Page 3

Chapter Three?

Xochil

Y ou’d think sleeping in a car was uncomfortable for me, but I’d done it more times than I’d ever admit to my family over the last couple of years. I’d even dare say that I slept in worse places a couple of years ago, while I was running away from some of Dad’s enemies, who were trying to kidnap me and use me against him.

I watched my mate’s house for a few hours last night, before I gave in to exhaustion and allowed myself a nap. In that time, I saw a Toyota drive by the street repeatedly, slowing around the front of her house. I didn’t think too much of it until I saw the truck drive around the block after her lights turned off, and then came back around with the headlights off, rolling to a silent stop in front of her house.

Erinda’s hackles rose at the action, and I let out a low growl as I realized what was happening.

My mate appeared to have a stalker.

As I watched the door of the vehicle open, I did the only thing I could think of: I lowered my seat and turned on my car lights. I watched his reaction from the camera of my phone, sneaking it over the dashboard to record it. The way he freaked out, got back into his car and drove away confirmed his nefarious intentions. Once he was gone, I screenshotted the truck driving away, and emailed it to Adrien, Miguel’s brother, asking him to run the plate for me when he woke up.

Once I was sure he wasn’t coming back, I finished Cory’s cheese buns and fell asleep, dreaming of the curvy, angry goddess walking toward me.

I woke up when the sun blasted through my window. Erinda stretched in the back of my mind, her tail already wagging at the prospect of seeing our mate again.

Her car was still in the driveway, so while we waited for her to leave for work, I called Dad.

“Are you on your way home? Is everything alright?” he asked me, knowing I wouldn’t call him this early for no reason.

“I'm fine, but something did happen. I won’t be coming home today.”

“What's going on, Xochil?”

“I met my mate last night.”

There was silence on the other end of the line before I heard Dad's barely controlled whisper, “Gracias, hermana,” (Thank you, sister)

I rolled my eyes at his words. The Moon Goddess, Selene, was one of Dad’s siblings and the goddess of all shifters. She was in charge of finding mates for her wolves, and Dad had whined for years about how hard she made it for me to find my mate. He could be a little dramatic about it sometimes.

“Are you bringing her home soon? Do you need help moving her stuff?” he asked.

Dad was aware of my sexual preference, so I thankfully didn't have to explain to him that my mate was a woman.

“No. I—she doesn't know I'm her mate. She's human,” I explained, and he whistled.

“Damn. Tricky one," he replied.

“Yeah. I'm going to have Miguel bring me some clothes, and I'm going to woo her. Once she trusts me, I'll show her what we are and bring her home."

"Okay. Is there any way for us to help you?"

"Yes. I followed her home last night and saw a truck hanging around her house. I think she has a stalker. I sent the plate to Adrien. Can you get him or Evie working on it?"

"Yeah. I can do that. You should have Miguel stay at the hotel, too. If she has a stalker, you might need him to help protect her."

"I'll consider it," I answered, hesitating a little, and Dad caught on right away.

"What's wrong?"

I sighed, knowing how I was going to sound.

“I can’t mark her until she knows who I am and accepts me,” I started. “Miguel is unmated and, while I know he wouldn’t do anything…”

“He’s a horrible flirt, and if he flirts with your mate, it’ll get your wolf riled up?” Dad finished for me.

“Yeah. She’s just his type, too. I’m scared Erinda will push forward if he flirts with her, even jokingly, and I’ll scare her off.”

“Have some faith. Maybe that’ll be a good thing. Maybe she’ll like you getting all growly. Your mother does.”

“Gross, Dad. I don’t want to know any of that,” I groaned, making him laugh.

“He’s your beta, Xochil. He’ll have your back, not work against you.”

“Alright. I know you’re right.” I gave in. I did trust Miguel. He and I were as close as siblings. “Hey, Dad?”

“Que piensas, mija?” (What are you thinking, sweetie?)

“Let’s keep this close to the vest, for the moment? I don’t want a lot of people to know I found her yet. Not until she accepts me.”

“I can’t tell anyone?” he asked, and I knew that was going to kill him, so I threw him a metaphorical bone.

“Close family and only if they won’t go planning a welcome party and telling the whole pack.”

“I’ll make them swear an oath,” he chuckled.

“Alright, I’m going to call Miguel before she gets up for work. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Be careful, Xochil.”

“Always,” I told him.

“And congratulations. Mom says send a picture.”

“I don’t even know her name yet,” I chuckled before hanging up.

I dialed Miguel next, and he grumbled an answer. Unlike Dad, he wasn’t a morning person.

“What’s up, Alpha? I was having the nicest dream about this thick, brunette beauty in the forest with nothing on.”

