As minutes went by, Conrad watched as her expression darkened.

Alice couldn’t believe her luck. Her mate came from the family of the Alpha. But would he want her as a mate? She knew mates could be rejected. All she would bring to this pack was trouble. They might want to avoid that. She dashed her own hope. No way would they want her here. She was glad for this brief reprieve, though. It was nice to feel comfortable once in a while after so many months of discomfort.

“What’s wrong?” he finally asked, not liking how her face paled. It was rosy when she got out of the shower, and he liked seeing her with color. He could almost feel how soft her cheeks would be. The dress also looked good on her.

She gave him a sad smile, “You’re going to reject me, aren’t you?”

His heart skipped a beat at hearing her question.

“What made you think that?” His expression showed agitation. That would never happen.

“You’re avoiding me.”

He frowned at her answer. “I already told you. I don’t want to startle you. If you weren’t jumpy, I would have touched you already.”

Her eyes turned round at his admission. So, he did want to get close to her.

But . . . she didn’t want to cause them trouble. If she didn’t leave soon, those haunting her would probably attack this place. Remembering this was a pack, and maybe they had supplies? Maybe she could ask for some before she left?

“Do you . . . does your pack have potions? One that can conceal a wolf’s scent?”

Her question made him remember her situation. She was running away from her pack, a hostile pack at that.

“The borders alone can conceal your scent. They won’t be able to tell if you’re here or not.”

“But they already know I’m here. Just to be safe, I should also use potions.”

“I’ll check with the doctor tomorrow. They have a lot of potions in their storage, all kinds of them.”

This made her relieved. One problem is solved.

“You’re worried about masking your scent? How long have you been running?”

Alice knew what he was actually asking. “It’s been a few months.”

“How long have you been on your own? How did you survive?”

She didn’t want to be reminded of her nightmares but thought it would be rude not to answer his questions.

“A few months. Potions helped me a lot.”

Conrad could make out the trembling of her hands and her lips. He should stop asking these questions that reminded her of her terrifying ordeal. He should comfort her at this point.

Conrad stood up and walked near her.

“Are you afraid? Don’t be. I’ll protect you.” He kneeled in front of her so he could see her face. His hands were itching to touch her. He couldn’t move his gaze away from her eyes and her lips.

Alice heard his soft voice, and it soothed her heart. Suddenly, as if on impulse, her body moved. She was thrown into his arms, and he stumbled backward. Hearing him grunt in pain and the position they were in, she quickly apologized to him.

Her wolf purred in contentment.

“It was my wolf . . .” She weakly explained. She didn’t know how she’d get up without squashing him further. She put one hand on his shoulder so she could push herself up. Before she could do so, his hand wrapped around her waist and trapped her in his embrace. His breathing slowed down as her scent invaded his senses.

“You smell like apples.” They both said at the same time.

Their eyes widened slightly at this coincidence. Conrad moved closer to her and sniffed near her shoulder. She visibly shivered.

“What are you doing?” Despite asking, she was actually tempted to do the same. She quietly inhaled his scent. She inched closer and closer. The wonderful scent made her close her eyes. She was startled when the tip of her nose touched something. Her face heated up at realizing what she’d done. The warmth from his body enveloped her, and she didn’t want to move.

Alice yelped and grabbed his shoulder when she felt him licking her neck. It was only one stroke of his tongue, and then he was pressing kisses on it and her shoulder. She could feel some wetness on her skin. She was feeling light-headed, and her body seemed to be seeking something. She pushed herself closer to him, eventually laying her head on his other shoulder. She heard him groan. His kisses were now making noises she could hear, his lips smacking against her skin. She felt hot. ‘Is this how it feels to be so close to your mate? It feels good.’ She wanted to savor it.

Conrad was barely controlling himself. She was such a temptress. His own wolf howled inside his head. Her body, cradled in his, felt light. He needed to take this slow. She was only nineteen if what the middle-aged woman said was true. She was too young compared to his twenty-eight years.

He adjusted his position on the floor before getting up and carrying her. The movement did startle her, and she moved her head away, looking at him.

