Chapter 3: Chapter 3-Exactly what I don’t need-Roman’s POV

I sit here behind my desk, cursing the Moon Goddess. This is exactly what I had hoped to avoid. At least, for another ten years. My mate! My fucking mate! Just up and waltzed into my office from some pack in Nevada and I had stupidly approved asylum without proper vetting because Ambrose..that stupid wolf..wouldn’t shut up about it. He just had to have this girl join our pack! Had to! He threatened to lick his balls every day for a year if I didn’t agree. And while that may be a perfectly normal canine activity, I had no desire to taste wolf balls when I shifted back every day. Now I sit and glance over at my mate every few seconds, while trying to concentrate on what her aunt is saying. I have been Alpha for exactly two years and two days. My father was killed…ambushed by rogues, on his way home from an Alpha conference in Wyoming two years ago. I was 16 and felt the Alpha mantle settle on my shoulders at the same time I felt his bond snap. I had to postpone my senior year until this year while I worked with my advisors to get the pack acclimated to the shift in power. We are finally on the right path and flourishing once again. My parents were true mates. A perfect couple so deeply in love that when she died, my father almost went with her. If he hadn’t had to raise me, I’m sure he would have. I was 14. I don’t want a mate. I don’t want that all encompassing emotion that comes with it. True love is a killer. I don’t need that encumbrance. I will get her sworn in, then I will forget about her. I will stay away from her while I decide how to handle this! Easy-peasy. I realized I had been so stuck in my head that the only thing I took away from the aunt’s report is the fact their situation had become tenuous, at best and my mate’s life was in danger. Great! I plan on avoiding her like the plague and Ambrose is growling in my head at a potential threat to her life! I looked up and said to the aunt.. Deedee or something.. “are you prepared to swear allegiance to Sioux River Pack?” She said certainly. So I rose from my chair and asked her to stand. I took our pack Holy Writ..which has been blessed by our Goddess and had her place her left hand on it while raising her right. I said repeat after me, I, say your name, do solemly swear to uphold and obey the laws and order of my Alpha and pledge my fealty to Sioux River Pack.” She said I Diedre Callum, do solemnly swear to uphold and obey the laws and order of my Alpha and pledge my fealty to Sioux River Pack..and the sigil on the front of the book glowed gold. i said “The Moon Goddess approves “ I watched my mate stand up and I took a ceremonial dagger from atop the mantle and walked over to her. I said..same thing, only a little different. What’s your name? She said Althea Gold. I said “Do you swear to uphold and obey the laws and order of your Alpha, and pledge dedication and fealty to the Sioux River Pack?” She said “I do so solemnly swear” And with that I made a small slice in both our hands with the dagger and clasped my hand over hers. Both our hands glowed gold for a few seconds and I said the Goddess accepts. And pulled my hand back a little more sharply than I intended. Those sparks were fucking with my head. Not good! Not good at all! I sat back down and glanced up. I said that will be all. You are dismissed. Althea shot me a quick glance and narrowed her eyes. I realized that came out harsher than I had intended and stood up to offer some kind of apology or something..I’m not sure what..but she spun on her heel and practically ran from the office..her aunt following. I mindlinked my Beta, Caleb to get in my office immediately. He walked in two minutes later, munching on a bag of pretzels, trying to see if he could whistle around the crumbs in his mouth. Dumbass! I said I need any and everything you can find on Althea Gold from GoldenMoon in Nevada. I kind of zoned out while the aunt was telling their story. He looks at me and asked “The witch and the hybrid?” I nodded. Caleb said give him a bit and started a search on his tablet. He said “that little hybrid is a hot ticket! I wouldn’t mind taking her around the block a few times” and laughed! I slammed my fist on my desk and said she is My Mate! Caleb’s eyes got huge and he said “Fuck bro! What are you gonna do?? I know you don’t want her but, at least, think about it before you reject her.” I said I’m not rejecting her. I just don’t want her right now…if ever. I don’t know. I will avoid her. Caleb said “ what about Sydney? She’s not going to be happy when she finds out. She’s already picking out the china pattern for her Luna ceremony “ and then he laughed. Hard! And said “ Fuck man! Your life just got real complicated “ I said Fuck you! And get me that report! I’m going for a run.