Abbie's POV
Hunter kissed me, pulling me by my waist and making me straddle him. The big gown was getting in our way, so he pushed it off from both sides by the skirt, making both of my legs become exposed so I could straddle him. Don't worry, though; we are completely alone and have no one to bother us or eavesdrop on us.
I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck, and kissed him passionately. "I should have looked for you more, Abbie. But every time I came close to finding you, it was as if you were running from me. Our little game of cat and mouse chase without us ever being aware." he whispered, holding me by my ribs and nudging his nose softly against mine, making me smile.
"You know, the first time I found a clue about where you were... you were working at a tiny cafe, Clarissa's, I think?" he says, making my eyes wide in shock.
" You only worked three weeks there, then, puff... vanished. You gave me no chance to ever talk to you; by the time I got there, they said you had quit. I bet you didn't even know I came by looking for you when you got fired." he says, making my eyes widen in shock.
"What? How did you?.. How did you know I worked there? And first off, I didn't get fired; I quit. I had too much going on, with a full college schedule, training, and helping Dad with the shifting ceremony for the new kids joining our team. But that's not the point. How did you know all this?"
"I know every place you ever worked at. What school did you attend, and why you were fired from Fred's dinner recently. Don't worry... I'm the new owner of that dinner. Andrea and your old boss have been fired, and the place is being remodeled as we speak. Joanna," he says, making me tilt my head puzzled.
"Yes, that little girl with the red hair and green eyes. She's your friend, right?" he says as he leans closer, making me bite my bottom lip as I look at him in amazement. My hands instinctively go up and rest on his chest as he runs his hand over my thigh softly. "She is," I say, smirking.
Is he for real? We've only been mates for a day! Ok, two, but still! How and when did he find all this out and yet never had a clue about why I had to run away? Never knew where I lived or what pack I had ended in?
And to top it off, Tara even lied to him, telling him I took off with some random guy? Typical of her, though. I'm not even surprised.
His hand pulls my thigh forward, making me gasp. I can feel his bulge increase as he brushes closer to me, making me suppress a moan.
"Joanne told me about your little argument with that Andrea girl. I fired her, and I gave Joanne a fully paid vacation until the place was ready for her to come back to work. The place was a dump; I had to have the place demolished and rebuilt from scratch. She'll be the new manager of the place. Now, why... have you been running from me, woman?" he says as he leans down, kissing my neck and making me close my eyes. I bite my bottom lip, letting an involuntary moan escape.
"I... I didn't know you were looking for me. I swear."
"Lies," he says as he licks my neck, right over my new mark, causing a shiver down my spine.
"I swear, baby. I'm not lying. I didn't know you'd been looking for me. I... I thought you had moved on. I... I was told you were already sleeping with other girls! Remember?" I admitted, making him look up with narrowed eyebrows.
"Now, why would I do that? Do you not know who I am? It's me, baby! I've never given up looking for you, Abs. Ever since we were kids, ever since I was hit by your scent back in elementary, I knew," he declared, widening my eyes.
"That beautiful scent of cherry blossoms and peonies... it's always been you, baby," he says, making my heart leap. My stomach fluttered, and I cupped his cheek as he looked at me, digging his eyes into my soul. "You... you knew since then we were mates?" I asked, puzzled by his words.
I always knew his scent was unique, too. But I never thought it was because it was our mate's scent. True, sometimes our senses as wolves are awakened at an early age, but I always knew most wolves could tell who their mates were once they were eighteen. Not earlier than that. That's why I always felt puzzled when I could smell him; I figured he just wore a cologne especially made for him.
"I told my father when he was still alive. He said we were most likely mates, but our spark wouldn't awaken until eighteen. I knew it was you all along; Titus sensed it too." he says, making Merida whimper; she was extremely happy and emotional-something I rarely see her go through.
Merida is always either very irritated or sassy. She does have her happy moments, but to me, it's as if she had a resting bitch face glued to her all the time.
"Merida, are you crying?" I asked her, making her whimper before she snapped back. "No bitch, I'm not crying. I have... I have something in my eye." she says, making me burst out laughing, making Hunter look at me like I had lost it.
"Sorry. My wolf is a little emotional right now."
"Oh, Merida," he says, giving me a big smile. "I love you, Merida!" he says, making Merida cry even harder, making me throw my head back laughing. I can feel Titus. He's just as emotional as her. I kiss Hunter on his lips again, placing my forehead over his.
