The Alpha's Wayward Mate

The group traveled for the rest of the day until they came to a large towering rock in the desert. It looked like houses built on the side of the mountain. It was unlike anything Scarlett had ever seen.

The rock was red and brown and so were the stone houses. Scarlett had to wonder how they managed to do such a thing.

"Ah, home sweet home." Maverick said from a top of his horse behind her. She looked back at him and almost giggled loudly at the happy, relieved look upon his face.

She found it adorable to see how excited he was about being home. Scarlett just hoped she could view this place as home one day as well.

Maverick kicked the horse into a gallop, heading down the hill towards the giant rock. When they reached the face, Scarlett could see why he chose this place. The rock shielded the village most of the day by how it was positioned towards the sun.

Scarlett could see an oasis pool near the curve at the end of the large rock.

She couldn't believe how beautiful it really was here. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine such a place.

As they arrived, the people started greeting Maverick happily on his return. A few looked at Scarlett with wonder, knowing by the way she sat before their alpha that she must be his mate.

Scarlett tried to avoid their gaze. She knew that she was not his mate in the strict's sense of the word yet.

As Maverick dismounted, he reached up to lift Scarlett off the horse. Scarlett looked up the moment Mavericks' name was shouted behind him.

He lifted her, then set her down upon the soft earth. He spun around to catch the petite female who launched herself at him.

"Where have you been, you brute, leaving me to worry when you didn't come home at the appointed time from the ceremony."

Maverick had the good grace to blush but then spoke gently to the woman in front of him. "I am terribly sorry. I had an issue arise that waylaid me for a bit." He smirked down at the lady.

Maverick then stepped aside to show the woman his mate. "Mother, I would like you to meet my mate from the forest tribe, Scarlett."

The older woman's gaze traveled to Scarlett, and they lit up instantly at seeing Scarlett's garb.

"You are of the forest, which is so wonderful. I have not been able to talk to a forest dweller in a long time. She stated excited coming towards Scarlett in an exuberant manner.

Scarlett stepped back a little, not used to having people be so enthusiastic towards her. Maverick's mother must have noticed because she paused in her movements. Instead of hugging her, she stuck out her hand instead.

"I am Merigold, the former Alpha's mate." She said graciously.

Scarlett stuck her hand out and shook it in return. "I am Scarlett."

Maverick took the opportunity to move towards Scarlett and wrap an arm around her waist. "I am terribly sorry Mama, but I would very much love to show my mate our living quarters. I have been waiting for this moment a long time."

His mother nodded in understanding, shooing them off in the direction of his home. Maverick beamed at her before scooping her up and walking towards their home.

Scarlett gasped and squealed slightly as he carried her bridal style towards a set of stairs etched in stone towards a large abode that sat against the rock wall down near the oasis. As they approached the abode, Scarlett stared at the outside.

There were chicken in a coup and a little pathway up to the door. There were bushes on either side of the walkway. Scarlett had never seen anything so picturesque. Not even her own home, which was surrounded by trees.

Scarlett loved it. She began asking him questions about it as they approached the door. "How long have you been working on this place?" She asked in excitement.

Maverick smiled down at his mate, pleased that she seemed to find his home-making skills adequate. "I am very pleased you like it. I have been working on this since I was nineteen. I wanted my mate to have the best place imaginable when I found her." He boasted slightly as they stopped at the threshold.

"Why do you not enter Maverick?" Scarlett asked nervously, but his response only made her melt.

His gold gaze dropped toq hers. "I am pausing because it's tradition to savor the moment you walk across the threshold of your home with the mate fate has chosen for you." He whispered softly as if talking too loud would break some spell.

Scarlett felt at a loss for words. She had never met anyone so romantic and sweet as Maverick seemed to be. She had never even seen her father and mother act this way towards each other.

'Is it supposed to be this way with their mates?' Scarlett had to wonder. She couldn't remember ever seeing any couple of her recalling being so affectionate towards each other.

The two eventually walked inside and Scarlett got a good look inside their home. "Oh my Maverick, it is wonderful?" She said breathlessly as she spun around the entrance of the home.

"This is amazing." She turned towards him as he set the saddlebags down.

"Would you like the grand tour my lovely mate?" He asked. "I would be happy to show it to you whenever you are ready."

Scarlett looked around the space. "Where would you like to show me first Maverick?"

His face lit up. Maverick grabbed her hand enthusiastically. "There are many places I would like to show you, mate. We can start upstairs and then work our way down here. Or we could start down here and work our way upstairs?" He grinned while wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Scarlett felt her face heat up. She wasn't sure how to respond to his suggestion, so she said the first thing that came to mind. "Upstairs, then downstairs."