"How are you, Elize?"
Elize? They were already on pet names basis? Was this how the mate bond worked?
"I'm fine, David. Just tired."
"I'm sorry you had to carry that alone. You understand why I am unable to step feet into your previous pack."
Previous pack? Wow! This all felt like some dream, a very surreal dream. I could not believe Moon Rock pack was now a past to me. The past I should forget and move away from. But seeing myself standing there like a lost, tired puppy while my mom cuddled her mate made me realize it was real.
"I understand. I did not even expect to see you here."
"I knew you'd have some heavy bags to lift, so I thought I'd come with two of my men to help."
Two of his men? His friends, probably.
"That was so thoughtful of you."
Two men came forward to effortlessly pick our bags and loaded it in the car they had come with. I didn't know this David mate yet, but I was grateful for his thoughtfulness. Even the one I'd carried on me was taken, no words spoken. Even my greetings were not replied.
"This is your daughter? The one you told me about?"
"Yes. My beautiful daughter, Katherina."
"Nice to meet you, Katherina."
I immediately became shy. I might be open and free around my mother, but in public, I was a hermit. I found introductions too much of a work for me.
"Uhm. The pleasure is mine."
"Sorry, I didn't get that."
The man's tone was calm and patient. But it held this tinge of authority and power that made you never want to experience his bad moods.
My voice had come out so tiny and self-aware. But I cleared it, and spoke a bit louder.
"The pleasure is mine."
"Alright, I hope you'll get to enjoy your new home with me."
I had no reply to that.
"Let's go. It's late and it could be dangerous if one wasn't careful."
He ushered us to his cars. I noticed there were two. Maybe my mother had found her mate in a rich werewolf. The Moon Goddess really loved my mother.
The car zoomed off and within minutes, we were surrounded by lights. Every route we took had light. And the houses here were beautiful and more modern than that of my previous pack - Moon Rock. This pack was actually more contemporary than my previous one.
"How have you been, Elize?"
I was in the same car with my mom and my new stepfather. The other car was filled with our belongings. So the two men rode the car containing our bags, while the three of us took the second one. My new stepfather was in the driver's seat, my mother was riding shotgun, while I sat alone at the backseat. Fine for me though. I needed to comport myself, get my thoughts together before been introduced to a new life probably filled with other family members.
"I've been okay. Just had a strenuous time packing my things to get out of there before they come barreling on us again."
"But what exactly happened? I mean, why would they choose to banish you and Katherina?"
"Long story, David. I'm just glad to be out of there."
"I can not believe you had almost gone rogue. If I had found my mate a rogue, I'd have declared war on whoever was responsible."
I looked at the back of his head. This mate bond was something else. If it made a man want to go to such extent, then it was really deep as my mother as said.
"Katherina?"
He called.
"Yes sir."
The shyness and meekness was all too glaring. I did not know how to deal with strangers. It had always been my mom and I.
"She's a very shy one, isn't she?"
He directed to my mother.
"Well, yes. Around strangers she can be shy. She's used to me being the only person in her life."
"Katherina, did your mother tell you we're a family now?"
Not precisely, but I wasn't about to tell him that. So I just nodded then remembered her could not see me.
"Yes sir."
He chuckled.
"You have to let go of the sir and call me David until you feel comfortable enough to call me dad. Is that okay?"
"Okay sir. Uhm, sorry David."
"It's alright, you'll get the hang of it soon."
"Okay."
I said and left it at that.
"How's everyone at home, Dave?"
My mother asked him.
"They are all fine."
"Do they know we're coming?"
"Of course, everyone is aware."
"Oh really?"
"They are even waiting for you and Katherina."
I whipped my head to look at my mother but she was not looking at me. Her gaze was focused on the road as though she was the driver. Who was waiting for us? Nerves knotted themselves tight and pulled thin. I was not really a people person, especially when they were to pay attention to me. I did not like attention, I dreaded having to attract any to myself. When I was still attending Moon Rock academy, I was unknown and it suited me just fine.
"Well, that's an encouraging start."
My mother was obviously pleased to have the attention.
"Well, be ready for more encouraging actions in the future."
David told her. They went into series of discussion and chit-chat I had no idea what they were about and was not really interested in.
"We're here."
He suddenly announced. I looked out to be sure, and truly a big gate opened as we drove through, the second car behind us followed suit. Soon there were other people coming to our car and opening the car door for my mom, David and myself.
I felt awkward when the man opened my car door. What was happening? Had David done this to impress us? I quickly came out, mumbling a thank you and was already hastily walking up to my mother. I held her, she turned to look at me, a big grin on her face.
"We're home, Kathy. This is your new home."
"I can't help the nerves mom."
I told her in hushed tones.
"Excuse us for a moment, Dave."
He nodded, then waited for us to be done.
"Darling, take a deep breath. I am here with you and my promise still stands. You're not welcomed, I'm not welcomed too. But I doubt that's the case here. Just try to be yourself and accommodate new people. I will always love you darling but it's no longer going to be just you and I anymore, we have other family. Our family circle is growing and it is a good thing we should accept, okay?"
I searched her face. She was truly happy with David I would not be the one to ruin it for her.
"Okay mom."
"Good, now let's go meet our new family."