by Lili Lam
Tristan's POV
Driving around town aimlessly, I stared straight ahead at the road in front of me. Dad's probably furious after getting the call from the attendance office that I no-showed for school. Oh well, that's the least of my worries right now. The only thing plaguing my mind is the fact that she's terrified of me.
She's avoiding me. I tried to check on her last night, but her Mom told me she was asleep. Then I waited for her this morning to give her a ride to school, only to find out she's not going. Bashing my closed fist down onto the top of my steering wheel in anger, I was surprised when it didn't break. I shook my head in disbelief as sorrow filled my heart.
I can't believe I allowed something like this to happen. I'm the future Alpha for crying out loud. I should have been more alert. Things shouldn't have gotten that bad so quickly. Worst of all I should have been able to protect Lise better than I did. I feel like an utter and complete failure.
What was I thinking when I shoved her in the back and expected her to run all the way home? Was I expecting her to fend for herself in the woods? What if there were other wolves, what an idiot.
You would think my Dad would have included me in on the 'new' family that they allowed to move into our territory. Considering I was forced to go away with him on business matters on Monday and Tuesday. But no, I was left to keep Jewel occupied. Who cares if the meeting was held at her house? What the hell do I look like, some sort of a babysitter? Does it look like I care that my Dad's Beta is Jewel's father?
A new family moved into our territory, a couple and their four children. Their old pack was attacked and killed by a group of rogues. The two wolves I ran into are the two eldest sons. Being on high alert, they mistook me for a rogue trying to harm a human. Once I shifted, they immediately submitted, recognizing me as the future Alpha.
There will be no consequences or punishment towards them considering they're new to the pack. I wasn't angry with them; it's excusable, with all they've been through recently. The sound of Lise's nightmarish scream echoed over and over again in my head. I told her to run and under no circumstances to turn around.
What did she do? She turned around and witnessed first hand what I truly am. I'm so stupid I shouldn't have brought her out there. I should've given it more time before trying to explain. It's just that I wanted to tell her already. I want her to know every single thing about me. I needed reassurance that even after knowing it all, she'll still want to be with me.
That's where my downfall is, trying to get her acceptance way too quickly. Things like these take time; it's my entire fault for being an impatient jerk. I'm going out my mind not knowing if she's ok. I text Luke, begging him to ask Anya for Lise's number.
Knowing Anya, she'll do anything Luke asked of her. I can't believe the irony that my best friend's mate just so happens to be Lise's best friend. In a way, maybe it'll help her accept the news better. Having Anya there to help her ease into the transition of a life change. One day Luke's going to be my Beta and a damn great one at that.
He's my voice of reasoning, always able to talk me out of doing something stupid. Luke's going about this thing the right way. Getting Anya to fall for him before he breaks the news to her. It doesn't seem like he'll have much more to go. The two of them are smitten with one another.
My hand was shaking slightly as I held onto my phone reading the text back from Luke. The text that included Lise's cell number, which I quickly saved to my contacts. I pulled into the nearest parking lot of a strip mall, knowing I wouldn't be able to concentrate on driving and speak to her at the same time. My nerves were a bundled mess, I just hope she picked up. Not only did she answer, but also she wanted me to come over. Was it because she needed to see me just as much as I needed her?
"Positive." She answered before telling me. "Park in your driveway and come through the back."
I hung up without a response, not wanting to waste another second. I placed my cell phone into the cup holder and threw the car into reverse making it home within five minutes. I sped the entire way there. I was close to the harbor, debating on kayaking over to the lighthouse to be alone and figure out how I could get her to see me, to talk to me.
Walking around towards the back of our houses, I spotted Mrs. Ferguson sitting on her porch rocking chair. Her fat orange cat Ruby splayed out across her lap. Thankfully her attention was focused on talking to our mailman Joe. I'd never hear the end of it if she saw me sneaking into the Foster's.
The entire town would know by the end of the day, about the promiscuous teenagers who skipped school to do the nasty while their parents were at work. I could smell Lise’s scent even before I made it around to their backyard. It took everything out of me to not sprint the entire way there, desperate much?
Seeing her standing in the screen doorway dressed in a pink tank top and her fleece monkey pajama pants took my damn breath away. She looked adorable with her hair tied up into a loose ponytail with a few strands hanging around her face. My heart was racing at a rapid pace with each step I took closer to her.
My wolf wanted to make himself known he wanted his mate to become familiar with him too. Using all my control, I had to push him back down reassuring him that he'd get to know our mate, just not right now. I'm sure my eyes were glowing from all the emotions coursing through my veins. Taking in a few sets of deep breaths I tried to calm myself down, not wanting to frighten her.
Taking the steps two at a time, I approached the back door with caution. I tucked my hands deep into my pockets to prevent myself from grabbing her into a hug. I wanted to hold her close to me and never let her go. Even though it's only been a few days, I knew the instant I looked in her eyes that I'd love this girl for the rest of my existence.
She's the only one who'll be able to make my heart beat out my chest. The only one who'll be able to calm me with the soothing sound of her voice and touch. For a teenage guy, having to experience something like this would be a scary experience. I'm not your average teenage guy. I've been taught at a young age that I needed to accept this with open arms.
