"What do you mean up to me? What choice do I have to make?" I asked
"I told you that you are my Mate. That means I am 100% yours. I would never do anything to hurt you, and I will love you for the rest of my life. I will never love another the way I can love you. If you choose to accept me, and become my Mate, I will have to turn you so you are like me. But if you are not sure the turning could kill you or worse." Darrell rushed out in one breath.
"What is worse than dying? When do I have to decide? Are there other people like you? "Was my scattered reply.
"There are a lot of things worse than death, but specifically you could go crazy trying to deal with the duality that is our life. Our wolfs are a separate yet equal part of us. They have a strong personality that usually brings out our strengths, but if a human isn't strong enough then the wolf can and will take over and a person becomes more animal than human and has no control over themselves. A rouge wolf will kill anyone or anything, and the human part is completely lost.
"You don't have to decide right away. The next mating ceremony is a little over 6 weeks away. If you don't decide by then we would have to wait a year. We have a lot of traditions. The Mating ceremony only happens on the first full moon of the New Year. And yes, there are other's like me. We all live in this area of the woods. I asked most of them to keep to themselves until after I talked to you. I didn't want you to be overwhelmed by any of them. Oh they mean well, but they all can be a little overprotective and pushy when it comes to me" Darrell explained.
"Why so overprotective and pushy?" I asked.
"I am the Alpha. My family has been the one to lead our pack for many generations. Think of it like a huge corporation and I am the CEO. My word is law, and I am responsible for all of them. Most Alpha's find their mates within the pack at an early age. My Father knew my Mother, his mate since they were pups. I am the first Alpha in our packs history that has found a mate in the Human world. We have had other wolves find their mates that way, so you can meet some of our 'converts' and they can help you with that transition, but it may be hard for some of the other's to accept you as Madame Alpha. "
"So what happens if they don't accept me? Does that mean you will lose your status?" I was nervous as I asked.
"I can't lose my status unless I am challenged by another wolf, and I get beat in a fight. But you could be challenged and if you lose another female would be the Madame Alpha and you would have to answer to her. Currently my Sister Julie is acting as the Madame Alpha. You will meet her at lunch" said Darrell.
"So what if I can't do this? What if I don't want to change? Can I go back to my life? What will my friends and family think happened to me? Are they looking for me now? I have missed work and I hope someone is looking for me." I still couldn't really wrap my head around all of this.
"The dog attack was reported in the news and papers. You have been listed in stable but critical condition, with the Doctor's requesting no visitor's as you are in quarantine. If you choose to stay here with me, you will 'die' to the human world. It is the only way we can protect our secret. If you decide not to stay, you will make a full recovery, and return to your life" sadness infused Darrell's reply.
"Don't make any decisions today. Give us some time. I promise to stand by any decision you make. No matter how hard it may be for me" Darrell said.
He just held me gently while I tried to figure this all out. I didn't really have anything left for me in my world. My huge family imploded when my Mom died 10 years ago. I hadn't talked to my brothers in years. My sister had passed suddenly in an accident while she was gone for Special Olympics. So I was basically alone. I had some good friends, but I was lonely. But was being lonely reason enough. I mean Darrell hadn't done anything to hurt me, and sure he was sexy as hell, and I was super attracted to him. But was that reason enough to stay. I guess I didn't have to make a decision right now. I had a few weeks to process everything.
"Come on, let's go introduce you to someone very special to me" Darrell said as he grabbed my hand and hauled me up to my feet.
We walked back towards the house; I looked around with a new vision. I could see the cabins and other buildings I had missed the first time. This place reminded me of an awesome camp I went to one year, except there was more trees and privacy between buildings. If I had to guess I would say this was a small village. I could see many cabins that looked like houses, and a few other big buildings which I assumed were meeting places or other business.
As we walked into the house, I was suddenly very nervous. What if this "someone special" doesn't like me or approve of me. I started chewing on my bottom lip. Nervous habit.
I could hear a musical voice talking. With the pauses, I assumed she was on the phone because I couldn't hear any replies.
"Oh, I got to go, I think they are back." The voice squealed.