My Older Alpha Mate

chapter eleven

I woke up tucked into a large bed with silky sheets that seemed to engulf me in a warm hug. I snuggled up against the pillows, slowly fluttering my eyes open. The sunlight poured into this vaguely noticeable room and silently tiptoed across the wooden planks. I sat up slowly and wiped my eyes, feeling more groggy than ever. Slowly, the wooden door across the room creaks open and the beautiful man walks in holding a tray of food.

"Good morning Alpha Ashton," I mumbled softly, my voice still being hoarse from just waking up. He laid a tray of gorgeous breakfast food in front of me and I licked my lips, smiling gingerly at the sweet gesture. He gave me a gentle smile as a response and brushed a piece of hair behind my ear. I looked up at the stunning man in front of me. His face chiseled and slightly scratched, his piercing eyes, and his muscular build hiding under his dry-fit shirt.

I bit my lip as we shared what felt like a mutual admiration for each other. He looked different now than he did when we first met, more knowledgeable maybe. "You're awake!! Thank goodness!! I was so worried about you!" Jon sprinted over to me and flung his arms around me. I giggled as the 'moment' between Ashton and I was completely disregarded. Was that a moment?

"We need to discuss some things now that you are awake," Ashton said in a relaxed voice. "Is that your way of saying welcome back to the world of the conscious?" I asked with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. He smiled, staring at the window that projected the sunlight now. Suddenly, realization took over as I popped a slice of kiwi into my mouth. "Why am I in your room?" I asked the Alpha, confused.

My brain reminded me about how I walked in on the god structured man with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. The thought of this causing my cheeks to heat up and turn crimson. The memory alone caused my wolf to howl anomalistically. Was this what it felt like to have a mate?

"Do you remember anything from the night of your birthday?" Jon asked, resting a hand on my blanket-covered knee. I racked my brain for my most recent memory. I parted my lips as the memories began flooding my mind like a tsunami. "I was dancing with Liv and then some guy asked me to dance with him and I said yes..." I saw the alpha's face curl in disgust and something else... Jealousy? But I carried on.

"We were dancing and then I remember it being quiet and the last thing I remember is sitting on a bed," I finished, twirling my fingers together. "That man was a rogue who snuck into the village... He drugged you. They're on some mission. We think he was trying to mark you, Aurora," My brother spoke to me, seriously now. I raised my eyebrows in shock and shook my head. "Why me?" I asked softly. "Because I am a powerful alpha and word has gotten out that I found my mate. I only get more powerful because of you. They are trying to tear us down," Ashton spoke now, his voice booming in the small room. His power was undeniable, you could hear it in his voice.

I would be nervous being around such a massive ego too. I grinned at the joke I made in my head. "So, what now?" I asked, eating the food on the tray now. It was nerve-racking knowing that there were people out for me. I almost wished Jake could have been my mate so I wouldn't have to deal with the pressure of being a luna.

I sighed and scratched the back of my neck as Jon pulled out a notebook with a list on it and began reading. "No going anywhere alone, no new friends unless they have gone through a thorough background check, no drinking or eating anything that doesn't come from the packhouse kitchen..." He carried on and I zoned out. Why do I have to be squeezed into a prison? I didn't even choose my mate.

Suddenly, a jolt of electricity surged through my body and my heart rate began to increase. I averted my gaze to the source of the energy which was Ashton's hand on my bare shoulder. "I know it sounds excessive, but we just want to keep you safe," He spoke. His voice sent chills down my spine as I stuffed the last spoonful of oatmeal into my mouth. I nodded silently. I just turned seventeen and my life is already being flipped upside down.

"Eeeeek! You're up!" I was snapped into reality by Liv and another blonde girl running into my room. Liv jumped into the bed, straddling my lap and hugging my head, practically suffocating me with her boobs. I grinned and hugged her back tightly. She moved to sit next to me. The other girl who I didn't know identified herself as the packhouse nurse. She was a short lady who looked to be mid 20's. She came over and whispered that she was my biggest fan which made me laugh.

"Oh.. Uh.. There's something else I thought I should tell you since a new discovery was made yesterday night-" Jon began speaking. "Jon is my mate, bitch!" Olivia squealed, jumping up and down on the alpha's bed. I widened my eyes and shared her excitement, jumping with her.

I think I caught Ashton grinning at our playful actions, but I can't be too certain.

Once all of the excitement died down, I looked over at Ashton who seemed lost in thought, despite all of the previous noise. "Hey, can we talk?" I asked him quietly, sliding out of his bed finally and placing my feet on the cold hardwood. He made eye contact with me and looked shocked but nodded firmly. We walked out of the room quietly, barely being noticed by my brother, the nurse, and Liv.

He guided me down the hallway that had become familiar to me in only two weeks. I glanced out of the windows and saw kids playing on the lawn which caused me to smile. Finally, he guided me into his office and through the door in the back of the room which was a beautiful balcony with a white painted guard rail. I awed at the sight as he held the door open for me.

I shivered as the cool breeze whipped through my hair. Immediately, he gave me his hoodie and closed the door behind us. How is he so fast? I didn't even hear him take it off? "Look, if it is about those rules, most of them are Jon's. I'm really trying to give you your freed-" He began.

"Thank you. Thank you for rescuing me. I remember. I appreciate what you did, you didn't have to," I spoke solemnly, sliding his large hoodie over my head after I finished speaking. "Of course I did. You are my mate. I know our age gap is difficult to process... But I knew since the moment I first saw you, all I wanted to do is protect you," He looked away now, seemingly embarrassed about having normal human emotions.

Before I could process the situation, I moved closer to him and reached up, placing my hand on my cheek. Immediately, I felt the sparks again, surging through my body. He moved his head to look at me now, studying my face. I didn't care that I had bed head and hadn't washed my face yet. At that moment, everything felt okay.

"Do you feel that too?" I ask, referring to the unmentioned spark that was making my heart rate increase. "I do." He spoke gently.

"I'm okay with being your mate, Ashton," I said finally after a long, calm silence.

"Thank you very much," He said, leaning gently into my palm and smiling slightly.

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A/N:: Thank you guys sooooo much for almost 2k reads! That doesn't seem like a lot but it means the world to me! I am really trying to update every day so I can finish this story. I am super excited for the chapters to come and extremely hyped about this mate action right here. Thank you guys very much for reading and please don't forget to like, comment, and vote! Also, if you're reading this and I haven't released the next chapter, feel free to check out the index on my profile and read my other stories! Thank you!

-Sky