Lola’s pov,
“So apparently you know who I am. How come I do not know who you are? Where do you come from?”
Lola her mind was racing she had no idea how to answer that. It was probably best to stay as close to the truth as possible.
“My name is Lola; I am an orphan. Grew up in Minnesota, I have had multiple foster families over the years, but I never felt like I belonged. I turned 21 recently which meant I was finally allowed to decide for myself what I wanted to do. So, I decided I wanted to travel. I always loved nature so I thought it would be cool to visit the Tongass forest. It was cool until I got lost and ended up being chased and bitten by a maniac.”
Noah’s eyes narrowed, “Wait you did not know werewolves existed?”
“No, I thought they were just tales from stories.”
He gazed into her eyes deeply like he was looking for something for a few minutes, “You are a werewolf yourself though. I can sense your wolf, but it is buried somehow. You have not transformed yet then?”
Lola shook her head and Noah continued, “I can help you with that, but it is a concern for later. A werewolf growing up amongst humans is unlikely but not impossible. You better not be lying to me because I will find out. I have spies everywhere.”
Lola rolled her eyes, “Whoo considered me warned. I am now trembling with fear.”
“You better work on your attitude Lola. Disrespecting someone in a higher rank is not accepted amongst werewolves.”
He sat down on the bed and said, “Anyway, there is a party tonight to celebrate the new mate bonds. At the party, one of the holy priestesses will ask you if you accept the mate bond but the official decision will be in a month. If you don’t show up it means you have accepted.”
Lola doubted that was true, but she couldn’t take the risk because maybe this fucker was actually telling the truth, “So I can deny this so-called mate bond whatever it is?”
He stood up and looked at her annoyed, “The mate bond is the most sacred union there is. It means the moon goddess has found two souls so perfect for each other that they will be as one. But yes, the law says you can deny it if you want but that never happens because the souls are matched for a reason.”
“Sounds like a very romantic excuse for hunting, claiming, and raping women.”
He growled, “I am not a rapist, and I would never touch you against your will. I just know that you will be begging me too before the month is over.”
Lola laughed, “You really are delusional.”
He just gave her a smug smile, opened his backpack, and threw her a white girly dress, “You will wear this. It matches my outfit so they will know that we are mates.”
Lola threw back the dress in his face, “Ow no I am not.”
He walked to the door and grinned at her, “You either wear the dress or go in your underwear. Your choice. The party starts in an hour.”
He slammed the door and Lola lifted up the blankets realizing she was only wearing a black lace bra and thong. However, she was definitely not going to wear that virgin dress like she was some submissive cunt that loved to be his mate. So, underwear it was!
Noah’s pov,
Noah slammed the door and had to calm down his breathing. My god that woman was a handful. He asked for a mate that would not bore him. Well, that mission was accomplished, she was probably going to drive him crazy. Luckily, he took some herbs from the priestess before visiting her to keep Achak calm. Otherwise, he would not have been able to stay as calm when she went against everything he said. He could not have her talk to him like that at the party though. It would not look good if this small girl did not respect him. If Noah Grey could not even keep his own mate under control, then maybe he wasn’t so scary after all.
He called his beta Dan and told him to look into Lola her back story. He needed to know if his mate was lying to him. Then he took a shower and got ready for the party. He wore a white shirt because only the leading Alpha was allowed to wear white. He arrived early and talked to some other Alphas about the mating hunt. The air was buzzing with excitement and sexual tension because most mates couldn’t wait to be together. Noah was just having some small talk with Tristan one of his smartest pack members when he heard gasps and then ultimate silence. Noah turned around to look at the entrance to see what the commotion was about. His eyes almost fell out of their sockets when he saw it was Lola walking in with confidence wearing nothing more than her underwear.
