Loving My Mate

Mates Pt. 1

HARRIS POV

It’s finally happening.  I’m on the stage for the induction ceremony in a navy blue tux, personally picked out by my mother.  My dad is on stage addressing all of the wolves in attendance.  I’m no longer nervous in front of crowds, but seeing the proud faces of my parents makes me hope I can be a strong and willed as they think I can be.  Mark stands next to me, holding a serious face, understanding how important this ceremony is.  I couldn’t have asked for a better friend to lead my life with.  I gaze through the crowd and see some familiar faces of ones I went to school with, but I haven’t seen her yet. 

I’ve tried to push memories of Brighton’s face in the furthest part of my mind since I left.  Hurting her all those years ago is the biggest disappointment I had ever felt.  Even though it was petty jealousy and immature, I should have never let that happen.  Since I have been back, I been thinking of her almost every night.  How she was, what she looked like, if she was mated, was she happy?  I’m so lost in my thoughts, that I don’t even hear my name being called.  Mark elbows me hard in the ribs.  “What!?” I sneer.

“Your dad finished his speech asshole, and he’s calling you up to the podium,” he says through his fake toothed smile.

I look forward and all eyes are on me, mom looking disappointed and dad glaring at me.  Clearing my throat, I approach my dad at the microphone and hug him.  I turn to the large assembly and take a deep breath.  “Opus Moon pack and honored guests, thank you for coming out tonight.  My absence away from the territory was far too long.  I know I have missed a lot of things.  But upon my return, I was able to observe the strength and character of our wolves, with the motivation to start a new generation.  I am honored to following in my parents’ footsteps as Alpha of the Opus Moon clan.  My beta, Mark and I have spent years forming stronger alliances with neighboring packs, as well as understanding the importance of being good leaders.  I am looking forward in earning your trust as an alpha, and when it is time to take over, me, my future luna, and Mark and his future family, will promise to uphold the integrity and prosperity the pack has achieved.  Thank you.”

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After the speeches and inductions, the party begins.  Tables and chairs surround a large dance floor, while soft jazzy music plays in the background.  The venue is tastily decorated.  Mom went all out with flowers and lighting.  The venue itself is spectacular with floor to ceiling windows, which only enhances how grand everything is.  People are everywhere, enjoying the food, each other’s company, or on the dancefloor.  As I’m gazing at my parents dancing, seeming truly in love, a soft hand taps on my shoulder.  Tara, the daughter of the alpha of the Crescent Moon pack, is standing in front of me looking killer in a tight red evening gown.  She is wearing a seductress’ grin and trails her hand along my jacket on my chest. 

“Hello Harrison, long time no see.”

I take her hand off my chest and kiss the top of it.  “Tara, looking beautiful as always.  Any success on the mate hunt?”  She fakes a pout, not very becoming. 

“It seems very unlikely that he’s here… but who needs him when I can have you?”  She stares at me like I’m a god.  Going back to her clinginess.  Where is Mark when I need him?  There’s no way I can sleep with her again, even as tempting as she looks.  I politely take her hands and ask her for a dance, out of respect.

As the music turns to a slow song, she snuggles right up to me, playing with my hair.  I’m definitely tense but trying all my best to be a gentleman.  When one of her hands glides across my chest down my stomach, my wolf starts to rustle in my head.

Stop!

What is it dude?

She needs to stop now!

When I go back to clarify, he remains silent.  Weird.  I take Tara’s hands again and spin her away then back towards me, to finish out the song.  During the applause to the band, Tara starts talking to me, but I can’t focus on that.  With a force like lightning, the most delicious smell hits my nostrils.  I close my eyes and inhale to the beautiful fragrance of lavender in a meadow, right after it rains on a sunny day.  Why is it that specific? 

MATE 

My eyes pop open, shifting my head left and right to look for the source of that scent. 

“Harrison, you’re not even paying attention to me!” 

I push Tara away at arms-length, probably using more force than necessary.  She’s so close I can practically taste her.  My heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest as I’m weaving through the large crowd.  I’ve been all around the country and places outside the country, and not once have I met my mate.  I didn’t think she existed, but she’s here!  I get closer to the entrance and my feet almost trip over each other as she turns around.  Just like her, us standing 20 feet apart, we are staring at each other, deer caught in headlights. 

MATE!

“Brighton,” I whisper out.

All of the memories I have of her are flooding through when I gaze at her shocked face.  She’s such a beautiful creature, I can’t take it in all at once.  She still looks the same, yet with a woman’s full and luscious figure.  Her dark chocolate hair and piercing green eyes are only enhanced by her olive tanned skin.  Her dress is hugging her in all the right places and she looks absolutely gorgeous.  And she’s mine. 

As I start slowly walking towards her, I see so many emotions cross her face: Shock, sadness, humiliated, hurt… I can tell that she’s reliving the memories the same as me and my lips thin, not knowing how she’ll respond when I reach her.  On my last steps, staring at her beautiful green eyes, I can see pools of tears, and she does something that I would have never expected.