Chapter 9: Alpha’s Mate

GIANNA

When I woke up this morning, Kol had already left for work. We’d talked pretty late into the night. I must’ve fallen asleep in his room, I thought, looking around.

His room was filled with deep-mahogany furniture, a theme I noticed that ran through the rest of his house. I wandered into the kitchen.

After spending years in a bustling castle, this modest manor felt lonely.

I spotted his note on the fridge.

“Hey, babe, sorry I left early. Work stuff. I’ll be home pretty late. Might miss dinner.”

I sighed. He was so understanding about everything we’d spoken about. I took out my phone

~I’ll be damned if I’m spending today alone.~

Gianna

Hey mom

Mom

Hey sweetie is everything ok?

Gianna

yeah everything’s fine mom, is it alright if I come over for a while?

Mom

of course darling, I’ll have tea set up for you.

Gianna

great I’m omw

I grabbed my coat and headed for the car. Mom would clear everything up for me. She was always great to talk to. She always understood me.

It felt so nice to be driving down my parents’ drive again. I turned the bend, and their castle loomed into view. I felt a wave of relief wash over me. It felt good to be home.

The butler had the door open before I even exited my car. “Welcome back, Miss Gianna.”

I smiled, walking in. “Thank you, Charles. Is Mother in the breakfast room?”

“Yes, Miss Gianna. I will take you to her now.”

I followed Charles in silence as he led me to the breakfast room. ~Maybe I should make more of an effort with Kol~, I thought.

~I’ll cook dinner, I think, and maybe we can discuss when I will meet his pack.~

He had mentioned that he hadn’t announced to his pack yet that we had mated; only his beta, Jordan, knew.

I understood why. It was a big deal for an alpha to find a mate; it sealed his fate as leader for the pack. Alphas with mates were stronger.

No one dared challenge their leadership once they had found one.

But how did you tell the pack that not only had your alpha found a mate, but he was now mated to the most powerful—what even was I? Wolf? Witch? Being?

“Miss Gianna is here for you, Your Majesty.” Charles’s announcement snapped me out of my daydream.

I looked at my mother and smiled. “Hi, Mom,” I said, hugging her tightly. “I’m so sorry I stormed out the other day. We didn’t even get to talk properly.”

“Oh, hush now, darling. Think nothing of it. You always had your father’s temper,” she said softly, clutching my chin.

A wave of calmness swept over me all of a sudden. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. My mother always had had the healing touch.

“So tell me, darling, how goes life as a mated woman? Enjoying the haze?” Her eyes sparkled at me as she poured us both some tea. I felt my cheeks blush a hot rosy-red.

“Mom,” I whispered, suddenly uncomfortable. “Not exactly. I mean it’s fun, and we do connect, but I don’t understand.”

“Understand what, sweetie?”

“Why you and Dad sent me away. Aren’t you guys happy that I found a mate?”

My mother froze mid-sip and lowered her cup gently back onto the saucer.

“Because, darling, it’s customary for mates to live together once they’ve mated, and we need to see if he can accept you and your”—she paused, looking at me deeply, her piercing green eyes looking deeply into mine—“abilities,” she trailed off.

I nodded. I knew what she meant. We had spoken about this a lot as I grew up. “Do you think my wolf will wake up?” I asked her, taking a drink of tea.

She smiled sadly. “Your father and I really hope so, darling. We felt so awful about repressing you all those years ago. We know how much it affected you.”

“It’s okay, Mom. I understand.” I smiled at her, and then a thought hit me. “Hey, Mom, do you think you could give me the recipe for your casserole? I’d like to make dinner for Kol.”

She jumped up and hurried out of the room. “Of course, darling!”

I sat back in my chair. If I was to be the alpha’s mate, then I would make the most of it.