as Caleb's.

He jogged over to us. When he reached us, he immediately mashed his lips against Caleb's. He pulled away after giving him a small kiss.

"Dom, this is Ayla," he introduced me with a beaming smile. "It's nice to meet you, Ayla... Did I get that right?" He asked, scratching the back of his neck.

I nodded and smiled at him. "Babe, you missed a fun time... miss klutz here fell in the lake."He guffawed. I rolled my eyes. "Also, Leon's acting weird." He complained.

My eyes snapped to them. "There's nothing new there. Poor guys having a hard time still." He replied, looking sad.

I can't wait to meet Alpha Leon. I wanna know more about him.

"No, seriously, he smelled me. He wouldn't stop smelling me... That's not normal behaviour." He snickered.

"I'll speak to him. He can't go around smelling wolves." He rolled his eyes then chuckled.

"Oh, Ayla, I'm sorry... Let's get you to the packhouse before you pass out here. You look really tired." He stated, ushering me down the street.