“I need your help,” I told him.

“Whatever you need. Everything okay?” he asked, sleep immediately leaving his voice. That’s what was going to make him a great beta; he knew when to play around and when to be serious.

“Everything’s fine. Hopefully. I need you to come out with me for a little while. I also need a few changes of clothes brought out to me in Phoenix. I can’t leave.”

“I can do that, but what’s going on?” he asked.

“I met my mate last night,” I answered.

There was silence on the other end for a moment, and then Miguel started cursing up a storm.

“Goddess dammit, Xochil. You know the kind of shit Mom and Dad are going to give me for being the last man standing? We were supposed to be the two holding out strong.”

“It’s not like I was looking for her,” I chuckled.

Miguel wanted to wait to look for his mate until he could beat his mom. The problem was, Aunt Kassie was not only the current beta female, but she was a vampire assassin for over a hundred and fifty years. Only Dad, Uncle Markus and occasionally Uncle Lalo, her mate, could beat her, and I was pretty sure Uncle Lalo would cheat by sending her dirty mind-links.

“What’s her name? Is she from the area? Do we need to get her stuff from her pack? I need to know what kind of clothing I’m expected to pack for us,” he said once he calmed down.

“She lives in Phoenix,” I told him.

“But there are no packs in Phoenix. Is she a lone wolf or a rogue?” he asked, genuinely confused.

“No. That’s the reason it might take us a while to get back home. She’s human.”

“Oh, shit,” he whispered.

“Yeah.”

“Alright. If you have to woo her, I’ll pack some casual clothes and a couple of good outfits. Maybe we take her dancing, so you guys get to grind up on each other and get things going.”

I rolled my eyes at his words, but it wasn’t a bad idea.

“One more thing,” I told him as I watched her house.

“What’s up?”

“I think she’s got a stalker, so we might have to camp out outside her house and restaurant in shifts until we know otherwise.”

“Should I grab someone else? We need to protect our luna.”

“Nah. I think we can handle it on our own. I don’t plan on leaving her side too much,” I assured him.

His protectiveness over his future luna was expected and appreciated.

“Alright. Let me have some breakfast and get everything together to go. I’ll call you when I’m close.”

“Bring something inconspicuous, Miguel. Your big-ass truck doesn’t blend in,” I reminded him.

“Fuck! Okay. I’ll borrow Ellie’s Kia. I don’t fucking fit in Kaia’s Nissan. If she scratches my truck, though…”

Ellie and Kaia were Miguel’s sisters, and Ellie was not kind to her vehicles.

“I’ll pay for the repairs.”

“My poor truck,” he lamented prematurely.

“See you in a while,” I told him, trying not to laugh.

“Tell the cousins before they hear it from someone else, and they blow up your phone in the middle of your wooing. I’m assuming you told Uncle Helios already, because I can feel Mom pulling on the mind-link,” he groaned.

“Yeah, alright. Good luck,” I chuckled and hung up.

I ate the cold, stuffed bananas while I waited to see her, wishing I had some coffee to wash them down, but unwilling to risk my mate leaving without me. I wanted to see her again. My wolf and I demanded it.

She did finally rush out of her home around eight thirty, and I watched her struggle to make her way to the restaurant, as we hit traffic. I panicked when we finally made it to the restaurant, because she drove into the parking lot and then sped out in a panic before even parking. I tried to chase after her, but saw her flagging down a truck with produce in the back. I managed to calm down when I realized she’d almost missed her delivery. Once she was inside, I drove and got some drive-through breakfast, then took my spot back in front of her restaurant to keep watch. She wouldn’t be open for another few hours.

As I ate my breakfast, I decided to bite the bullet and pulled out my phone.

Me

Cory, thanks for recommending the restaurant. It changed my life.

Cory

Right on.

Violet

What do you mean it changed your life?

Bells

Yeah, what the hell. I mean, the food is delicious, but not life-changing delicious.

Bells was Cory’s twin sister. She discovered Cade was her mate last year, after a blood magic spell hijacked their bond for almost eight years. She, Cory and Violet had two more sibling, Lucien and Areli. Let’s just say Aunt Celeste loved a big family.

Miguel

I know something you don’t know.

James

Spill

James was Cory’s Gamma and Evie’s cousin.

Me

I met my mate there last night.

There was nothing on the chat for a minute until finally, Chris started it back up.

Chris

Good thing I was busy when you asked for the name of that Chinese place lol Congratulations.

The chat exploded after that with congratulations, demands for pics, demands for dinner nights. I chuckled as I read the notifications while I continued eating my breakfast, letting them get it out of their system before I finally responded.

