Mariah

"You wanted to see me Alpha Scarlett?" I ask as I enter her office, and she looks up to give me a raised eyebrow and a smile.

"You know you don't have to call me Alpha, Marz, just Scarlett is fine when we aren't in a formal setting." She replies, and I nod.

"Of course, I suppose it's just a habit." I explain. Even if I have been a part of the Blackrose pack for a total of six months, the ways of my old pack have been deeply ingrained in me...hopefully those will fade away soon, I don't want anymore reminders of the pack I left than my memories already give me.

"Well, that's understandable, but hopefully you grow more comfortable here. Actually, I was hoping you could do something that could help with the process."

I raise an eyebrow in curiosity, contemplating what this task could be.

"What would you like me to do?"

"Well, I know you're well aware that the full moon party is coming soon, I was wondering if this year you would actually like to participate this year?" She asks, and I have to admit I'm a little thrown. I'm not much of a party person, even if it is to celebrate the packs beginning of sorts.

"I've seen that look before, don't worry, you don't have to stay for the whole thing, I was just wondering if you would like to be in charge of this years girls football team? It's girls vs. boys and I know from experience it's a lot of fun."

I mull over her offer for a moment, very tempted to actually live out my desire to play that I've had since high school.

"Sure, sounds like fun." I answer, and she grins.

"Good, I'm looking forward to seeing the girls getting payback for losing last month, and I'm sure you can help kick ass."

We both chuckle, and she seems to have a thought.

"Also, I was wondering if you would like to escort Eva and Sienna around the city, show them the sights and the best place to shop and all."

That throws me even more, and she sees my hesitation.

"I know you're not one for shopping, but I'm sure you know that since Eva is the Alpha's daughter and both girls are visiting our pack, we're responsible for their protection even if they can both take care of themselves."

I sigh and nod, knowing full well what could happen if something happens to either of them while they're in our territory, even if the two packs are on good terms. There are rough parts of this territory filled with less than pleasant people.

"Juniper is going too, since she and Sienna really hit it off. So you can think of it as more of a friendly outing than protection detail."

Junipers name grabs my attention, and suddenly my inner wolf is practically demanding I go with them, hoping that this might be an opportunity to get closer. Besides that, Juniper is a healer, which means she isn't trained for regular combat like I am, so she'll need my protection at least.

"I'll go." I answer, and Scarlett smiles almost knowingly.

"Good to hear. I think Eva is still downstairs if you would like to talk out the details."

I nod and exit the office, planning to settle plans right away. I end up finding Eva downstairs talking to Sienna, which helps with minor introductions at least. Now I won't have to track them both down.

"Eva?" I call out to grab her attention, and she turns to smile at me.

"Mariah, it's good good to run into you again! I was just talking to Sienna about inviting you to our shopping trip, you want to go?" She asks, and I sigh at the slight devious glint in her eyes...part of me already knows that she and Scarlett were both in on this.

"Sure...when do we leave?" I ask.

"As soon as Juniper joins us, we invited her too since she knows the good places to go." She answers, and I try to keep my expression as normal as possible...not sure if it worked.

"Hey guys! Sorry I'm late, the healer covering my shift was a little late!" Junipers voice calls out, and my wolf stirs with excitement as her scent of eucalyptus and paprika fills my nose, and I fight back the urge to immediately take her hands in mine. Knowing that even if I feel sparks from her touch...she doesn't....which is frustrating considering how strong the pull is for me.

~Patience child...she'll feel it soon, I promise.~ Ariana murmurs in my head, and I sigh.

"Mariah! You're coming too! Awesome! How's your hand feeling?" June bubbles out, her train of thought still multi tracked as usual.

"Yes, I am...and my hand is fine now..." I answer, trailing off as sparks erupt on my skin from her lifting the hand that I dislocated during training to inspect it, her treatment worked perfectly...so it's not pain that makes me jump in surprise.

"You sure?" She questions, and I nod as I reluctantly pull my hand from hers.

"I'm fine June, I promise." I murmur, a hint of heat rising to my cheeks. And the sound of Eva and Sienna giggling swiftly snaps me out of it.

"If you're ready, then let's go." I call out as I hastily move down the steps, like I'm running away...goddess this sucks...

.........

"So Mariah?" Eva calls out to me, breaking me out of my attempt at dazing off. I look up to see her sifting through the clothes rack in front of her, it's contents not very appealing to me.

"Yes Eva?" I answer hesitantly, my gaze briefly flickering to the dressing rooms where Sienna and June went, they've been gone for a while now.

"I've been wondering, how long have you been in Blackrose?"

