Destined Mate

chapter 16

Chapter 16

Noah’s P.O.V

I knocked on the door to Beth’s room. The party was in full swing and everyone was getting antsy to meet my little mate.

“Just a minute!” Rachel called from the room. “We’re almost ready.”

Jake huffed beside me. He was anxious to get his hands on his mate too. “Rach,” he called. “I thought you might want to know that Collin’s here.”

I heard her growl. She opened up the door with a furious expression on her face. “That prick!”

“I’m not too thrilled that he’s here either,” I told Rachel.

“If I see him I will not hesitate to go all wolf on him and rip out his throat!”

Jake pulled her into a hug and she relaxed instantly from his touch.  He started to murmur into her ear quiet enough that I couldn’t hear their conversation. He was probably trying to calm her down.

“I’m ready,” my beloved mate called. She stepped into the hallway wearing a strapless dress and heels. Her curled hair cascaded down her shoulders. I pulled her in and kissed her. “You look beautiful as always.”

“Thanks,” she blushed.

“Now everyone is outside and waiting to meet you. Don’t worry because they already love you.”

She bit her lip and nodded. Taking her hand in mine I led her outside to the backyard where everyone was gathered. Music was playing softly in the background as people talked amongst another waiting for their chance to meet my beautiful date. I was in awe on how the backyard was transformed in a few hours for the party. The guys and I arranged several tables and chairs around the yard. They were decorated with linen table cloths and candle centerpieces. Wrapped around the trees were lights and they were strung above everyone’s heads. When the party went on during the night I would imagine they decorations would provide a soft glow of lights.

My mother came out of the house and I kissed her cheek. “You did a great job.” She loves to throw big events so I knew tonight was going to be another successful one.

My father took his mate’s hand and kissed her softly before urging Diana and me to follow them towards the house. There was a deck that we all stood on so everyone could see us. Beside me Diana was looking nervous. I squeezed her hand and hoped that would reassure her.

“Thank you everyone for being here. It means a lot to me and you’re Luna,” my father said. “As you know my son found a mate and I couldn’t be any happier. I know she will make a great addition to my family and an unbelievably compassionate Luna. Please join me in welcoming Diana to our pack.”

Everyone was jubilant and was smiling, cheering, and clapping. I looked over to Diana and kissed her. “Now you can say a few words.”

She paled, letting go of my hand and ran back inside the house.

Immediately I followed her to the kitchen. She was sitting down on the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks. I sat down beside her and pulled her on my lap, wiping away her tears with the pad of my thumb. “The last thing I wanted to do was making you uncomfortable… you don’t have to speak in front of everyone.”

We stayed like this for a few minutes until she was ready to talk. “No, it’s not that,” she sniffled. “It’s just that everyone loves me so much it seems like and I don’t know how I should feel or react. I don’t know what it’s like to have a family. I was abandoned and don’t even know anything about where I came from. There are no clues about who my family is. I was left on the street at a random house.”