It's the final chapter! (do do do dooooo do do do do) This chapter left and then an epilogue to round it up nicely with 40 chapters :) Let's get straight to it!
-H x
A 'pop' from the toaster jolted me suddenly from humming along to the radio, completely in my own world thinking about the events of last night. I turned my attention to the cooling down bread, buttering it before taking a sip of my coffee. I couldn't sleep well, whether my mind was just overthinking, or the adrenaline and endorphins were stopping me sleeping I wasn't sure, but somehow I ended up in the kitchen at five am making myself breakfast.
It was nice, yet strange, being the first one up, the sun was just rising over the horizon casting beautiful warm hues of pink and orange streaming through the kitchen window. Yet, the entire manor still slept. I leaned against the counter, as I heard the familiar steps of someone coming down the staircase. Silently, I prayed it would be Mason; I wasn't ready for that conversation just yet with any of his family members.
I smiled as he slopped his way into the kitchen, his big feet clumsily dragging him to the marble island in the middle of the kitchen. He rested his head onto his elbows and gave me a look of confusion.
"Why on earth are you up at this time?" He asked, looking at me through groggy, half-open lids.
I shrugged, "I couldn't sleep."
Mason's face was etched with concern, "Why not? Are you ok?"
I smiled softly, "Yeah, don't worry, I think it was just a lot for my mind to process."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Mason asked, switching the kettle on to make himself a cup of coffee.
I shook my head, "I don't think so. It was a good thing, I'm happy it happened and I don't regret it. It's just a big moment in my life and my brain can't really shut off right now."
I finished my toast and placed my plate in the dishwasher as Mason finished making his coffee. I tensed as I heard another set of footsteps descend the staircase. He must have caught the grimace on my face because he sent me an apologetic look.
"Hello you two, you're both up early, how co-"
Jane paused and cocked her head to the side, I watched as her nostrils flared slightly and her eyes began to light up. She clasped her hands together and I winced, ready to participate in the most awkward conversation one could have with her future mother-in-law.
"You completed the bond?" She squealed, a sound I had never heard come out of the fifty-something woman's mouth. She rushed over and grabbed me in a heart-stopping, crushing hug.
"Can't...breathe," I gasped.
"Oh I am sorry, I'm just so excited! I always knew this day would come, I just didn't know when. Can I start planning the commitment ceremony or is it too soon?"
"Mum," Mason held up his hand to stop her, "We only just discussed the ceremony last night. Chill out would you?"
"I'm sorry, no I know it's too soon! How did it happen?" She asked casually, propping her elbow onto the counter.
I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks as I sent a glance in Mason's direction. This was his mother and he could explain. I barely discussed sex with my own mother and I wasn't about to start discussing it with Jane either.
"Mum, come on," Mason sighed. "I'm not having this conversation with you. It just...happened ok?"
She sighed, "Well that's no fun. Don't tell me I'm going to have to wait for Ella to get a bit of excitement back in my life!"
"What exactly are you after mum? Cause I'm not exactly going to go into detail!" Mason groaned.
"Well was it romantic?" She shrugged.
"Very," I replied quickly, wanting the conversation to be over and done with. "It was great and actually I'm feeling pretty tired. I think I might try and go back to bed and watch a film. Mason you want to come or are you busy?"
"No, yeah, definitely I'm coming with you. See you in a bit mum," He rushed, grabbing his cup of coffee off the counter, pressing a chaste kiss onto the Mother Luna's cheek, and taking ahold of my hand to usher me out of the kitchen and back up the stairs.
"Well that goes on my list of top ten awkward conversations I've ever had in my life," I joked lightly as I pushed open the door to his bedroom.
Looking around the room, I could see the remnants of last night, scattered messily across the room. Walking slowly forwards, I headed to a piece of black, scrap fabric. I picked it up with one finger and held it out towards Mason, an accusatory glance coming across my features.
Mason shrugged, "I got impatient."
"I liked those," I sighed, throwing them into the pale brown, wicker waste basket by the side of his desk.
"Well, I can't wait to see what you'll buy to replace them," he replied cheekily.
"Well I just won't buy any," I replied, not realizing the implication of my words.
"Oh yeah?" Mason cocked his head to the side, a dangerous, flirtatious smile, lifting up on one side of his face.
"No, no, no," I held my hands up in surrender, "That wasn't what I meant."
"I heard you perfectly clear. No more undies. I think that sounds perfect," He grinned.
I rolled my eyes, matching his flirty banter, "Sure ok," I shrugged, "I'm sure your male pack members will be delighted when they sme-"
I didn't even manage to finish my sentence before Mason grabbed me from behind, eliciting a squeal I didn't know I could possess, and flung me onto the bed so haphazardly I barely realised that he was tugging off the incredibly baggy joggers that I had borrowed.
"Hey, woah, wait!" I cried, pushing my hair out of my face in an effort to see what he was doing.
"I'm going to cover you so completely in my scent that no other male in my pack will dare even look at you," he growled.
I stared into the obsidian, black eyes of the lycan that occupied the same body as my favourite person in the world. I gave him a coy smile, not at all bothered by the display of dominance Mason was trying to portray.
"Hello Mr. Wolf, come out to play have you?" I teased.
"mmm," he groaned, dipping his head into the crease of my neck, taking a deep inhale before nipping the skin.
"Hey, no canines!"
I wrapped my arms around his neck, closing my eyes and falling into another round of bliss.
***
I went around the room, picking up my dirty clothes and putting them into his clothes hamper before looking down at what I was currently wearing; a large shirt of his and some shorts that were far too big. I had to keep tugging them up and tightening the strings on them for them to stay up longer than five minutes.
