Monachopsis

misdirecting her anger onto you but that doesn't mean you have to put up with it. Don't let her disrespect you."
I smiled. "I never thought I'd have a mate again, let alone someone like you."
His fingers grasped my chin, turning my head to face him. His eyes showed compassion and understanding. I could tell he cared for me deeply. "I'll make you a promise. I promise to cherish, respect and honor you. I will be the best damn mate you'll ever have."
My heart leapt through my chest. How on earth did I get so lucky?

This was my first time leading a pack meeting with the council present. The council included the elders in the pack, and former high-ranking members from when my dad was Alpha. Their job was to oversee the pack and ensure everything ran smoothly. If there was a problem among families, mates, pack allies, and affairs they were on top of it to diffuse further problems.
The meeting room was enormous, complete with an oval oak table that extended across the middle of the room and cushioned office chairs arranged around it. The tan walls and wooden floor gave off a warm aesthetic. The structure was soundproof, a bonus for a pack of werewolves.
"You nervous?" Xavier came up beside me and leaned against the wall.
I shook my head. "Not really. I've been to a ton of these meetings with Dad. He's let me help direct them before."
Riley laughed as she approached us. "Dad was always dragging her to these meetings. I'm sure she can handle it."
I glanced over toward the door. "I'm confident about that."
"She's more concerned about where that mate of hers went to." Xavier rolled his eyes.
"Right. The fucking Alpha of the Huntington pack. I wouldn't know how that's going, since you haven't told me anything about it." She smirked at me.
"Come on, Riley." Xavier huffed.
Her face dropped. "I'm sorry. I forgot."
"Yeah. Seems like everyone has," he mumbled.
I sucked in a sharp breath. A pang entered my chest. I felt terrible for him. I hated hurting him, but there wasn't anything I could do to change it, not that I wanted to either.
I slumped my shoulders. "Xavier, I'm sorry. He's my mate."
"Yes, Alpha. I know that. I respect it." He ran a hand through his hair and gripped it tight. "But it fucking hurts. Just, give me some time." His jaw tightened, and he avoided eye contact.
I exhaled loudly and shook my head. I should've never gotten myself tangled up with him. All I did was end up hurting him. I was no better than Ivy. "You take all the time you need," I murmured.
He rubbed his eyes. "I just need to keep my head clear of this shit."
I nodded. I understood why he felt this way and I wish there was something I could do, but I knew he needed space. I watched him. I felt torn as a best friend but also as the alpha. I could give him the space he needed as Sophia, but as the Alpha, I needed my Gamma. I hope he understood that.
"Why haven't you completed the bond yet? I can tell you haven't." Riley whispered in my ear, distracting me from Xavier.
"Shut up," I mumbled, my cheeks heating up. There were several reasons I didn't want to talk about this here, one of the biggest was because Xavier didn't need that dagger pressed into his heart further. I knew Riley was curious, but I had my reasons for keeping things at a slow pace with Blaine.
Not that I didn't want to. I couldn't keep my hands off him. The problem was that I told him I wanted us to get to know each other better first. Something I regret ever saying, since he took my words to heart.
"Well, no matter—looks like we finally get to meet him." She gestured toward the door.
As the last of the council members filed into the room and took their seats, Blaine and his higher-ups made their way over to us. A wave of relief hit me, and I couldn't help the butterflies that fluttered in my stomach at the sight of him. I couldn't wait to bare his mark.
He kissed my temple and placed a hand on my lower back. "Hi, Darlin'."
"I missed you." I leaned into his touch. His body was warm and felt like home.
"I missed you too. These two didn't know where the meeting room was at." He jerked his thumb toward the two men accompanying him.
"Well, this is a new place for you all. I'm Sophia, the Alpha," I greeted them with a smile.
"We know exactly who you are." A man with short black hair darted his mischievous green eyes toward Blaine.
"And you are?"
"Cole Reed. I'm the Beta and best friend of your mate's pack." He offered me his hand.
"It's nice to meet you, Cole." I clasped his hand with mine.
"Likewise, Alpha."
Blaine stepped toward a shaggy blonde, placing a hand on the man's shoulder. "This is Gabe. He's one of my best pack warriors."
Gabe seemed a bit preoccupied though, when his eyes never wavered from my right.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. This is my Beta, Riley." I waved my hand toward my right side. "And this is my Gamma, Xavier."
"Gamma, yes. Nice to meet you all." Xavier cracked his neck.
I rolled my eyes and glanced at Riley. "My Beta is also my sister."
Riley was staring at Gabe with an indisputable look on her face before he whispered the word, "Mate."
I pressed a smile against my palm.
Gabe stepped forward and Riley almost flung herself at him. "Oh my fates, I found you." Her face nuzzled into his neck as she wrapped her arms tighter around his body.
His arms slipped around her. "I've waited so long for you," he whispered into her ear.
This moment was all I ever wanted for her. Their expressions were nothing short of blissful and I couldn't stop the goofy smile on my face as I watched them experience the best moment