Rachel's POV
Gabriel's Dad works quickly when it comes to parties and this man enjoy throwing parties, he only gave the pack few days to prepare for the party, I tried to act as if the party has nothing to with me, but when I saw Gabriel put on a dress pants and I button down shirt all of a sudden my anger was eased.
" You look beautiful sweetheart". He whispers into my ears, his eyes are bright with excitement as he helps me out on a necklace around my neck. I smiled at him shyly and looked down at my pale blue dress a little hesitantly.
" You don't think about it too much?" I ask because of the sparky dress Helen chose for me. He shakes his head as his eyes trail down my body to my exposed legs and black heels.
" No, you look so beautiful. Although it will look great on the floor later". He says before laughing at his own joke. I rolled my eyes as I felt his grip on my hand, pulling me towards the pack house.
I was able to talk to the Alpha to reduce the foolishness of the party Into the barbecue style party. So the party ends up being held outside with food being cooked on the grill, a lot of lemonade and tea and pies. It was a simple type of part. It was easy to communicate with one another which made the pack members more relaxed. More like a family.
I smiled at the sight of some of the children trying to fly a kite. There was a makeshift football game going on with some of the high schoolers and Gabriel grins.
" I'm going to kick their ass later". He says smugly, making me chuckle.
" You are twice the size of those kids" I said to him and he shrugged.
" Good, they can get to see how strong their future alpha is". He says brightly and I shake my head at him before pulling him towards the largest group of people, I found Helen among them and she pulled me along with her immediately she spotted me.
" I told you that this dress would look gorgeous on you'. She says slyly, taking a sip of her drink, I steal it from her before gulping it down, making her huff in annoyance.
" Yeah, Gabriel is a fan". I say with a smirk making her laugh .
." Rachel, Rachel". I heard someone calling my name from behind. I turned to see little Adam running towards me happily.
I lean down to hold out my arms for him and he launches himself at me, almost knocking me out. I pulled him closer and he tucks his little face into my neck. I feel him relax into my firm grip and smile as I kiss his forehead, breathing in the smell of his shampoo. He pulled away gently as he raised his head to look at my face.
" I have missed you". He said in his high child voice ringing out loud, I smiled and smack his nose playfully making him grin happily.
" I've missed you too buddy". I said to him fondly before his eyes drifted to Helen.
" Who's that? She's pretty ". He said quietly and I smiled at him.
" This is my friend Helen. Helen, this is Adam. The first pack I visited was Alpha's son". I explained and she nodded in understanding , Adam leaves my hold and runs to Helen wrapping his arms around her waist. She looked at me surprised and I just shrugged at her, not sure why he's taken to her quickly . She leans down to pick him up, resting him on her hip as he encircles his little arms around her neck and rests his head on her shoulder.
" Are you okay Adam?" I ask him to push his hair back out of his eyes. He nods and looks at me with his deep brown eyes.
" Yes, she just seems nice and I want to stay with her". He says and my heart melts at him so those Helen's.
" Awn you are the sweetest boy I've ever met in my life". She says to him, placing a kiss on his forehead he smiled sheepishly before digging his face back into her neck.
"Adam, Adam? Where are you? ". I hear his father call from across the yard. I wave to him,and he walk closer to where we stood when he sees me
" He's right here, alpha ". I said to him and his face relaxed back until he got a few feet closer to us.
" He stops in his tracks and looks at Helen holding his son, his eyes going wide,his body rigid as his breathing speeds up. I looked at him confused and looked back at Helen. She was staring at him the same way,eyes wide,body rigid as her grip on Adam tightens.
" Is something wrong alpha?" I ask cautiously, Gabriel must have sensed my uneasiness as he walks quickly over to my side, wrapping his arm around my waist and standing between the Alpha and Helen.
Alpha max growls at him and Gabriel pushes me behind him.
" What's going on?" He asked Alpha Max. He seems to come out of his stupor, shaking his head and eyeing Helen again.
" Do you feel it?" He asked her and I looked at her and she nodded her head slowly.
" Feel what ?" I ask, starting to get anxious.
" Mate". she murmurs and a breathtaking smile appears on Alpha Max's face.
" Mate". He confirms and I gasp in surprise.
" Alpha Max walked up to the two and wrapped them in a firm hug. Adam chuckles at his dad as Helen stands still, not sure of what to do at the moment. She looked at me terrified and I nod gently at her, understanding her silent plea.
" Alpha Max, Helen and I were just about to grab something from the pack house. Do you mind if I borrow her for a moment? We will be right back". I say tugging gently on Helen's arm.
Max seemed unable to take his eyes off his new mate, but had to nod in agreement as Helen followed me.
I pulled her into the pack house kitchen and gave her a glass of water before starting my interrogation on her.
" What the hell,you are a second chance mate?" I ask and she nods,still looking a little shell shocked.
" Your first mate must have been killed or something ". I said but Helen shakes her head , making me look at her curiously.
" What do you mean Helen?" I asked her and she took a deep breath before sighing.
" I found my mate, when I left the pack right after I turned eighteen. I found him in another pack". She says and I wait for her to go on, when she don't, I kept asking her
" Well, what happened ? You are killing me with suspense here!" I exclaim and she gives me a sad smile.
" When I met him he had already been in a relationship for a long time. The woman had rejected her mate for him,so he did the same to me". She says quietly and I gasp before reaching out to hold her hand.
" I'm sorry ". I murmured to her,but she just shook her head.
" He was very sorry,he told me he wanted me. That he wished they had made a different choice ,I didn't hold it against him. He had been with the other woman for years,he was a stranger to me,it hurt obviously but I had to get over it ,I moved on while learning to accept it". She says looking out of the window.
" Why did you never tell me, Helen?. I thought we were friends ". I asked quietly and her eyes shot at him.
" Rachel you are the best friend I ever had,I just.... I didn't tell anyone because I don't want to talk about it or have people pity me, I would rather let them think that I didn't find him". She says with a shrug.
" Well, now you have a second chance mate. An alpha no less". I say waggling my eyebrows at her, making her chuckle.
" My original mate was a future alpha. I was kind of grateful not having to worry about being a Luna when you were born to be one". She says and I nod in agreement.
"Alpha Max told me that it would happen to me,if I decide not to accept Gabriel . No wonder Adam took to you so quickly. You got those Luna vibes ". I say with a smile making her giggle. She nods and pushes away from the counter, coming to wrap me in a firm hug.
" Thank you for getting me out of there for a second, I just needed a moment to process things. Not only do I have a second chance mate, he's also from another pack, he's an alpha and also has a son". She says and I nod in understanding.
" Yes, but that kid is so cute ". I said, making her chuckle again as she nodded in agreement.
" Yeah,he is and his dad is a fine specimen too". She says slyly, making me giggle.
" Well I'm glad you think so". A deep voice calls out from behind us making us spin in surprise. Alpha Max was standing there, watching Helen like a prey ready to be eaten. She gulps audibly and he chuckles in a low deep sound and I felt my friend shudder next to me.
" I will give you two some privacy ". I say slipping away from the room.
I walked out to the party to see Adam riding on Gabriel's shoulder as they ran down the makeshift football field, Adam clutching the ball for his dear life as the teenagers pretended to chase them down. I smiled at the sight and soon felt a presence next to me. I looked up to see Alpha, following my gaze to his son.
" You have done good with him, Rachel". He says proudly and I shake my head.
" He's good,he just needed reminding".