“Can I kiss you?” His muscles tightened in anticipation. This was only their first day. They didn’t know each other yet. He sat on the bed and maintained her position in his lap.

She looked lost and nervous, but she nodded her pretty head. Alice caught her breath when his hand moved up her nape and held her in place. His face slowly approached hers. When his gaze dropped to her lips, she did the same. Was she supposed to breathe? It would be difficult if she didn’t, right? It’s good that she brushed her teeth. Eventually, she closed her eyes. The first touch of his lips on hers made her feel a fluttering of wings in her stomach. Butterflies. ‘Is this the feeling they’re describing with that phrase?’ It started with just a pressing of lips together. When Alice started feeling that it seemed lacking, she gasped when she felt him licking her lips. As they parted, Conrad suckled on each lip. This made her squirm. It felt good. His lips were soft, and his breath smelled like mint, too. However, the scent of apples remained the strongest in her senses. Her hands gripped his clothes when his tongue delved inside her mouth, making her moan in helplessness. She didn’t want him to stop. It slightly felt like drowning, but she could feel his strong hand supporting her back. She noticed a throbbing sensation between her legs and didn’t know what to do with it. Something seemed to be pulling at her insides.

He explored every inch of her mouth and only tasted sweetness. Hearing her moan spurred him on, and soon, he was hard for her. He couldn’t touch her tonight, though. He wanted her to trust him first, to get close, to understand each other, to rely on him, and to love him.

Soon, she mimicked his actions, and her tongue slowly met his. Good. She was a fast learner. Alice could feel something hard and large beneath her. She was sure it wasn’t there earlier.

Conrad knew he should stop while he was still in control. He didn’t want to scare her off. Who knew how long they’d been engaged in kissing each other? Her taste was now etched in his memory. As sweet as apples. With much difficulty, he pressed a hard kiss on her lips before moving back . . . only to find her following him and seeking his lips once again. ‘Damn.’ He groaned in frustration. He knew she was not ready. She didn’t even know how to kiss just a while ago.

He tried pushing her off very lightly, and he saw her expression of desire and haze.

“Alice, we should stop,” he whispered as he caressed her cheek, and yes, her skin was as soft as he imagined. Her face was flushed, and her chest was heaving. Still, there was an ache below her navel that hadn’t gone away.

“You should rest. Lie on the bed and sleep.” He pressed a kiss on her nose. He waited for her to move, but she didn’t. They simply stared into each other’s eyes. When he smiled, she shyly returned it.

“If you don’t move, we’ll continue kissing. I don’t know if I could still stop myself.” He nuzzled her neck, making her shiver. She gently pushed against his shoulder and plopped over the bed.

‘She was really obedient,’ Conrad thought. But then, his eyes were attracted by something else. With her legs up, he could see her bare legs and her undies. Her skin was clearly fair and smooth. He was blessed with a beautiful mate, that’s for sure.

He reached for her knees and pushed them down, her legs now lying flat on the bed. Leaning over her body, he grabbed the blanket and unfolded it for her.

“You should sleep first.”

“How about you?” Alice noted that he didn’t seem to have the intention of sleeping next to her.

“I still need to speak with my father.”

“Will you tell me what happened to the others? The ones who were with me? Are they safe?”

“They’re fine. I’ll speak with the Beta. He’s getting information from them. If he finds them faultless, they will be treated well.”

Alice stared at him as he tucked her in.

“My daggers . . .” she wanted to remind him.

“We’ll find them tomorrow,” he promised her.

Alice closed her eyes as he kissed the tip of her nose again. As he stepped away, she watched him go. At the door, he smiled at her before closing it.

There was a fluttering of wings in her stomach again. Conrad seemed strong. He had the build of a warrior. A fighter. Would he really protect her?

As he made his way to the conference hall, he was reminded of his father’s task. Well, he hadn’t been able to get any significant information from her. Maybe tomorrow, she would be willing to talk. He could tell her that it would help them prepare against those wolves. Well, it was the truth anyway. He simply needed her to open up.

He reported to his father. Then, the Beta shared his findings.

“Except for two young men who are clearly hiding something, the rest are good. They don’t seem to be in collusion, though. They’re hiding different things. I’ve isolated them for now. I’ll speak with them again, see if they’re willing to be more truthful.”

