The Mating Rules

Raelyn’s POV

Three months later

I’m nervous and excited, I can hardly sit still as I stare out of the rear window of the SUV Isaac and I are currently travelling in. After four months, I’m finally heading back to my old pack. I’ve spoken to Alpha Grant, Jasper and the rest of the family over video call but it hasn’t been the same and I’ve missed them all like crazy.

When I got the call that Verena was in labour this morning, Isaac had immediately organised for us to go to their pack so I could be there to welcome my very first niece or nephew.

A hand lands on my knee that is bouncing manically with my pent up excitement.

‘Babe, calm down’ Isaac murmurs, ‘you are going to bounce us all right off the road.’

I turn to face my Mate, curling into his chest as he wraps an arm around me, ‘sorry’ I sigh, ‘I’m just impatient, I can’t wait to see Jas and Vee and the baby.’

Isaac chuckles, kissing my head, ‘I’m sure they feel the same way, I fully expect Jasper to be torn between holding his Mate’s hand and pacing outside the pack house waiting for you.’

I laugh, shaking my head, ‘he better be holding her hand, or I’m going to kick his a*s’ I retort.

I can now see Raven clearly in my mind, she’s a beautiful auburn colour with dark green eyes. I’m also developing more of her traits, I can keep up in normal warrior class and I heal so much quicker, it’s been amazing. My wolf shocked me a little when she informed me that she isn’t an Omega wolf, in fact, she’s a Beta level just like my father. We weren’t sure if I’d be like my Mom but since finding out I have my father’s level, Isaac has been training me personally.

I still haven’t shifted, but Raven is in my mind all of the time now so I really hope that one day she’ll manage it. I’m not going to be upset if it never happens though, I’m just happy to be a real wolf like everyone else.

I haven’t told Jasper or anyone at my old pack about my wolf, I figured I’d leave it as a surprise for when I see them.

What feels like an eternity later we finally draw up to the edge of the territory, two warriors stepping into the road to intercept us as our driver slows to a stop.

Looking inside, one of the warrior’s face lights up when he sees me, ‘Rae!’ he calls out, ‘is that really you?’

I wave back as Isaac’s arm tightens slightly around me and he glares at the warrior, making me chuckle, damn possessive wolf.

‘Hey Dillon, how is Shanti? And Dante? He must have grown so much!’ I reply.

Dillon grins widely, ‘Shanti is good, pregnant again, Dante just turned three, the little guy is growing up before my eyes. He’ll be stoked that you are here, he’s missed his Rae Rae.’

I smile happily, ‘aww, tell them I will come over and see them later after I’ve seen the Alpha and everyone.’

Dillon nods, ‘yeah, you want to hurry, last we heard, our future Luna wasn’t far away from delivery, we’re expecting news any second now.’

The warrior speaks quickly to our driver before stepping back and waving us through.

The further down the road we travel, the closer I inch forward in my seat, staring out of the front window as the pack house comes into view.

Pulling up outside of the front door, I don’t even wait for the SUV to completely stop before I yank my seatbelt off and open the door, falling out in my haste to reach my family.

‘Babe!’ Isaac g****s from behind me as he slides over to climb out the same door, ‘please be careful, I don’t think everyone wants to see you under the wheels of the car.’

Straightening up, I brush my hands down my dress just as the door flies open and the Luna flies down the steps engulfing me in a hug.

‘Rae! You’re here! Look at you’ she cries out, holding me at arms length so she can scrutinise me. ‘You look wonderful, Goddess, I have missed you so much!’

I nod, tears brimming as I wrap my arms around the woman who took me in without a second thought, treating me like one of her own.

‘I’ve missed you so much’ I admit, holding her tightly, ‘I’ve missed everyone.’

Releasing me reluctantly, the Luna turns to Isaac, pulling him for a hug as well as he glances at me nervously.

‘Isaac’ she gushes, ‘it’s lovely to see you again, and it’s wonderful to finally be able to welcome you to our family officially.’

‘It’s nice to see you too Luna’ Isaac murmurs, patting her back awkwardly until she releases him.

‘There she is! My little Rae Rae’ booms Alpha Grant’s voice, seconds before I’m swept up in a bear hug. ‘Hey pumpkin’ he growls softly in my ear, ‘you look good, happy.’

I nod against his shoulder, ‘I am’ I reply, ‘really happy.’

Placing me on my feet, Alpha Grant shakes hands with Isaac before we all head inside.

‘Where’s Jas and Vee?’ I ask immediately, ‘is Vee OK? The Baby?’

Grant places as comforting hand on my shoulder as he directs us down the familiar hallways that I know lead to the clinic.

‘Vee is fine, Jasper is with her, and they welcomed a baby boy into the world fifteen minutes ago’ the Alpha says, beaming proudly.

