21

Malachi gives me a secretive smile that makes my stomach fill with butterflies. Before he leaves the room, he lays a hand on my arm gently.

"I'll be seeing you later, right?"

"Of course! I'm just going to collect a few things.." I can't figure out what prompted his question.

He shrugs casually, looking at the door. "Your family might convince you to stay. I didn't exactly make a good impression. I would understand if you wanted a few days—"

"Malachi, I'll see you tonight," I say firmly, sensing the faint throb of insecurity in his eyes that finally meet mine. He is trying to play it off, but I can sense that under his shield of masculine pride and dominance, a fragile heart beats. It startles me for a moment and I give him my best look of assurance.

Then he is gone, leaving me alone with his Beta.

Hamilton just stares at me with his usual calculating scowl in his face. " So, the Alpha wants me to take you home to get some stuff. You ready to go?"

"I thought you offered—never mind," I change tack when his frown deepens. So he didn't really volunteer to take me. He's just following orders, and I am an annoying chore in his busy day.

"Let's go."

I follow him to his pickup that's parked out front, and the start of the drive is quiet as I keep to myself and he keeps checking his phone.

Biting my tongue, I don't say anything about how he is driving. Until the car drifts into the middle lane as he looks down, and I can no longer keep quiet.

"Could you please only check your phone once we have stopped? I'd rather you give your full attention to driving," I say politely but feel like saying- What's more important than getting there in one piece?

I've never liked cars.

He shoots me a dark look that I can feel bristling my skin, but he complies and tosses the phone to the console. "My sister," he mutters, as if in explanation. "I didn't see her this morning, and now I can't get onto her."

My eyebrows lift in surprise. "You have a sister?"

Hamilton looks at me with a touch of incredulity. "Harlow," he states simply, as if I should've known this earlier.

But with my mouth hanging open, I feel the pieces click into place. The same blonde hair, the same facial structure and hazel green eyes. Even the same dominance that they wear like a badge of honour. They both have Beta blood, so of course Harlow thinks she can dominate me in everything.

And they're both close to the Alpha.

"Alright, well..." I gather my thoughts. "Harlow normally works in the Alpha's estate every morning, right? Last night, I said she could have the day off as I could look after things. She mentioned having some other places she'd like—"

I jump when Hamilton pounds his fist on the steering wheel.

"What a clever thing to do."

I feel small and stupid in the wake of his expletives. And here I was hoping to get on the good side of the Beta, but I guess I will need to work harder. But how was I to know that Harlow was his sister and I shouldn't get involved in her work routine? Seeing as the Alpha's estate would be my home for probably the rest of my life, and the fact that I am the Alpha's mate, I thought I had some say in who worked where and when. I didn't know Hamilton would get so upset over the situation. "I guess you're still mad at me for crossing onto your territory all those weeks ago. I never got the chance to apologise. So," I twist in my seat to face him, and watch the tense muscle in his jaw working hard. "I'm sorry for crossing the border. I got carried away in my own thoughts and never realised I had crossed it. I never intended—"

"It's not that. Just save your breath."

I shut up quickly, turning back straight in my chair and staring out the front window without really seeing a thing.

When we cross back onto ForgedHearts territory, I feel the link re-establish with my family.

Hey Mom, guess who's coming over for lunch! I mindlink my parents.

I can feel her excitement through the bond.

When our car drives along the familiar dirt road that leads up the hill to my childhood home, I grin and clutch the seatbelt tightly, immediately unbuckling it as soon as we stop.

I jump out and run towards the front garden where my mom is waving. Flinging myself into her arms, I realise just how much I have missed her though I've only been away for two days. I hastily introduce Beta Hamilton, and he curtly yet politely greets my parents then moves off to talk what I assume is Beta-talk with my dad.

Mom takes my hands and pulls me upstairs. "So tell me everything! What's it like in DoubleEdge? Is Alpha Malachi treating you right? Has everyone accepted you?"

I suddenly don't know how to answer her. "Well, Malachi is nice. He respects me." I choose my words carefully.

