My Orphan Mate

"I promise I won't run away, so you can leave," I said to her for the tenth time.

Zynthéa wasn't phased by my words, instead she smiled to herself and continued watering the white orchid flower that she had brought with her when she came to see me, literally two seconds after Alexander had left.

"That's not the reason why I'm here," she told me. "I thought maybe it would be nice to have some company."

"Huh." I definitely did not believe her.

"Anyway, I'm your best friend here, so ask me anything you like," she told me once she had finished her task.

I almost snorted out loud at her words. Fair enough, she seemed like an easy going person that I felt comfortable with; but to call her my best friend was a bit of a stretch.

Then I remembered her words and decided to make the most of it. She had already told me that her pack was the largest and that Dyami was the beta, but aside from that I didn't really know anything else.

"How do you cope with Alexander and your mate?" I asked her, curious.

She glanced up at my question. "Alexander is a good leader," she said but her eyes seemed sad.

I raised a brow at her. "You don't seem to agree with your statement."

She chuckled softly and turned her gaze back on the orchid, stroking the white petal softly.

"Alexander had to grow up fast. He's so serious all the time, it sometimes worries me."

I bit my bottom lip, not knowing what to respond to her. I was sure all leaders had to grew up fast, but I didn't need to add that.

"I was worried he'd never find his mate," she continued, giving me a side glance. "You have no idea what it means to all of us for him to have found you."

I was surprised she knew that I was his mate, but as their leader and as her big brother, I was sure she knew pretty much the ins and outs of the pack.

"Do you agree with the things he does?" I asked, abruptly, remembering Alexander's past.

Zynthéa didn't strike me as someone who wanted to murder other Wolves, but considering she was Alexander's sister, I couldn't be completely sure.

"With the things he does?" she repeated, confused. "What things?"

I narrowed my eyes at her, not understanding whether she was playing dumb or if she genuinely wasn't sure what I was referring to.

"Killing innocent Wolves."

Zynthéa's smile dropped, but she didn't hold my gaze. Instead her focus remained on the orchid plant.

"I'm not sure how much you know, but I owe it to my brother to explain."

I studied her for a second, not sure what her words meant; was she aware or was she not, of the unforgivable acts her brother had undertaken?

"As for Dyami," Zynthéa's voice chirped, a smile plastered on her face. "I promise he isn't as bad as you imagine."

I rolled my eyes. "Sure. He looks like he could chew me up at any given moment."

Zynthéa giggled, loudly. "That would be a sight."

I gaped at her, shocked by her words. I wasn't sure if she was joking but when her eyes caught my expressions, she burst out laughing even louder.

Holding her hands up in defence, she apologised quickly.

"I'm kidding," she promised. "But Dyami's been through a lot. He doesn't trust easily, especially not the people from your pack."

"Can I know why?"

"Over a decade ago, something happened between Wolves and I guess your pack was involved, but it lead to the death of many Wolves."

I tried to keep up with her words, but they only confused me. I was aware there had been a war between Wolves, but the only knowledge I had was of Pale Moon and Silver Crescent being enemies. And that Alexander had ordered the killing of many lives.

"I don't follow," I told her, honestly, tilting my head to the side as I waited for her to explain.

Zynthéa eyed me cautiously. "Dyami's family were murdered by your pack."

"His family?"

She nodded slowly. "Mum, dad and brother."

My brows furrowed at her words, and I exhaled a shaky breath.

Dyami hated me and my pack, because we had killed his family. And yet, since the moment that I had came here, I had thought he was simply annoying. Which he was, but the reason for it was beyond what I would have ever expected.

I felt sad, and I felt guilty. I played no part in the murder of his family, but knowing I belonged to a pack that did, that made me sad.

"I don't know what to say," I said to Zynthéa, my voice hardly stable.

"You seem shocked," she stated, looking at me concerned.

"I am. I didn't know."

