Hey guys! Sorry for the late update. I'm just really busy with college right now. Anyway, here's the next chapter.
Enjoy!
----------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 11
If I thought before there were a lot of people in this pack, I was sorely mistaken. It was like half the city was there. People of all ages, color and sizes were bustling around. There was a low hum of talking in the grand hall where the stairs led. It wasn't the only place filled with people. As we descended the last step, I could see that at the far corner of the hall was a door leading outside, and beside the door, was a large glass window that covered more than half the wall. Through that I could see that the whole ground outside the mansion was packed. I moved closer to Hunter.
At our arrival, everyone stopped what they were doing and bowed to us. I think it was more for Hunter, I was just standing with him. After their greeting, Jace, who was looking dashing in a navy blue suit, with a white shirt and a blue and black striped tie, came forward.
"Alpha." He said, respectfully nodding his head towards Hunter, "Ariana. How are you?"
"Hey Jace. I'm well, thanks." I replied, trying to smile at him, but it probably looked like a grimace.
Then without a word, Jace lead the way, as he parted the people with both of his arms in front of him. Outside, there was a make-shift stage, in the middle of the ground. Hunter lead me on it and then stood facing the people, his arm still around my waist.
"Today is an important day in all our lives." He began, his voice strong and commanding, "Today I introduce you to my mate and your Luna, Ariana Sullivan."
Everyone cheered and clapped. Hunter continued.
"I expect you to treat her with utmost respect and kindness. Any untoward behaviour towards my mate will be punished severely. You will be as loyal to her as you are to me. You will obey her commands, because from now on, she is as much the leader of this pack as I am."
Everyone simultaneously bowed to me and smiled and cheered. I just stood there like a statue, my eyes wide, heart racing. I was too overwhelmed to react. 'Would you like to say a few words Kitten?' I jumped as I heard Hunter's voice in my head. I looked at him like he was crazy.
"No." I whispered vehemently.
What was I supposed to say? What did you even say to people who expected you to lead them? Hunter just smirked at me. I stood on my tip toes and kissed his cheek. I found it sweet that he asked me first instead of announcing that I would give a speech. Hunter tightened his hand on my waist and lead me back inside as everyone followed. People were congratulating us from every side, but Hunter lead me inside and then through several corridors, everyone following. We came to a stop in front of two large gates, they opened from inside and before us was a vast ball room. It was old fashioned, like in british classic movies. Complete with the orchestra and long tables filled with food and drinks and the walls covered in curtains. It was brightly lit up and as we took a step inside, followed by everyone, the music started playing. Hunter lead me towards the dance floor, which was situated in the middle, and held up his hand, "Dance?"
"What?" I inquired softly. What in the world was happening?
"Would you like to dance?" Hunter repeated. All around us every one stood, watching us.
I stared at Hunter and tried to communicate through the mind link. 'No!'
'What?'
'No, I don't know how to dance.'
'Kitten don't be afraid. I'll take care of you.'
I shook my head quickly, petrified. I didn't want to make a fool out of myself in front of all these people. And why were we dancing anyway! What if I stepped on Hunter's feet? Or slipped and fell? I pleaded with my eyes for him to let this go. I had never danced before in my entire life. Not even alone in my room.
I watched as Hunter's eyes changed from soft to hard. Anger blazing in them. He took me by my waist and pulled me roughly towards him and started moving. I immediately put both my hands around his neck and buried my face in his chest. I could feel the dance floor filling as everyone started joining us.
Hunter buried his face in my neck and my breathing quickened.
"What the f**k was that?" Hunter growled lowly in my ear.
"What?" I whispered.
"You do not disobey me so blatantly. When I ask you to do something, I expect you to do that. No matter what. Do you understand?"
"Yes....Are you mad at me?" I asked quietly. I lifted my head and looked up at him, "It's just I was so scared. I've never danced before. What if I fell?"
Hunter glared at me and took my chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted his head down so our noses were almost brushing, "That's the point Kitten." He rasped angrily, "You need to f**king believe that I will never let you fall. I will always be there and always take care of you. Do you f**king understand?"
I looked at him, taking in what he had said, "Yes Hunter." I answered softly, melting inside, "I understand."
He gave a nod and I stood on my top toes expecting him to finally kiss me, but he didn't. He buried his face in my neck again and then licked my mark. A jolt of pure heat went through my entire self. I tightened my hands on his neck. Our fronts plastered together. He licked again then sucked at it. My body was on fire. I squeezed my eyes tighter and pressed my face deeper in his chest.
"Hunter." I whimpered as my womb tightened and my belly spasmed.
He growled as he pulled me tightly and let go of the over sensitive skin. I breathed out and tilted my head up to kiss him, but Hunter just looked at me and pulled his head up to his normal height, and let me go just as the song ended.
"Your mother is coming." And with that he turned around and walked away.
"Hey baby." My mother came around, and found me still in the middle of the dance floor, confused and a little hurt.
"Hey Mom." I smiled at her. She was wearing a long black gown and her hair were up in a complicated up-do. She was beaming at me and her eyes were sparkling with mirth.
"My baby. You looked so beautiful up there. I'm so proud of you." She took my hand and led me off the floor. "Come, all the ladies are dying to meet the young new Luna."