She gives me a strange look, her lips pressed together as she seems to look me over with a careful inspection. "So you're not mated yet?"

I choke on the apple I am eating. "No, uhh... Um, no, but how come everyone can tell?"

"Your scent. It would have changed if you had. Once you and your mate fully complete the bond, not only are your souls and bodies melded together, but your scents also combine to create something unique only you share."

"Oh," I nod my head. "Well, it was sort of sweet actually, the way things turned out on the night of the full moon when we left here in an embarrassing rush," I turn to my closet and begin pulling out clothes, my face starting to heat up as I speak to my mom about such personal things. "Malachi said he didn't want us to do anything we'd regret later. Honestly, I went pretty crazy that night. Felt things I never have before. But he managed to keep a level head."

As she puts my folded clothes in a big bag, my mom smiles, "Wow. He must have a lot of self-control, that Alpha."

A response catches in my throat, but I say it anyway. "Or...he just doesn't really want me as Luna. I mean, I know he wants me, but maybe not really just yet. He's not sure..." I ramble, realising my words don't make much sense.

"Oh, baby, is it that bad?" My mom pulls me into a hug and strokes my hair, hiding the fact that tears prick my eyes. Despite what Malachi and I talked about this morning, I still get the feeling I'm on a trial run, and he will only decide later if he truly wants to accept me as mate and Luna to his pack. "What's happened that makes you think that? Surely—"

"Nothing I can't handle," I put on composure like you would a cardigan, and smile bravely. I am getting good at hiding my true emotions. "We'll work it out. We're both young, and his pack is a lot different to ours. We haven't really spent much time together yet, but he's promised to get to know me." I leaf through my favourite sketch books and wrap them in a protective satchel before putting them and my pencils in my large tote bag.

"Of course," Mom agrees, "Some relationships catch on fire straight away, like Charles and I. Others are slow starters. But their brightness can be the same one day. You just have to work harder at it."

"Yeah, and some don't shine at all..."

She sighs at my melancholy attitude, and shakes her head. "If you're going to be negative about it, then yes, it won't happen. You of all people know how to be positive, Ariella. It is no different when it comes to your mate. So just be there for him. Soon enough, he'll be there for you too."

My brown eyes collide with her own, glistening with a thousand emotions she's going to read anyway. Her arms envelope me again and I swallow a sob before pulling back. "I think I'll spend a moment in the garden out back, maybe collect some seeds to take with me. Then I'll see Dad for a bit before we have to head back."

Mom nods and lets me slip down through the back door and out into the garden. Only a few different flowers are in bloom at this time of year, yet I can still compare their bright beauty to the stark grey of Malachi's estate. Besides a few scraggly hedges, he has nothing beautiful growing there.

I want to change that.

I am bending down to pick a sprig of lavender when a prickling sensation runs down my back. I straighten immediately, and turn towards the forest's edge, my heart leaping to my throat.

And see two eyes staring back at me.

Pale blue eyes sparkled at her from amidst the forest shadows. Ariella pressed a hand to her chest to stop her heart from racing, and called her friend over. "Gabby! Don't sneak up on me like that!"

Gabby laughed, her long blonde tresses swaying with the wind like golden willow leaves. "I wasn't sneaking. You just sensed me way before I could even get close. You're far too perceptive, Ari. So how are things? I heard your parents talking the other day, saying that Alpha Malachi had taken you to his pack," she wrapped an around Ariella's waist and plucked a lavender leaf, holding it to her nose and breathing in the relaxing scent before tucking it behind Ariella's ear.

"Yes, he did. During my heat. But we didn't do anything....intimate, you know. He respected me enough and we're waiting until we know each other better."

"I'm surprised. Normally Alpha males are all possessive and want to claim what's theirs right away."

Ariella nodded, her eyes far off, studying the distance. "I... we ... we want to work things through slowly." In other words, Malachi had given her time to decide if she wanted to be Luna. In other other words, the young Alpha was still deciding if Ariella would make a good Luna. "But you know what? We're okay. Things are okay." Ariella would remain positive if it was the last thing she did. She'd had enough moping and feeling sorry for herself. Watching her dad and Beta Hamilton go through some playful sparring maneuvers in the distance reminded her of who she was.

