Aiden pov

"What was that all about,?" I ask Gabriel as I ease myself into my seat. The party is over and the celebrants, the girl Lily hasn't stopped crying as Liam tries to calm her down.

The guards who I learned Gabriel had assigned were ordered to follow her. I sent two of my men after her too, she needs their protection now that she's their Luna.

I will do everything to make sure nothing touches her.

"Give me a minute, I will explain everything," he says and takes out his phone from his pants pocket to make a call. My wolf is restless, we need to see her again.

I need to clarify everything and let her realize how much she means to us. I will not allow her to reject us, I am going to do whatever it takes. After his call, Gabriel sits on the chair in front of my desk and tiredly sighs.

"What was that about Gabriel, I don't understand a thing. That girl is my mate, but how is she your daughter?" I ask him in exasperation.

" I messed up Aiden" he runs his fingers through his silver locks and looks down in defeat.

"I didn't know you had a daughter, and a human at that" I don't care if she's human or not, I just want my mate. The moon goddess is never mistaken, and she had a purpose for selecting her for me.

" My sister will be here soon, I think it's time she knows the truth," he whispers, as he tiredly stares into my eyes. I don't know how many secrets he's been hiding from her but I know it won't be good.

The said sister appears 30 minutes later. She's an elegant woman with long blonde hair and appears younger than Gabriel. She must be his younger sister.

" Where is she? She's not at home" The woman inquires, glancing around frantically.

" She took off, and she knows about me. I think it's time we inform her," Gabriel says.

" What did you do, Gabriel?" The woman nearly yells at his brother and I furrow my brows at them. What's with the secrets?

" It's not my fault okay, I thought she was in danger, and when I got here, I found out she's mated to Aiden, and it just slipped" he stressfully retorts.

" What?" She turns and stares at me in disbelief " Aiden is her mate? Does she know who we are?" her voice lowers as she gazes at her brother with worry.

" Yes, we told her" he mumbles and stands up.

" Poor girl. She must be freaking out. We need to go to her and make things clear," She says leading the way to the door and I quickly follow them. This is my chance to see her again and perhaps talk to her.

"She must be at her penthouse, let's go," Gabriel's sister, whose name I just learned is Marie says. Liam and Lily join us and I can tell they feel awful. All this time they have been friends with my mate? If I knew, I would have found her sooner through them.

Either way, I'm happy she's finally here. Knocking at her door, a middle-aged woman unlocks and permits us in. Everything in the house is white and immaculate. Walls, chairs, carpets, and even door rugs are all white, and not even a lone blemish is evident.

There are little greys here and there but white takes the lead. Is she a clean freak or something? The house is cozy and homely, with a welcoming flowery scent and hers just adds to its allure. Low music playing in the speakers gives me the urge to stay here forever.

Goddess, my house is nothing but cold and boring. I can't help but Imagine coming home to this calming environment and probably a beautiful girl waiting for me on my bed.

I can't wait to know everything about her and take her home.

"Can you let her come down, please?" Marie tells the woman who I don't know yet, as she lowers herself onto one of the sofas and we all follow suit. My heart hammers in my chest with anticipation.

I never knew a mate could affect one in this manner. I used to think mated wolves exaggerate things until now. Goddess! I am already blown by her and I don't even mind. I smell her scent before she can even appear.

My mate walks down the stairs as she blankly stares at us. She's wearing a short pink silky robe and white diamond-laced slippers. Her long legs are flawlessly toned and smooth. Her hair is secured in a messy ponytail and I can see her multiple ear piercings.

Oh, Goddess!. She has a red rose tattoo on her right arm and I wonder if she has more. Her porcelain skin looks so soft and pristine. So well taken care of. Goddess! she's so exceptional.

I have never seen a woman like her and zero compares to her raw beauty. I don't know what I will do if she rejects me. I pray she doesn't. The girl gracefully sits on a single couch without uttering a word, just staring at us keenly.

Damn her eyes, I can look at them the whole day, though right now they are puffed and red from crying but they are still lovely.

Clearing her throat, Marie breaks the stillness in the room and low sighs are heard.

"Melanie, I think you've met your father" She commences nervously. Melanie, a lovely name for a gorgeous angel.

"Yes, the one you said I didn't have" My mate sternly responds.

"We are sorry, we had our reasons. Honey, this is Gabriel your father and also my brother" Marie proceeds.

"What?" My mate cries, almost getting out of her chair "What do you mean my father is your brother?" Liam and Lily gasp at that too and I wonder what the hell is happening.