The Alpha stood up and turned to his oldest son. “Well, it would seem we’ll be waiting for you, boy. I expect answers by tomorrow.”

“Yes, Father.” It shouldn’t be difficult, right?

He went to see her mother before going back to his room. She prepared more things for his mate. Her name is Selena, but she’s fondly called Selene. Most of the pack members simply refer to her as Luna.

“Are you treating her well?” Her expression was stern. She didn’t like it when male wolves acted like jerks toward their mates, imposing their wants and not listening to the women. As Luna, she was educating the younger generation on this subject. She couldn’t have her own sons disregarding her lessons.

“Yes, Mother. We’re doing good. She’s now comfortable with my presence.”

“Good. Up you go, then. I expect to see her during breakfast.”

“Yes. Good night, Mother.”

On his way up, he saw his younger brother, Caleb.

“Happy for you, man.” They exchanged a grin.

“You’ll meet yours soon enough,” he assured him.

His brother patted his back before entering his own room. Conrad continued walking towards his. He set on the table everything his mother had prepared for Alice. Then, he simply stood next to the bed, watching her face. She was not having a peaceful sleep, that’s for sure. Her face would scrunch up from time to time. After he calmed himself, he moved to lie next to her. His movements were awkward. He was not sure where he was supposed to touch her.

He had one arm on top of her stomach, his hand touching her waist. He cuddled closer to her and pressed a kiss on top of her head. She seemed so small next to him. With her scent surrounding him, he fell asleep in satisfaction.

When Alice woke up early in the morning, she was momentarily startled by his proximity. But somehow, it felt right to her. His presence was calming, a source of comfort to her troubled thoughts. After staring at him for a few minutes, she reached out to embrace his body and sidled closer to him. His scent alone was bliss. Add his warmth to the equation, and she was in heaven.

She felt him move, and then his leg was on top of hers, locking her in place. Such a tangle of limbs, but it was not uncomfortable. On the contrary, it made her feel safe. Protected.

When sunlight began to bathe the room, Conrad stirred in his sleep. He rolled on his back before taking a deep breath. He got a lungful of her scent, and he quickly looked to his side. Her eyes fluttered open, and she yawned. Catching his gaze, she quickly covered her mouth and blushed. It made him grin.

“Good morning, Alice.”

“Good morning,” she mumbled her reply. She quickly got up and went to use the bathroom.

“My mom prepared those things for you. See if there’s anything helpful.” He called after her, and she stopped by the bathroom door. She looked at where he was pointing. After seeing it, there was a smile on her face as she walked toward it. More clothes. Comfortable ones. Shirts and pants. Shorts, too. And, of course, undies. She chose a set and took them with her.

She liked the warm shower, so she spent ten minutes enjoying it. She was not sure when she’d have the chance to use these amenities again, so she’d use them as often as she could while she was still here. The thought of leaving hadn’t left her mind. Though she found her mate here, she was not sure if she wanted to stay. She didn’t want to involve him in her problems.

Conrad went to the room next door and took a shower as well. He promised that they’d look for her daggers, and he meant to do that first thing this morning.

He was ready to go when she came out of the bathroom. She was wearing a white shirt and blue pants. Ah, he forgot the shoes again.

“Wait here for a moment. I’ll get you some shoes.”

He quickly went out, and while he was away, Alice looked around his room. She was not able to do so yesterday. When he left her to sleep, she truly fell asleep.

He returned with a pair of white rubber shoes. He took her hand and guided her through the pack house. There was that undeniable spark when they touched.

“Are we going to the woods?” She’s still anxious about losing her daggers.

“Not yet. Let’s have breakfast first. My mother wants to meet you.”

In the kitchen, her mother was already there. She was usually early at work, overseeing the pack house management.

She approached when they entered the dining hall.

“Hello. You must be Alice. I’m Selena, Conrad’s mom. You can just call me Selene.” Her warm smile and friendly tone lowered Alice’s guard. She was actually reminded of her own mother. She was just as sweet and caring.