She started dragging me towards a large table where many ladies were gathered. "Now remember, these ladies are mates and wives of some of the most important people, including politicians like senators, and others like CEOs and owners of multi-national construction companies and all that other high and mighty stuff. Hunter goes on business trips with many of them, as his group of construction companies often deals with them. So you might spend a lot of time with them in the future, so try to make friends ok?"
I had halted Mom on 'group of construction companies' and now we were standing in the middle of the ball room. I started walking towards a dark corner and Mom started following me calling out my name. When I reached my destination, I turned around looking at Mom.
"Construction company? Senators? CEO? Mom what the heck is going on?"
"What?"
"How big is this pack? And I mean both numbers and status." I was trying not to freak out.
"Wait you didn't ask Hunter?" She asked confused.
"Ask him what?"
"About the pack!" She whisper-yelled, "God Arianna. You were stepping up as the Luna of this pack and you didn't ask Hunter to give you any kind of information about it?"
Now that she put it like that, I did feel a little demented. But I guess I was trying to keep my head buried in the ground. That way it wouldn't look so real that I had like eight hundred people depending on me in one way or other.
"Now we don't have time." Mom continued as she started walking towards them again, "Just be yourself and smile, everything will be fine."
We stopped in front of the table. All the matrons stood up and smiled at me.
"Luna." They all greeted gracefully and Mom subtly pushed me towards a chair and I sat down. Mom sitting next to me.
"Good evening." I choked out, then cleared my throat, "How are you all? Are you enjoying the function?" I tried to keep my voice as leveled and as confident as possible, which wasn't much.
They all smiled and replied with polite, appropriate remarks, followed by their introductions. I acknowledged their introductions with courteous nods, not offering my hand, indirectly deflecting any skin contact. There were seven women in total. All middle-aged or above. Mrs.Thurman, Mrs.Fisher, Mrs.Wards were humans hence, married, while the other four women were werewolves, therefore, in their eyes, marriage was just a volatile and unstable commitment amongst humans, whereas their mating bonds were unbreakable.
"But in our world, marriage is very sacred. Despite what werewolves think." Mrs.Thurman, who was a pretty lady with unusual green eyes and blonde hair, argued, "It is our promise to each other that we will live together through thick and thin and never leave."
"Is that why the divorce rate in the States is so high, dear?" Ms.Natasha Green replied, smirking. I didn't like her. Her eyes were very.....calculating.
"That is because of the people who take marriage as a joke. What about you Luna? Aren't you going to get married?" Mrs.Thuman directed her question at me, calling me Luna, in spite of the fact I requested her to address me by my name.
"Oh no. Mrs.Thurman. Hunter and me haven't been together for that long. Its safe to say we won't be marrying any time soon."
At my answer they all started laughing and giggling like I told the funniest joke in the world.
"Oh Luna, that was really funny." Mrs.Fisher said, still smiling, "So I'm guessing your answer is no. Well not all humans want to get married after mating. To most of them, it just seems pointless."
I was really confused. What I said wasn't funny was it? No it wasn't. Then why did they laugh?
After that the conversation steered towards business trips and all the women started telling me about their first trips and all that followed in their respective lives. I didn't know how much time had passed with me nodding and smiling at appropriate moments of the conversations and asking pointless questions, but after what felt like six hours, Hunter came up to me and everyone stood up. I started to move closer to him but he withheld me and just gripped my elbow lightly. I looked at him but he wasn't looking at me, just nodding politely to whatever Ms.Green was saying. Then everyone said their goodnights and headed outside. Hunter turned towards me.
"Go to your room. I'll see the guests out." He said and then turned and started walking towards the door.
He was definitely mad at me.
I had been lying on my bed for almost one hour when the door opened. I knew it was Hunter by the spreading tingles on my back. I turned around and sat up. He was just wearing a pair of pajamas. His eight packs and hard chest on perfect display.
"Is everyone gone?" I asked quietly.
He just stared at me, then gave a nod, still standing at the doorway.
"Are you mad at me?" I whispered.
He still didn't speak, but stepped inside and shut the door. All the while pointing his unnerving gaze at me.
I got down from the bed and walked slowly towards him. Then I tentatively put my hands on his chest and looked up at him, "Please don't be mad." I whispered, "I'm sorry. I do trust you. It's just the situation caught me off guard and I got scared." I kissed his chest softly, "Please? I'm sorry." I implored as I stood on my tip toes and kissed his Adam's apple. "I will always trust you to take care of me." I kissed the side of his neck, sucking on the skin at the junction where his neck and shoulder met.
I looked up into his smoldering glare, "Please kiss me Hunter. I'm sorry."
He growled and his lips came crashing down on mine and he...devoured me. I whimpered as he picked me up and pushed my back against the door as my legs tightened around his waist. He let go of my lips and kissed his way down to his mark on me, which he suckled on. I threw my head back and moaned at the fire coursing through my veins. My hands came up in his hair and I tugged on the short silky strands, wanting him to let go and pushing him closer at the same time. He came up to my lips and kissed be softly, sucking on my bottom lip. He let go and then kissed my forehead before touching his with mine.
I was panting and could feel that my cheeks were bright red.
"So am I forgiven?" I whispered, peeking up at him.
He smirked, pecking my lips, "I f**ing love the way you apologize, Kitten."
I smiled shyly at him, "And I love the way you accept my apology."