Mate Mistake

Changing Times

As Lock exited his study, he traveled down the hall to find his father. He had walked this hall hundreds if not thousands of times as a little boy and now as a man. He could remember rolling hoops down the long hall with his nursemaid and sword fighting with wooden planks with his father. It seemed still and lifeless today and Lock took special notice of the lack of servants who were usually bustling about.

He paused for a moment to listen - but nothing. Though he was keen to keep to himself and not a loud or boisterous young man, the absence of daily chaos made Lock feel uneasy. Just then two servants passed in front of him, young girls, giggling as they caught sight of him and hurried away. Being too oblivious to realize his appeal to young servant girls, Lock thought nothing of the encounter and continued toward his father's study.

As he reached the door he was surprised when it opened before he could touch it. On the other side was Beta Will, who was so surprised to find Lock standing on the other side of the door that he let out a loud "OH!" and clutched his chest. Lock, startled as well, did not move.

"I'm sorry, lad," Will finally sputtered. "What a trick of timing."

"Sorry indeed, Will. I did not mean to frighten you."

They both smiled and as Lock took a step into the study he looked around, surprised that it was empty.

"Trey said father was looking for me, but I believe he was wrong."

"He is," Will added as he glanced around the study, as if he too was looking for the Alpha to be seated behind the great mahogany desk. "He's in his chamber today, Lock. The journey has become too far."

The words struck Lock deeper than he expected, though his posture and expression did not change. The journey had become too far. The trip from his bed to his study, down one hall and down a flight of stairs had become too far a journey.

Lock could not respond. After all he had gone through, after training and classroom work on every subject imaginable, this was a situation Lock felt somehow completely abandoned and unprepared for.

"I'll walk with you, lad. Uncharted territory is best charted with others."

Lock gave him a nod, but still could not find the right words. They exited the study together and proceeded down to Alpha Urbhan's chambers.

When they got to the door, Lock could hear laughter and was relieved at the sounds of happiness coming from inside. Not only that, but the smell that came from the room was positively rejuvenating. Juniper and honey, and it gave Lock a feeling he had never experienced before. Suddenly his worries, his fears of the future that moments ago were so heavy on his mind and on his heart, were lifted. They were somehow manageable.

He opened the door and could immediately see that every window had been opened wide and sunlight and fresh spring air poured in. Alpha Urbhan's room looked like a botanical garden, filled with juniper, heather, eccanacia, bouquets of lilacs. The Alpha sat at his bed with a honeycomb in hand while he played a game of Twelve Lines with a young servant boy. Luna Reyna sat by his side, laughing and wiping at each drip and drab of honey that dribbled down Alpha Urbhan's face and onto his clothes. Her wet cloth and bucket were sticky from top to bottom, but no one seemed to mind the inconvenience of a honeycomb in bed.

In Lock's earliest of memories he could remember his mother and father being, first and foremost, silly. They played games with each other continuously, involving servant children whenever possible and playing devilish practical jokes on each other. Lock envied their balance of serious and light-heartedness and wondered if he would ever know such a balance.

"Love," Luna Reyna said calmly as she caught sight of Lock in the chamber. The handful of maids in attendance exited when noting his arrival. Luna Reyna wiped her hands with the cloth and stood to attend her son, but he raced to her side before she could take a step.

"Don't let me interrupt," Lock said, "I was told I was needed, but if it's simply for Twelve Line hints father, I'm afraid I am no good at the game." Luna Reyna let out a laugh and Lock tousled the hair of the servant boy perched on the Alpha's bed.

"Well Strand, we will have to delay your loss of this game until later. I have some business to attend to with my son."

"Yes, Alpha," the young boy smiled and picked the game up and placed it carefully on a side table, where he hoped it would not be disturbed until he had a chance to come back and finish his game. Luna Reyna wrapped the last piece of honeycomb and tucked it into the boys front pocket.

"A bit of sweetness for later, love." She kissed his head and the boy left skipping, happy as could be.

"A pack is only strong with good young blood, Lock. You'll remember that," Alpha Urbhan said, his voice seemingly strong and unwavering.

"I think I best find one who prefers archery," Lock replied.

"You'll have pups of your own, Lock. I wish I could see the day."

Eager to change the subject, Lock sat down at the table on the opposite side of his mother, hoping to avoid the stickiness of the honey that appeared to be everywhere. "I believe you sent for me," Lock said dryly.

"Indeed I did. Indeed I did." Alpha Urbhan struggled to sit up taller and it was then that Lock realized he had minimal use of his arms or hands. Luna Reyna quickly stood and helped situate pillows behind the Alpha's back. "It's time for your Alpha Ceremony. I want it to be done while I am still able to assist you through the transition."

"But surely that's years away, " Lock chimed. "I don't see why that can't wait until I'm 18 father, I'm in no hurry to-"

"There is no time!" Alpha Urbhan interrupted. They stood in silence looking at each other, waiting for someone to make the first move. "My situation is deteriorating Lock, at a time when I know the world around us is advancing. The best hope for you, and the best hope for this pack is for your ceremony to happen now."

Lock stood and crossed to his father's window, willing his worries to flow out in the spring breeze, across the meadows and to a happier place. He felt his mother's hand on his arm, and he glanced down to see her small frame shiver in the breeze. He draped his arm around her and turned back towards his father. He knew what must happen.

"When shall it be?" Lock said, his mood shifting from perilous to determined.

"Good. Good, son. Tonight. It should happen tonight."

"Then I suppose I have things to do to prepare." Ignoring the scroll still in his hand and the conversation he had intended on having with his father, Lock kissed his mother and exited his father's chambers. He needed air and to somehow, even if only for a moment, escape the worries that were so heavy upon him.