"Hi." I greeted, unsure of what else to say as she held open the screen door for me to enter. "Thanks." I said stepping into her kitchen.
"Hi." Her voice answered nervously. She's scared, I can sense her fear. That's the last thing I want from her, to fear me. "Let's go into the living room." She suggested leading the way out the kitchen. "Do you want anything to eat or drink?" Lise offered kindly as she took a seat on the sofa.
Shaking my head, I had to clear my throat, which was suddenly dry. "No thanks, I'm good."
I watched as she rubbed on soft material of her fleece pants anxiously, refusing to make eye contact with me. Sitting there quietly for a few Moments, trying to gather myself and figure out where to begin. I reached out taking her hand into my own. The good thing about it was that she allowed me to hold her hand in mine. She didn't flinch and snatch her hand away like I expected her to.
My body filled with warmth immediately upon contact. "Lise..." I began still unsure of what to say. "I'm a wolf."
The sound of her laughter filling the room surprised the hell out of me. That was the last thing I figured she'd do, was laugh. "Ya don't say?" Lise giggled, her hazel eyes twinkling brightly as her body shook with deliriousness. "I think watching you turn into a black dog was proof enough."
Oh god, either she's taking this better than I thought she would or she's officially lost her mind. Searching her face for any sign that she's still sane, I closed my eyes reeked with guilt. I'm going to have to start paying visits to her in the local loony bin. I refuse to sit back and watch my mate get taken away to a psyche ward in a straitjacket.
"Why don't you start with how you became a wolf?" Lise's soft tone surprised me. She was using her other hand to rub the top of mine soothingly.
"Wait..." I said with a slight shake of my head. Not understanding how she could be so calm? "Aren't you scared of me? I'm not normal..." My voice drifted off. I'm a human who can shift into a damn wolf
and within three years, is soon to be Alpha of the Monhegan Moonlight Pack.
"Do you want me to be afraid?" Lise retorted in a snippy tone. "Um, in case you haven't noticed Tristan, I'm far from normal so whom would I be to judge you?"
My facial expression filled with astonishment, as my heart swelled to maximum proportions. Does this mean that my mate is accepting me for what and who I am?
"I'm not going to lie, when it first happened I was terrified." She admitted with a slight grimace. "I had time to think it over and decided you deserve a chance to explain yourself."
Upon hearing that, I let it all out. I told her about the pack, which included confirming whether or not each person she named was a wolf. I informed her that what happened yesterday, along with the incident involving Jewel was all just a misunderstanding. She listened intently while I went into detail about choosing Luke to be my Beta and me becoming Alpha. Once I began the bit about mates, she seemed to lose a bit of her calm composure.
"A mate is a life long partner. Someone whose connected to you in every way possible. A wolf only ever has one love. He or she recognizes their mate once they gaze into his or her eyes after our eighteenth birthday." I disclosed quietly. "It's like love at first sight. There's only every one. No one else can ever compare."
This is the part that scares me the most, once she figures out she's my mate, she'll run away and never turn back. I could feel her eyes roaming over my entire face, almost as if she were trying to figure me out. "So am I your mate?" She breathed out, so low that I wouldn't have heard her, had it not been for my wolf senses.
My eyes were drawn to hers; I need to see her reaction to this answer to be able to know the truth. "Yes." Was the only answer that escaped my mouth. Surprise was the only look I recognized flashing across her expression. "I-is Anya Luke's mate?" She whispered still staring at me with her lips slightly parted.
I wanted to reach over and capture her lips in my own. Run my hands through her soft silky hair and hold her in my arms. "Yes." I gave her yet another single worded answer. I was waiting for her to lose it, flip out and totally go crazy on me.
A tiny shriek of excitement escaped her lips; next thing I knew Lise threw her arms around my neck and practically jumped into my lap. "So what are you trying to tell me Tristan?" Lise's voice teased as she stared curiously into my eyes. Where did she get this sudden boost of confidence? Did I manage to scare the crap out of her yesterday? She doesn't seem like herself.
"That you're my mate." I answered her question with a weary look. "I'll never want anyone else, but you. So the ball is in your court, whether you want to be with me or not. I won't force you." I was still a bit worried about her mental state, not sure if I should bring her to the hospital to be evaluated. She could very well be in some form of shock?
"Yes." Lise's voice came out muffled, her head was laid comfortably against my chest as I held onto her tightly.
"Yes?" I asked with confusion. What's she answering yes to, to being my mate? Pulling her head back slightly to look up at me, she gave me the biggest, most innocent smile. "Yes, I want to be with you...be your mate." Lise mumbled laying her head against my shoulder. "If you want me to."
If I want her to, is the sky normally blue? Are the clouds white? Of course I want her to be my mate, more than anything in the entire world. "I want you to." I grinned and began trailing kisses from her forehead to her cheeks, all the way down to those soft plump pink lips.
Once our lips collided, mini explosions erupted throughout my body. I'm sure she's experiencing the same fireworks. This kiss is so much better for the both of us, because it means she accepts my wolf and me as her lifelong mate. There's no greater feeling than this.
Chapter 12: New Guy