I'm the Alpha's Mate

Chapter 15

Soobin and I made our way up my grandmother's front porch and I rang the doorbell. It only took a couple of seconds for her to swing open the door and attack me with hugs and kisses.

Soobin wanted to give us some time alone, so he headed out for a quick run in the nearby woods. I thanked him and he told me just to holler for him when I'm ready to go.

Grandma had a plate of cookies set out for me and a glass of milk in the living room. She always remembers my favorite snacks and treats.

I sat down on the brown leather couch and she got comfortable in her adorable old rocking chair. Immediately my hand snatched a snickerdoodle off the plate and shoved it in my mouth. Dang, this little lady can bake.

She softly chuckled at me and shook her head. Before speaking she picked up her half-completed blanket and continued to knit. "So honey, tell me about your mate." Grams glanced up at me with a sweet smile, almost too sweet.

"I thought that you already talked to him?" I ask with a mouth full of delicious cookies.

"Why didn't I?" She mutters then suddenly stabs her knitting sticks into the ball of yarn causing me to jump in my spot, and a tiny piece of snickerdoodle fell from my mouth.

"Grams what happened?" I mumble with worried eyes and swallow the cookie. "Ryujin didn't mention anything bad after talking to you."

My grandmother sighed as set her blanket on the side of her chair. "Yeji, remember back when you were a young child and there was an attack at the pack?" She asks me weakly.

A small frown formed on my lips and I nodded.

"Well, the other pack, that attacked yours was Ryujin's father. At the time Ryujin wasn't the Alpha."

My stomach dropped. I couldn't blame Ryujin, he wasn't in charge back then. But finding out that my mate's pack is the reason I had to leave my family breaks my heart a little. If there was no attack, I could most likely be at home with my parents, well part-time in the attic. Living in the attic wouldn't seem as bad if I went back, at least I would have my mother and father.

"I wish I knew if they were at least alive. Oh," I mutter out and lean back into the couch cushion. "What a coincidence."

Grams must have noticed how uncomfortable I was because she quickly changed the conversation. "Yesterday, you said that you had questions hun, how about we start with that?"

I took a deep breath and plastered a smile on my face. "Sure, I have a lot."

She gave me a look that said, go on. "Okay, what are the duties of a Luna?" I asked her randomly, and out of curiosity. Just after asking the question, memories of last night came back into my mind.

Grams clapped her hands once and then started to explain. "Luna is a very important part of any pack, she must serve her pack alongside the Alpha. As the Luna of the Machias Pack, you must make very important decisions and sacrifices for the better of the pack. Now the Machias Pack is one of the strongest and largest packs in our country, so at times a lot of pressure can be put on you, and especially your mate." 

Grams had to break to catch her breath and then continued."Yeji, you might not like this part, but as Luna, you must keep the Shin family line running. No one is going to make you have a pup right away, but later on, it is either a positive and joyful experience or a sacrifice you have to make."

Hearing my own Grandmother say the words made me want to puke. I knew that later on, I would have to, but how late are we talking? Hopefully, Ryujin's pack can wait a while, maybe six years.

I wish I could stand up for myself, and demand not to be pressured into pregnancy. But I'm not going to act selfishly. I will not be having babies now, but I understand my duties. If I have to push away my feelings about forced pregnancy and grow up, then I will.

Sacrifice, I can do that.

"I figured," I mumble and stare at my hands resting in my lap. "You know, I think I'm going to go for a walk. Just before I go." I stood up and quickly headed upstairs for a change of clothes.

It didn't take me long to find a pair of gray joggers and a black tank top. Before I left I grabbed a light zip-up hoodie and covered up my bare arms. After slipping on my pair of white converse I left without saying a word and walked out the front door.

I took in a deep breath of fresh autumn air and let it fill my lungs.

I wanted to ask Grams about my gift, and if I should share it with Ryujin or not. But in there I felt suffocated and I just had to get out.

So I started walking down a short trail before calling for Soobin. I needed some time to reflect on my choices and think about my future as Luna.

It's like the last few days have been a dream in my head. Everything seems to be happening so fast.

I'm still in shock about finding my mate, and already I have so much to live up to. The responsibility scares me, I have no idea how to help run a pack let alone know what one is.

In the back of my head, I can't stop wondering about Ryujin. She makes me so nervous and on edge. It's like she's creating this entire other side of me, aside from that I'm not sure how to handle it.

As my mate, she deserves to know about my ability. I just hope she understands me and accepts me, even after she finds out. It feels like all I can do lately is hope, and I guess that freaks me out.

"Soobin!" I called into the trees.

Nothing.

"Hey, Soobin I'm ready to go!" I shout even louder.

Still nothing.

How far out did he go?

I started jogging through the trees and brushing on the forest floor. I wish I could shift, but I don't feel like getting naked in the middle of the woods or ripping my clothes.

"Soobin!" I scream as loud as my voice could handle. Worry started to build up in my stomach. What if he's hurt? Or taken by rogues, wait they hurt people right? "Soobin, where are you?!"

After about ten minutes of continuous yelling and running the worry built and built. I have to get Ryujin.

Swiftly I started sprinting through the forest as fast as my human legs could take me. Quickly I passed the stream and then got onto Ryujin's territory. I ran past a couple of guards and they started chasing after me. I don't have time to be tackled and chucked in a cell right now.

In a panic, I burst through the front door of the packhouse while about three guards ran after me.

"Ryujin!" I shouted into the still house. "I can't find Soobin!"

Suddenly I was thrown to the wood floor by one of the guards running after me. I smacked the floor and groaned loudly because my head hit first. Why must my head always be messed up?

A loud terrifying growl filled my ears, it was like nothing I'd ever heard before.

Before I knew it the guard was lifted off me and thrown against the far wall, managing to shatter a vase of white roses.

I could hear my heartbeat through my ears.

A warm strong hand wrapped around my waist as I lay facing the dark floor. Just as her fingertips came in contact with my skin, tiny soothing sparks ran over my body.

Ryujin.

She lifted me from the ground as if I was as light as a feather. I winced quietly from my now sore shoulder and head. The pain seemed to subside the longer she touched me, so I hope she doesn't let go.

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