C5 Negotiable

"You’re to be a good girl now Zoey. And please come and visit sometime"

I nodded frantically as I hugged my sister for the millionth time. She has been taking my departure the hardest, and I knew this would've happened. She's been quite edgy for the past three days after Niall suggested taking me back to his pack with him.

They already knew this, but I guess the confirmation was too much for her. And I understand.

It was hard for me to part from them too. They have been my family all my life, and now I'm going to a strange land with new people. It was tearing me apart that I would be six hours away from them.

I also felt bad that I was the only female in the house that hadn't shed a tear since. My heart ached greatly and I wanted to cry, but I was never the emotional type.

My heart had a contradicting war going on. No way was I gonna stay away from my mate, but I also didn't want to leave my home.

"We can visit sometime," Naill had said once, and I knew he was right. But since I was six years old this was where I had been.

I've never slept anywhere else apart from Emerald Pack in England. But it's just how things have to be.

"I love you Vic." I mumbled. "Thank you for everything"

"I love you too baby sister. Call me as soon as you're there" She told me before placing a kiss on my cheek.

I then met eyes with Luka and for the first time ever, they looked sad. I stood awkwardly, not knowing if I should hug him or do our normal fist bump thing, but I was shocked when he pulled me into a hug.

I could feel all the love radiating from him as he held me, and I knew I couldn't have been any more blessed to have them.

Luka had always looked out for me and my mom, and I knew it wasn't just because we were his wife's family. He did it because he genuinely cared for us. And the same can be said about everyone else in the house. They loved me.

And I will forever love them too.

I was never good at goodbyes. But then again, who is? Saying bye to these ten people, including Emily, was really hard. But I did it.

With one last look and wave, Niall and I exited the house and headed to his car. I let out a breath, as I constantly reminded myself that they were just a call away, and I can visit anytime I wanted. This is my home after all.

His cousin, Valero, had to leave the day after my birthday since he had a pack to run. Niall on the other hand, didn't want to leave without me. So he gave me as much time I needed to pack and say goodbye.

It only took me three days, though some might say that was a short span of time to do everything. But I was a simple person.

Our relationship has been steady. We were just getting to know each other, nothing more. It surprised me how he hasn't attempted or brought up the topic of marking yet.

I guess he's a slow and steady kind of wolf. Weird for an Alpha, but understandable.

"You alright?" Niall asked after placing my bags in the back and joining me in his car.

"Yea. I'll just miss them you know?"

"I get it, but don't worry. We can always come back when you get home sick" He offered soothingly.

He placed a reassuring hand on my knee as he drove out of the driveway. I dared not to look back, because the tears might not have flowed then, but it might flow now.

"What's your pack like?" I asked in an attempt to get my mind off the distance that was being put between me and the people I love. I trusted Niall, but I had no idea about what his pack was like.

"You'll love it, don't worry," he said with a gentle smile. It was obvious that he loved his pack- the first and most important trait of an Alpha. "My Alpha house doesn't have as much people like yours, but you will find my Gamma and Beta quite welcoming"

I smiled at the thought. I knew going from a house of ten to a house of three would be a change. But maybe it will be good.

"I met them four years ago" I reminded him. " Jared was nice. And Asia...." I trailed off with a chuckle as I remembered my first encounter with Asia. She didn't seem to like me very much.

"Asia is complicated" He laughed. "If she doesn't come around now, she will eventually"

I nodded once but stayed quiet. I leaned my head against the window as the trees rushed past me in a green blur.

It was obvious that Niall really wanted to go back to his pack. That was one reason why I hadn't made him stay here too long. I had barely slept last night, so my eyes were already drooping.

"Sleep love" I heard Niall whisper before I let the sleep completely swallow me whole.

***

"Zoey?"

I groaned as I felt someone shaking me.

"Five more minutes Victoria" I mumbled as I pulled my legs closer to my chest.

"We're here. Wake up" The voice said amused, and I became more and more aware of my surroundings.

Niall.

His pack.

Six hour car drive.

I jumped up, seeing that we were parked in front of the huge house that I last saw four years ago. It looked the same for the most part, but I noticed that I felt different towards being here. A good different.

Slowly, I pushed the door open and waited for Niall to meet me on my side, as I continued to stare at the place that I will soon call my home.

"You ready?"

My head snapped to Niall, and I saw that he had finished unpacking the car. I took one of my bags from him to ease his strain and followed closely behind him towards the house.

My heart beat hard in my chest as he pushed the door open, and I was immediately met with smiles and a very high pitched squeal.

"You're finally here!" Niall's mom gushed as she pulled me into a hug.

I was never a hugger, and I knew I had way too many hugs for one day, but I couldn't help but welcome her embrace.

"I was so thrilled when Niall phoned us and told us that our suspicions were correct. I promised Victoria that we would take good care of you here" She added as she let me go to gaze at my face. "Oh you're even more beautiful than I remembered. No wonder my son was away for three days"

"Mom" Niall warned in a semi-annoyed tone, and I couldn't help but giggle.

"Roxy, leave the girl alone. It's nice to have you here Zoey. I'm happy that my son found his mate" This came from Ace, Niall's dad, as he gave him a short side hug.

I only ever met them once, but I was surprisingly very comfortable around them.