A warrior's daughter.

"So are any of the rumours true? Is the forest of DoubleEdge haunted? Are there ghosts or demons lurking around the place?" Gabby asked, but her tone of voice wasn't full of gossip or prattle. Her face showed genuine concern for Ariella. She had always been like that, whereas Luci was only after information for her own benefit. To satisfy her lurid curiosity.

"I can feel something different around the place, like a heavy cloak of secrets. Sometimes an unnatural shadow skitters across Malachi's face. And his mother..." Ariella had to fight off the shiver that always wriggled over her skin when she even thought of Seneca and her obsidian black eyes. "I just have an overactive imagination. We don't believe in demons, remember?"

Gabby bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. "You want to have that discussion again? It's only Luci who tries to deny them."

"Maybe she's just scared of them."

"Or maybe she's in love with one," Gabby scowled, then both girls burst out laughing.

"How is Luci anyway?"

"Missing you. We all are. Now that you live in DoubleEdge, how often can we come and visit?"

"Oh, I'm not...I'm not sure. Maybe just wait until I settle in before you come and tear the place down with a wild party. I think the Beta would have my head if I entertained the idea of visitors to his territory. He's very good at his job, that guy." Ariella crossed her arms and frowned, facing her dad and the strong Beta once more.

Gabby's eyes followed and she remained silent for a moment as if lost in thought. "He may not be as bad as you think..."

Ariella watched her friend with puzzlement, at the way her eyes narrowed and slender shoulders straightened while she looked on at the Beta. "Do you want to come meet him? Then you can tell me what you make of his charming personality."

Gabby averted her eyes quickly, "No, I'm okay. I'm sure you'll figure out what it is that's bothering him."

Feeling only the inclination to agree, Ariella nodded. She was over trying to sort everything out without much information to go on. She'd learn things as they happened and then figure what to make of them.

"You are so pure, and good," Ariella took a strand of Gabby's golden blond hair and twined it around her finger. "It radiates from you."

Gabby shrugged off the compliment. "I'm the same as always. Regular old me."

"No, something is different. Maybe I'm just noticing it now."

"What do you mean? What are you seeing in me?"

Ariella stared at her friend straight on, puckering her eyebrows in deep thought. "Maybe now I have the complete opposite to compare it to. Malachi's pack..." Ariella sighed, finally relinquishing to getting it off her chest. She could trust that Gabby would listen and give her honest opinion."It seems everyone there is ...has something different under their countenance. Something secretive and mysterious lurking under the skin and I can't quite figure it out. They smile, but it isn't real. Their eyes have a light beneath but I get the feeling it is vapid and fake. Like a darkness is crouched there instead. Waiting. Hiding."

"Listen to you, Ari. Anyone would think you're speaking of a thriller novel. Surely it's not as serious as you make out. Everyone has their secrets."

"I know about secrets," Ariella patted her friend's hand where it linked around her arm. "But this... this is tangible. I can feel it crawling along my skin when I'm in their presence. I can see it seeping from his eyes and coming to rest on my shoulder—"

"His eyes? Are we now talking about the Alpha, or just the members of his pack in general?"

"Yes, I mean no. I mean—it's both. But ... mainly my mate. There's this distinct atmosphere about him that calls to me and warns me at once. His personality itself is contradicting. One moment he'll be smiling and holding me close, another he'll push me away and growl at me with disdain. I can't figure out what it is he wants!"

Gabby took a deep breath and let it out slowly, shielding her eyes from the sun.

"You probably think I'm talking crazy."

"No it's not—"

"It's true, just say it," Ariella gave a defeated shrug. "I mean seriously, I saw his Beta as a demon. What does that say... about me?"

"That you're wise and perceptive. That you don't just blindly trust anyone because they look safe and trustworthy. You try and see what's beneath. What's truly in their heart."

"So Hamilton is truly a monster in his heart?"

"No... no, I'd say he just projected that image to scare you away from his territory. He's probably... probably a cuddly pup underneath."

