Outrunning Her Past

Chapter 12

Another two weeks had flown by with no more scary dreams or creepy demons trying to eat me. I'd finally met Leo's parents. He's right, kitsunes are a bit impetuous. His mother and father had just popped into the diner one day, pretty much kidnapped me, and then summoned Leo to meet us at a country club so his mother and I could have a spa day. Although, I do have to admit Thea, Leo's mom, has great taste in fashion. We tried on at least a dozen outfits complete with matching heels and handbags that day, not to mention the mani pedis. My nails have never looked so fantastic.

Of course, Leo couldn't let my amazing new outfit and makeup go to waste, so he took me out to dinner with his parents at a very upscale restaurant. The menu didn't even have prices, so I can only imagine how much it cost. I ordered a mouthwatering pasta with seafood and then Leo ordered us a slice of decadent chocolate cake to share.

Today I found myself in a car traveling to Nate's packlands to meet his parents. I bounced my knee nervously as I watched the scenery whiz by. "Dani, calm down, everything will be fine. They're going to love you," Nate patted my leg. "Just think, my mom will understand your concerns far more than any of the other parents."

"But what if they don't like me? What if your pack hates me? How the heck am I supposed to deal with five kingdoms? I'm no one," I sighed.

Nate growled softly, "We both know that isn't true. Witches don't bind souls if you're no one. We aren't giving up, love. Dean is meeting with his witch friend this week and hopefully, we will have answers soon."

"I know," I grumbled. The car came to a stop and my mouth dropped. This place was huge! A large mansion-looking house stood before us with scattered buildings nearby. I could see fields that had obstacle courses, gardens, and playgrounds. "Just how many werewolves live here?" I asked.

"Well not everyone is a wolf, some are human and there are a few mates that are other types of supernatural creatures like vampires and fae. Overall, there are about one hundred fifty community members." I must have made a sound because Nate laughed, "That's not so big really. Some packs have thousands of members."

My eyes bulged, "Thousands? Good grief, I think I'd faint."

He nuzzled my neck and chuckled, "Hopefully not. You do realize our pack is royalty and we are over all of the packs in the North American continent. That's about seventy packs and well over a hundred thousand wolves, love."

I slapped my hand over his mouth, "If you keep talking, I'm going to have a panic attack and run back to the farmhouse."

Nate's eyes turned a shade of amber as he laughed at me, "Hmmm, my little mate, we do love a good chase." I shivered realizing his wolf was speaking now. Nate was always a very dominant man, but his wolf could bring anyone to their knees.

"Let me get through this and I'll gladly let you chase me around the house tonight," I breathed.

He pulled me close, his lips trailing over the crook of my neck. "Be careful, little mate. If you let me chase you, then I may be so tempted to mark you that I won't be able to stop." His tongue darted out, caressing where he would mark me and I whined. "Soon, love."

Before I could clear my head, he had stepped out of the car and was holding out a hand for me. Shooting him a glare that only made him smile more, I took his hand, letting him lead me up the steps to the wraparound porch and massive front doors. It looked heavy and I couldn't imagine opening it, but Nate just breezed through, pulling me behind him. There were dozens of people milling around, most bowed their heads slightly towards Nate, while looking at me in confusion. "Nathan!" a woman who I assumed was his mother came around the corner quickly catching him in an embrace. "I'm so glad you made it, now introduce me," she gushed.