Ethan's POV
My goodness! How can't I just get this woman out of my mind? Ever since my eyes fell on her,all my mind has done is think about her. The thing is why couldn't I just mate with someone from the pack or another ally pack. Why must it be a total stranger that I have had no clue of where she had existed before now?
"Accalia",a beautiful name like the bearer. It's an ancient name from the islands. It means beautiful. I love the way her eyes dazzle and bright up when we glance at each other. All through the meeting,I was lost, thinking about her.
Once during the meeting, Gabriel had to tap me out of my reverie. He thought I was tired due to the long meeting and errands I had been through. Unbeknownst to him, that I had found my mate. But why couldn't I just say it out loud?
All my life,work is all I've known. I've found peace in the training and night patrols I've had with Gabriel and the Alpha. My life was simple and althoughI had nothing against those in love,I just didn't think it'd happen to me.
After Accalia had arrived at the Alpha's chambers,part of me prayed that she should be accepted to the pack while the other part wished she would be out of my town. I remember the pang of jealousy I felt,when the Alpha said they had to examine her, to know if she was pregnant for another.
I don't know how all the senses in me somewhat turned to rage. I cooled off because I didn't want everyone else to be in the know of my feelings for Accalia Monae.
An hour later,after she had been accepted and the Alpha made his announcement,I heaved a sigh of relief. I walked towards where she stood with hope that I could feel her through my alerted senses but Helen's chatter and squeals blocked me out.
Accalia must have felt my presence behind her,cause she turned slowly to catch a glimpse of me. Trying to act all laissez-faire,I walked to Gabriel, to shake hands and congratulate him. Gabriel excused himself from me and went to welcome Accalia and when she smiled, the whole world seemed to have stopped for a minute and the walls kept spinning.
I thought I would have an alone time with Accalia but that became impossible because she was soon joined by Helen and Rachel. I was curious as I watched the trio laugh and giggle. Accalia said something to Helen and they all laughed Silently,I wondered what she must have said, to be so funny that Luna laughed so hard.
Disappointedly, Accalia walked out of the court with the others before I got a chance to say anything to her. Helen held her tight and Accalia turned,as if she was looking for someone only for her eyes to meet with mine and she smiled.
The women walked to the visitor's lounge excitedly. While Helen and Accalia sat on the kitchen chairs, Rachel rushed to take out the tubs of ice-cream. She set them on the table and they began to dig in on the melted coldness.
"So, Accalia,as your Luna,I wanted to officially welcome you", Rachel said stylishly while rising to remove the wine from the shack. She picked three glasses and placed them on the table while Helen drummed the table in cheers.
Accalia blushed at the ladies. "Thank you so much my Luna",she said.
"I was thinking before your welcome party,we should check for one of the free apartments in town for you,since this is a visitor's lounge",Helen suggested and they all agreed.
"Yes please,but I don't have enough money on me,though. Can installments be accepted?", Accalia asked.
"Of course! But I would lend you some money, until you've sorted yourself out", Rachel offered.
"Oh no please. You both have come through for me too much and I'm so indebted to both of you already. Please,I'll take it from here", Accalia said, holding both their hands lovingly.
"Okay okay. I understand. But whenever you need assistance, just let us know, okay?" Helen insisted.
"Yes ma'am. I will", Accalia said laughing.
"So tell us,how do you intend to raise money,since you just came into town?", Rachel asked.
Before Accalia could think of an answer, Rachel turned to Helen and asked,"Is there any vacancy in town?".
"Oh.. okay? The reason why I said I didn't have enough cash is because I've been meaning to start my own business", Accalia interrupted before Helen could answer.
"I would pay half the rent and use the remaining half to buy some spices, oils and fragrances for my business", Accalia explained
"Wait.. did you say fragrances?", Rachel shot back in surprise.
"Yes. I've never made it official but I know how to make the best perfumes, oils and fragrances", Accalia replied, spooning a thick spoonful of ice-cream into her mouth.
"How amazing! Not to worry my dear Accalia,I'll search for a little store for your business and be sure to know that I'll accompany you to the spice market,when you're ready", Helen cried.
"Not a problem, Helen. I'm sure we all have a beautiful friendship journey ahead of us. Thank you both so much for making me comfortable. I don't deserve you both", Accalia said tearfully.
The ladies hugged and dispersed as Rachel said she needed to go home to Gabriel. According to her,she hadn't seen her Alpha's face all day and she missed having wet kisses planted on her neck by Gabriel.
"But we saw him at the court, Rachel", Helen teased
"Yes, maybe. I mean to look at his handsome face and tickle his cheeks. And don't you dare lecture me,Helen. I want to have hickeys on me too", Rachel joked as they all laughed.
It took that statement to get Helen to shut up temporarily. She giggled and turned red with embarrassment.
"Can I know the gentleman in question?"Accalia said, nudging Helen playfully.
"Soon my darling. Soon. I'll have his mark of pleasure on me permanently and then the world would see how charming my prince is", Helen announced quietly.
Accalia said her byes to the ladies as they exited the door. Rachel said they would go apartment-searching the next morning. In all of her thoughts about escaping that hellhole,she had never believed that she would find some peace and even friends.
She was moved to tears when she remembered how for the first time she had been asked her name, without being called 'dmos' meaning master's object. She had been humiliated,abused,beaten and left to death on several occasions.
Thus,when she finally found an opportunity to escape she took it relentlessly. So when she was asked her name,it was an honor. Accalia smiled as she sat on the floor, holding our knees in a hug.
'Accalia' is a beautiful one. She smiled at the thought of how beautiful it sounded when she was called by her new-found friends and pack. This was her golden gift from the gods to start afresh and she would never ruin her chances here.
Her acceptance into the pack was an answered prayer. She even stood a chance of finding love. "But why didn't Ethan acknowledge her acceptance into the pack", Accalia thought. He basically avoided eye contacts with her all through the meeting. It was as if he didn't want her around him.
Accalia frowned to herself and shrugged,"She wanted to be given a chance to live again and she had gotten it. If her prospective mate didn't see the need to be associated with her, she'll let it slide. She had seen worse and although rejection from a mate had never happened to her,she was going to be strong regardless".
She stood up from the ground where she sat and walked to the kitchen to pour herself some wine. She gulped it at once and retreated to the bedroom to get some rest.
It was going to be her first night, sleeping without fear and free to do her will.