"I'm not your mother Melanie, your mother died giving birth to you and Gabriel shattered by the loss, was not in a position to take care of you. So I took you with me and raised you as my own" Marie clarifies, appearing more remorseful than she has been since she walked into my office.

So my mate has been staying with her aunt believing she's her mum all this time? Wow! that's not fair to her if you ask me.

"What else do I need to know?" Mel asks calmly, and I am amazed by her composure.

"Our family, we are all werewolves and your father is the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack," Marie continues with a sigh. Melanie stays silent and I want to know what is going on in her head right now. With a sigh, she shakes her head and finally speaks.

"I don't care about anything right now, both of you never cared for me and I made a truce with that. I am an adult now and I can take care of myself" My mate narrows her eyes at Marie, and bitterly chuckles, " I used to wonder how a mother wouldn't care about her kid even for once. But now I know why. Thank you for making me independent, I have been wanting to move out of your house for a while now and I am not coming back". She sighs looking at her dad.

"I grew up knowing you didn't exist, and you did nothing to rectify that. You didn't care for me and I am okay with that. I learned to be okay with that, and I know I will be good. It was nice knowing you, Gabriel" she calmly says and shakes her head in disappointment.

"Honey, it's not like that, I was protecting you" Gabriel pleads desperately. "By making me assume you don't exist, do you have any idea how much I needed a parent? How I yearned for that love? I waited for eighteen years but you never appeared and I moved on. I had to" Her voice breaks and I feel a pull in my chest.

What did these people do to her? I swear if they did something to hurt her, I will forget they relate to her.

"Please let me explain " Gabriel attempts again but it's like her mind is made up.

"No, it's too late for that, and for you Marie, I'm relieved you are not my mother...I "

"I'm sorry Mel, I had my reasons" Marie pleads on the verge of crying but it falls on deaf ears. Mel looks at her friends and her eyes soften a little. I wonder if she'll even talk to me. She hasn't spared me a glance, and it's heartbreaking. Does she even feel the same way I do?

Does she feel the mate bond? I have never been this anxious in my life.

"We are sorry Mel, it's just that we are not supposed to disclose our existence to humans, we would have told you," Lily explains to her friend who nods despite the hurt in her eyes.

Mel looks at me and I hold my breath. Please, say something. However, my prayers go unanswered when she looks away without a word and gets up. Goddess! I have always been proud of my looks.

I never stressed if a woman would like me or not because they always do without having to try. Why doesn't my mate find me attractive?

"This is too much for me. I need time to process everything" She mumbles and starts to walk away. My mate heads to the kitchen and I quickly follow her. I can't give up just yet. I will make her fall for me no matter what.

I can't believe I'm being nervous right now. This mate bond makes me feel things I never thought I would. I intimidate people, and my presence yells attention even to humans, and yet, this single girl makes me feel so fucking dumb.

For the first time in my life, I feel fear. Fear of being rejected. Fear of losing a girl I barely know. When I reach the kitchen, I clear my throat to gain her attention, " Can we talk, please?" I hopefully stare at her and she silently looks back, probably trying to determine whether to accept my plea or decline.

" Mmh sure, I'm just gonna grab a bottle of water" Mel shrugs and gestures to the fridge behind her. She is so beautiful. Her scent is doing things to me and she doesn't even know it. "Do you need anything?" She curiously turns to me and my heart skips. She cares?

"No, thanks"

"Follow me", Mel leads the way towards the stairs and I quietly follow. This is my chance. I have wanted to build my own house but because I didn't have a mate, I lost the passion and resolved to stay in the pack house.

Even though I own the entire 5th floor of the mansion, seeing how she conserves and adores her own space, gives me the urge to build her a house.

You can easily tell this place is adored, from the paintings on the walls, the beautiful chandeliers, and all the lovely ornaments adorning the space. Everything feels comfortable and homely.

Mel opens the door to the enormous room where her scent is dominant, her room. The large bed is neatly dressed with white covers and everything in the room is tidy and arranged accordingly.

I doubt dirt will last in this place. She directs me to the far end of the room where two couches and a small glass table are neatly arranged. The glass wall gives an accurate view of the dazzling city, a clear contrast to where I live.

Will she leave her home and follow me to the forest? Mel sits down and motions to the seat beside hers. Before I can say anything, a portrait on the wall opposite my seat piques my interest.

A very big painting of a caged silver wolf encloses the entire wall. The she-wolf has dull blue eyes and the way she stares at me, it's like she's talking to me with her eyes. Pleading? How strange.