She looked straight at him when she walked in, and he could not help his eyes devouring her body. Her breasts were bouncing in a lace black bra with every step she took, and her hips swayed from left to right. He had to shake off his urge to lift her from the floor and take her right there and then. The herbs also did not seem to hold Achak down anymore because he was going mental in his head again. “THEY ARE ALL STARING AT OUR MATE. NO ONE SHOULD SEE HER LIKE THIS EXCEPT US. THEY ALL WANT HER.”
Noah rushed towards her and growled in a low voice so only she could hear, “Are you insane?”
She just looked at him innocently, “I just picked one of the 2 options you offered Alpha.”
He did not know whether he wanted to strangle her or kiss her at that moment. He took off his shirt and pulled it over her head. She was much smaller than him, so it covered her up like a dress. Achak seemed to be pleased that his mate was covered up again, but Noah could not stop staring at her. In his shirt, she probably looked even sexier. His thoughts got interrupted by the high priestess coming toward them.
“Ah, Alpha Grey there you are. I must say I am happy to see that you finally found your mate after all these years. It is high time that our leading Alpha got his Luna by his side. The packs could use some women’s guidance and it is high time you produced an heir.”
He saw Lola staring at her probably thinking she met another lunatic. The high priestess looked rather funny he had to admit with twigs in her hair and paint all over her body and robe. The priestess took both their hands, “You know it is just a formality Alpha Grey, but I need to ask you and your mate if you accept the mate bond.”
Noah nodded, “I do. I trust in the moon goddess her judgment.”
The priestess smiled at him and turned her gaze to Lola who pulled back her hand and said, “No I do not accept.”
Lola’s pov,
“No, I do not accept,” Lola said.
She might have to stay here for a while to get her million dollars but that did not mean she had to become some guy’s property. Certainly not to become a breeding machine like this crazy bird lady just said.
“I have no interest in becoming someone’s breeding whore. I am sure this comes as a shock to you because you all seem to be so deep in Noah his ass that you can smell the shit. So please find some other girl to suck on his toes and be his breeding machine because it is not me.”
Lola saw everyone stare at her with shocked faces and the crazy bird lady gave her a distasteful look, “Watch your tongue young lady. Firstly, it is Alpha Grey for you and not Noah. Secondly, you should be on the floor with gratitude because you were blessed with such an outstanding match.”
“Yeah, yeah on my knees on the floor and suck his dick while I am at it right?”
The crazy bird lady became red with anger, but Noah stepped in between them and said loudly, “YOU ALL HAVE TO FORGIVE LOLA. SHE GREW UP WITH HUMANS SO SHE IS NOT ACCUSTOMED TO OUR WAYS YET.”
Crazy bird lady gritted her teeth, “You better teach her some manners quickly Alpha Grey.”
He squeezed her shoulder and said, “Don’t worry I will teach her some manners.”
After that, the crazy bird lady stormed away to go talk to some other matches made in heaven.
Noah towered over Lola, and she had a hard time concentrating with his bare chest so close to her face. She had to admit his shoulders and abs were impressive. He whispered in her ear, “You can keep playing your little game all you want. We both know that by the end of this month the only thing you want is my hands on your body. Tasting your sensitive spots, begging me for more.”
Lola felt annoyed that she could not control her breathing quickening.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she snarled at Noah.
He smiled, “You can barely concentrate as it is.”
Then he stepped away and his smile disappeared, “You need to be educated in werewolf ways and generally appropriate behavior. So, from now on, you will get daily lessons from Deborah.”
Lola saw a head with blond hair enthusiastically storming toward her and all she could think was. Oh god, not her.
Noah walked away and left Lola alone with Deborah who took her hand and guided her outside.
“My god, what were you thinking speaking to the high priestess and Alpha grey like that? You are lucky he did not punish you. If I talked like that to Dan, he would publicly pull my guts out.”
She stared at Lola who was still just wearing Noah his shirt, “We should get you to your house quickly before anyone else sees you looking this indecent. Why did you come to the party wearing only your underwear? Is that normal amongst humans?”
Lola chuckled, “Only at the interesting parties.”