"Me too. And I'm sorry I kept him away from his pack so long" I voiced, surprisingly shy. Ace and Roxy simply waved it off.

"Oh that's okay. Things here were dealt with wonderfully. All credit to these two"

Our attentions were brought to the others in the room as Ace pointed behind him. He stepped aside and I got a full view of Jared and Asia.

Jared looked mostly the same like when he was fourteen, but only in a more matured way. He was undoubtedly handsome and had a great build, and the smile he was flashing me gave his face a more youthful glow.

"I guess it's finally my turn to welcome our new family member" He beamed as he came over to give me a short hug. I knew puberty was a thing, but his voice really took me by surprise.

"It's good to see you again Jared" I smiled as he let me go.

"Likewise. This guy chatted my ears off for four years about you. So I would be bummed if that was all in vain." He added, making me laugh. "Just make yourself at home."

He did a little bow and raised his imaginary hat, so I did my best curtsey followed by a laugh. Jared and I will get along quite well.

My eyes then moved to Asia, where she was perched on the staircase with a deep frown on her face, and it was directed at me. If I thought that puberty did Jared well, I don't know what to say about her.

She had long auburn hair that flowed richly down her back and shoulders. From where I stood, I could see how straight and perfect her nose was, and her lips were full and plump. She had the perfect curvy figure, and her bust seemed just right for her height and size. All in all, she was beautiful; perfect even. The only thing that ruined it was her scowl.

I didn't know why she didn't seem to like me. I mean, isn't she supposed to be ecstatic that another female company will be around?

I guess not. But I tried my best to put on my best smile. I didn't want to start off on the wrong foot, even though I usually matched the energy I got. But I was mostly doing it for Niall, since she was his Beta and all.

"Hi Asia," I greeted with a very awkward wave that made me want to cut my hand off.

Her eyes shifted from me, to Niall, then to everyone else in the room before she said, " Congratulations"

And with that, she turned and left.

I looked to Niall in confusion, and he just shrugged casually. I'm not the person to force friendship, so she definitely won't be hearing from me again.

If Niall was right about her 'coming around eventually', then it'll take me a while to warm up too.

She's not the only one with sass.

"Well that went well" I mumbled sarcastically as I picked up my bag again.

"Don't worry about Asia. She's a tough shell to crack" Roxy said in an attempt to make me feel better, I assumed. Except, it didn't bother me one bit because I'm an even tougher shell to crack.

"That's okay. I'm starving though" I giggled as my tummy rumbled, and I realized I hadn't eaten in eight hours.

"I'll go get dinner started. It's okay if we stay for dinner right Niall?" His mom asked, and he nodded once.

"Of course mom. I'll just go get Zoey settled in"

He offered me his hand, and led me to the second floor. He stopped in front of a door and turned to look at me shyly.

"This is-ugh- my room. I didn't know if you'd like to stay in your own room just until we know more about each other?" It came out more as a question, and he looked so cute with the blush climbing up his neck

"How are we gonna know more about each other if we stay in separate rooms?" I teased, making him blush even more.

It was the cutest thing, and I could really see that he didn't want to mess things up between us.

"Okay, so it's big enough if you would like to add anything. Or if you want to take out anything that's fine too. We can even redecorate the whole room if you'd lik-"

"Niall" I cut him off gently. "My hand hurts" I giggled as I gestured to the bag I was holding.

He gave me an apologetic smile and pushed the door open. His scent immediately filled my senses, as it soothed me from the inside out. It was relatively clean and neat, even more than my old room, so I had to give him credit for that.

It was, however, a little boring given that the walls were beige and held no wall hangings or anything.

I could also envision a nice chandelier hanging from the centre of the room like in my old room, but for now it was perfect. I would run the ideas by him sometime in the future.

He carried my suitcase and my other bag towards the closet, and I did the same with the one I was holding. He then proceeded to show me where everything was, including the ensuite bathroom and the library attached to his room. Very impressive.

I placed my art supplies in a corner, and he offered to make part of the library an area where I could paint, since he learnt how much I loved to do that.

He also seemed to read my mind and suggested that I hang some of my favourites around the house and room. But for now, I decided to settle with just the room.

"So how is everything so far?" He asked nervously. I knew this was very unlike him, but I also knew that the last thing he wanted was for me to hate it here and demand to go back home.

A small smile etched it's way to my lips as I closed the distance between us and placed a sweet lingering kiss on his cheek.

"It's great Niall. I already love it here"

He visibly relaxed at that, and I was glad that he finally seemed to loosen up and know that I was not going anywhere. Ever.

"Good" He breathed. "Oh and sorry about Asia, she's probably just a little jealous"

My eyebrows knitted together in confusion at this, and the look on his face suggested that he wasn't supposed to let that slip.

"Why would she be jealous?" I asked carefully, folding my arms over my chest. "She's not your mate"

"She-uh. We... Look Zoey don't take it the wrong way but-"

"Were you guys in some sort of relationship?" I shot back a little too harshly. I couldn't help the possessiveness that swamped my feelings.

He didn't answer, which completely confirmed my question. I, however, needed to hear it from him.

"Niall. Were you and Asia in any sort of intimate relationship?" I asked even more sternly. He hung his head and I saw as his Adam's apple bob up and down before he whispered almost inaudible.

"Yes."

And just like that, my intention of staying in the same room with him tonight suddenly felt negotiable.