Welcome Home Mate
Chapter 42

LEX

I couldn't help but stare at the restroom door as I sat opposite on the nearby bench.

"We should go in there," purred Blaze.

I would, but I know it wouldn't end well if I did. It would cause problems for us. Roxie wanted to go slow, and I accepted her decision, even if it would be hard for me.

I could feel Blaze groan and huff out. He wanted Roxie to be in our arms. I knew he wasn't happy with us taking it slow with her, even though he was the one who told her we would.

I could hear the water running as she switched it on.

I let out a sigh and gazed at the floor.

My head was going into a tailspin. I couldn't believe Roxie was giving us a chance. I felt happy and couldn't wait for new beginnings. I knew we had to take it slow with her, and I didn't want to ruin something which was about to start.

I closed my eyes and looked back at Blaze, sitting on his hind legs staring back at me. "You okay?" I asked.

Blaze stared at me for a moment and nodded. "I am," he said and went to lay back down. "I want mate to be with us, but it feels like she's going to be sent away from us again."

I could feel the anxiety running through him.

I didn't say anything. I knew that was my fault as I sent her away the first time. I won't be doing that this time; he knew that. But it wouldn't stop her from leaving though. "I'm sorry, Blaze," I whispered.

Blaze looked at me and c****d his head to the side. "I know human," he said. "I know we won't let her go this time, but we must make sure she realizes that we are true to her; no one else matters."

I nodded.

I could hear the water turning off and I went back to the front. I turned my head to the side and stared at the restroom door.

I knew she would be out soon, and my heart started to beat faster.

After ages, the door handle moved, and Roxie pulled it open.

I couldn't help but stare at her. She was wearing a baggy top and sweatpants with flip-flops on her feet. Her hair was damp, and her bag was on her shoulder as she stepped out. She wasn't like the usual she-wolves, which I was more attracted to; she was everything I wanted and so much more.

I got up slowly from the bench as she looked at me.

She smiled. "I'm ready," she said.

I nodded with a small smile.

I walked over to her as she stepped in front of me. She opened the door and walked through; I followed after her.

Roxie guided us through the corridor and back through the curtain which led to the hall.

Once we stepped through, there was no one in sight.

Roxie kept walking along, and I followed till we got to the door. I pulled open the door and let Roxie go first.

Once outside, the sun was setting, and Roxie used her arm to shield her eyes from the sun. "It's so nice this time of the evening," she said without looking at me.

I was about to say something when I sensed someone watching us. I glanced around, and my eyes landed on an angry Alpha Trevor.

His gaze lingered on Roxie, but as soon as he realized I was there, his eyes changed to his wolf's.

I couldn't help but place my arm around Roxie's wa!st and draw her nearer to me.

"What are..." she starts to say but stops. I knew she could see who I was looking at. "Lex," she whispered as I could feel her hand on mine. "Let's go."

I didn't say anything, but we walked together with my arm firmly around her wa!st.

I could hear a growl as we walked past, fighting everything within me to keep control. Blaze was up and growling; he wanted to kill him.

Neither of us said anything to us; Roxie's hand squeezed mine slightly as we got to the clearing.

I looked at her, only to notice that she glanced over her shoulder. "He's gone," she said as she looked back at me.

Roxie went to move, but I stopped and drew her closer to me. I turned her around to face me as she hit my c..hest hard. She looked up and frowned. "Lex," she warned.

"I don't like it when he looks at you like that," I said. "Blaze wants to kill him for touching you and..." Roxie placed her finger to my lips which sent a tingling s..ensation to ripple through me. Her touch made me calm down instantly, but also Blaze, who was purring in my head. I have to admit; she was even affecting my c**k too.

Roxie searched my eyes. "I know," she said. "I could feel Blaze getting restless, and Bex thought touching you would help."

I stared at her. She removed her finger from my mouth, but I was quick and grabbed it. I held her hand in mine. "I know we said slow, but could you hold my hand," I said.