“Well, the fact that you grew up with humans explains your strange behavior but don’t worry we will fix you in no time. I will give you daily lessons on werewolf history, beliefs, traditions, and etiquette. With hard work, we can make you worthy of being the leading Luna.”
Lola sighed, “Look Deborah I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I have no intention of becoming a Luna. I do not need to be fixed. I am fine the way I am and if people cannot accept that then fuck them.”
Deborah just gave her a radiant smile and completely ignored what she just said, “I am truly blessed and honored that Alpha Grey chose me to guide you. I will see you tomorrow at 8.”
She walked Lola to a secluded cabin made of big logs. It looked big enough to house an entire family and there were beautiful symbols carved into the wood. Lola walked inside and admired the huge fireplace, open kitchen, and large windows looking into the woods. She might have ended up in some sort of community with weirdos but at least she had this beautiful cabin all to herself. She jumped up when a voice came from the darkness of the kitchen.
“Satisfied with your new home?”
Lola saw Noah standing over the kitchen island with his big hand in a jar of cookies.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Well, I was hungry,” he said while he put 5 cookies in his mouth at the same time.
“I mean what are you doing in this house?”
He looked at her amused, “Well this is my house so.”
“Wait, we are living together?”
“Yes, it is tradition for the newly matched mates to live together and explore their connection before the official ceremony.”
Lola frowned, “I am not going to sleep in the same bed as you.”
He rolled his eyes, “Don’t worry your highness you can have your own bedroom. I am not a creep.”
Lola just looked at him standing there in the darkness watching her with his mouth covered in cookie crumbs, “Could have fooled me.”
He grinned and she was tempted to smile back because he looked kind of funny standing there like some big puppy. But she did not want him to think that she liked sharing a house with him, so she said, “I better not find you in my room at night staring at me while I sleep. And then when I wake up you just give me some lame excuse that it is a mating tradition to connect on a psycho level.”
He grabbed another cookie and walked past her, “Don’t flatter yourself I am not that desperate. Good night your highness.”
Lola smirked against his back when he walked away, at least he was quick and witty with his responses. Most guys couldn’t handle or appreciate her rude banter. Like her foster parents said, her foul mouth was like listening to the gates of hell. She had to admit Noah Grey was a better roommate than the ones she had before. He certainly was better looking.
She went to her bedroom which was cozy and simple. There was a big wooden bed, a desk, and a closet filled with clothes for her. She took a long hot shower before crawling into bed. She tucked herself in like a caterpillar and sighed happily. It had been a long day and she knew there would be plenty of challenges ahead. But right now, she felt safe and warm which was a luxury for someone who had a childhood like hers. She enjoyed the feeling and not long after sleep caught up with her.
Noah’s pov,
Noah was wide awake staring at the ceiling. “I am not that desperate,” he said to Lola. Well, fuck he was that desperate. All he wanted to do was run to her room, take her in his arms and kiss her. The image of her walking around in his shirt burned in his mind. He turned and twisted for hours before exhaustion finally caught up with him.
The next morning, he took a shower and draped a towel over his hips when he was done. He walked out of the bathroom and bumped into Lola. He had to wrap his arms around her to make sure she wouldn’t fall. She was pressed against his bare chest which was still burning hot from the shower. She quickly pushed him away with red cheeks and said, “Watch where you are going.”
He noticed she was still wearing his shirt, “Sorry Lola. I see you became rather attached to my shirt.”
She looked down and her face became even more red, “It was just comfortable to sleep in, okay?”
She pulled the shirt over her head and threw it at him. She was now standing in front of him in a dark blue hipster and bralette. He swallowed and tried to think straight, “You can keep it if you ..” but before he could finish his sentence all his blood went below and his towel was levitating.
Lola stared at his towel with big eyes and then started laughing. Noah felt embarrassed but also started laughing from awkwardness which made her laugh even harder. She was still chuckling when she went into the bathroom and shut the door. Noah rubbed his face and wondered why he behaved like such an idiot when she was around.
