Raff

She accepted me. She accepted me, and forgave me. Goddess what did I do to deserve such a perfect mate? I question to myself the whole walk back to the pack house when suddenly Nina turns to me with an alarmed expression. I instantly tense up fearing the worst.
“It’s tradition to announce a mated pair at dinner, but if you’re not comfortable with that, then we can hold off.” She rushes out, as if afraid of the answer.
Goddess she even wants people to know about us. She is too good for me. I smile at her, and squeeze her hand. “I would love for everyone to know I am yours.” I see her face flush pink, and her eyes sparkle. She turns away from me quickly, and begins walking again. I can’t help the adoration I feel for her at that moment, and I let out a small chuckle at her cuteness. As we are walking, and we get closer to the pack house I notice her demeanor change. Her back straightens, and her shoulders square. We walk in holding hands, and head to her office with her leading the way. When we get there, and she sits down, she looks around her office with a loving face. I notice the stack of papers that was there the day I wrote the letter is gone. I guess Derek and Grey really helped a lot.
“I guess they really did what they said.” I say with a chuckle watching her body relax a bit. She clicks the mouse at her computer, and her eyes go wide. I get confused and worried, so I rush over to see what she saw when she stands up, and looks at me.
“It's only five minutes until lunch. We have to hurry down.” She says moving towards me and the door. When I realize what is going on I begin to move with her. While in the elevator she stiffens as if realizing something, and I see her face go blank with a pleasant smile. This seems to be the look she wears anytime she goes into public. I wonder what made her feel like she can’t be herself around people. I had a nagging feeling I wouldn’t like the answer. I step forward, taking her hand, and giving it a reassuring squeeze. She is startled out of her daze, and gives me a brief glance, and smile before the elevator doors open, and we are off to lunch. By the time we reach the dining room people are beginning to file in. We get a few curious looks from fellow pack members, but other than that nobody pays us much attention. It’s refreshing to see an alpha not demand the attention of everyone.
When we take our seats we see the last of the pack filling in at the table, and when she is satisfied Nina stands. “Now I know you have all heard of my stay at the hospital, but rest assured I am fine now. I fully intend to resume our normal routine, and have even decided to play a game of tag for this evening’s training.” I see people begin to whisper, and murmur to one another in hushed tones. “Please mind link your friends and family who are at work right now. Participation is a must. Unless you speak with me directly. In other news I am happy to announce I have found my mate in Raff. I apologize for the delayed announcement, but I wanted to give him a couple of days to adjust before I announced it.” As she says this I hear gasps from most everyone before the room erupts in applause, and excited whoops. Nina lets them be happy for a moment before she raises her glass to say more. “As per tradition the parties will be held after the game of tag, and teams will be announced at 7pm sharp. Enjoy your lunch.” She finishes as she takes her seat. People begin to eat, and I see her subtly release a breath. I reach for her hand under the table, and give it a squeeze before I begin eating as well. After lunch I walk with Nina to the training field only to find two females in the pit already sparring. I hear Nina sigh as she walks forward.
“What is with people challenging each other during lunch training?” I ask as we walk towards the pit. I see her heave a heavy sigh as she begins to explain.
“Since we don’t have a formal training regimen for our lunch training, because it’s optional people often use it to challenge someone they have an issue with.” I nod with understanding as we get close enough to the pit to see Tess fighting some female wearing clothes very inappropriate for a fight. I think she was even wearing heels. With her dark hair pulled up in a high pony, and clothes that were barely covering anything. “This fight seems to be between Sarah who is Theo’s most common fling, and Tess. Fun fact about Tess even though she is far more level headed than Theo she is also much more viscous. Her enemies gave her the nickname
‘The Ripper.’ Original, but the reason they call her that is because she likes to skin her opponents with her claws before ripping their heads off. The worst part is that she does it all with a smile. She usually listens pretty well, but when she gets truly angry she can be harder to control. I have had to step in a couple of times.” As if on cue when she finished speaking we hear a shriek of rage from the pit just in time to see Sarah charge Tess with her heel, and stab her in the shoulder. Tess staggers back a half step, and pulls the heel out, throwing it out of the pit. When she looks back up I see her claws extend, and a smile grows on her face as she advances on Sarah looking like a wolf stalking its prey. I see Sarah’s face morph into one of fear, and then horror as Tess takes the first swipe. The hit lands on Sarah’s face, and she tries to put distance between the two. Tess advances, not giving her an escape, and looking more like a predator toying with its food. Once cornered Tess begins mauling her mercilessly, and the only sound we hear from Sarah is her shrieks of pain.
Out of nowhere Tess goes flying, and hits the ground a few feet away with a heavy thud. In my confusion I failed to realize Nina had left my side, and was now standing over a very bloody Sarah. The unknown force that sent Tess flying could have only been Nina, and as pack members begin to drag the bloodied Sarah away I see Tess stand up, and run at them with her claws still out, and the same smile on her face. I see Nina prepare for a fight, but it never comes. As Tess is running full force I see a tan wolf come from nowhere, and tackle her. She flails for a minute under the wolf before going still. I look back to see Nina relax, and begin walking towards Tess and the wolf. I head in the same direction curious as to what is going on, and who the wolf is. Based on the size it is a strong wolf, but solid tan wolves aren’t very common, so it's hard to determine the exact rank of the wolf. As I get close I hear Nina talking to Tess.
“Tess, I'm disappointed. You know how Sarah is, and you know she is a weak wolf. All you had to do when she stabbed you was knock her out. You are usually much more calm than this. Is something going on?” I am surprised at her words. Rather than reprimand Tess for her lack of discipline she is asking if she is okay? From beneath the wolf I hear quiet sobs, and Tess begins to speak.
“We slept together for the first time last night, and he called me Sarah.” I am shaken to my core. Mates don’t make mistakes like that. “So when Sarah said she wanted to challenge me for Theo I lost my temper.” I see Nina’s face go soft, and she looks just as hurt for Tess as I feel.
“Thank you Derek, but I can take things from here.” She says out loud to the wolf who huffs in response.
Derek has a tan wolf? That’s unexpected. I think to myself when I see his eyes glaze over, and look to see Nina’s are the same. After a few seconds Nina reaches down to help up a crying Tess.
“Lets go speak in my office.” She says gently.