The Alpha's Rebel

Chapter 20

"We should probably have dinner with my parents before we leave for your pack," I say, bringing Maddox's palm to my lips.

"I would love to meet them," Maddox says quietly, his voice muffled against my hair.

"They're going to love you. And they're going to love that I met my mate."

"Have you told them yet?"

"No," I say. "I have a really weird relationship with my parents. If you hadn't guessed by now, I've been a pretty rebellious teenager. They tried to handle me but eventually gave up towards the end of my freshman year of high school. They didn't kick me out, but I basically moved in with Thay-" I feel his body tense up against my back, and I pause.

I turn around and sit on my knees, grasping his face in between my palms. "What have I told you about Thay?" I ask, keeping my voice steady and firm. I'm not going to let Maddox hate Thay just because I used to be with him.

"That he's one of your best friends and I need to accept that."

I nod, looking into his eyes. I press my lips to his for a soft kiss before resuming my story. "I still see them and spend time with them, but from freshmen year on up I went in and out as I pleased. I think they realized that the healthiest relationship between us meant letting me do my own thing."

"You are a force of nature, that's for sure," Maddox murmurs, kissing me again.

I smile against his lips at his words, and pull back so I can say, "Yeah, well, I'm kind of hard to control. I do my own thing only when I want and feel like doing it."

"So I've noticed," he smirks, once again pressing his lips to mine.

I laugh against his lips and pull away. "So what happens when we get back to your pack?" I ask.

"Well, you're technically already part of the pack because we've already completed the mating process," Maddox smirks, lightly nipping at my ear. I smile as I lean away from his teasing touch, but he buries his nose in my neck. "We'll have an official ceremony to introduce you as the luna of the pack. You'll meet my beta, Damien, and the rest of the pack leads. We'll get you settled in with official pack duties."

The anxiety of being a luna starts to settle in again. Maddox can feel the flood of emotions pulsing through me, and he pulls his nose away from my neck to look my in the eyes. "Harper?"

I stare into those dark eyes that I've quickly come to love, not sure if I want to open up my worries to him or not. 

I can't lie to those eyes, though. They're so full of worry and passion, I can't tell him it's nothing.

"What if your pack doesn't accept me?" I whisper, breaking our gaze and staring down at my hands. I don't even have time to start twiddling my fingers together before Maddox grabs each of my hands in one of his. I look back up at him, and I see the protective and almost angry look on his face.

"Harper, they're going to love you. You are the best fucking luna my pack could ever have, and they're going to see that. They're going to see you for the badass that you are, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Our people will know that they're safe under your rule."

"I hope so," I say quietly.

Maddox pauses, and then he says, "I know so."

~~~~

"Mom, dad!" I call, holding the front door open so Maddox can step foot into the house. 

I hear bustling in the kitchen, and I beckon him in that direction as my mom calls, "In here, Harper!" We walk through the doorway, and my mom smiles brightly at the two of use. She comes over and hugs me, throwing the dishtowel she was holding over her shoulder. One glance tells me my dad is out on the deck with the grill caring for the burgers. 

I wrap my arms around my mom, inhaling the familiar vanilla scent that I grew up surrounded by. It's another sudden reminder that in two days, I'll be leaving. I know I can come back and visit, but not having the luxury to visit whenever I want is going to suck ass. I'll have to plan out my visits ahead of time, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. 

My mom pulls away and turns to Maddox. "And you must be Harper's mate, Maddox," she beams, not hesitating in pulling him in for a hug as well. I struggle not to laugh as his eyes widen in surprise, but he quickly wraps his arms around her to return it.

"Yes, ma'am, that would be me," he says, and I lose it at the "ma'am". My mom grabs her dish towel and swats at me, and I dodge in Maddox's direction so I don't get hit with soapy dish water. Maddox wraps an arm around me to keep me from falling to the ground, and I know he's grinning. I don't have to see it to know.

I can't stop laughing at the fact that the big bad alpha just called my petite five foot two mother "ma'am", and I can't wait to tell my friends. Vinnie's going to get a real kick out of it. 

My dad walks into the house with a pan of delicious smelling burgers, and the mouthwatering scent sobers me up. "What's she laughing about?" my dad asks, grinning as he sets the pan on the kitchen counter.

"She thinks manners are hilarious," my mother responds.

"Nothing out of the ordinary."

"Hey!" I protest.

"Harper, you can't look me in the eye and tell me they're lying," Maddox smirks.

"Not you too!" I groan, separating myself from him so I can help myself to dinner. I was going to be a polite guest and put together his plate as well, but the manner's comment has ruined my hospitality for the night. How ironic.

I put together a burger and a pile of fries and sit down at the table, watching as Maddox easily converses with my parents as they get themselves food. I watch him, not being able to tear my eyes from the gorgeous man I somehow got mated with. Everything about him is addicting. Everything.

And to think I tried to fight it.

Maddox suddenly looks in my direction and catches me staring. We silently agree to a staring contest, both refusing to be the one to turn away. I raise a single eyebrow, lean back in my chair, and cross my arms over my chest.

I could do this all day, baby, I tease. I know he'll be the first to crack. He's nearly as stubborn as I am, but he also has to walk to the table and sit down. I'm sure he could that without looking at what he's doing, but I still have the upper hand.

I know something else you can do all day, he mind links back, raising both his eyebrows up and down in a suggestive manner. Two can play at that game.

As I send him an image referring to his words, I tilt my head to the side and smirk. His eyes widen and he quickly looks away. 

I win. What's my prize?

Guess you'll have to find out tonight.

I huff, not liking his answer. He and my parents join my at the table, Maddox beside me and them across from us. He nudges my leg with his, leaving it there so our knees are pressed together under the table. 

"How did you two meet?" my mom asks. "I'm assuming it was at the mate ball, but I know Harper can be a little stubborn at first." Translation: Harper didn't want a mate, so how the fuck did you two end up together with how stubborn she is?

"A little, Kay?" my dad says at the same time that Maddox says "At first?", and I groan as the three of them start to gang up on me again.

At least I know that he gets along just fine with my parents.