The Unwanted Luna
Their Mate, My Saviors Chapter 7

-POV Ayame-

I opened my mouth, then closed it again as I let Conri's words sink in. I looked around the room I was in that would be compared to a large living room with a cabin-like feel. There was a large flat screen to the left of me, the room was sophistically decorated with paintings and fancy knick-knacks along with a large rug covering the rich hardwood floors. I glanced out the window, seeing kids playing in the snow with nothing but t-shirts and jeans on, and I slowly started to register. It was like my surroundings would confirm their response to my question. "Yes, my mom used to tell me stories about this place with magical creatures. Wolves, Lycans, and..." I giggled lightly. "Sorry, and werebears are some of the creatures she talked about. I always used to think werebears were cute, but I...ummm don't think that's the case, seeing how big you actually are." I confessed, looking at Edon's huge frame while his brothers did their best not to laugh.

"Oh...I'm hurt. You don't think I'm cute?" Edon said, holding his hand over his heart.

I gasped. "No...no that's not it. I think I was just thinking they would be smaller, but now that I look at you, I'm assuming you will change into something like a polar bear or a black bear or something, but I am still convinced that you are still really cuddly?" I was digging into the science classes I took along with my marketing program at this point. I know Lycans are large half-man, half-wolves and werewolves are massive...well...wolves, but werebears.... My mom didn't go into too much detail about them, and she thought it was adorable that I thought they were the cutest things growing up. With the look on Edon's face and his brothers doing their best to keep their cool, I have a feeling she didn't tell me something.

The real question is, how did she know about all this stuff in the first place? "Kodiak Bear." Edon confirmed and I was snapped out of my own thoughts. "Oh, I'm sorry. I got a little sidetracked. What did you say?" I confessed.

He shook his head and Vilkas and Conri finally stopped snickering under their breath.

Edon stretched his neck before sighing heavily. Was he nervous? "I am a Kodiak Bear." He repeated. I nodded slowly and their bodies turned rigid while my face paled.

"R...right." I concluded. The largest brown bear in the world...got it. Definitely not cute. Terrifying would be more accurate. But....

I looked up at the three of them and I could tell they were waiting for me to panic, but I didn't. I was completely calm, like I knew they wouldn't harm me. "What are you thinking, Ayame?" Edon asked softly.

"They exist?" I said again and they smirked at my response.

"Yes, and the answer won't change." Edon added playfully.

I giggled as my body relaxed into the comfy upholstery. "Is it weird that I don't want it to change?" I asked with a blush on my cheeks. I was telling the truth. I wish I could go back in time and thank my mother for preparing me, even though I'm sure she was human and she never gave me any inclination that she was a mythical being herself, but I don't know what I would have done if she didn't tell me all these things. Whether she believed them or not. If I'd come into this ignorant, I probably would have run away...screaming.

They didn't seem dangerous to me, and I should keep an open mind. They saved me from freezing to death and I cannot recall not one story of my mother's, or my books, where they hurt anyone they protected. Fierce and strong creatures, but the one thing that trumps everything else is their loyalty to their mate. I've seen enough monsters in my life and they were human.

They all sighed in relief. "For a human, yes." Vilkas said, rolling his eyes.

"Yes, but we are happy to hear it. I hope it will make this transition easier." Conri added. "Transition to what?"

"Living here with us and being our mate." Conri continued, as if this was common knowledge, but it felt like Conri was holding something back from me. Either way, I had a feeling that in this situation, ignorance is bliss.

I smiled and looked between the three of them. Now, all the stories I have read and heard about fantasy worlds and far-off places with handsome men do not compare to actually living it. A part of me is terrified, but the other part of me is all for it. I want to live here. This was the conclusion I was hoping they'd draw. It's not like I have anywhere else to go anyway. Maybe I could make this place my nirvana. "I know I'm taking this well and all, but give me some time to be comfortable with it...okay?" I compromised.

All three nodded, then Edon picked me up again. I giggled involuntarily and Edon laughed with me. Yep, really terrifying, but he is definitely cuddly. "Edon will take you to his room to get a bath and get cleaned up. We will call for a doctor in the meantime. Just in case you need any medication. You were out there for over twenty-four hours. I'm still surprised you are alive." Conri said.

"Twenty-four hours?!" I said in shock. I don't remember being out there that long. Maybe it was the adrenaline, but my stomach was already aware of the time lapse. As if on queue, it growled, and I tucked my head into Edon's neck.

"We will get you something to eat as well." Conri added.

I nodded and started playing with Edon's button again. "Okay...thank you." I whispered.

Edon's grip tightened. "You don't have to thank us sweetheart. We will do anything for you. Always remember that." He said with such conviction that I didn't even think about second guessing him for now.

At that, Vilkas and Conri went one way and Edon walked past the living room to the other side of the floor. The hallways were draped with recessed lighting and some photos of smaller versions of my so-called mates. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm taking this so well. I'm sure the things Conri left out included more information about this whole mate thing, but I was enjoying the bliss more than I thought and I didn't want to ruin it for now.

Edon pushed open a door and it immediately smelled like him. I was in his room. I started to fidget in his grasp. "Wait...I said I'm going to need a minute to get used to all of this." Was he trying to 'mate' with me already? I may not know a lot about mates, but I'm sure it has something to do with sex. I'm not ready for that!

He looked at me curiously and went into the bathroom. Oh right. The bath they drew for me. Ugh...I shouldn't let my mind go to such dark places all the time. Nothing too over the top, but you could tell they had money. There was a half glass, half shiny designed cement shower next to a large recessed marble tub and everything had silver hardware.

The counter was flush to the floor and the sleek gray and white marble ran from the sink all the way down and over the floor. "The bath is ready, Alpha." The woman, Elizabeth said, before bowing and running out of the room.

"She's the maid. The only maid that is allowed up here. And now, the only other woman allowed up here other than you." Edon said.

I winced a bit, realizing that they most definitely had other women up here. I'm not that oblivious. I mean, look at them. Why did that bother me more than the fact that they turn into freakin' wolves, Lycans, and bears?! I was definitely pouting now. He placed me on the counter, and I felt like I was much higher off the ground. I looked over at him and I noticed that the counter was for his height. They were custom made. He stood in front of me, and I looked away.

"Jealous?" He hummed with a smirk.

I patted his chest and shook my head. "Nope."

"Then why the sad face?" He asked, moving closer to me. I pushed him a bit and he froze before pulling away. He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his head. "Go and take a bath. There are some soaps next to it that you can use." He added before walking out of the bathroom and closing the door behind him.

The steam rising from the tub was soothing in its own way. I think I could get used to this. I turned and, unintentionally, looked at myself in the mirror. I gasped. I look awful and they think I'm attractive. They must all be blind! My long black hair was all over my face and head as it pulled free from my braid, my nose was bright red from crying and sitting out in the cold. My clothes had dust and dirt all over them from sitting in the storage room and, let's not forget, I have enough bruises on my body to recreate a mosaic masterpiece.

Now I understood why this whole situation seemed so nice to me. It's because it cannot be real. They have to have been put up to this or.... I have created a delusion in my own mind. I...I cannot compare to them. I stared into my dull brown eyes and paled skin tone reflecting back at me in the mirror. There is no way either of them wants something as disgusting as me.