"I need to go home for clothes that actually fit me," I sighed, giving up and letting the shorts fall to the floor.
Mason laughed, "I'll ask one of the girls to pick up your stuff for you."
"They're not slaves, I can do it, I just need something that I can wear for the time being. Besides, I'm not staying here forever am I?"
Mason looked as though I kicked him in the chest, "You aren't?"
"What? In your bedroom, in the same house as your family all the time? I love your parents, but I don't know how much of our private life I want them to know!"
Mason sighed, "It was always the done thing for the Alpha female to move into the pack house permanently after the ceremony. We're pack creatures, we don't ever live apart unless a female goes to live with her mate and new pack."
"But not everyone lives in the pack house, they all have houses throughout the town. Why can't we get our own little house and make it our own, let your mum and dad raise Ella here and then use it as their home, plus a place for gatherings?"
Mason mulled it over, I could almost see the cogs turning in his brain as he tossed over all the implications, pros and cons of the decision.
"I would have to discuss it with my father, as I am Alpha, I should be residing in the pack house with my mate and our children."
I gulped as he mentioned children, but didn't press the subject, that was a topic for a later date, "Ok," I sighed. "We can't push your parents out, I understand that. It's something I'll have to get used to I guess."
"No, your opinion matters to the pack and if you're uncomfortable with so many people living here, then I will voice that to my father and see his suggestion."
"That's very diplomatic," I praised, "Thankyou."
Mason smiled, "Here, let me see if anything from Mum or Ella will fit you."
He left the room to go in search of something a little more decent for me to wear home and I stood up, tidying little bits of his room here and there while I waited for him to return. I heard a sudden knock on the door and gasped inwardly, I was in a shirt and his boxers! I groaned and shoved the shorts back on, holding them up with one hand and hobbled, rather ungracefully, to open the door.
My cheeks flamed when I opened the door to reveal his little sister Ella stood there, arms folded and giving me the once over.
"As gross as it is thinking of my brother having sex, it is even grosser to have him come in my room and start rifling through my things for something you can wear. Just come to my room and I'll find you something," I shrugged, "Before he finds you something from mum and trust me, her things would make my nan look cool."
I couldn't help but grin, despite the hideously embarrassing moment. Still, this was an opportunity to bond with his sister, and I was almost looking forward to it. I grabbed the shorts as tightly as I could and walked behind her to her room.
I had seen Ella's room only briefly when I raced in to find her ex-boyfriend molesting her. Since then, she had done it up in a beautiful, modern décor. The walls were a creamy magnolia and lined with framed pictures of family and friends. Her bed, a modest double, was decked in a light, lavender coloured duvet and strewn across were plenty of pastel pillows.
"Oh I love your room," I sighed. "Mason's is too dark for my taste. It definitely needs a woman's touch."
Ella grinned, "I designed it myself. I wanted something really light and airy, after what happened I just couldn't help but view the room as a reminder. So I've completely renewed it."
"It's lovely, I love your little pastel pillows," I complimented.
Ella reached into her wardrobe and pulled out a pair of black jeans with a pale, pink, woolen knit, jumper. I thanked her gratefully and pulled on the clothes, internally sighing with relief when the jeans buttoned.
"I think all the stress has made me lose a few pounds. You're so slight, I didn't think they'd fit!"
"Are you kidding? I'd love your body," Ella complimented in return. She sat on her bed and observed me for a moment. "You know, I wasn't sure about you at first," She began.
I cocked my head to the side, not offended, but curious. "Oh?"
"Mmm, I didn't know what Mason was doing, bringing a human into the pack. It's never been done before and I was a bit worried. All I've ever had drilled into me is 'don't tell anyone our secret' and there Mason went falling head over heels for a human girl. But, you're cool. You're strong too! Mason wouldn't tell me, so I bribed Isaac and he told me what happened to you. I don't think I'd survive that."
"Oh, um, thanks I guess?" I chuckled awkwardly.
Ella lifted her head and sniffed the air, "Ooo mum's making pie for lunch. You coming?"
I grinned, "Yeah, sure."
Ella bounded down the staircase and I followed her, still internally beaming that the youngest wolf in the Alpha family had finally accepted me. Joining the household in the kitchen, all surrounding an island with a steaming pie in the middle, I finally felt like I had somewhere I belonged.
"Hey love," I felt an arm around my shoulders and turn to smile at the woman beside me who was eagerly eying up the pie.
"Hey mum, how are you?"
"I'm hungry," She replied, earning a laugh from everyone around the table.
"So Heidi, Mason tells me you are thinking of perhaps living elsewhere from the main house?" Andrew speaks up, coming inside from the garden and shrugging off his coat.
"I, well, I just..."
Andrew held up his hands, "It's fine. As retired Alphas, truthfully, Jane and I are getting a little bit old to be dealing with running the pack house. Most would never dream of leaving the main house, but then again, most wouldn't dream of their son being mated a human, so I guess that makes us pretty hip," He laughed at his own joke, causing Ella to groan beside me. "We have decided to renovate that old hotel down the road and turn it into our retirement home. We're close enough that we can help with anything, but we can also live our lives close to the forest and who knows, maybe we'll do a little bit of exploring, it's been about thirty years since we've had a proper holiday isn't it dear?"
Jane smiled, "It is and you're always welcome dear, anytime. It's time for you both to take over as leaders of this pack and once your commitment ceremony is over, you can officially call yourself the Alpha Female."
Something inside me stirred at the thought of becoming Alpha Female. It was a good feeling, like the final piece of the puzzle had just slid itself neatly into place. Mason must have noticed my eyes light up, because when his eyes matched my own, they were filled with nothing but pride and love.
"Well, I guess we have a commitment ceremony to plan then don't we?" I grinned.