The Unmarked Mate

Chapter 43

Elestren

After the battle, we all helped to put things back in order. Billy identified a couple of rogues and then we burnt the bodies. Some of the lycans with medical experience helped Roger patching up people. At seven in the morning the situation was handled, we all ate in the packhouse. We were all exhausted.

"You can all go home. Get rest!" shouted Matthew at the end of breakfast. I looked at James, he was my home now. I smiled to myself watching him eat his tenth pancake.

"James?" I said, he looked up.

"Yes?" he answered still eating Mrs. Lambert's pancakes.

"Since we're at the packhouse, how about you take a few things with you... and maybe for the time being move in at my house..." I proposed, the words came out before I realized exactly what I had asked. But then he swallowed and smiled so widely, he looked so happy at this instant, it erased all my fears.

"Really? Yes, of course, let me gather my things!" he jumped off the bench and ran up the packhouse to his room.

"That was about time!" exclaimed Olivia. I turned surprised to my left, and Olivia was smiling. "It took you almost dying and a rogue attack to accept it! You know, I'll point out that there may be a reason for him not having found his mate yet..."

"What do you mean?" I asked her puzzled.

"Never mind that! I'm happy for the both of you! And in a week you'll be free! Among the wolves, I've never seen a guy so in love with someone else without a mate bond! I know you're worried about him leaving, don't be!"

I didn't know what to answer so I just gave her a hug.

"Since when are you a hugger?" she joked.

"Almost dying twice in two weeks do put things into perspective my friend!" I laughed. Then James came rushing down the stairs with two large bags, still smiling like a fool. I loved him too. I hadn't said it yet, because it would make things real, and I was still afraid, but I loved him.

"Beta" I teased Olivia, bowing my head.

"Alpha" she answered in the same way. And I joined him. I took one bag from his hand, he frowned but I took his free hand in mine to walk home and he accepted that I was carrying one of his bags. We looked ridiculous. I was still dressed in the white sheet, still covered in blood, he was still wearing only neon orange gym shorts and also covered in blood, probably because of me.

Around seven in the evening, we had all rested and we made dinner at home. Jack had proposed to cook Italian. There were only the four of us: Serena, Jack, James and me. In a short time, Jack and Serena had become great friends. Jack discovered I spoke Italian so we spoke together while cooking, annoying Serena and James. Tomorrow we would need to bring the council together to talk about what had happened, but we all needed the day off, and decided we would allow Mrs. Lambert some respite. We put the food on the table and we all sat, eating and drinking wine together.

When it was time for dessert, we heard a knock on the door. I stood up to go and see who it was. When I opened the door, I saw King Malcolm and Queen Catherine. Before I could say anything, King Malcolm crushed me into a hug. I stayed there very awkwardly, what the fuck was happening? The King was hugging me! I knew my life had changed but that was a bit much. I turned to James to have an explanation and he looked just as clueless as I was. After a few seconds, he let me go.

"Good evening, King Malcolm..." I carefully said.

"You don't need to calm me King, let me remind you you're my sister-in-law now! And you saved my people, you saved my brother! James couldn't have found a better partner in life!" the words gushed out and I was still standing in shock.