15

I woke up the next morning cuddled against Achilles, completely comfortable. Achilles was still sound asleep, breathing softly against my back. I carefully turned in his arms and studied him, smiling as I took in my amazing mate. I kissed his cheek, needing to show some ounce of love, even if he was sleeping. I have admit, he has me wrapped around his finger to a point. I would do anything to keep him safe, anything to make sure he's happy. I have no idea what I would do if he left me, not only would he be my second mate leaving, but this time I'm actually in love. Not just blinded by my attraction, but actual love.

It's funny, I've never really believed in true love since Jason. I've always thought it was just a fairy tail, something that isn't permanent. However, I know it's true. Humans fall in love as well, sure they can be married and start to have an attraction towards someone else, but if they truly love their partner then they'll just ignore those feelings. Physical attraction is something of an illusion, it can cause a completely irrational love. Something that is only controlled by their physical attraction and nothing else.

Love isn't something you can just mess with, it's a very fragile bond. Humans, werewolves, animals, everything feels it. Well, I'm no scientist so I honestly have no idea if animals can experience love. I have seen it though, between a mother and her young. I know they can experience sorrow, depression, anger, and so on. Even so, this is really something for someone else to explain. I shook those thoughts from my head, looking back at Achilles.

I focused on Achilles, remembering our first time meeting each other. I was feeling the beginnings of the mate-bond then, that feeling that I wanted to be with him. I was attracted physically, but also emotionally. I knew I was slowly falling for him, but I was in denial. Frightened of being rejected and replaced, of not being wanted. I laughed a little at remembering Alpha Tyrone stating that Achilles had "tamed" me. I wanted to burst out laughing, there is no possible way to tame me. I'm my own being, yes I'm part animal, but that does not mean I'll bend at Achilles' will. If he orders me to kill someone, which I highly doubt will happen, I won't do it. I'll just simply tell him no and walk away, he could do it himself.

"Morning."

I jumped slightly as his voice reached my ears, his amazing scent filling my nostrils. I smiled and kissed him on the lips, we made out for a couple of minutes before parting.

"Morning." I replied.

Achilles smiled, his eyes studying me with nothing but love and awe in them. We stayed like this for a while, just taking each other in. I kissed him once more before sitting up and stretching, I grabbed my phone to look at the time. I groaned, we only have an hour until we have to meet the Alphas for the annual meeting.

"Shower...together?" Achilles whispered, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me onto his lap.

I shivered as he kissed my shoulders, gently running his hands down my thighs. My core started to ache as I let out a moan. "Asshole." I gasped.

He chuckled, "Love you."

After our very steamy shower I could barely walk, damn it Achilles for being so damn good. Achilles laughed and carried me to the bed, gently placing me down. I grinned and kissed him before slowly sitting up, waiting until my legs were no longer shaky. Achilles swiftly dressed himself in black dress pants, black dress shirt with a red tie, and black dress shoes. He looked amazing, leaving my breathless from shock. I didn't even think he could get any hotter, but he proved me wrong once again.

I quickly grabbed my red dress, it was a tight fitting dress that reached halfway down my thighs. I threw on a little bit of make-up and did my hair before throwing on my black high heels. Achilles' eyes were as black as the night sky when he saw me, a growl of approval sounding. He kissed me before leading us down to the meeting.

If we have a meeting between only two Alphas then we can dress in casual, slightly fancy, clothes. However, when it comes to this meeting we have to dress nicely. Achilles told me that the she-wolves usually wear skin tight dresses that are a little on the short side, they never wear full out fancy dresses. We walked into the room and sure enough, many she-wolves were wearing skin tight and short dresses. I hooked my arm around Achilles, giving him a smile. He kissed me a few times until Alpha Veloces greeted us.

While they talked to each other I talked to Vanessa, both of us teasing our poor mates. The men only glowered at us, but Veloces seemed a little hesitant to meet Vanessa's gaze. Vanessa explained to me that they got into a huge argument about him not paying enough attention to the baby's room.

I frowned, "I know it's very special, but you know he's beyond stressed." I pointed out quickly.

Vanessa clenched her jaw, "I never really thought about that part..."

"Well, just give him a little break. All he wants is to figure out these rogues and keep you guys safe. Maybe they're working with the ones that are attacking us." I chirped.

Vanessa seemed doubtful, shaking her head. "The rogues that are attacking you, are they hybrids?"

"No."

