Too Beautiful for the Alpha

His father sits at the head of the table, James and I on either side of him. James constantly gives me reassuring looks, but I don't know if he's trying to reassure me or himself. It's clear that he's uncomfortable with this, me meeting his father. It only makes me nervous. It only makes the weird feelings grow.

"So, Rae," his father begins, taking lead, "what pack do you come from?"

"The Waters Pack," I answer timidly, not wanting to talk at all even though I agreed to this. I feel as I did when I first met James, hardly saying a word.

His father nods. "And you're not of an Alpha bloodline?"

"No," I say carefully, "I'm not."

He nods again. "Of a Beta bloodline?"

I shake my head and throw in an amused smile to show that I'm not hurt, even though I am. I wonder if he's comparing me to Julianna, if so, he's probably thinking that I'm worse at this point. At least she was of Alpha blood.

James takes over and starts to talk about the rogue problem at the East Border and how they're trying to solve it, giving me a moment to breathe. But it's not long until he comes back to me. "And what have you been up to as Luna?"

James cuts in, trying to hold him back, "She hasn't been announced as Luna yet."

"Well surely she can announce herself as Luna," he says and looks to me, "right, Rae?"

"I suppose," I mumble, not wanting to bring up the fact that I have told a few people.

"No, it's not her fault. I should be the one to do it."

"I'm sure Rae can handle it. You're busy, James, let her work some," he says, continuously pointing the finger at me. "I'm sure she needs things to do other than hanging around the house. Both the Alpha and the Luna need to work together, you see, that's where I went wrong."

I lift small forks of potato into my mouth, wanting to leave. I didn't think he was going to bring up Julianna, let alone blatantly compare us to them. "Rae is still getting used to the Pack," James explains, "I'm sure she'd love to help out when she's ready."

I nod. "Of course."

rushing towards having children when there is

right now just to see what James will say, if he'd agree with his father. Maybe that's why he doesn't want to touch me, because he doesn't want children. I don't see how that's a problem, though, with means of protection. "Right," I say, not knowing how I really feel, "the Pack comes

goodbye to his father. As

doesn't like me," I

"I'm sure you're just taking what he

what to do and how to be better. It's clear that he's disappointed in me as his son's mate. He thought I was going to at least be

"Well, he's leaving now, so don't worry too much about it, alright? What matters is what you think, not him. James is your mate, not his

At

me, I'm not surprised when he comes through my bedroom door. I quickly pull on my shirt when I hear him, leaving the bathroom to find him sitting on the bed. I have to know his thoughts on the dinner before I rant about

feeling fiery anymore. "I didn't think he would, either. I didn't think the entire dinner was going to be a lesson

just comparing you to my mother, trying to make

glances up at me as I sit down. "Well, I

blow out my flame.

know he meant only me. He needs to make sure I'm doing a good job," I say, completely annoyed. "You need to stand

his hand on my thigh, "he's

want to be open with him. Just thinking about it makes me restless. Those times when I'd sneak into his bedroom and lay on his bed are fresh in my mind. Back then it took only his scent to send me into a frenzy, and I've learned to control myself, so I wonder if James has done the same. "When your father brought up rushing into having children... Is that

Rae, that's not the reason," he says, giving into the

me what is?" I ask gently, carefully so he doesn't feel

takes in a breath as if he's preparing to open up. I scoot closer, grabbing his hand and giving him an encouraging look. It feels odd holding an Alphas hand and encouraging him to tell me what he's really thinking, but when I remind myself that he is also my mate, it makes

all in the past, James. You're a different person now, someone I know I can trust. You care about me, I see that, I see that you've changed. You need me, you keep me safe, you make sure

"You shouldn't."

I am. I'm forgiving you and

me closely. "What I

Is that what you want?" He immediately tenses. Inpatient and tired of it, I bring my hand to his face, holding his jaw so he can't look away from me. "I forgive you. Do you forgive me for doing what