My Mate

Chapter Three

Neil arrived as Lucas was unloading the last two of my bags.

Neil was a tall man. He was probably a little older than Lucas and I, but not by much. He had that business man vibe going on with his suit and briefcase.

As soon as Neil got out of his car, Lucas nodded toward him and they shared an obvious mind link. I could tell they were discussing something over the mental chat, but by the looks on their faces I couldn't tell what it was.

As Neil walked toward Lucas and I, he looked me up and down.

"Let's go in. It's getting cold out here," Lucas said.

I nodded against his back. The cold was biting me already, but his warmth was keeping me from shivering.

We entered the living room that was across the hall from the kitchen and we all sat down. Lucas drug me down next to him and Neil sat on the couch across from Lucas and I.

"So I've decided that hosting a party here tomorrow night will be extremely beneficial for us," Neil explanation, leaning forward and stretching the material of his button down shirt. He had taken his blazer off when he came inside.

"Why?" I asked.

Lucas turned to me, "So he can get laid."

Shocked, I turned to Neil again.

"Not so I can get laid! Will you take this seriously, Lucas? If we don't make a game plan for Adria's appearances, she won't have the hearts of our Pack or the other werewolves. We want them to adore her from square one."

I leaned forward now, trying to comprehend this, "And why does that matter?"

"Because you want the people to like you when you become Luna." Neil explained.

I nodded, "Okay. So why would having a party tomorrow night be beneficial?"

"We want there to be rumors that you're around so that your appearances won't seem so forced. For instance, if we introduced the pack to you at a pack meeting or dinner, you would come off as arrogant and prideful. We want people to get settled with the thought of you being Luna before it happens. It has to be gradual," Neil elaborated calmly. He had already thought this through quite well.

I nodded and looked to Lucas, "That sounds reasonable."

He cocked an eyebrow for a second in a challenging way, "As long as you make a good impression."

I sat back in my seat, "I didn't ask to be a part of this. I could just go home to my family right now and forget about this!"

Lucas put a strong hand on my knee, looking at me with furious eyes, "You're not going anywhere."

I could tell that his teeth were gritted as he spoke.

Neil cleared his throat.

I snapped my head toward him. He cocked an eyebrow at me as if to say 'could you cooperate a little here?'. I scowled at him.

"Anyway, a party here tomorrow night. We'll invite everyone in our age group who likes to party and I'll have some people come in and prep for it. Make sure you dress appropriately," Neil finished, getting out of his seat and walking into the kitchen. He threw open the fridge door and rummaged around in it.

Lucas was still gripping my knee. I wiggled it free as I looked at him.

"Keep your shit together, Adria. You need to behave," He growled.

After everything he had put me through today? How was that even possible?

I turned away from him, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye and hoping he didn't see it. I got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen, taking a seat on one of the bar stools. Lucas lingered in the living room.