Roxie looked at me, and a slow smile grew. "I would like that," she said as she moved to my side with her hand in mine. "Come on," she said as she looked ahead. "We only got a five-minute walk, and I bet everyone is probably wondering whether I hurt you or not." I couldn't help but smirk.

"I have a funny feeling they might be thinking that too," I said.

We walked and headed toward Keith's house.

After a short walk in silence, even though Roxie was holding my hand, it felt like she wasn't there with me.

"She's talking to Bex," whispered Blaze.

I was about to say something, but we came into sight of Keith's house. And low and behold, everyone was waiting outside for us.

Keith was the first one to see us and stood up with a smile on his face. Roxie removed her hand from mine as we got closer.

I smiled as we got closer.

Alpha Dean was walking toward us. "You okay?" he asked me, then glanced at Roxie. "So, you are his mate?"

Roxie stared at him and nodded but didn't say anything.

I looked at her with a smile. "This is Alpha Dean," I said. "He is one of my best friends growing up, besides your brother."

Alpha Dean held his hand out for Roxie to take. She placed hers in his and shook. "It's nice to meet you," she said. I stared at her as her eyes went to the people behind her.

She walked around us and went to hug her family.

I could feel Alpha Dean move to the side and stand beside me. "So, you convinced her to give you a chance," he asked. I knew he was looking at me, but my eyes were on Roxie, who was hugging her Dad. "Sort of," I said. "We are going to take it slow. I need to gain her trust."

"That's fair enough," he said. "She was sent away by the one person who's her mate, but everything she has been through has made her the great Luna she is today. I wouldn't like to get on her bad side."

I looked over at him. "Alpha Trevor's face was a picture when her wolf came up front with her, to make them as one. I don't think he thought she would accept you," he said. "Something was off about him. I watched him during the fight. He never took his eyes off her and was always on his phone."

That was odd.

"I wonder what kind of game he is playing," he said.

I was about to say something, but Keith called out. "I've ordered Pizza, and they will be here soon," he said.

Alpha Dean and I nodded. I followed everyone inside the house, leaving the Alpha Trevor conversation for another time.

Once inside, I couldn't help but look around the house. It was warm, and some photos were displayed on the walls of Roxie, Jason, and other family members.

I couldn't help but look at the photographs and scan over them till my eyes landed on one in particular. I smiled.

The photo was of Jason, Roxie, Tim, and their mum. I knew I had seen this photo before, as Tim had it hanging in his house too.

I could feel someone standing next to me, and I knew who it was straight away as her scent hit me hard. I looked at her, but her eyes were elsewhere. Tingles erupted as a slight touch of her arm brushed against mine as she looked at the photo.

"I miss her so much," she whispered as her eyes landed on the photo of her family.

I could feel my heart break for her. I lost my mum when I was young, but it was never due to violence like Roxie and Jason did. My mum passed away from an illness that caused her, cancer. We werewolves can heal and transform, but my mother was human. She was only mated and marked, but she never changed into a werewolf like us.

I cleared my throat as I looked back at the photograph. "She would be so proud of you," I said. "Especially being an ultimate fighter."

Roxie turned to look at me as a smile spread across her face. "I think she would like to know that I was kicking some a.ss now and then," she said. Her eyes stayed on me.

I was about to say something, but Jason walked in. "Food's ready," he said, but stopped in his tracks. He looks between us as Roxie steps away from me. I could feel the loss of her as she walked away. I wanted to reach out and grab her, but I kept my cool.

"Come on," said Roxie as she walked away. I followed her but got stopped by Jason, who smirked. "Are things okay with you both?" he asked as he looked to see Alpha Dean pull out the chair for Roxie for her to sit. "I mean, I honestly thought she kicked your a.ss or something, but you both seem to be okay?"

I frowned but kept my gaze on Roxie, who looked up at me. "We're okay," I said and walked off.

I sat next to Tim and was seated opposite Roxie.

