The Guardian Wolf And Her Alpha Mate
The Guardian Wolf and her Alpha Mate Chapter 36

Nova

POV:

"You ready for this?" I hear Alice ask me as I finish putting on my slick of lip gloss. Stepping back I look at myself in the mirror, I have to admit Alice knows how to dress me for any event. Wearing a flowing sage green summer dress that ends at my knees fitting snugly around my breasts and waist I look perfect for a pack BBQ, with my heeled wedges accentuating my toned legs I smile happily to myself.

"Dressed like this I am" I wink at Alice before turning and giving her a big hug, "thank you for organising this Alice."

"You look gorgeous" she compliments stepping back and looking at her handy work.

"As do you" I grin back at her, Alice is dressed in a long maxi dress with some heels giving her small frame a little extra height.

"Yes well I thought I'd make the most of this dress before my belly is too swollen to fit anything" she chuckles.

Linking my arm through hers I rest my head on her shoulder, "I can't believe you're going to be a mum. It's amazing news."

Seeing Alice smile softly as her hand rests gently on her belly I can't stop the sense of longing that pangs in my heart. "We will have pups one day Nova, we are still young" Ki murmurs to me.

"I can't wait for that day, but I also know now isn't our time" I confide to Kia, "I'm more than happy being an Aunty for now."

Walking downstairs I can hear the music from the back lawn and lots of excited chatter, "will you be here soon?" Jax links me anxiously.

As we leave the back door my eyes scan over the crowd before focusing on Jaxs muscular frame standing with Luca and some warriors chatting animatedly, the afternoon sun glinting off of his tanned skin and adding a shine to his dark hair. "I'm behind you" I link him giggling.

With that he stops talking and spins round, his eyes searching for mine before he spots me and a large grin spreads across his face as he makes his way swiftly to me. As he gets closer I see his eyes briefly glance over my figure as they darken slightly, "you look gorgeous" he murmurs in my ear dropping a kiss on my cheek as he says so.

Blushing I smile up at him as I rest a hand on his firm chest, "you don't look too bad yourself" I reply playfully.

"I know" he smirks back confidently.

"Shhh calm down Alpha ego" I laugh at him lightly tapping his arm making his chest rumble with a deep chuckle. "Come let's go see Luca, he's been waiting for you" he says quietly as he leads me towards my brother.

"Nova!" Luca exclaims happily as I reach him, "you're finally here" he laughs giddily.

"Eh oh, has someone been drinking" I giggle at him as I take in his slightly unfocused eyes. He simply smirks at me whilst shrugging his shoulders, "you know me Nova, I won't get wasted don't worry. But I certainly plan on enjoying your birthday and my time off." "I wouldn't want if any other way..where's my drink?" I am raising an eyebrow at him expectantly.

"Coming right up" he smirks before turning to walk away. He pauses mid stride before spinning back round and running to twirl me round happily, "I forgot to say congratulations sister..you will make an amazing Luna. I'm very happy for you both." Setting me down he steps back to look at my new mark with a happy gleam in his eyes.

"Thank you Luca" I whisper trying to hide the emotion in my voice. Seeing an emotion flit across his face which I'm not used to seeing I grasp his arm and step to one side with him. "You ok?" I ask quietly.

He looks down at me and nods slowly with a little smile on his face, "I am truly happy for you Nova. But I'm not going to lie, I've enjoyed having my sister around the last few years." Looking at him steadily I raise a brow knowing there is more to it. He sighs lightly before continuing, "where's my mate?" He asks quietly almost to himself.

Hearing those words my eyes soften, "your mate is coming Luca. I know you have been waiting a long time but I also know you are going to be perfect for her as she will be for you. It will be worth the wait." I say hoping to comfort him.

After a moments quiet he shakes his head, "enough about me. It's not everyday my sister turns 25 and replaces her mate becoming a Luna, let's celebrate!"

Grinning at him as he jogs over to get me a drink I step back beside Jax. "Everything ok?" He links me whilst smiling at Naomi and Laurence who have just joined us.

"Yes, he's been waiting 10 years for his mate. He's happy for us, but it must be hard watching those close to you meet their fated mates whilst you're still waiting" I reply. "It is hard, but it will be worth it" Jax comforts me.

"That's what I told him" I say before continuing, "he's ok don't worry!"

Nodding his head slightly to show he understands he turns his attention back to the group, "so how's the birthday Luna?" Laurence asks smiling.

"Good thank you Laurence, this looks beautiful" I gesture around the garden. Seeing all the lights twinkling above I can imagine how gorgeous it's going to look once the sun has set.

Seeing the men's chests puff out in pride Naomi and i snigger quietly, "of course it does. We did it" Laurence beams with pride.

"Men's ego honestly" i mutter playfully rolling my eyes at Naomi.

Sensing Jaxs attention elsewhere I look up at him inquisitively, with a smile he looks down at me as he lowers his mouth to talk in my ear, "my family have arrived. Ready for introductions?" He murmurs huskily sending a shiver down my spine. Stepping back I straighten myself whilst sending him a small glare as he smirks knowing the effect he has on me.

"I'm ready" I say confidently as he holds his arm out for me to grasp. Walking towards the drinks table I see an older couple with the air of authority surrounding them as well as two men who look similar to Jax but are slightly smaller in their build next to a tall leggy blonde who is openly admiring the warriors bringing in the food for the BBQ.

"Hello Ma, Pa..everyone" Jax starts with a smile as we reach them, "I'd like you all to meet Nova, my mate."

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you all" I say graciously looking at them all clearly.

