Alpine

the fluffy beginning everyone loves

His smile was the highlight of my day.

Everything I saw him he would have it on his face. It full of life and love and it was for me. He wasn't just smiling, he was smiling at me. Going to his home for the first time had been even more nerve wracking that meeting him for the very first time. I would meet his family, his brother, and his cat Missy he loved to hate.

My parents were dressed in their best and so was I--it wasn't everyday you dined with Royals. The house rose in the distance like a castle. Really the old Victorian house had been in the family for years according to Owen. It was ancient but beautiful with wonderfully scary towers flanking each side. One of those was Owen's quarters. It was a neat set up as he described it. With a little sitting room and a staircase that led his bedroom which had a truly beautiful view. Had it been appropriate I would have asked to see it.

But I couldn't go into his bedroom, not unless this mating was official. "Look at those." My mother whispered. She was eyeing the massive garden which was breathtakingly beautiful.

I would absolutely garden, I settled. Our future home would be lined with raised beds. Gardening was massive chore in this area but it would be worth it to see something so pretty. And Owen would appreciate it. We were met by Owen who shook my father's hand and told my mother how beautiful she was while clasping her hands in his own. I wanted to say hello but I knew better than to speak out first.

"Come in," he invited.

No hello for me?

As my parents filed past him Owen slipped his hand around my hip and kissed the top of my head. It was so sweet and tender. I melted against his form. "How are you?" He asked politely.

"Very well, thank you. Yourself?" It was hard to contain my excitement.

"Thrilled to death to be doing this. They're going to love you." He whispered.

That meant so much coming from him. It wasn't just that they were Royalty in this pack--they were the family of the man I loved. And if they were anything like Owen the night would be wonderful. We were taken to an entertaining room. It was decorated lushly but modernly with a faux fire place that looked almost real and chunky beige furniture. I stole a glance at his parents before downturning my eyes.

I kept mentally running over the Etiquette courses I had taken. I would sit at the feet of my father. I hadn't been given away yet. They took a seat by a fake potted plant and I knelt beside him. The carpeting was soft on my knees however. Our fathers spoke between drinks for nearly an hour. Not a word was directed at me and I was almost nervous. But it was test of self control: to see how well I was trained and my endurance in obeying. I would pass with flying colors, I told myself.

Eventually the conversation shifted to include my mother and his mother who spoke animatedly about the gardens out front and then the decor she had chose. A new person trampled in mid-sentence. "Sorry I'm late."

His voice was a bit deeper than Owen's and maybe a bit louder? "This is Max." Owen's father explained briefly.

"I thought you liked blonds." Max commented flatly.

He liked blonds? Panic clawed it's way inside me as whatever confidence I had in our budding relationship vanished. Appearance was absolutely everything for an omega. And if I was good enough he wouldn't want me. He would reject me... "I like him." Corrected Owen. "And his name is Alpine."

Max grunted and nerves were only somewhat soothed. He didn't say he liked how I looked. "Where can I get a glass of that?"

There was splashing of liquid and the conversation continued as if there hadn't been an interruption. He liked blonds. I couldn't get over it. I wasn't good enough. I wasn't what he wanted. "Alpine is a good boy."