Why My Mate Cries
Chapter 15

ALIYAH’S POV

When Reid mentioned meeting his pack, I didn’t expect it to happen the same day around afternoon.

My palms were both sweating in front of all the members of the Jewel Pack as I formally met them. I could feel the loud thud of my heart against my chest and my knees were feeling jelly. I’d fall to the ground at any moment because of my anxiety.

I was wearing the white long sleeve dress that was brought by Klaus’s mate. I stood up beside Reid in the center part of the main chamber, swallowing hard and trying to compose myself.

“I’m glad that this day has finally come. Like I had announced prior, I had found my mate and she’d be leading the pack in the same way as I do. Together, we will work to ensure the betterment of the pack, and I look forward to doing my responsibility with my mate on my side,” Reid intoned in his deep and authoritative voice.

He spoke like a true and admirable leader. Despite the nervousness inside my chest, I felt proud of how he dealt with his pack. I wished I could portray the same behavior as I didn’t want to fail him.

“Everyone,” he continued. He then held my hand and raised it in front of his people. “I am pleased to formally introduce the woman that the moon gifted me, Aliyah… my Luna.”

Reid then glanced at me, and nodded his head, as if he was giving me the spotlight and I had to speak. I then looked at the crowd. My nervousness just doubled. I had to swallow so hard.

“My name is A–Aliyah and it’s nice to meet all of you,” I stuttered out of fear. “I–I’m looking forward to getting along with all of you…”

Half of the members made a round of applause, giving me a warm welcome. However, some didn’t do anything and simply looked at me with their blank expressions. My self-esteem wasn’t getting any higher. I felt that it was because of my physical appearance that some of the members of the pack seemed to not like me.

I felt waves of pain at the thought. With me being so skinny and not appealing, I doubt that everyone would like me and I understood if some of them detest acknowledging me. I gasped for thin air and was on the verge of tearing up, so I lowered my head and blinked my tears away.

It was so awkward that I had no strength to look them in the eyes. Reid squeezed my hand before he spoke.

“I hope everyone of you will acknowledge Aliyah’s role in the pack, and treat her naturally the same way you all have treated me,” he added.

“We welcome you to the pack, Aliyah,” said the familiar voice of a man.

My eyes found Klaus raising his thumb in the air like he was approving my role in the pack.

“Everyone should know that Aliyah is a great baker! I’ve tasted a slice of her chocolate cake and it’s delicious!” The girl with blonde curly hair exclaimed, which happened to be Liana, Klaus’s mate. “Reid told me Aliyah could bake some for the whole pack!”

I glanced at Reid, totally in awe. He winked at me and gave me a warm smile.

The crowd suddenly became so happy now that Klaus and Liana highlighted my cooking skills. The members were nodding their heads and were praising me for my expertise.

“Welcome to the pack, Aliyah! We hope to taste some of the food you make soon!” Sage applauded.

All of the members cheered for me. I drew in a breath and couldn’t believe how quickly the atmosphere shifted. Reid wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

“Breathe,” he whispered to my ear. “I can’t believe I have you as my Luna.”

The waves of emotion mixed up inside of my chest. I gazed up at Reid, tiptoeing to give him one k**s on his cheek.

We got home after the meeting. Feeling exhausted and drowsy right after facing the members of the pack, I immediately went to the bedroom and threw my body on the bed.

“Tired?” Reid sat on the bed as he stared down at me.

I nodded. “Very much so, but I’m happy that the pack meeting ended well.”

“I am too. Now take a rest.” Reid leaned down and kissed my forehead.

It didn’t take that long before my eyes closed because of tiredness, and I fell into a deep sleep.

***

REID’S POV

I woke up feeling Aliyah’s gentle touches on me. I hadn’t opened my eyes, thinking that it would embarrass her if I did and just let her fingertips trace every feature of my face. She was so innocent and sweet that I’d always fight the urge to crave her.

Her simple touches made me feel accepted and, at the same time, satisfied. With every little thing she does, it always brings a great feeling to me and to my wolf.

“Mine…” she whispered under her breath, seemingly trying to be as silent as she could so she wouldn’t wake me up.

My stomach twisted, making me feel giddy. I wondered if this was really just about the mate bond or if there was something else that was making me go crazy about her. I fought the urge to suppress my smile but was unable to do so.

“Yours…” I replied huskily and opened my eyes to meet her gaze.

Her mouth dropped open and her eyes slightly widened when she realized that I was awake while looking back at me.

“How long have you been awake?” she asked innocently.

“Enough for me to feel that you’re desiring me so much.”

“It’s the mating pull…” she defended herself in such a cute way. “You see, I’ve been trying to control it and touching you is the least thing I can do in order for me to be sated. I—I hope you don’t mind since we’re mates…”

“I don’t mind. In fact, I love it.”

“You do?” Her face looked confused.

I nodded. “Your touch is the only thing that keeps me sane too.”

“I didn’t expect that.”

My eyes narrowed as I stared at her. “Why? Do you think I don’t feel the mating pull? I know how frustrating it is, Aliyah.”

“So… you want to touch me too?” she asked curiously.

I chuckled. “Of course, I crave you.”

Her face heated in shame even more. She looked like she was thinking about something, and then after that she spoke.

“A—Alright, you can touch me too,” she declared bravely, and it shocked me.

“When I said I crave you, I meant it this way.”

My hand traveled to her silky legs and squeezed them, which made my jaw clench. Aliyah gasped—or should I say m****d—when I did that, and God forbid, it made me turn on even more.

“O—OK, you can do that,” she said huskily.

“And I want this…”

She shrieked when, in one swift move, I positioned myself on top of her. She laughed so hard when I snuggled her neck, and it looked like it was the ticklish part of her body. She was trying to stop me tickling her, and we went on with a pillow fight. Laughter filled the room.

“Stop it, Reid!” She giggled when I got the chance to pull her closer and tickle her h**s.

We were in the moment as if we were kids. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a pillow fight. We only stopped when one wrong move made Aliyah’s shoulder make a loud crack.

“Ouch!” she whimpered in pain as she sat up.

I got so worried that I scooped her up and brought her to our living room.

“How do you feel now?” I said as I gently massaged her right shoulder.

Her eyes were teary, and it was an indication that she was truly in pain.

“I’m OK. The pain is slowly fading away. Sorry about that.” She let out a sigh.

“I should be the one apologizing. I promise I won’t tease you again.”

“You’re fine, Reid,” she said, poking me in the chest and giving me an assuring smile.

We went out of my room to have our breakfast afterwards. I made special sandwiches for the two of us and made smoothies out of fresh fruit so her body would have nutrients.

My phone chimed as we ate, and when I checked it, I saw Klaus’s text message.

“The flower decorations I ordered will be delivered today, according to Klaus. I’ll just have them displayed in my room, instead of the guest room.”

Aliyah didn’t seem to hear what I said as her eyes were focused on my phone. Her forehead creased, seemingly confused and curious about it like she had never seen one before.