"You are stunning my dear" he mum says as she steps forwards clasping my hands in hers, "welcome to the family. I'm Amelia, Jaxs mother."

"Its lovely to meet you, I can see where Jax gets his warmth from" I note as she embraces me in a loving hug. Stepping back I see the smile stretching across her face at my words, "thank you Nova."

"Don't go telling everyone I can be like that Nova, I have my Alpha image to maintain" Jax laughs from beside me.

Looking up at him I cock an eyebrow before replying, "well maybe it will knock your alpha ego down a couple of notches, goddess knows it seems you men need it..do I need to get Naomi over to back me up?"

He breaks out in loud laughter as his eyes crinkle, "fair enough, you got me there."

"I know" I wink at him before turning back to his families amused faces.

"Hello Nova, I'm David his father" his father says stepping up and grasping my hand in his for a from handshake. As I look in his eyes I see a slight coldness emitting from them making me furrow my brows slightly before I smooth my expression out and maintain eye contact with him. "It's a pleasure Sir" i murmur quietly. He steps back for a moment looking at me with an unreadable expression.

Hearing a throat being cleared from my right I look away from David to see his sister practically bouncing on the spot, "hello you must be his sister" I giggle softly stepping towards her.

"Hello" she exclaims before drawing me in for a tight hug, "I'm Mila, I am so excited to meet you. It's about time one of these found their mates, honestly the amount of testosterone can be over bearing at times. I can't wait to spend time with you." She fires off excitedly making Jax step forward and grasp her arm gently. "Calm down Mila" he says gently.

"Don't be silly Jax, it's lovely to meet you Mila. I'm looking forwards to spending some time with you" I assure her graciously. Seeing the smug look she throws Jaxs way I chuckle before looking to his brothers.

"Hello Nova, we are Axel and Evan, his twin brothers" they announce simultaneously.

Chuckling I step forward and shake both their hands, "ah another set of twins who speak in tangent" I grin at Jax. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

"Strong shake" Axel comment's approvingly glancing down at where our hands met a moment ago.

I simply smile at the comment before stepping back into Jaxs side.

"So Nova, I hear you were mated previously?" David asks looking at me pointedly.

"Father.." Jax starts stepping forward before i clasp his arm shaking my head slightly indicating I can handle this.

"Yes Sir, I was mated with Alpha Axton of the White Mountain Pack. We entered a chosen mate relationship to help the pack, my brother is the Beta" I inform him not looking away from his gaze.

"You loved him?" He asks sharply.

I pause for a moment to look into his eyes, seeing the lack of trust in them I understand his Alpha Wolf I struggling to wrap his head around what has happened with the knowledge available whilst he's wanting to be supportive of his son.

"I did, admittedly it is nothing compared to how I now feel for you son. However for 3 years I was treated well, Axton and I worked hard to better the pack and we were successful in leading together. He found his true mate however and i in no way was going to stand between them. I will not deny at the beginning of the mateship it was for the pack but we did grow to love and respect one another. However, I can assure you that is no longer the case, I will always look back on my time there with happiness with when I left the exception. But I am now focused on my life here, with Jax" I assure him smiling up at Jax who is looking at me in pride.

"You met Jax previously though?" He probes looking at me with an unreadable expression.

"Father.." Jax warns again, I once again shake my head before meeting David's gaze.

With a slightly colder voice I speak clearly maintaining eye contact with David, "I did meet Jax previously a couple of times yes. I could not meet my mate until the age of 25, I'm sure in time you will come to understand why but for now I cannot tell you. I can sense the distrust in you and I want to assure you that I love your son. Waking up to him being my mate this morning was the best moment of my life, I've met my soul mate, my other half. I can also assure you I will take the role of Luna very seriously, I have the packs best interest in my heart and I am excited to work alongside Jax."

"And you can fight" he states not replying to my previously spoken words.

With that Jax and I exchange a knowing smirk, "yes I can. I trained with the elite warriors from the age of 15 at the academy when I resided in the Red Moon Pack. I ran the training program at the White Mountain Pack and I have been assisting Gamma Flo and Gamma Theo during my time here." Seeing approval in his eyes I smile internally.

"I heard you knocked Jax on his ass" Axel sniggered earning a glare from Jax.

"Yes..I did" I laugh lightly, "sorry babe" I add on to Jax.

With a loud sigh he looks away before turning to me with a playful look, "well someone had to. Embarrassing that it was my Luna who can do it but weirdly enough I replace it strangely attractive."

"Oh I know" I wink earning some more sniggers from his brothers before turning back to once again look at David.

"I know you have your worries and the lack of knowledge is concerning you, I understand that. But I am asking you to please take the time to see how much your son and this pack mean to me. They took me in when I felt broken, everybody has been welcoming and a pleasure to be around. I am looking forward to getting to know you all better" I assure him whilst showing him I will stand up for myself.

"I spoke to the council.." his father starts earning a growl from Jax.

"You did WHAT?" Jax exclaims.

"Shhh Jax, he's an Alpha of course he's tried to replace more information" I shrug unbothered by his father's announcement.

"They had very little to say but what they did was very promising" he continues.

I look at him waiting for him to speak once more.

With a sigh he looks away for a moment before he turns his attention back to us, "I'm sorry Nova. It's hard to stop being an Alpha at times, especially when it comes to family. After meeting you I can sense how genuine you are and I should have trusted Jax from the start, for that I apologise son" he says whilst looking between us. "I am looking forwards to us all spending time together and I have faith you two will be great leaders."

"Thank you Sir" I say graciously.

"David" he says simply to me before stepping forward and embracing me gently, "welcome to the family Nova."