We all dug into the food, and quiet conversation flowed between us, but I kept quiet for a while. I kept my eyes trained on Roxie, her eyes would meet mine occasionally, but she would flush when she spotted me staring.

The food was stunning; I love pizza and dessert, and even though it was cookies, I enjoyed them. The conversations flowed, and even the mention of Roxie's mum was mentioned, which surprised me as no one in the family ever brought her up.

This evening was exceptional in all ways, and I even mentioned a few times that their mum was good to me. She was one of those women that would take you in, even if you didn't want to. When my mum passed, she became my second mum in a sense. When she was killed, it was hard on all of us, especially Roxie, as she was with her at the time.

"Alpha Lex, I think you should move into the house with us," said Tim, which pulled me from my thoughts. The conversation was still around the table, but the eyes opposite me had me frozen slightly. I looked over to Roxie, who had a blank expression. "Mate wondering what you are going to say," blurted Blaze out of nowhere. Blaze had been quiet the whole time, but I could tell he was watching Roxie through my eyes.

I cleared my throat. "If it's okay with everyone else," I said, my eyes going to Roxie.

Roxie stared for a moment but nodded.

I smiled.

"Jason and I will go to collect all of the stuff," said Alpha Dean. "I guess Alpha Trevor has left."

A low growl escaped my lips. "Don't mention him," I murmured. I knew it would only bring Blaze to the surface.

Alpha Dean nodded but looked at me. "When are we going back?" he asked. "I'm only asking as I have been away from my mate for too long now, and I want to see her."

Roxie's eyes burned into me as I looked at her. Her face was holding too much emotion to know what she was thinking. The look of dread and worry came, but confusion was set now. She had a rough time in the pack, but once we announce she is my mate, everything will be different, I'm sure of it.

I wonder what she was thinking.

"We should stay with our mate for a little while," said Blaze.

That sounded like a plan, and I knew what I would do.

"I think Alpha Dean and Jason could go back tomorrow morning as they are missing their mates," I said. "I will contact my father to notify him that I will be staying here for a little while until Roxie decides to come back with me."

Everyone nodded in agreement, but Roxie stood up and stared at me. "I will see you all tomorrow," she said. "I need to sleep; the fight has worn me out."

With that, she scrapes the chair back and walks around us. I watched her leave and head up the stairs. Once she was out of sight, someone cleared their throat, which made me look at Keith. "Give her some time," he said with a smile. "She needs to wrap her head around it all, and you staying here with her might be a good thing, just the two of you."

Everyone else nodded their heads.

We all talked, but it turned to sports more than anything.

I couldn't hear anything from upstairs.

Jason left fifteen minutes later, with Alpha Dean following him. I think it might be best that we stay here tonight; after what happened with Alpha Trevor, something didn't sit right with me about the altercation with Roxie. He looked like he wanted her, not just as a toy but to torment. I have seen too many of those faces in alpha meetings or war talk over the years to know his facial features.

I needed to keep a level head and make sure war never came.

I know our pack will defeat whoever comes, but I would never wish any war to come, especially for my pack members.

Tim cleared his throat, "Let me show you where you can stay," he said.

Tim and I moved while Keith was sorting out everything after the meal. He was staking pizza boxes up into a pile.

I followed Tim to the stairs and headed up.

We walked past Roxie's room, and I couldn't help but stare. There was no movement; she must be asleep.

I looked over to Tim, who stood in front of me. Tim looked over his shoulder as he stood in front of the room and smiled. "This one is yours," he said.

I nodded.

The room was opposite Roxie's.

Oh boy, I thought.

We were so close but couldn't touch.

"I'm happy to see you both together," Tim said, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked at him with a small smile. Tim placed his hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed. "Everything will work out in time, Lex," he said. "I can feel it."

Tim said goodnight and walked toward another room, and stepped inside.

I looked over to Roxie's room and let a sigh escape.

I knew this would be hard, but I needed to focus.

I opened the door and headed inside.