I squeal happily, shaking off my old Alpha’s hand as I take off down the corridor as fast as I can run.

‘Has she got faster?’ is the last words I hear from the Luna before I’m out of earshot.

Pushing through the doors, I slide to a stop in front of the nurses station, waving impatiently as the two women behind the desk greet me excitedly.

‘Vee!’ I demand, ‘where is she?’

The older woman laughs, pointing to the right, ‘Luna suite Rae’ she replies not even trying to divert me.

I rush toward the doors that will take me to the Luna suite, shoving my way through and racing to the end. Once at the doors, I skid to a halt, taking a deep breath before I reach out and knock.

‘Go away! The Luna is resting’ comes Jasper’s annoyed voice.

Giggling, I knock again, bouncing on my heels as I hear his footsteps, ‘this better be important or so help me Goddess, I will have whoever you are running laps of the territory all night’ he growls.

Yanking open the door, he glowers down at me before his expression turns to surprise and then excitement.

‘Rae!’ he yells, picking me up and swinging me around, ‘you’re here! I thought you’d be at least another couple of hours!’

A wail behind him has me back on my feet as he hurries back to the bassinet next to a bed that holds my adopted brother’s Mate. Her eyes flutter open as asper picks up the crying infant, rocking him as he grimaces at her.

‘I’m sorry Love, I didn’t mean to wake him or you’ he mumbles.

I gentl shut the door behind me, the small noise drawing Verena’s attention to me as her mouth falls open before spreading into a tired smile.

‘Rae’ she murmurs, reaching out with a hand, ‘you came.’

I hurry forward, grabbing her hand with my own, ‘of course I did’ I reply, ‘my nephew was being born, you just try and keep me away!’

Verena looks behind me in confusion, ‘where is Isaac?’ she asks weakly, ‘you didn’t come alone did you? Rae! It’s not safe.’

I shake my head, ‘Isaac is with the Alpha and Luna, I kind of left them behind when Alpha told me where you were.’

Jasper snorts out a laugh, jiggling the baby who has quietened down again, ‘same old Rae’ he mutters in amusement.

Stalking toward him, I growl warningly, ‘watch it Alpha’ I say as I extend a claw and point it at him, ‘don’t make me challenge you.’

Jasper smirks widely at me, ‘I’d like to see you . .’ he starts before his gaze moves down to my hand and the claw now pointed at him. ‘What . . Rae? What? . . ‘ he stammers, quickly handing over the baby so he can grab my hand.

‘I got my wolf’ I whisper, eyes dancing excitedly, ‘I can’t shift yet, but she’s getting stronger and a couple of days ago I managed to bring out my claws.’

Vee squeaks softly, beaming at me as Jasper stares at me dumbfounded.

‘Oh Rae, I’m so happy for you! What’s her name? Is she pretty? Can you see her in your mind? What colour is she?’

Retracting my claws, I reach over and pluck my nephew from her arms before taking the seat beside her bed, filling them both in on Raven and how I finally found her.

Just as I finish, a soft tap on the door sounds before it opens an inch and the Luna pokes her head in, ‘are you up for a few extra visitors?’ she asks Verena who nods immediately before the Luna pushes the door wider and the Alpha and Isaac walk in behind her.

Isaac makes his way to me immediately, bending to k**s my head as Verena and the Luna both aww. My Beta doesn’t look embarrassed at all, merely smiling at me before crouching down to look at the baby.

‘You know’ he murmurs as the Alpha and Luna talk to Jasper and Verena, ‘I kind of like the view of you holding a baby.’

I raise an eyebrow in surprise, ‘you want a baby?’ I ask quickly.

Isaac nods, smiling at me, ‘yeah’ he admits, ‘I would love a pup, plus you pregnant with my kid will be unbelievably sexy’ he adds, making me laugh.

‘You are a wolf with a one track mind’ I huff.

Isaac leans closer, pressing his lips to mine quickly, ‘I can’t help it that I got the most beautiful, sexy, kind she wolf as my Mate’ he replies, ‘how am I supposed to keep my hands off her?’

I blush, something I always seem to do around this man, ‘I have to admit, I understand your problem’ I whisper, ‘I got this really dominant, handsome man with a heart of gold as my Mate, I spend a lot of time fantasising about what he looks like underneath his clothes.’

Isaac growls, a low seductive sound, his hand moving to the back of my head as he grips my neck lightly. ‘You don’t have to fantasise sweetheart, I’ll show you what’s under here any time you want, you just got to say the word.’

I lean into his shoulder, my gaze wandering around my family who are all talking quietly before falling to the tiny pup in my arms. I may have grown up with no wolf, being treated as fragile by everyone, but I’m one lucky She wolf to have so many people who love me and who I love.