Queen, Alpha, Mate

Chapter 3

Diana POV

When I get downstairs, the first guests are already starting to trickle in. I see alpha Amadeus from the Blue moon pack and alpha Christian from River rush pack. Alpha Dorian from the mountain peak pack is there too already. Slowly, more and more pack leaders and their spouses are arriving and mingling among one another. I go to every single one of them to either greet them or introduce myself to them. (What? I can be a model daughter :)). After a while, when the foyer is starting to get pretty full, I direct people to the banquet hall. Sandwiches, soups and drinks are already awaiting there. People grab them and exchange pleasantries while finding a seat at the ridiculously large table my dad plopped in there. 

"Are we almost complete?" I ask my dad. 

"Almost, dear. Only alpha Joshua from Crescent moon pack is still missing."

Crescent moon pack is one of the smaller packs in the territory and is one of our direct neighbours. They are fierce warriors and have kept many a rogue plague out of our pack. We are grateful to them for that. Joshua only just became alpha of the pack at 24 years old, from what I've heard, so I'm very curious about him. 

Alpha Jake from the Hillside pack saunters up to me, leans over me and with a wink asks me if I've given any thought to his proposal. This guy is so obviously after my crown, so I let him know that I am waiting for my fated mate, thank you very much. Hillside pack is large and in a strategically good location, but I would never enter a political marriage. Besides, I can't help it that Jake hasn't found his mate yet at 35. It doesn't mean he should just fling himself at me. This goes for most of the unmated alphas here, by the way. The mating ritual has become less and less sacred in many parts of our territory and a lot of people have a chosen mate nowadays. I refuse this. I will only have a fated mate and none other. Mostly because I think I won't find him anyway and I'm perfectly fine by myself.

I have barely finished my thought when the most delicious scent caresses my nostrills. Not the smell of food, but of fresh pine and roses. My knees buckle at it and I feel something tugging at the back of my mind again. Harder this time. I back away from it at first. 'Not here' I think 'not now, in front of all these people'. 

I pace the floor, trying to come up with a plan. Should I just go out the window? Maybe it'll go away if I stuff some pastries in my face. Maybe it's  just the pastries anyway. 

No, no it's not. I know it, I'm not an i***t. My mate is here. How can I feel my mate without my wolf? I suppose it's a matter for another time. I want to get away, but my very being is begging me to follow this delicious, mouth-watering scent.

What if they don't want me? What if I'm rejected in front of all these people because I don't have a wolf yet. The thought crosses my mind. I then scold myself for being so afraid of public embarassment and rejection while I am definitely the coolest person I know. Goodness gracious, I'm a mess. What do I do? What do I do?

I grab Katie, who is just talking to the luna of Blue moon pack and take her into the corner of the big dining hall. I whisper to her. "Katie, don't freak out. Promise me you won't freak out!"

"It looks like you're freaking out, but what's up, what do you need?"

"I need to think straight. I think my mate is here. What do I do?"

"Your mate? Are you serious? Why are you still standing here? Go to them!"

"Are you crazy? What if they don't want me?"

Katie bursts out laughing. "That's what you're worried about? Diana, who wouldn't want you? You're smoking hot, everyone here has been oogling you since you came downstairs and you're an alpha's daughter and a princess to top it all of. You are the entire package. Now go!" She pushes me in the direction of the door.

I muster up all the courage I can gather and take a step towards the door, and then another, and another. Why am I suddenly so doubtful? I am confident. I should be confident. nothing should be holding me back. I AM the whole package and anyone would be lucky to have me. I speak courage to myself and take myself to the door step by step. I am a strong, independent woman, who don't need no man, though having one sending sparks all over my body (as I've heard happens) would be amazing. Goddess I hope he's nice. Here goes nothing.

I follow my nose towards the scent and when I turn the corner I stare straight into the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. I feel something snap, not in my head, but in my soul. My voice comes out as a whimper. 

"Mate."

"Mate." I hear in reply.