"I'm sorry I was gone for so long," I whispered, making him sigh as he trailed his hands around my middle and hugged me tightly.
"I'm sorry, I believed Tara when she said you left with some other dude. I love you, Abbie. You have... no idea how bad it broke my heart. I was stupid for believing her at first. I knew she had to lie, but some of me still believed. I'm sorry, baby." he says, making me hug him tighter.
"It doesn't matter anymore. We finally came back to each other. That's all that matters." I say, making him sigh again.
I held him for a while, not wanting to let go. We must have been there for a little too long. His mom and beta came knocking on the door, worried about us.
We walked back to the party with them, with Luna Black looping her arm with me as we walked together.
"Abbie!" I hear my little sister, Jesse, call out as she runs and hugs me. "Is it true? You're going to be the new Luna of this pack?" she asks, smiling and looking up at me.
"I... uh... yes," I say, smiling at her, making my cheeks blush. "Does that mean we're moving here too?" she asks, hurting my heart as I look at my parents. My mom drops her shoulders, knitting her eyebrows in concern. "Baby," I say, bending my knees a little to be eye-to-eye with her.
"I don't think we are all moving here. It would only be me. But- you're more than welcome to come and stay for as long as you want, whenever you want." I try to sound cheerful, making her smile fall.
"But, we're family. Family sticks together, remember? I don't... I don't want us to separate." she says, looking at me with teary eyes. "Oh, sweetheart. I know it's hard, but this happens when someone finds their mate, remember? We've talked to you about this." Mom says as she comes and joins us. Hunter looks at me, pursing his lips, smirking a little to lift my spirits.
I sigh, seeing Jesse wanting to cry. She's so tiny, I know she doesn't understand. The last I want is for her to feel sad that I have to stay here.
"Jesse. I know it's hard, sweetheart. Abbie is a great big sister, but she has her mate now. And he will take good care of her, right, dear?" Mom asks Hunter, making him smile. He was a tower of muscles standing next to her, making her look up timidly.
"Of course I will. Jesse, I love Abbie. I've always loved her. She's my long-lost princess. And now that I've found her, I will make sure I protect her and love her every moment, ok?" he says as he kneels, looking at Jesse with a smile.
Jesse contemplates hiding behind me, but she slowly stares at him, smiling, nodding, and hugging him. Hunter can't help but hug her back, smiling and making my heart melt.
"But now I'm going to be all alone. Who will watch movies all night with me on Saturdays and play with me on Sunday morning? First, I lost Felicity, now you. I only have Marissa left, and... what if she finds a mate too?"
"Oh, sweetie. You haven't lost anyone. I haven't gone anywhere. I'm only a few houses away!" Felicity states, making Jesse hug Hunter again. His eyes shoot up to me, shocked that Jesse took a liking to him. I smile, rolling my eyes as he gives me a soft expression as if he is going to cry.
"Besides, Jess. I was thinking, you know, two of our omega just moved out to be with their mates. Mom and I thought you guys could move in with us to the pack house. This way, you can be closer to your friends and spend more time with them after school. How does that sound?" Felicity adds, making Jesse's eyes glisten.
"Really? Mommy, are we moving into the pack house for real life?" she asks, making Mom smile. "I think it's time we do, baby. The house is just too big for us now. It's time we move in, making room for someone else in our home."
"You know, Tabitha just had twin babies. She'll need another room for her twins and her growing family." Felicity tells Mom, making her nod in agreement.
"That's right. She did. I'll have to talk to your father about this. We'll need to modify the house; her oldest is only five, and her other little one just turned three. I need to talk to Luke and your father." Mom says as she storms away, making us chuckle.
"Did I... miss something?" Hunter asks, making Felicity and me chuckle. "That's our mom for you. When she sees the need for something, she jumps right to it and will not stop until it gets done." Felicity says, making Hunter raise an eyebrow, impressed by Mom's reaction.
The night was going great. I couldn't be happier as Hunter and I sorted out differences. But I couldn't help but feel eyes on me. Something wasn't right still.
I turn to see Tara throwing daggers at me with her eyes, making Merida give a low growl. I noticed the two men that had attacked Marissa earlier today standing behind Tara, making me fist my hands and hold my head up in defiance. If she's looking for a war, she will get one.
I'm not the same stupid little girl she was used to scare and bully around. I will fight back this time. She has no idea who she's messing with. She messed with my best friend, and I will make sure she pays for it.