Page 16

Livie's POV

"Luna, this way, come take a seat with us, please.

Alpha will be out in just a few more minutes.

Would you like a drink while we wait for him?

" Rick's beta, Zane, asked me with a smile as I made my way inside the winning room.

Everyone sat at different tables with either family or friends.

But it was different here. Everyone smiled; they enjoyed themselves.

I mean, even the girls serving tonight were happy.

They seemed happy to help, but what intrigued me the most was that not all of them gave off the aura of being an omega.

"Thank you. Water is more than fine." I said politely.

He guided me to a far-end table where another girl was sitting.

Everyone waived happily as I passed, murmuring among themselves and smiling.

The girl sitting at the table he directed me to was probably around my age.

She was beautiful, with dirty blonde hair, hazel eyes, and pink rose cheeks.

She dressed in a hoodie and jeans, making her look comfortable.

She was lost in a book, reading away and holding a cup with soda in the other hand.

"Margot, this is our luna, Livie. Remember I was talking to you about her?

Luna, this is my mate, Margot." he says as we take a seat.

She smiles broadly and puts her cup down to shake my hand.

"Luna, it's good to meet you finally. I'm sorry I missed your arrival.

Zane told me all about you. How are you? " she says, making me smile.

"Good, thank you," I reply. "Really... I'm sorry I missed when you came home. Zane here has me attending college all day, and I don't get home until the afternoon, and then he has me training. I hope you don't mind my attire, but I was too tired to dress up." she says, making me smile at her.

"No, please. You look so comfortable. Besides, I think we both wore similar attire.

I... I wasn't expecting to see so many people here and so dressed up.

" I say as I rub my hands on the sides of my sweater to wipe off my clammy hands.

I was so nervous being in here. It was not until now that I realized there was a second floor to the dining room where members filled tables and sitting arrangements were placed outside adorned with hanging lights and outdoor heaters.

I couldn't help but admire this place. It was like a dream.

A lot of the members had come dressed formally, but most teens and kids wore casual clothing.

I wasn't used to wearing fancy clothes, nor did I have any back at Silver Moon.

I was okay with what I had, though. Being able to wear mom's clothes made me feel like she was still with me.

Unfortunately, Molly told me to leave my clothes when I was packing.

It was old and dingy, with holes everywhere.

She assured me that Alarick would not disappoint me in replacing all my clothes with new ones.

And she wasn't wrong; while I was showering, someone had come by to leave bags of clothing for me.

They included a note that said Rick had asked them to supply me with clothing.

I was flabbergasted when I saw how many clothes were in those bags, from undergarments to countless shirts, jeans, sweaters, jackets, you name it.

Some bags even had those fancy lotions and body sprays that smelled so good.

There were also makeup and hair accessories, which I loved since now I can put my hair up without worrying it will fall from my overworn hair ties, but I have yet to learn how to use makeup.

Margot was really nice, and I couldn't help but admire how cute she and Zane were. They kept smiling adoringly at each other, and he would randomly grab her hand to kiss her knuckles or kiss her on the cheek and forehead. I want that. I want that with Rick.

"Luna, would you like to see the menu? Please let me know if there is something in our choice today that you might not want.

Someone will bring the bottle of wine that Alpha asked for tonight in a bit.

" a girl says with a smile, handing me an eight-by-five beautifully decorated sheet with the menu written on it.

"Thank you. But I... I've never drunk before.

" I said, making her chuckle. "No worries, I can bring you a soda," she says, making me smile.

"We will just have to ease you on bit by bit, sweetheart.

" Alarick's voice sent shivers down my spine as he walked toward us.

His walk alone had me drooling. "Alpha. Good evening.

" the young girl says as she bows politely.

"Hi, Jen. Please tell everyone to start serving.

And, bring a bottle of peach soju for Luna, will you?

We'll start her off with something on the sweeter side. " he says, turning my cheeks red.

