POV: SAINT
A wave of anxiety washed over me. He mentioned sending someone to pick me up to discuss the mate situation, and that thought alone sent my nerves into overdrive.
I still didn't know his name; everyone just referred to him as Alpha. He was the most stunning man I had ever laid eyes on, with his blonde hair cascading to his shoulders and piercing grey eyes that seemed to captivate everyone around him. Standing before him, I found myself at a loss for words, stumbling over my thoughts. But who could blame me? His presence was utterly daunting.
I turned onto my left side, tracing tiny circles on the sofa. Hours had passed since I got home, and my mom had bombarded me with a flurry of questions. He had instructed me to keep the mate business a secret, yet I felt compelled to share the news with my mom. Her excitement was palpable—she couldn't wait to meet him. Still, an unsettling feeling loomed over me, whispering that things might not unfold as hoped.
I glanced at the clock; it was 2 PM. Didn't he say someone would come to take me to his place? Could he have forgotten? How could he forget? Just then, a knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I opened it to find a man standing there. He seemed older than me, yet we were about the same height.
"I'm Sam, the delta of the pack. Are you Saint?" he inquired, his hands resting behind his back.
"Yes, that's me," I replied.
"The Alpha wants to see you. I've been sent to escort you to his house," he informed me.
Finally, I began to think he might have forgotten. "Just a moment," I replied and hurried to my mom's room to let her know I was heading out.
I trailed behind Sam to the alpha's residence, which was only a fifteen-minute walk away. The journey was surprisingly quiet, devoid of any casual chatter. This suited me perfectly; I needed the time to gather my thoughts and avoid embarrassing myself in front of him once more.
Upon arriving at his house, Sam knocked, and a woman greeted us. "Oh, good afternoon, Samantha! I wasn't aware you were here. The alpha asked me to bring him," Sam stated politely.
The woman glanced at me, her face lighting up with a smile. "Come on in. He isn't here yet, but he should be back soon," she said, stepping aside to let us in.
As I entered, I caught a hint of his scent lingering in the air—it was incredibly appealing. The living room was of moderate size, adorned with elegant and luxurious decor. I heard Samantha exchange a few words with Sam before she closed the door behind us.
"Have a seat; he'll arrive shortly," she said, and I nodded, settling down. "We haven't had the chance to introduce ourselves. I'm Samantha, his older sister," she added with a warm smile.
I returned her smile, introducing myself in turn. "I'm Saint, here from another pack for the annual mission."
"Great! I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything," she replied before heading off.
As I glanced around, I noticed several framed pictures of him with a woman and a child adorning the walls. One particular photo captivated my attention: it depicted him and the woman, locked in a gaze that suggested they were the center of each other's universe.
I unconsciously swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat.
Was he married? Had it been an arranged marriage since he hadn't even met his mate And a child? Oh goddess, he has a child with her. A wave of unease washed over me. Could this be the reason for his earlier coldness towards me? He seemingly had a happy family—wife and child.
No, I shouldn't jump to conclusions just yet. It's tough to shake that thought when those images feel like they're mocking me. I stood up and approached the picture, staring at it intently when his deep voice interrupted my thoughts.
"You shouldn't be snooping around in someone else's home." I turned to see him standing there, a frown etched on his face.
"I- I'm sorry," I stammered, quickly retreating to the sofa.
His sister emerged from the kitchen. "You're back. Delta Sam mentioned you wanted to talk to him," she said, giving me a curious look. "Is everything okay?" she inquired.
"No, sis, it's nothing I can't handle," he replied.
"Alright then. I'll be in the kitchen," she said before leaving.
He faced me again. "Let's discuss this in my study. Follow me." He ascended the stairs, and I trailed behind, taking in the house adorned with pictures, most featuring the little boy.
We entered the study, and he gestured for me to sit. An awkward silence enveloped us. I wanted to speak, to break the tension, but I was wary of sounding as I did earlier in his office.
Finally, he shattered the stillness. "I'm Jackson, Alpha of the New Moon pack." His tone exuded confidence and authority.
"His name is just perfect: Jackson." Alex wagged his tail in response. "I'm Saint, a newcomer to the pack," I introduced myself.
"I know," he replied, his tone flat.
"Oh, um, alright then." That was rather curt. Was he upset with me?
He exhaled sharply. "Listen, I understand we're supposed to be mates, but I need to be honest—I can't share those feelings. I can't be your mate," he said, his words slicing through me.
"W-what?" I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I've been mated before. Those pictures in the living room depict my family and me."
Family?
"My son and I are content as we are. I don't understand why the moon goddess brought you here. I certainly don't need a mate; I'm perfectly fine with my son," he stated, his expression serious, making it clear he meant what he said.
I tightened my grip on my pants, my heart racing. Is this some cruel joke from the moon goddess? Is he really going to reject me? Is this the end? I wouldn't get to know the love of a mate?
"But I won't reject you," he added, as if he could sense my turmoil. "The consequences would be too dire and unpredictable. We'll just keep our bond platonic. I can't jeopardize my pack and family for you," he said, his gaze intense and unwavering.
Had all the air vanished from the room? I was struggling to breathe. What could I say in response? Agree? No, I didn't want that. Disagree? I couldn't force him to feel something he didn't. In a sudden rush of emotion, I stood up, the chair clattering to the ground behind me with a loud thud.
"I'm really sorry, but I have to leave," I said, my voice wavering as tears threatened to spill over. As I dashed out of the room, I struggled to remember the path to the stairs. I blinked rapidly, hoping to clear my vision and ease the ache in my heart.
Eventually, I made it downstairs and bumped into Chris, who was accompanied by two young children—a boy and a girl.
"Saint, what's—" he began, but I hurried past him before he could finish his thought. Lost and overwhelmed, I couldn't bring myself to ask any of the passing pack members for directions back to the apartment.
My eyes remained blurred, causing some of them to look at me with concern.
"I can tell you're a bit lost. Would you like a ride?" a voice called from behind me. I turned to find Samantha, the alpha's sister.
"If it's not too much trouble, I'd really appreciate it," I replied, my voice heavy with sorrow.
"Not a problem. Just hop in," she said, leading the way to her car.
Once inside, she started driving and glanced over at me. "Is everything okay? You left crying."
"I'm fine," I responded curtly, not wanting to share my feelings, especially with the alpha's sister.
"It's perfectly fine if you don't want to talk," she said kindly, reaching into the glove box for a tissue. She handed it to me.
I whispered a quiet 'thank you' and dabbed at my tears. The rest of the ride was filled with silence until we reached the apartment.
"Thanks for the lift," I said, grateful that she had come to my rescue.
"Anytime. If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out," she offered with a gentle smile.
"Okay, I will. Thanks again," I replied as I stepped out of the car.
As I stepped inside, I found my mom in the living room. Her expression shifted as she noticed me, a frown forming on her face. She rose to her feet. "Saint, what's the matter?"
Without hesitation, I rushed into her embrace, overwhelmed with emotion. "He said he doesn't want me, Mom. My mate won't love me," I sobbed into her shoulder.
"It's alright, my dear, it's alright," she soothed, wrapping her arms around me tightly.
I continued to cry, letting it all out.