Ariella giggled, "Gabby, you, saying that about a guy?! Has the world ended and I've been living under a rock? I never thought I'd hear you say anything like that about a guy!"

"Oh, shush, I'm entitled to my share of dramatics every now and then. Can't let you and Luci have all the fun, now can I?"

"True, but I need you to be serious Gabby for a moment, the one who gives me honest advice. What should I do? Just accept it like everything is normal and I'm the odd one out? Or dig for the truth, if there even is anything hidden to be uncovered?"

Gabby thought for a moment, pursing her lips and scrunching her brow. "Trust your gut. What are your instincts telling you?"

Ariella pondered that for a moment, then screwed up her face, "What about the time I got chased off their territory, nearly to my death?"

"Your instincts were leading you to your mate, weren't they?"

The solid words struck with a tangible force. She bowed under their weight, then felt the burden lift, leaving her taller than before. "You're right. I was being led. And I let my fear take over and persuade me to run away. But no more running. Whatever is going on with Malachi and his pack, I will find out. And I won't be afraid."

"Just be careful," Gabby warned, them relaxed her face into a smile. "I better go. My brother is waiting by the lake. He only gets an hour free before his guard shift starts."

"Thanks for stopping by."

"Anytime. Love you."

"Love you, Sis." Ariella waved goodbye as the lithe blonde shewolf disappeared back into the forest to head towards the lake. It sat centrally in the territory, and most wolves spent their free time there, swimming, relaxing, or just hanging out. Ariella would miss those fun times with her friends, and hoped Malachi would allow her to make the trip there for Fire Night in a couple weeks.

After gathering a few more blossoms and dry seeds, Ariella wrapped them in paper then headed to her room to pack a few more things. Her violin was the last thing to take down to the car, and she laid it carefully in its case on the back seat. The trunk was filled and no room was seen anywhere else.

"You better not leave without saying goodbye," her dad's comforting voice echoed behind her and she turned to find him waiting by the car for her.

"Dad!" she tucked herself in his arms and relished his warmth and security for a few moments. "I wouldn't leave without seeing you. We're staying for lunch anyway."

Charles nodded and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "That Beta is a pretty solid boy. But that Alpha mate of yours couldn't come for a visit?"

Ariella sighed, expecting this criticism. "He's busy. As you say, he is Alpha. But I'm hoping to talk him into coming for Fire Night."

Charles seemed appeased. "You do that."

When Lexi called them all in for lunch, Ariella sat through a rather interesting meal. The chatter of her parents kept Hamilton entertained, though she had been expecting awkwardness. The whole time she kept wondering what it would be like to bring Malachi over for dinner to properly meet and get to know her parents. She owed so much to these selfless and affectionate wolves that it didn't seem right to be so distant now, moving to another pack and barely seeing them with her mate.

Just before they left to go back to DoubleEdge, Lexi pressed a large parcel of chocolate muffins into her hands, along with a wrapped gift that Ariella could only guess what it was.

They headed out to the car and Hamilton's eyes widened when he saw how much it was filled.

"Is that all you're bringing? You sure you don't want to pack the kitchen sink too?" he joked.

"Very funny," Ariella punched him in the arm and Charles snickered.

"And you said he didn't like you," Lexi whispered to Ariella as she hugged her again, pointing out the way he joked with her, and that he wouldn't normally if he truly disliked her.

It didn't take long to drive back to Malachi's estate, as the return trip always seems faster.

"Your dad is a pretty strong wolf. He must have been a good Beta," Hamilton commented along the way. "It makes sense though, with you and Mal. High ranking wolves are usually mated together. Since you're a Beta's daughter—"

"Actually I'm not."

"What?" Hamilton suddenly looked at her with confusion.

"Charles and Lexi adopted me when I was little."

The car was silent for a moment, and Ariella held her breath.

"And your real parents..."

"Died in a rogue attack. They were both warriors. Just warriors." She was proud of her parents' positions, and hated speaking about them like this. But when comparing them to a Beta status, their rank was undeniably lower. Who knew why fate paired her with an Alpha.