The girls began to serve, and everyone enjoyed their meal.

We had an amazing time eating and talking.

Zane and Rick told me stories of their childhood, funny and sad.

Evidently, they had lived a life of struggles in the first few years, but his dad never gave up on bringing them up again.

"We had nothing, Liv. And I mean nothing.

If it wasn't for Blake and his pack, the connections he had with other packs that helped us.

.. I don't think we could have gotten back to our feet. " he says, lowering his head.

I hadn't seen his dad, which was odd. I figured he would sit with us.

"Alarick, where is your dad?" I asked in a low tone as he sipped on his wine.

I had yet to finish the glass of peach soju he poured for me.

It was good, really good, and sweet, but it still slightly burnt my throat.

I wasn't used to drinking alcohol at all.

"He went to visit Molly. They have their annual picnic this weekend. He'll be back by next week. He usually stays out there for a week or so to spend time with her." he says, making me smile. I liked Molly; she was the nicest to me.

By the end of dinner, though, I began getting a headache, and my insides felt hot, heavy, and painful.

I don't know what the hell is happening, but I think Alarick noticed.

He excused us once he saw I was getting dizzy.

Before I could comprehend what was happening, he lifted me bridal style and ran to our room.

"Alarick. What is happening? My body feels like it's in flames.

I can't breathe." I say as I hold him tightly around his neck.

I can see him clench his jaw as he opens our room door and softly places me on the bed.

"Livie, you're fine sweetheart. But I...

Listen, I need to leave you. If I stay, I might.

.. I might do something to you. I made you a promise I would wait for you to be ready to be with me, and I am keeping my word. But for that- I need to leave now."

"What? No. Please... Please don't leave me.

I don't know what's happening to me. I need you with me.

" I say, gripping my stomach as another wave of pain comes through.

"Livie, you're going into heat. Your pheromones are driving me insane.

I need to leave, or I will end up ripping off your clothes and taking you now.

I... I need to leave, but I will send help.

I will ask some of our female nurses to come by and help you.

Don't panic, ok? You'll be fine. You're strong, Livie.

You can handle this, but I... I might not be able to.

That's why I need to leave." he says, but I clutch my stomach again, curling into a ball on the bed.

This heat thing... I had seen it before but never thought it would hurt this bad.

Usually, when one of the girls in our pack would go into heat, Skylar would gladly sacrifice himself and do them a favor if the girl's mate didn't want to.

It was disgusting, to be honest. He had no shame in being with any she-wolf, but the consequences of it would come later when Leah found out.

She'd send her two she-wolves to beat the girl.

"No. Don't leave. I need you. I want you here.

" I say, grabbing his hand as he begins to get up.

The sparks of our touch feel heavenly right now, making the pain feel more like a pleasure than anything else.

I become aroused, and he knows it. He can smell me, making his eyes darken, letting a low growl out of his lungs.

"Liv. I can't."

"I... I want you, Alarick. I want you now.

" I say, making him grunt. I don't care if we don't know each other much; he's my mate.

The partner I will be with for the rest of my life.

"We have our whole lives to get to know each other, but I want you to make me yours now," I say, getting on my knees and looking up at him.

His fingers interlaced with mine, and I could see he was debating with his wolf.

His breathing becomes erratic, and he continuously clenches his jaw to fight off the feeling.

"Liv... If I do this, there is no going back.

Are you sure you want me to," I cut off his rant and kiss him on his lips.

We clash on that bed, his body hovering over me.

I can't take any longer. I went from one rejection to a new and better mate in less than two days; it was bound for me to go into heat.

It's a feeling I can't explain. Speaking vulgarly, you get horny as fuck, and given he and I had a heated encounter in the car, fuck it.

I can't wait another minute. I want him, and I want him now.

"Make love to me, Ricky. Love me as only you can," I whisper as he pins my hands over my head and kisses my jaw. "I'm not going to hold back, Livie. After tonight, you're mine and only mine."