Me

Minor complication. She’s human, so you’re going to have to clutch your pearls and pray for me, until I convince her to accept me and I tell her what we are.

Cory

Oh, Shit.

Evie

Nothing to it but to do it. Bring her around. Once she sees how big and close the packs are, she’ll see how great it is to be a part of them.

Joe

Damn

Joe was Cory’s Beta. I don’t think he was blood related to anyone, but found family counted, as far as we were concerned.

James

Shit

Santiago

I’ll be on my best behavior, too. No pranks. Promise.

Ellie

I’ll be on my best behavior, too.

Kaia

I still want pictures. What’s her name?

Me

I don’t know lol

Bells

What the hell?

Me

She was busy when I met her, and then I didn’t have another chance to talk to her. I’m going back into the restaurant today to introduce myself.

Cade

Jesus, I do not envy you right now, and you know what happened to me with Bells.

Bells

That wasn’t my fault.

Cade

Never said it was, My Queen. I just meant it was shitty.

Bells

Can’t argue with that.

Cade

Even if you tried, I would just go up there and show you what you missed for those eight years and change your mind.

Lucien

If you guys start sexting in this chat I’m leaving it.

Do you need any help?

That was for Xochil, not Cade. I’m not helping you fuck my sister.

Bells

He doesn’t need help lol

Lucien

Please, stop.

Cory

Please, stop.

Violet

LOL!

Jacob

Yeah. If you need any help, Xochil, I can do whatever you need. Marcie is at her mom’s for a few days, so I’m lonely.

Jacob was my future gamma, and Uncle Theo and Uncle Seb’s oldest.

Miguel

And horny and grumbly. He’s been barking at the basic training class.

Jacob

Have not.

Miguel

Have, too.

Areli

Okay, I’m done with classes. What the hell did I miss that I have almost 100 messages from this chat?

Kaia

TL;DR: Xochil found her mate, but she’s a human so she has to woo her.

Areli

Oh, shit!

Cory

Miguel is the last man standing now.

Kaia

What about me? Why don’t I count?

Damien

Yeah, what the hell?

Cory

Right. I meant people taking over.

Ellie

I can’t wait to find my mate.

Miguel

I’m telling Dad.

Adrien

Dad can’t do shit about it.

Adrien

Dating on the other hand…

Santiago

I can wait. Dad’s already talking grandchildren at the breakfast table. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I am eager to go to school today. Ugh.

Violet

What’s the plan to woo your lady?

Zi

We’ll be in the city later. Can we meet her?

Zi was James’ mate. I really loved how blended and big our family was.

Me

I don’t know yet. Miguel is on his way with clothes and to help me.

Miguel

I’ll be on my way shortly. I’m currently getting a lecture from Dad about finding my mate. Thanks a lot, Alpha.

Cory

It’s about time. Your vow is silly. There’s nothing like having your mate by your side. They make you stronger.

Miguel

I’m not having this conversation with my parents and you guys at the same time. I’ll find her when I beat Mom.

Ellie

You’re not even paying attention to Dad.

Miguel

Am too. I can multitask.

Ellie

Dad’s been glaring at you for like two minutes while you text.

Miguel

Oh, shit. Brb.

Damien

What do you need help with, Xochil?

Me

I think she has a stalker. While I was watching her house yesterday I thought I saw one.

Bells

If you followed her home, doesn’t that mean she has two stalkers? lol

Me

Grrr

Santiago

Shots fired.

Chris

Do you need back up? I only have training in the mornings.

Me

I don’t want to take you away from your mate and child.

Little Oliver was only five months old and adorable as hell.

Violet

I don’t mind. Oliver is teething, but outside of being a grumpy Gus like his father, he doesn’t give me too much trouble.

Chris

I’m not a grumpy Gus

James

You used to be, Chris.

Let us know if you need back up, Xochil. I can even take over Chris’ training if you need him for a few days.

Violet

Oooh, yeah! I can take a vacation for a few days in the city. She can meet Oliver.

Miguel

That’s a good idea. No one with a heart can say no to that pup and those cheeks.

Me

I don’t want to flood her with people yet, but if this stalker thing gets complicated, I’ll let you guys know and ask for back up. Promise.

Cory

You better.

Miguel

Alright. Lecture done. I’ll grab my shit and Aunt Nat is getting a bag together for you. I’ll be on my way in like thirty minutes.

Evie

Make sure you send pictures when you can!

Adrien

Evie, I’m sending you the license plate of the stalker. I couldn’t find anything on it.

Evie

Sounds good. I’m feeding Annie and then I’m heading over to the office.

The chat calmed down after that, and I took another nap while I waited to be able to go inside and meet my mate.