Selene gave her a brief hug before directing them to a table. The three of them sat down as someone brought out three plates. They were early, as breakfast didn’t begin until thirty minutes later. Alice felt comfortable with the scarce number of people around them. She would most likely freak out if there were too many people. One reason he brought her here before the others poured in.

His mother chatted with her, mostly asking if she was feeling comfortable or if she needed anything in particular.

“We’ll go and look for her daggers in the forest,” Conrad explained what their next activity was.

“Daggers? You use them?” Selene was intrigued. The young woman in front of her had a small frame. Though, of course, it was also possible that she knew how to fight. Every wolf had that tendency to learn to protect oneself.

“Yes,” Alice replied simply.

“We have daggers in the storeroom, don’t we?” She turned to her son.

Conrad looked at Alice before answering, “Yes, we do.”

“Why don’t you just get new ones? The forest is vast.” Selene suggested kindly. It made Alice uncomfortable.

“My mom gave them to me.” Her voice was small and sad as she kept looking down.

“We’ll find them,” Conrad promised her. Wait, he already promised her last night, didn’t he? Why did he forget about it so soon? He was losing points for trust. She might have thought he was unreliable.

“I see. Of course, you should look for them. Take all the time you need. Do you want me to pack lunches for you?”

“It’s fine. I can find them quickly. I’m sure I have my scent on them,” Alice assured them that it wouldn’t be a time-consuming task.

“Even so, you don’t need to rush,” Selene insisted, then turned to her son.

“Why don’t you show her around the territory? Have a picnic. I’ll prepare the food.” She smiled at them before returning to the kitchen.

Conrad stared at Alice’s figure.

“Look at me. Keep your head up,” he told her. When she didn’t budge, he reached out and touched her chin with a finger.

“What’s wrong?” He became concerned because of her expression.

“I need potions to conceal my scent, too. You said your pack has them?”

“Yes. We’ll drop by the storehouse. I told you, the borders already conceal everyone’s scent. You don’t have to worry about it.”

“I just want to be doubly sure. I don’t want to risk it.” She bravely looked directly into his eyes. She liked that he was concerned about her.

He smiled at her before lightly caressing her cheek. Her skin was too soft and fair. He decided that he’d ask her questions after they found her daggers. She seemed jittery because of her lost daggers. She didn’t mention last night how important it was to her, but he did think it had that kind of significance.

“You said the daggers were given by your mom? Where is she?” Or maybe he shouldn’t have asked.

Her expression became dark and sorrowful.

“I’m sorry.” He pulled her into a loose hug and caressed her back.

Alice couldn’t stop herself from crying. Her mother’s death was horrifying and terrible. The memory alone could make her tremble from fear. Even now, she was wondering how she managed to run away from that nightmare.

But in a way, she understood it was because her mom protected her. Clung to her killer so he couldn’t go after her immediately. That was enough time for her to leave and run endlessly.

Selene returned with a packed basket to witness this scene.

“What did you do?” She was ready to reprimand her son. You don’t make a lady cry! Even more so when it was your mate!

Conrad winced at his mother’s tone. He silently mouthed the words “her mom” to her.

“Oh . . .” She correctly assumed that her mom was already dead. Death was always going to be the worst experience one could have. No one truly knew how to deal with it. It was different for everyone.

With her presence, though, Alice stopped herself from crying and wiped her face with her hands.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to cry.”

“It’s okay to cry,” Conrad softly replied by her ear. She shivered a little.

Selene breathed in relief. It was good that she could pull herself together quickly. “Here’s your lunch. Don’t let her go hungry. Also, be careful when you’re on the training grounds.”

“Yes, mom.”

“Does your father already know? Or should I tell him you’ll be away from your duties today?”

“I already informed him.”

“Good. I’ll see you both for dinner.”

“Thanks, mom.”

“Hmm . . .”

“Thank you,” Alice didn’t forget to express her gratitude and stood. They should go now, right?

Selene smiled at her.

“I hope you’ll feel at home here. I would like to welcome you into the pack in advance.” She gave Alice a warm but brief hug.

“Another one?” Selene gladly embraced her again when she saw how she looked disappointed at their parting.

Alice was glad, too. She missed her mom so much.