Thatcher's POV
"How was it? Were you able to speak to her?" Logan inquired as Julian and I entered the house. While Julian excused himself and went upstairs for a shower, I walked to the bar and poured myself a drink.
"Did you speak to her? What did she say?" Logan repeated when I didn't respond right away.
"No," I replied after wetting my throat with a glass of vodka.
"What happened? You didn't meet her?"
"We saw her, and we also drove her home, but she didn't respond to our questions," I explained.
"You mean she snubbed you?" Logan scoffed.
"Something like that. She suddenly started crying. She's a difficult person; I can't seem to understand her."
"We barely know her; we shouldn't judge her so quickly," Logan said, grabbing a seat beside me.
"Yeah, you're right," I nodded. "I shouldn't judge her."
"Is Julian okay?"
"He is. He's just trying to get the load off his chest."
"Does this mean that the girl is our mate? I'm so confused. Madison is supposed to be our mate. Is the prophecy wrong? Should I call Gabriel?" he asked.
"Not yet. Let's wait a few more days."
"I'm getting anxious; I don't think I can wait until her birthday."
"It's just six days away. Calm down," I said, swallowing another shot of my drink.
Logan settled into his chair. "While we're waiting, I'd love to know more about her. Do you think she has any friends? Maybe we can get information from them," he suggested, looking at me.
"I'm just as clueless as you, man. Don't ask me," I grumbled.
"Chill, I'll speak to Matthew. He can gather information about her before it's too late. It's better to be prepared. We need to know if she's eighteen, and if not, we'll get her birth information." He suddenly stood up. "I'll speak to Matthew," he said, then left.
About twenty minutes after Logan left, Julian joined me at the bar, sitting in the same chair Logan had used.
"I think I understand how you felt that day. Why can't I stop thinking about her? Since that incident, I haven't been able to get her out of my mind. I see her face everywhere; when I close my eyes, she's there; even in the shower, she's all I see. It's crazy. Does it get better?"
"It doesn't. It hasn't stopped. She still pops into my head all the time, day and night. It's strange; I've never experienced this with anyone."
"I'm scared. It's scary."
"It is," I admitted, shaking my head. "I struggle to keep her out of my mind; it feels like an addiction."
How can I feel this way about someone I barely know? And the fact that she's always been around us makes it even scarier.
I've never noticed her. I've only ever had eyes for Madison. But she was always there, always close to us.
"I have an idea about how we can get more information about her," Julian suggested.
"Logan wants Matthew to investigate," I informed him quickly.
"I have a different idea. Let's visit them tonight. Beta Benjamin has been inviting us to dinner; let's accept his offer."
"Really?" I asked, curious.
"Yes, we can gather information about her tonight," he said.
That sounded like a good suggestion.
"Let's do it. Let's have dinner there," I agreed immediately.
"Great. I'll call Benjamin now."
He took out his cellphone and dialed a few numbers. The call went through, and Beta Benjamin's voice came through the speaker.
"Are you free tonight? My brothers and I would love to accept your offer for dinner. We've been putting it off too long. Let's give you the honor," Julian said.
"Oh, I am absolutely free! Haha, this is great news! We will prepare a feast in your honor."
"It'll be a family dinner, Benjamin."
"A family dinner? Certainly, we'll organize everything to suit your taste and preference. Please provide me with any details."
"We'd love to meet your whole family tonight. Is that possible?"
"Of course it is, Alpha. You'll meet my wife and my entire household," he replied, laughing in excitement.
"Um, Alpha, do you have a particular meal you'd like us to prepare?" Benjamin asked after a pause.
"No, just do what you do best."
"Yes, thank you."
"We'll be at your place by 8:00 p.m."
"Understood, Alpha," he laughed again before ending the call.
"Doesn't he sound too excited?" Julian smirked after ending the call.
"We're his daughter's mate," I mumbled.
"Just because of that?"
"Yeah."
"I'll inform Logan so he can clear his schedule. You should also be ready by eight."
**
We arrived at Beta Benjamin's house four minutes past eight and found the whole household waiting for us—well, everyone except her.
Where is she? Why isn't she with them?
"Please, come to the dining room; it's this way," Beta Benjamin said, trying to lead us, but none of us moved.
"Is this everyone?" Logan asked, glancing from Beta Benjamin to his wife.
"Yes, this is everyone. This is my lovely wife and my daughter. Am I missing something?" he inquired calmly.
Logan gave a sharp, indirect response: "I think you are. I thought you had other children."
"This is a family dinner, Julian explained to you, didn't he? We wish to have dinner with your entire family."
"I... Who..." Beta Benjamin looked nervously at his daughter, then his wife. Then realization dawned on him.
He ran to a maid and whispered to her. Afterward, he returned to us.
"My stepdaughter is still getting dressed. She'll join us halfway through dinner. Please forgive us," he said, lowering his head in apology.
"Forgive us, Alphas; my daughter is very slow. She'll be here soon," his wife added.
"Yes, let's just start without her. She's very slow, and I also don't wish to eat with her," Madison chimed in.
But this isn't part of the plan. I want her here with us. I need her here. They're pissing me off with their nonchalant attitude—all of them. They're apologizing, but the look on their faces says something different. Why are they treating her like she's not one of them? Why are they treating her like dirt?
Fuck... Fuck them. "I am fucking pissed, and so is my wolf. When my wolf is enraged, even I, his owner, will not be able to calm him."