"Then, they're with someone else. I have no idea who hates Veloces this much, but it's starting to scare me. I've been such a spoiled bitch and didn't even pay attention to the fact that Veloces is just trying to protect me and the pack." she whispered, guilt filling her eyes.

I smiled softly, "How about you go talk to him?" I suggested. "Tell him you're sorry."

She looked back up at me, a grin on her face. "Thank you."

She hugged me carefully before walking over to Veloces and guiding him to a far corner. Achilles smiled a bit before walking over to me and wrapping his arm around my waist. He kissed me before sighing.

"It'll start in five minutes, I can tell you're getting bored already." he laughed.

I frowned, "Is it that obvious?"

"Well, you just tried flicking paper at Alpha Tyrone before I came over." he chuckled. "Though, I don't know if that's out of boredom or the fact you hate his guts right now."

"It's both."

The Alpha meeting was very tense, especially with Tyrone constantly making comments about me. The other Alphas seemed a little hesitant to say anything against my ideas, except for Veloces. He only encouraged me, along with Achilles. Vanessa seemed delighted with Veloces now, she refused to let go of his hand. Veloces seemed relieved now, but he's even more possessive over her now. Vanessa told me she didn't mind, she was just glad they're not fighting anymore.

She found alcohol hidden in his suitcase last night, along with snake venom. It's dangerous for humans, but it's a drug for werewolves. It makes us completely numb, we can't feel any emotions. She started to blame herself, but I could see Veloces apologizing and telling her it wasn't her fault. Achilles told me he had a history of drug abuse and drinking, but he does it when he's mostly stressed. Like most drugs, snake venom is dangerous for werewolves as well. After a certain amount of time, luckily he's only been using it for three days and not a whole month.

Alpha Tyrone narrowed his eyes when Jason's brother stood up for me, telling the Alpha to shut his trap. "Go fuck another tramp if you're just going to sit here and complain, we don't need it." Xander snarled.

I was stunned, my mate killed his little brother and he's defending me? Xander looked at me, his eyes telling me he has to talk with me later. I swallowed, a little nervous for that conversation. Tyrone slumped in his seat, glaring at the papers.

I then got the cue to continue my speech, I took a deep breath. "Even though he's shown me a great deal of disrespect..." I began, looking at Tyrone for a few seconds. "His pack is the second closest to my pack, therefor...I'll make my warriors guard his territory as well. He said so himself, he doesn't have enough warriors to constantly put on patrol. Alpha Lycan, if he wants, could maybe protect the other half of the territory." I finished, looking at the brown eyed Alpha.

Alpha Lycan grinned, "Of course, maybe you could learn something from this, Tyrone." he spoke.

Alpha Tyrone was watching me with a bewildered expression, specks of disbelief in his eyes. I only gave him a hard look before sitting down, signaling that I was done. The other Alphas, including Achilles, finished with their ideas and we all came to an agreement.

The rogues were starting to get out of control, but the ones attacking Veloces' pack worried us. They're different from the ones attacking us, all of them are different. It looks like each pack has their own enemy, and the thought was slightly discomforting. After the meeting was over I walked over to Alpha Xander, Achilles beside me.

Xander sighed, "I know what you've done." he stated, looking at Achilles briefly. "I don't blame you."

We both gaped at him, his eyes soft and understanding. "My brother was a horrible person, he's just like our parents unfortunately. Selfish, power thirsty, cocky, and so on. I'm mainly like my grandmother, understanding, calm, and selfless. I put others before me, but with my brother it was hard. Every day I've wanted to kill him for the amount of rudeness he displayed to me, my mate and her family, and you. Both of you, he didn't care. His girlfriend, Catherine, is just like him. I exiled my parents from my pack after they made my mate cry, they mentally abused her when I wasn't there. They're sadistic and I'm warning you now, stay away from them and keep a careful look out. They've tried invading my pack, they'll try with yours. Especially since you killed Jason, and if they do, mind-link me and I'll help kill them." he explained.

I smiled, "Thank you, Xander."

"Hey, anything for little Iris!" he beamed, shuffling my hair.

Achilles grinned, "We can mind-link only you now?"

"Yes." Xander confirmed, "Only me."

We talked for a bit more before he left, needing to get back to his mate. His mate couldn't come since she was on bed rest, she was due to give birth any day now. Achilles gently grabbed my hand and guided me back to our room to pack.

"Want to stop for lunch on the way?" he asked.

I nodded, "That would be great, how about brunch? We skipped breakfast."

"Either one works for me."

I chuckled and started to pack my things.