Her question surprises me, honestly thinking she'd ask something else.

"Umm...about six months." I answer, and she raises an eyebrow in shock.

"Wow, so you're one of the newer members....I thought you still seemed a bit uncomfortable. You don't talk to many people more than absolutely necessary."

"I'm still adjusting...my former pack is quite different..."

"How so?" She inquires, picking a shirt up only to look at in disgust and put it back, I'm not sure if she hated the design or the color more.

"Much more strict, much more difficult for she wolves to become warriors...which meant less friendliness among the ranks..." I explain.

"Is that why you left? I apologize if I'm being too nosy..." She apologizes quickly after asking, and I shake my head. If anyone would understand my reasons for leaving my old pack, it's her.

"No...actually, I have an ex-mate to thank for that..." I explain, and her eyes widen a little.

"Did they reject you?"

"No, I rejected him. He was the Beta of my old pack, and when I turned 16 and found out he was my mate...he made some things very clear..."

I growl to myself at the memory, his words still managing to make my blood boil.

"What things?"

"That first and foremost, even if I was his mate I would never be the only woman he would be with, but instead, just the only one he would have pups with. I would never be allowed to be a warrior again, because according to him 'she wolves shouldn't be warriors at all', for the only job I would have is producing and raising his heirs while he acted as Beta....and screwed around with other women."

The words taste like bile as I repeat them verbatim, well, except for the part about screwing around. That was more implied.

"And here I thought I had an asshole for a mate, but I stand corrected." Eva murmurs, "I understand why you rejected his sexist ass."

I nod. "And after I rejected him and he immediately accepted, I realized that I couldn't stay and take orders from a wolf like that...so I left...and spent a long time as a rogue before meeting Alpha Scarlett..." I finish, honestly a little surprised that I had told her all of that. Outside of Scarlett, I haven't told my story to anyone...

"I understand completely. Any Beta who thinks less of a pack member because of their gender shouldn't be leading in the first place."

She gives me a fierce looking smile before turning back to her shopping, and I to keeping an eye out for potential threats. Taking a sip of my soda, I don't notice her look back up at me until I feel her eyes on my face.

"So how long have you had a crush on Juniper?"

I slap a hand over my mouth to keep my drink from spitting out onto a tacky but expensive shirt in front of me, the ugly thing costing far more than I think it's really worth.

"What-What are you talking about?" I ask incredulously as I swallow my drink and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.

"Don't play dumb Marz, I've seen how you get around her...the blushes and softer tone, how relaxed you are around her...it's quite obvious." Eva argues pointedly, a knowing look on her face as she crosses her arms over her chest.

Damn it...and here I thought I had it under control...

"That obvious huh?..." I mumble, rubbing my neck anxiously as I make sure no one is close enough to overhear...especially not June.

"Oh yeah, how long have you been fawning over her?" She questions, and I sigh.

"The first day I met her...my first day at Blackrose. I had gotten into a fight with some warriors from the neighboring pack before I stumbled into Scarlett's territory, and was badly injured. Scarlett sent me to the infirmary for treatment before we discussed joining the pack....Juniper was the one who treated me."

"That's quite a story, though I'm surprised that you two still aren't together yet after six months, especially if you're mates." She muses, and I shift nervously.

"I'm not sure we are..."

"What do you mean by that?"

I turn towards the clothing rack, pretending to look at the clothes on it.

"I can feel a mate bond...the sparks, her scent, my wolfs response...but I don't,( think she does." I explain.

"Seriously? How can that be possible?" She says with disbelief.

"I don't know...but there isn't much I can do about it otherwise...other than hope she feels it eventually." I murmur, and I feel Eva drop a hand on my shoulder.

"She will, I know it. Even if she doesn't feel the sparks, she definitely likes you a lot, she's always excited to see you."

"June is excited to meet everyone, that's just who she is. Everyone is a potential new friend to her..." I argue, and she shakes her head.

"It's different with you, anytime you've been there she's literally talked to you first, not to mention she treats you anytime you're injured." She points out, and I have to agree with her on that.

"Just be patient, whatever's going on with her will settle itself out in due time."

I nod, being patient is the only thing I can do at this point. It's not like can make her feel the mate bond that I do.

"Oh my goddess! Eva, you have got to try this on! It'd be perfect on you!" Sienna calls out, and Eva flashes me a smile before she turns around to talk to Juniper and Sienna.

~The girl is right, our mate will recognize who we are in due time. I can feel it.~ My wolf murmurs, but I remain silent as I continue performing my guard duties, smiling a bit as June flashes me a tiny smile from across the room.

Patience...Goddess knows I have it.