He had some breakfast and then went out because he needed to visit some other packs today for business. He came back later in the afternoon when it was time for his pack to do a wolf run together. They had certain days when the whole pack transformed, and they ran together. It was good for the unity of the pack. Noah looked forward to it today because he really needed Achak to let off some steam. It had been hard dealing with his wolf since Lola was around.
His heart skipped a beat the moment he saw Lola was there to watch the wolf run. She truly was beautiful with her long black hair blowing in the wind and her caramel eyes glittering from the sunlight. He had a hard time looking away from her, but it was time to behave like an Alpha now in front of his pack. They all waited till he transformed so they could follow him. He breathed in the fresh air and let Achak take over before storming into the forest. Dan followed him barking and soon he heard barking and howling from all directions.
Achak was a glimpse of grey fur sprinting through the forest. Running through fields covered with flowers going faster and faster until they reached the mountains. He climbed and ran until his lungs could take no more and then howled to let them know it was time to turn back. All the wolves turned around and enthusiastically started to run again. Everything was great until right at the end he heard some commotion in the form of growling and angry barks. They came back at the starting point, and everyone started to change back to human form. Noah scanned all his pack members to see if anyone was hurt when Dan marched out of the forest with one of the lower-ranked pack members over his shoulder. The omega his name was Peter and Noah knew him as shy, so he wondered what he had done to piss off Dan.
Dan threw Peter in front of Noah and growled, “This low life dared to run past me.”
Peter was trembling, “I am sorry I did not mean to I just got too enthusiastic.”
Dan spat at his face, “You need to be reminded of your place.”
Tristan spoke up, “Come on Dan, he said it was an accident I am sure he will not let it happen again.”
Dan his eyes became dark with anger, and he turned to Tristan, “How dare you talk to me like that?”
Noah felt annoyed why did Dan always have to behave like an aggressive toddler? Once again, this forced Noah to behave in a way that disgusted him. He let his voice become low and full of authority, “Tristan it is not your place to speak up against a Beta. As for you Peter you know the punishment for forgetting the pack order during our runs.”
Tristan bowed his head and Peter started trembling even more because he knew what that meant. Dan had a wicked smile on his face when he grabbed Peter his arm and snapped his wrist.
“That will remind you to stay behind next time,” he whispered.
Peter cried out from pain when Dan broke his bone and Noah heard Lola scream. She tried to run to Peter so Noah commanded Fenna and Deborah to take her home. When he looked into her eyes, he saw the same disgust and anger reflected that he felt inside him. He sighed and ordered some other wolves to bring Peter to the healers. Dan wanted to talk to him after that, but Noah went for another walk until he reached the lake. He needed some time to be alone and think. He did not know how much longer he could keep playing this cruel role. Especially now he found his mate and she just thought he was an asshole. To be fair he could not blame her.
He returned hours later and secretly visited Peter at the healers. Peter was sitting on one of the beds with his wrist in a cast. He would not be able to transform for a while which was torture for a werewolf. “You okay Peter?” he asked.
Peter did not dare look at him and whimpered, “Yes Alpha Grey.”
He was just sitting there waiting in fear of whether there would be more punishment. Noah hated that everyone was just scared of him, but it was necessary. The only thing he could do was ease Peter his pain, so he told the healers to give him some pain-relieving herbs before he went home.
As soon as he walked through the door of his house Lola came at him like an angry firecracker. She started hitting him in his stomach which of course did not hurt him physically. Her eyes were dark with anger, and she shouted, “What the fuck is wrong with you? How could you do that to him? You just stood there and let that maniac break his arms like it was nothing. And for what? Because he ran past him? Seriously, I have never heard something more fucked up.”
Her nostrils went wide with every breath like she was breathing fire before she continued, “I don’t get you are you bipolar or schizophrenic? How can you go from some overgrown puppy stuffing himself with cookies to this cruel monster in just a day?”
Noah sighed and softly pushed her to the side, “I can’t do this right now Lola.”
He walked past her to his bedroom and slammed the door.
