Chapter 11 Something About Her
{Warren's POV}
I flipped through the pages of the documents Jane dropped in my study, my gaze fixed on the part that had the amount the clients were willing to pay and the initial amount.
I would've stuck to the fixed price of each property my company sells, but these days there had been a problem with embezzlement. Someone within the company was doing that, and I was going to find them soon.
The sound of the door creaking got my attention, and I looked up to see Mathias, my elder brother. He had been away for years after he decided to marry a Beta from another pack and went over to cling to her pack, becoming the Alpha after her father died.
"Alpha Warren, what a privilege to see you," he said with sarcasm, and I dropped the document on the table, swiveling my chair to the side.
"What brings you to the Moonlight Pack? Suddenly got tired of your pack?" I said.
He smiled. "Nope, I heard my brother who had been looking for his mate for eighteen years finally found her. Don’t you think it’s worth celebrating?"
I scoffed as he walked over and sank into the chair opposite me, crossing one leg over the other. "You know, brother, I almost thought you were you were not going to find your mate. But I was glad that you supported me when I found mine."
"Mathias, enough with the pretense. I know why you came here," I muttered. "You just want to see who my mate is, and Mother called you."
He bit his lower lip, and that gave away his pretense. "Okay, you're right." He raised his hands like he was surrendering. "You know, Mother gave me the gist. She was so happy on the call, boasting about how your mate is the most beautiful girl she has ever seen, and I got curious."
I leaned back in my chair and let out a slow breath. “I’m starting to feel like Mother is taking this whole thing too far,” I muttered. “The announcement, the planning of the Luna Ball… why can’t she be like Father? I thought old wolves are supposed to stay low.”
Mathias burst into laughter, loud enough that it echoed off the shelves behind him. “You shouldn’t talk about our mother like that,” he said, shaking his head. “She might be old, but she has a strong Luna spirit. You know her, once she’s excited about something, she doesn’t calm down. And now she’s about to make your mate just like her. Strong. Fierce. Fearless.”
I tried to force a smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes.
Mathias watched me closely, and his playful expression faded. “What’s wrong? You don’t look happy at all. And I expected you to be jumping around the pack house by now.”
“I am happy,” I said quietly, rubbing my thumb against the arm of the chair. “But… I just don’t feel like myself around her.”
He blinked, then suddenly laughed again. “Oh, Moon Goddess… you must’ve gotten used to being alone. You forgot how to love.” He slapped his knee. “Warren, you shouldn’t feel that way. It’s normal. Your wolf is adjusting.”
“You sound like a mate counselor,” I shot back, raising a brow.
“Well, maybe I am,” he smirked. “When I met Lena, I felt like my whole chest was twisting. I almost shifted in front of her because she smiled at me. I didn’t feel like myself either. But trust me, it settles.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but a soft knock interrupted us.
Jane stepped inside, bowing her head slightly. “Alpha, dinner is ready. Your parents are already at the dining room.”
I stood up immediately, smoothing my shirt. Mathias rose with me, brushing imaginary dust from his jacket.
“Let’s see this mate of yours,” he murmured with a teasing grin.
We walked down the hallway, the scent of roasted meat drifting toward us. The closer we got, the louder the voices became, my mother laughter, my sister’s soft chatter… and then her scent.
Lavender, warm and soft. It hit me before I even stepped inside.
I pushed the door open, and the moment my eyes landed on Layla, everything inside me shifted. The uneasiness I felt not long ago vanished, replaced by a deep longing that gripped my chest.
She sat beside my sister, her head slightly lowered as she listened to my mother talk. Her hair fell over her face, and all I wanted was to push it behind her ear. I swear the whole room dimmed, and she was the only thing I could see.
Mathias whispered, “Oh, wow,” under his breath.
I didn’t even respond.
My feet moved on their own, taking me straight to her. I pulled out the chair next to her and sat, my arm brushing against hers. She froze a little and looked up at me, her cheeks turning pink.
My wolf purred.
I picked up her knife and fork before she could reach them. “Let me help you,” I said, my voice lower than I intended.
Her eyes widened. “T-Thank you,” she whispered, her blush deepening as she looked down at her plate.
I cut her meat carefully, and Mathias stared at me like I had grown a second head. My father raised his brows. My mother covered her mouth, smiling like she was watching a romance scene.
“See?” My mother said proudly. “I told you, your brother is the romantic type.”
Layla’s eyes darted up at her, then at me, and she smiled shyly. That single smile made something warm break open in my chest.
We began to eat, and my mother cleared her throat. “Layla, dear, I know you’ll be a great and strong Luna. You have the spirit. I can feel it.”
Layla looked surprised. “I… I don’t know about strong, my lady.”
“You will learn,” she insisted softly. “But strength doesn’t only come from fighting. It comes from the heart.”
My father nodded. “She’s right. And Warren will guide you. Both of you will guide each other.”
I could feel Layla peek at me again, and when our eyes met, she quickly looked away, flustered.
Mathias leaned forward with a grin. “I can’t believe this. I really thought my brother forgot how to love. But look at him, his eyes are full of it. Full of her.”
My ears warmed, but I didn’t deny it.
He turned to Layla. “You’re a beautiful woman,” he said sincerely. “And I’m glad he found you.”
Layla smiled more confidently this time. “Thank you.”
Dinner continued with light conversation, but my focus kept drifting back to her. The way she pushed her hair behind her ear. The way she chewed softly. The way her fingers tapped nervously on her lap.
Everything she did pulled me closer.
At one point, her napkin slipped, and I immediately bent to pick it up. My shoulder brushed hers, and she sucked in a breath.
“Sorry,” I murmured, even though I wasn’t sorry at all.
“It’s okay,” she whispered, her voice trembling just a little.
When dessert arrived, she lifted her spoon, but her hand shook slightly. Without even thinking, I placed my hand over hers to steady it.
Her breath hitched and my mother gasped softly.
Mathias mouthed, “You’re gone,” and shook his head, smiling.
Maybe I was.
But sitting there with her, feeling her warmth, smelling her scent, hearing her soft breaths… I didn’t care.
For the first time since finding her, I didn’t question anything.
I didn’t doubt myself.
There was something about her, something that pulled me in, something I couldn’t walk away from even if I wanted to.