Farewell party

As the week passed, Lilliana began getting used to being in the pack. Things were fine for the most part. She had made friends with one of the warriors-in-training werewolf named Kara. Kara took her around, showed her the ropes and pretty much explained the hierarchy. Xander's younger brother, Stephen took as beta Lilliana's father had retired to join the council of elders.

Secretly, her father had confided to Lilliana that he was happy to finally get a break and now he would be able to spend quality time with her. Which he did. Her father would take her around the pack territory, explaining the significance of each part certain areas were more fertile than others and had potential for farming. There was a creek which was a prime habitat for unique aquatic life.

Lilliana knew her father was teaching her the lay of the land, still in hopes she would become the future Luna.

However, he didn't see what Lilliana saw. Xander was not interested in her. At least not in any romance sense. Now that she had been able to live with the pack and attend high school with the pack, the epic love story of Xander and Sandra was also revealed. Sandra was the daughter of the Alpha from a neighboring pack. They attended high school together and fell in love. High school sweethearts, Lilliana had thought to herself bitterly. It has been exactly what she had always wanted for herself. She was a hopeless romantic. Sometimes, during classes, she would think on the what ifs of it all. What if no one had tried to abduct her as a baby? Maybe Xander and her would have grown up together, falling in love organically because both already knew they were fated to be together.

However, that's not how things worked out. He loved someone else. And Sandra wasn't a bad person once you get to know her. It was actually kind of hard to hate her, Lilliana had to admit. Xander usually spent the night at her place or she stayed with him. They were almost inseparable. Whenever she came to stay with the pack, she brought goodies for the pups. She would even volunteer to help with the local town's orphanage. To add insult to injury, Sandra was also gorgeous too with curves in all the right places. Lilliana sometimes watched her come and go, the Alpha's hand possessively around her waist or even lingering in the back pocket of her jeans. The wistful thought of "what could have been" seemed to run through Lilliana's head endlessly. But she bore Sandra no I'll will. No one could control who they loved. Xander didn't love her. It was just the thought of the opportunity lost him that made her wistful.

* * *

Lilliana would be lying if she didn't admit that she was a little relieved that in a few more weeks, Xander was going away to complete his studies abroad sent by his university. Apparently, Sandra was going with him. He was enrolled full time for a bachelor's degree and part of the accelerated program was to spend a year in Britain. He was excited and Lilliana was relieved. Stephen and her father would be in charge during his absence.

It was on the eve of his departure, when the whole pack was throwing him a farewell party that Xander took Lilliana aside, onto the back lawn of the Alpha's residence.

"How are you Lilliana? Do you like it here?" He inquired, meeting her eyes. He had been covertly keeping an eye on her. Like it or not, his mother was right. She was a lovely lady. Never mind the fact that when he would sneak glances at her, he couldn't help but think how cute her smile was or that the colour of her dark blue eyes was unique.

Shrugging Lilliana, walking over to the swing that Xander's father had probably set up in the backyard for his pups to play on.

There was also a metal slide attached to the swing set that Lilliana pretended to be interested in looking at. She could think better when she didn't have to stare into those mesmerising eyes which looked like ocean blue with a touch of gray.

"My classes are going all right. I was in the advanced program at my previous high school. They have something similar to that here. I'll get college credit for the class I complete during my senior years which will be starting soon. Everyone in the pack is pretty nice" Lilliana spoke carefully, keeping her eyes adverted wondering what Xander wanted. He had spent a better part of these past months completely ignoring her. Why was he suddenly so interested in speaking to her tonight? Fear gripped her heart at a startling prospect and she suddenly looked up at him sharply. "Do you want me to leave?" She asked warily.

"No Lilliana, I don't want you to leave," Xander assured softly. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay. Listen Lilliana..I still don't know whoever it is that's been planning to harm you ever since you were a pup...a baby... whatever it is they call werewolf infants" he ended lamely.

Lilliana continued to look up at him as he came to stand in front of her. Her baby blue eyes seemed to be pulling him closer. Out of some possessive instincts Xander couldn't control, he bent down, clasping her hands in his but quickly let go as if her hand burned him. He had felt a searing jolt rock his whole being at the merest touch. Lilliana also had felt it too and she wasn't about to gloss it over.

"What is that?" She squeaked out confusedly.

"No.. it's nothing. Lilliana, it was nothing" Xander stated more to himself.

"No, I know you felt it too, Xander." Lilliana stood up suddenly, stubborn refusing to ignore the electric spark that had erupted.

"That's Alpha to you!" He growled menacingly. For some reason, his name on her tongue seemed to send a thrill down his spine and warm feeling erupted in the pit of his stomach. This was not good. Her proximity was making it stronger. He couldn't leave this place fast enough. Hopefully, by the time he came back and was ready to name his Luna, the bond would have weaken enough.

Lilliana didn't cower back at Xander's inhumane growl. Instead, she stood her ground but meekly nodded who was she to call him by his first name anyway? It's not like they were friends. But he didn't have to be so mean.

"Alpha Xander" Lilliana dipped out " I'm sorry to have disturb you and brought you out here only to end yelling at you." She inwardly rolled her eyes, bringing home the point that it was he who had pulled her into the lawn to talk.

If Xander wasn't agitated by their touch, he would have laughed at how efficiently she brought her point home. However, the way she was standing there, so close to him, was making the pull of mate bond stronger and putting him in a sour mood.

"Look." He said running a hand through his silk blonde hair. "I just want you to be careful while I'm not here. Your father has been given an been given an additional charge of Alpha regent while am away. My brother will also make sure no one tries to target you. You're in good hands but keep your guard up."

Lilliana nodded swallowing the lump in her throat. "Thank you Alpha" she spoke, not meeting his eyes.

"You're part of my pack, I have a responsibility to make sure you stay safe. Just keep your head down and keep that..." He pointed at the mark on her upper arm. It was blantantly visible because she was wearing an off shoulder dress. "Cover up. Especially when you aren't on pack territory" he ended.

Lilliana nodded again, not wanting to reply, she didn't want to speak to him anymore. There was a dull ache in her chest at the finality of his words. He was leaving tomorrow. Why was it affecting her in such ways?

For his part, Xander suddenly felt bad about lashing out at her. He hadn't come out here only to upset her. He had come out to speak with her and hopefully make sure she kept herself sage. Now that he was leaving, he found himself realising he would miss her proximity. They couldn't be mate but maybe they could be friends eventually.

"I'll see you around." Xander finally said with a small grin. "Come on princess, the least you could do is give me one of your beautiful smiles before I leave for an entire year."

Lilliana looked up stunned. He thought her smile was beautiful? Unbidden, a small smile graced her lips as per his request. "More like it" he grinned. Staring to walk back, he gave a a mock salute before finally turning to walk back to the party. Lilliana watched him leave before looking up at the full moon. They said mates were a gift from the moon goddess. What had she done wrong for everything to mess up so royally for her when it comes to her own mate.