"I'm surprised you didn't, but you were probably young. I mean, I wasn't even born when it happened but I know because Dy told me."

I nodded, but didn't say anything back to her. I had only thought about how Alexander had killed members of my pack, but never really realised how it had impacted his pack also.

Either that, or Zynthéa was lying but she didn't seem like someone who lied. I had quickly trusted her and I wasn't sure why.

"He'll come around. It takes time for him to accept others but he will come around," she assured me, smiling.

"It's okay if he doesn't. I wouldn't accept it either," I said harshly.

I couldn't accept Alexander because he had murdered a lot of Wolves in my pack. The thought of him murdering my family sent a shudder down my body. It was unimaginable.

"Alexander is really a good guy, Lyra," Zynthéa repeated, gazing at me with pleading eyes. "He's a strict Alpha because he had to quickly adjust to the title, but he places the safety of his pack before everything else."

"As do any other Alpha." I shrugged, not seeing how her words made her brother any different from other leaders.

"You're right, but what I'm trying to say is that he would do anything to protect you."

"I don't need protection," I snapped, not meaning to sound ungrateful.

Zynthéa's lips formed a line, she wasn't too happy with the tone that I had used but didn't comment on it.

"Alexander will be back soon. Is there anything you want to know or do before he gets back?"

That was all it took for her to change the subject, and it worked. "Is there anyone I should be aware of? Like his girlfriend or something?"

Zynthéa laughed softly. "Alexander doesn't really have time for that stuff."

I wanted to believe her, but I didn't. There was no way a grown up man like Alexander didn't have a girlfriend or at least a girl that he could mess around with.

Gabriel had Jasmine, even when he wanted to claim me. It proved men and their needs.

"Yeah, right," I responded, sarcastically emphasising the latter word.

Zynthéa finally abandoned the orchid on the windowsill and hopped to sit by my side on the bed.

"You should probably make yourself familiar with our territory, though. My mother will also want to meet you once she knows of your existence, which will be any moment now."

Her mother. Alexander's mother. I cringed at the formality.

I had been under Gabriel's wing for two years and never met his mother, yet here Zynthéa was telling me that Alexander's mother would want to meet me once she knew of my existence.

"Don't worry," Zynthéa said, patting my leg. "She's not as scary as she looks, plus you only have her to worry about."

A humourless laugh escaped her lips and her gaze turned to her fiddling hands on her lap. Something bothered her but she didn't say what and I didn't want to press any further.

"What if I don't want to meet her?" I asked, hesitantly.

I hardly wanted to be here, let alone proceed with the formalities.

The girl by my side glanced up at my question. "As the Luna, you would eventually have to meet her."

"What if I don't want to be the Luna?"

"What do you mean?"

I shrugged. Her gaze on me intensified and she appeared panicked. "I don't know much about that stuff. I don't think I'd be too good at it."

She smiled sheepishly. "You'd be perfect at it, don't worry."

I wanted to argue with her, but found it to be pointless. Zynthéa was a sweet person and I felt bad for having any ill thoughts about her at all.

She had helped me from the moment that I had met her, and as much as I wanted to feel comfortable with her, after how intense our conversations had been, I wasn't sure where that left us. She was Alexander's sister, after all.

"Alexander is on his way back," she claimed, hopping off the bed and standing up straight. "If you don't have any more questions, I shall take my leave."

I nodded at her. "Thank you for keeping me company."

I was grateful, but I was also well aware that she had joined me at the order of her brother, my mate.

"Try not to think too much and relax," she urged, smiling down at me. "Everything will be okay. And if anything bothers you in the meantime, all you have to do is call me."

I faked a smile and watched her as she waved her goodbye and exited my room. The quietness in the room allowed me to lean back on to the duvet and I closed my eyes.

It was so peaceful, but I felt exhausted. I couldn't remember the last time that I had slept and my heavy eyelids proved my point.

The softness of the duvet was enough for me to slowly drift in to a deep sleep.