Chapter 4 You Have a Mate Now

Rhaegar

I knew she was mine as soon as I locked eyes with her.

Everything about her made me burn instantly. I stared at her again, unable to process this. How could she be? She was a child! A weak rogue who couldn't even heal properly, how could the goddess pair me with her? It had to be a mistake. Maybe my wolf was wrong.

'No, I'm not,'

Nalya moved and laid her head on my arm. She was whimpering in her sleep. Her tempting autumn scent enveloped my senses. I pushed her from me. She hit her head against the car door and winced.

"Rhaegar! Be kind," Nate said, and Elle glared at me. I didn't intend to push her so hard.

Nalya stirred and opened her eyes, touching her temple.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, wiping her lips and sitting straight.

I received text messages from Juliana. She was a good friend since we were kids, and I decided to make her my Luna as she always wanted.

'You have a mate now, so Juliana can't be the Luna,'

'I'm fucking thirty years old. How can I be mated to a little girl,' I retorted, pissed.

He didn't see things as I did. No one would accept a rogue as their leader. Juliana was the perfect candidate. She was strong, kind, and compassionate; everyone in the pack loved and respected her.

I texted her back, telling her we were bringing a rogue to stay at the pack house for a while. She was okay with it and was happy we helped a rogue.

"Wow!" a gasp escaped Nalya's lips. She was looking at the buildings in wonder.

"Welcome to the Autumn Moon Pack, the largest and strongest pack in the world," Ella told her.

"It's so... beautiful," she whispered, and I beamed inwardly. Indeed, my pack was the most developed. We had huge malls, modern technology, and an impressive town away from the pack house and members' houses.

"Should we stop at a restaurant to eat before going to the pack house?" Nate asked, and I nodded. Nalya's stomach had been growling since she got in.

He stopped in front of our favorite restaurant, All Seasons.

The revolving glass doors seemed to amuse and scare Nalya. Did she ever leave her house?

The rogues weren't as comfortable as us, but it wasn't shabby. We went in only to realize she wasn't by our side.

"Oh, lords," I groaned. She was standing outside, looking nervous.

"Go get her, Rhaegar,"

"Why me?"

"You're closer," Nate answered.

Nalya was still looking around when I grabbed her hand. I regretted it immediately as pleasant tingles traveled down my arm. She didn't feel them yet.

The staff escorted us to our table, and Nalya sat next to me. I don't think she realized it.

"What do you want to eat?" Nate asked her, pointing at the menu. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Anything," she answered quietly, not looking at him.

"They have rare and expensive food here. Choose whatever you want, and don't worry about money. Rhaegar and Nate have so much of it," Ella told her, smiling at us.

We all picked our food, except Nalya. She was still browsing through the menu.

"Nalya, have you picked?" Ella asked,

"I don't know anything here," she bit her lips, blushing. My breath caught in my chest. She was fucking gorgeous.

"You can have the Kobe Beef. It's good, and they import the meat from Japan," Nate told her, and she nodded.

"So, do you have any hobbies, Nalya?" Ella asked. She wanted for a long time before she answered.

"I play the flute. Does that count as a hobby?"

Ella was most happy to hear this as it was her favorite instrument to play, however, she was not good at it. She asked Nalya so many questions, and the girl answered them confidently. I could tell that it was something she enjoyed.

"Who taught you how to play?" Nate asked. She squinted her eyes in thought for a second.

"I mostly learned it by myself. I was dedicated, and in eighth grade, my father got me a teacher,"

"That's wonderful. You must be good,"

"Some people and teachers say so," she was a bit embarrassed, looking down at her lap. Why was she embarrassed?

It was impressive.

Our food came, and everyone ate. Ella told the lovely rogue wolf about the pack. She wasn't adding much, just nodding her pretty head.

"The southeastern part is perfect for wolves as forest and mountains surround it. The pack has been here since the medieval,"

Nalya looked at me before she drank her water, I watched her gulp, and immoral thoughts rushed to my mind. I exhaled, taming myself. I needed to relax.

After our dinner, they served dessert, and Nalya's eyes lit up in excitement before eating.

"Do you like ice cream?" Nate smiled, and I glared at him. Why was he so friendly?

"Yes, it's nice," she mumbled her words shyly.

"You've had ice cream before, right?" Ella asked quizically.

"Yes, just not this kind," she answered as she ate. I noticed the bruises on her wrist again, and my wolf growled.

"Who did that to you?" I asked.

"I fell,"

'She's lying,'

"Don't lie to me,"

Nalya looked scared now, and tears welled in her eyes.

"Rhaegar, you're scaring her!" Ella hissed. I snapped out of my gaze and inhaled.

"Who did that to you?" I asked calmly.

"The man I was supposed to marry held me tightly a few hours before I escaped," she said. I was boiling with anger.

"Name," I said. He was part of Arlon William's rogues, and I intended to find and kill him.

"I don't know his name,"