Falling For My Cruel Mate
Chapter 21

I watched as the trees went by in a blur. I imagined myself running through them in wolf form. Racing my brothers, the way we used to do after my first shift. My little sister would sit on the side line and complain constantly about how unfair it was that she couldn't participate. I smiled sadly. I had to stop torturing myself with these memories of my family. It only made it hurt more.

***

"Octavia," He whispered as my shoulder shook slightly. I groaned lowly before hiding my face deeper into this hard rough pillow. Wait... I didn't bring a pillow.

I opened my eyes only to replace my head rested in Ajax's lap and the rest of my body curled up on the seat. I sat up immediately my cheeks flushed.

"I'm sorry," I say quickly, pushing my hair behind my ears. I felt foolish for yelling at him and then somehow ending up sleeping on him.

"What are you apologizing for?" He seemed confused as he raised a quizzical brow at me.

"For sleeping on you?"

His lips rose into a small smirk. "Octavia, how do you think you got from the other side of the car to resting on my lap?" I simply shrugged my shoulders. I could be a bit of reckless sleeper. "You seemed uncomfortable so I moved you." He placed my pink floppy hat on my head just before the guard who had been driving us opened the door.

"Show time." The man said in his deep gruff voice.

Ajax stepped out of the vehicle looking like a god. His movements were swift and smooth. How could a monster like him look so graceful? He buttoned up his jacket before extending his hand to me and helping me out. I thanked him quickly just as Samuel reached us.

"That was the longest nap I've ever taken." Samuel joked. I smiled but it kind of threw me off. Longest? How long was that car ride? "Five hours is practically a nights sleep."

My jaw dropped completely. Five hours? "I was out for five hours?" I whispered harshly to Ajax. "Why didn't you tell me the car ride was that long? When are we going back to the pack?"

"Technically four and half hours and lets discuss this later, ducky. The Alpha's father is approaching." He mumbled into my ear but made it seem as though he was hugging me. Ducky? What the hell? Did he just call me ducky?

"Alpha Black, Beta Johnson! Welcome to the FireMoon pack. How are you both?" He boomed happily. He was an older man, probably even a bit older than my father.

"Alpha Jackson, it is good to see you." Ajax extended his hand for him to shake. "Thank you for having us we're doing well."

The Alpha shook Ajax's hand but his eyes quickly diverted to me, seeing as I was just standing here quietly unannounced. "And who is this wonderful young lady?" Ajax cleared his throat as he dropped the mans hand. "This is my mate, Octavia."

I bowed my head respectfully, "It's nice to meet you, Alpha Jackson."

"What a wonderful name." He commented. His greying hair was slicked back and he was dressed similar to Samuel and Ajax.

He ushered us inside the pack house where the meeting would take place. I kept my hat on to keep the prying eyes away, I felt my cheeks flush has people began to stop and whisper. They'd stared at me curiously probably trying to figure out who I was. I was actually grateful that the hat covered a good majority of my face. He lead us to his office and explained that his son, the Alpha, will be joining us soon.

The room was pretty large for an office. There was a wall lined with just bookshelves that was over flowing with books. On the opposite side was a seating area and even a coffee machine. In front of us was a large desk that had two chairs in front of it. Behind the desk were large floor to ceiling windows that let it in a tremendous amount of sunlight.

"Dear, are you going to remove your hat? I'm all too curious to see what Alpha Black's mate looks like." The man took a seat in the chair behind the desk and crossed his arms. Ugh, busted. I could sense three pairs of eyes on me, watching as I slowly removed the hat.

I look up at the man and gave him a smile. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel awkward. Samuel's eyes drifted back to the man but I could still sense Ajax's eyes on my face.

"She's beautiful, as predicted, but I also had my own prediction." His eyes scanned over my face almost has if he were confirming his theory. "There are only so many she-wolves with the name, Octavia. The name does ring a bell in my head and I instantly thought of a pack hours away from here." His voice was stern. No hint of happiness was left on his face. I stole a quick glance at Ajax, to replace him with sharp eyes and a clenched jaw.

"The Alpha's name is Octavius. All of his children have names that begin with an O and I did here of story that his eldest daughter went missing."

I take an eager step forward. "You know my father?"

I could barely get the words out before Ajax growled and pulled me back to him. His grip was tight on my upper arm but I didn't care. I wanted to know of my father.

"Ah, so I was correct! How exciting!" He seemed overjoyed once more as he leaned back in the chair casually. This man was strange.

"Please, do you know if my father is okay? My mother? What of my siblings?" I tried to pull free of Ajax's grip but he wouldn't budge. My heart broke as the man shook his head. He knew nothing of the well being of my family?

"All I know is, he's been distant. The rest are not confirmed. People are saying his warriors are being trained harder than before. There are rumors that the Luna shifted into a wolf and lives in the forest amongst the pack lands. Orion is being fit to take the reigns of the pack, your father has been sending out word that it shall happen as soon as he is of age. I have no word of your other siblings, except that they help your mother catch game in the woods from time to time."