Thirty Days: A Werewolf Romance

Quarterly Check-In

Ellie

Dinner was delicious and spending time with my family was something that I had treasured, it had been a long time since we had all sat around the dining room table and shared a meal together. My grandmother outdid herself, there was probably enough food to feed a small army. The room was filled with laughter and stories. My Uncle was all too happy to share stories of what he had been doing in the pack, things that had made him laugh, moments that had seen him shed a tear. 

I loved to hear his stories, they made my heart flutter. Uncle James had this ability to make a show of his stories that you couldn't help but get entranced by his words. My family were very interested in the work that I had been doing, so I shared my trials, my tribulations but also my success stories. I was happy that I had managed to touch many people's lives and help them. It didn't bother me that they were human, they were vulnerable and needed support and help. Something that I would do no matter what. 

After Dinner my Uncle James stated that we needed to make a move to the pack. He told me to pack an overnight bag as he would be on patrol in the evening and would be unable to take me home that evening. I was a bit sceptical, I had never spent more than a couple of hours in a pack. I didn't know how I felt about the situation. Uncle James stated that I would sleep in his room and when he finished patrol he would take me home in the morning. 

The drive was a little over two hours, I remember the journey being a little longer last time but Uncle James had explained that they had expanded their territory due to the population of wolves increasing. I had asked many questions about his pack and he told that he was the current Beta for the Lotus Pack. He explained that he was initially a warrior who had fought his way to getting his current title when the previous Beta retired with no heir.

James was very forthcoming with information, he stated that he loved his pack and the people there were like his second family. He explained that all the wolves had allocated roles, some were cooks, some were cleaners, other's were pack warriors focused on protecting the pack. He explained that other wolves worked in the local town where humans resided. They way he described it was as if they were a community, however the more he spoke the more it sounded like a cult. I didn't dare voice that. 

I knew Uncle James was saying nothing but good things, I was on to him. He wanted me to join in hopes that my grandparents would follow. Before I went to college, James warned me about being a lone wolf. He explained that it was safer for me if I was in a pack. That was why he was so relentless in my training. He had honed my skills, he had raised me to defend myself when necessary and attack when I saw a threat. Even though I wasn't a warrior, I secretly had the strength and agility behind me. I remained fit even while I was in New York. 

I ran a small self-defence group for kids who were at risk of getting involved with Gangs. It was my way of keeping them off the streets, hoping that it would encourage them to take some of their anger out in a controlled environment. I was actively involved with the community and always did my bit. When I told Uncle James all he could do was smile with pride in his eyes. 

I felt the car slow down as we approached some large black iron gates. This was a new addition and I could see that there was some type of fence connected that appeared to go on endlessly. James honked his car and a figure behind them opened the gates. As we drove through, James lifted his hand and the figure responded in the same way. 

"We're on pack territory now." He explained. 

He drove through the country line, it wound around and was covered in thick forest trees, the light escaping through the small gaps in between. It was quiet and serene, it was like nature was untouched here. It was the complete opposite of New York. Where the city was bustling with endless man-made life, the land here was humming with a different type of life. There were birds tweeting in the tree's, crickets chirping in the thick overgrown grass. It was beautiful in it's own way. 

It wasn't long until the road was going straight and at the end of the dirt track was a large mansion. The mansion was familiar, I remember when I first came here when I turned eighteen. It was still made of the same grey brick, the windows looked newer, the grounds looked well-kept. Flowers blossomed and were beautifully placed in front of the pack. As we drove closer to the large mansion I looked outside the window and saw that there were smaller houses scattered across the grounds. They were all different shapes and sizes but all of them seemed to fit the aesthetic of the pack lands. 

The sun was finally starting to set, the sky had wisps of clouds were dusted across the orange sky. Pink hues streaked in between the clouds. It looked like something out of a fairytale. It truly was beautiful and for the first time in my life, I imagined what my life would look like if I lived here. I imagined my life with my mate, settling down in one of the small houses and having children run around the grounds. It looked safe enough for children to wander without a care in the world.

The car stopped as Uncle James parked the car. He rolled the windows up and opened his door and stretched his legs. "Come on then Ellie Belly. Time to get you registered with the new Alpha." 

"New Alpha?" I questioned. 

He rolled his eyes. "Yes New Alpha, the Alpha you met previously is now enjoying his retirement. He still lives on pack lands but he's let his son take over. I don't think you've met him before, but he's a good kid." 

"Good Kid? Isn't he meant to be your boss?" I teased. 

"Enough of that missy, I've known him since he was in diapers. My nickname for him will always be kid." He chuckled. "I'm old enough to be his dad." He hopped out the car. 

I opened my door and jumped down from my uncle's pick up truck. It was nice to feel to stretch out, being cooped up in a car is something I am not used to. When I was living in New York I was always walking about or using public transportation. Everything was nearby, I didn't require a car to get me around. 

Uncle James started jumping steps up towards the large doors that were at the front of the pack house. He was quick in his footwork while I stood there like a dummy. "You coming or what?" He bellowed over his shoulders. I quickly shook my head from my trance and followed him into the pack house. 

As we entered the surroundings were familiar but the people lingering in the room all eyed me up and down. I could feel their silent judgements, there looks made me feel uncomfortable, they made me dirty. My uncle was moving around like he owned the place, while I followed him like a little lost puppy. I could see there were many woman eyeing him like he was their next meal, it was then that their gaze would narrow on our proximity. They would look at me like I was a piece of filth. A part of me wondered if they knew our relationship, I mean I didn't look like my Uncle James. I resembled my mother more than anything. 

We reached a pine door, on which James knocked on it three times. He gave me a reassuring smile that everything would be alright. I knew he could sense my nerves and my anxiety. He knew I had no interest in being a part of a pack. "Come in." A deep voice from beyond the door shouted. 

Uncle James pushed open the door. It was the same office that I was in when I met the previous owner except this time the man who was sat in the large black leather chair was the most handsome man I had ever seen in my life. His hair was raven black, it wasn't styled in a way that made it look like he got out of bed. His skin was tanned like it was kissed gently by the sun. His eyes were bright blue, they were this aquamarine colour that was so unique that I couldn't help but get lost in them. 

It was then that I felt it. It was what described to me as an intricately woven thread, the longer I stared the quicker it spun. The stronger the pull was building. My mouth gapped slightly as I finally took a deep breath in. His scent was something else, it was the most manly musk that I had ever smelt. It was intoxicating that I could feel myself getting drunk on it. There was a hint of pine that lingered in between.

It was then that my wolf whispered what I had already confirmed. 

"Mate."