The Lost Mate

Bonus Relax

Theodora

Now that Nash was done testifying, the non-ranking members of the pack like me had no more reason to sit through any hearings, to my great relief, which allowed us time to simply enjoy the amenities that the hotel offered. Marissa and I spent half our free time in and around the pool, not an alpha or beta or other ranked member in sight, which was great for the relaxation of us regular wolves.

The pool was aesthetically pleasing, with an open concept and many plants situated under a wide skylight, and a bridge that spanned the length of it. Marissa and I drank cocktails on the lounge chairs with our mates hovering around. I got tired of West's bored hovering, so I  finally sent him off, and he dragged his reluctant brother along with him, so I got some real peace after that. It was good for Marissa to get used to being away from her mate, at least a little bit.

"There're no vampires here?" Marissa asked, glancing around nervously as if one might be lurking behind the pile of pool towels. The poor thing had been thoroughly traumatized, although she'd been learning self-defence, and I hadn't failed to notice the metal stake she'd packed in her luggage.

"I'd be surprised if there was even a single one in the entire hotel," I assured her, "and even if there was, I'll rip its throat out before it gets to you. Wouldn't be too hard, anyway." I pointed up to the sunlight streaming in through the skylight. A vampire would be a fool to bother a werewolf in the afternoon when they were almost as weak as a human.

She relaxed back in her chair. "That's true, the sun is up."

A couple of females walked up to us, and I was instantly on guard. The wolves smelled strongly of a pack that was unfamiliar to me. The fresh-faced platinum blond radiated subtle authority, so I'd be surprised if she wasn't a ranked wolf, even though she barely looked like more than a teenager in a bikini who wanted to hang by the pool. Maybe she was an older alpha's daughter or something.

She smiled, and it looked genuine. "Are these spots taken?" she asked.

It was my fault the one next to me wasn't since I'd sent my mate away, and a quick glance around showed there wasn't anywhere else available in the pool area so it would be incredibly petty to try to deny them.

"They're not." Then I turned to Marissa and mind linked her quickly before she could get too worked up, "Don't worry, they're wolves, and I'm not getting any hostility."

She nodded slightly in response, and I saw her body relax.

"Thanks," the blond said as she took the one right next to me. I would have preferred to have the other who didn't radiate so much power sitting closer to me even though she looked more unpleasant, but there wasn't much I could do about that.

We all went quiet after that, Marissa and I relaxing into real silence, and the two newcomers chatting in their minds judging from the occasional giggles from my new neighbour.

Even with their occasional laughter, it was peaceful, and I gradually relaxed again, although I didn't miss my mate ducking his head in to sneak a protective peek at me a couple of times.

I hid my smile. He was on edge because we were surrounded by other packs, but really, what could possibly happen here at the alpha assembly? Nothing interesting, that was for sure.

And as soon as I dared to think it, my luna turned up, along with our pack healer.

"Aha! Dibs on this seat, Luna," she said as she scooped the chair on the other side of Marissa.

"Want my spot?" I offered Luna Carrie. She'd spent the entire day in those long hearings, so I figured giving her my spot in the increasingly busy pool area was the least I could do for her.